WHAT'S NEW: Home Breed Overview Int'l Union Leonberger Clubs Leolist Gallery Leo Tales Resources Calendar Leo Team

The Féderation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is a worldwide federation of national dog clubs. All member nations of the International Union für Leonberger Hunde except for the UK and the USA are governed by national kennel clubs that are members of the FCI. The Kennel Club of Great Britain has a reciprocal agreement with the FCI. The Leonberger Club of America is actively seeking direct FCI governance.

All Union members have agreed to two FCI objectives: 1) to bring international uniformity to the breeding, exhibiting, and judging of pure-bred dogs; and 2) to adhere to the Standard written by the country of origin for the breed. FCI member countries may refuse to register any dog showing genetic flaws or any animal which does not conform to approved breed standards.

The F.C.I. was founded in 1911 with five member nations participating. As of 1993, the F.C.I. member roster included 19 European , 12 Latin American, 2 Asian countries and 1 African member. An additional 11 countries including Great Britain are affiliated as associate members. The F.C.I. automatically recognizes all the registered breeds of its member countries. There are over 300 breeds recognized by the F.C.I.

F.C.I. breeds are divided into 10 groups. The Leonberger is in Group 2, the group for Watch-dogs and Working Dogs.

The F.C.I. is located in Belgium:

Federation Cynologique Internationale
Place Albert I, 13
B-6530 Thuin
Telephone: 071-59.12.38
Fax: 071 - 59.22.29

The current President of the F.C.I. is Hans Müller, who is President of the Swiss Kennel Club.