On Saturday, 18th of October, this year's biggest charitable dog show of Estonia, BIG Match Show 2008, raised 22,917 kroons to animal shelters of Rakvere and Kohtla-Järve.

The profits of BIG Match Show go to animal shelters in Rakvere and Kohtla-Järve to improve the living conditions of homeless animals. Rakvere needs new fences and roofs of doghouses need fixing. Kohtla-Järve needs means for looking after dogs' hygiene. BIG Match Show has previously supported the shelters of homeless dogs in Pärnu, Tartu, Võru, and Haapsalu.

About 1,000 people visited this year's BIG Match Show and 163 dogs participated on the show, of which the crowned general winner was a dog named Nuki from Pärnu animal shelter. Both purebred and halfblooded dogs participated in the show, who competed according to the age and size - over knee and under knee puppies, dogs, and veterans. The judges, who were vet Kadri Kääramees, dog trainer Tiia Ariko, and dog breeder Haita-Maarit Zahharov, evaluated both appearance and behaviour of the dogs.

BIG Match Show, that took place for the fourth time, is the biggest annual charitable dog show in Estonia and in the Baltic states, which aim is to draw attention to the problem of homeless dogs and possible ways of fixing it, and also to support shelters of homeless animals. The organisers of the event are Balti Investeeringute Grupi Pank (BIG) together with the Estonian Dog Breeders Association.

Additional information and commentaries:

Aire-Piret Pärn
Member of the Management Board
Estonian Dog Breeders Association
Mobile: +372-5555-5138
airepiret@koertekoda.net