OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE DANISH DOBERMANN CLUB

IDC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 2026 – GRAM SLOT

Over the past few weeks, there has been considerable concern and discussion surrounding the serious illness identified among Dobermanns and now being investigated in greater detail by the Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad” in Serbia.

First and foremost, we would like to say something that must not get lost in this entire discussion:
Our thoughts are with all owners and breeders who have lost their dogs and puppies.
Losing a dog is devastating. And it is even more unsettling when dealing with a disease about which many questions still remain unanswered.
The Danish Dobermann Club takes this situation seriously.

However, the seriousness of the situation must not lead to assumptions being presented as facts, nor should one particular event be singled out as posing a special risk unless there is veterinary evidence to support such a conclusion.

And this is precisely where we believe the discussion surrounding the IDC World Championship Show at Gram Slot on 29–30 August 2026 needs greater balance.

What do we know now?

On 5 August 2026, the Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad” issued an official statement concerning the disease outbreak it has investigated.

According to the Institute’s epidemiological description, the investigated outbreak in Serbia began following the introduction of a Dobermann from Russia in December 2025.

Approximately ten days later, the first dog became ill, after which infection was subsequently detected among other Dobermanns that had been in close contact.

This is a very important piece of information.

The specific outbreak described by Novi Sad is therefore associated with the introduction of a dog from Russia into Serbia – not with a dog show.

This does not mean that transmission cannot occur wherever dogs meet.

But it does mean that we must be very careful about presenting dog shows as the cause of the spread of this disease when the documentation currently available to us describes a different epidemiological course.
The disease is serious – but our focus must be directed towards the actual risks.

The Scientific Veterinary Institute describes an amdoparvovirus infection and, among other things, a possible incubation period ranging from approximately two weeks to two months or longer.

The Institute also states that infected dogs may shed the virus without necessarily showing clear clinical symptoms and that indirect transmission through, among other things, people, equipment and vehicles may be possible.

We take this seriously.

At the same time, we are aware of cases in which dogs or puppies from affected areas have been exported to other countries and subsequently became seriously ill or died.

Based on this alone, we cannot establish the precise route of transmission in every individual case.

However, it underlines why the movement of potentially infected dogs between kennels, regions and countries is an important area on which to focus.

This is not the same as evidence that these dogs became infected at dog shows.

That distinction is important.

A virus does not follow the name of an event. It follows an infected dog and the contacts through which transmission may occur.

A potentially infected dog may therefore pose a risk at a breeder’s premises, during transport, through import or export, during mating, through private contact between dogs – and, of course, also at an event if it comes into contact with other dogs.

For this reason, our focus must be on the individual dog, its origin, its travel and contact history, and the relevant preventive measures. IDC has not been documented as posing a greater risk than other international dog shows

We would like to state this very clearly:
We have seen no veterinary evidence demonstrating that the IDC World Championship Show at Gram Slot poses a greater risk of infection than other comparable international dog shows.

This is not the same as saying that the risk is zero.

No organiser can guarantee zero risk whenever live animals are gathered together.

However, dog shows and other canine events continue to be held in various European countries. Events are also being held in Serbia, and people continue to travel internationally with their dogs.

It is therefore difficult to understand why participating in an international dog show in one country should be considered acceptable while participating in IDC in Denmark should be regarded as particularly dangerous, unless there is a specific veterinary basis for making that distinction.

If such evidence exists, we naturally want to see it and act accordingly.

Until then, we believe that the same professional and veterinary standards should be applied to all international dog events.

This is not about IDC versus other shows.

It is about consistency, evidence and common sense.

Novi Sad does not recommend a general suspension of dog shows

It is also important to note that the official statement from the Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad” does not describe a general suspension of dog shows or events where many dogs gather.

Instead, the Institute describes preventive measures for such events.

Among these measures is a recommendation for a negative PCR test no older than seven days, as well as the absence of the described clinical symptoms.

This distinction matters.

If the veterinary recommendation had been that dogs should not gather at all, we would of course have had to respond accordingly.

But that is not what the information we have received states.

What is the Danish Dobermann Club doing?

We have not chosen simply to continue as though nothing has happened.

We have already strengthened our precautions.

For participating dogs coming from Serbia and Ukraine, we have requested a negative PCR test.

The participants concerned have been informed and have accepted this requirement.

Dogs owned or registered in Russia cannot participate in Danish dog shows under the current rules of the Danish Kennel Club.

At the same time, we are working to clarify exactly which laboratories can perform the relevant PCR test, which specific analysis is required and what documentation should accompany the test.

There are still questions that need answers.

Novi Sad recommends a PCR test no older than seven days, while at the same time describing a possible incubation period of up to two months or longer.

This naturally raises an important question:
What level of assurance does a negative PCR test at a specific point in time provide if a dog may still be in the early stages of a possible infection?

We will not speculate about the answer.
This is why we have asked the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration for assistance

The Danish Dobermann Club has contacted the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and its Veterinary Task Force and requested a specific veterinary assessment.

We have previously submitted documentation and have also been in telephone contact with the authorities.

We have now additionally forwarded the new official statement from the Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad” and requested a prompt written response.

Among other things, we are seeking clarification regarding PCR testing, possible specific risk areas, routes of transmission and the concrete precautions that Danish event organisers should take.

Our position is very simple:
If the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration recommends additional precautions, we will implement them.
If the authorities determine that certain dogs should not participate, we will act accordingly.
And if they determine that there is no veterinary basis for additional restrictions, it is equally important for us to know that.

We do not want to guess.
IDC is held outdoors – and we are taking precautions

The IDC World Championship Show at Gram Slot is an outdoor event.

We will limit unnecessary direct contact between dogs and focus on appropriate distancing, good hygiene and disinfection.

We will also pay particular attention to the handling of dogs during judging.

Since Novi Sad also describes the possibility of indirect transmission via people, equipment and vehicles, we are naturally taking this into consideration as well.

We have previously recommended Virkon, and Novi Sad itself refers to a potassium peroxymonosulfate-based disinfectant, such as Virkon, as a relevant option.

We continue to follow developments closely, and if new official information becomes available, we will act on it. We must also look at how dogs are moved between countries

If the real objective is to prevent this disease from reaching new areas, the discussion cannot focus solely on dog shows.

We also need to address the import and export of puppies and adult dogs from affected areas, international matings, transport and prolonged close contact between dogs.

This is particularly relevant when a potentially long incubation period is also being described.

We have already seen serious reports of dogs and puppies becoming ill or dying after arriving in other countries.

Those cases must be taken seriously.

But they should be used to identify the actual routes of transmission and the most effective preventive measures.

They should not automatically be presented as evidence that one particular dog show in Denmark is the problem.
Why are we going ahead with IDC?

Because, based on the information currently available, we have received no recommendation from the authorities to cancel the event.

The official statement from Novi Sad does not say that dog shows in general should be stopped either.

We are therefore continuing our preparations.

But we are doing so with strengthened precautions and with our eyes open.

If the veterinary situation changes, we will of course adjust our measures accordingly.

We believe this is the responsible way to deal with the situation.

Not by ignoring the disease.

But neither by allowing fear to make the decisions.
And finally – some common sense and perspective

We understand that some people have become uncertain.

We also understand the impact of seeing or hearing about dogs that have become seriously ill or died.

But the seriousness of this disease must not automatically lead us to conclude that the IDC World Championship Show is more dangerous than all the other dog shows that continue to take place.

We have seen no evidence to support that conclusion.

And so we return to what we believe is a very important question:
If people feel comfortable participating in an international dog show in another European country, what is the specific veterinary basis for considering IDC at Gram Slot to pose a greater risk?
If there is an answer supported by veterinary evidence, we will listen.

But the assessment should be based on facts – not on the name printed at the top of the invitation.

The same disease deserves the same level of seriousness.
The same risk should be assessed by the same standards.
And the same precautions should be evaluated on the same professional basis.
We hope you will still join us

An enormous amount of work has gone into the IDC World Championship Show 2026, and many people have worked for a long time to create some wonderful days at Gram Slot.

The uncertainty of recent weeks has naturally affected the event and the number of entries.

An international event of this size also involves significant financial commitments.

We do not wish to hide that.

But financial considerations never come before the health of our dogs.

If we believed that we were exposing dogs to an unacceptable risk, financial considerations would obviously not be a reason to continue.

We are continuing because, based on the knowledge available today and the precautions we have introduced, we have not received evidence showing that IDC represents the particular risk it has sometimes been portrayed as presenting.

We therefore hope that this information will bring some reassurance.

No one should feel pressured to attend.

But equally, we hope that people will not choose to stay away from IDC solely because of fear while at the same time feeling comfortable attending comparable events elsewhere.

All we ask is that IDC be assessed according to the same objective standards as every other international dog show.

We have listened.

We have acted.

We have strengthened our precautions.

We have introduced PCR requirements where we believe additional caution is necessary.

We have asked the Danish authorities for assistance.

And if new official information becomes available, we will act on it.

We cannot promise zero risk. No organiser can.
But we can promise that we are taking responsibility and doing everything we reasonably can to protect our dogs.

So, to everyone still considering joining us:
You are very welcome at Gram Slot.

Come if you feel comfortable doing so. Follow the precautions we have introduced, help one another to protect our dogs – and let us use both the documented information available to us and our common sense.

We sincerely hope that we can still bring together Dobermann enthusiasts from many countries for some wonderful and responsible days together.

ENTRY DEADLINE EXTENDED

Because many people have understandably been waiting for further information, we have decided to give everyone a little more time:
NEW ENTRY DEADLINE: 14 AUGUST 2026 AT MIDNIGHT
ENTRY FEES REMAIN UNCHANGED

We sincerely hope to see many of you at Gram Slot on 29–30 August 2026.

Take good care of your dogs – and of each other.

Danish Dobermann Club
IDC World Championship Show 2026
Gram Slot · 29–30 August 2026