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Expo Animal 2025

OCTOBER 10-11, 2026


EXPO ANIMAL returns to Forum Braga for another edition, promising a weekend entirely dedicated to the world of companion animals.

Organised by InvestBraga, in partnership with the Portuguese Kennel Club and the Portuguese Cat Club, the event brings together, across more than 7,800 m² of exhibition space, hundreds of exhibitors, experts and thousands of animals, creating a unique experience for families, breeders, professionals and animal lovers.

Throughout the two-day event, visitors will discover the latest products and services in pet food, health, hygiene, welfare, accessories and specialised media.

Among the main highlights are the National Dog Show on Saturday and the International Dog Show on Sunday, bringing together more than 1,000 dogs.

The programme also includes the International Cat Show and a dedicated area for exotic animals, showcasing fascinating and unusual species.

EXPO ANIMAL has established itself as one of Portugal's leading events dedicated to companion animals, combining exhibitions, competitions, knowledge sharing and entertainment in a weekend designed for the whole family.


OPENING HOURS

Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM


TICKETS

  • Available through MEO Blueticket or at the Forum Braga ticket office during the event.
  • Each ticket is valid for one day only, either October 10 or October 11, 2026.
  • Tickets do not allow re-entry to the venue.
  • A valid identification document must be presented for age verification.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.


PRICES

  • Up to 3 years old: Free
  • 4 to 10 years old: €2.00
  • 11 years and over: €3.50

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An event for all the family!

Expo Animal 2026 arrives at Forum Braga on October 10 and 11, bringing a weekend full of activities for all pet lovers.

The event, already a reference in the region, will feature dog judging, a cat showcase, educational shows, interactive workshops and safety demonstrations.

This year will also host the second edition of the Cãominhada — a walk for owners and their four-legged companions.

The programme for this edition will be announced soon.

Opening Hours:

October 4th (Saturday) and October 5th (Sunday): from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM


Ticket Prices:

  • Up to 2 years old: Free

    from 3 to 10 years old: € 2

  • 11 years old and above: €3.50
    Tickets available on Meo Blueticket or on the event days at the Forum Braga ticket office.

Each ticket is valid for one single day only: either October 10th or October 11th, 2026.

Re-entry is not allowed. A valid ID must be presented to verify age.
Children must always be accompanied by an adult.

In accordance with the applicable legislation, dogs and cats are permitted to enter the event, provided that all of the following rules and requirements are complied with:

  • Owners must carry their pets' official health booklet/passport, which must include proof of electronic identification (microchip), mandatory for all dogs born on or after 1 July 2008. The booklet must also show valid vaccinations against the main infectious diseases of the species, administered more than 8 days before the event and certified by a licensed veterinarian.
  • All animals must wear a collar or harness and be kept on a leash. The collar or harness must display the owner's name and address or telephone number.
  • Dogs classified as potentially dangerous breeds must wear a functional muzzle. They must be handled with a leash no longer than 1 metre, securely attached to the collar or harness, and accompanied by an owner or handler who is at least 16 years old.
  • As required by law, all animals must be registered and licensed. Owners of potentially dangerous dog breeds must also carry proof of a valid third-party liability insurance policy. Supporting documentation issued by the relevant authorities must be presented upon request.
  • Dogs must have a valid certificate confirming that all legally required preventive health measures have been carried out.
  • For public health and hygiene reasons, owners must bring a pet hygiene kit (e.g. waste bags and cleaning materials). This requirement will be checked at the entrance to the event.

Pet 

  • Food;
  • Hygiene;
  • Toys; Collars and Leashes;
  • Kennels and Catteries;
  • De-worming; 
  • Feeders and Drinkers;
  • Beauty Materials and Products;
  • Veterinary Clinics;
  • Training Schools;
  • Hotels;
  • Clubs and Associations;
  • Other Articles for Dogs,
  • Cats and 
  • Exotic animals;
  • Specialized Press; 

The sale of dogs and cats is not allowed at Forum Braga premises. 

Dog, Cat and Exotic Animal Breeds Clubs; 
Animal Associations; 
Specialized Press; 
General public. 

EXPO ANIMAL once again hosts two of Portugal's most prestigious dog conformation events, organised in partnership with the Portuguese Kennel Club (CPC) and held under the regulations of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Throughout the weekend, more than 1,000 dogs, representing dozens of national and international breeds, will compete in the show ring before a panel of renowned national and international judges, celebrating the diversity, quality and excellence of purebred dogs.

On Saturday, visitors can enjoy the 19th Braga National Dog Show, awarding the CAC, while Sunday features the 16th Braga International Dog Show, awarding both the CAC and the prestigious CACIB, recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.


Programme

Saturday | October 10

  • 08:00 AM – Entry of dogs and veterinary inspection
  • 09:00 AM – Secretariat opens
  • 10:00 AM – National Dog Show judging begins
  • 03:00 PM – Finals and Best in Show

Sunday | October 11

  • 08:00 AM – Entry of dogs and veterinary inspection
  • 09:00 AM – Secretariat opens
  • 10:00 AM – International Dog Show judging begins
  • 03:00 PM – Finals and Best in Show

19th Braga National Dog Show

10 October, Saturday, with the Portuguese Kennel Club

See the FULL PROGRAMME here

  • 1st entry deadline: 16 September
  • 2nd entry deadline: 30 September

16th Braga International Dog Show

11 October, Sunday, with the Portuguese Kennel Club

See the FULL PROGRAMME here

  • 1st entry deadline: 16 September
  • 2nd entry deadline: 30 September
ANDREAS SAVVA (CY)

Married and father of one child, Andreas Savva was born in Larnaca, Cyprus, where he completed his secondary education in 1980.

Throughout his life, he has been actively involved in the world of purebred dogs, having always owned pedigree dogs. In the late 1980s, he acquired his first German Shepherd and became a member of the SV – Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Germany). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Kennel Club.

He is the owner and breeder of German Shepherds, German Shorthaired Pointers and Brittany Spaniels, under the FCI-registered "House Scala" kennel affix.

He also serves as a breeding consultant for the Larnaca district and has held several positions within the German Shepherd Club of Cyprus. He currently continues his work as a member of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Kennel Club.

As an international judge, he has officiated at dog shows throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.

He is an FCI All-rounder Judge (all breeds) for international CACIB dog shows and is also licensed to judge BH and IGP working trials.


ANGEL PONS (ES)

Angel Pons began exhibiting dogs in 1969 at the World Dog Show in Madrid and made his international debut at the Lisbon International Dog Show in 1971. Since then, he has participated in more than 1,000 dog shows as an exhibitor.

He has been breeding Dobermanns since 1969 under the "Made In Spain" kennel affix, registered in 1975. He also breeds Miniature Schnauzers (in all four colour varieties) and Miniature Pinschers. Throughout his career, he has bred more than 215 champion dogs, which have earned an impressive total of 655 titles and championships.

As an international judge, he has officiated on three continents, judging FCI Group 2 and part of Group 5. His judging career includes appointments at numerous World Dog Shows, European Dog Shows, and specialty shows for the breeds he breeds and other breeds for which he is licensed.

He is a founding member of the Associação Dobermann de Portugal (ADP), served as President of the DCE for 12 years, and was a member of the Board of the Real Sociedad Canina de España from 1982 to 1985 and again from 1991 to 1992. He also organised two World Dog Shows held in Spain, as well as the IDC event in 1985.


BRIAN MORAN (IE)

Brian Moran has been actively involved in the world of dog shows since 1990, initially exhibiting Golden Retrievers and later Flat-Coated Retrievers under the Woodmore kennel affix.

Together with his father, he has enjoyed considerable success in breeding and exhibiting both breeds, producing and owning multiple champions. His achievements include several Best in Show awards at championship shows in Ireland, as well as numerous Group wins and Challenge Certificate (CC) awards.

He was first approved to award Green Stars (CAC) in 2002 and is licensed to judge all breeds in FCI Groups 2, 3, 7 and 8, in addition to Best in Show competitions.

Throughout his judging career, he has had the honour of officiating at international dog shows in numerous countries.


DAGMAR KLEIN (RO)

Dagmar Klein, born in 1975, began her journey in the world of purebred dogs during the 1990s, training and working with dogs in Obedience and Agility.

She later developed a passion for Papillons, a breed she has successfully bred and exhibited for many years. Since 2019, Schipperkes have also become part of her breeding programme. Together with her daughter, Janine Klein, she currently breeds Papillons and Schipperkes under the FCI-registered "Ponda's" kennel affix.

Throughout her career, Ponda's Kennel has bred and owned numerous National and International Champions in both breeds, including several winners of the prestigious Top Dog of the Year title in Germany, Romania and other European countries.

She is currently an FCI All-rounder Judge with the Romanian Kennel Club, licensed to judge all FCI-recognised breeds.

During her judging career, she has officiated at international dog shows in Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine.



F. SALVADOR JANEIRO (PT)

Fernando Salvador Janeiro was born in the Alentejo, a region in southern Portugal with a long-standing canine tradition. He grew up surrounded by the Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed that had been owned and bred by his family for generations.

His breeding career began with German Shepherds and later Dobermanns, leading to the establishment of the Casa Branca kennel. Throughout his career, he also bred Portuguese Water Dogs and Miniature Pinschers, achieving numerous national and international titles. Among his distinctions is the prestigious Best Breeder of Iberian Peninsula Breeds Award.

In 1986, he became an international judge and consequently stopped exhibiting his own dogs. In 2011, after his final Miniature Pinscher litter, he retired from breeding to dedicate himself entirely to judging and the development of the canine world.

As an international judge, he has officiated in numerous countries across Europe, Asia, the United States and Brazil, including appointments at European Dog Shows, World Dog Shows, and prestigious competitions such as the Champion of Champions in Estonia, Ireland and Finland.

Throughout his career, he has held several senior positions within the Portuguese Kennel Club, including Vice-President, Director responsible for Canine Sports, member of the Judges' Committee, the Portuguese Breeds Committee, and Judge Trainer. He has also served as President and Board Member of several breed clubs, including the Portuguese Golden Retriever Club, the Portuguese Dobermann Association, the Portuguese Castro Laboreiro Association, and the Portuguese Water Dog Club.

Alongside his canine activities, he has worked as a reviewer and translator for the Royal Canin Encyclopaedia, wrote a long-running canine column for the Portuguese daily newspaper Correio da Manhã, and is the author of numerous articles published in specialist canine magazines.

He is fluent in Spanish, French and English and has served as Technical Director of the Braga Dog Shows since 2009.



PHILIP BEHAN (IE)

Philip Behan has been breeding and exhibiting Chow Chows since 1981. Throughout his career, he has bred 12 Irish Champions, seven of them under his Mingfield kennel affix.

In 1984, he joined the committee of the Chow Chow Club of Ireland, where he has held a variety of positions over the years. He currently serves as Secretary and Breed Representative to the Irish Kennel Club.

For ten years, he was a member of both the Judges Committee and the Education Committee of the Irish Kennel Club. He is currently a Board Member and Treasurer of the Irish Kennel Club.

As an international judge, he has officiated at dog shows in Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Norway, Sweden and Ukraine.

He is licensed to judge all breeds in FCI Groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, as well as Best in Show competitions.



RICARDO TORRE-SIMÕES (BR)

Ricardo Torre-Simões has devoted several decades to the world of purebred dogs as a breeder, international judge and canine administrator, establishing himself as one of the leading figures in the international canine community.

Throughout his career, he has bred Boxers, German Shepherds and Pugs, combining his breeding activities with an extensive involvement in national and international canine organisations.

He has been an FCI All-rounder Judge since 1971 and served as a licensed American Kennel Club (AKC) judge during the years he lived in the United States, following a long period of residence in London. He is also a specialist Boxer judge, recognised by the ATIBOX – Association Technique Internationale du Boxer, and a specialist German Shepherd judge, accredited by COAPA, SBCPA and CBPA.

Over more than 55 years of judging, he has officiated in virtually every European country, including several World Dog Shows, as well as in the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Australia, China, Taiwan, and many other countries.

Alongside his judging career, he has held numerous senior leadership positions, including President of the Kennel Club de Santos, President of the Brazilian Boxer Club, Advisory Board Member of the Kennel Club Paulista, and President of the CBKC Judges' Council for twelve years. He currently serves as Technical Director of the Brazilian Kennel Club (CBKC).

He is also an active member of several international canine bodies, serving on the ATIBOX Judges' Council, the FCI Judges Commission, the FCI Show Commission, and the FCI Standards Commission.

IB - Agência para a Dinamização Económica, E.M. (InvestBraga)

Av. Dr. Francisco Pires Gonçalves
4715 - 558 Braga
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T.: +351 253 208 230


expoanimal@investbraga.com

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4715 - 558 Braga | Portugal
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T.: +351 253 208 230
[call to the national fixed network]


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