In Spanish, “monográfica” refers to one subject that is investigated in depth.
In the world of purebred dog enthusiasts, the term refers to a specialized, single-subject dog show or exhibition dedicated exclusively to a particular breed. It is an event where breeders, owners, and enthusiasts gather to show, evaluate, and celebrate their breed. If this sounds familiar to those of us in English-speaking countries, it is because we call the same thing a “National Specialty.” While just about every AKC breed holds a specialty, in this post we’re focusing on the ‘monográfica.’
Much like a specialty, a monográfica includes conformation judging, but may also include seminars, social gatherings, and breeder discussions. While a monográfica is not limited to Spanish dog breeds, these events are most commonly held in regions where the Spanish language is prevalent or where FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) standards are influential. For example, the SECPA Monográfica event in Talavera de la Reina in Spain was a major gathering for German Shepherd Dog enthusiasts and professionals. The event was organized by Sociedad Española del Perro de Pastor Alemán, the Spanish German Shepherd Club, which is recognized as one of the most important breed-specific shows for German Shepherd Dogs in Spain
To reiterate, a monográfica is a specialty event inspired by Spanish tradition, emphasizing heritage and FCI-style evaluation, while a national specialty is the official AKC-sanctioned annual competition for the breed, focusing on American standards and broader participation. Both play important but distinct roles in many breed communities around the world.
A simple Google search for “monográfica dog” brings up several links to breeds that hold a monográfica including the Podengo and the Presa Canario. And speaking of the latter, check out the slick announcement the Presa Canario Club of America (currently an AKC FSS breed) has on YouTube for its monográfica on
If you’ve attended a monográfica, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Image of a Presa Canario baby by presa canario by Jeremy/AdobeStock