Mexico had its very first dog show in 1894 (though it was held within a livestock show). A bit miffed at having to show their dogs with cattle, dog fans conducted the First Exhibition of Canine Beauty (is that a great name for a dog show, or what?) at the Hotel Tivoli in 1908. The Mexican Revolution interrupted pretty much everything, and it wasn’t until 1939 that a group of veterinarians promoted stud registrations and, once again, dog shows in Mexico. That year, a Borzoi named “Ivan,” and a Wire Fox Terrier named, “Sabas” won Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show at a well attended dog show. The first exhibition with the new Mexican Championship Point System was held in 1941 where 153 dogs of different breeds competed, and Best in Show went to an Irish Setter. Consider the “international-ness” of purebred dogs seen in just the first paragraph: Mexican dog shows won by Russian, British and Irish breeds.  Is it any wonder that we extoll the diversity of purebred dogs, and celebrate not only them, but the cultures that created them for a reason?