Moldova to host International Competition for Search and Rescue Dogs for the first time

Moldova will host, for the first time, an international competition dedicated to search and rescue dogs (SAR Dogs). The event will take place on October 2-4, 2026, in Chișinău, and will bring together canine teams from more countries.

SAR dogs (Search and Rescue) are specially trained to locate missing persons under various conditions. The sporting trials assess the dogs’ ability to conduct searches in natural terrain and in areas with ruins or other types of rubble, identify simulated missing persons and indicate their location.

The competitions also assess the dog’s level of control, discipline, obedience and the way it cooperates with its handler.

“FCI CACIT is an international competition format for working dogs, held under the auspices of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). Organizing such a competition in Moldova gives Moldovan cynologists the opportunity to participate in international trials in their own country and contributes to the development of the search and rescue discipline. The competitions and tests will take place at three specialized locations: a forested area, a site with man-made rubble, and a stadium, where the obedience trial will be held. The programme also includes BH-VT trials and more levels of SAR testing,” the organizers say.

The judging will be conducted by international judges: Anatoli Trubceaninov from Ukraine and Detlef Kuhn from Germany, both affiliated with IRO/FCI.

The search and rescue field has also been developing in Moldova in recent years. Training sessions and international tests are organized in the country, while Moldovan canine teams participate in competitions abroad. In April 2026, Moldova’s team represented the country for the first time at the FCI World Championship for Search and Rescue Dogs, held in Slovenia.

The organizers believe that the first competition of its kind in Moldova will contribute to the development of search and rescue cynology, the exchange of experience with specialists from other countries and the recruitment of new participants to the discipline.

The event is organized by the Moldovan Cynological Union, a full member of the FCI, in cooperation with the NGO Moldova Sports Dog Club and Legion Club K9.

The programme will include opening and award ceremonies, as well as meetings between participants and representatives of the cynological community.

The competition will take place in Chisinau on October 2-4, 2026.