The world of professional animal breeding is undergoing rapid changes, and exhibitions are at the forefront of these transformations. These events have long since become more than just showcases of physical appearance; they are now centers of innovation, digitalization, and sustainable approaches to animal culture. What once seemed like a distant future is now being discussed as an inevitability. So what changes can we expect in the coming years, and how will they impact purebred animal breeding?
Technology Over Catalogs: Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
One of the key trends already being implemented at major European exhibitions, including in Budapest, is digitalization. Traditional paper catalogs listing participants are giving way to interactive apps where visitors can track evaluations, ring schedules, and even watch live streams in real time. This is convenient not only for visitors but also for breeders, who gain access to digital profiles of their animals and extended analytics after the event.
Moreover, the use of artificial intelligence in judging is being actively explored. Machine vision and algorithms are being tested to automatically detect defects, analyze body proportions, and compare them with breed standards. While the final word still belongs to the judges, digital expertise helps reduce subjectivity and increase transparency in evaluations.
Sustainability and Ethics: Rethinking Approaches
Today’s audience is increasingly concerned about animal welfare. This significantly affects how organizers approach the structure of exhibitions. In the future, we will see a transition to events with higher ethical and comfort standards. Already, many exhibition centers in Hungary are moving away from cage confinement in favor of open enclosures with rest zones. There is also discussion of limiting the number of hours animals can participate in competitions to reduce stress.
Furthermore, the focus is gradually shifting from appearance to functionality. Breeding aimed solely at visual standards is increasingly criticized, especially when it involves breeds with congenital diseases or anomalies. In response, exhibitions are introducing new evaluation criteria that consider overall health, behavioral characteristics, and suitability for life in a typical family.
Globalization and Remote Participation: New Formats
The pandemic opened the door to online formats, and even after the return of in-person events, many digital participation elements remain. Today, in several countries including Hungary, hybrid exhibitions are held where some participants and judges join remotely. This broadens the event’s geographic reach, allows smaller kennels to gain visibility, and reduces transport costs.
In the future, we can expect fully virtual exhibitions using augmented and virtual reality technologies. Imagine a 3D model of a dog displayed from multiple angles, which judges evaluate in a digital ring. While such methods won’t replace in-person interactions, they will definitely find their place in the industry.
Exhibition as a Show: Integration of Entertainment
Modern exhibitions increasingly resemble festivals. They feature workshops, tasting zones for owners, themed photo areas, and entertainment shows. This trend will only continue to grow. In the future, exhibitions will become platforms for branded content, presentations of pet food, accessories, and new digital services.
There is particular interest in the participation of animals not previously included in traditional exhibition formats—from exotic cats to decorative rodents. This creates a more diverse program that attracts a wider audience. At the same time, such events become potential launchpads for animals that may go on to appear in advertising or film.
A New Profile of the Participant: The Breeder as Ambassador
Changes are also occurring in the perception of participants themselves. In the past, a breeder was merely a representative of their kennel. Today, they are often people with active social media profiles—bloggers who share details of their breeding processes, the lives of their animals, and participation in exhibitions. This trend elevates the importance of image, public communication skills, and digital promotion of their work.
Exhibitions of the future will focus on those who not only showcase an animal but also tell a story—about the breed’s origins, training features, or the philosophy of their kennel. This allows breeders to expand their influence and fosters a culture of informed choices among potential pet owners.
Looking Ahead: Hungary’s Place on the Exhibition Map of Europe
Hungary, with its rich breeding traditions and active breeder community, may become a leader in the new era of exhibition culture. Local venues already attract participants from all over Central Europe, and Hungarian experts frequently serve on the judging panels of international competitions.
With current technological trends, openness to ethical reforms, and robust veterinary and exhibition infrastructure, the country has every chance to become a testing ground for new developments. It may host the first fully digital exhibitions, training schools for digital breeders, and international hubs for genetic material exchange.
The future of exhibitions is not about rejecting traditions, but adapting them to new societal expectations. And for professional breeding, this is not just a way to survive—it’s an opportunity to become a vital part of Europe’s cultural and technological landscape.