HISTORY OF CANICROSS

From the beginnings of Canicross to its blossoming

People have always enjoyed walking or running in the company of their dogs, whether loose or tethered.

1982 – Birth of canicross in France
Gilles Pernoud, a young veterinary student with a passion for dog racing, develops an innovative way to help owners socialize their dogs. He imagined a race with dogs, a cross-country race with dogs, which he called “cross canin” or “canicross”. The first canicross was organized in Paris, in the Parc de Vincennes, for educational purposes and not at all for sporting ones. Participants set off in groups. Some walked, others ran… No one used specific equipment, as it didn’t yet exist: the leash was attached to the dog’s collar and held in the hand…

1984: Gilles Pernoud continued his studies in Lyon. He continued in the same educational spirit. This time, the participants did more running than walking.

1986 – CANICROSS: Still under the impetus of Giles Pernoud, the activity developed definitively with the creation of “Véto Racing”. A canicross is organized near the Lyon veterinary school in the La Croix Laval park. A manufacturer of sled dog equipment, Gens de la Montagne, is present to sell its harnesses. For humans, he offers a belt of his own design.

On July 14, 1986, a canicross is organized in Saint Pierre d’Allevard (near Grenoble). This time, things got off to a good start: there was real running and a set of rules requiring respect for the dog. Starts are given in groups. It was the FIRST “REAL” canicros, with only a dozen or so participants.

This year:
Rafael Nadal born on the Balearic Islands – Maradona scores a goal with his hand that
eliminates England from the World Cup – Armstrong becomes the first American to win the Tour de France.

1987 – Same discovery in Belgium
Belgium was unaware of what had happened in France. Strangely enough, it was to experience the same discovery and follow the same evolution, thanks to Véronique Bourdon. This young veterinary sportswoman pursues the same educational goal: to run with her dog to socialize him. A training group was formed in Chimay. She no longer imagined a simple group outing, but a real timed race. To avoid the disadvantages of a group start, these are given individually. She immediately realized that keeping the dog on a collar was not recommended for his comfort. She then imagined attaching the lead to a horse halter worn upside down…. Clever, isn’t it?

1988: Gilles Pernoud creates the “4’Pat CROSS” challenge, with 10 to 12 races a year.

1990 – BIKE-JÖRING or Cani-VTT:
The first bike-jöring event took place in the Czech Republic “by default”. To replace a ski-jöring event that was cancelled due to lack of snow, competitors decided to replace skis with bicycles. The aim was to have fun, but more importantly, to provide a sporting activity for the dogs.

It’s growing – and getting bigger
France: As mentioned above, France is the birthplace of canicross. Along with Belgium, they are the cradle of the discipline.

Belgium:
In 1988, Jean-Luc Bertichamps organized a canicross in Malonne as part of a sleddog dry land race on the same course as the horse-drawn carriages. He did it again in 1990 on the same circuit

On September 22, 1991, in the center of Ronse, the first “autonomous” canicross (i.e. outside the sleddog organization) was programmed by Frenchman Jean-Luc Payre. It counts towards the Challenge de France. Twenty-two dog breeds are listed.

The Belgian Canicross Federation (FCB-BCF) came into being in 1991, quite naturally in the form of a de facto association. The name of the President matched the activity: Jean Lechien! We race in : Markendaal, Morlanwelz, Chimay, Gembloux, Mont-St.Aldegonde, Loppem, Halleux and Mouscron.

The FCB-BCF was incorporated as a non-profit organization on February 13, 1997.

That year, the official national Chalenge included 19 events.

The Czech Republic soon followed suit with ski-jöring. When there was no snow, competitors raced with their dogs to train (or practiced bike-jöring…).

The first canicross was organized on September 18, 1993 by Franta Burda and Jarmila Slavatova in collaboration with Musher’s klub Centrum, Club Cesky Horsky (Czech mountain dog breed) and Sportovni klub Bering Praha. The result was a combination of a sports club, a dog club and a mushers’ club. And it was called “race with your dog”. The following year, the race was called “Hostivarsky canicross” because it was held in Hostivar, a large park near Prague.

Hungary was also an early contender, thanks to Istvan Sveda and Jozef Babinyecz. A canicross was scheduled for October 1996 at a dry land kart-race in Domonyvölgy. The MCSE canicross federation was founded in 1999. The first stand-alone canicross and bike-jöring competition, not involving mushing, was organized in 2000.

Switzerland was quick to follow suit, taking part in the first French competitions. And so it should! Switzerland is not far from Lyon.

Since 1996, a few private individuals have been organizing a canicross here and there in a rather discreet way. From 1997 onwards, Willy Charmillot, assisted by his Association Sportive Cynologique (ASC), set up the 8 annual rounds that would become the Swiss Championship. In 2009, the ASC became the FSCS (Fédération Sportive Cynologique Suisse). In other words, the association became a federation.

In the Netherlands: The adventure didn’t begin until October 2004. Martin Gaus and the VCF (the Flemish federation in Belgium) joined forces to organize the first canicross in Holland at BovenKarspel. The Stichting Canicross West-Friesland later took over the organization of this event. From 2009 onwards, Bianca Koole took the initiative of organizing new competitions in Amsterdam and Hilversum. Under her impetus and with the help of Marianne van de Linde, canicross developed spectacularly. The “Canicross Nederland” federation was created in 2012.

Austria: The first canicross was organized in Loosdorf in 2005 by the CBA (Canicross-Bikejoering Austria). Hungarians were also present.

Ireland (Eire): Karen O’Connor, Suzanne Boikovky, Joan Boyd and Tomas Ryan found “Canicroos Ireland”. Shortly afterwards, Louise Jones joined the committee as secretary. Their first event was a small gathering in October 2015 at Finnamore Lakes Co.Offaly where there were competitors in all three disciplines.

1994 – CANI-TRAIL: The first “canirandos” take place in France. The activity quickly died out as many dogs fell victim to heatstroke. Few events are still scheduled: La Clayette, the Raid du Morvan in Burgundy and the Cani-Champenoise in Pierry-Epernay, which survived until 2005. This was a very demanding race, covering 25 km on Saturday and 21 km on Sunday, on the steep, sunny slopes of the vineyard hillsides. Its organizer, Bertrand Robinet, supplied competitors with champagne.
NB. During the first editions of the WE Cani Spa, the Saturday start was given in the town center for a 16 km trail run in “triplettes”.

1996: Gilles Pernoud creates the quarterly “Sports et Chiens”. To increase circulation, he opens its columns to sleddog disciplines.

This time it explodes

1998: Untiring, Gilles Pernoud creates the Trophée des Montagnes (TDM) over three stages in Valloire, Valménier and St. Pierre d’Allevard. This was the first international event. It takes place during the summer, but at altitude. Yvon Lasbleiz won the first edition. Several nations were represented, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Germany. The international nature of the event confirmed the development of canicross and established its reputation. He was behind the creation of the ECF. Gilles Pernoud organized 7 editions of the TDM from 1998 to 2004.

1998 – EUROCANICROSS:
A few months after the advent of TDM, Jean-Luc Bertinchamps, assisted by Daniel Deveaux, organizes the first European Championship in Malonne (Belgium) under the name “Eurocanicross”
Of eleven invited nations, nine were registered, eight were present (Holland did not show up): Germany (1) – Belgium (25) – France (45) – Hungary (1) – Luxembourg (1) – Poland (4) – Czech Republic (11) – Switzerland (2).
France won the men’s and women’s titles with Evelyne Vernanchet and Yoann Lasbleiz (son of the future ICF President).
Bike-jöring was not yet scheduled, but relays were
Gilles Pernoud was present as photographer and assistant to the organizers. In 1999, he organized the second European Championship at the Parc de Gerland in Lyon.

2000: Here are the names of some competitors who were already racing before the mythical date of 2000 and who continued afterwards – for AUSTRIA: Birgit and Thomas Szendi ( on bike).
– for AUSTRIA: Birgit and Thomas Szendi ( on bike)
– for BELGIUM: Milly Caudron – Philippe Wéry – Marc Léonard – Magda Didier – Ingrid Van Achter, Jean-Pierre and Diana Talbot – Yves Claus…
– for FRANCE : Jacques Adam – Norbert Bodin – Anne et Olivier Bazot – Dominique Bureau – Delphine Coudurier – Yves Deborde – Jean-Philippe Deshayes – Maurice et Corine Duport – Philippe Fournis – Emmanuelle Grisius – Gaëlle Houitte – Yvon Lasbleiz – Jean Lupo – Séverine Marcoult – “Papy” Rousseau – David Renou – Elisabeth Riff – Nathalie Rossignol – Pascal Steinmetz…
– for HUNGARY: Jozsef Babinyecz – Istvan Sveda…
– for SWITZERLAND: Séverine Boillat – Daniel Brot – Thierry and Willy Charmillot – Patrick and Barbara Wirz – Franciska Deschamps – Dominik Crettenand
– for CZECH REPUBLIC: Jirina Heroudkova (Keltnerova) – Vlastimil Keltner – Sonia Klikarova – Petr Smrka – Linda Sucha ( Keltnerova) – Juri Suchy – Peter Tomcar – Pavel and Michal Zenisek… We can add Ivana Velkoborska (she only started in 2001 but has been very active in her country for the development of canicross)

2000: Bike-jöring is officially programmed, with the title awarded for the first time in Switzerland at the European Championships held at Valeyre sous Rance.

October 08, 2004: Creation of the ECF

Since the creation of the first “Eurocanicross” in Malonne (Belgium 1998), participating nations have been meeting to discuss regulations and plan for the future. The European Canicross Federation (ECF) was thus born naturally, and gradually took shape, probably starting with the Pilsen Championship (2001), as a de facto association. Annual meetings were held on the eve of the European Championship under the virtual presidency of Willy Charmillot (Switzerland)
Jean-Pierre Talbot put forward the idea of officially creating the ECF (European Canicross Federation) as a non-profit association. The project was discussed at a restricted committee meeting held in Moutier, Switzerland, on April 11, 2004.

The following countries were represented:
– France, represented by Jean-Luc Payre and Jacques Adam
– Switzerland, represented by Willy Charmillot and Pablo Cassina,
-Belgium, represented by Jean-Pierre Talbot and Jean-Luc Bertinchamps.
-These three nations work together to draw up the articles of association.
At the AGM held in Szilvasvarad (Hungary) on October 08, 2004, the project and statutes were unanimously approved. The name “Eurocanicross” was dropped. From now on, competitors will compete in the “European Championship” and be officially titled.

Composition of the first Board of Directors:
– Chairman: Willy Charmillot (Switzerland)
-Vice-Chairman : Jean-Pierre Talbot (Belgium)
-Secretary: Pablo Cassina (Switzerland)
-Treasurer: Laurent Thibaudgeorges (Switzerland)
-Directors: Istvan Sveda (Hungary) – Jacques Adam (France) – Pietro Giovanni Guadagnini (Italy).

2005: At the instigation of Jean-Pierre Talbot, Jean-Luc Bertinchamps and American Tim White (then President of the IFSS), the FCB-BCF, in collaboration with Jean-Claude Bams and the Belgian Mushing Federation (FBMC), organized the first IFSS Dry Land World Championship in Belgium at Maas Vallei. Driving and single-dog events were jointly programmed.
Intelligent collaboration: the circuits are different – each applies its own rules – organization costs are shared. This was the only time! Tim White was not re-elected.

2007 Germany

Karl-Heinz Raubuch, an immensely talented photographer, publishes a monthly magazine called “Schlinttenhund”. He is the sole photographer. To extend his clientele to the world of canicross, he founds a German canicross federation affiliated to the ECF. He is responsible for organizing the European Championships in Völklingen. Unfortunately, his aim was to make a profit. Numerous misappropriations were detected, and he disappeared, leaving the ECF with substantial unpaid debts. Germany was brutally disorganized. From 2011, a few athletes, including Birgit Kostbahn, reorganized around Jurgen Lueber’s VDSV.

2007: TDM comes back to life! After a 2-year hiatus, Alex Legrand takes up the torch. The task was a heavy one, and he was unable to organize more than two editions. Once again, the TDM was doomed to disappear after the 2008 edition.

2009: The TDM was not to disappear! This time it’s Yvon Lasbleiz who takes over the reins, with great success. He takes up residence in the Oisan resorts. The event is extremely demanding, as it takes place in the mountains with significant vertical drops, and stretches over 9 days including two weekends. Some 600 people and 1,000 dogs travel from resort to resort. More than fifteen nations are represented. Whoever manages to complete the TDM achieves a real feat. In 2024, the TDM was not organized due to difficulties with the resorts.

2012 UK:
Richard Cook appeared in 2007 in Völklingen. Very enterprising, he founded the UK canicross federation, duly affiliated to the ECF. He organizes numerous events, and does so very well indeed. The number of members grew considerably.
In 2012, the ECF asked him to organize the European Championship in Cirenceister. Democratic discrepancies were uncovered, as well as a number of financial anomalies benefiting his company “Canix”.
In response to comments made by the ECF Board and its attitude, Jean-Pierre Talbot, in his capacity as ICF President, carried out an international vote by bailiff outside the AGM. Richard Cook was expelled from the ECF on November 30, 2012 by 90% of the voting nations
Great Britain quickly restructured, thanks in particular to Kim Mazzucca, Cushla and Simon Lamen and of course John Carter’s BSSF.

2013: the articles of association are amended and supplemented at the AGM in Porrentruy (Switzerland) on May 11, 2013.

2014 – SCOOTER 1 chien: ESDRA ceases (temporarily) to operate. Its activity is taken over by the IFSS, but the latter no longer programs the 1-dog scooter at its European or World championships. Quite logically, the ECF nations unanimously decided to “save” this discipline, which became its third mono-chie discipline
The 1-dog scooter will be demonstrated in 2015 at Blairgowrie in Scotland, and titles will be officially awarded in 2016 at Nové Mëstro in the Czech Republic.

April 16, 2016: Birth of the International Canicross Federation (ICF)

By decision of the AGM held on April 16, 2016 in Nové Mëstro na Maravë (Czech Republic), the ECF changes its name to “International Canicross & Bike-Jöring Federation” (ICF) without any changes to the rules and statutes.
The Board of Directors is composed as follows:
– Chairman : Jean-Pierre Talbot (Belgium)
– Vice-President: Yvon Lasbleiz (France)
– Secretary (not elected, chosen by the Chairman): Marianne van de Linde (Netherlands)
– Treasurer: Willy Charmillot (Switzerland)
– Chairman of the Technical Commission: Mirowlaw Piecko (Poland)
– Director: Ivana Velkoborska

2017 : The “ICF” trademark (discipline and logo) is registered worldwide under reference no. 016629776.

2017: The ICF applies for affiliation to the FCI in order to be recognized by a higher body. At its next AGM, the FCI refuses to recognize the ICF.

2017: At the age of 75, Jean-Pierre Talbot retires from competition following an injury to his dog. No longer a competitor, he decided to entrust the management of the ICF to someone closer to the issues at hand.
At the close of the European Championship in Santa Maria Maggiore, he officially hands over the ICF Presidency to Yvon Lasbleiz. No AGM or vote will take place. The fact is admitted without further formalities.

2019 : The European Championship takes place in Chevetogne (Belgium). For the first time, non-European nations apply for the right to take part. Brazil, Colombia, Palestine, Mexico and Greece are admitted as “guest nations”, but their competitors are obviously not eligible. This will be the last European Championship. Next time, the time has come for a World Championship. The mixed relay (three disciplines) was on show.

2020 – 2021: Interruption for health reasons. The Covid pandemic imposes international confinement. A few “pirate” races take advantage of the opportunity to emerge.

2022: HANDISPORT => PARASPORT
On the occasion of the first World Championships held in Plédran (France), the ICF has added a PARASPORT category to its program under the name “Adapted Sport”. Among the competitors was Bruno Georges, already active and well known for years in the traditional categories, despite his prosthetic foot.

2025 – A magical record is set:
The World Championship in Pardubice, Czech Republic, welcomes 31 nations and 1000 starts.
2025: On the initiative of its President Yvon Lasblez, the ICF appoints representatives or ambassadors in the major regions of each continent, with the aim of helping them to develop.