Dogs of all shapes and sizes will be fulfilling dog lovers’ dreams on the Costa del Sol this Saturday and Sunday, with the return of the National and International Dog Show in Torremolinos. If last year is anything to go by, well over a thousand beautifully groomed canines will head to the town for one of Spain’s most respected dog shows, and to make it even better, it’s absolutely free.

When and where to go

Organised by the Costa del Sol Canine Society (Sociedad Canina Costa del Sol), the 57th National Dog Show and 39th International Dog Show takes place on November 14 and 15 at the Palacio de Congresos de Torremolinos. Doors open bright and early, from 8am to 6.30pm on both days, and admission costs nothing. Families, first-time visitors and seasoned dog show fans are all welcome.

Big crowds expected again

Last year’s event counted 1,300 dogs of more than 200 breeds, and the 2024 edition pulled in more than 12,000 visitors, so arriving early is sensible if you want a good spot by the rings.

Judges will weigh up how closely each dog matches its breed standard, as well as how well it can do the job it was bred for. Every breed has top honours on offer: the CAC and CACIB, two certificates that count towards Spanish and international championship titles. Those titles are recognised by the Real Sociedad Canina de Espana (Spain’s Royal Canine Society) and the FCI, the world canine federation that oversees pedigree dog shows.

Special breed contests will be held for Poodles and Dobermans. The Huella de Oro, or Golden Paw Print, will crown a champion of champions. Grand Finals and Best in Show come with specialist commentators on hand, so the action is easy to follow even if you have never watched a dog show before.

Young handlers and star performers

Youngsters get their moment too. The Junior Handler contest, where young people present their dogs in the ring, doubles as a qualifier for the Spanish national league.

Live demonstrations will fill the gaps between judging sessions in the central ring, so you will never be bored. Spain’s state security forces will bring their K-9 unit to demonstrate obedience and detection skills, and visitors will see a guide dog for blind people at work. A water rescue display with Spanish Water Dogs will take place in an outdoor pool.

Last year, police dogs including German Shepherds and Rottweilers drew some of the biggest applause. Torremolinos police officer Alvaro Diaz told reporters that the town’s canine unit is the oldest in any local police force in Spain, which makes it a source of real local pride.

Grooming, glamour and a famous winner

Behind the scenes, the grooming area is a treat in itself. In 2025, groomers explained how vital regular brushing is for long-haired breeds such as the Afghan Hound, while Poodles were being primped for the ring. Society president Manuel Ramirez said the show celebrates the deep bond between owners and their pets, and the top prize last year went to an Irish Wolfhound called Keith, who was guided by handler David Osorio.

A diploma for your own pet

Anyone who brings a four-legged friend can try the Social Dog test at no charge. Dogs that take part receive a diploma and a tag, which makes a lovely souvenir for proud owners.

Check the Sociedad Canina Costa del Sol website or social media pages for the latest timetable, and make sure your phone is fully charged so you can photograph plenty of gorgeous fluffy faces.

Seven people have been arrested after a criminal network allegedly tricked people looking for long-term homes in Malaga into paying deposits for properties they had no right to rent out.

Police believe around 20 people have already fallen victim to the scam, with losses estimated at €150,000. Another three people are being investigated in connection with the alleged operation.

What made the fraud particularly convincing was that the properties were real. Members of the gang would first book tourist apartments for just one day before advertising them as available for long-term rental.

They then arranged viewings, showed prospective tenants around the homes and collected money for reservations and deposits. Payments were made through Bizum, Spain’s popular mobile payment service, or bank transfers.

In some cases, the same apartment was offered to several different people on the same day, with each being led to believe they had secured a place to live.

Suspected ringleader operated from Thailand

According to the National Police investigation, reported by EFE, the organisation was based on the Costa del Sol but had an international element. Its alleged ringleader operated from Thailand, where he coordinated the fraudulent activity and recruited people in Spain to carry out the practical work.

Different members had clearly defined roles. Some published advertisements on social media and arranged appointments, while others showed prospective tenants around the apartments and collected their money. Investigators also uncovered a system involving numerous telephone numbers and bank accounts, with cryptocurrency allegedly used to launder some of the proceeds.

Benalmadena featured in the operation, with one suspect responsible for collecting money and arranging the movement of funds and apartment keys. Another allegedly received cash and converted it into cryptocurrency.

Police warn more victims could come forward

The investigation began after several complaints were received by the National Police’s Central District station in Malaga. Officers subsequently identified the properties involved and carried out operations to catch suspects in the act. Several further scams were prevented when prospective tenants arrived to reserve apartments.

Seven people have now been arrested and three others are under investigation for alleged offences including membership of a criminal organisation, fraud and money laundering.

Police believe the number of victims could increase as the investigation continues, given how many people were reportedly shown the same apartments. The case is another warning for people searching for rental accommodation in Spain. EWN previously reported on how fake landlords were targeting desperate renters across Spain, with criminals exploiting the pressure on people to find somewhere to live.

Anyone searching for a long-term rental should check the identity of the person offering the property and establish that they are the owner or have proper authority to rent it out. Paying a deposit before verifying these details can leave prospective tenants seriously out of pocket.

For more home renting advice, see EWN’s guide to avoiding rental scams in Spain.