News and updates
Vets warn dog owners as Canine Ehrlichiosis spreads across northern Australia
30-09-2025ABC News reports that the potentially deadly tick-borne disease that attacks a dog's immune system is now "endemic" across northern Australia!
The rapid spread of Canine Ehrlichiosis since it was first detected in Australia in 2020 "has left a lot of destruction in its wake", veterinarian Liisa Ahlstrom said.
Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease transmitted quickly when an infected brown dog tick bites a dog.
"It's endemic, which means we're never getting rid of it," Dr Ahlstrom said. "A lot of dogs have died from this disease … it's well and truly established across northern Australia."
Image: A dog receives a blood transfusion after an ehrlichiosis diagnosis. (Supplied Elanco Animal Health)
Vets are urging dog owners and those travelling through northern Australia to take preventative action.
The disease presents in three phases, and Dr Ahlstrom said in the first stage symptoms could appear around two weeks after infection.
To read more about the disease in the ABC News article and how to take preventative measures with your dog, please click here.
Results of 2025 RNSWCC Board Elections
26-09-2025As you may be aware, voting for the 2025 Board Elections (Metropolitan) closed at 12:00 PM today, Friday, 26 September 2026. The election results were compiled by Vero Voting.
Total Eligible Voters: 2,633
Total Voted: 883
A total of nine (9) candidates stood for election, with the following five (5) candidates successfully elected:
Mr Ross Sinclair – 504 votes
Mrs Sue McFadden – 492 votes
Mrs Lynette Brand – 440 votes
Mrs Tracy Hofman – 423 votes
Mr Phillip Brown – 418 votes
The remaining candidates not elected were:
Mr Guy Spagnolo – 402 votes
Mr Stephen Oliver - 386 votes
Mrs Lynette Brown - 349 votes
Mrs Mara Bontempo-Ross – 263 votes
We thank all candidates for their participation and congratulate those who have been elected.
Updated DOGS NSW Regulations
22-09-2025Part II-Show
Clause 10.4(c)
10.4(c) (09/17) At an Agility and/or Jumping Trial held under the Regulations the following shall apply:- (i) There there shall be at least one a sash and prize for each 1st, place and one sash for 2nd and 3rd qualifying place in each Class. (01/12) The awarding of sashes and/or prizes for non-qualifying places is optional (up to the Clubs’ discretion) and must be stated on their schedule. (02/24) (09/25)
Any club requiring a signed receipt for cash reimbursement of services and/or trophies must include a notification on the Show Schedule which lists the specific details required, and that the form will be supplied by the Show Secretary. (02/24)
Part X-Affiliated Bodies
Clause 2.2(a)
2.2 An Affiliate shall:-
(a) within two (2) months of its Annual General Meeting in each year, but in any case, not later than the 31st day of October, forward to the DOGS NSW Secretary a copy of its Balance Sheet and Financial Statements as adopted and duly prepared by a member of one of the following professional accounting bodies:
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Australia and New Zealand
CPA Australia
Institute of Public Accountants
National Tax Agents' Association Ltd
The Tax Institute (TTI)
Australian Bookkeepers Association Ltd
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Institute of Certified Bookkeepers
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
National Tax Agents’ Association Ltd (NTAA+)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA)
Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ).
TAI Practitioners & Advisers Limited (09/25)
Please click here for the amended Regulations in full.
RNSWCC LTD (DOGS NSW) 2025 AGM Agenda & Proxy Form
17-09-2025Members are advised that the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Royal NSW Canine Council Ltd (DOGS NSW) will be held as follows:
Location: Amenities Building, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills
Date: Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Time: 7:30pm
All financial members are encouraged to attend. Please remember to bring your membership number with you as it will be verified upon entry.
For those unable to attend in person, completed proxy forms must be submitted by 4.30pm on Monday, 3 November 2025.
The 2025 Agenda can be found here: https://dogsnsw.org.au/media/7499/agm-agenda-2025.pdf
The Proxy Voting Form is available here: https://www.dogsnsw.org.au/.../appointment-of-proxy-2025.pdf
DOGS NSW Southern Region AGM
12-09-2025The DOGS NSW Southern Region AGM will be held on:
DATE: Sunday, 30 November, 2025
TIME: 10.30am
VENUE: Wagga Showground Club rooms
Nominations close: 10 November 2025
For Nomination or post votes forms please contact: The Secretary, Nicole Tetley: [email protected]
AGM Proxy Form - Publication
28-08-2025Please click here to download the AGM Proxy Form.
Please Note: Completed Proxy Appointment Forms must be posted to the RNSWCC, PO Box 632, St Marys NSW 1790 or scanned/emailed to the Office, so as to be received by no later than 4.30pm on Monday 3 November 2025.
Reminder to All Breeders
27-08-2025Part I – The Register & Registration, Clause 2.9:
2.9 Where the details of the new owner/s of the progeny of a litter are known prior to registration, the progeny is to be transferred directly into the new owner/s name at the time of registration, and it shall be the responsibility of the breeder (12/19 – Effective 01/03/2020) to:-
(i) lodge the application for registration into the name/s of the new owner/s in the approved form;(ii) obtain the new owner/s informed consent in writing to the lodging of a transfer into the name/s of the new owner/s for registration;(iii) advise the new owner/s in writing that DOGS NSW has a privacy policy in respect of personal information collected including the name and address of the new owner/s by providing a link to the Privacy Policy or a copy of that policy. (06/20)
Part Xlll-Code of Ethics, Clauses 15, 19, 21, 22, & 23:
15. All Members must register all litters bred by them, either alone or jointly with another. Registration of a litter must be effected within 6 months of the date of whelping. For the purposes of this clause “litter” includes all puppies that are living at the date of registration of the litter. A Member shall register all puppies in a litter at the same time and on one form of application for Registration of Litter.
19. A Member must provide to all new owners of dogs sold or rehomed by that Member, written details of all dietary and immunisation requirements and/or appropriate publications relating to responsible dog ownership and breed specific information; and (05/21)
(i) the breeder must provide a veterinary certificate disclosing any known defects and the impact of such defects on the quality of the long term health and well-being of the puppy being rehomed. (05/21)(ii) the breeder must provide copies of all relevant health testing results of the sire, dam and puppy where genetic testing has been carried out. (05/21)(iii) where Litter Registration Limitations are applicable, copies of Sire’s and Dam’s relevant health certificates must be available at the time of sale or rehoming. (05/21)
21. A Member shall ensure that within 30 days of the date of sale or transfer of a dog to another person that documents, as required by the DOGS NSW Regulations Part I, are provided to the new owner of the dog. (05/21)
22. Upon the sale or transfer of a dog a Member shall supply the new owner with a current vaccination certificate signed by a Veterinary Surgeon evidencing that the dog has been immunised against Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvo Virus along with microchip documentation.
23. Members shall at, or prior to, the sale or transfer of a dog provide to the purchaser or transferee written notice of any medical condition, disease or injury from which the dog is suffering. It is a defense to any complaint against a Member for contravention of this Clause if the Member proves that it was not reasonably practicable for the Member to know that the dog was suffering from the medical condition, disease or injury at the time of sale or transfer. It is recommended that members obtain a receipted copy of any notice given pursuant to this Regulation. (05/18)
Regulations Parts l -The Register & Registration & Xlll-Code of Ethics can be found by clicking here.
PRESS RELEASE - Dogs Australia Breeding Policy and Surgical AI Policy
20-08-2025Dogs Australia Breeding and Surgical AI Statement can be found here.
Expressions of Interest: NEW DOGS NSW STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
15-08-2025DOGS NSW is excited to announce the formation of a new Strategic Planning Committee and is calling for expressions of interest from members who are passionate about the future of our organisation. This committee will play a vital role in identifying innovative and sustainable solutions to support the organisation and ensure the long-term financial stability of DOGS NSW over the next decade and beyond.
DOGS NSW is committed to enhancing and supporting all members, and promoting responsible dog ownership. To achieve these goals, the Strategic Planning Committee will explore and develop forward-thinking strategies that align with the evolving needs of the organisation.
We Are Seeking:
- Individuals with professional experience in business development, financial planning, fundraising, marketing, sponsorships, or strategic planning.
- Forward-thinkers who can bring innovative ideas and solutions to the table.
- Team players with a commitment to collaboration, engagement and long-term growth.
- There will also be an opportunity for younger members to contribute to a younger person’s strategic think tank in the coming months.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver a strategic plan for the organisation looking at both short-term and longer-term strategy.
- Assess and explore future directions and models to secure the future of DOGS NSW.
- Develop sustainable strategies and accompanying action plans to deliver future business needs.
- Develop a monitoring and evaluation process to assess our success.
- Work closely with the DOGS NSW Board to provide recommendations and insights.
How to Apply:
Interested members are invited to submit their Expressions of Interest by Monday 15 September 2025.
Please include a resume comprising of:
1. A brief background outlining your experience and expertise relevant to the committee.
2. Your vision for a sustainable future for DOGS NSW.
3. Any innovative ideas you believe could contribute to the organisation’s short term - and long-term
sustainability.
Submissions can be sent via email to [email protected]
FOR DOGS NSW (cc to Lyn Brand [email protected] and Ross Sinclair: [email protected] with the subject line: “EOI – Strategic Planning Committee”.
For further Information:
For further information, please contact Ross Sinclair: [email protected]
Join us in shaping the future of DOGS NSW and ensuring a sustainable legacy for generations to come!
Amendment to DOGS NSW Regulations PART X - Affiliated Bodies "OBJECTS"
14-08-2025Recently, the Board of Directors amended DOGS NSW Regulations Part X-Affiliated Bodies, Clause 1.3(b)(i) “OBJECTS”. The current “OBJECT” are as follows:-
1.3 An applicant for Affiliation or Associate Affiliation shall not be admitted as an Affiliate or an Associate Affiliate unless:-
(b) being a club:
(i) that has in its Constitution the provisions set out in this sub-rule and appearing immediately hereunder:
OBJECTS
The objects of the Club are: (11/24)
(a) to affiliate with DOGS NSW;
(b) to promote and encourage the breeding of pure bred dogs; to promote and raise the standards and exhibiting of pure bred dogs; and/or to encourage the training and or competitive trialling and participation in dogs sports of pure bred dogs and those on the Associate or Sporting Registers.
(c) to promote and encourage the holding and conduct of canine exhibitions, shows and/or competitive trials and dog sports;
(d) to foster, promote and protect the interests of exhibitors of dogs at exhibitions and shows; and/or competitive trials and dog sports;
(e) to collect, verify and publish information relating to dogs and the breeding and exhibition of dogs; and/or competitive trials and dog sports;
(f) to educate and encourage members, to abide by the requirements and standards approved by DOGS NSW for the conduct of exhibitions and shows; and/or competitive trials and dog sports; and the laws and regulations of the State relating to the ownership and care of dogs, and the responsibility of owners for the conduct and actions of their dogs; and to promote the health and welfare of dogs.
(g) to promote good fellowship and sportsmanship amongst members and those participating in or attending at exhibitions and shows; and/or competitive trials and dog sports;
(h) to hold functions and lectures, exhibitions and/or trials relating to dogs and to the objects of the Association generally;
(i) to make awards and donate prizes for competition at exhibitions and shows and for the competition by breeders and exhibitors of dogs; and/or competitive trials and dog sports;
(j) to foster relations with other kindred Associations and bodies;
(k) to promote and assist and to make contributions to canine veterinary research and other worthy canine causes;
(l) to invest the funds of the Association not immediately required in such manner as the Members shall determine;
(m) to carry on such other activities to promote and encourage interest in the breeding, upkeep, general well-being, improvement and/or training of dogs and to do all such other things as may be necessary or conducive to carrying out the objects of the Association.
Affiliates are required to ensure that the “OBJECTS” listed in their Constitution currently reflect the above and, should that not be case, a Special General Meeting should be called in accordance with your Club’s Constitution to amend the “OBJECTS”.
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