News and updates

At its December 2022 meeting, the Board of Directors resolved to amend DOGS NSW Regulations Part III-2022/2023 Conformation Judges Education Program as follows:-

THAT DOGS NSW Regulations Part III-2022/2023 Conformation Judges Education Program, Clause 9.3, which reads as follows:

9.3    Where there is an FCI approved breed that is rarely seen in the show ring and has few or nil registrations (eg Caanan dog, Eurasier, Canadian Eskimo Dog, Shikoku), after attending a breed lecture, Trainees will sit an online open book exam for the selected breeds to be completed by the end of the relevant Sub-Group.  These breeds will not form part of the examined breeds in the Sub-Group Theory Examination.

Be amended to read:-

9.3   Where there is an FCI approved breed that is rarely seen in the show ring and has few or nil registrations (eg Caanan dog, Eurasier, Canadian Eskimo Dog, Shikoku), after attending a breed lecture, Trainees will sit an online open book exam for the selected breeds to be completed by the end of the relevant Sub-Group no later than 10am on the day of the scheduled Sub-Group Theory Examination.  These breeds will not form part of the examined breeds in the Sub-Group Theory Examination


THAT DOGS NSW Regulations Part III-2022/2023 Conformation Judges Education Program, be amended by the inclusion of an additional Clause, numbered 10.14(a), to read as follows:-

10.14(a) Trainees will be notified of the breeds they will be examined on 30 minutes before the Practical Examination is scheduled to start.  Trainees may revise their standards and make their own notes during this time.  The Practical Examination commences when Trainees step into the examination ring and time is started.  The Practical Examination for that breed or Group is completed when the last Trainee has been questioned by the Assessor Panel.


THAT DOGS NSW Regulations Part III-2022/2023 Conformation Judges Education Program, be amended by the inclusion of an additional Clause, numbered 10.19, to read as follows:-

10.19    Should a Trainee Judge provide documentation such as a medical certificate, to the satisfaction of the Member Body CJEP Examinations Committee, that they were incapacitated or medically unfit causing inability to attend on the date of a scheduled Practical Examination, the CJEP Examinations Committee may then permit the Trainee Judge to complete a Post Examination at a time to be scheduled by the CJEP Examinations Committee.  The Trainee Judge must notify the CJEP Examinations Committee as soon as practicable but no later than the commencement time of the Trainee’s Practical Examination.

Dear Members /Associate Members/Contract Partners,

As some shoddy clubs, imitating names resembling our club have come up in Pakistan, I want to remove any confusion that might exist vis-a-vis which club in Pakistan is FCI Member. The Kennel Club of Pakistan was established in 1947 and is Full Member of FCI. We follow strict registration regime which includes mandatory microchipping and litter inspection. Every year, at an average eight to twelve foreign judges come to judge our Shows. In the last few years, some owners, who were either dog dealers or commercial breeders, thought that strict registrations procedure and control was not favorable for their business so parted ways and made their own clubs. To fool casual dog owners and foreigner judges, they have given names to their clubs similar to our club like “Pakistan Kennel Club", Pakistan Kennel Union" and " Canine Union of Pakistan ". None of these Clubs have any international recognition or reciprocal arrangements with any foreign Club. On the other hand we I.e., THE KENNEL CLUB OF PAKISTAN, is full FCI Member and also has reciprocal arrangements with British Kennel Club, American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club. Many foreign judges getting confused in the names, have accepted invitations to judge the shows of these clubs and their national clubs have given permission to judge. 

This confusion put the foreign judges and foreign national clubs in embarrassing situation later. Judging the shows of these clubs by FCI foreign judges tantamount to encourage dissident clubs of FCI Member club in a country and also encouraging breeding or dogs with dubious pedigrees.

Some owners, who have mediocre quality dogs or have dubious Pedigrees, enter their dogs in such shows and due to lack of competition, win and later sell these dogs, or their progeny, waving winning certificates and grading given by FCI judges. This is resulting in the production of mediocre dogs.

I would like to caution all fellow FCI clubs that the FCI Member club in Pakistan is only " THE KENNEL CLUB OF PAKISTAN".

Thank you for your cooperation.
Yours
Colonel Kenneth M. Roy
President
Kennel Club of Pakistan

It’s almost that time of year again when the Australians of the Year are recognised. At Puppy Tales, however, there’s a twist in the tail!

For the second year running, Puppy Tales are looking to recognise one amazing doggo to be the Australian Dog of the Year! 

In appointing the Australian Dog of the Year 2023, they want to recognise the dogs that have made a contribution to the communities across Australia. They’ve reached out to DOGS NSW because we have some amazing dogs within our community, and they want to hear of and recognise their contribution.

To share the link to the nomination page to help them find all of those incredible dogs that are deserving of nominations please click here.

Puppy Tales will be featuring nominated dogs and sharing their stories on their website and social media through these awards. This is the chance  to commend these dogs to their online community of 500,000+ dog-lovers, and to recognise their roles in their communities. 

In its third year, the 2023 Australian Dog of the Year will receive a $250 Pet Circle Gift Card, a $1,000 photography experience with Puppy Tales Photography plus $1000 donation to the registered charity of the winner’s choice! In addition, there is the People’s Choice Award and Gift Cards for 10 Nominees – total prize pool valued at more than $5,000! 

Which dogs can be nominated?
Some of the kinds of dogs that are encouraged to enter are (but not limited to):
● Guide dogs or hearing dogs
● Therapy dogs visiting ill people in hospitals
● Dogs who have helped someone with disabilities or health challenges
● Dogs in reading programs or assistance at schools
● Dogs involved in wildlife detection or protection
● Dogs who have located, rescued or saved people, or other pets
● Police and combat dogs
● Other working dogs
● Dogs that are blood donors
● A best friend who has gotten you through a tough time

Please click here to view the website for more information or to nominate a true-blue, four-legged Australian hero.

Nominations close on 13 January and the winner announced on 26 January, Australia Day!

Please note that Dogs Australia Regulations Part 5 – Conformation Show has been updated with the decisions from the October 2022 Board meeting in relation to Items 5.13 and 7.5.3 as follows. 

Item 5.13: New Clause 2.3.7 added to read:

2.3.7 Infectious Diseases or Viruses (Added 10/22, 5.13. Effective 01/01/23)

a) If a dog has been in a kennel or premises affected with distemper, canine hepatitis, parvovirus or any other virulent contagious disease (except Kennel Cough), it shall not be permitted to attend any State Member Body event or grounds for a period of 12 weeks from the date of the first diagnosis or onset of symptoms.
b) If a dog has been in a kennel or premises affected with or diagnosed with Canine Cough (also referred to as Kennel Cough or Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex) it shall not be permitted to attend any State Member Body event or grounds for a period of three weeks after the date of the first diagnosis or onset of symptoms.
c) An event organiser or affiliate official may ask for a dog to be immediately removed from any State Member Body event or grounds if that dog is visibly unwell or showing symptoms of the contagious diseases listed in (a) or (b). This shall be recorded in the Representative’s report.

Please click here to view the entire copy of the amended Regulations Part 5 - Conformation Show.

Item 7.5.3: Delete Clause 1.1.7 and amend Clause 4.1 to read as follows:

SECTION 4 Exhibitors
4.1 Ownership Interest
4.1.1 No person shall enter or exhibit a dog in any sanctioned conformation exhibition at which a judge who is a member of the competitor's immediate family, or who resides at the same address, or who has had a proprietary interest in such dog whether solely or in partnership is scheduled to officiate

4.1.2 A person may not exhibit or handle under a judge officiating at a conformation show where:

a. The person is a member of the judge’s family and/or resides at the same address as the judge.
b. The judge has or has had any ownership interest in a dog or dogs solely or in partnership with the member within a period of 12 months prior to the conformation show.
c. Where the judge has handled any dog owned, leased or part leased by the person within a period of 12 months prior to the conformation show.
d. The person has accommodated the judge or been accommodated by the judge within a period of 12 months prior to the conformation show or intends to accommodate the judge within 24 hours after the conformation show
e. The judge has trained or groomed for reward, for gift or favour a dog owned, or part owned, leased or part leased by the person in a period of 12 months prior to the conformation show
f. The dog was bred by the judge or the judge’s family.
g. For the purposes of these regulations the definition “handled” does not include any circumstance where a person has assisted another exhibitor who, due to a judging decision on the day, was required to compete with two or more exhibits at the same time. (Clause 4.1.2 amended 10/22, 7.5.3. Effective 01/01/23)

Dogs Australia are updating their website with the amended regulations.

Royal NSW Canine Council Health and Welfare Charity Limited (RNSWCCHWC) General Approach and Philosophy

Royal NSW Canine Council Health and Welfare Charity Limited (RNSWCCHWC) is an organisation whose objective is to prevent or relieve the suffering of canines. The charity will achieve these objectives by:

(i) arranging short-term direct care for canines which have been lost, mistreated, or are without owners.
(ii) arranging for the rehabilitation of orphaned, sick, or injured canines which have been lost, mistreated or are without owners.
(iii) funding research into the causes, prevention, or cure of diseases in canines.
(iv) creating and endowing scholarships and fellowships.
(v) providing education in relation to all aspects of canines.
(vi) arranging for the training of canines to assist people who are disadvantaged; and
(vii) anything ancillary to the Objectives.

RNSWCCHWC supports research that will improve the health and lives of all dogs. RNSWCCHWC will achieve this by awarding grants to scientists and professionals to support research that concerns the origins of canine illnesses, assists the diagnoses of canine diseases, aids in the development of effective treatments and assists disease prevention strategies.

We encourage individuals to submit applications to fund research projects that will improve the health of all dogs.

The research seeding grant process is stringent and all applications for funding are reviewed in the first instance by the RNSWCCHWC Board of Directors for compliance with charity objectives. Two independent expert reviewers will next undertake further assessment of each of the finalists and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Board will then determine the successful application(s), having regard to the recommendation(s) made to it. In so doing, the Board of Directors will ensure the grants are awarded to research projects that, 1) meet the objectives of the Charity and, 2) are designed with scientific rigour that enables findings to materially contribute to the body of knowledge in canine health or welfare.

All studies involving animals must provide evidence of complying with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (current Animal or Human Ethics Approval) before funds are transferred.

Funding Opportunities

Applications are sought from Australian researchers from disciplines including, but not limited to, veterinary research, genetics, and animal science. Collaborative projects involving researchers from a variety of disciplines and/or institutions, including human health researchers will be considered.

Seed funding to a maximum of $15,000 is available in 2022. The funded amount is inclusive of on-costs to a maximum of 8% of the funding awarded.
Applications must be completed by 5pm, 30th November 2022 (AEDT)

Criteria:

To be eligible applications must:
• directly address the objectives the Charity;
• provide evidence of current Animal and or Human Ethics Approvals for research team and the project described if required before funds are issued;
• support research into the causes, prevention, or cure of diseases in canines
• exclude requests for:

• ICT or Camera equipment – major specialist equipment will be considered
• Salary support for the chief investigator/s
• Travel (Travel requests may be made under a separate scheme)
• Projects involving animal euthanasia
• have a project duration of under 2 years - extensions may be awarded subject to evidence of satisfactory progress.
• return unexpended funds at the conclusion of the project

Accountability
• Brief annual progress report provided before release of annual funding
• At conclusion of research:

•     Provision of an executive summary suitable for lay-person audience for publication on the RNSWCCHWC website and Dogs Australia affiliate publications
•     4-page scientific paper outlining the research outcomes of the project

• RNSWCCHWC to be provided copies of any publications arising from the funding and these to be open access so that they can be freely linked to the charity web portal
• RNSWCCHWC to be acknowledged in all public presentations / publications arising from the funding
• Resulting work to aim for publication in academic journals in the top 10% of the field index
• Open access publication – extra funding for page charges of successful open-access publications directly resulting from funded projects may be provided on request

Instructions for Application Submission
Applications to be received by email: [email protected]
Applications received by 5pm (AEDT) 29 November, 2022, following the template provided below.

Other Instructions
Successful applicants failing to meet agreed accountability criteria will be excluded from further funding from the RNSCCHWC for a period of two years.

Please click here for the Application for Research Funding 2022.

Mrs L Brown - 316 votes - ELECTED

Ms M Campbell - 88 votes

Mrs L Brand - 347 votes - ELECTED

Mr S Oliver - 292 votes - ELECTED

Mr G Spagnolo - 310 votes - ELECTED

Mrs V Etherington OAM - 235 votes 

Mrs S McFadden - 328 votes - ELECTED

Mrs Y Yun - 176 votes

The early weeks in puppies’ lives are critical for various reasons; one of them is behavioural development. 

Improper socialisation leads to many behavioural problems, triggering further animal welfare matters, such as dog abandonment, abuse, and even euthanasia.

Why is this period so vital?
What is happening during this time?
And what may be the consequences when a litter of puppies is not treated properly?

In this episode, Zazie Todd—the award-winning author of the book ‘Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy’ and the creator of the Companion Animal Psychology blog and The Pawsitive Post newsletter—gives us a thorough insight into this critical period for dogs.

Click here to view the podcast.

16.4    A complaint alleging a breach of Regulation 16.1 shall be made to the Show Secretary at the show, shall be in writing and, if not made by an official of the Show, shall be accompanied by a lodgement fee of $150 payable to DOGS NSW. (05/11)

16.5    The Show Secretary shall, within 7 days of receipt of a complaint referred to in Regulation 16.4 or becoming aware of a contravention of Regulation 16.1, forward details thereof to the DOGS NSW Secretary, together with all documents received together with the applicable lodgement fee. (05/11)

16.6    A complaint not lodged in accordance with Clauses 16.4 and 16.5 will not be accepted by DOGS NSW unless received within 14 days of the event giving rise to the complaint and accompanied by a late fee of $100, in addition to the applicable lodgement fee of $150. The DOGS NSW Secretary may waive either or both of the original lodgement fee and the late fee upon receipt of a reasonable and acceptable explanation. (05/11)

Ageing is inevitable, and dogs are no exception.

What is ageing exactly?

• When does it start?
• What exactly happens during the ageing period?
• When can you label it abnormal, and what are the attributes of natural ageing?
• What can you do to reduce or optimise the consequences?
• And how can current scientific findings contribute to human medicine?

This episode with Eniko Kubinyi, Borbála Turcsán, and Ivaylo Iotchev presents a deep insight into the topic of the ageing of dogs.

Please click here  or on the image above to view the podcast.