News and updates

Please note that the commencement date of the Overseas Judges Approval Register, endorsed at the February 2025 Special Board meeting, has been deferred to 1 July 2026.

This deferment is to allow a Working Party to prepare a submission for the October 2025 Board meeting to address the implementation process.

Please click here for the Summary of the Dogs Australia June 2025 Special Board Meeting.

Dogs Australia has been experiencing issues with the A2O Show results documentation which they forward to the A2O Secretariat for processing. The Secretariat has advised the total number of entries appearing in the catalogue is required to be the same as the total number appearing in the top right-hand corner of the spreadsheet/word results document.

Dogs Australia has now received advice from the A2O Secretariat that whatever the total number of entries that appears in the catalogue will be used for billing purposes. No exceptions will be allowed.  The Secretariat further suggests as an alternative; clubs should supply separate A2O Show catalogues to other shows held in conjunction with the A2O Show.

The requirement limiting the maximum number of female adult dogs at any dog premises to 20, commenced on 21 November 2024. The new laws allow for breeders that had more than 20 female adult dogs on a premises at 24 October 2024 to keep up to this number until 1 December 2025.

From 1 December 2025 until 30 November 2035 a limited exemption will be available for certain breeders who had more than 20 female adult dogs on 24 October 2024, subject to additional conditions.

Breeders can apply for an exemption online at the Office of Local Government.  A $550 fee is payable to process applications. Applications for an exemption opened on 30 May 2025 and will CLOSE ON 13 JULY 2025.

For further information and an application please click here.

At the DOGS NSW Board meeting held on Wednesday 11 June 2025, the Board resolved to update the following DOGS NSW Regulations:-

PART II-SHOW
THAT DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show, Clause 8B, which currently reads as follows:-

8B Dogs Australia/CACIB Shows (07/23)

Dogs Australia, from time to time, authorise FCI/CACIB Shows and prescribe Regulations for their conduct which are found at Section 6 of Dogs Australia Regulations Part 5 Show. (07/23)

That Section, as amended from time to time, has been adopted in its entirety as a Regulation of DOGS NSW and will apply to the conduct of any FCI/CACIB show held in NSW.

Be amended to read:-

8B Dogs Australia/CACIB Shows (07/23)

Dogs Australia, from time to time, authorise FCI/CACIB Shows and prescribe Regulations for their conduct which are found at Section 6 of Dogs Australia Regulations Part 5 Show. (07/23)

That Section, as amended from time to time, has been adopted in its entirety as a Regulation of DOGS NSW and will apply to the conduct of any FCI/CACIB show held in NSW.

In regard to Dogs Australia Part 5: Conformation Show, Clause 9.5.5, the interpretation of “Main Ring” at all DOGS NSW shows will either be:
(a) the Main Ring of competition for each respective Group; or
(b) the ring assigned to “BIS/General Specials”. (06/25)

PART VII-REGIONS – MEETINGS, OFFICE BEARERS AND RELATED MATTERS
**Various amendments

To read either of the Regulations in their entirety please click here.

• Australian Capital Territory (DOGS ACT) - Canberra Royal Championship   Dog Show, 20 to 22 February 2026
• Western Australia (DOGS WEST) – Dogs West Classic, 28 February to 2 March 2025
• Queensland (DOGS QUEENSLAND) - Advance Pacific International Show, 20 September 2025
• Queensland (DOGS QUEENSLAND) – Beaudesert Kennel Club Dog Show, 4 October 2025
• Northern Territory (DOGS NT) - Royal Darwin Show, 24 to 26 July 2025
• New South Wales (DOGS NSW) - Sydney Royal Show, 11 to 21 April 2025
• New South Wales (DOGS NSW) - Spring Fair International Dog Show, 31 August 2025
• South Australia (DOGS SA) - DOGS SA Winter International Championship Show – 28 to 31 May 2025
• South Australia (DOGS SA) – Royal Adelaide Show – 5 to 13 September 2025
• Tasmania (DOGS TASMANIA) – Royal Launceston Show – 9 to 11 October 2025
• Tasmania (DOGS TASMANIA) – Royal Hobart Show – 23 to 25 October 2025
• Tasmania (DOGS TASMANIA) – Ulverstone Kennel Club Show – 1 February 2026
• Victoria (DOGS VICTORIA) – Royal Melbourne Show – 25 September to 4 October 2025
• Victoria (DOGS VICTORIA) – Dogs Victoria Summer Spectacular – 6 to 7 December 2025

From Friday 30 May 2025, dog breeders across NSW can apply for exemptions to new puppy farming regulations to ensure they comply with changes that will come into effect for existing breeders from 1 December 2025.

In November 2024 changes were made to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, and the Companion Animals Act 1998, which apply in stages to all breeders and occupiers of dog premises across NSW.

For a full overview of the changes – see the Department of Primary Industries and Regional development website.

The NSW Government has implemented several actions to support breeders and occupiers of dog premises across NSW through the legislative transition period.

Applications for an exemption to maximum cap of female adult dogs
The requirement limiting the maximum number of female adult dogs at any dog premises to 20, commenced on 21 November 2024. The new laws allow for breeders that had more than 20 female adult dogs on a premises at 24 October 2024 to keep up to this number until 1 December 2025.

From 1 December 2025 until 30 November 2035 a limited exemption will be available for certain breeders who had more than 20 female adult dogs on 24 October 2024, subject to additional conditions.

Breeders can apply for an exemption online at the Office of Local Government. A $550 fee is payable to process applications. Applications for an exemption opened on 30 May 2025 and will close on 13 July 2025.

If granted, the exemption period is for 10 years subject to certain conditions. For example, compliance with the Breeding Code, submitting an annual report and an audit every 2 years.

· Breeders with more than 50 female adult dogs who are granted an exemption must transition to 50 or less female adult dogs per dog premises by 1 December 2026.
· All exemption holders must have 20 or less female adult dogs on their premises by 1 December 2035 (when the exemptions will expire).

A timeline for the exemption application can be viewed by clicking here.

(i)    Where a Judge is contracted to judge the Starter Trick Dog Class, the maximum number of exhibits will be 50 per day.

(ii)    Where a Judge is contracted to judge the Novice Trick Dog Class, the maximum number of exhibits will be 50 per day.

(iii)    Where a Judge is contracted to judge the Intermediate Trick Dog Class, the maximum number of exhibits will be 40 per day.

(iv)    Where a Judge is contracted to judge the Advanced Trick Dog Class, the maximum number of exhibits will be 30 per day.

(v)    Where a Judge is contracted to judge multiple classes, the maximum number of exhibits will not exceed 40 per day.

(vi)    Where a Judge is contracted to judge at an evening test, the maximum number of exhibits will not exceed 30.

• FCI Application Form: Request to Turn a Reserve CACIB into a CACIB Show
• Procedure for Upgrade of a Reserve CACIB to a CACIB