News and updates

Regulation Update

The full amended Regulations can be found here.

Part II-Show

The following amendments to DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show where approved by the Board:-

Clause 14.10

Currently reads:-

14.10    (Revised 12/12)

(c) If the incident causes serious damage to the victim who, subsequently, requires immediate medical attention, the local council must be informed.  If it occurs out of council hours the police must be informed. (08/25)

Be amended to read:-

(c)       If the incident causes serious damage to the victim a person or another dog who, subsequently, requires immediate medical attention, the local council must be informed.  If it occurs out of council hours the police must be informed. (03/26)

(i)         It is the responsibility of either the President or the Secretary of the club to contact the council or police. (03/26)

(ii)       If the local council and or police are called the offending dog must automatically be declared aggressive. (03/26)

(a)       if the dog has been tested by the Department of Local Government, the owner must provide a copy of the report to DOGS NSW within eight (8) weeks, failure to do so would render the dog to remain on suspension until the report is provided. (03/26)

(iii)      Where the council or police declare the dog a Dangerous Dog in line with NSW legislation DOGS NSW must ban the dog for life. (03/26)

(iv)      An Aggressive Dog Hearing is still required to be held to gather all relevant paperwork, witness statements and videos, if available, and must be submitted to DOGS NSW within 48 hours. (03/26)

(v)        Upon receipt of the Aggressive Dog Report the Office within 48 hours must notify the owner/s by email and registered post that the dog has been declared a Dangerous Dog in line with NSW legislation and the dog has been banned for life. (03/26)

(i)         Within 2 calendar months of receipt of the report referred to in (g) the Board of Directors shall consider the report and if satisfied that the dog is likely to constitute a danger to persons, other dogs or property at any Show, taking into consideration the responsibility of the handler or of any individual involved, may for such period as the Board of Directors consider appropriate (08/25):-

New Clause

(viii)    where a dog is reported to the Council or Police in accordance with Clause 14.10(c) as an aggressive dog, however, is not declared to be a Dangerous Dog, the dog will automatically receive a six (6) month suspension, OR, at the discretion of the Board, may be banned for life. (03/26)

• It is the obligation of each owner, exhibitor and handler at a show to take all such steps as may be necessary to ensure that any dog under that person’s care or control or for which that person is responsible does not behave in an aggressive manner.

1^st Offence:     Reprimand Letter

2^nd Offence:    $100.00 $200.00 (03/26)

3^rd Offence:    Matter referred to Inquiry (10/18) **

**and consideration that dog be banned for life (03/26)

**Renumber original Clause (i)(viii) to (i)(ix)

Clause 10.2(d) be deleted in its entirety

New “paragraph” added to Clause 19.1.2(f), as follows:-

SprintDog^TM Trials must be cancelled if the forecast temperature available at 10.00am from the closest Bureau of Meteorology station to the venue (www.bom.gov.au) two days prior exceeds 32 degrees Celsius, or in the alternative, rescheduled to a cooler period for the Trial (eg, early morning) at the discretion of the Affiliate. (03/26)

Part III-Conformation Judges Education Program

At its recent meeting, the Board resolved to amend DOGS NSW Regulations Part III-Conformation Judges Education Program Clause 10.15, as follows:-

Currently reads:-

10.15    Should a Trainee not achieve a pass result in a Practical Examination, then to qualify to take a further Group Practical Examination a Trainee Judge must enrol as a Continuing Trainee, judge a further fifty (50) dogs at Field Events, Open Shows and Sweepstakes or personally with a MENTOR and examine and critique a further twenty five (25) dogs concurrent with the training program in progress, in accordance with Clause 6.1.2, above, and submit the approved enrolment form, accompanied by the requirements of this Clause.  They may then attempt the next available Practical Examination in that training Program. (08/25)

Be amended to read:-

 10.15   Should a Trainee not achieve a pass result in a Practical Examination, then to qualify to take a further Group Practical Examination a Trainee Judge must enrol as a Continuing Trainee, judge a further fifty (50) dogs at Field Events, Open Shows and Sweepstakes or personally with a MENTOR.

A Trainee must also examine and critique a further twenty five (25) dogs, and submit the approved enrolment form, accompanied by the requirements of this Clause.  They may then attempt the next available Practical Examination in that training Program. (03/26)

Part VI-Judges Performance Disciplines

The Board, at its Electronic Motion of 13 March 2026 resolved to rescind the following Clause in DOGS NSW Regulations Part VI-Judges, Performance Disciplines:-

4.2A(vi)                A Judge shall not:- Act as a handler of an exhibit or exhibit a dog in a Lure Coursing Meet or SprintDog™ Trial at which he officiates as a Judge (08/25)

Part XIII-Code of Ethics

At its recent meetings, the Board resolved to amend the DOGS NSW Part XIII-Code of Ethics. 

The amendments are:-

New Clauses

• 2(e)(ii)
• 10
• 12
• 13

with the subsequent clauses being re-numbered.

Part XVI-Scent Work & Judges Training

At its recent meetings, the Board resolved to amend the DOGS NSW Regulations Part XVI-Scent Work & Judges Training.

New Clause

2.2.13  Trial Entries

1. In accordance with DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show, a dog must be entered with the correct details and dog ownership in the catalogue to be eligible for qualification or awards at a DOGS NSW sanctioned Scent Work Trial.
2. Should a dog not be entered correctly by their owner or co-owner or not entered in the catalogue, then they will not be eligible for qualification cards or awards.
3. Any qualification cards or awards issued to a dog who is not entered in the catalogue at a Trial will be rescinded, and the competitor may face disciplinary action.
4. Affiliates retain the right to manage Trial entries to ensure the smooth running of a Trial.  In this regard, an Affiliate may provide guaranteed or priority entries to a limited number of volunteers and/or Judges with the following conditions:-
5. The majority of Trial entries remain available at the official opening of entries.
6. Systems must be in place to ensure priority entries are made available to designated positions, the Trial Manager and Trial Secretary and/or Judges.

iii.       Affiliates should ensure procedures are in place to prevent potential unintended misuse of the system, for example, not allocating to a greater number of volunteers than necessary to successfully run each Trial

• Would you like to be paid to teach children about responsible pet ownership and behaving safely around dogs?
• Do you own a happy, healthy, sociable dog between 18 months - 8 years?

The Responsible Pet Ownership education program is now recruiting Pet Educators in:

NSW - Sutherland Shire, Northern Beaches, Ryde, Waverley, Canterbury Bankstown, Canada Bay, Parramatta, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Inner West, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Kiama, Strathfield, Hunters Hill, Hornsby, Willoughby, Woollahra

The program's Pet Educators visit kindergartens and schools with their dog to give a short presentation to children about dog safety.

To be eligible to apply, you must own a happy, healthy dog that is 18months to 8 years old, that resides with you for at least 1 year, and enjoys socialising with children. Your dog will need to pass our suitability test.

The Responsible Pet Ownership education program is provided by the Victorian Government and NSW Government. Successful candidates will be employed in their residing state, by the program's contracted staffing and payroll Providor, Randstad Recruitment as temporary labour hire. Training will be provided (for you and your dog), support and learning opportunities. Hours are during the school terms and are flexible.

More information about the program can be found on the Responsible Pet Ownership education program website.

To obtain a Pet Educator Information Pack and details about how to apply, please email: [email protected]

Applications Close 11.59pm on Tuesday 7 April 2026.

Suitable applicants will be invited to dog suitability testing and interview on Thursday 23 April 2026 at The Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs (DOGS NSW grounds) in Orchard Hills NSW.

Please click here to view the confirmed Meeting Summary of the Dogs Australia February 2026 Special Board meeting.

Dogs Australia has requested for the following links relating to the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation to be circulated to the Member Bodies for their information.

Explosive detection dog Flo Joe posthumously awarded for military service in Afghanistan - ABC News. Click here to view.

New website for the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) where information can be downloaded.

Application form for nomination of 2027 awards: Nominate An Animal Hero - AWAMO

• Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture: Review details on Canine Ehrlichiosis guidelines for dog owners and guidelines for veterinarians. 
• Ehrlichia canis information for veterinarians | Business Queensland - updated 4.11.25.

•   Your digital card can be accessed at any time from your phone wallet once added.

•   Address details can be viewed via the pass details / menu option on the card.

•   At present, the card content is not dynamic. If your details change (for example, an address update), a replacement card will be issued and you will need to remove the previous card before adding the new one.

•    Dynamic, automatically updating functionality is planned for a future enhancement.

•   Traditional plastic membership cards remain available for members who prefer them. The digital card is simply an additional option — not a replacement.

Director Tracy Hofman would like to extend her thanks to all those who applied for the Judicial Panels – the response was very encouraging, and proof we have some well qualified and keen members to lean into to support DOGS NSW in one of its key functions.

All Expressions of Interest are now being reviewed and recommendations for inclusion (or otherwise) will be made by early next week.  Every applicant will be advised of the outcome of their application.

Once again – heartfelt thanks for those willing to put their hands up!

2.3(a) All Breeds Judges or Judges with a minimum of six (6) Groups at Championship Level may judge General Specials at All Breeds Championship Shows . Those Judges that are not All Breeds Judges must also be currently listed as a Trainee Judge within their State.

The temporary closure of Luddenham Road, between Mamre Road and Elizabeth Drive has been rescheduled to take place from 8.00pm, Friday 20 February, until 5.00am, Monday 23 February, weather permitting.

The temporary closure will allow us to build new road surfaces at the Luddenham Road and Mamre Road intersection.

Detours will be in place during the temporary closure of Luddenham Road via The Northern Road, M4 Motorway, Elizabeth Drive and Mamre Road.

Please observe speed limits, follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs, plan ahead and allow extra travel time. 

We thank you for your patience during this time.

Please click here to read the Luddenham Road closure notification below for more information.

Dear Members,
As part of our commitment to greater transparency, accountability, and regular communication, we are pleased to share the key positive outcomes and initiatives discussed at our recent Board Meeting.

The Directors continue to work diligently across numerous organisational work streams and improvement initiatives. The forthcoming Strategic Plan will provide a clear framework to guide further work in the months ahead.

Board Action List
A formal Board Action List has been agreed to clearly track resolutions, responsibilities and timeframes. This will strengthen accountability and ensure continued progress on key priorities.

Organisational Knowledge Tree
We will shortly be inviting members to contribute to the development of an Organisation Knowledge Tree. This initiative is gathering member organisation skills and interests to support DOGS NSW in delivering future projects, implementing strategy and assisting in building a strong future for our membership and all hobbies. We are seeking to engage a group of members who are willing to participate to drive this initiative. Any member who expresses interest will be contacted regarding how you can be involved. DOGS NSW thanks you for your support, look out for an EOI for this process in the coming weeks if you wish to participate.

Coalition of the Willing – Volunteer Register
We are keen to also build a Volunteer register known as the Coalition of the Willing. We are a volunteer organisation and our past and future success as a business is due to our incredible members. This initiative will allow members to nominate their precious time to assist DOGS NSW at key events, special occasions and with working groups in the future. Our organisation is strongest when members actively contribute, of course this is a voluntary process and we would really value your involvement. Again, there will be an EOI in the coming weeks for you to tell us how you can participate.

Town Hall Meetings
Four Town Hall sessions will be scheduled this year to facilitate open communication between members and Directors. These forums will provide an opportunity for transparent discussion, feedback and collaborative problem-solving.

Strategic Planning Progress
The Strategic Planning Committee with the Board has now held its third Strategic Planning Workshop and is on track to deliver a comprehensive Strategic Plan for DOGS NSW on 5 March, when the Committee will consider endorsement of the Plan for presentation to the Board.
It has been inspiring to see the commitment and dedication of the team working diligently to bring this Plan together. The first Town Hall session will include a presentation of the Strategic Plan to members, outlining priorities and the roadmap ahead.

Board Calendar
Development of a Board Calendar is underway to ensure representation and active Director involvement at key events throughout the year. Visibility, engagement and support across our activities remain a priority.

Infrastructure Improvements – Orchard Hills
The Board approved the upgrade of the underground mains power supply at Orchard Hills. This important infrastructure investment will significantly improve power reliability particularly in Dogs Sports Performance areas and capacity across the site, supporting events and future growth.

Membership and Governance Improvements
Directors agreed improvements to junior membership fee structures and broader governance enhancements across several operational areas. These initiatives aim to strengthen sustainability, accessibility and best practice governance.

Looking Ahead
The collaboration and commitment shown during the meeting reflect the Board’s focus on modernising DOGS NSW, strengthening governance, and building a more inclusive organisation that supports all members—metropolitan, regional and remote. We will continue to share updates after each Board Meeting to keep members informed, engaged, and connected.

And of course, we look forward to celebrating together at the wonderful DOGS NSW Night of Nights – “DOTY, POTY and NOTY” – to be held on Saturday 28 February 2026. We encourage members to come along and enjoy what promises to be a fantastic evening of recognition and camaraderie.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue building a stronger and contemporary DOGS NSW.
From the President, Executive Team and DOGS NSW Board