News and updates

Dogs Australia have approved the application received from the Cocker Spaniel Club of Queensland Inc via Dogs Queensland to conduct the 2026 National Show on the 10 and 11 August 2026 at the Dogs Queensland Showgrounds, 247 King Avenue, Durack, Queensland.  The Royal National Agricultural & Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) has confirmed these dates will not clash with the breed judging at the 2026 Brisbane Royal Show (EKKA).

Beware... if you are going to travel with your dogs around Australia, you should be aware of a fairly recent problem that has arisen across the whole of northern Australia. This is a deadly and often fatal bacterial disease in dogs that is carried by infected brown ticks. The brown tick is very widely distributed throughout Australia.

Dogs that are bitten by infected ticks exhibit a range of symptoms, from fever to bleeding from the nose, that if left untreated can lead to death. It is recommended that you look at and read the information on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry webpage titled ‘Ehrlichosis in Dogs'  which gives a very good run down on the condition and its current spread throughout Australia. 

With increasingly hot conditions, the disease is spreading rapidly southwards in both WA and QLD and is considered endemic throughout the NT.

Dogs should be treated for ticks, preferably both internally and definitely with tick repellent collars or treatments. Seresto collars are recommended. Once a dog has been bitten by an infected tick, the disease can start to develop within hours. There is no dog to dog transmission.

While not yet in the southern portions of Australia, at the rate this is spreading, we should all be aware of this disease and try to minimise its further spread and it affecting our dogs. Avoid bushy areas; parks with short grass are safest for dogs.

Members are encouraged to please share this message on Social media and relevant Facebook Pages where possible.

Dogs Australia have redesigned the Judge’s contract and Overseas Judge’s contract forms.

Affiliates are requested to use the new forms as soon as possible which are available from the DOGS NSW website under the “Clubs” section, then “Club Forms”.

Click here for the Judge Contract.

Click here for the Overseas Judge Contract

'Muster Dogs' returns on Sunday 14 January on ABC iview and ABC TV. Don't forget to mark your calendar and watch these adorable pups on their journey to becoming muster dogs! 🐾

The brand-new season of Muster Dogs features five graziers from across Australia, each of whom has been given an Australian Border Collie puppy from the same litter to train to be a champion muster dog in just 12 months. Checking in with the puppies at key milestones, our training gurus and mustering experts will set challenges and assess the pup’s progress.

 Our journey to train these intelligent dogs turns into an emotional ride for the graziers, and showcases the incredible bond between humans and their furry companions 🐶

 
To watch the trailers, click on Facebook or Instagram links.

The Summary of the Dogs Australia Annual General Meeting & Board Meeting can be found here.

At the recent Dogs Australia Board meeting the following points were noted in relation to the use of ramps effective 01 January 2024: 

1. The use of ramps is not mandatory and is at the sole direction of the judge.
2. Only ramp and ramp optional breeds are to be judged on the ramp.
3. Once a breed has commenced the entire breed is to be judged in the same manner (eg ramp or ground, excluding babies).
4. That the Dogs Australia judges contract be amended to include an area where the judge is to nominate if they require a ramp for ramp breeds.
5. If ramps are not available in the location the club hosting the event is to notify the judge.

For the full Dogs Australia ramp/table/ground regulations refer to Dogs Australia Regulations Part 5, 2.7 Use of Ramps/Tables.”

UPDATE: 

It has been drawn to Dogs Australia's attention that the Shar Pei has been incorrectly listed as a "Ground" dog in the Ramp/Table/Ground Breeds Listing. This appears to have occurred as it is listed as the Chinese Shar Pei in the American Kennel Club's listing of "ramp" breeds not the Shar Pei.

This notice is to advise that the Executive Committee of Dogs Australia has exercised its power under Section 34A.4 of the Constitution to determine that the Shar Pei shall be a "ramp" breed.

The list on the Dogs Australia will be amended in the near future and this change shall apply from 1 January 2024 along with implementation of the relevant regulation

Please note the FCI Office in Belgium has issued a notice to all their national canine organisations (NCO) that they will not accept handwritten title applications forms for the following:

* International Beauty Champion
* International Junior/ Veteran Beauty Champion
 
The FCI request that applications are completed in TYPED CAPITAL LETTERS.

To assist members these forms have been updated to an ‘editable PDF’ format to allow online completion. Updated forms and procedures for these titles are available from Dogs Australia website under Miscellaneous. Click here to go to the Dogs Australia Forms & Guides.

Please note an application has been received for re-registration of the following FCI recognised breed:

YUGOSLAVIAN SHEPHERD DOG - SHARPLANINA

Dogs Australia are currently arranging for this breed to be added to the business system and for their website to be updated with the relevant breed standard.

In addition, as confirmed by the National Breed Standards Coordination Group the ANKC Group listing will be updated with this breed being allocated to Group 6 (Utility).

ATTENTION:  MEMBERS ADVERTISING PUPPIES FOR SALE

Members are reminded of DOGS NSW Regulations Part XIII-Code of Ethics, Clause 16, which states:-

16.    A Member shall include their DOGS NSW Membership Number in an advertisement placed in ANY FORM of media, or on any sign whatsoever, that advertises a dog or puppy for sale whether for payment or not.  Such quotation shall be in the form “DOGS NSW Member xxxxxxxxxx”. (11/19)

**This includes Facebook advertisements.

Breaches of this Clause in the Regulations is subject to DOGS NSW strict penalty regime as follows:-

Schedule of Penalties (11/23)
1st Offence      $500.00
2nd Offence     $1,000.00
3rd Offence      Member to Inquiry