News and updates

Members are reminded of the requirement for exhibiting dogs in Neuter Classes, as follows:-

DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show, Section 6:  Classes for Exhibit at a Show, Clause 6.1:  Neuter Classes (Notes), Note (v), which reads:-

(i)    Only dogs or bitches registered with a Dogs Australia Member Body as a "neuter" on the Main Register shall be eligible to compete in either Class 15,16,17 or 18. (07/23)

Applications for Neuter Titles for dogs not registered as a “neuter” on the Dogs Australia Main Register prior to exhibiting in the Neuter Class will not be accepted by the DOGS NSW Office.

At its recent meeting, the Board resolved to amend DOGS NSW Regulations as follows:-

PART II-Show
Clause 10.4(e) – AMENDED
Lause 19.2 – AMENDED CLAUSES 19.2(b) & (d)
Clause 20.1B & C – NEW CLAUSES 20.1B(ix) & 20.1C(iv)

PART XI-Inquiries, Investigations & Appeals
Clause 7.1 - AMENDED
Clause 7.5 - AMENDED

PART XIII-Code of Ethics
Clause 10 - AMENDED
Clause 28(ii) – NEW DOT POINT 1

Dogs Australia have received confirmation from the Canadian Kennel Club that they now recognise the breed PUMI.

We have arranged for Regulations Part 9 Appendix A listing the ANKC Breeds not recognised by the Canadian Kennel Club to be updated with the removal of this breed from the listing.

Please see the press release from Dogs Australia regarding the requirements for registration for the Murray River Retriever.

Mission Statement 2025 There are 4 Regional Committees as follows:-

● Northern (including Inland & Coastal)
● Western
● Southern
● Illawarra & South Eastern

These Regional Committees represent DOGS NSW in their NSW regional areas and promote its aims and objectives.
Regions exist to publicise core beliefs, principles and ethics of our organisation amongst members, the general public, media, and major influencers including State and Local Government.

OBJECTS
● Create a forum for Affiliates to present issues at Region meetings to be taken to DOGS NSW Board meetings by Regional Directors, who are the Board’s Representatives
● To promote to the general public, the importance of and benefits associated with purchasing a dog from a DOGS NSW or kindred body registered breeder
● To promote and encourage the breeding of purebred dogs registered with DOGS NSW or kindred body
● To promote and encourage the holding of canine exhibitions, shows, competitive trials and dog sports
● To encourage public attendance at Regional canine activities via media and social media platforms
● To educate DOGS NSW members and the general public regarding all aspects of purebred dogs
● To promote and raise the standards of competing in all canine disciplines
● To promote opportunities for Regional members to participate in education related activities such as Show Secretary, Ring Steward, Junior Handler courses, Lectures & Seminar

Currently reads:

14. A member shall not breed a bitch causing it to whelp more than six times. (Amended 06/22, 4.2 – effective 01/01/2023) 

Amended to read:

  14. A member shall not breed a bitch causing it to whelp more than five (5) times.

A breach will result in all progeny of the litter being registered on the Limited Register and marked “never to be upgraded.

This amendment is effective from 1 June 2025.

In accordance with Item 5.3 of the February 2025 Dogs Australia Special Board meeting minutes, it was resolved that the following amendment to Regulations Part 2 - Judges, Section 3 passed at the October 2024 Board meeting be rescinded:

Currently reads:
3.2       The number of dogs any one judge may judge on any day (excluding Group and General Specials) is 250 exhibits, except in extenuating circumstances with the prior approval of the judge and the Member Body. (09/71) (Amended 10/12 – 7.5.3, 10/13 – 5.6.4) (Amended 10/17, 7.5.7 – Effective 01/01/18)

Be amended to read:
3.2.1    The number of dogs any one judge may judge on any day where that judge is only contracted to judge no more 1 Group (excluding Group and General Specials) is 250 exhibits including Sweepstakes Classes, except in extenuating circumstances with the prior approval of the judge and the Member Body. (09/71) (Amended 10/12 – 7.5.3, 10/13 – 5.6.4) (Amended 10/17, 7.5.7 – Effective 01/01/18)

3.2.2    Where a Judge is contracted to judge more than 1 Group on any day (excluding Group and General Specials) is 200 exhibits including Sweepstakes Classes, except in extenuating circumstances with the prior approval of the judge and the Member Body.”

Therefore, effective from 1 July 2025 the regulation will revert back to the original wording prior to the October 2024 Board meeting – noted below:

3.2       The number of dogs any one judge may judge on any day (excluding Group and General Specials) is 250 exhibits, except in extenuating circumstances with the prior approval of the judge and the Member Body. (09/71) (Amended 10/12 – 7.5.3, 10/13 – 5.6.4) (Amended 10/17, 7.5.7 – Effective 01/01/18)

Please click here to view the updated and amended Regulations on the Dogs Australia website

Please click here to view the Summary of the decisions of the meeting of Dogs Australia February 2025 Special Board Meeting.

On 20 May 2020, the Royal New South Wales Canine Council Limited was approved for the Australian Trademark Registration “DOGS NSW”.

Approval of the Trademark included the specific design/format of the words “DOGS NSW”.

Consequently, only the exact design/format of the words should be used/referred to and no other form of “DOGS NSW” should be used as this would be in breach of the Trademark approval.

Members, Affiliates, Sponsors and suppliers of goods are requested to ensure that at all times the correct reference should be used, ie, DOGS NSW (and not DOGSNSW, Dogs NSW, or any other format).

Thank you, in advance of your co-operation.

What is changing?

On 21 November 2024, changes were made to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, and the Companion Animals Act 1998 to strengthen puppy and dog welfare by establishing minimum standards for dog breeders.

• These changes are coming in stages and will apply to all breeders across NSW. They will improve the identification and accountability of dog breeding activities by mandating compliance with minimum standards to strengthen animal welfare.

• Breeders that had more than 20 female adult dogs immediately before 21 November 2024 will not be subject to the maximum cap until 1 December 2025. However, they are not allowed to acquire additional female adult dogs above the number that was on the dog premises immediately before 21 November 2024.

Figure 1 (below): Timeline of key changes to rules for dog breeding in NSW