News and updates

1. Restrictive Limits on Animal Numbers: The proposed policies impose strict limits on the number of animals that can be kept on residential properties, regardless of the property size or the owner’s demonstrated responsibility.

2. Lack of Provisions for Registered Breeders: Unlike provisions for registered racing pigeon owners, the policies do not include exemptions or considerations for responsible and registered dog breeders who follow strict welfare guidelines.

3. Broad Enforcement Discretion: The policies allow for enforcement actions even in the absence of complaints, creating uncertainty and potential stress for responsible pet owners who already comply with existing regulations.

4. Failure to Address Actual Issues: The policies do little to improve animal welfare, prevent aggressive dog attacks, or protect wildlife habitats. Instead, they impose blanket restrictions that do not address specific problems. Existing regulations already effectively cover issues such as noise complaints, stray animals, and improper care.

Please note the Open Book Exam, as referenced in Clause 2 of Regulations Part 9 – Non-Resident Judges, which became effective from 1 January 2025 is now available from the Dogs Australia website and is located with Regulations Part 9.

Please click here to view.

The form is also on the Forms, Guidelines, Listings and Procedures page. 

Once the exam has been completed by the Judge, the relevant Club is required to send it to their Member Body office for onforwarding to Dogs Australia.  The Overseas Judges Approval Board Convenor will arrange for it to be reviewed.  Dogs Australia will then advise the relevant Member Body office of the outcome.

Please find the latest Press Release from Dogs Australia regarding contacting them directly here.

At its recent meeting, the Board resolved to amend DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show as follows (amendments in red):-

SECTION 4

4.4D         An Affiliate or licensed body may conduct Group Shows in any one year with their allocated approved Championship Shows, Group Show Format would be at the completion of the Affiliate’s All Breeds Championship Show and must be held by the same Affiliate conducting the first show.

SECTION 8

TIME AND ORDER OF JUDGING

8A          In-Group and In-Show Placing System (Optional for Shows that only offer Best Puppy in Group/Show and Best Exhibit in Group/Show)

(1) Breed Judging

(a)       Breed judging shall be conducted in the same manner as the existing system to select Best of Breed and Best Puppy of Breed.

(b)       As Runner-Up to Best Exhibit In Show and Runner-Up to Best Exhibit In Group will no longer be judged, the Runner-Up to Best of Breed awards may be at the discretion of the Show Committee.

(c)       Baby Puppy Class and Neuter Class may be included at the discretion of the Show Committee. (08/19)

(2) Breed Judging - Alternate Show Format 1,2,3,4

(a)      Runner-Up to Best Exhibit In Show and Runner-Up to Best Exhibit In Group will no longer be judged.

(b)       Only Best Puppy In Group award will be offered. Therefore, only exhibits that have won Best Puppy of Breed are eligible to compete for Best Puppy In Group.

(c)       Only Best Puppy In Show award will be offered. Therefore only Best Puppy In Group winners are eligible to compete for Best Puppy In Show.

(d)       Only exhibits that have won Best of Breed awards are eligible to compete for Best Exhibit In Group awards 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, subject to the provision of Regulation (2)(g)(i).

(e)       Only exhibits which have won Best Exhibit In Group shall be eligible to compete for Best Exhibit In Show awards 1st and 2nd are subject to the provision of Regulation (2)(g)(ii). (03/24)

(f)        The sequence of judging Best Exhibit in Group and Best Exhibit in Show awards shall be in the following order (02/22):-

1. a)        Best Exhibit in Group, placed in the order of 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st
2. b)        Best Baby Puppy in Group
3. c)        Best Puppy in Group
4. d)        Best Neuter in Group (if offered)
5. e)        Best Exhibit in Show, placed in the order of 2nd, 1st
6. f)         Best Baby Puppy in Show
7. g)         Best Puppy in Show
8. h)        Best Neuter in Show (if offered)

(g)       Where a puppy is awarded a Best in Group/Best in Show placing in accordance with 2(f)a or 2(f)e, above, the highest placed puppy shall be awarded Best Puppy in Group/Best Puppy in Show and there shall be no elimination. (02/22)

NEW ADDITION

8C      Group Shows held in Conjunction with an All-Breeds Conformation Show

Reference to Section 6-  Classes for Exhibit at a Show, with note to 6.3 (25) & (26)

8C.1   (a) A Where an All Breeds Championship Show is not concluding at General Specials the in Group awards are to be signified as Best in Group, Runner-up in Group and Classes in Group as offered.

(b) Where an All Breeds Championship Show is not concluding at General Specials all in Group awards are to be signified as Best Neuter in Group, Runner-up Neuter in Group and Neuter Classes in Group as offered.

8C.2   The ability to hold these alternate Group Shows is dependent on this additional format show following an established ALL Breeds Championship Show held by THAT AFFILIATE within their allocated show calendar week and replaces the designated All Breeds Championship Show in best in show awards system.

The Regulations in full can be found here.

Attention: All Residents of DOGS NSW residing in the Western Region

The DOGS NSW Board of Directors has appointed the following as Office Bearers of the Western Region:

Chairperson: Jackie Winders
Vice Chairperson: Jennifer Bayliss
Secretary: Sarah Gaffikin
Show Secretary: Leslie Tanks
Treasurer: Cathy Nugent

The Western Region 2024 Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Saturday 11 January 2025 and will take place at the Bathurst RSL at 114 Rankin Street, Bathurst, commencing at 1.00pm.

AGENDA

• Confirmation of Office Bearer as appointed by DOGS NSW
• Minutes of 2023 AGM
• President’s Report
• Secretary’s Report
• Treasurer’s Report
• Change of Signatories to bank account

Apologies may be sent to the Secretary, Ms Sarah Gaffikin, via email at [email protected]

INVITATION FOR BREED CLUBS TO ATTEND THE 2025 SYDNEY ROYAL BREED DISPLAY DAY

The Royal Agricultural Society’s Domestic Animals Committee is once again holding a Breed Stall exhibition during the 2025 Sydney Royal Dog Show.
 
The date is Tuesday 22 April 2025 and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) invite you to become involved, promoting your club and breed to thousands of Sydney Royal Easter Show visitors.

Please click here for an Expression of Interest form. Applications must be sent back to Georgia Hawkins at [email protected] at the RAS by February 3rd, 2025. Entry and parking passes for the day are limited so don’t delay!
 
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Georgia Hawkins if you have any questions: [email protected]

Please click here to view a copy of the Rules and Regulations pertaining to A2O Shows which the A2O Secretariat has provided.

Please view Rule 4 on page 2 in relation to the judging of Best in Show.

It is with great sadness that DOGS NSW advises its members of the sudden passing of Pastor Peter Goldstien on 4 December 2024.

Peter, apart from his clerical status, is the son of Jack and Dulcie Goldstien, who have been highly respected and revered DOGS NSW members and leaders in the development in NSW and Australia of dog obedience training and trialing. Peter was a senior ANKC Obedience Judge of many years, and his very recent death is a serious loss to the whole of the DOGS NSW community.

Peter’s family has organised a celebration of his life at his funeral service, to be conducted at “The Vineyard Church” (the big red building), 357 Windsor Road, Vineyard, NSW, at 11.00 am on Saturday 14 December 2024.

DOGS NSW offers its sincere condolences to Peter's family.

In accordance with the Dogs Australia October 2024 Board meeting minutes, the amended Rules for the conduct of Lure Coursing Sanctioned Events which will become effective from 1 January 2025 are now available from our website.

Rules for the conduct of Lure Coursing Sanctioned Events: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/members/rule-regulations/rules/

A summary of the rules revision changes provided by the National Lure Coursing Committee Chair can be found here.

The NSW Government is seeking your feedback on draft changes to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2025 (the Regulation). 

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (the Act) is the primary legislation that sets the foundation for strategic and coordinated management of animal welfare in NSW. The Act is supported by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2012 (POCTA Regulation). 

Key amendments include: 

• Revising the circumstances with which certain procedures can be carried out on animals such as declawing of cats, debarking of dogs and tail docking of cattle under 6 months of age. 
• Prohibiting the use of glue traps for the purpose of catching animals but will still be allowed for use on insects. 
• Improving the enforcement options by allowing the use of penalty notices for additional offences and increasing the existing penalty notice amounts for a range of offences. 
• Implementing some requirements from the Poultry Standards and Guidelines to build upon existing layer fowl regulations. 

Tell us what you think

The draft Regulation and Regulatory Impact Statement will be available for public consultation and can be accessed via the DPIRD website.

Written submissions on the Regulatory Impact Statement and the draft regulation can be submitted via email at [email protected] or mail to: 

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2025 
Regulatory Policy & Economics - NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development 
Level 3/66 Harrington St – Foreshore House 
The Rocks – Sydney NSW 2000 

Closing date for submissions 

Submissions close at 11:59pm on Thursday 19 December 2024. Any submissions received after this time will not be considered.