News and updates
From Dogs Australia: National Code of Practice of Responsible Dog Ownership - Clause 14 Amendment
26-02-2025Currently 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.
From Dogs Australia: Regulations Part 2 - Judges, Section 3 Amendment: Effective 1 July 2025
26-02-2025In 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that the following amendment to Regulations Part 2 - Judges, Section 3 passed at the October 2024 Board meeting be rescinded: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
From Dogs Australia - February 2025 Special Board Meeting - Meeting Summary
20-02-2025Please click here to view the Summary of the decisions of the meeting of Dogs Australia February 2025 Special Board Meeting.
Attention: Members, Affiliates, Sponsors & Suppliers of Goods
13-02-2025On 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.
Reminder to Members of the NSW Legislation, Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals, Timelines and Requirements
11-02-2025What 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
Lifetime breeding cap for dog litter limits and record keeping
A mandatory lifetime litter cap, setting out the maximum number of pregnancies and and types of births will apply to all adult female dogs. Breeders will also be required to keep records of all births.
Minimum number of staff for dog breeding premises
Mandatory staffing ratios for dog breeding premises are being brought in to ensure proper and sufficient care for dogs.
Sale or transfer of dogs
Requirements to provide identification numbers for the sale or transfer of dogs will be changing.
Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Breeding Dogs and Cats
Maximum number of female adult dogs
A new limit has been set following extensive stakeholder consultation to address key risks and animal health welfare concerns associated with breeding practices.
Mandatory breeder identification
For further information on these changes please click here to read the NSW Government document.
Road Closures and Night Work on Luddenham Road from Monday 17 February 2025
10-02-2025Transport for NSW is upgrading Mamre Road between the M4 Motorway, St Clair and Erskine Park Road, Erskine Park to reduce congestion and improve safety and travel times.
A section of Luddenham Road, between Mamre Road and Elizabeth Drive will be temporarily closed for three-night shifts, between 8.00pm and 5.00am on Wednesday 19, Thursday 20 and Friday 21 February, weather permitting.
Please click here for more information.
Response required by all rate paying members of Shell Harbour City Council and Uralla Shire Council
24-01-2025You need to make your own personalised response to the issues that will affect you - some of which are listed below:-
Key concerns with the draft policies include:-
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.
- Strict compliance with DOGS NSW regulations and regular audits conducted by the RSPCA on behalf of the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
- Ensuring all dogs are microchipped, registered for life, and vaccinated according to Australian Veterinary Association guidelines.
- Maintaining secure fencing and designated exercise areas to prevent disturbances and ensure safety.
- Keeping extensive records for each individual dog, including detailed records of any dogs sold.
- A consultation process involving stakeholders, animal welfare groups and registration bodies to create a more balanced and effective policy.
- Clear guidelines tailored to the needs of responsible animal owners rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
We encourage you to act now by:-
1. Reviewing the Draft Policies: Visit the Councils’ website to familiarise yourself with the proposed changes.
Shellharbour Draft Keeping of Animal Policy: DRAFT_Keeping_of_Animals_in_Residential_Areas_Policy.pdf
Shellharbour Keeping of Animal Policy: Council_report_-_Keeping_of_Animals.pdf
Urualla Keeping of Animal Policy: Draft Keeping of Animals Policy Uralla Shire Council
3. Raising Awareness: Inform your neighbours and community members about the policies and encourage them to voice their concerns.
The deadlines and addresses for submissions are:-
SHELLHARBOUR CITY COUNCIL
4.00pm on 30 January 2025
Chief Executive Officer, Dharawal Country, Locked Bag 155 Shellharbour City Centre. 2529. or email to [email protected]
URALLA SHIRE COUNCIL
4.30pm on 30 January 2025
Uralla Council [email protected]
We need to act now in order to make an impact. Together, we can advocate for a policy that supports responsible pet ownership while addressing genuine community needs.
DOGS NSW has written separate official submissions to both Shellharbour City Council and Uralla Shire Council.
We cannot emphasise enough, that members must personalise their own submissions. DO NOT COPY AND PASTE, as your submission will not be counted as an individual submission.
From Dogs Australia: Overseas Judges - Open Book Exam
24-01-2025Please 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.
Press Release from Dogs Australia - December 2024
18-12-2024Please find the latest Press Release from Dogs Australia regarding contacting them directly here.
UPDATED DOGS NSW REGULATIONS PART II-SHOW
17-12-2024At 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):-
- a) Best Exhibit in Group, placed in the order of 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st
- b) Best Baby Puppy in Group
- c) Best Puppy in Group
- d) Best Neuter in Group (if offered)
- e) Best Exhibit in Show, placed in the order of 2nd, 1st
- f) Best Baby Puppy in Show
- g) Best Puppy in Show
- 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.
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