News and updates

Dogs Australia Updates
27-11-2025

Please below the latest updates from Dogs Australia:

Regulations Part 5 – Conformation Show has been amended in accordance with decisions from the June 2025 Special Board meeting and the October 2025 Board meeting, all of which will be effective from 1 January 2026.

 

JUNE 2025 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

Current Regulation:

4.1.1 No person shall exhibit a dog in any sanctioned conformation exhibition at which a judge who is a member of the competitor's immediate family, or who resides at the same address, or who has had a proprietary interest in such dog whether solely or in partnership is scheduled to officiate

Amend to read:

4.1.1 No person shall exhibit or handle a dog in any sanctioned conformation exhibition where at any stage during the competition it is possible for the dog to progress to a position where it will be officiated on by a judge that is scheduled to officiate. Where;

  1. they are a member of the competitor's immediate family; or
  2. they reside at the same address; or
  3. they have/had a proprietary interest in such dog whether solely or in partnership in the   previous 12 months.

 

OCTOBER 2025 BOARD MEETING

Currently reads:

Ramp Breeds

2.7.3 A judge requesting the use of a ramp must give notice to the show representative/show manager prior to judging. Dogs Australia/ member body approval is not required. Designated ramp breeds may be examined on the ground (table if applicable) or on a ramp during breed judging at the sole discretion of the judge and not the exhibitor. The entire entry in that breed is to be examined on the ground (table if applicable) or on a ramp. The ramp will be available at the discretion of the judge for all ramp optional breeds through all levels of competition including group and Best in Show judging.

Be amended to read:

Ramp Breeds

2.7.3 A judge requesting the use of a ramp must give notice to the show representative/show manager prior to judging. Dogs Australia / member body approval is not required. Designated Ramp breeds may be examined on the ground (table if applicable) or on a ramp during breed judging at the sole discretion of the judge and not the exhibitor. The entire entry in that breed is to be examined on the ground (table if applicable) or on a ramp. The ramp will be available at the discretion of the

Judge for all ramp optional breeds through all levels of competition including Group and Best in Show judging.

 

Add new Clause 9.10 for the selection of the Australian representative at the FCI World Challenge for Top Dogs.

9.10    Rules for the Selection of the FCI World Challenge Top Dog

(Added 10/25, 5.18 – Effective 01/01/26)

9.10.1  Listed below are the rules for the selection of the dog to represent Australia at the FCI World Challenge Top Dog.

9.10.1.1         All dogs competing in a FCI CACIB event in Australia will automatically be entered in the point score.

9.10.1.2         Only FCI CACIB events shall be included in the point score.

9.10.1.3         The point score will run from any FCI CACIB show commencing on or after 01 January and will finish with any show commencing on 31 December of that year.

9.10.1.4         Points will be awarded as follows and shall not be accumulated at any 1 show:

 

  1. Runner Up Best in Group  1
  2. Best in Group                       2
  3. Runner up Best in Show     3
  4. Best in Show             4

 

9.10.1.5           The dog with the highest points at the end of the period will be declared the Top Dog and will be invited to represent Australia at the FCI World Challenge for Top Dogs the following year.

9.10.1.6         Should there be a tie for the Top Dog then the winner will be decided on a count back as follows:

 

  1. The number of Best in Show, then;
  2. The number of Runner up in Show, then;
  3. The number of Best in Group, finally; and
  4. The number of Runner Best in Group.

 

9.10.1.7           Should the successful dog not elect to represent Australia then the invitation will be bestowed on the next dog on the list down to placing number 5. Should none of the placegetters down to 5 accept the invitation then Australia would not have a representative.

9.10.1.8         All the expenses related to the dog and owner’s travel and accommodation, are under the responsibility of the relevant owner(s).

 

Currently reads:

9A.2.1  A maximum of four A2O shows may be held by each Member (each State or Territory) in a calendar year.

 

Amend to read:

9A.2.1  A maximum of six A2O shows may be held by each Member (each State or Territory) in a calendar year.

 

Our website has been updated with the amended regulations and can be viewed at: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/members/rule-regulations/regulations/

 

 

@dogsnsw