News From Dogs Australia

The National Obedience & Tracking Committee Chairperson, Raelee Hedger has confirmed the committee has identified an error in the Rules & Guidelines for the conduct of Track & Search Dog Trials which were effective from 1 January 2024. 

The error occurred in dot point (g) under Safety where the word “may” should read “must” to be consistent with paragraph 2 under Safety.

Currently reads:

SAFETY

The safety of competitors, tracklayers, officials, other persons, and dogs at a trial is of paramount concern. As track and search tests are conducted in urban environments where there are likely to be hazards including moving vehicles and uneven surfaces all reasonable steps to protect safety must be taken.  

A competitor who does not comply with safety requirements must be disqualified.  Before commencing judging a test the judge must check that the dog and handler have on the necessary equipment. A judge may abort or suspend a track at any time if they consider it necessary to do so for safety. 

(g) The Judge may disqualify any Handler who does not comply with safety requirements.

Amended to read: 

(g) The Judge must disqualify any Handler who does not comply with safety requirements. 

Please note the updated Rules & Guidelines for the conduct of Track & Search Dog Trials are now available from our website under Tracking at: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/members/rule-regulations/rules/

Please find a Summary of requirements for Dances with Dogs titles in relation to the rules which commenced 1 January 2024 here.

We are pleased to advise the approval of the 2026 National Show/Restricted Retrieving Ability Tests for Gundogs; Restricted Obedience Trial and Restricted Rally Trials application received from the Weimaraner Club of Victoria Inc via Dogs Victoria to be held on 30 April to 3 May 2026 at KCC Park, Skye, Victoria.

Please see the attached file for more information.

We are pleased to advise the approval of the application received from the German Shorthaired Pointer Society (NSW) Inc to conduct the 2025 National Show on the 15 to 17 April 2025 at DOGS NSW Showgrounds, 44 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills, New South Wales.  The Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales has confirmed these dates will not clash with the breed judging at the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

We are pleased to advise the approval of the application received from the Bullmastiff Club of NSW Inc to conduct the 2026 National Show on the 5 to 7 June 2026 at Hawkesbury Show Grounds, Racecourse Road, Clarendon, New South Wales.

We are pleased to advise the approval of the 2025 National Show application received from the Welsh Corgi Club of SA Inc via Dogs SA to be held on 27 & 28 May 2025 at the German Shepherd Dog Grounds, Barratt Reserve, West Beach Road, West Beach, South Australia.

We are pleased to advise the approval of 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).

Please note the following regulations have been amended in accordance with the October 2023 Board minutes.

Regulations Part 3 – Judges Training & Examination Program [Clause 6.1.2 and Clause 8 – effective 1 January 2024]

Regulations Part 5 – Conformation Show [Clause 9.7 and Clause 10.5.2 (d) – effective 1 January 2024]

Regulations Part 6 – The Register & Registration [Clause 6.7 – effective 21/10/2023 and Clause 8.16 reinstated effective 8 January 2024]

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

We are pleased to advise the approval of the 2027 National Show application received from the Chihuahua Club of Queensland via Dogs Queensland to be held on 10 & 11 August 2027 at Dogs Queensland Showgrounds, 247 King Avenue, Durack, Queensland.  The RNA has confirmed these dates will not clash with the breed judging at the 2027 Brisbane Royal Show (EKKA).