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A recent poll from Dogs Australia

09-04-2026

A recent poll has been distributed by Dogs Australia regarding a proposed major change to conformation showing.
However, from what I am seeing, many members have noted there has been limited explanation and context provided, leaving uncertainty about what is actually being proposed.
As such, here is a brief summary based by Tim Thomas of it all.

What is being proposed?
Dogs Australia is proposing the introduction of a new “Champion Class” at conformation shows from 1 January 2027.
This would create:
- A separate class for titled dogs (Champions)
- Existing classes reserved for non-titled dogs
How would this change shows?
Currently:
Champion dogs compete against all other dogs - including young and developing exhibits.
Under the proposal:
** Untitled dogs compete only against other untitled dogs for Championship points
** Champion dogs compete in a separate Champion Class
Winners from each then compete for further awards (ie. Best Dog, Best of Breed etc)
New classes introduced
- Champion Class (entire dogs)
- Champion Neuter Class
Also proposed (and something I also strongly support)
Young Champions (under 18 months):
Can choose to enter:
An age class or
Champion Class
But cannot enter both at the same show
Older Champions (18+ months):
Must compete in Champion Class once title is confirmed
This provides a balanced transition, allowing flexibility for developing dogs while maintaining integrity of the system.
Why this change matters
This is not just a structural tweak - it addresses some of the most significant challenges facing our sport.
1. Supporting new and emerging exhibitors
At present, young and untitled dogs are often competing directly against seasoned Champions.
This creates:
A steep and often discouraging entry point
A key contributor to new exhibitors leaving the sport
Separating Champions:
Creates a fairer competitive environment
Gives newer exhibitors a genuine opportunity to succeed
Supports long-term participation
2. Retaining experienced exhibitors and quality dogs
This proposal is not just about newcomers.
It also:
Encourages continued exhibition of Champion dogs
Keeps high-quality dogs visible in the ring
Supports stronger overall entry numbers
3. Strengthening show viability and sustainability
Declining entries are a real issue.
This reform is a practical response:
More entries
Better retention
Stronger clubs and shows
4. Aligning with international practice
Australia is currently behind comparable countries in this area.
The Champion Class:
Is widely used internationally
Has recently been adopted in the UK
Represents a modern, proven structure
Potential impact for members:
This is a significant structural change to how conformation shows operate.
It will influence:
Competition pathways for young dogs
Overall competition dynamics
Points and awards
Practical decision-making for exhibitors, breeders, and clubs
The major drawback:
There will not be an ability for exhibitors to show themselves multiple champions of the same sex, over the age of 18 months (you would need to find a keen young Junior Handler to help you!) 🙂
Final position
This is a well-considered and necessary evolution of our sport.
It:
Reduces barriers to entry
Supports both new and experienced exhibitors
Encourages participation
Strengthens the long-term sustainability of conformation showing
Most importantly — it is practical, fair, and forward-thinking.
For these reasons, members are strongly encouraged to take the time to understand it and consider supporting it as well.

Peter Frost
Dogs Victoria President

ADDITIONAL JUDGE - K9 SCENT CLUB - SATURDAY 2 MAY 2026

07-04-2026

K9 Scent Club advise that an additional judge has been appointed. Kerry Macklin will now be judging Excellent Interiors at the Scent Work Trial on Saturday 2 May 2026.

CHANGE TO JUDGE - DOGS VICTORIA BULLA AMENITIES - FRIDAY 1 & SATURDAY 2 & SUNDAY 3 MAY 2026

01-04-2026

Bulla Amenities advise Mr Jong-Oh Kim (Korea) is unable to fulfil his appointment.

The following will now be judged by Mrs Caroline Matheson (NZ).

Friday 1 May 2026
Group 1

Saturday 2 May 2026 - AM Show
Group 7B - Balance of Breeds

Saturday 2 May 2026 - PM Show - A2O
Group 4

Sunday 3 May 2026 - CACIB
FCI Group 1

DNA

27-03-2026

On the 25 March 2026 Management Committee resolved to assist members with possible DNA delays.

Registration fees for all litters whelped on or after 1 January 2026 will be amended as follows: 

Main & Limited Registrations
Within 4 months of DOB: $75.85
4–6 months from DOB: $89.95

20-03-2026
Posted with permission of Jose Duval
President Spanish Kennel Club
Jose M. Duval
We are living through a decisive moment for the future of cynology in Europe and across the world.
In several countries, legislative and political trends are emerging that seek to challenge the legitimacy of selective breeding, to stigmatize certain dog breeds, and to weaken the standing of the organizations that have, for generations, preserved, regulated and improved them through knowledge, structure and responsibility.
This is not a minor development. It’s not a passing debate and it should not be underestimated.
What is at stake is not only the future of individual breeds but the legitimacy of responsible cynology itself:
our standards, our expertise, our breeders, our institutions, and our right to participate fully in shaping the policies that will determine the future of purebred dogs. In the face of this reality, silence is not an option.
We cannot accept the indiscriminate stigmatization of dog breeds as though breed identity itself were a problem.
We, serious breeders, judges, specialists and National Canine Organizations cannot accept being treated with suspicion while uncontrolled breeding, opaque commercial practices, lack of traceability and breeding outside any ethical or technical framework continue to escape equivalent scrutiny.
Responsible cynology is not the enemy of animal welfare. On the contrary, it is one of its strongest guarantees.
To defend selective and organized breeding is to defend knowledge against improvisation, responsibility against disorder, traceability against opacity, and long-term improvement against arbitrariness. It is to defend a system based on standards,
oversight, accumulated experience, accountability and continuous progress. Its also to defend something deeper than regulation alone.
Dog breeds are not a frivolity nor a caprice. They are part of the cultural, historical and functional heritage of our societies.
They are a living expression of the long and extraordinary partnership between human beings and dogs. In every breed there is memory, function, adaptation, character and identity. In every well-bred dog there is the result of generations of commitment, discipline and knowledge.
This must be said clearly: defending responsible cynology does not mean denying challenges, rejecting reform or refusing
improvement. On the contrary, serious cynology demands high standards, healthy and functional dogs, balanced temperaments,
sound breeding decisions, transparency, shared good practices and a permanent commitment to better outcomes.
But there is a profound difference between improving and dismantling, between rigorous review and ideological hostility, between responsible reform and the unfair demonization of breeds, breeders and official standards.
This is why I believe that the time has come for NCOs to act with greater unity, clarity and determination.
We must not allow others to define us without us. We must not allow policy to be shaped in the absence of those who know
this field best. We must not arrive late to debates that directly affect our breeds, our breeders and the future of our Institutions.
We must be present wherever cynology is being discussed and regulated: in national governments, in European institutions,
in international bodies, in veterinary and academic forums, in the media and in the wider public conversation.
And we must be present with a voice that is calm, credible and constructive — but also firm, united and impossible to ignore.
For this reason we need to strengthen cooperation, coordination and strategic solidarity across borders. We must share knowledge, support evidence-based approaches, defend responsible breeding openly and consistently, and ensure that our organizations are recognized as part of the solution, not misrepresented as part of the problem.
As President of the RSCE and member of the international dog community, I wish to state my position clearly:
I believe in a cynology that is strong, modern, united and respected, in the value of dog breeds and in the legitimacy of responsible selective breeding.
I believe in the importance of official breed standards understood as references for type, function and health. In the dignity of the serious work carried out by breeders within our organizations, and I believe that our institutions have both the right and the duty to be heard in every debate affecting the present and future of purebred dogs.
The time for timidity, vague messages or assuming that others will speak for us is over.
This is a time for conviction, unity and strength.
I will not step back from this task. I will defend our ideas, tradition, culture, modernity and, as far as necessary, the right of responsible cynology to be respected, represented and heard.
Because this is a just cause, a necessary cause and, ultimately, we are defending the real welfare of the dog, and a heritage built over generations through knowledge, discipline and responsibility.
Jose M. Doval - RSCE

CHANGE OF LOCATION - VICTORIAN HERDING ASSOCIATION - SATURDAY 16 & SUNDAY 17 MAY 2026

13-03-2026

Victorian Herding Association advise that the location of their herding trial has been changed from Nilma North to 960 My Lyall Road, Nyora.

Ehrlichiosis in Australia

10-03-2026
Attention all members:
Please see the attached Press Release from Dogs Australia regarding Ehrlichiosis in Australia

John Davis & Kevin Evans

04-02-2026

We are saddened to hear of the loss of long term members John Davis and Kevin Evans

Vale – John Davis
A longtime DV (formerly KCC) member, John’s journey in the dog world encompassed Great Danes and also Pekingese. With his wife, they had success in the showring with the Pekingese.
His service to clubs was outstanding – Frankston & Peninsula Kennel Club rewarded him with Life Membership, as did the Pekingese Club of Victoria, Dandenong Poultry & Kennel Club and the Dog Stewards Association. John was also on the Classic Dog Show Committee.
Up to the time of passing, John was still Patron of both the Pekingese Club of Victoria and Dandenong Poultry & Kennel Club.
A valued steward until failing eyesight preventing him continuing in this capacity.
Sadly missed by all who knew him…

We will share funeral details once we have been advised.

Kevin Evans. 16/8/1930-31/1/2026
Involved in our Dog World since the age of 19, Kevin was an exhibitor, breeder, administrator and judge.
Exhibitor/breeder of Collies (Rough), with great success over decades. For his many years of service as Secretary and later as President, Kevin was rewarded with Life Membership of the Collie Club of Victoria. The Bearded Collie Club also honoured him with Life Membership.
A well respected judge for several groups, one of his proudest moments was judging the Collie Club of Vic Championship Show in 2003.
As age began to take its toll, Kevin retired from showing and judging, but everyone will remember him sitting ringside, supporting his son and daughter showing their Bearded Collies.
Will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

The Funeral Service for Mr James Kevin Edward Evans will be held at
Tobin Brothers Expressions of Life Chapel, 21 Lyall Road, Berwick on
Tuesday 10th February 2026 at 2pm.

Further details available at tobinbrothers.com.au

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS

02-02-2026

We have been advised that some emails are being received from Dogs Victoria or Dogs Australia requesting payments, email replies or phone calls, please disregard as they are a scam.

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:

27-01-2026

Members may be aware of a “SCAM EMAIL” which has been sent out claiming to be from the “Dogs Australia Board” (headed “Dogs Australia – Important Member Information), however, if you look closely you will note that the email address is dbirk@htc.net and stephanie@definelinestriping.com

“THIS IS A SCAM EMAIL - DO NOT OPEN OR CLICK ON THE LINK”
Dogs Australia does not email the members of State Controlling Bodies directly.

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