"Our primary objective is to promote in every way, the general improvement of pure bred dogs,
responsible dog ownership and the varied roles in which dogs contribute to today's society."
 

"Dog owners bear a special responsibility, to their canine companions, to provide proper care and humane treatment at all times.
This means the provision of adequate and nutritious diet, clean water, clean, dry and comfortable living conditions, appropriate veterinary care, kind and responsible human companionship and training in appropriate behaviour.
Dogs should only be kept in circumstances and/or numbers where all these needs can be adequately provided."

(ANKC - www.ankc.org.au )
 

The following information is being prepared for all dog owners as part of our responsibility
of promoting responsible dog ownership in the ACT and surrounding Districts.

Finding the right dog to suit yourself, your lifestyle and perhaps your family, is a difficult choice to make and not one to be entered into lightly. To see the joy in the introduction of a new puppy into a home especially where children are involved is very special, but the new puppy also brings responsibilities.

Each pedigree dog breed has its own characteristics and with over 200 different breeds there is an ideal breed of dog for everyone. You should consider all their characteristics and match them with your personality and lifestyle and then you are more likely to have a happy and fulfilling relationship with your dog.

Before buying any pet - you need to consider:

• Whether you want a male or female, puppy or adult?
  
• How tall will it grow, coat type and length?
• A dog’s lifespan is on average of 12 years, can you make the lifelong commitment to it?
• Can you afford the cost of feeding it?
  
• Can you afford all veterinary fees?
  
• Is your home big enough for the dog you want?
  
• Do you have the time to exercise the dog every day?
• Is there someone at home for the puppy during the day — after all dogs get lonely just like humans?
• Will you be able to spend time grooming, training and generally looking after your dog?

Can you answer YES to all of these questions? If you answer NO to any of these questions, perhaps you should think carefully before devoting the time or commitment to buying a dog.

A dog should never be a gift for anyone — unless that person has some involvement in the selection of the puppy and the life style considerations of the pup now and when it is an adult. Importantly - who will look after the dog when the child grows up and leaves home?

Dogs take time, care and love; and buying and owning one is a large undertaking.
 

Remember — a dog is not just for a life time, it is for their lifetime.

A lot of the information listed below is currently being reviewed & updated by our Health & Welfare and Education & Promotions sub-committees. New information is also being prepared by the different dog sport disciplines in the ACT. All of this work is being completed by volunteers and will take a little while to complete. This means this page is a work in process, and is always undergoing change.

If you wish to participate and send articles or information for consideration, you are encouraged to do so.

Clinics.

Australian Canine Eyes Scheme (ACES) - To find a vet in your state (Click here)

ANKC Survey Results:

Results from the ANKC Border Collie Survey.

ANKC Survey Results - Flat Coated Retriever

ANKC Health and Welfare media releases. 

Dogs ‘Smell Out’ Cancer

Tick and flea season predicted to be the worst.

Dogs Show are not all Show.

Blood Donor Dogs Save Lives.

Hereditary Disease in Dogs a Fact of Life

Keep kids safe around strays.

New Stem Cell Technology Combats Arthritis.

Dog breeding in Australia.

About Dogs A.C.T.

Our aims and objectives.

Code of Ethics.

Health and Welfare fact sheet.

Buying a puppy.

 
We encourage our members to breed only for the improvement of the breed and with consideration
that only when the surplus product of the breeding can be assured proper homes and care.
 

What dog is best for me?

So you want a puppy.

Questions to Breeders.

Bringing your puppy home.

Caring for your dog.

Puppy Socialisation.

Responsible Breeding.

Activities.

Showing your dog.

Dogs Obedience Training.

ACT Areas where you can take and/or exercise your dog.

Dogs ACT Affiliated Dog Clubs.

Identification - microchips.

Domestic Animals Policy - Microchipping of dogs.

Registration.

 We encourage pet owners to have their dogs that are not required for an ongoing breeding program,
spayed or neutered as a responsible means to prevent accidental breeding.
 

Registration with the ACT Canine Association (Dogs A.C.T).
 

 Animal Welfare - ACT Government Domestic Animals Policy.
The value of dogs as companion animals is indicated in that they provide physical, emotional and
psychological benefits for their owners. The ACT Domestic animals policy promotes the responsible
ownership of dogs. The policy also aims to protect the rights of dogs and their owners in balance with
the rights and needs of others in the community. 
 

Pet ownership in the ACT & Domestic Animal Services.

ACT Government - Animal Welfare Act 1992.

ACT Government - Animal Welfare Regulations 2001.

Animal welfare standards - Code of practice for dog ownership in the ACT.
To ensure that animals have access to a reasonable standard of welfare it is necessary
to define what the minimum standard of care should be for an animal.