IMPORTANT NOTICE TO KUSA MEMBERS WHO USE THE KUSA ONLINE MEMBERS’ PORTAL TO SUBMIT ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS, AFFIX RENEWALS AND DOG/LITTER REGISTRATIONS. 

As a result of an unforeseen development, the processing of Credit Card payments for online applications via the Members’ Portal will be terminated at the end of October 2025. Following a buy-out of the business, the payment gateway Service Provider for KUSA’s online transactions has given its customers 30-day notice of termination of service.

The sudden loss of the payment gateway service, currently integrated into both the existing Members’ Portal and the new portal under development, is not only a significant setback, but also presents technological challenges which are impossible to resolve in the short term.  After careful consideration, the Federal Council ultimately endorsed the KUSA Office’s recommendation that the new payment gateway technology only be integrated into the new portal. Retrofitting it to the old Members’ Portal, that has reached the end of its shelf-life, would be an unnecessary costly expense and would hamper and constrain the progress being made with the development of the future  platform.

Users of the current Members’ Portal are hereby advised, that as from 31 October 2025 members will no longer have access to the links to submit online applications for services like Membership Renewal, Affix Applications, Litter Registration Applications and Single Dog Registration Applications.

Until further notice, Members are requested to submit their duly completed and signed application forms to the KUSA Office, via email, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This should be done in one email with all supporting documentation attached, including proof of payment for all fees due.

For the Urgent Attention of:
Licensed & Learner Judges of Breed and Dogsport 

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO JUDGES LICENSED BY KUSA PERTAINING TO THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF JUDGING APPOINTMENTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES

It is necessary to bring to your urgent attention three amendments to KUSA Schedules which affect Judges who intend accepting invitations to judge in foreign countries. The amendments to the KUSA Regulations were fully motivated and approved at a Special Meeting of the Federal Council held on Monday, 25 August, of which Minutes are available on the KUSA website on the following link:

[Minutes & Agendas]

The following three amendments have relevance:

Amendment One:

SCHEDULE 10 – REGULATIONS – KUSA BREED JUDGES’ LEARNING PROGRAMME

Effective 01.01.2026

Regulation 5

Insert new Regulations 5.1 & 5.2, elimination of former Regulations 5.3, 5.4 & 5.6, and renumbering former Regulation 5.6 as Regulation 5.3, slightly amended.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

AMENDMENTS TO THE REGULATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF IMPORTED DOGS

EFFECTIVE 01.10.2025 

We bring to your attention amendments to the Regulations for the registration of imported dogs that come into effect on 1 October 2025.

Additional supporting documentation* will be required to be attached to the application form. Application for Registration of a Single Dog – BREED Register – version Oct 2025, will be the only application form accepted.

DNA PROFILES  and 

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATIONS USING FROZEN SEMEN

Some concern has been expressed recently that DNA Profiles are required for foreign sires whose frozen semen is used in artificial inseminations.

Please be advised that KUSA does NOT require DNA Profiles of sires used in frozen semen Artificial Inseminations, irrespective of the date the semen was collected, provided it is a single sire breeding.

Dual sire breedings whether natural matings or frozen semen always require parentage testing of all puppies using DNA profiles of both possible sires.

DNA PROFILES  and

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATIONS using IMPORTED FROZEN SEMEN 

Some concern has been expressed recently that DNA Profiles are required from foreign donor sires for artificial inseminations.

Agenda Item 17.5 Cropped and docked dogs: 11 breeds for which the Breed Standard has been changed.

Simply put, the FCI Circular 57/2021, which came into effect on 01.01.2025, has been put on hold with immediate effect. This Circular provided as follows:

“FCI Circular 57/2021 - CROPPED/DOCKED DOGS OF BREEDS CUSTOMARILY CROPPED/DOCKED REMINDER

On the occasion of its online meeting on November 24, 2021, the FCI General Committee decided to remind the FCI Members and Contract Partners about the circular 8/2016 (dated 7/3/2016) referring to cropped/docked dogs of breeds customarily cropped/docked.

The FCI General Committee insists that, effective from 1st January 2025, the dogs with cropped ears/docked tail, belonging to breeds for which no reference is made to the cropped ears/docked tail in the FCI breed standards, will not be allowed anymore to be shown in any conformation event where the FCI breed standards are used.

Congratulations to the handlers and dogs selected to attend the Agility World Championships in Sweden, 17-21 September 2025. We wish them all the very best of luck.

 Congratulations - KUSA SA Dog Jumping Championships (Large)

KUSA SA Dog Jumping Champion - Melanie de Klerk and Sinna

Reserve Champions - Sonelle van Wyk and Ace

Third - Quinton Nortje and Rango (with owner Lindsay Dunsmore)

Judge: Heidi Coetzee and Noelene Pretorius

2024/2025 KUSA Showdog of the Year Working Group Winner and Overall Winner:

Siberian Husky (WC Sim)                              

SP.CH GR.CH CH HIGHTOWER'S KNOXVILLE COWBOY WITH SPIRITKEEPER JM ZAW'24’25 CGC(BR)

2024/2025 KUSA Showdog of the Year Working Group Winner and Overall Winner:

Siberian Husky (WC Sim)                              

SP.CH GR.CH CH HIGHTOWER'S KNOXVILLE COWBOY WITH SPIRITKEEPER JM ZAW'24’25 CGC(BR)

2024/2025 KUSA Showdog of the Year Toy Group Winner and Best Opposite Sex:

Papillon (LH Atcheler & J Rhodes)

CH WEIEFORS NATURAL GRACE OF FLEETWOOD ZAW’22’24

Congratulations to the winners of the German Shepherd Dog Grand Victor, judged by Mr. Albert Spreu and hosted by K9 Sport Specialist GSD Club of Gauteng on 21-22 June 2025.

BREED

The following Learner Judge was successful in passing Paper 1

GAUTENG

Ms A van Rooyen

The following Learner Judges were successful in passing PAPER 2 for the Groups indicated and may now judge at Championship Show Level:

FREE STATE

Mrs J van Heerden – Herding Group*

Mr J Taute – Terrier Group

GAUTENG

Prof M Nicolau – Junior Showmanship

Ms M Tregoning – Junior Showmanship*

Ms G Brits – Gundog Group

Mrs J Bednarek – Hound Group

KUSA takes pleasure in sharing the FCI publication “The Importance & Benefits of Dog Breeds” (Mr Attila Márton) that highlights the various aspects of the importance and benefits of dog breeds throughout the world. 

PALEOPET PURE KUSA SA AGILITY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025
BROUGHT TO YOU BY ONEPLAN INSURANCE
Congratulations to the winners in the Small height category

L to R: Sheldene Fourie and Tanzy (SA Agility Reserve Champion – Small), Mike Taylor (Judge), Carolyn Chelchinskey and Katy (SA Agility Champion – Small), Bev Hourquebie (Judge) and Gail Killian and Emily (Third Place - Small)

KUSA National Working Trials (Classic) 2025

Congratulations to the winner Gillian Ross and Jazz of Membury

Judge: Mrs Rita Cook

The KUSA Office Team had the pleasure of attending the 2025 KUSA Classic event held in Cape Town. Congratulations to the Western Cape Team for putting on a splendid event!

The Department of Agriculture (formerly DALRRD) has published updated 

GUIDELINES ON REGISTRATION OF IMPORT/EXPORT AGENTS AND IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION OF DOGS 

We draw you attention to Part 3: (4) which has been revised to read as follows:

1)  All dogs imported to South Africa are mandated to be sterilized if they are going to be used for other purposes other than breeding or they must be pre-approved by AIA registered registering authorities if they are imported to be used as breeding

Declared companion dogs (not meant for breeding) imported to South Africa permanently must be sterilized and are prohibited to be imported if they are less than 8 months old.

a) Dogs imported to South Africa temporarily for certain purposes (e.g. vacation) should be sterilized temporarily using chemical castration and proof (preferably from a State Veterinarian) of such must be provided.

KUSA recently awarded the first Dam of Merit (DOM)  title to the Australian Shepherd Champion Charisma Red Alert, owned by Gerhard Schultz and Carol Immelman.

Champion Charisma Red Alert is currently the Dam of six Champions, one of which is also a Grand Champion.

The new Dam of Merit (DOM) tile is awarded to any dog registered on the Primary Breed Register of the Kennel Union or registered by any National Canine Organisation recognised by KUSA, which has produced no fewer than five Breed Champion offspring registered with KUSA or with any National Canine Organisation recognised by KUSA.  

KUSA National Dog Dancing 2025

Congratulations to Gaby Grohovaz and Carnelian Famous Flame of Wesavi (Flumi) for winning Heelwork to Music: Singles

Judge: Sue Woodiwiss

Thank you to Royal Canin for your generous sponsorship of prizes

Congratulations to Furrytails Flyers set a new National Flyball record with a time of 16.53.
The team was made up of Rapid (Shannon Jacoby), Ace (Sonelle van Wyk), Amaze (Jacques van Vuuren) and Dream (Brigitte Rheeder) with fellow teammates Dice and Mossi. Boxloader Karin Roos.

Congratulations to the winners of the National Dog Jumping League 2024

Approximately 90 dogs took part in this League which saw handlers around the country all take on the same course for each round.  The scores for the six rounds were amalgamated to work out the overall winners in each of three height categories – Large, Medium and Small.

For the winners of the National Dog Jumping League competitions …..read more

Congratulations to all the winners of the Northern Areas Top Dog (NAPC) Top Dog Competition 2024 (held 12.01.2025).  

This prestigious invitational competition is the finale for dogs that have competed in the NAPC area that have done consistently well during the previous year.

Top Dog Competition 2024 Dog sport

 For the winners of the Dogsport competitions …..read more

Click here for the Full Article.......

KENNEL UNION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA (KUSA)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2024

For the KUSA Office, and for the elected Federal Council of KUSA, the year 2024 was like being on a never-ending rollercoaster ride, dominated by two major unforeseen projects. These projects had a severe impact on KUSA’s day-to-day operations and often necessitated a hasty redeployment of especially the new staff members appointed earlier in the year.

I’ll briefly reflect on these two key projects:

1. On 23 March 2024, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALLRD) issued a Directive that, with effect from 1 April 2024, the importation and exportation of live animals and genetic material of animals, would be subject to the acquisition of a permit issued in terms of the Animal Improvement Act (AIA). On 10.04.2024, a KUSA Statement on the DALRRD Directive was placed on the website, alerting members to the situation and informing them that KUSA was in the process of establishing, as had been requested by several members, whether the Directive was applicable to dogs. By then, KUSA had already set up a meeting with the DALRRD to obtain clarity on the Directive.

Consultation with the DALRRD revealed that dogs were very much included. Excluded were game and/or wild animals, cats, birds and fish. Having established that the Directive included dogs, KUSA notified the Membership on 19.04.2024 of the required “Compliance with the Animal Improvement Act No. 62 of 1998 – Importation of Dogs into SA from 1 April 2024”. On the same date, the DALRRD also issued a “Media Statement” to clarify the new requirements under the AIA.

KUSA President's Award:

Awarded to Helena Immelman for Outstanding Service to the Kennel Union of Southern Africa.

Helena (left) is the face behind the WorkingDogs online entry system. Thank you for all your hard work Helena.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
KUSA AFFIX (KENNEL NAME) REGISTRATION
MANDATORY SIMULTANEOUS REGISTRATION ON FCI INTERNATIONAL KENNEL NAME REGISTER 

We are pleased to inform KUSA members with registered KUSA Affixes (Kennel Names) of a new and exciting development that will enhance the status of KUSA Affixes internationally and protect KUSA Affixes from possible duplication, exploitation and expropriation in FCI member countries. 

CLARITY ON ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT ACT PERMITS FOR DOGS LEAVING SOUTH AFRICA AND RETURNING

Following an enquiry from the KUSA Office, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development (DALRRD) has clarified the uncertainty surrounding AIA Export/Import Permits for South African dogs travelling to attend Shows held in neighbouring countries, or abroad, and thereafter returning to the RSA.

Dogs travelling on either INTER-TERRITORIAL MOVEMENT PERMITS or PERMITS TO TRAVEL FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES, are also required to apply to DALRRD for an Import/Export Permit, as required under the Animal Improvement Act, using the Application to Import/Export Animals for Certain Purposes form.

· The AIA Import/Export Permit will cover both the exit from and re-entry to South Africa.

· The AIA Permit must be applied for first and then submitted, in conjunction with and attached to, the application for the Veterinary Permits.

· The AIA Permit is required in addition to the usual Veterinary Permits/Inter-Territorial Permits.

· The current cost of the AIA Import/Export Permit is R460.00 payable to DALRRD.

· An AIA Import/Export Permit can cover multiple dogs (it is not necessary to obtain one permit per dog).

THE THOMAS McQUEEN MEMORIAL TROPHY

With the closing date for the shows comprising The KUSA Classic in KwaZulu-Natal looming, it is an appropriate time to remind exhibitors of the pinnacle event of this prestigious cluster – the KUSA National Awards – which, in Breed, will see the magnificent Thomas McQueen Memorial Trophy awarded to the KUSA National Dog, 2024.

KUSA STATEMENT on the DALRRD’S DIRECTIVE WITH REGARD TO THE IMPORTATION OF DOGS INTO SOUTH AFRICA

On 13 March 2024, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) issued a directive that, with effect from 1 April 2024, all applications for Veterinary Import Permits must be accompanied by a confirmation of compliance with the Animal Improvement Act No. 62 of 1998 (AIA) issued by the Registrar of Animal Improvement in the DALRRD. This directive seeks to enforce the provisions of section 16 of the AIA and does not only apply to production animals, but also to dogs.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

TO LICENSED JUDGES AND LEARNER JUDGES

CURRENTLY WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH VARIOUS STUDY PATHS OF THE

KUSA BREED JUDGES’ LEARNING PROGRAMME (KBJLP)

At the Special Meeting of the Federal Council held on Thursday, 4 April 2024, the following amendments to Schedule 10 Appendix 1 (Group Course) and Schedule 10 Appendix 3 (Breed Specialisation Course) pertaining to the application of the pass mark across the various sections of the following examination papers:

• Paper 1 Group Course or Breed Specialisation Course
• Paper 2 Group Course
• Paper 2 Breed Specialisation Course

 INTRODUCTION OF ASIA, AFRICA & OCEANIA (A2O) SECTION SHOW TO SOUTH AFRICA 

Following interest expressed by local Clubs to host an A2O Section Show in South Africa, KUSA has come to an agreement with the A2O on the terms on which KUSA, or any of its All-breeds member Clubs may, for the foreseeable future, acquire licences to host an A2O Section Championship Show at which the A2O’s Certificats d'Aptitude au Championnat (CACs) will be on offer in addition to KUSA’s CCs.