The RAS has a long association with canine affairs in NSW. Established in 1948 the RAS Kennel Club (later known as RAS Kennel Control) was involved in improving the registration and classification processes of purebred dogs. In 1988 the RAS Kennel Control changed its name to the NSW Canine Council, and in 1989 separated from the RAS.
Dog Competitions featured early in the history of the Show. The 1869 catalogue listed classes for Bloodhounds, Newfoundlands, Retrievers, Pointers, Setters, Spaniels, King Charles Spaniels, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Kangaroo Dogs, Skye Terriers, English Terriers, Terriers, Bull Terriers, Bulldogs and Sheepdogs.
The Dog Pavilion (Howie complex) at Sydney Showground was designed specifically for the showing of dogs. It can house more than 600 dogs and can accommodate all breeds. The Pavilion seats around 2,000 spectators and judging takes place on three outdoor lawns. The complex was named after RAS Councillor Sir Archibald Howie (RAS Councillor 1932-41 and RAS President 1941-43).
Fun Facts
- The first sheepdog trials were held in 1879
- In 1895 there was a class for “Any other variety dog or bitch”. Exhibitor Albert Andrews entered Jack, who was described as “a dingo caught at Bega”.
- In 1901 there was a class for “Dog biscuits, or foods best adapted for dogs”. There were two entries.
- The Best in Show award was introduced in 1931
- The RAS also held dog competitions as part of the Annual or Sydney Sheep Show (1918-1974). These were predominantly sheepdog trials, however sometimes included dog classes. The 1918 Annual Sheep Show included a Grand Dog Show, with classes for Kelpies, Cattle Dogs, Deerhounds and Airedale Terriers.
Best in Show
| 1931 |
Fox Terrier |
Ch End On Dainty (Imp) |
W Hamilton |
| 1932 |
British Bulldog (Best Bitch) |
Ramona |
F J Neale |
| 1932 |
Cocker Spaniel (Best Dog) |
Grand Ch Invader of Alloma |
Mrs J MacCulloch |
| 1933 |
Fox Terrier (Best Bitch) |
Linden Olive (Imp) |
W Hamilton |
| 1933 |
Fox Terrier (Best Dog) |
Ch Jerry Ideal |
W Polley |
| 1934 |
Fox Terrier |
Ch Jerry Ideal |
W Polley |
| 1935 |
Fox Terrier (Wire) |
Ch Letcombe Leander (Imp) |
W & Mrs T Forehan |
| 1936 |
Fox Terrier (Best Bitch) |
Sarbo Sybil |
W Long |
| 1936 |
Irish Setter (Best Dog) |
Brian of Halcana (Imp) |
G Packer |
| 1937 |
Cocker Spaniel |
Ch Midas of Hollymount (Imp) |
Mrs E Gray |
| 1938 |
Fox Terrier (Wire) |
Ch Dunure Sunset (Imp) |
T Manning |
| 1939 |
Cocker Spaniel |
Ch Blue Prince of Ware (Imp) |
Mrs E Gray |
| 1940 |
British Bulldog |
Ch Almas Joy |
Mrs A Milwain |
| 1941 |
Irsih Setter |
Ch Marksman of Ide (Imp) |
Mrs H Wood |
| 1942-1946 |
RES abandoned due to war |
|
|
| 1947 |
Irish Setter |
Ch Bestsie of Drummock |
R Niddrie |
| 1948 |
Dachshund (Smooth Haired) |
Barkesvale Merry Boy (Imp) |
Miss S Mitchell |
| 1949 |
Cocker Spaniel |
Ch Marcel Mark |
L & Mrs Cox |
| 1950 |
British Bulldog |
Melvick Major |
J & Mrs Christensen |
| 1951 |
Pomeranian |
Ch Munrova Gold Spec |
Mrs I Bloggs |
| 1952 |
Pomeranian |
Ch Agora Joy |
N Hawkless |
| 1953 |
Irish Setter |
Hartsbourne Brutus (Imp) |
B & Mrs J Morris |
| 1954 |
Irish Setter |
Tatlow Tallulah |
J & Mrs Gedye |
| 1955 |
Pekingese |
Eng Ch Su Huo of Alderbourne (Imp) |
Colenso Kennels |
| 1956 |
Scottish Terrier |
Eng Ch Moonta Manzilla (Imp) |
F D'Harty |
| 1957 |
Poodle (Miniature) |
Ch Ceba of Kon Tiki (NZ) |
Mrs J Van Staveren |
| 1958 |
Pekingese |
Ch Ahfoo Chinkee |
Mrs R Eathorne |
| 1959 |
British Bulldog |
Ch Fairtrough Jonta (Imp) |
A Hartley |
| 1960 |
Samoyed |
Ch Starya of Kobe (Imp) |
J & Mrs Sydenham-Clarke |
| 1961 |
Welsh Corgi (Pembroke) |
Ch Chetwyn Merthytidvill |
R & Mrs Carpenter |
| 1962 |
Fox Terrier |
Ch Foxwyre Flash Gem |
K Allen |
| 1963 |
Cocker Spaniel |
Ch Mighty Rare of Ware (Imp) |
Miss C Jenkins |
| 1964 |
Poodle (Miniature) |
Ch Rekcal Jiky |
Mrs H Courtney |
| 1965 |
Afghan Hound |
Eng Ch Mazari of Carloway (Imp) |
D & Mrs Roche |
| 1966 |
Fox Terrier |
Ch De Montfort Much Ado |
L & Mrs Booker |
| 1967 |
German Shepherd Dog |
Ch Almark Black Prince |
Almark Kennels |
| 1968 |
Foxhound |
Ch Baymor Famous |
J Carmody |
| 1969 |
Dobermann |
Ch Vondobe The Maharajah |
G Archer & Mrs D Donohoe |
| 1970 |
Afghan Hound |
Ch Furbari Shalakhan |
R & Mrs Lenton |
| 1971 |
Samoyed |
Ch Lourdale Tzarmark |
Mrs M Roulston |
| 1972 |
Afghan Hound |
Ch Fermoy Mahnfred |
Dzum Kennels |
| 1973 |
Australian Terrier |
Ch Tinee Town Talktime |
Tinnee Town Kennels |
| 1974 |
German Shepherd Dog |
Ch Kingsmens Witchcraft (Imp UK) |
Mrs D Parry & B O'Rourke |
| 1975 |
Afghan Hound |
Ch Calahorra Turban |
R & Mrs J Koury |
| 1976 |
Pekingese |
Ch Regalen Saladin |
C Rigg & L Gray |
| 1977 |
Afghan Hound |
Ch Calahorra Benedictus |
K & Mrs L Coombes |
| 1978 |
Scottish Terrier |
Ch Deleve MacGregor |
Mrs P Mann |
| 1979 |
Afghan Hound |
Ch Quom Starspangledbanner |
Mrs C Krause-Sydow |
| 1980 |
British Bulldog |
Ch Wybong Just Hooper |
J Joice & W Stacey |
| 1981 |
Golden Retriever |
Ch Balandra Delta Darius |
J & Mrs J Trout |
| 1982 |
Cocker Spaniel |
Lehearn Lovemn Leavem |
G Love & Mrs E Flynn |
| 1983 |
Afghan Hound |
Ch Calahorra Boccaccio |
J & Mrs S Blunden & Mrs W Slatyer |
| 1984 |
Basset Hound |
Ch Sagaces Merryman |
B & Mrs S Millar |
| 1985 |
Scottish Terrier |
Ch Aberdeen Fordyce |
C Head |
| 1986 |
Fox Terrier (Smooth) |
Ch Mirolinda Superstar |
Ghostwind Kennels |
| 1987 |
Pekingese |
Ch Valista Wan Chai |
N & Mrs D King |
| 1988 |
Poodle (Standard) |
Ch Leander White Blazer (Imp SAF) |
M & Mrs L Camac & N Fitzgerald |
| 1989 |
Foxhound |
Ch Peelhunt Genieveve |
R & Mrs K Dunstan |
| 1990 |
Australian Terrier |
Ch Tahee Dirty Harry |
F Pieterse & Miss L Benyon |
| 1991 |
Keeshond |
Ch Keeshee Cute Ncuddley |
Miss A Huggins |
| 1992 |
English Springer Spaniel |
Ch Azucroft Jumpin Jack |
Mrs D Reynolds |
| 1993 |
Weimaraner |
Ch Grauhund Nite Moves |
Grauhund Kennels |
| 1994 |
Samoyed |
Ch Aldonza Kiss Andtell |
Miss F Tucker |
| 1995 |
Whippet |
Eng Ch Silkstone Jewel in the Crown (Imp UK) |
F & Mrs L Pieterse |
| 1996 |
Samoyed |
Ch Tobalsk Royal Secret |
Mrs P Phillips & Miss J Oates |
| 1997 |
Whippet |
Ch Taejan Ms Margarita |
Mrs N Rule-Steele |
| 1998 |
Shetland Sheepdog |
Ch Hillacre Wee Macgregor |
Mrs F Brown-Elkner |
| 1999 |
Saluki |
Gr Ch Kiabe Qariban |
Ms H Spence & N Strathdee |
| 2000 |
Poodle (Standard) |
Ch Troymere Diva D Amour |
T Tanner & L Henery |
| 2001 |
Maltese |
NZ Ch & Ch Patrician Phantom (Imp NZ) |
P Nicholson |
| 2002 |
Foxhound |
Ch Peelhunt Ruler |
G Gibson |
| 2003 |
Siberian Husky |
Ch Illahee Summer Fun |
Mrs N Rule-Steele & C Fisher |
| 2004 |
British Bulldog |
Buldawg Our Man Godfrey |
R & Mrs C Smith |
| 2005 |
English Setter |
Ch Tarquin Once Is Not Enough |
D & B J & B & Bowey & Wistuba & Hubbard & Watt |
| 2006 |
Siberian Husky |
Am. Ch. & Gr. Ch. Pvt Stks Fire In The Sky (Imp USA) |
Mrs C Lecourt |
| 2007 |
Afghan Hound |
Am & Can Ch & Ch Karakush in Champagne |
L & H Gibson & L Toomey |
| 2008 |
Toy Poodle |
JKC Ch Smash JP Three Belle Jackpot (Imp Japan) |
Mrs Cheryl Lecourt |
