Australian Dog of the Year Terms & Conditions

Eligibility & Entry
Entry is open to persons aged 18 years or older. Nominations for persons under 18 years of age are welcome when submitted on their behalf by a parent or legal guardian. Each nomination form may be used to nominate one dog only. A maximum of one nomination per dog is permitted. Multiple entries for the same dog will not be accepted. Multiple dogs may be nominated by submitting separate nomination forms for each dog.

Nomination Period & Key Dates
Nominations open on Monday 26 January 2025 and close at 8.00 pm (ADST) on Monday 12 January 2026.
Finalists will be announced on Wednesday 14 January 2026.
Voting for the People’s Choice Medal will open on Wednesday 14 January 2026 and close at 12.00 pm (ADST) on Friday 23 January 2026.
Winners will be announced on Monday 26 January 2026.
(Dates for the 2027 Awards will be updated following the announcements of 2026 Winners)

Judging & Awards Determination
The Australian Dog of the Year Award and all category awards are judged as a game of skill. Chance plays no part in determining winners. Each valid nomination is individually reviewed by the judging panel based on its merit, execution and alignment with the spirit and values of the Awards.

The People’s Choice Medal is determined by the dog that receives the highest number of valid votes during the voting period.

Voting Conditions
To keep the process fair for all finalists, People’s Choice voting is limited to one vote per person. Votes are validated using a combination of details, including email address and IP address. Only one vote per email address will be accepted.

Judging Panel & Process
Judging is undertaken by an invited panel

Judging is undertaken by an invited panel of volunteer judges. Nominations are presented to judges in a format intended to minimise identifying information and support impartial assessment. Judges are required to act independently, impartially and in good faith.

Finalist selection is based on collective merit and alignment with the spirit and values of the Australian Dog of the Year Awards, rather than quotas, rankings or popularity.

Puppy Tales may validate information submitted within nominations, including following up with nominators or nominees where required, to support the integrity of the judging process. Judges’ decisions and outcomes are final. Feedback on individual nominations is not provided.

Finalist Selection & Representation
Finalists are selected based on merit and alignment with the intent of the Awards. Where possible and practicable, Puppy Tales endeavours to achieve broad representation across finalists, including consideration of geographic location within Australia, breed and size diversity, and the varied roles dogs play within families and communities. Representation is valued and considered, but not guaranteed.

Some nominations may be eligible for consideration across more than one award category. Puppy Tales endeavours to select finalists across all award categories; however, reserves the right not to award a category if suitable finalists are not identified.

Presentation Order & Promotion
Finalists are presented in a randomly generated order on the Australian Dog of the Year Awards website, voting forms and across social media and promotional channels. The order in which finalists are displayed or shared does not indicate ranking, preference or judging outcome.

Not all nominations dogs will be featured equally, or at all, across promotional channels.

Media & Publicity
Puppy Tales provides a press release for award winners and endeavours to secure media coverage for the Awards winners and finalists. Media coverage is subject to external editorial decisions and availability and cannot be guaranteed. There is no guarantee of equal or equivalent media exposure for nominees, finalists or winners.

Copyright & Use of Materials
Nominators retain copyright of all photos, written content and materials submitted. By entering, nominators grant Puppy Tales permission to share submitted materials online (including the Puppy Tales website and social media platforms) and in other media in connection with the Australian Dog of the Year Awards.

Nominee & Voter Prize Draws
Nominee and voter prize draw winners will be selected from eligible entries. Winners will be notified by SMS and email. Puppy Tales takes no responsibility for incorrect or incomplete contact details where a winner cannot be contacted.

Prizes – Australian Dog of the Year
The Australian Dog of the Year will receive a prize pack including:
– A personalised trophy of the winning dog (valued at $300)
– A $1,000 donation to a registered charity or not-for-profit of the winners choice
– A photography session and product collection with Puppy Tales (minimum value $4,000)
– A media campaign with The Pet Journo
– A $250 The Saltiest Dog gift card

Prizes – People’s Choice Medal
The People’s Choice Medal recipient will receive:
– A $250 donation to a registered charity or not-for-profit of the winners choice
– A photography session and canvas with Puppy Tales (value $1,250)
– A media campaign with The Pet Journo
– A $100 The Saltiest Dog gift card
– A commemorative medal

Prizes – ARAS (All Rescues Are Special) Medal
The ARAS Medal recipient will receive:
– A $250 donation to a registered charity or not-for-profit of the winners choice
– A photography session and canvas with Puppy Tales (value $1,250)
– A media campaign with The Pet Journo
– A $100 The Saltiest Dog gift card
– A commemorative medal

Prizes – Canine Home Hero Medal
The Canine Home Hero Medal recipient will receive:
– A photography session and canvas with Puppy Tales (value $1,250)
– A media campaign with The Pet Journo
– A $100 The Saltiest Dog gift card
– A commemorative medal

Prizes – Dog of Talent Medal
The Dog of Talent Medal recipient will receive:
– A photography session and canvas with Puppy Tales (value $1,250)
– A media campaign with The Pet Journo
– A $100 The Saltiest Dog gift card
– A commemorative medal

Prizes – Paws-itive Change Award
The Paws-itive Change Award recipient will receive:
– A photography session and canvas with Puppy Tales (value $1,250)
– A media campaign with The Pet Journo
– A $100 The Saltiest Dog gift card
– A commemorative medal

Charity Selection & Prize Conditions
Puppy Tales will liaise with the Australian Dog of the Year and People’s Choice Medal recipients to determine the nominated charity or not-for-profit organisation. Photography sessions are subject to photographer availability and must be redeemed by December 2026. Standard terms and conditions of supporting businesses apply.

Nominee Prize Draw
Ten nominators will be randomly selected to receive a $450 Puppy Tales Photography gift card. Gift cards may be used towards a standard on-location or studio Puppy Tales photography experience, subject to availability, and include a design consultation, preparation guidance, photography session, in-person viewing and credit towards wall art.

Voter Prize Draw
Ten voters in the People’s Choice Medal will be randomly selected to receive a $450 Puppy Tales Photography gift card under the same conditions as clause 18.

General Prize Conditions
Prizes are not transferable, exchangeable or redeemable for cash and cannot be used in conjunction with any other prizes, offers or gift cards. If a prize becomes unavailable, Puppy Tales is not liable, however a replacement prize of equal value may be offered at the discretion of the supporting business.

Disqualification, Withdrawal & Amendments
Puppy Tales reserves the right to withdraw or disqualify a nomination if information provided is false, misleading or inconsistent with the spirit of the Awards. Nominations may be withdrawn at the request of the nominee prior to finalist announcements.

Puppy Tales reserves the right to refine or amend administrative, judging or promotional processes where necessary to support fairness, integrity and the ongoing operation of the Awards.

Communications & Marketing
By entering or voting, participants consent to being added to the Puppy Tales Pack newsletter. Participants may unsubscribe at any time.

Liability & Costs
Incidental expenses and any costs not expressly included in a prize are the responsibility of the prize recipient.

Platform Disclaimer
This competition is not affiliated with, endorsed or administered by Facebook or Instagram.

Acceptance of Terms
Entry into the Australian Dog of the Year Awards constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions. For enquiries, please contact Kerry at [email protected].

Updates & Amendments
These Terms & Conditions were updated on 1 December 2025 to reflect the introduction of new award categories for the 2026 Awards, and on 1 January 2026 to incorporate expanded judging and finalist selection provisions. These provisions may be refined or fully integrated in future award years.