Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Dogs

The Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Dogs is made under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 to provide guidance for pet owners to safeguard the welfare of dogs. More than 35% of Victorian households include a dog, and as such it is important to put in place some minimum standards for the appropriate husbandry and care of this species.

The Code provides information and minimum standards of accommodation, management and care appropriate to the physical and behavioural requirements of dogs kept under private ownership.

(PDF 351kb)


The Code contains a body condition chart for dogs (Appendix 3), which has been extracted for use as a poster.

(PDF 1707kb)


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