Dear Boxer Exhibitors,
The Boxer Association of Victoria warmly invites you to our 2026 Championship Show, to be held on Saturday 10 October at the Bulla State Dog Centre, Melbourne.
We are honoured to welcome Ms Sioux Forsyth-Green (USA) to officiate. Sioux comes from Boxer show royalty – her late parents, Bob and Jane Forsyth, judged at the historic 1983 Boxer Specialties held in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. Sioux herself is a highly respected AKC judge with over 40 years in the dog world, having judged at Westminster three times and multiple National Specialties. You can read her full profile here:
An important note for our Boxer community
This year's Championship Show may well be the last held by the Boxer Association of Victoria.
Exhibitor numbers have been steadily declining across Australia, and Victoria has felt this keenly. The BAOV was established in 1953, and this year marks our 69th Championship Show. Our first, in 1955, drew an entry of 63. We've since seen entries reach 197 in 1971, and a remarkable 272 in 1988 when Victoria hosted the 1st National Boxer Specialty. For many years, entries comfortably exceeded 100. In recent years, however, that number has fallen below 40 – a trend mirrored in dog show entries across Australia and around the world.
With this in mind, our aim for 2026 is to make this Championship Show a true celebration – of the Boxer breed, of the Association, and of the generations of Boxer enthusiasts who have shaped and supported us over the decades. If you have ever wanted to exhibit at a Boxer Specialty in Victoria, this may be your last chance. We would love for you to be part of it.
On the day
- A trophy table featuring bespoke class awards and unique metal sculptures for Best in Show and Runner-Up in Show
- A special framed rosette for the breeder of Best in Show, presented in memory of Ch Sjecoin Winter Forecast
- Photography by Ethan James, well known in the dog world as a Border Collie breeder/exhibitor and Boxer handler
- The Calabrian Club opening their Pizza and Coffee Bar for the day – great food, great coffee, great company
- Afternoon tea at the conclusion of the show (bring a plate to add to the table)
- Trophy presentation at the conclusion of the show
- Member ANKC title awards announced
Our major sponsor
We're proud to have Blackdog Nutrition as our major sponsor for 2026. Learn more about their Breeders Program and this year's sponsorship here:
Show Details, Schedule and Link to Enter Now!
Make a weekend of it
Staying on in Melbourne? The Romsey Kennel Club is holding two All Breeds Championship Shows the very next day, Sunday 11 October, at the same venue – outdoors in the Group 6 ring. Come for the Boxer Championship Show, and stay for the two all breeds shows the following day.
Whether you've shown with us once or for decades, this is a day to come together, celebrate the breed we all love, and honour the contribution so many Boxer people have made to the BAOV over many, many years.
We do hope to see you and your Boxers at Bulla on Saturday 10 October.
Warm regards,
The Boxer Association of Victoria