The examination comprises of two parts, both of which must be completed successfully. During the examination, the owner must not use any tools or items that would interfere with the performance of the dog being tested, for example, prong collars, adjustable dog collars (choke collars), any tools that prevent the dog from barking such as bark terminators and bark terminating collars and food etc.

Part 1- Assessment of temperament

Part 1 will be conducted by AFCD’s Veterinary Officer in the absence of the dog owner. In the first half of Part 1, AFCD’s staff will bring the dog being tested to another dog which is separated by wired fencing to assess its reaction:

1. It shows sociable behaviours
2. It shows little reaction
3. It growls, barks, rushes towards the other dog or becomes overly aggressive

In the second half of Part 1, assessment of temperament will be conducted by Veterinary Officer through approaching and examining the dog based on an objective protocol(please click). 

In addition to the assessment criteria as listed in the protocol, while the tests are being conducted, the dog should not demonstrate signs of overt aggression towards other dogs or humans. 

Dogs with one or more "unacceptable" results or more than four "borderline" results of Part 1, or dogs which could not undergo the Part 1 assessment in the absence of dog owner will be considered to have failed the test and will not be permitted to proceed to Part 2.


Part 2 - Assessment of control

This part will be conducted in a circuit approximately 160 metres in length. The owner is required to walk around the circuit once with his dog unleashed. At all times owner must control his/her dog without touching it. The circuit will be marked by flags placed 10 metres apart. See attached circuit diagram in PDF file [Download Acrobat Reader for viewing the document] or PNG file.

This test contains four elements, all of which must be completed successfully to obtain a pass.

• Element 1 - walking with dog off leash

  The dog must remain within 10 metres of the owner at all times and within the confines of the markers during the walk around the circuit. The owner is free to decide the distance he allows the dog to move away from him up to the 10 metre limit. Whilst the dog is walking in the circuit, there will be distraction and moving objects, such as a person riding a bicycle, playing football or walking with small pups, etc. outside the circuit.

• Element 2 - encounter with a stranger

  At one point in the circuit a stranger will walk towards the dog and owner. When the stranger and the owner meet, the dog must sit, stay or drop beside the owner. The stranger will stop, talk to the owner and offer him/her an object. The dog must show no signs of aggression towards the stranger.

• Element 3 - recall dog

  At the next point in the circuit the owner and dog must separate by a distance of at least 10 metres and then the owner recalls the dog. The owner can do this by sending the dog off and recalling it or, if the dog is not trained to be sent off, by getting the dog to sit and stay while the owner walks at least 10 metres away and then recalls the dog.The owner should wait for the Veterinary Officer's signal before recalling the dog. Whilst the dog is being commanded to stay, there will be distraction and moving objects, such as a person riding a bicycle, playing football or walking with small pups, etc. outside the circuit.

• Element 4 - encounter with a stranger walking a dog on leash

  At the next point in the circuit, a stranger walking a friendly, leashed dog will walk towards or circumvent the dog and owner. When the stranger and the owner meet, the dog must sit, stay or drop beside the owner. The stranger dog will also approach and interact with the examinee dog. The examinee dog must show no signs of overt aggression towards the stranger or the stranger dog.

Retests

No retake of examination on the same day will be offered. Any dog that fails the examination may retake it at future examination sessions. There is no restriction on the number of attempts.

Dog that passes the Exemption Examination

Sample of the medal:

Application details and required documents for application

Please submit the following documents by fax, mail, email or in person to the New Territories South Animal Management Centre of AFCD:

1. Completed application form (the form will be available for download when the application period begins)
2. Copy of valid dog licence
3. Copy of valid vaccination certificate of major infectious diseases (i.e. Canine distemper, Canine parvoviral enteritis and Infectious canine hepatitis). The vaccinations must still be up-to-date on the examination date.
4. Confirmation of dog body weight (please refer to Application Notes for details)

Application Notes

1. Confirmation of Dog Body Weight

• All applications are required to attach a proof that the dog is equal to or over 20 kg. All applicants could choose to provide the proof in one of the 3 ways below:

1. Any written proof issued by a Private Veterinary Clinic showing the dog’s ISO / AVID microchip number and body weight (≥ 20 kg). Written proof includes medical records that display the required information. Medical records issued within six months prior to the application date for the Large Dog Exemption Examination will also be accepted.
2. The applicant may bring the dog to any Animal Management Centre of the AFCD for weighing, and our staff will issue a Confirmation of Dog Body Weight certificate.
3. If the applicant is not able to provide the above-mentioned proof (i) or (ii), the dog’s weight must be measured at the venue on the examination day. (Please refer to Point 2 of Examination Notes)

2. To avoid possible conflict with ongoing legal proceedings, any application involving a dog currently under investigation of any case related to the keeping and control of dogs (including dog attack and biter case) will be declined until the case has been concluded.
3. Even if a dog has passed the Large Dog Exemption Examination, if the keeper of the dog contravenes any condition specified in Cap. 167F section 1(1), whether or not the person is prosecuted under section 17(3) of the Dogs and Cats Ordinance in relation to that contravention, this Department reserves the right to consider cessation of exemption for the dog concerned.

Examination Notes

1. Failure in producing the original copy of the required documents on the examination day may render disqualification from the examination. 
2. If confirmation of the dog’s body weight is not submitted during the application process, the dog’s weight will be measured at the venue on the examination day. The dog will be disqualified from the examination if the measured weight is less than 20kg.
3. Applicants should be fully acquainted with the examination protocol before the examination.  The sketch layout plan for examination available on the AFCD web page is for reference only and is subject to variation as circumstances may warrant.
4. Applicants must report to the registration desk with their dogs 15 minutes before the scheduled time; any late arrivals will not be entertained.  The scheduled time is an approximate time for the examination only, and is subject to change depending on the progress of the examination.
5. If the dog is found unsuitable to commence or continue the examination, the dog may be disqualified at any time at the discretion of the examiner. In this circumstance, the applicant must submit a new application for the next examination.
6. Examination may be postponed due to inclement weather.
7. Applicants must ensure that the dogs are well cared for and under proper control on a leash at all times (except during the examination), both inside and outside the venue.
8. To avoid disturbances during the examination, only the exam candidate is allowed to enter the venue. Accompanying persons could watch the examination at the designated area. Dogs that are not participating in the exam will not be allowed to enter the venue either.
9. To avoid disturbances during the examination, photography, video and audio recording using any devices or methods are strictly prohibited at the venue.
10. There is no parking at the venue. Please make your own transport arrangements

Schedule

Exemption Examination for Large Dogs is scheduled as below: