Moving a Pregnant or Intact Dog to Australia: The Timeline Minefield Breeders Must Know

TLDR: Australia has rigid rules for intact dogs that frequently conflict with standard breeding timelines. Your dog cannot be mated or artificially inseminated within 21 days before the Brucella canis blood sample is collected. After the blood sample is collected, your dog cannot be mated again before export. If your dog is pregnant, she must be no more than 30 days pregnant on the date of travel. Breeders must identify intact dogs early and map this timeline before any testing begins.

If you are moving an intact dog to Australia, the rules around mating and pregnancy are rigid. These rules frequently conflict with standard breeding timelines, and missing any of them means your dog cannot travel as planned.

This is a major trap for breeders. The timeline must be mapped out before any testing begins.

What Are the Mating Restrictions?

Australia restricts when an intact dog can be mated relative to the Brucella canis blood test:

• Your dog cannot be mated or artificially inseminated within 21 days before the Brucella canis blood sample is collected

• After the blood sample is collected, your dog cannot be mated again before export

If your dog is mated during either of these windows, they are not eligible to travel.

What Are the Pregnancy Rules?

If your dog is pregnant, she must be no more than 30 days pregnant on the date of travel.

A dog that is 31 days pregnant or more on the travel date cannot fly to Australia.

What Is the Brucella Canis Test?

Brucella canis testing is required for all intact dogs traveling to Australia. The test must be completed within 45 days of shipment.

Australia accepts RSAT, TAT, and IFAT. Australia explicitly rejects the AGID test. If your vet runs an AGID test, the result will not be accepted and you will need to retest using an approved method.

Why Does This Matter for Breeders?

Breeders often plan litters around specific timelines. Australia's mating and pregnancy rules can conflict with those plans:

• A planned mating may fall within the 21-day pre-test window

• A dog may be mated after the blood sample but before export

• A pregnant dog may be more than 30 days pregnant by the scheduled travel date

If you are a breeder moving an intact dog to Australia, identify the dog as intact early in the process and map out the full timeline before scheduling the Brucella canis test.

Moving an intact or pregnant dog to Australia? PetRelocation can help you map out the timeline and avoid conflicts. Get in touch to start planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I breed my dog before moving to Australia?

Yes, but not within 21 days before the Brucella canis blood sample is collected, and not after the blood sample is collected. If your dog is mated during either window, they cannot travel.

Can I bring a pregnant dog to Australia?

Yes, but she must be no more than 30 days pregnant on the date of travel. A dog that is 31 days pregnant or more cannot fly.

What happens if my dog is mated during the restricted window?

Your dog is not eligible to travel as planned.

Does this apply to desexed dogs?

No. These rules only apply to intact dogs. Desexed dogs are exempt from Brucella canis testing and the associated mating restrictions.

What test methods does Australia accept for Brucella canis?

Australia accepts RSAT, TAT, and IFAT. Australia explicitly rejects AGID.