APHC News

APHC Photos Now Live

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:32:43 GMT

�� APHC 2025 Photo Gallery Now Live!

After an unforgettable four days in Naarm, we’re excited to announce that the official APHC 2025 photo galleries are now published!

From the high-energy stage moments to the quiet, heartfelt connections between community members, our photographers captured the spirit of the weekend beautifully. This year’s gallery features hundreds of photos that showcase the creativity, passion, and generosity our community brings to APHC each year. Whether you were on stage, in pup gear, wrangling behind the scenes, volunteering, or cheering from the crowd — there’s a moment in there for you.

�� Explore the full galleries now

❤️ A Note on Respecting Our Photographers

All images on our website are copyright protected and contain visible watermarks. These watermarks are an important way of recognising the work and generosity of our volunteer photographers, who donate their time and talent to elevate the APHC experience. If you download or share any photos, we ask that you:

✔️ Keep the watermark visible and intact
✔️ Credit the photographer wherever possible
✔️ Avoid altering or cropping the watermark

Supporting our photographers ensures we can continue offering high-quality imagery that celebrates our community.

�� Photo Removal Requests

We understand that not everyone is comfortable having their image displayed publicly. If you would like a specific photo removed from the gallery, please email us at:

�� info@aphc.net.au

We’ll take care of it promptly and respectfully.

�� Thank You, Community

APHC thrives because of the people who show up — contestants, handlers, volunteers, photographers, judges, sponsors, and the broader pup community. These photos capture not just an event, but a celebration of who we are together.

Enjoy the galleries, relive your favourite memories, and keep an eye out as we begin planning for APHC 2026!

Executive Producers Statement

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:07:46 GMT

The 2025 Australian Pup & Handler Competition in Naarm (Melbourne)6 was more than a weekend of events, it was a reminder of what makes our community fun and unique. Over four incredible days, we brought together nine events, APHC’s largest schedule yet.

This year, our aim was to build on what has come before while opening new doors for participation and engagement. We reached record attendance across the weekend and achieved a strong financial outcome allowing A-PAH to deliver on its visions and objectives sooner.

The true success lay in the energy and generosity that was demonstrated across the weekend. The feedback from contestants, judges, and attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, proof the competition continues to grow not just in scale, but in spirit.

None of this happened by chance. Countless hours of effort from our production team, wranglers, volunteers and judges. All gave their time and heart to bring the event to life. We want to give a couple of special shout outs to some people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes;

Sponsors - A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors whose generosity and belief in what we do helped make APHC 2025 our most successful year. Your support and donations made the weekend possible and we hope to partner with you all again at APHC 2026!
Competition Director, Wranglers & Tallymasters - Jaxx, Dodger, Bowser & D.Meaner. This was the first time the competition had it’s own dedicated team. Their professionalism, ability to be flexible and enthusiasm over the weekend was essential to the success of the competition. Having a fully independent team allowed the EP’s to focus on other areas of the weekend.
Competition Scheduler & AV - Biru. We owe a huge thank you for the skill, patience, and professionalism you brought to every event. Your work behind the scenes made it possible for people across the country to experience APHC 2025 as it unfolded — something we couldn’t have achieved without you.
Photographers – Trixx (ClaytonK Media) and Dylan (HDGimage). Every incredible photo you see from this year’s competition exists because of our photographers. Their talent and generosity elevated APHC 2025 to another level, the photos give the community memories we’ll enjoy for years.
Social Media – Levi. The energy and excitement that filled our online spaces throughout the weekend were entirely thanks to you. Your passion and skill brought APHC 2025 to life and kept our community engaged and informed.
VicPAH - A massive thank you to VicPAH for running Bark After Dark, the weekend’s biggest hit and competitions largest ever event! Vic-PAH created a space that was playful, welcoming, and truly reflective of what makes this community so special. Your creativity and commitment made the night unforgettable.
VicBears – VicBears filled a ‘hole of need’ during the stage competition and after party, running our coat check. Several of your members stepped in to help last minute and we really appreciate your support – hope to see you at future APHC’s!

No event is perfect, and one of APHC’s strengths is our willingness to learn and evolve. The feedback gathered from this year around communication, accessibility, scoring systems, events and volunteer coordination will directly shape our planning for 2026. Taking the time to analyse what worked well and what can be improved helps us grow stronger each year, both as an organisation and as an event.

Thank you to every person who played a part in and attended APHC 2025. Your dedication and heart turned a series of events into something truly special.

Pats & Scritches

Panther & Neliak

APHC 2025 Feedback

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 11:25:12 GMT

Provide your feedback for a chance to win one of three weekend passes for APHC 2026!

We Want Your Feedback! – APHC 2025 Community Survey

APHC 2025 may be over, but we’re already looking ahead to making next year even bigger, better, and bolder and we want to hear from you. Tell us what you loved, what you’d like to see more of, and how we can make 2026 the best one yet. Your thoughts help us shape the future of APAH and APHC.

All completed surveys will go into the draw to win one of three weekend passes for APHC 2026 - our way of saying thanks for helping us grow.

Click the link to take you to our survey!

Bark After Dark Photos Available Now

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:13:25 GMT

Bark After Dark 3 Tickets Now On Sale!

The wait is over - the photos from Bark After Dark III are now available! Relive the energy, the outfits, and all the unforgettable moments from an incredible night.

View the full gallery: https://photogradogjax.pixieset.com/barkafterdark3/

A huge thank you to VicPAH for putting on such an amazing event, and to @photogradogjaxom and @zangar_snaps for capturing the memories so beautifully.

Be mindful of those who may not wish to have their face displayed in images, even in the background. Keep any re-uploads to private pages. If you would like to have your photo removed from the Gallery, please contact Vic-Pah directly for all BADIII images.

Congratuations Australian Pup & Handler 2025

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 12:05:38 GMT

A-PAH proudly congratulates this year’s titleholders Australian Pup 2025 Lycan and Australian Handler 2025 Kitty Katastrophy

This year’s event marks a special homecoming. The Australian Pup & Handler Competition (APHC) began here in Naarm back in 2017, founded by Tycho as a celebration of community, play, and authenticity. Since those first playful steps, APHC has travelled across Australia, bringing together pups, handlers, and allies from every corner of the country. To return to Melbourne in 2025, where it all started, felt both nostalgic and deeply energising.

Celebrating our 2025 titleholders

Lycan (VIC) brought boundless energy, warmth, and heart to the stage. His fantasy performance declaring “I want to be a pup” captured the joy, humour, and vulnerability that define the pup experience. From his first APHC in 2022 to this year’s crowning moment, Lycan has embodied the curiosity, playfulness, and connection that lie at the core of our community.

Kitty Katastrophy (VIC) dazzled audiences with a spirited number from Chicago that balanced glamour and grit, showcasing her signature charisma and confidence. Beyond the stage, her heartfelt speech reminded us that community is a “doing” word — a living, active choice to show up, contribute, and care. A queer woman of colour with more than 15 years in the kink and pet-play scenes, Kitty has long been a leader, educator, and advocate for representation and inclusion.

Together, Kitty and Lycan represent the next chapter of our national title family — champions of kindness, courage, and connection whose reign will no doubt inspire others across Australia and beyond.

Recognising all our contestants

Each year, APHC reminds us that the titles are only part of the story. The competition weekend brings pups and handlers from every state together to share ideas, laughter, and lived experiences. This year’s field of contestants,

Handlers: Huw (SA) and Kitty Katastrophy (VIC); and
Pups: Cobalt (VIC), Lycan (VIC), Blitzie (VIC), Axel (VIC), Leo (NSW), and Chase (SA);

showed exactly why Australia’s pup and handler community is so vibrant and supportive. Every competitor contributed something unique, whether through heartfelt speeches, creative performances, or quiet acts of support behind the scenes.

Special moments on stage

The evening also featured the attendance of International Puppy 2025, Orion Star , whose presence highlighted Australia’s strong connection to the global pup and handler community. A-PAH President James shared an update on the organisation’s growth and offered a passionate reminder for everyone to get involved in shaping the national scene, a message that echoed throughout the night.

Throughout the show, the sense of collaboration and inclusion was clear. Pup Chase (VIC) provided Auslan interpreting, ensuring accessibility for all attendees; Pup Biro managed the live stream and stage AV with precision and care; Pups Garrett and Panther led the production team as head producers and Neliak worked hard along side them as co-producer. The evening’s hosts, Pup Luca and Liam Clark , kept the energy high and the audience engaged from start to finish. Their combined efforts helped make APHC 2025 one of the most polished, inclusive, and heartfelt competitions to date.

Gratitude and community

A-PAH extends heartfelt thanks to our judging panel:

Leo (WA)
Zeo (QLD)
Pepper (VIC)
Sparky (SA); and
Switchstress Margo (NSW)

for generously sharing their experience, wisdom, and time. Judging is never easy, especially when the field is filled with such passion and heart, and we deeply appreciate their thoughtful deliberation.

We also thank the Victorian Pride Centre for hosting this year’s event — a space that embodies the visibility, diversity, and inclusion our community thrives on. To all the volunteers, production crew, and sponsors who made the weekend possible: your effort and enthusiasm keep this event alive year after year.

Looking ahead

As our new titleholders begin their journeys, A-PAH looks forward to supporting them as ambassadors for the pup and handler community in Australia and abroad. Their reign will be filled with opportunities to connect, educate, and celebrate the joy that pup play brings to so many people.

The Australian Pup & Handler Competition isn’t just a title night; it’s a reminder of how strong, resilient, and caring our community can be when we come together. Whether you attended in person, watched online, or cheered from afar - thank you for being part of APHC 2025.

Photos and highlights from the weekend will be shared in the coming days. Until then, join us in congratulating Lycan and Kitty Katastrophy, our Australian Pup and Handler for 2025!

Your Definitive Weekend Guide!

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:45:03 GMT

This is your definitive guide for the weekend!

All VIP & Weekend Passes can be collected at DT's Hotel. Individual tickets purchased can be picked up at their respective events.

This is what's in store for this weekend!

Thursday 2nd October

Welcome Drinks 5PM - 6PM

Location - Eagle Leather

Hosted at and by our incredible long-term Platinum sponsor Eagle Leather, this is the official unofficial start to the APHC weekend, a chance to browse the store, enjoy some drinks and relax before it all kicks off.

Meet & Sniff 6:30PM - 9:30PM (SOLD OUT)

Location - DT's Hotel

The official start to the APHC weekend, where we formally meet our contestants, sponsors and judges. A wonderful social night for everyone to gather, mingle and get to know each other. This also marks the start of the judging for the Competitors

Friday 3rd October

Walkies 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Fitzroy Gardens - Federation Square - National Gallery of Victoria

Starting at Fitzroy Gardens, stopping at Federation Square and ending at National Gallery of Victoria (click the link for the exact starting location). Every puppy loves a walk! A low-key social event to get those paws moving and to have an opportunity to explore the city and spend some time in and around the community. The walk is flat and we will be walking slow!

Bark After Dark 7PM to Late (Tickets Selling Fast)

Location - The Industrique

A pawsome event brought to us by a collaboration from Vic-PAH and the team behind the incredible Hanky parties. Let your wild side run free with a variety of spaces to suit all your animalistic desires. Play, dance or be social.

Saturday 4th October

All Events - Victorian Pride Centre

Market Hall 12:00PM to 3:00PM

For the second time APHC brings you the Market Hall, an opportunity for some of our sponsors to showcase their merchandise and products to our community. Run concurrently with the Workshops, a real community oriented day. We have 5 fabulous vendors displaying their wares for us. Get down and check them out!

Workshops 12:00PM to 3:00PM

An opportunity for members of the Pup and Handler community, as those affiliated with, to educate and share their experiences with the community on a wide variety of topics:

Stage Comp (SOLD OUT)

Doors Open 5:00PM

The Main Event! Multiple rounds showcased on the big stage, an opportunity for our Competitors to show what they’re made of and show the community what they can and will bring to the Titles.

Note - If you have any mobility issues please arrive at 4:45PM so we can get you an allocated seat!

Dance Party 9:00PM to 1:00AM

Every good competition needs an incredible after party. So, immediately after the Stage Comp wraps up, the doors open and we get to let our hair down. Drinks, beats and dancing until late.

Sunday 5th October

Victory Mosh 12:00PM to 3:00PM (SOLD OUT)

Location - DT's Hotel

The lowest of low-key events, the Victory Mosh officially wraps-up the APHC weekend. An opportunity to relax, unwind and sit-down or mosh-out after a busy, emotional and incredible weekend of action and community. Raffles will be drawn

Monday 6th October

ADAM 7:30PM to Late

Location - Sircuit

Melbourne's well famous nude pub presents a very special Australian Pup & Handler Competition / Kink Friendly & EDM Edition of ADAM, with all genders welcome!

WROOOO! The puppies have their paws all over this one! The Australian Pup and Handler competition will have just wrapped up here in Melbourne and we’re celebrating Monday 6 October by inviting pups, nudists and our kinky siblings to come along and relax with us!

Come on down, let out a howl, and be proud of the spaces that we have, the body positivity we encourage, and the diversity that makes our communities stronger - because this event is our first mixed gender edition of ADAM at Sircuit where everyone is welcome - so no pup feels left out. Tickets can be purchased from the link below!

Get to Know Your Judges

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 05:33:45 GMT

APHC 2025 Judges

PAH's have sent in their judge nominations for 2025. Get to know them below!

WA-PAH

Q-PAH

Vic-PAH

SA-PAH

SYD-PAH

APHC Workshops 2025

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:45:12 GMT

Register now for APHC 2025 Workshops

Registration for the APHC 2025 Workshops are now available. These are free to attend and registration is preferred but not essential. All workshops are hosted at Victorian Pride Centre in the Mezzanine Conference Room. Come down, check out the markets and drop in for some education!

Get to Know Your Contestants

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 06:45:00 GMT

Australian Handler Contestants

Each contestants have supplied a biography, get to know them below!

Huw

Kitty Katastrophy

Australian Puppy Contestants

Cobalt

Lycan

Blitzie

Axel

Leo

Chase

Announcing the APHC 2025 Competitors

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:01:03 GMT

Welcome to our APHC Class of 2025!

Introducing the APHC Class of 2025! Eight contestants. Two titles. One fabulous showdown.

This year, 2 Handlers and 6 Pups are ready to strut, bark, and battle their way to APHC glory. Drama? Guaranteed. Sass? Absolutely. Shenanigans? 100%.

It’s shaping up to be the wildest, unleashed competition we’ve ever seen; and the best part? You can still snag a ticket before the action kicks off. Get yours now at https://www.a-pah.com.au/ - before they’re gone and you’re stuck watching from the doghouse.

Bark After Dark III Tickets On Sale Now!

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:00:02 GMT

Bark After Dark 3 Tickets Now On Sale!

VicPAH & APHC are teaming up to bring you the ultimate pet-play party over the Australian Pups & Handlers Competition weekend!

Bark After Dark is for playful pets with a space to relax or have fun. Featuring play equipment generously donated by Hanky and a mosh space for intimate fun. Come enjoy the upbeat and relaxed atmosphere as you get to know others in the pet play community. All genders are welcome. So strip down to your favourite gear and come bring out your wild side!

Tickets on Sale NOW

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 06:47:07 GMT

Tickets on sale now!

The moment you’ve been waiting for!

Tickets for APHC 2025 are officially on sale through the A-PAH Store.

We are also stoked to announce our sponsors for 2025, events like this can’t happen without their generous support. Go give them some love!

Platinum - Eagle Leather, Hanky , No Mercy Gear , Pig.AF , Living Communities

Gold - Dog Hat & Cass Fresh Appreciation Society, PinUp Pup, Tosk Clothing , Wruff DJs

Silver - Alphamaille Studios , BootCo Brisbane , CellBlock13 , ClaytonK Photography , Eagle Sydney

Bronze - Sage Chainmaille

Competition Registrations

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 02:32:27 GMT

APHC 2025 Contestant Registrations Open

Do you think you have what it takes to compete for the Australian Puppy or Handler titles in 2025?

Registrations are now open for the competition; details available at a-pah.com.au

Don't forget tickets for APHC 2025 go on sale tomorrow afternoon! (5pm AEST, 4.30pm ACST, 3pm AWST)

APHC 2025

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 07:35:49 GMT

Schedule of Events & Ticket Prices

APAH is super excited to officially announce the events that make up APHC 2025 in Narrm/Melbourne later this year.

Check out the massive line up of events and ticket prices. Tickets go on sale THIS SUNDAY 3rd October at 5pm AEST (4.30pm ACST, 3pm AWST).

Events like this can't happen without amazing sponsors and we are super excited to announce them next week, so stay tuned for some big supporters of our communities across the country!

QPHC25 Wrap-Up: A Weekend to Remember

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 07:49:29 GMT

The Queensland Pup & Handler Competition (QPHC25) took place over the weekend — and what a spectacular event it was! Hosted by Queensland Pups & Handlers (Q-PAH), the competition drew an enthusiastic crowd, a fierce lineup of competitors, and a weekend full of community, connection, and celebration.

Four pups and three handlers stepped up to compete for the 2025 Queensland titles. The pup contestants — BetaPupBenji, Northern, Thorium, and Avery — brought energy, heart, and personality to the stage, while handlers Gamesy, Zeke, and Joel impressed with their confidence, creativity, and care.

At the end of an electric evening, Thorium was crowned Queensland Pup 2025, and Joel took home the title of Queensland Handler 2025. Each winner received a prize pack valued at thousands of dollars, along with the immense honour of being the first titleholders to wear Q-PAH’s stunning new legacy sashes, crafted by the brilliant team at Tosk Clothing.

The event also marked a milestone moment for the Q-PAH community, as it was the second and final QPHC organised under the leadership of outgoing QPAH President Pup Bailee. His heartfelt farewell speech brought many to tears and was met with a standing ovation — a tribute to his years of dedication and impact on the Queensland pup and handler scene.

A-PAH was proud to have four committee members attend QPHC25, travelling in from across the country to show support and connect with the vibrant Queensland community. The success of this event has us more excited than ever for APHC25, which A-PAH will proudly host in Narrm/Melbourne this October. If QPHC25 is anything to go by, we’re in for something truly unforgettable. Tickets will be released soon — stay tuned!

To the competitors, volunteers, audience members, and especially Pup Bailee — thank you for an incredible weekend. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Qld Handler 2025 Joel and Qld Pup 2025 Thorium with QPHC 2025 Contestants.

Australian Pup 2024 Leo and Australian Handler 2024 Zeo attending QPHC 2025 (Photo credit: Clayton/Trix of WA-PAH)

A-PAH Committee members Sabre, Garrett, James and Sir Tigs attending QPHC 2025. (Photo credit: Mamam Lou-King)

Congratulations 2025 Queensland Handler Joel & Queensland Pup Thorium

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 08:09:40 GMT

QPAH once again to put on an amazing pop and handler competition for 2025, with Handler Joel and Pup Thorium taking out the titles.

The Queensland pop and Handler competition 2025 was held over the last 2 days. Three handlers and four puppies put on an amazing show through their rounds of speech, talent and dynamic.

We congratulate the winners and QPAH for putting on an amazing sh

APHC 2025 Dates Announced

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:26:00 GMT

We're returning to Narrm/Melbourne

The 2025 Australian Pup & Handler Competition will be held in Narrm/Melbourne from 2 to 5 October 2025.

Keep watching our website and socials for events, locations and ticketing information.

Contestant Entries are now open for 2024!

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 07:59:17 GMT

Apply now for a chance to represent your community as Australian Puppy/Handler 2024!

Use the site navigation above to find the contestant entry form and the 2024 Contestant Format and Rules.

Entries close September 20th 2024 at 5PM AWST!

APHC 2024 Date and Location

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 11:03:43 GMT

It is with great pleasure that we announce APHC will be held in Sydney/Gadigal for the first time ever in 2024.

The event will be held across 3 days from 18 to 20 October and include all the usual fun of workshops, parties and walkies plus a few extra surprises.

Keep checking the APHC website and socials for more details in the new year.

See APHC 2023 in full on our YouTube channel

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 13:45:45 GMT

Missed out on catching the 2023 Australian Pup & Handler Competition? Or just want to live it again?

Our brand new YouTube channel has kicked off with a full length video of the stage rounds of the 2023 Australian Pup & Handler Competition. See all the entries from the pups and handlers who competed, along with a special presentation and a dazzling drag performance.

APHC 2023 Photos Are Live!

Sat, 21 Oct 2023 08:12:33 GMT