An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system was developed for the detection of canine parvovirus (CPV) or CPV antigen in dog faeces and two other ELISA systems were developed for the detection of CPV‐specific antibodies in dog sera. The ELISA's were based on the use of CPV‐specific mouse monoclonal antibodies, which recognise different epitopes of the haemagglutinin of CPV and which also neutralise the virus. A double antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA for the detection of CPV in dog faeces was compared with the haemagglutination (HA) test. The DAS‐ELISA proved to be more specific, sensitive and easier to perform than the HA assay. An indirect ELISA and a competitive ELISA for the detection of CPV‐specific antibodies in dog sera were compared with the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test.