Abstract This study aimed to assess the occurrence of canine haemoplasma infection in domestic dogs and its possible trans‐stadial transmission by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in shelter dogs in D iyarbakır P rovince in southeast T urkey. Blood samples ( n = 282) collected from domestic dogs were analysed by polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) for the presence of canine haemoplasma. Fully engorged nymphs ( n = 204) were removed from dogs that were positive for canine haemoplasma by PCR and maintained in an incubator at 28 °C for moulting. Unfed ticks ( n = 2185) comprising 2100 nymphs and 85 adults collected from the grounds of the same shelter were also screened. Of 282 dogs, 108 [38.3%, 95% confidence interval ( CI ) 32.6–44.2] were PCR ‐positive for canine haemoplasmas. Mycoplasma haemocanis ( Mhc ) infection (26.2%, 95% CI 21.2–31.8) was observed in a significantly higher number of dogs than was Candidatus M ycoplasma haematoparvum ( C M hp ) infection (6.7%, 95% CI 4.1–10.3). Co‐infections were seen in 15 (5.3%, 95% CI 3.0–8.6) dogs. None of the tick specimens examined were found to be positive for haemoplasma. Partial sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA (r RNA ) gene shared 99–100% identity with the corresponding published sequences for Mhc and C M hp . The present results revealed no trans‐stadial transmission of canine haemoplasma species by R. sanguineus s.l. in field conditions.