Two new dysprosium(iii) complexes, [Dy(2)(HL(1))(4)(CO(3))]·4H(2)O (1) and [Dy(2)(L(2))(2)(NO(3))(2)(CH(3)OH)(2)]·4CH(3)CN (2), have been synthesized from the Schiff-base ligands N'-((2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methylene)benzohydrazide (H(2)L(1)) and N'-((2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methylene) picolinohydrazide (H(2)L(2)). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that four mono-deprotonated H(2)L(1) ligands and two di-deprotonated H(2)L(2) ligands which have undergone keto-enol tautomerism coordinate to the two dysprosium centres of complexes 1 and 2, respectively. The dc magnetic properties of complexes 1 and 2 are different. The phenoxido bridges in complex 1 mediate antiferromagnetic interaction between Dy(III) ions, while ferromagnetic interaction was clearly observed in alkoxido-bridged dinuclear complex 2. Furthermore, both complexes show frequency-dependent ac magnetic susceptibilities, indicating a slow relaxation of the magnetization, typical of SMM behaviour.