A dog gate creates a boundary that keeps your dog either inside or outside another area of the house or grounds. It’s a useful piece of equipment, whether you have a brand new puppy or dogs that usually have the run of the house. A gate gives a puppy a safe, dog-proofed area to […]

If a picture says a thousands words, then how many words does a GIF entail? We popped in to Argus Ranch, a sprawling 20 acre training facility in Auburn, WA that hosts agility trials and training on a regular basis earlier this year to scope out the stiff competition. Do you and your dog have […]

Canine idiopathic epilepsy, recurrent seizures with no identifiable underlying cause, remains a common concern of dog owners and veterinary professionals. Despite the development of new anti-epileptic drugs, many dogs’ seizures remain uncontrolled using currently available therapies. To address this major health concern the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), along with its donors, has invested over […]

Canine idiopathic epilepsy, defined as recurrent seizures with no identifiable underlying cause, is the most common medical neurologic disease in dogs.   Twenty to thirty percent of affected dogs continue to experience seizures despite treatment with currently available anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).  In addition, side effects from these drugs, such as increased appetite, sedation, restlessness, or anxiety, often decrease the quality of life for affected […]

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has announced that new regulations have been finalized for the operation of animal shelters and animal rescue organizations, together with clarifying amendments to the Commonwealth’s regulations applying to pet shops.   The American Kennel Club (AKC) extends our sincerest gratitude to the Department’s Animal Health Division Director for years of […]

This week, the House Judiciary Committee is accepting testimony on multiple bills.  Text of bills are embedded in the links.  AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) strongly encourages Rhode Island residents to take action as follows: Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the rise of the House: DOGS OUTSIDE AND UNATTENDED - H. 5736 would amend the […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking.  Alabama – HB 235 would authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. It also specifies that emotional support animals are not service animals within the meaning of the Americans […]

Breeders appreciate the usefulness of comprehensive, up-to-date references about canine reproduction. Following is information on three such books that are carefully referenced, scientifically accurate, and conveniently available on Amazon.com.   • "Canine Reproduction and Neonatology, A Practical Guide for Veterinarians, Veterinary Staff, and Breeders," by Marthina L. Greer, DVM, JD., 2014; Teton NewMedia. Dr. Greer […]

Though everyone has been talking watching and reading about the current health issues, COVID-19, this month, we have to remind ourselves that dogs and cats don’t read the headlines.  At this time while people are anxious, we may not be paying careful attention and our pets can still get into things that can be toxic. As […]

Puppies love toys. During the puppy's period of rapid development, from 8-weeks-to-9-or-10-months-old, it's important to give him appropriate toys for his age. Breed may also play a role in what toys become his favorites: a hound will naturally enjoy anything he can chase after and carry; terriers are natural diggers and tuggers; and a gundog […]

As an emergency veterinarian for over thirty years, I’ve found that despite your best efforts, accidents happen even to the best owners. Your pet may gain access to a potentially harmful or fatal substance. Many toxins are common items in your home and yard. Some poisons are rather obvious and easy to avoid, while others […]

We had Jaco less than 10 months when it happened. Jaco was a German Shepherd Dog exported from the Czech Republic when he was 16 months old. I wanted him to be my next scent-detection dog, a partner in the work I’ve done for more than a decade, finding the missing and the dead. He […]

Can CBD oil help dogs with epilepsy and seizures? Anecdotal evidence suggests maybe — CBD oil may offer a treatment alternative for several illnesses, including canine epilepsy, but no in-depth studies have verified these claims. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an extract of the cannabis plant (marijuana). Unlike the major active ingredient of the plant, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD […]

Despite or perhaps as a result of the stress and unusual health precautions Americans experienced in 2020, people focused more than ever on their pets. For the first time, pet industry sales exceeded $100 billion, according to American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2020 State of the Industry Report. This tidal wave of spending is expected […]

On Wednesday, November 17, more than one dozen animal bills impacting dogs and breeders are on the agenda for review by the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (JENRA). The virtual public hearing is scheduled to start at 2pm.  The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department (AKC GR) has tracked most of […]

CBD to calm anxiety. Mushrooms to boost immunity. Probiotics and plant-based diets. No, this isn't a rundown of advice from your favorite Instagram wellness coach, it's a list of rising wellness trends for dogs. Are these new trends truly beneficial for your dog, or are they merely passing fads? Get to know each trend and […]

Florida House Bill CS1/HB 721 seeks to remove an exemption under current Florida state law that allows certain cities and counties to ban dog breeds.  If this legislation passes, remaining county and city laws in Florida that ban dog breeds would no longer be in effect.  For example, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, “pit […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Arizona – House Bill 2323 states that for the purposes of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, the breed of dog may not be considered for underwriting or determining risk or loss, questionnaires or surveys regarding the presence of a […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama –House Bill 485 as introduced would, among other provisions, allow a dog to be confiscated without court authorization if “suspected” of harassing, harming, or killing livestock. AKC is working with the bill sponsor on additional amendments to […]

April showers are an unmistakable sign of spring, but they also mean… mud! The theme for the next AKC Canine Partners News Photo Gallery is “When I Got Dirty.” We are seeking pictures of your dogs not minding a little dirt at all! Photo requirements: jpeg or tif format the name of your dog(s) and […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – AB-240: This proposal would create a tax on the sale of pet food for cats and dogs in order to provide dedicated funding to animal shelters for the spaying and neutering of animals. The bill is […]

The Connecticut Joint Environment Committee’s public hearing agenda for Monday, February 27, 2023, includes SB 1069.  In addition to a handful of provisions under the oversight of the Department of Agriculture, the bill includes significant changes to current kennel license rules.  Proposed changes in SB 1069 to the current law that are of serious concern […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – SB 2 as pre-filed seeks to prohibit inmates from participating in training of dogs for tracking humans. AKC is monitoring this legislation. California – AB-240: This proposal would create a tax on the sale of pet […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – SB 2 seeks to prohibit inmates from participating in training of dogs for tracking humans. AKC is monitoring this legislation, which has not yet received a committee assignment. Arkansas – HB 1420, among other provisions, defines […]

At its upcoming hearing on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 1PM – 5PM, the Massachusetts Joint Judiciary Committee will consider multiple dog-related bills .  The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports two, requests amendments to four, and opposes three of the proposals.   The full agenda with links to bill text can be viewed here. AKC encourages […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – SB 2 seeks to prohibit inmates from participating in training of dogs for tracking humans. AKC is monitoring this legislation, which has not yet received a committee assignment. Arkansas – HB 1591, a bill supported by AKC that limits a local […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – SB 2 seeks to prohibit inmates from participating in training of dogs for tracking humans. AKC is monitoring this legislation, which was assigned to the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. Alabama – SB 242 seeks to remove the […]

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a potentially fatal tick-borne disease, but if caught early is usually curable. Know the signs!

When you're a dog lover, it can be tough to watch your normally calm pup get stressed out during a thunderstorm. While some dogs show mild signs of stress, like licking their paws, other dogs can get so worked up during storms they may get destructive. To better understand why some dogs hate thunderstorms, we […]

Taking your dog on the family vacation can make for a great trip, if you plan carefully. Are you traveling by car, plane, train, bus, or boat? How long will the trip take? Will you be staying with family or friends, or at a hotel or motel? Is your dog in good health? These are […]