Finding a dog for your family is a hard decision. Why not consider the Labrador Retriever, one of the most popular breeds in the US?

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2024 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 2024. The 2024 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

"Queue" is an electronic detection K-9 Lab with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office. She helps convict child abusers and traffickers as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit.

The American Kennel Club Government Relations team (AKC GR) reports that no significant bills affecting dogs passed during the 2023 Alabama legislative session that adjourned on June 6. AKC GR thanks dog owners, AKC club members, sportsmen, allied organizations, and individuals who worked with state lawmakers in support of fair and reasonable policy for dogs. […]

There’s a new top dog in town! The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, announced this morning that the ever-popular Labrador Retriever’s record-breaking reign has ended. The playful and adaptable French Bulldog is America’s most popular breed for the first time. While it […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is deeply concerned about language in the recently-passed House version of the FY 2023 Agricultural Appropriations bill that would reduce opportunities for collaboration and education between USDA and breeders regulated by the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). We urge you to take action by contacting your members of the U.S. […]

The Labrador Retriever is continually one of America’s most popular dog breeds. Its lovable nature, friendly and affectionate demeanor, and sociable personality make the Lab a top pick for many owners around the country. Before bringing home a Lab, be sure to do your research on what it takes to own this pup, since all […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2022 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The NOHS Finals will be held […]

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which implements the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act (Act), has announced that there are two vacancies on its Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee: one for a veterinarian and one for a licensed breeder.  The volunteer, nine-member Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Texas Commission of Licensing […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has learned that House Bill 485 will be voted on in the House Agriculture Committee tomorrow morning, March 17, 2022.  The committee meets at 9:15 a.m.  It is imperative that Alabama dog owners contact the committee and urge them to not advance HB 485 as currently worded. AKC is concerned […]

No one can keep the Lab down! The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced at a virtual press conference today at the AKC Museum of the Dog that the ever-popular Labrador Retriever is the nation’s favorite dog for the 31st consecutive year. While the loveable Lab remains a constant at the top of the charts, the […]

Longtime devotees say the Lab’s full toolbox of attractions offers up something for everyone, first of all, versatility and temperament.

They are two of the most well-known and beloved breeds – the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever. In fact, the active Labrador is the most popular breed based on AKC registration statistics, an honor they've held since 1991. And devoted Goldens aren't far behind, ranking number four in 2020. You might be familiar with […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2022. The 2022 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

It was a call that all breeders dread. The young couple, who had adored their puppy, reported they had a new baby, leaving no time for their dog. Teri NeSmith did not hesitate. “I gladly take any of my puppies back if the owner lets me know that they don’t want the dog. In fact, […]

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which implements the state’s Dog or Cat Breeders Act (Act), has announced that there are four vacancies on its Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee.  Vacancies exist for two members of the public and two veterinarians.  The volunteer, nine-member Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Texas Commission of […]

AKC thanks Congressman David Schweikert for introducing H.R. 5261 to require that food products containing xylitol or “birch sugar” be labeled to warn of the sweetener’s toxic effects on dogs. AKC urges responsible dog owners to contact their member of Congress and ask them to support this positive bill. Summary: HR 5261, called the “Paws […]

Good news!  The voices of responsible dog owners were heard in Montgomery. Yesterday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 235, which authorizes food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas if the company wishes to do so. The new law takes effect on August 1, 2021. Read AKC Government Relations’ […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2021 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The […]

Senate Bill 353, which seeks to exempt gross proceeds from the sale or lease of detection dogs from rental, sales, and use taxes in Alabama, has been reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax Education. SB 353 defines a detection dog as a dog trained to use its senses to detect substances […]

House Bill 551 seeks to establish requirements and restrictions for tethering a dog. As introduced, HB 551 includes certain problematic provisions. The bill’s sponsor has indicated willingness to amend the bill to address concerns while maintaining sections that provide protections for dogs. HB 551 is on the agenda of the House Committee on Agriculture and […]

When you think of sports dynasties the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, New York Yankees and Alabama Crimson Tide certainly come to mind. But when you’re talking about dominance, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than the Labrador Retriever, America’s top dog for a record 30th consecutive year (2020). In a country where people’s tastes […]

Lab lovers continue to make their voices heard! The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced at a virtual press conference today at the AKC Museum of the Dog that the ever-popular Labrador Retriever is the nation’s favorite dog for the 30th consecutive year. While the loveable Lab holds firmly to the top spot, the French Bulldog […]

The voices of responsible dog owners are being heard!  Alabama House Bill 235, which seeks to authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas if the company wishes to do so, has passed in the House and in Senate committee. It next will be voted on by the full Senate. […]

Alabama House Bill 235, which seeks to authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas if the company wishes to do so, continues to advance. It has already passed in the House and will next be voted on by the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development. The bill could […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2021 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19, 2021. The 2021 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

AKC Government Relations is pleased to announce a new, easy-to use option for dog owners to engage in canine policy issues directly from their mobile device. Individuals who receive AKC legislative alerts are now eligible to sign up for  AKC Legislative Alerts via text messaging.* In addition to getting real-time text alerts about issues that […]

Alabama House Bill 235, among other provisions, would authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas if the company wishes to do so.  It requires that the dog be leashed or in a pet carrier and under control, and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. HB 235 is on […]