ASK AKC Dear AKC: My wife and I are having a disagreement about whether to let our new Boston Terrier puppy sleep on the bed with us at night. Is this a good practice or will it create problems for us or the dog down the road? -- Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Dear Sleeping Dogs: […]

California fanciers, take note! The Animal Council reports that SB1548, a bill pertaining to veterinary medicine, was amended last week to include a ban on ear cropping for dogs. Violators will be charged with a misdemeanor unless the procedure was done for treatment of disease or injury to the dog. The bill defines "disease or […]

SB1548, which includes language that would make ear cropping a misdemeanor, easily passed the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions this week. The majority of the bill pertains to other aspects of veterinary medicine and has the support of the veterinary community. AKC is therefore urging fanciers to contact the bill sponsor and ask her […]

On Wednesday, July 28, SB1548 was amended to clarify an enforcement question by including the following language: "Any person who crops the ears of any dog or procures the cropping of a dog's ears within the State of California, except for treatment of disease or injury of the dog, is guilty of a misdemeanor." For […]

The 2017 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference was held in St. Louis, August 11 to 13. Presented by the AKC Canine Health Foundation and Nestle Purina Pet Care, the conference was a gathering of scientists, veterinarians, AKC parent-club representatives, fanciers and veterinary students from around the world. They received cutting-edge information and research on […]

Making New Strides in Canine Health Whether our passion lies in the show ring, the field, the whelping box, or any combination thereof, our goal to produce, raise and own healthy purebred dogs is one we all share. With that objective in mind, I would like to tell you about the incredible advancements that we […]

New York, NY - The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced recently that Delaware County Kennel Club (Pennsylvania) and the Pasco Florida Kennel Club have been honored with AKC Community Achievement Award for the first quarter of 2012. The AKC Community Achievement Awards support and recognize outstanding public education and legislation efforts of AKC-affiliated clubs, AKC-recognized […]

The word kennel is believed to have originated in France to describe a pack of hounds and their housing. Today, it describes the most important environment in any breeder’s home. Once primitive man hooked up with dogs in a permanent ongoing relationship, the two learned to live together. Over the centuries, man began to construct […]

Pyometra, or uterine infection, remains a serious health threat for intact bitches. E. coli is the most common cause of canine pyometra, and many strains of this bacteria are known to produce a biofilm. Biofilm is a surface layer of microbes and the slimy extracellular polymeric substances they produce (polysaccharides, proteins, etc.). Biofilms protect bacteria […]

An outbreak of the contagious disease brucellosis has hit Iowa, after starting at a dog breeding facility in Marion County, southeastern Iowa. Brucellosis is a contagious disease caused by the bacterium brucellosis, specifically Brucella canis in dogs, which can result in infertility, abortions, and stillbirths. Brucella canis can devastate a kennel, and it is zoonotic, meaning it can infect […]

In 2016, the American Kennel Club (AKC) launched its Canine Health Foundation (CHF) Tick-Borne Disease Research Initiative, and the research is continuing this year. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the challenge to collect $250,000 in donations for this initiative, matched dollar-for-dollar by the AKC, was reached in 2016 and again in 2017. Putting these […]

Competition & Title Updates  We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, and Tracking. AGILITY Congratulations to the winners at the 2019 AKC Agility Invitational AKC Canine Partners congratulates the All-American Dogs and their owners who competed and won honors at the AKC […]

Since acquiring their first Labrador Retriever over 20 years ago, Brenda and Ken Neil, AKC's 2019 Breeders of the Year for Retriever Field Events, have been among the breed's biggest champions. While that first Lab's life was sadly cut short, the Neils are a long way from heartbreak now. Today, they invite as many black Labrador […]

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) provides educational resources and tools for dog breeders as part of its mission to advance the health of all dogs. To help responsible breeders utilize the latest canine health information in their breeding and rearing plans and share that information with their puppy buyers, CHF provides infectious disease facts […]

The California Senate recently passed Senate Bill 1115, which establishes procedures for phasing out commercial blood banks for animals (also defined in the bill as “captive closed-colony” blood banks), which are facilities where animals are kept, raised, and housed for the sole purpose of blood collection. The bill has been assigned to the Assembly Committee on […]

Last week, a bill was introduced in the California Assembly to regulate all who breed a dog in the state. Assembly Bill 702 can be scheduled for a committee hearing beginning March 19.  No hearing is currently scheduled; however, this is an opportunity for all who breed dogs in the state to join the AKC […]

This is an advertorial article and is not written by the American Kennel Club. All views and opinions expressed here are the independent views/opinions of Nationwide® Pet Insurance. Dr. Justine Lee, a veterinary emergency critical care specialist and the author of two books on pet care, warns pet owners about several overlooked toxins that can threaten the […]

During this time of worldwide viral pandemic, we must remember that life and other diseases still go on. Our pets, the birds and the bees are still flourishing, and as spring has sprung, so has the emergence of ticks and the many diseases they can carry, the most commonly known one being Lyme disease. American […]

Health is always a key concern for a new puppy owner. Your puppy buyers look to you as a trustworthy source of information when it comes to their new pet and might have questions ranging from puppy-proofing their home to general health. Here are a few common questions puppy buyers might have, as well as some advice that might come in handy for first-time […]

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and our corporate alliance, Zoetis, are pleased to announce the launch of a podcast series devoted to canine reproduction education for pet owners, breeders, and veterinarians. The first podcast in the series features Dr. Matthew Krecic, a Diagnostics specialist for Zoetis, and focuses on Brucellosis, an important topic for […]

Opinions differ over the necessity of some dog vaccinations and the timeframe for vaccinating your dog. Consult your vet about your dog’s vaccinations. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) made headlines in 2003 when it published its vaccination recommendations. It suggested that a few vaccines are absolutely necessary, but some are only required in unique […]

Conscientious Owners Can Keep Their Dogs Disease-Free Many common canine diseases can be prevented or treated with available vaccines. Dogs are susceptible to many diseases transmitted by contact with infected dogs or wildlife. Here are the common canine diseases: Rabies -- Transmitted by bites from infected animals. Symptoms can include seizures, paralysis, aggression and lack […]

Everyone loves to watch a good dog trick. But did you know dogs can earn titles for showing off fun tricks? They can even enter and win competitions. At the highest level of AKC Trick Dog — AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer — dogs and handlers are required to perform a routine of tricks strung together into […]

Did you know your dog can earn titles for showing off fun tricks? In fact, at the top level of AKC Trick Dog — AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer — you and your dog are required to perform a routine of tricks strung together into a story or script using at least five props. But do the […]

A resolution has just been introduced in the California State Assembly that declares the Assembly’s intention to only support “sensible and humane therapeutic veterinary procedures for companion animals.”  As defined, this could mean the Assembly opposes such procedures as ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, among other veterinary surgical procedures. It is important to […]

Veterinarians recommend that all dogs receive preventative health care measures, such as core vaccinations, heartworm and tick-borne disease testing, and deworming for intestinal parasites. There are considerations for these diseases and their prevention strategies that are specific breeding dogs, as we strive to keep them safe through pregnancy and produce healthy puppies. Core vaccinations Distemper […]

External parasites live on the outside of a dog’s body. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), at some point in their lives, many pets experience discomfort caused by external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, or mites, on their skin or in their ears. These parasites can cause serious skin problems or carry disease. […]

Parasites in dogs take many forms, but they all have one thing in common: sooner or later their presence will almost always have an impact on your pet's health or comfort. Parasites can cause anything from mild irritation to serious illness. To cover all of the parasites in detail would (and does) take up a […]

The New York State Assembly and Senate are expected to adjourn for the year in just four weeks.  As such, dozens of bills are on the move,  including many with the potential to impact dog owners. Please note that some bills are scheduled for hearings tomorrow, or are pending a vote at any time by […]

The New York Assembly and Senate continue to advance bills that will provide new regulations regarding dogs being imported into the state for sale, and also numerous new requirements regarding the care of dogs at New York shelters. Those who wish to comment on these bills may do so at the links provided below. Summary: […]