Tomorrow, the City of Riverside's Planning Commission will host a workshop to review and provide input on potential changes to the City's ordinances regarding the keeping and sales of animals.

An overreaching bill that seeks to regulate dog and cat breeders and sellers in Alabama is scheduled to be voted on by the Senate Government Affairs Committee tomorrow, April 20, at 8:45 a.m.

AKC strongly opposes any measure that restricts choice by compelling people and/or retailers to obtain pets solely from shelter or rescue distributors.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) emphatically supports freedom of choice in selecting a pet. AKC actively promotes efforts to ensure that people are educated, understand the demands of responsible ownership and have access to a pet that is right for them.

AKC Government Relations has just learned that the City Council of Providence, Rhode Island, recently passed a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance and animal ownership limits. The proposal would require all dogs six months of age or older to be spayed or neutered unless a person acquires a dog breeding permit.

Assembly Bill 485'which seeks to prohibit pet retailers from selling pets (including dogs, cats and rabbits) unless the animals were obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter, a shelter maintained by a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, a humane society shelter, or a nonprofit rescue or adoption organization'is scheduled for […]

AKC has learned that the Washoe County Commission (Nevada) is considering a proposal that would require anyone who wishes to own more than three dogs to apply for a variance permit and have their dogs sterilized.

The Guilford County (NC) Commission is holding a public hearing on Thursday, September 21, on a proposal that would require cat and dog owners to spay/neuter their dogs by the age of 6 months or pay a $200 fee for an intact animal permit. The proposal offer a few exceptions, however AKC believes that the […]

The Guilford County (NC) Commission is holding a public hearing this afternoon, Thursday, September 21, at 5PM, on a proposal that would require cat and dog owners to spay/neuter their dogs by the age of 6 months or pay a $200 fee for an intact animal permit.

The Guilford County (NC) Commission is holding a second hearing on Thursday, October 5, on a proposal that would require the sterilization of all dogs over 6 months old in the county unless you pay a $200 permit for every intact dog you own, with very few vague exemptions that will not protect responsible dog […]

ASK AKC Dear AKC: I have a question about the possibility of registering my Scottish Terrier with AKC. At the time of purchase I was given an application from another kennel club's registry because the father of the puppy was AKC registered but the mother was not. Does this mean my Scottie can NOT be […]

A relatively rare breed, the Chinook is an all-purpose sled dog developed for drafting and sled dog racing. This is an athletic breed that is equally at home on the trail or cuddling on the couch with his human family. Here are seven interesting facts about this dignified and affectionate dog. 1. The official state […]

As recent history has shown, many anti-breeder animal rights extremists continuously advocate for incremental breeding and sales restrictions that they hope will eventually lead to outright bans on all animal breeding and ownership.  They collectively consider all breeders and pet stores as substandard and inherently not interested in practicing or promoting animal welfare.  These politically-aware […]

  For over 130 years, the American Kennel Club has been dedicated to protecting and promoting the health and well-being of dogs. This is reflected in AKC events, public education initiatives, inspections, and many programs that celebrate and encourage responsible dog breeding and the preservation of purebred dogs. At its April meeting, the AKC Board […]

The Boone County (IN) Board of Commissioners is considering a proposal on Monday, November 20, that would mandate the spaying and neutering of all dogs owned by county residents by the year 2020.

  Purebred dogs are purpose-bred dogs and come in all shapes and sizes. The characteristics that make each of these dogs unique also help them perform the function for which they were bred. The physical appearance of the dogs illustrates this, and is also an important part of the breed’s history. For example, the thick […]

by Lacey Herbel "Don't chew on that!" "Bad puppy! We don't potty inside!" "No! No! No! Stop barking!" When buying a new puppy, many people find that they don't come already trained. There are plenty of things that need to be tweaked before beginning training for a herding dog. Many times a new or even […]

The Boone County (IN) Board of Commissioners postponed a vote on a bill that would mandate the spaying and neutering of all dogs owned by county residents by the year 2020.

The Boone County (IN) Board of Commissioners postponed a vote on a bill that would mandate the spaying and neutering of all dogs owned by county residents by the year 2020.

On Saturday and Sunday, August 15-16, the weekend of AKC obedience and rally trials at On The Run! Canine Center in Ham Lake, Minnesota, arrived—and with it heat and humidity, as is typical for this time of year. But that didn’t stop local dog folks from showing up early to help set up and run the annual Cambridge […]

By AKC Field Representative Jim Odle Bassett Hound Field Trials are exciting and a lot fun for the hound and huntsman. These events date back to the 1930's. Basset field trials are designed and conducted for the purpose of selecting those hounds that display sound quality and ability to the best advantage. Shortly after the […]

Bassett Hound Field Trials are exciting and a lot fun for the hound and huntsman. These events date back to the 1930's. Basset field trials are designed and conducted for the purpose of selecting those hounds that display sound quality and ability to the best advantage. Shortly after the formation of the Basset Hound Club […]

Teaching Responsible Dog Ownership A sample CGC course outline (for an 8 week class) is provided at the bottom of this page to help instructors who are planning a class. Please remember that the CGC concept applies to both ends of the leash and all CGC classes should include training for the owner on responsible […]

Ways to Increase the Chance of TV News Coverage for Your Dog Show TV crews are eager to cover local stories and your hometown dog show easily fits the bill. Even if there may be a bigger dog show, your local show can serve as a lead-up, building anticipation toward larger shows. Luck sometimes plays […]

Santa Fe Dog Owners Face Stringent Breeding Restrictions Attention Santa Fe fanciers! The city council is considering a strict breeding ordinance that could severely impact your ability to breed and show dogs. Key Points of the Proposed Law: Professional animal care permits and annual inspections for anyone involved in breeding animals. A city business license […]

Congratulations to Ann Arbor fanciers on successfully opposing an ordinance that would have restricted breeding rights and limited pet ownership. The measure, which was rejected by the City Council on December 15th, would have required mandatory spay/neuter of dogs unless owners purchased a breeder's permit. Among other onerous provisions, the proposal would additionally have prohibited […]

In light of overwhelming opposition from purebred dog fanciers and other concerned animal owners, Sen. Sam Helton has withdrawn his support from SB1130. Staff members for the Senator have confirmed that the bill, which would have required mandatory spay/neuter for all animals unless one purchased an expensive license, will not be introduced next week when […]

The Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and Breeders reports that the Senate Rules Committee decisively voted 15-1 to oppose SJR37 at Friday's public hearing. Only Senator Potts, sponsor of the resolution, voted in favor of it. The vote sends a strong message that legislators will not tolerate proposals for studies with a predetermined outcome, which […]

In recent months, responsible breeders all across the country have faced an increasing threat of restrictions on their right to breed, both at the municipal and state level. The defeat of proposed legislation in Virginia and Oklahoma was a positive victory for the purebred dog fancy, but introduction of similar proposals is likely in the […]

Following a recent telephone call from Co-Chairman Howard, the AKC is strongly urging purebred dog owners and clubs in North Carolina to refrain from submitting additional correspondence to members of the committee, including e-mails. We further believe that continued correspondence may actually hinder the progress we have made to date. North Carolina legislators have been […]