Earlier this week, the American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted a response to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (USDA APHIS) February 2026 Request for Information (RFI) regarding the health of breeding females, and the exercise and socialization needs of all dogs, kept by breeders licensed under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
AKC’s submission reiterates the organization’s long-standing concern with the ongoing lack of a clear definition for the term “breeding female” in AWA regulations. It also emphasizes the paramount importance of brood bitch health in breeding, and explains how responsible breeders rely on the latest information and expert guidance to provide the best care to breeding females. AKC also highlights the crucial roles that socialization and exercise practices play in ensuring that dogs are confident and well adjusted. Throughout the document, AKC calls for flexibility to remain a hallmark of the AWA’s dog care regulations, which allows breeders to tailor care, exercise, and socialization and play practices for the breed maintained and to meet the needs of individual dogs.
Click here to read AKC’s response to APHIS’s information request (PDF download).
AKC will continue to provide information and calls to action on federal legislation and regulatory issues. For more information, contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.