--AKC ® Recommends Parents Teach Responsible Dog Ownership - Put "My First AKC Puppy Kit" by Steiff Under the Tree-- New York , N.Y. - A cute, cuddly puppy is tops on many Christmas lists this year. Tempting though it may be to grant your children's holiday wish, the holidays are not the ideal time […]

In honor of past and future AKC® award winners crowned and celebrated at the Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show I am pleased to announce that the AKC has recently installed a “Wall of Fame” at the American Kennel Club Library in New York City. Joining the 18,000 volumes of canine works and rare books […]

Yesterday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a breed-specific ordinance that will require "pit bull" owners in the city and county to spay or neuter their dogs unless they obtain a $100 breeding permit. The legislation defines "pit bulls" as American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and any dog […]

In honor of past and future AKC® award winners crowned and celebrated at the Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show I am pleased to announce that the AKC has recently installed a “Wall of Fame” at the American Kennel Club Library in New York City. Joining the 18,000 volumes of canine works and rare books […]

  American Kennel Club Chief Operating Officer, John Lyons, today announced the retirement of two longtime Executive Field Representatives, Kay Radcliffe and Harriette Borsuch. Radcliffe was employed as an Executive Field Representative since March, 1983 and brought to her position years of experience as a Yorkshire Terrier breeder, and AKC Licensed Judge. Borsuch, a former […]

  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced today that any imported dog or bitch registered with the AKC on or after March 1, 2006 will be required to have an AKC DNA profile prior to registering their first litter whelped in the United States. The policy will require any imported dogs or bitches that sire […]

The City of El Paso's Health and Public Safety Legislative Committee will hear a new animal control ordinance at its October 12th meeting. The proposal - a complete rewrite of the city's animal code - contains a $75 litter permit and restricts breeders to only one litter per year. Additionally, owners will be required to […]

New York , NY — The American Kennel Club (AKC ® ) is pleased to announce the new AKC Official Litter Certificate for breeders. The Litter Certificate is a beautiful, multi-colored document tracing three generations of a litter's lineage. In addition to a gold-stamped, framable Litter Certificate each breeder who orders the new product will […]

  New York, NY — The American Kennel Club (AKC ®) announced today that Gail A. LaBerge of Buford , Georgia , has been named a recipient of the AKC Community Achievement Award for her efforts defending and protecting the interests of the canine community. The Georgia Canine Coalition, a group in which she serves […]

  -- Transfer Fees Eliminated for Online Registrations -- The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the debut of a new service that enables individual dog owners to more quickly and easily register their dogs at www.akc.org. Beginning today, AKC is issuing dog registration applications containing a unique PIN code. Puppy registrants who […]

Plus, Hairless Breeds: Nothing To Sneeze At  While no dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic, there are many breeds which the American Kennel Club (AKC®) suggests people with allergies consider. Most of these breeds have non-shedding coats, which produce less dander. It's the dander, not the hair, which causes most pet allergies. For those who can't […]

Under the guise of updating Albuquerque's animal control ordinance to help reduce euthanasia rates at local animal shelters, City Councilor Sally Mayer has instead proposed sweeping changes that would drastically limit fanciers' ability to breed and own dogs, while doing little to address the city's problems with irresponsible ownership. The proposal is currently set for […]

  Raleigh, NC — AKC® Chief Operating Officer John Lyons today announced the appointment of Mary N. Dukes, Riverside, CA, to AKC Executive Field Representative. Dukes is replacing Peter Gaeta, who recently left the position to become AKC Director of Judging Operations. With more than 30 years in the sport, Dukes will cover all shows […]

  Raleigh, NC -- AKC® Chief Operating Officer John Lyons today announced the promotion of Peter Gaeta from Executive Field Representative to Director of Judging Operations. Gaeta, who will replace Mary Ann Alston following her retirement in July, brings a wealth of experience in AKC regulations and the sport of purebred dogs to his new […]

-- Click here for more information about PAWS -- --Monday June, 13 AKC Delegate Meeting, Chicago IL Remarks from Dr. James Holt, AKC's Legislative Liaison Regarding the Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005-- The Chair now calls on Dr. James Holt, AKC's Legislative Liaison to address this body. Dr. Holt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and […]

The Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture will hear H1346, a commercial breeder bill, on Monday, June 20th at 1 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Sunderland Public Library 20 School Street, Sunderland. It is critical that large numbers of fanciers attend the hearing. Please contact the Massachusetts Federation of Dog […]

The AKC is committed to maintaining the freedoms we deserve and are fortunate to enjoy when it comes to owning, breeding and showing dogs. We are firmly opposed to any unreasonable infringement on the rights of hobby breeders who are dedicated to nurturing our beloved breeds and responsibly enjoying our sport. With this in mind, […]

-- Click here for more information about PAWS --   -- Board Reaffirms Support of Proposed Legislation --   Chicago, IL - At a meeting of the American Kennel Club (AKC®) Board of Directors today, the Board reaffirmed their position to support the principles in the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) of 2005, a bill […]

-- Click here for more information about PAWS -- The following is an interview with AKC's federal government relations consultant Jim Holt in response to dog owners' questions about PAWS. The article originally appeared in Dog News June 10th, 2005. Who is regulated under current law and how would PAWS change that? In simple terms, […]

-- Click here for more information about PAWS -- To help dog owners better understand the recently introduced PAWS legislation, please see the bill analysis below as prepared by Dr. James Holt, AKC's federal government relations consultant. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS OF S. 1139/H.R. 2669, THE "PET ANIMAL WELFARE STATUTE" (PAWS) INTRODUCED MAY 26, 2005. […]

-- Click here for more information about PAWS --   On May 26, 2005 Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced legislation which will bring under federal regulation persons who import large numbers of dogs for resale, individuals who sell dogs at retail through the internet or the mass media, and high volume breeders who sell dogs […]

-- Click here for more information about PAWS --   On May 26, 2005 Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced legislation which will bring under coverage of the federal Animal Welfare Act some persons who import dogs for resale or sell dogs at retail through the internet or the mass media which they did not breed […]

Purebred dog owners in Austin—we need your help! The city's Animal Advisory Committee recently approved a proposal that could have a devastating impact on our sport. The measure, which now goes to the City Council for consideration, includes a mandatory spay/neuter provision for all dogs and cats over 6 months of age unless one purchases […]

There are currently two ordinances being proposed at the county level in Florida which have the potential to dramatically impact the rights of fanciers and hobby breeders. Your help is needed to defeat these proposals and protect the rights of Floridians to responsibly breed, show and own unaltered animals.   Palm Beach County Palm Beach […]

The American Kennel Club today announced that 58 Junior Scholarships have been awarded to students from 26 states. The scholarships for high school, college and graduate school students range from $1,000 to $5,000 each for a total of $100,000. "The Junior Scholarship program is a special way for AKC to honor the hard work and […]

On Wednesday, April 20th, the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners (Mass Fed) held its first-ever Lobby Day at the State House in Boston. The following is a summary of a report submitted by Charlotte McGowan, the federation’s Legislative Liaison. We extend our congratulations to all who participated in this very successful […]

  Small dogs—those weighing less than 20 pounds—have held a steady place in the hearts of Americans over the past four years according to American Kennel Club registration statistics. Since 2000, four of the top ten most popular breeds have been small dogs, indicating that while Americans may be gravitating towards bigger cars and appetites […]

  Clubs Invited to Hold Educational Events For AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to announce that the third annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day will be held on Saturday, September 17th (the day the AKC was founded in 1884). The goal of the initiative is to educate first-time […]

New York, NY – The American Kennel Club (AKC) announced today that Charlotte McGowan has been named a recipient of the AKC Community Achievement Award for her diligent work on legislative matters of interest to the dog fancy. She was one of two honorees this quarter – Port Chester Obedience Training Club of Port Chester, […]

HB1128 has resurfaced in Illinois with amended language that will directly impact anyone who shows and/or breeds dogs. Fanciers will recall that this bill originally would have permitted cities and counties to enact breed-specific laws. Dog owners successfully convinced legislators not to support such language and were pleased to learn that Rep. Jerry Mitchell had […]