"Do you spend so much time grooming your dogs that there is not enough time left for you?" Well, here is your opportunity to be transformed! "A Makeover Story", which airs at noon and 12:30pm EST on TLC (The Learning Channel) has contacted the AKC Communications department and is seeking two active dog-show breeder/exhibitors to […]

The Canine Legislation department strongly urges purebred dog owners to carefully review the draft prior to preparing their comments for the public hearing on April 6th. We appreciate your efforts and will continue to post updates on AKC's Web site for updates as they become available.   NC Fanciers: April 6th Hearing Approaching [Wednesday, March […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce the promotion of Bobby Birdsong to Director of Event Operations. Birdsong brings a tremendous amount of experience in operations management and the sport of purebred dogs to his new position. Birdsong, who has been employed at the American Kennel Club since 1995, has over thirty years experience […]

There is an update to this article.   As a reminder, the House Interim Committee on the Prevention and Disposition of Unwanted and Abandoned Companion Animals will present the first draft of legislation designed to address North Carolina's animal care and control problems to the public on April 6th. The Committee will meet at 10 […]

  At the AKC Delegate Meeting on March 8, Dr. Thomas M. Davies, Walter F. Goodman and Ronald H. Menaker were re-elected to the AKC Board of Directors, Class of 2008. Ronald H. Menaker was re-elected Chairman of the Board and David C. Merriam was re-elected Vice-Chairman at a meeting of the AKC Board of […]

As part of our efforts to protect the rights of responsible dog owners and breeders, the American Kennel Club is continuing its daily communication with North Carolina legislators. We have been told that thanks to overwhelming response from the purebred dog fancy, lawmakers have been made aware of our opposition to proposed breeding restrictions and […]

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 […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that as of February 23, 2004 individual Dog Registration Applications will be accepted online. This new service offers numerous benefits to both breeders and dog owners and follows the Online Litter Registration service launched by the AKC in October 2003. "This initiative marks another milestone in AKC […]

Attention North Carolina dog owners and breeders! Last fall, North Carolina co-speaker of the House Jim Black established the House Interim Committee on the Prevention and Disposition of Unwanted and Abandoned Companion Animals. Its purpose was to evaluate the state's animal care and control laws. Specifically, the committee was charged with studying North Carolina's animal […]

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 […]

As seen in the 1/18 issue of USA Weekend Magazine, the AKC has just released its registration numbers for 2003. For the 14th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, according to registration figures released today by the American Kennel Club*. Nearly three times as many Labs were registered […]

  American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery (AKC-CAR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sue Richey as Director of AKC-CAR. AKC-CAR was founded in 1995 to help reunite lost pets with their owners by providing 24-hour recovery services for microchipped and tattooed pets. Richey brings a wealth of experience in operations management and the […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that John Lyons has been elected to the position of Chief Operating Officer effective March 1, 2004. Lyons has over 30 years involvement in the sport of purebred dogs. He has served in numerous capacities including, breeder, exhibitor, multi-group judge, national and regional specialty chairperson, and AKC […]

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 […]

As thousands of exhibitors, judges and spectators converged in Long Beach, CA in anticipation of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, the AKC National Agility Championship and the AKC National Obedience Invitational, the AKC Gazette held its 3rd annual Gazette Forum. The lively discussion took place on Tuesday, December 2, and focused on the topic of international […]

Dennis brings years of experience and expertise to this position, having been involved in the fancy for 35 years as a breeder, exhibitor, club officer, judge and delegate, said Ronald H. Menaker, AKC Chairman of the Board. This expertise, coupled with the broad scope of his responsibilities over the last 15 years, make him most […]

In November 2003, the so-called "Puppy Protection Act" (PPA) was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) designated H.R. 3484. 36 co-sponsors have signed onto the bill. H.R. 3484 is virtually identical to the PPA introduced by Whitfield in the 107th Congress, except that it does not require setting federal "socialization" […]

  AKC Chairman Ron Menaker has appointed a committee to evaluate all areas of possible conflict of interest within the AKC and the sport. The committee will review conflict provisions now in place and make recommendations for possible modifications or additions, if deemed necessary. Its goal is a wide-ranging and thorough study of how, or […]

Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), the principal sponsor of the so-called "Puppy Protection Act" (PPA) in the 107th Congress has informed the American Kennel Club that he plans to introduce a modified version of the PPA in the near future. The new version of the PPA will be virtually identical to the original, except that it […]

  New Service Offers Ease and Convenience to AKC Customers The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that as of October 27, 2003 litter registrations will be accepted online. This will enable users to more quickly and easily register their litters at www.akc.org. This service is the first of many new services that AKC […]

  The American Kennel Club announced today that effective January 1, 2004, David Roberts will take over the duties of Dolores Alonso, Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Registration Services, who plans to retire at the end of 2003. Roberts, who is currently the AVP of Customer Relations, will maintain his current duties in addition to […]

  From the prestigious American Kennel Club and its official publication, the AKC Gazette, comes a heartwarming tribute to our cherished canine companions. In unforgettable images and words, (Ballantine Books Hardcover; October 14, 2003; $29.95) beautifully captures the enduring bond between dogs and the owners who love them. More than 75 full-color photographs are accompanied […]

Engaged as we all are in the world of purebred dogs, it is often easy to forget that legislators¾whom we must call on to help us protect our rights as dog owners and breeders and to ensure the continuation of our sport¾may know little about the AKC and the fancy beyond the conformation shows they […]

AKC has learned that the U.S. Supreme Court has denied the Doris Day Animal League's (DDAL) petition to appeal a case against the USDA that would have made all residential breeders of dogs and cats subject to federal licensing and inspection. The decision, which upholds an earlier ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for […]

In anticipation of the family film Good Boy! being released next week by MGM Pictures and Jim Henson Pictures, the American Kennel Club wants to remind moviegoers about the importance of making careful, educated decisions when considering adding a dog to their home. The AKC hopes to reiterate the message, which MGM responsibly included on […]

1942-2003 AKC Executive Field Representative Carol Hollands, who bred generations of Best in Show Pekingese, died of an apparent heart attack at her home in Enfield, Connecticut, on September 10. She was 61 years old. Hollands, daughter of breeder-handler Horace Hollands, grew up in the sport of dogs and was mentored by the likes of […]

We were delighted to learn that cumulative ratings indicated more people watched the last AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel than any other televised dog show.  Therefore our televised event is one of the most important vehicles we have to positively showcase AKC programs and the sport. One group that deserves special […]

  In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were launched in 1998 and are now in its sixth year of honoring the Fancy's best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of selfless effort have made significant contributions […]

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 […]