The American Kennel Club (AKC) learned today that an ordinance that seeks to significantly amend Metro Nashville/Davidson County (TN) animal law will receive a second vote tomorrow, June 7, 2022. What you can do:  Animal owners are urged to contact their council members IMMEDIATELY to express concerns and ask them to not approve the ordinance […]

Six legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: California – Last month, Governor Newsom signed a package of bills (AB 506, AB 519, and SB 312) to address the issue of fraudulent dog sales in California.  AB 506 and SB 312 […]

Twenty legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: Delaware – HB 131 This Act prohibits retail pet stores from selling dogs or cats. It further authorizes retail pet stores to collaborate with animal shelters and animal rescue organizations to offer space […]

Forty-seven legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:  Arizona – Senate Bill 1457 would establish a new Office of Domestic Companion Animal Health within the Office of the State Veterinarian.  It would, in part require “all backyard breeders and hobby breeders […]

Six legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: California – SB 221 expands the definition of stalking to include threats against a person's animals. This would bring California into alignment with federal law. The bill has advanced out of the state […]

Five legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: California – SB 221 expands the definition of stalking to include threats against a person's animals. This would bring California into alignment with federal law. AKC supports this bill, which was signed by […]

Seven legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: California – SB 221 expands the definition of stalking to include threats against a person's animals. This would bring California into alignment with federal law. The bill has advanced out of the state […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Arkansas –  An executive order signed by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson extends certain liability protections to businesses that open or remain open during the COVID-19 health emergency.  Among other provisions, persons and their employees, agents, and officers shall be immune from civil liability for damages […]

If you're at your first AKC Trick Dog Event, you may hear some terms you don't recognize. Here's what people are saying, and what it all means.

Watch a dog show in action this Easter. The Kennel Club of Beverly Hills Dog Show in Pomona, California will be televised Easter Sunday, April 21, on NBC affiliates nationwide. It’s at the top of every breeder’s wish list: the once-clueless “pet person” who is now willing – even eager – to show their promising new […]

If you are anticipating Hurricane Irma hitting your area, here are resources to find pet-friendly shelters where you can seek refuge with your pets. Georgia Georgia Emergency Management - Hurricane Irma Check for updates on Hurricane Irma. Chatham County There will be no local shelters for pets during any category of hurricane. Most if not all […]

The American Kennel Club is the world's largest registry of purebred dogs, and uses these statistics to rank the most popular breeds — and the rarest breeds. The numbers are in: these are the rarest dog breeds according to AKC registration statistics. In 2025, 202 total breeds were counted in the registration statistics. In 2026, […]

While all dogs should have a basic soundness, their construction varies depending on breed and purpose. Understanding a dog's conformation requires looking at the canine from all angles. Even though there is nothing you can do to change your current dog's genetics, you can prevent injury and work on strengthening weak areas. Let's be honest: […]

Cadaver dogs are specially trained to use their sense of smell to locate human remains and alert people to them. Because these dogs can detect scent that is buried or even underwater, they are often deployed with their handlers alongside law enforcement during searches for missing people. In these situations, a cadaver dog can save […]

THE FOLLOWING DOGS HAVE EARNED VCD TITLES ON THE DATES LISTED BELOW: VCD1 1/5/2013.  Eastern Waters' Makai Wind VCD1 BN RN, RET-CHES. Owned by: Doreen W Palmer/Gary W Palmer of COLUMBIA, CT. VCD1 1/6/2013.  Rogue Gaia Kuymal VCD2 HSAs MX MXJ MJB MXF, BEL SHP. Owned by: David Vesely/Joan Hagar of CORVALLIS, OR. VCD1 1/6/2013.  K-Tai Sey What? […]

THE FOLLOWING DOGS HAVE EARNED VCD TITLES ON THE DATES LISTED BELOW FOR 2012: VCCH 3/25/2012. TC OTCH CT Outburst Chasing Butterflies UDX RAE HSAds HSBds HIAds HIBd HXAds MXB MJB NAP OJP, BRDR COLLS. Owned by: Gerianne F Darnell of COUNCIL BLFS, IA. VCCH 6/2/2012. VCCH MACH3 Redwoods Sea Fox UDX3 OM3 RE MXC MJB2 MXF THD, […]

THE FOLLOWING DOGS HAVE EARNED VCD TITLES ON THE DATES LISTED BELOW: Versatile Companion Dog 1 (VCD1) 1/10/2010. GCH CH Gebeba Clancy Poetic Justice VCD1 RAE OA AXJ, PBGV Owned by: Megan Esherick/David Esherick/Betty Barth/George Barth of LEESPORT, PA. 1/16/2010. CH Sunbreak's Rainman Of Hapines VCD1 RN MX MXJ NF, SPAN-ENGCKR Owned by: Cathy Dutra of NEWARK, […]

The following dogs have earned VCD titles on the dates listed below: 1/4/2014 VCD1 Nocturne's Gabriel II VCD2 UDX2 OM1  GSD.  Owned by: Timothy A Muldowney of ROCKFORD, IL. 1/5/2014 VCD1 GCH DC Sanyati's Savanna Shasha VCD2 RE MC LCX MX MXJ CGC  RHORIDGE.  Owned by: Michael Miller/Suzanne Miller of HILLSBORO, OR. 1/5/2014 VCD1 MACH Pebblemist's Holiday Garland VCD1 RN MXB MJB CGC  DACH. […]

  The American Kennel Club created the Foundation Stock Service® (FSS®) to answer the needs of today's rare breed fanciers. The Foundation Stock Service® is an optional record-keeping service for all purebred breeds not currently registrable with the American Kennel Club. Originally the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) program was used to bring in breeds such […]

Order AKC DNA + Health Kit Activate AKC DNA Kit DNA Resource Center All AKC DNA + Health Kits include: The AKC DNA Profile of 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes 328 genetic variants for health and traits, including coat color Results are delivered by our trusted service provider (Neogen) with the […]