With tax day looming on April 15, Americans are busy exploring every possible opportunity for deductions on their tax return. But, before you consider deducting dog-related costs as a business expense, two important steps should be taken. First, consult a professional tax advisor to guide you through the U.S. tax code’s tangled thicket of laws, […]

Having a dog is great. Renting an apartment with a dog can be another story. When you find a rental apartment or condo that accepts dogs, you will probably have to pay a pet deposit, and if you own a large dog, you might have to introduce your pet to your prospective landlord to show […]

The first step in navigating any culture is learning its etiquette: Never blow your nose at the dinner table in Japan, avoid public displays of affection in Sweden, and expect to encounter close talkers in Spain. A vibrant subculture in its own right, the dog-show world also has unspoken rules of conduct that might not […]

We love our animals. Pets are bona fide, highly valued members of the family — sometimes more valued than the human members — but not all rental building landlords feel so warm and fuzzy about four-legged tenants. Despite the fact that an estimated 72 percent of renters have pets, many landlords simply don’t allow dogs […]

Finding a pet-friendly apartment or other rental can be a hassle for just about everyone these days‚ no matter who you are. Just ask Major League Baseball pitcher Sean Doolittle and his girlfriend, Eireann Dolan. When Doolittle played for the Oakland Athletics, the couple spent the off season hunting for a dream apartment in the […]

Alexis Chism is a third-generation breeder of Afterhours German Wirehaired Pointers in Reddick, Florida. She has spent her entire young life of 17 years with the breed, attending dog shows with her mother from a very young age.  AKC: How did you get started in breeding dogs? Alexis: My grandparents acquired their first German Wirehaired Pointer after raising Boxers and […]

Since acquiring their first Labrador Retriever over 20 years ago, Brenda and Ken Neil, AKC's 2019 Breeders of the Year for Retriever Field Events, have been among the breed's biggest champions. While that first Lab's life was sadly cut short, the Neils are a long way from heartbreak now. Today, they invite as many black Labrador […]

When you live in an apartment or high-rise, the logistics of getting a puppy outside when they have to go potty gets more difficult.

As 2016 drew to a close, Lydia Smith and her family were looking to bring another dog into their lives. Having shared their Texas Hill Country home with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Koki for several years, they decided to add another member of the beloved Herding Group breed to the mix.  While researching Corgi […]

What do you think of when you hear the word Poodle? For many, it’s an overdone diva—big hair, polished toenails, and a phony French accent. Poodles are often described as “froufrou” dogs, a slur that means prissy and high-maintenance. The image has been widely embraced, even in the wonderful world of Disney, where dogs are […]

Of the top five breeds registered by the American Kennel Club, two have never won the sought-after Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

At the 144th iteration of the famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in New York City's cavernous Madison Square Garden, judge Robert H. Slay pointed to “Siba" the black Standard Poodle for Best in Show. That win — in an entry of almost 2,600 dogs — marked the fifth time one of these elaborately […]

For Nuri the Azawakh, the green synthetic turf of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a far cry from the Tennessee greenery to which this 6-year-old Sighthound is accustomed. Rest assured, plenty of attention is focused on the breed's inaugural appearance at one of America's most well-known dog shows. Nuri and her owner Vicki Williams, […]

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death among women, but could pets be part of the solution? A recent study by the American Heart Association finds that dog ownership is associated with a 33% lower risk of death for heart attack survivors and a 27 percent reduced risk of death for stroke survivors. To […]

For Anne Brastow, Obedience and Agility are all about daunting physical and psychological challenges with each step in the ring. But, you're probably asking yourself, isn't that the case for many? That may be true, but when the Bellevue, Washington, owner-handler competes in both AKC dog sports, she's doing so from a powered wheelchair. Consequently, her 7-year-old, multi-titled Cavalier King Charles […]

Please note that AKC Meet the Breeds-Philadelphia has been postponed. You may still submit art. If you have questions, please contact us at publiced@akc.org. Do you love art, dogs and winning prizes? Then we have great news! The American Kennel Club is hosting an art contest for students in grades K through college. The top […]

It All Starts with Confidence This issue’s training tip is brought to us by Valerie Dietz of O’Fallon, IL. Valerie has learned through experience the importance of building confidence in her dogs.  She has enjoyed much success with her two All-Americans, Sally & Shani, in several sports. Sally, 10, has earned eight MACH titles in […]

AKC Title Recognition Program – New Title Holders  The AKC works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC- registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association […]

Competition & Title Updates  We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, and Tracking. AGILITY Congratulations to the winners at the 2019 AKC Agility Invitational AKC Canine Partners congratulates the All-American Dogs and their owners who competed and won honors at the AKC […]

Two ordinances on the agenda of the Collier County, Florida, Board of County Commissioners meeting for February 25, 2020, seek to establish overreaching and onerous regulations for both hobby breeders and commercial breeders.  Concerned dog owners are urged to immediately contact County Commissioners and attend the meeting on Tuesday. Under current law, all breeders, including […]

Congratulations to AKC’s New Hampshire federation, the Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS), and breeders and owners for their ongoing successful advocacy campaign.   Consistent with AKC and NH DOGS testimony and recommendations, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted as follows: HB 1683 – criminalize the cropping/docking, dewclaw removal or debarking of a […]

Different versions of bills regulating leaving dogs outdoors and allowing localities to arbitrarily pass laws regulating the care of dogs continue to move in Virginia.  The House ACNR Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, February 19, to conform Senate Bill 272 for possible action later in the week. Summary of Legislative Activity: Update on […]

The Detroit City Council will be holding a public hearing on two proposals meant to address dangerous dog and animal control concerns in the city.  The proposals are being brought forward after the tragic death of a child in August 2019 that occurred after her neighbor’s dogs escaped from their yard.  The American Kennel Club […]

A problematic Rhode Island House bill, H. 7361, regarding Contested Pet Ownership, is scheduled for public hearing by the House Judiciary Committee on February 12, 2020.  The bill would allow an individual to bring a complaint in equity to the district court during dispute over pet ownership of formerly cohabitating people and ask the court […]

Bills regulating leaving dogs outdoors and allowing localities to arbitrarily pass laws regulating the care of dogs continue to move in Virginia.  Virginia residents are strongly encouraged to contact their State Delegate and Senator TODAY and express concerns on these bills (Scroll down for contact information). Summary: The Virginia Senate ACNR Committee recently passed Senate […]

Yesterday, several committees of the Massachusetts General Court took procedural action on dog-related bills.  Some bills were ordered to study, which means that they will likely not be considered for the remainder of the legislative session, while others had their deadlines for further consideration extended. BILLS SENT TO STUDY: The Joint Judiciary Committee ordered multiple […]

Tuesday, February 4, 2020 This bill has been removed from the February 5 agenda and AKC Government Relations will update when developments warrant. Monday, February 3, 2020 The American Kennel Club is concerned with Hawaii House Bill 2163.  The bill, introduced by Representative Roy Mitsuo Takumi, seeks to limit the practices of surgical births, debarking, […]

An Iowa House Subcommittee is scheduled to consider a bill on Wednesday, February 5, that contains several provisions updating current laws to protect dog ownership. Those who reside or participate in dog events in Iowa are encouraged to contact the subcommittee members prior to Wednesday’s hearing and express your support for the provisions of House […]

The Virginia full Senate ACNR Committee is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 272 TOMORROW (Tuesday, February 4).  This is the Senate version of House Bill 1552.  Both bills seek to modify or include provisions that were not included in the tethering legislation that was just passed and became law last session.  Unlike House Bill 1552, […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2020 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2020. The 2020 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]