On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, the Land Development Regulation Commission of Marion County, Florida, will hold  a public hearing on “Limitations on Ownership and Possession of Dogs and Cats for unincorporated areas of the county”.  The proposal includes updated, restrictive definitions impacting dog ownership in the county, including commercial breeder (new), high volume breeder (new), […]

December 28, 2023 On Thursday, January 4, 2024, the New Hampshire (NH) Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hear public testimony on SB 541, which will restrict newly defined “retail pet stores,” including anyone with a physical facility who transfers more than 30 dogs per year at retail.  Residents and New Hampshire breeders are […]

In late June, the AKC Government Relations team joined members of the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs (NJFDC) for their annual lobby day at the state capitol in Trenton.   A new video provides a glimpse into the message, hard work and accomplishments of that day. Federation members brought several dogs to help meet and […]

Election results are being finalized across the country and there’s a new crop of lawmakers in Congress, statehouses, and local communities across the country. Now is a good time to reach out to your newly-elected legislators. This month’s Taking Command includes a communications action plan for dog advocates so you can start now in taking […]

Make no mistake about it, dog sport competitors are no different than finely tuned human athletes. These dogs long to get in the ring and give it their best, while performing in concert with their handlers. In the process, doggy dynamics are accented with plenty of psychological gymnastics. If ever there was a prototype for […]

  This year’s national specialty for the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America (WSSCA) was held in late April during the Cherry Blossom Cluster in Maryland. We enjoyed four days of competition and camaraderie, and it only rained once! (In 2011 we held our national specialty in Pennsylvania during “The Great Harrisburg Flood.”) Welsh Springer […]

In 1977, 14-year-old Maris Sienstecker read about a pregnant blue whale dying a slow death on a whaling dock. The story upset the teenager to such an extent that she and her mother resolved to help other marine mammals avoid a similar fate. Together they founded Save the Whales. The Seaside, California organization dedicated its […]

  -- Lee Arnold, Carl C. Ashby, III, Alan Kalter, and Dr. Robert D. Smith Elected -- The Annual Meeting of the AKC Delegates took place on March 10, 2009. Four new Directors have been elected: Lee Arnold, Delegate from the Southern Colorado Kennel Club; Carl C. Ashby, III, Delegate from the United States Kerry Blue […]

AKC RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP DAYS RETURNS FOR ITS 15TH YEAR: HOST AN EVENT!

New York – The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is gearing up for the 14th annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days (AKC RDO Days) this summer and fall when hundreds of clubs and dog organizations around the country will host free events to educate the public about the responsibilities and unlimited joys of dog ownership.   […]