The City of Palm Springs will formally introduce a proposal tomorrow (July 11) that will ban all “backyard breeding”, defined as any breeding for a business or commercial purpose on residential property. Those who reside or exhibit in Palm Springs are strongly encouraged to contact the city council TODAY and ask them to oppose the […]

March 15, 2019 A bill making numerous changes to Iowa’s breeder laws continues to move through the Iowa House of Representatives. While some changes are a positive advancement, there are many concerning provisions that could unnecessarily harm dogs and responsible dog owners and breeders. Due to Iowa legislative procedures, House Study Bill 227, which passed […]

Yesterday, California’s 2025 legislative session came to a close as Governor Gavin Newsom had a midnight deadline to act on bills that landed on his desk. AKC appreciates all who helped throughout the year to protect the rights of responsible dog owners; we are most successful when working together. Your actions made a difference for […]

Election Day is right around the corner. On Tuesday, November 8, all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate, 36 governorships, and many other state and local elections will be contested. To preserve the future of purebred dogs, it’s important to identify dog-friendly candidates and […]

Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to assist dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can’t help unless we are aware of the proposal. Please contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org when new laws are discussed or introduced […]

As the summer sun officially greets us, so too does a renewed sense of purpose within the dog-loving community. From backyard barbecues to dog shows and family vacations, this season brings countless opportunities to celebrate the special bond we share with our canine companions. Yet, behind the scenes, significant legislative and educational efforts are unfolding […]

In 2020 the dogs are taking their talents to the Javits Center in New York City when The American Kennel Club (AKC®) hosts its annual AKC Meet The Breeds® on January 25-26th, 2020. This family-friendly, educational extravaganza gives animal lovers the unique opportunity to meet and play with hundreds of adorable dogs while learning about […]

Not all of the judging at a dog show takes place in the ring. As a breeder-exhibitor, your demeanor and interactions with others will be judged from the moment you set foot on the showgrounds. Stewards, the superintendent and AKC field staff, the show committee, the media, fellow exhibitors, and, perhaps most importantly, the public, […]

As any attendee can attest to, AKC's eighth annual Meet the Breeds event was a day full of excitement, education, and of course, fun. There were big dogs, small dogs, and even cats! Piers 92 and 94 were abuzz with talks of agility, responsible pet ownership, and of course, people deciding which breed was their […]

The American Kennel Club is sponsoring the third annual AKC® Responsible Dog Ownership Day (AKC RDO Day) on September 17th. It is one of our most popular initiatives for fanciers and pet lovers alike. In honor of AKC’s founding, on September 17, 1884, AKC initiated a public awareness campaign for current and future dog owners […]