On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, the New Hampshire House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee will discuss and vote on House Bill 1308, which seeks to ban the capture, possession, and propagation of hares and rabbits for hunting dog training and field trials.  At the committee’s public hearing on January 14, The American Kennel […]

On Friday, January 14, 2022, the New Hampshire House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1308, which would ban the capture, possession, and propagation of hares and rabbits for hunting dog training and field trials.  If adopted, HB 1308 would effectively prohibit beagle clubs from continuing to […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that, as early as January, New Hampshire House Bill 1308 will have a legislative hearing, during which lawmakers will decide whether beagle clubs should continue to be allowed to host field trials and capture 20 wild hare annually for purposes of training their scent hounds.  If adopted, the bill […]

Every dog has a job. The job of hunting furred game over rough terrain or heavy brush requires, first and foremost, a great nose to find the scent of the prey. The dog needs to move on the trail at a speed that allows the hunter to follow on foot, and he must have the […]

Hunting with dogs is an exciting way to channel your dog's natural instincts. Learn some basics about how to safely hunt with your dog and how to train them to work in the field.

There’s an old Czech saying, “Like dog, like master,” and this applies to no one better than Frantisek Horak, the creator of the Cesky Terrier. Horak persevered through World War II and a communist revolution with terrier-like determination to create his vision of a new hunting breed, the Cesky Terrier— perhaps the only breed with […]

Animal rights activists are currently collecting signatures in Oregon to place a measure on the 2022 ballot that would have a detrimental impact on hunting, many breeding procedures, and other animal husbandry practices in the state. Oregon Initiative Petition 13 claims to be stopping animal cruelty practices in the state, but instead would essentially ban […]

Today during its work session, the Maine Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife members considered testimony on LD 1265. The American Kennel Club (AKC) had issued an alert and testified expressing opposition to the bill, as introduced.  Although the title of the bill states it is intended to control the hunting of coyotes, the […]

On Monday, May 3, starting at 10am, the Maine Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will hear testimony on LD 1265.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is concerned that, although the title of the bill states it is intended to control the hunting of coyotes, the bill, as introduced, could impact all hunting dogs.  […]

On Wednesday March 24 at 1:30pm, the House Environment and Transportation will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 200.   As mentioned in a previous alert, Senate Bill 200 seek to prohibit contests where the sole objective is the killing of certain wildlife for prizes or monetary awards.  It further clarifies that any prohibition will not apply to […]

Over the past few weeks, the Standing Committees of the Maryland Legislature have been busy holding hearings on numerous bills in preparation for floor action by the full House and Senate. Here are some updates on bills of interest to Maryland dog owners.  Scroll down for the latest information and how you can take action […]

The Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Friday, January 15, 2021, on House Bill 293, and the Maryland Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Thursday, January 21, 2021, on Senate Bill 200.  These identical bills seek to prohibit contests where […]

Fall brings its own rhythm and sounds. After the long days of summer, it is almost a relief to enjoy the gap between summer and winter. The soft rustle of leaves gliding on chilly winds, the muted sounds of birds still hanging around before undertaking their migrations, and the tinkling sounds of bells all tell […]

Curiosity didn’t just kill the cat. It did in the duck, too. Over the centuries, bird hunters have come up with creative ways to close in on their quacking prey, in part by breeding specific dogs to help in that endeavor. Centuries ago, hunters in the Netherlands came up with perhaps the most outside-the-box idea for […]

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the regulations for hunting contests. In Washington, permits are issued to non-profit organizations to hold a hunting contest, whereby a monetary prize of up to $2,000 may be offered to the contest participant who harvests the most animals.  WDFW […]

As strong as it is swift, the Borzoi was bred for centuries to course fox, boar, hare and, famously, wolf – hence its moniker, the Russian Wolfhound.

Though we often don’t think about them in this way, dogs are really about people — those long-ago (or, sometimes, not so long-ago) figures who developed particular breeds for particular tasks. Some breeds — like the Doberman Pinscher, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, and Cesky Terrier — owe their existence to just one visionary person. Other breeds were brought into being […]

The California State Legislature has voted to suspend its 2020 session from March 20 until April 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the situation remains fluid, those dates may change. As such, California Senate Bill 1041, legislation that bans hunting deer with dogs, was originally scheduled to be heard in the Senate Committee on […]

The California Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, March 24, that ostensibly bans the use of dogs for deer hunting.  This is a follow-up to a bill passed in 2019 that banned bobcat hunting in the state. Supporters of Senate Bill 1041 characterize hunting with dogs […]

Sometimes called “edible gold," truffles are likely part of some of your favorite gourmet dishes. But did you know that dogs can be trained to hunt for them? Commonly found from Northern California up throughout Washington and into British Columbia, truffles are fungi that grow at the base of trees. As hard as they are […]