Thinking of Buying a Puppy? Find a Responsible Breeder. Don't be put off if a breeder isn't immediately responsive. Hobby breeders often have full-time jobs and they don't always have available puppies. Be selective. Find a responsible breeder who is knowledgeable and make sure you're comfortable with them. Visit the breeder's home or kennel and […]

California legislators are once again attempting to regulate hobby breeders. Introduced by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, AB2513 establishes the "Humane Control of Dog and Cat Overpopulation Act of 2004."   The bill will: Prohibit the sale of unaltered dogs and cats unless the seller has obtained a permit. Create two types of permits. The first will […]

In recent months, responsible breeders all across the country have faced an increasing threat of restrictions on their right to breed, both at the municipal and state level. The defeat of proposed legislation in Virginia and Oklahoma was a positive victory for the purebred dog fancy, but introduction of similar proposals is likely in the […]

Dog breeders in New Hampshire are being targeted by legislation that seeks to make them criminals. The legislation is scheduled for a committee hearing on Tuesday, March 5. Responsible dog breeders and owners across the country are needed to join the fight to defend the rights and reputations of purebred dog breeders and to respectfully […]

Wisconsin Representative Don Pridemore is currently asking legislators to sign on as co-sponsors to LRB 1798 - legislation that would change the definition of "dog breeder" in state law from those who sell 25 dogs per year to those who sell 50 dogs per year. The American Kennel Club strongly believes that all dogs should […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to report the successful completion of Texas' 2009 Legislative Session.  This year, many bills threatened the rights of responsible purebred dog breeders and owners in the Lone Start State, including mandatory spay/neuter, breed-specific, unreasonable breeder oversight, and ownership limit legislation.  However, the legislature's adjournment on Monday, June 1 […]

House Bill 1468 has passed the Indiana General Assembly and been signed by Governor Mitch Daniels. When the bill passed the House of Representatives, it contained numerous egregious provisions including limits on dog ownership, restrictive breeding ages, stringent care and conditions, and consumer protection provisions that provided no recourse for the breeder. Thanks to the […]

On Thursday, April 30, Connecticut Senate Bill 499, which seeks to impose several changes to Connecticut's consumer protection laws, passed the state's Senate with burdensome last-minute amendments. The bill is now in the House of Representatives. While the American Kennel Club (AKC) supports reasonable consumer protection laws that protect both puppy purchasers and responsible dog breeders, […]

For most people, being a responsible dog owner takes the form of caring for our dogs. That means socializing them to become good canine citizens, cleaning up after them, and ensuring they have good veterinary care, nutrition, a warm bed — if not the couch — and toys and treats. But for purebred dog breeders, […]

  The American Kennel Club has created the petition in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) new proposed regulations which would create harsh and unintended consequences for responsible small and hobby breeders in this country. Please join us by signing the petition before July 16 when the public comment period to the Animal […]