The Indiana House Courts and Criminal Code Committee has agreed to hear a proposed amendment that would require any breeder who owns 10 or more intact female dogs over four months old to register as a commercial breeder.  The amendment also bans ownership of more than 20 intact dogs that are a year of age […]

Minnesota Senate File 1029, which is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee on Friday, March 21, 2025, seeks to eliminate longstanding privacy and data protections for commercial breeders, which the state defines as those with more than 10 intact dogs and 5 litters a year.  The American […]

Overreaching breeder regulation legislation has again been introduced in the Florida Legislature.  SB 1830  and HB 1481 seek to impose registration and inspections requirements on any dog owner of an intact female dog more than six months of age.  Similar to legislation first introduced in 2023, these bills are also part of an extensive anti-breeder […]

Yesterday, a bill regulating commercial dog breeders advanced from committee that included an amendment requested by the AKC to further clarify how a commercial breeder should be defined in the state. The AKC thanks the Pacific Pet Alliance and other passionate Hawaiians for their efforts to protect responsible dog owners and hobbyists in the state. […]

A problematic proposed dog ordinance in DeKalb County, Georgia—which, as currently worded, includes litter permits, litter limits, sales restrictions, and incomplete consumer protections—has been added to the Tuesday, January 28, 2025, agenda for the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners meeting.  As previously noted, County staff have reported that the ordinance is expected to be returned […]

In early December 2024, the DeKalb County, Georgia, Board of Commissioners deferred consideration of changes to its animal ordinance that AKC views as problematic for responsible dog breeders and owners.  As currently worded, it seeks to impose restrictions on breeders and anyone who transfers, gives away, or sells pets.  County staff have reported that the […]

An overreaching proposed ordinance that seeks to place restrictions on pet breeders and on individuals who transfer/give away/sell pets will be deferred until January 2025. Per county staff: At the December 3 County Operations Committee meeting, the ordinance was recommended for deferral to the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners next meets tomorrow, December […]

An overreaching proposed ordinance that seeks to place restrictions on pet breeders and on individuals who transfer/give away/sell pets is on the tentative agenda of the DeKalb County Committee of the Whole, for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 9:00am. Click here for meeting information. It is unclear if this item will receive action on that […]

Summary: On Thursday, November 21, the City of Seaside, CA, unanimously adopted an ordinance that will require city residents to purchase a breeding permit before their dog or cat is bred and will require residents to spay or neuter their dog or cat if an unaltered license is not purchased or a veterinarian approved health […]

Congress is back in Washington for the lame-duck session and working to quickly move major legislation, such as the Farm Bill, not completed before the election. Yesterday, the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Stabenow (D-MI) released the Senate version of the federal farm bill, The Rural Prosperity and Security Act of 2024, for immediate consideration. Unlike […]

Consideration of an overreaching proposed animal ordinance in DeKalb County that seeks to place restrictions on pet breeders and on individuals who transfer/give away/sell pets has been rescheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The County Operations Committee (OPS Committee) will meet to discuss the proposed ordinance at 1:00pm at 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030.  […]

Congress is returning to Washington this week for the brief lame-duck session. Major legislation, including House and Senate versions of a Farm Bill that contain new regulations for dog breeders, could be passed very quickly before the end of the year.  Already, lobbyists for animal rights groups are actively pushing to add language from the […]

Summary: On Thursday, November 21, the Seaside City Council (Monterey County) will consider the adoption of multiple changes to the animal control laws – including unaltered dog licenses and permits to breed one dog in the city. This will be the only opportunity to oppose these measures, so it is critical to voice your opposition […]

On October 22, the Ojai City Council voted 4-1 to adopt a first-in-the-nation law that prohibits the breeding of dogs and cats with “congenital anatomical features” that are likely to cause the animal or its offspring to suffer pain, deformity, or difficult expressing natural behaviors, difficulty breathing, difficultly with physical exertion or exercise, or difficulty […]

The Longview Animal Shelter Advisory Committee has approved an ordinance mandating spaying/neutering, creating intact animal permits, and establishing an animal breeder license. The Longview City Council will consider this ordinance package in the coming weeks. Local news reports indicate the ordinance is intended to address shelter overpopulation issues. How to Help The City Council needs […]

By Claire Wiley, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM) Hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic conditions affecting dogs, particularly in larger breeds. As a breeder, understanding the genetic basis of hip dysplasia is essential for making informed breeding decisions and working toward reducing its prevalence in future generations. What is Hip Dysplasia? Hip dysplasia is […]

Kellie Verrelli co-breeds Mudis with Beth Bochardt at Akekal Mudis and Shepherds. But Verrelli actually got her start with another breed: Scottish Terriers.

After my 2024 article, someone asked me to do the next New Year’s Resolution article from our dogs’ perspectives. So, I am going to put my best foot forward in an open and honest attempt to tell you what I think our dogs may want us to resolve to do in 2025! First, we must […]

by Claire Wiley, VMD, DACVIM (SAIM) In the world of canine genetics, understanding the principles of inheritance is crucial for breeders aiming to enhance desirable traits and manage hereditary conditions. One important aspect of inheritance that breeders should be aware of is sex-linked inheritance. This article will explain the basic concepts of sex-linked inheritance in […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2024 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor this array of esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “These individuals have made important […]