A bill has been introduced in the Nevada Senate to regulate anyone who wants to breed and sell dogs, regardless of the number.  Senate Bill 241 would require all breeders, regardless of how many dogs owned, to pay a $500 annual fee in order to breed and sell puppies.  It would also impose numerous other […]

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 […]

The Illinois Legislature adjourned the spring 2026 session in the early hours Monday morning.  While the lawmakers will come back for a short session later this fall where bills may be considered, this adjournment crosses a major hurdle for bills impacting dog owners and breeders in Illinois. Thanks to a significant response from dog owners […]

Thanks to the strong response from AKC advocates and sportsmen’s groups—and the strong leadership of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson—the House Farm bill, H.R. 7567, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act,” passed by the U.S. House contained positive provisions that support responsible breeding and dog ownership and no provisions that will cause harm. […]

The Missouri Legislature has adjourned for the year, with all bills of concern to dog owners and breeders being tabled or significantly amended. AKC thanks all who took the time to contact leadership and their lawmakers regarding two bills that would have had a detrimental effect on hobby and show breeders.  We also extend special […]

An Illinois bill seeking in part to impose commercial standards on some home-based kennels and breeding programs has been pulled from consideration and will likely not move forward during the spring session. As mentioned in previous alerts, the “one size fits all” standards in Senate Bill 2990 are geared toward large commercial facilities and fail […]

The full U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled vote on the Farm Bill (H.R. 7567 – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, the week of 27th.  The AKC is proud to support the version of the Farm Bill slated for consideration by the House as it includes important priorities for dog enthusiasts […]

The Illinois Senate now has until May 8 to vote on a bill impacting breeders, after extending the voting deadline on certain bills.  Illinois residents should continue contacting the Senate and express concerns that the breeder requirements in Senate Bill 2990 are not in the best interest of all dogs. Summary: As written,  Senate Bill […]

Please share this important information with your club members, family and friends The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to debate amendments and vote on final passage of the Farm Bill, H.R. 7567, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act,” the week of April 27. In our previous Farm Bill alert to AKC constituents, we reported that […]

This is the last week for the Illinois Senate to vote on Senate bills and send them to the House of Representatives.  Among the bills expected to be considered is one that will impose a number of new requirements on anyone who is licensed as a dog breeder in the state – which could include […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) continues to monitor legislation in Illinois that would impose problematic new requirements on licensed dog breeders. House Bill 4778, which mirrors Senate Bill 2990, was scheduled for consideration by the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee on March 24, 2026. The measure would apply “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders, defined […]

The Maryland bill which required annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy whelped is highly unlikely to advance this session.  Thanks to the many club members and breeders joining AKC in making your voice heard, the House Economic Matters Committee held House Bill 1551 and did not advance it […]

On Tuesday (March 24), the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will consider a bill that would impose extensive new requirements on licensed dog breeders. This bill is identical to SB 2990 considered last week in the Senate and applies “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders (Under Illinois law, a dog breeder is anyone who […]

With yesterday, March 16, being considered the committee reporting courtesy date (the deadline to move bills out of their original committee), it appears that the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee will likely not be voting on House Bill 1551.  This is a bill that includes provisions to require annual registration for all dog breeders, and […]

On Thursday, March 12, the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee heard Senate Bill 2990, which would place extensive new requirements on those licensed as dog breeders by the state. SB 2990 passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee by a narrow vote of 7–6. Thank you to the dog owners and club members who contacted the […]

With Crossover Day fast Approaching, the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee will be holding a voting session tomorrow, March 12, 2026, on a number of bills heard by the Committee including HB 1551.  Among the provisions of the bill is a required annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy […]

The American Kennel Club has been tracking two bills affecting dog breeders in Arizona and they both have missed legislative deadlines and will not advance this session. SB 1539 would have imposed arbitrary, one-size-fits-all mandates on animal breeders and harm responsible breeding practices without meaningfully addressing animal welfare concerns. The bill defined a "hobby breeder" […]

Tomorrow (March 11), Maryland House Economic Matters Committee is holding a public hearing on a bill that, among other provisions, would require annual registration for all dog breeders, and $50 birth certificates for every puppy whelped.  The costs would be put into account to support shelters and spay/neuter programs, along with supporting administration and enforcement […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is pleased to announce that applications for the AKC Eddy Award are now open through September 1, 2026. The AKC Eddy Award is designed to encourage […]

For Karen Rowan, a lifelong love of dogs became a decades-long commitment to one breed in particular: the Dalmatian. Alongside her husband, Paul, Rowan has spent more than 30 years developing Gaelic Dalmatians in North Carolina. Their program reflects careful planning, respect for the breed’s history and purpose, and a deep commitment to responsible breeding. […]