Proposed updates to Palm Beach County’s Animal Care and Control Ordinance and fee schedule would expand breeder regulations; add new rules for hobby breeders, exhibitors, and people who own unaltered dogs or cats; and increase the cost of a hobby breeder permit by 166.7%. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is concerned that these changes could […]

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has signed several animal-related bills approved by the General Assembly during the 2026 legislative session. The measures address retail pet store sales, animal cruelty penalties, and veterinary reporting requirements.   HB 131 – Retail Sales of Dogs and Cats HB 131 prohibits retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats in […]

Virtual monthly webinar learning experiences created by breeders for breeders. Join renowned experts in these educational opportunities for breeders! 2026 Schedule Wednesday, September 30, 2026 6:00 – 7:30 pm (EST) “Prepaid Registration Made Easy with AKC Breeder Toolkit” Presented by the AKC BRET Team Discover a smarter way to register your puppies and see why […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="Adding Junior Membership to AKC Member Club Bylaws (November 2022 Board meeting)"] The Board VOTED to permit existing clubs to add “Junior” as a membership option to their club Bylaws without AKC reviewing and approving each club’s Bylaws. The Board will receive notice from Club Relations of the clubs that have added “Junior […]

The Great Pyrenees is an ancient breed with a fascinating, disputed history. From royal palaces to mountain pastures to your couch, read about how this giant breed you know and love today came to be.

Anyone who mentors newcomers to showing dogs knows the steps to follow on the path to success. Yet we may present the advice as if it were a script,  forgetting to take that occasional refresher course ourselves. The start of the year is an excellent time to get back to dog show basics and try […]

Some see a stuffed toy or a mound of whipped cream with a nose and two black button eyes. Most say they see a “walking cotton ball,” and that’s pretty much on the mark because the first part of the breed’s name is the French word for cotton. Fluff aside, the dog known as the […]

Puppy strangles (or juvenile cellulitis) is a rare inflammatory skin disease. Learn how vets diagnose and treat this noncontagious condition.

8 legislatures and the District of Columbia are in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:   California – AB 1382 prohibits the sale and importation of genetically modified pets with cosmetic traits in California, except for modifications that benefit animal health or human interaction, and imposes civil penalties for violations. After […]

The following are highlights of the numerous bills in Congress that could impact dog owners and the wellbeing of dogs.   Visit our 2026 Legislation Tracking map click on the arrow on the Region column to filter for US Federal legislation and get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of […]