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 2023 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees.   “We are proud to honor these knowledgeable and responsible breeders,” said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “Each of these individuals are […]

Terri Sigulinsky and her daughter, Rachel Sigulinsky, owners of Snowbright Samoyeds, are second and third generation Samoyed breeders located in Ohio and Michigan. Terri has been showing dogs for more than 40 years and breeding for 35 years. Rachel showed her first Samoyed at 7 years old and whelped her first litter at age 12. […]

On Wednesday, October 4, the Los Angeles Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee discussed a proposal to suspend the issuance of new breeding permits. The three-member committee voted to direct the city attorney to work with LA Animal Services to draft language that would see the suspension of the issuance of new breeding permits until the […]

Summary: On Wednesday, October 4, the Los Angeles Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment Committee will discuss a proposal to suspend the issuance of new breeding permits. This would impact all who breed in the city, as well as all owners of intact dogs even if they are not currently breeding (view AKC’s previous alert for additional […]

On Tuesday, September 26, the Los Angeles Board of Animal Services Commissioners discussed a proposal to suspend the issuance of new breeding permits. This would impact all who breed in the city, as well as all owners of intact dogs even if they are not currently breeding (view AKC’s previous alert for additional information). No […]

Animal Activists are pushing federal breeder restrictions that could require small hobby breeders to place their dogs in industrial, commercial-style kennels and impose arbitrary, one-size-fits-all requirements that could undermine proper care of dogs. Members of Congress are currently in their local, “home” districts. They are hearing from many anti-breeder activists who want the so-called Puppy […]

Members of Congress are currently back in their home districts for the August recess. Many are telling AKC Government Relations that they are getting heavy pressure from animal rights activists to advance bills that are harmful to small hobby breeders. Your Member of Congress needs to hear from you TODAY!  Scroll down for contact information. […]

This week, animal rights activists are ramping up their efforts to urge Congress to pass laws that could undermine the proper care of dogs, and even create an environment for abuse and unnecessary euthanasia of animals. Your Member of Congress and U.S. Senators to hear from you TODAY!  Let them know you are a constituent […]

Governor Abbot has signed SB 876 further regulating Texas dog breeders. While the new law goes into effect on September 1, 2023, someone that owns between 5 and 11 intact females will have until January 1, 2024, to come into compliance.  The law will require anyone that both owns 5 or more intact females and […]

This week, animal rights/ “protection” groups are actively lobbying Congress to restrict and limit the activities of dog breeders. They are making unsupported claims that there are “tens of thousands of puppy mills” in the United States, and asking members of Congress to advance arbitrary, one-size-fits-all mandates that could require small hobby breeders to place […]

Arbitrary federal legislation to restrict the activities of dogs breeders has been re-introduced in Congress.  Though labeled as commercial breeding regulations, the one-size-fits-all requirements can also apply to small hobby breeders.  Your action is urgently needed to stop the animal-rights supported Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 1624) and to protect the rights of responsible dog breeders […]

Continued action is needed on extremely overreaching and punitive dog breeder bills in Florida. Senate Bill 1492 and House Bill 1581 would define any unsterilized female dog over the age of six months as a “breeding female” and would require her owner to register with the state as a “breeder,” pay significant fees, and be […]

The Utah House Labor and Business Committee is scheduled to consider an amended version of the bill to regulate breeders at a hearing tomorrow, February 16. While some provisions such as breeder permits are expected to be removed, other concerns remain that would impact those who breed and raise dogs in their homes. Hobbyists and […]

Today, the Utah House Business and Labor Committee decided to table a bill regulating all breeders, pending further discussion and amendments. House Bill 359 seeks to require a permit for all breeders who sell even one dog in the state.  While some amendments were offered, the committee recognized that many questions still remain. They voted […]

A Utah House committee has just scheduled a hearing for tomorrow (Thursday, February 9) on a bill that would seek to develop regulations for virtually all dog breeders in Utah. AKC understands that amendments will be offered, but it is unclear what impact the amendments will have on breeders – particularly those who breed and […]

Anti-breeder and animal rights groups are making a year-end push on Capitol Hill to advance arbitrary and harmful federal breeder regulations (H.R. 2840 /S. 1385)  called the “Puppy Protection Act”.  This bill would mandate arbitrary new requirements for certain hobby and professional dog breeders, and continues to gain support Congress.  We urge all responsible dog […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2022 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor these knowledgeable and respected breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “The individuals have made significant contributions […]

The AKC Breeder of Merit program was introduced in October 2010. Since that time, almost 16,000 breeders have been enrolled. The program was developed to recognize those breeders who are the foundation of our sport through their participation in various AKC events and dedication to selective breeding of healthy purpose-bred purebred dogs. The basic requirements are Minimum […]

Owning a dog is a joy, privilege, and responsibility. If you are considering bringing a dog into your life, think seriously about the commitment that being a responsible dog owner entails. The AKC is committed to protecting the health and well-being of all dogs. In honor of AKC's Responsible Dog Ownership Day, on September 17th, […]

Use the following resources as a guide to responsible dog breeding. You can download the complete guide to responsible dog breeding, or follow along with each step that's outlined below. You may also want to watch the AKC webinar on Planning Breedings: Are you ready to breed a litter of puppies? Prepare Yourself for Breeding […]