Events have again hurled the Belgian Malinois onto the national stage, with the participation of the Navy SEAL dog, Conan, in the raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria. Favorable publicity for the Malinois is a double-edged sword: It makes people more aware of this still-unusual breed, which has the potential to […]

Is a German Shepherd Dog right for you? Experts who know the breed will tell you that it all depends. Perhaps a better answer to the question "Which dog is right for you?" lies in a few bigger questions. What do you want in a dog? Where do you plan to take your dog? Gow […]

An October 2010 list published by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) called “Missouri’s Dirty Dozen” included the kennel of Mary Ann Smith.  The list, which purportedly listed, “some of the worst licensed kennels in the state,” was part of a public relations campaign designed in some measure to urge voter support of […]

The Indianapolis City-County Council has approved a proposal to require all owners of intact dogs to register and comply with certain requirements for care and breeding, including reporting each litter produced. The proposal now goes to the mayor for his signature.  Those who wish to contact the mayor should call his office today at (317) […]

Earlier this month, the Legislature of the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia passed Bill 27, an “Act to Protect Animals and to Aid Animals in Distress” proposed by the province’s Minister of Agriculture.  According to the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), Bill 27, which awaits Royal Assent to become effective, removes the rights of animal ownership […]

Founded in 1884, The American Kennel Club is the world’s largest purebred dog registry, the nation’s largest purebred rescue network, and the only not-for-profit purebred dog registry devoted for more than 130 years to the health and well-being of dogs. We work actively to educate about responsible dog ownership and advocate for humane treatment of all dogs. […]

By Jennifer Clark, Director, Legislative Outreach A club member sends you an e-mail or forwards you a social media story about an issue they are fighting in their community that could impact dog owners.  You hear a story on the news about a proposed dog law.  As a parent club, what can you do to […]

Ann Lettis, winner of the American Kennel Club’s Walter Bebout Memorial Award for Leadership in Canine Legislation, has announced that she is donating the prize money accompanying the award to the AKC’s Canine Legislation Support Fund. “I could think of no better use for the money than to support the CLSF. I’ve worked with the […]

Ann Lettis, President of the Responsible Dog Owners Association of New York (RDOA), and Delegate for the Grand River Kennel Club (OH) was presented last week with the Walter Bebout Memorial Award for Leadership in Canine Legislation at the AKC Delegates meeting held in New Jersey. Ms. Lettis, a long-time owner, breeder, and exhibitor of […]

In late June, the AKC Government Relations team joined members of the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs (NJFDC) for their annual lobby day at the state capitol in Trenton.   A new video provides a glimpse into the message, hard work and accomplishments of that day. Federation members brought several dogs to help meet and […]

Dog lovers all over the US have reason to celebrate news from the NAIA, which reported recently that the number of dogs entering US shelters has dropped significantly over the past few decades to new lows. Digging deeper into the matter, NAIA also learned that only about three percent of dogs in our country’s shelters are purebreds. NAIA’s […]

In a ceremony held at their New York headquarters, the American Kennel Club presented Dr. Arnold L. Goldman, DVM, MPH and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners with the 2015 Bebout Memorial Award for Leadership in Canine Legislation. Named for Walter Bebout, the late Director of the AKC Government Relations Department, […]

By Jennifer Clark, Manager, Canine Legislation The images are enough to break anyone’s heart – stray dogs roaming the street without proper food, water and basic needs; shelters overflowing with unwanted animals.  There is no question that something needs to be done.  The dogs – and the people of Puerto Rico – deserve better. But […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) honored New Jersey Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney with the AKC Legislator of the Year award in recognition of his strong advocacy for responsible dog ownership. Sheila Goffe, AKC Vice President, Government Relations; Jeffrey Ball, President of the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs; and representatives of area AKC dog […]

North Carolina Representative Jimmy Dixon has been honored with the 2015 AKC Legislator of the Year award in recognition of his strong advocacy for responsible dog ownership. Sheila Goffe, AKC Vice President, Government Relations, presented a framed red, white and blue rosette to Rep. Dixon at the annual AKC Canines at the Capitol event held May […]

North Carolina legislators and staff were thrilled to once again welcome the American Kennel Club to the state capitol for the annual AKC Canines at the Capitol event.  The AKC invited them to “come hug a dog on your lunch break” and they did just that – posing for pictures with the dogs and cheering […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to announce that Whittier, California has been awarded the AKC’s Dog Friendly City Award in recognition of their support of responsible dog owners and breeders in the city. The California Federation of Dog Clubs was able to formally present this award to Mayor Vinatieri as well as Councilmembers […]

On August 8, the American Kennel Club (AKC) Board of Directors unanimously approved a new Canine Legislation Position Statement on Pet Choice. The statement (below) takes a strong stand in support of pet choice, education and responsible pet selection as a foundation for successful long-term pet ownership. It also affirms AKC’s opposition to legislation that […]

This article was originally published on Foxnews.com  While the zika virus poses worrisome human health concerns, another potential health problem is brewing that threatens both humans and domesticated animals --the importing of foreign dogs for adoption. Many people are unaware that the U.S. has become something of a favored nation for countries looking to export their […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), presented U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire with the AKC Legislator of the Year Award on Friday, October 14, at the Souhegan Kennel Club’s Fall Extravaganza and Regional Obedience Trial in Amherst. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the AKC is proud to recognize Senator Ayotte’s important role […]

For over 130 years, the American Kennel Club has been dedicated to protecting and promoting the health and well-being of dogs.  This is reflected in AKC events, public education initiatives, inspections, and many programs that celebrate and encourage responsible dog breeding and the preservation of purebred dogs. At its April meeting, the AKC Board of […]

The American Kennel Club recognizes the benefits of spaying and neutering dogs that are not part of a responsible breeding program or are not being shown. However, the decision of when and whether to spay or neuter a dog is not one to be taken lightly. Though commonplace, these elective procedures are major surgeries and […]

The elections may be over, but our work as responsible dog owners, exhibitors, and breeders is just beginning. Many states elected a large number of new lawmakers on the federal, state, and local levels – most of whom likely know very little about canine legislation. Most state legislatures will reconvene in early 2019, and many […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) will honor Forrest and Charlotte Lucas with the inaugural AKC Award for Outstanding Leadership in Canine Policy. The award will be presented at the 2016 AKC National Championship Dog Show presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida, December 17-18, 2016. The new AKC award is designed to honor those who […]

For the past several years, legislation has been introduced in Iowa that would further expand some of the most restrictive dog breeding rules in the country. A dedicated group of Iowa breeders and club members have joined together and been working tirelessly to share the other side of the story – all the ways responsible […]

More than one hundred legislators from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut publicly shared their commitment to responsible dog ownership this month by serving as honorary chairs for the Meet the Breeds™ event hosted by the American Kennel Club and Westminster Kennel Club. Many of the Honorary Chairs, their staff, and families attended this year’s […]

In December 2016, the Caribe Kennel Club presented an AKC Legislator of the Year Award to the Honorable Senator Jose Luis Dalmau Santiago in a brief ceremony at the Capitol Building in San Juan.  The award, according to club Show Chair Teresa Y. Santana, DMD, was to demonstrate the club’s appreciation for the Senator’s “balanced […]

2016 was another busy year for AKC Government Relations, its state federations, and responsible dog owners and breeders advocating for dogs.  Over 2,200 bills impacting animals were monitored by AKC GR. Several new laws impacting dog owners and breeders were enacted over the past year.  It is imperative for responsible owners to ensure they are […]

Numerous state and local measures have included nearly identical legislative findings that are inaccurate, offensive to breeders, and directly reference “HSUS puppy mill estimates.” Such findings are designed to limit debate from the start, undermine alternative sources of information and put opponents on the defensive. While legislative findings are not actual laws, inaccurate, pejorative or […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that Dr. Arnold L. Goldman, DVM, MPH and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners have been named winners of the 2015 Bebout Memorial Award for Leadership in Canine Legislation. Together with the Connecticut Federation, of which he is a trustee, Dr. Goldman and […]