Sometimes the first breed that you get doesn't end up being "your breed." With an open mind, research, and often, some fate intervening, you can end up...

In September 2024, the Los Angeles Times published an extensive report on the market for dog importation into California. The investigative report described a market filled with unscrupulous brokers masquerading as animal rescues; these actors often sold sick puppies while fraudulently masking their origin; in some cases, these puppies were falsely advertised as being AKC-registered. […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that serves as the world’s largest registry of purebred dogs and a leading advocate for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is pleased to announce that it will now accept pedigrees from The Canine Owners and Breeders Association (COBA), through its Foreign Registration Program. “The American Kennel Club […]

September is AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Month so we’re taking a closer look at how breeders can place puppies with responsible, loving owners—and provide those new puppy parents with the tools they need to get off to the right start. Placing puppies with their new families is one of the most challenging responsibilities a breeder […]

From contract obligations and health updates to training support and sharing milestones, staying in touch with your puppy’s breeder can benefit you both.

AKC Government Relations has learned that the Asbury Park (NJ) City Council recently passed a new law to prohibit all breeding in the city – with no exceptions. The goal stated by the city was to address significant concerns with the care, treatment, and temperament of some who were breeding aggressive dogs in poor conditions. […]

Summary: On Tuesday, June 24, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors advanced a proposal that will significantly overhaul the county’s animal ordinance code. The ordinance includes new breeding permitting requirements for breeding as few as one dog.  It is unclear if this applies solely to breeding females, or if it applies to stud dogs as […]

Introduction In many breeding programs, genetic health testing has become an essential part of responsible dog breeding. One concept frequently used by breeders is “Clear by Parentage” (CBP). This designation indicates a puppy inherited two normal copies of a genetic variant because both parents tested “clear” for a known disease-associated variant. While this can be […]

Last night, the New York Assembly adjourned, officially ending the New York 2025 legislation session with many positive results for dogs and dog owners in the state: Hobby Breeder Licensing/Commercial Regulations Did Not Advance: Thanks to the partnership with the NY Federation,  Associated Dog Clubs of New York State (ADCNYS) and the many hobbyists who […]

A Bolognese Breeder for over 10 years, Ikuko Hisaka fell in love with the breed as soon as she first held a Bolognese puppy in her arms.

Legislation is likely to move any time in the New York legislature that could force virtually every hobby breeder in the state to be licensed, inspected, and regulated as pet dealers. As mentioned in a previous alert, Senate Bill 8252 and Assembly Bill 8653 include some clarifying language to address the ban on dog and […]

The American Kennel Club®, a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for the AKC Eddy Award starting today through September 1, 2025. The AKC Eddy Award is designed to encourage and reward Parent Clubs that demonstrate a breeder education effort […]

With just a few days before the end of the New York legislative session, bills have been filed in both the NY State Assembly and Senate that could force virtually every hobby breeder in the state to be licensed, inspected and regulated as pet dealers. The bills include some clarifying language to address the ban […]

Laural Harris, DMD, of Omnia Paratus Doberman, has owned Doberman Pinschers for over 40 years. She loves their intelligence and versatility.

The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) has learned that the concerning breeder ordinance currently under consideration in DeKalb County, Georgia, will likely be deferred again by the Board of Commissioners County Operations Committee, which will send the ordinance back to the full Board of Commissioners.  Then, in expectation of a substitute ordinance, […]

A problematic proposed dog ordinance in DeKalb County, Georgia—which includes litter permits for all breeders in the county, litter limits, sales restrictions, and incomplete consumer protections—has been added to the Board of Commissioners agenda for Tuesday, May 6, 2025.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) believes that the current version of the proposed ordinance will negatively […]

A valuable tool in AKC’s Breeder Toolkit is Prepay Registration. It makes it easy to ensure 100% registration of your litter, helping you maintain control over the integrity of your breeding program. There are significant cost savings with prepaid registration, and it helps to avoid additional owner fees. When registering a litter through the Breeder […]

Laurie Green has been breeding English Springer Spaniels for 40 years and Grand Basset Griffon Vendéens for six. She adores these people-loving dogs.

On Tuesday, April 8, the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee voted to advance SB 1076 and referred it to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources. The AKC thanks all the Oregonians who showed up to the State Capitol for the hearings and have been active in communicating your concerns […]

As previously reported, Florida Senate Bill 1830 and House Bill 1481 seek to require state licensing and regulation of anyone in Florida who owns or possess an intact female dog that is six months old or older, and who offers puppies from its breeding for sale.  Under the bill, any intact female more than six […]

On Tuesday, April 8, the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee voted to advance SB 1076, which would allow for regulations of breeders who sell even one dog.  The bill has been referred to the Joint Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. Oregon already has robust regulations on dog breeder. Senate Bill 1076 would […]

On Thursday, April 3, an Oregon state Senate committee was scheduled to vote on a bill (SB 1076) that establishes a licensing framework for all breeders who sell even one dog as a pet. However, the hearing was postponed to Tuesday, April 8. The AKC thanks all the Oregonians who showed up to the state […]

On Thursday, April 3, an Oregon state Senate committee will likely vote on a bill (SB 1076) that establishes a licensing framework for all breeders who sell even one dog as a pet. This likely vote is a follow up to the previous March 18 hearing on the bill. Oregon already has robust regulations on […]

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 […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]