Routine spaying and neutering of dogs is generally accepted, and some doggy daycares and dog parks don't allow intact male dogs or female dogs in heat. In addition, many states require dogs in rescue shelters to be spayed or neutered before they're placed in a home, often at just a few months old. Along with […]

Thirty-five state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: Arizona – Senate Bill 1047 seeks to regulate dogs outdoors.  It provides specific exemptions for police and working dogs, hunting, training, “sporting and competitive functions”, and “lawful competitions”.  As introduced, the bill […]

Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories CT, New Haven – In 2018, the city proposed and adopted new dangerous dog, breeding license and litter permit regulations. AKC submitted requested changes and met with the Mayor and General Counsel to discuss the changes. The election of a new mayor and […]

It's the dog misdeed most likely to turn an owner's face beet red—humping. When your pup gets that gleam in their eye and mounts their pal (or worse, yours), it's tempting to yell, pull the dog away by force, or pray for the ground to open and swallow you. But with a little patience, owners […]

Friendly, active, and outgoing, Labrador Retrievers regularly rank among the most popular dog breeds. There's a lot to love, and for first-time Lab owners, there's a lot to get to know — especially over the course of the initial months of your puppy's first year of life. So what are the key milestones and firsts […]

Marking is not the same as a dog relieving itself – it is leaving small amounts of urine on items (trees, bushes, couch) to leave a“calling card” and to say “this is mine.” It seems natural for dogs, but is very annoying to humans. This often starts happening in adolescence as dogs mature. Female dogs can […]

Recently Houston Mayor John Whitmire stated his belief that “(mandatory spay and neuter) is the ultimate solution to overcrowding and stray animals.” Whitmire further alluded to the development of a mandatory spay/neuter (MSN) ordinance in Houston soon. While the AKC understands Mayor Whitmire’s desire to address animal welfare issues in and around Harris County we […]

Dogs pee in the house for many reasons, but they also urine mark. Learn to tell the difference between these behaviors and how to reduce marking.

The official term for dog shows is conformation -- as in, the act of conforming or producing conformity. While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. Why? Because […]

  New puppy owners who register their dogs with the AKC are usually clamoring for all the information they can get about their new best friend. Who better than to tell them than national breed clubs? Take advantage of the AKC's parent club flier program. The AKC will distribute a flier written by your national […]