As an organization of dog lovers, we have all been deeply impacted by the news of NFL quarterback Michael Vick's federal indictment for alleged involvement in the illegal and barbaric "sport" of dog fighting. While this story is distressing and brings up intense emotions in all of us, there is a silver lining. It is […]

Taking the Time to Pick the Right Breed Makes You The Real Hero With the release of the action adventure movie Underdog, the American Kennel Club® reminds moviegoers about the importance of making careful, educated decisions when considering adding a dog to their home. Distributed by (c) Disney Enterprises, Inc., Underdog is a live re-make […]

The American Kennel Club® announces today that Nature's Recipe® brand dog food has signed on as a sponsor of the fifth annual AKC® Responsible Dog Ownership Day (AKC RDO Day), a nationwide initiative that educates the public about the importance of being a responsible dog owner and celebrates the deep bond between humans and their […]

Whether you're looking for tips on training, grooming and health or are currently considering adding a precious pup to the family this September, be sure to mark "AKC® Responsible Dog Ownership Day" on your calendar. This month-long celebration involves hundreds of organizations around the country holding free events filled with fun and engaging activities for […]

New York, NY -The American Kennel Club® has announced that an AKC® “Educational Match” will be held Saturday, September 29th on the grounds of the Hunterdon Developmental Center in Clinton, N.J. AKC held the first Educational Match in Raleigh, NC in March 2007. The purpose of these events is to offer the general public and […]

It is imperative that breeders and concerned dog owners in Washington, D.C., express their opposition to the Animal Protection Amendment Act, a recently proposed ordinance that, if adopted, will make drastic, unnecessary, and burdensome changes to current District law.  Some of the most onerous provisions of the ordinance would: Take animals outside the realm of […]

Last month in my Chairman's Report I reported on a pending threat to purebred dog ownership in California: Assembly Bill 1634 would require the mandatory spay or neuter of dogs 4 months or older unless an intact dog permit is purchased through local authorities. Should this bill become law, I fear it could be a […]

The American Kennel Club is alarmed by the provisions of New Jersey Assembly Bill 2649. The proposal attempts to replace New Jersey's already comprehensive and reasonable animal cruelty laws and humane care standards with an unnecessary, confusing, and haphazard system that will not only affect the health of the general public, but will also threaten […]

The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce that Online Record Keeping, a new service for breeders of AKC® registered litters and dogs, is now available. Any breeder with a My AKC account now has access to this free service, which provides a centralized area to manage and maintain dog and litter records online. "We […]

-- Longing for a Canine Companion? Don’t Get Conned! -- New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) and the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) are warning consumers about scams targeting unsuspecting puppy buyers.   Both the AKC and the CBBB have recently received a number of reports from consumers throughout the nation […]

Since February we have been waging a legislative battle against California Assembly Bill 1634 which would require mandatory spaying/neutering for all dogs over 4 months of age unless the owner qualifies for and purchases an intact dog permit through the local authorities. This would mean that those wishing to keep their dogs intact would be […]

  Annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day Encompasses Hundreds of Events and is "A Breed Apart" Each year, the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) calls on clubs and dog related organizations from around the country to participate in AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day, a nationwide initiative that educates the general public about the importance of being […]

Since the introduction of CA AB 1634, a bill that makes spay/neuter mandatory for all dogs over 4 months unless the owner qualifies for an intact dog permit, AKC has been actively involved in an opposition campaign. We thank the many individuals and clubs and organizations who have joined our opposition and sent letters, e-mails […]

The Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) reaches out to the public in a compelling way like no other AKC awards program. It's about more than great dogs and dedicated people, it's about their relationship with each other. And it's more than an award, it's a celebration of that extraordinary canine-human bond that exists between no […]

The Canine Legislation Department is currently monitoring numerous state bills proposing laws that would ban, restrict, or limit the practice of tethering dogs. AKC recognizes that under certain circumstances, responsible tethering is an appropriate method of containing a dog. As many of these bills severely restrict a dog owner’s right to responsibly tether an animal, many […]

Dog Experts Say Researching Breeds and Finding a Responsible Breeder Puts Your Pet in a Leading Role in Your Family New York, NY — In anticipation of the April 4, 2007 release of the family comedy Firehouse Dog, the American Kennel Club® reminds moviegoers about the importance of making careful, educated decisions when considering adding […]

  --Both Breeds To Compete In Herding Group--   The Swedish Vallhund and Beauceron became eligible for American Kennel Club® registration on March 1, 2007 and will compete in the Herding Group at shows held on and after June 27, 2007. The Beauceron is an old, distinct breed closely related to the longhaired Briard. They […]

Please be advised that Minnesota HF 1046, the Dog and Cat Breeders Act, has been pulled from today's agenda for the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee. The bill was to be considered at 6:30PM today. The Canine Legislation Department will continue to monitor legislative activities in Minnesota, and will advise as developments warrant. […]

  -- Kenneth A. Marden Elected; Dr. Patricia H. Haines and Patti L. Strand Re-Elected; Ronald H. Menaker and David C. Merriam Re-Elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman Respectively -- The Annual Meeting of the AKC Delegates took place on March 13, 2007. Kenneth A. Marden, Delegate from the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America, […]

The American Kennel Club is the only purebred dog registry which mandates both registration as well as care and condition quality control standards enforced through ongoing rigorous inspections of AKC Breeders. In 1991, the AKC’s Compliance Department came into its own, going beyond the complaint-based system of investigations to mandatory inspection for certain AKC breeders.  […]