Puppy buying online is more common than ever, so it’s no surprise that you may be on the search for a new dog right now. But unfortunately, as more people look to buy puppies by using the internet to start their search, puppy scams are also on the rise. In today’s digital world, almost everyone […]

Every day, thousands of pets are imported into the continental United States for the purpose of sale or transfer in retail or retail rescue markets. According to the American Pet Product Distributors Association (APPA) annual survey, Americans currently own approximately 80 million dogs, and acquire approximately 8 million dogs per year.  Even if the per […]

From Our Nation's Capitol The AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2019 Legislation Tracking page and click on “US Fed” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKCThe AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for […]

On September 17, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) proudly celebrated its 140th anniversary, honoring its profound impact on the lives of dogs and their owners. The milestone was marked by illuminating the Helmsley building in New York in vibrant blue and hosting a special reception at the U.S. Capitol for members of Congress and Congressional […]

Game of Thrones may be over, but dogs and dog lovers around the world are still feeling the show's repercussions. For eight years, more than 30 million viewers watched dire wolves protect the Stark family. For many viewers, Ghost, Summer, Nymeria and pack's intelligence, fierce loyalty, and imposing stature were more than entertaining: it inspired them […]

Any dog lover knows there is no greater relationship than that between dog and owner. We love our dogs! We love playing with them, cuddling with them, and having them to come home to everyday. Owning a dog, however, is no easy responsibility. While owning a dog will be filled with love and happiness, it's […]

Welcome to the April issue of Taking Command! In this issue, we will explore the science, policy, and community efforts shaping the lives of dogs and those who care for them. This edition highlights recent developments that challenge long-held assumptions, showcase successful advocacy, and celebrate the impact of hands-on outreach. In recent years, a false […]

When Maria B. Moya was growing up, she always wanted a dog, but it wasn’t possible where her family lived. Then she got out on her own and moved to Hoboken, New Jersey. In her new town, everyone, it seemed, had a dog. Many of them were the trendy mixed-breeds, known as "Goldendoodles." Moya, who […]

Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories CT, Meriden – In December, AKC and the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners met with legal counsel for the city to request practical changes to recently released breeder and litter permit application forms. The city’s ordinance is likely to […]

Attention Parent Clubs: Reach Your Newest Puppy Owners! Public Education begins with people understanding their breed's needs. Help get the newest owners of your breed off to a good start by taking advantage of one of the AKC's programs -- a service that distributes flyers written by national breed clubs along with each AKC registration […]

ASK AKC Dear AKC: My Bulldog will soon be having her first litter. What should be included in a puppy kit for the new owners? -- Novice Breeder Needs Dear Novice: A great way to insure a new puppy's continued success with their new family is to provide an abundance of resources for each new owner. As a longtime […]

Meet four representatives of the Working Group, blue-collar dogs with strength and smarts, and understand why responsible breeding of working dogs is particularly important.

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) joins the world of online learning with the launch of AKC Canine College -- an initiative that will extend robust, interactive learning content to breeders and judges, adding subject matter for groomers and trainers in the near future. Anyone interested in learning more about the dog world will find a […]

From Our Nation's Capitol Although neither chamber is in session this week, the AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2019 Legislation Tracking page and click on “US Fed” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights […]

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 […]

This July, federal policy has been heating up. AKC Government Relations has been working to educate Congress on the many problems and concerns with two bills that could negatively impact dogs and responsible breeders. One-size-fits all mandates such as the Puppy Protection Act (HR 1624) may sound great on the surface, but they are problematic […]

The results of several elections may still not be official, but our outreach as responsible dog owners, exhibitors, and breeders needs to begin now. 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 […]

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 […]

Golden Retrievers — We now have the benefit of “clearance” testing and the mapped canine genome that could help guide intelligent crossbreeding decisions and the possibility that new breeds might eventually be developed. In the 19th century, as gentleman farmers and sportsmen kept breeding records of their canines and began to exhibit the best of their […]

Election Day 2018 is November 6. In these last days leading up to the election, candidates are vying for your vote. You may receive phone calls, visits from volunteer door knockers, or even a direct appeal from the candidate. As you walk to your polling place for early voting or on Election Day, you may […]

Guest columnist Patricia Johnson has bred, handled, and owned Best In Show Boston Terriers for 35 years. She is an AKC Breeder of Merit, an “AKC Gazette” breed columnist for Boston Terriers, served on her local animal advisory board for 9 years, and authored a pet disaster plan for her city. She owns Pat’s Grooming […]

As the holiday season approaches, AKC Government Relations is taking time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for this year.  At the top of this list is our appreciation for each club member, breeder, exhibitor and dog owner who took the time to reach out to their lawmakers and join us in […]

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 […]

The American Kennel Club is excited to announce a new feature that strengthens its commitment to responsible breeding and the long-term health of purebred dogs. AKC DNA Kits are now available for purchase directly during the online litter and dog registration process—making it easier than ever for breeders to integrate genetic testing into their programs. […]

Originally appeared on dogcanceranswers.com, where Dr. Jerry Klein was asked to be part of a podcast discussing the responsible ways to get a dog. Dr. Jerry Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club, joins Dog Cancer Answers to discuss things to look for when choosing a breeder to increase the odds of […]

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 […]

When we bring a dog into our family, most of us imagine that we will have that dog for the rest of the dog's life. While this is the ideal, it isn't always the reality. If your life circumstances change and you're no longer able to care for your dog, there are ethical ways to […]

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 […]

A writer for the Daily Mail has caught the attention of dog lovers around the world after confessing in an article that she has given up four dogs in four years.Shona Sibary’s article, published last Friday, describes the writer giving away her Husky-mix, Juno, as her daughter sobbed. She admits, “Over the past four years I […]

When we first began our individual journeys in the sport of dog breeding and showing, we did so with the highest of ideals, hoping not only to succeed, but also to make worthwhile contributions to our breed and the fancy. Along the way, we meet those who are prepared to cut corners and do what’s expedient, if not in the […]