Here are some highlights of state and federal regulatory issues AKC GR recently addressed.  Visit AKC’s Regulatory Resource Center for more information on these and other significant regulatory issues addressed by AKC Government Relations. Federal – CDC Temporary Ban on Dog Imports: In June, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a temporary suspension of the […]

June 1-7, 2021 Delegate Standing Committee Zoom Meetings Delegate Standing Committee Schedule, Agenda & Registration Links You must register for EACH Standing Committee Zoom Meeting you wish to attend by clicking the corresponding link in the table. DELEGATE COMMITTEE DATE EASTERN TIME (ET) ZOOM MEETING LINK DOG SHOW RULES Tuesday, June 1 11:30 am to […]

Here are some highlights of state-level regulatory issues AKC GR recently addressed.  Visit AKC’s Regulatory Resource Center for more information on these and other significant regulatory issues addressed by AKC Government Relations. Federal – On June 14, the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a temporary suspension of the importation of dogs from countries classified […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – HR 61 is a resolution that declares the Assembly’s intention to only support “sensible and humane therapeutic veterinary procedures for companion animals.”  As defined, this could mean the Assembly opposes such procedures as ear cropping, tail […]

Moderator Laura Reeves points to an audience member ready to ask a question at a Del Monte Kennel Club Friday Night Forum in Carmel, Calif., last month. Panelists are, from left, Pat Trotter, Dorothy Macdonald, and Kimberly Meredith-Cavanna. Photo by Cook Dog Show Photography.   Bridging the gap is defined as connecting two things — […]

On Monday afternoon, a black Labrador Retriever named “Heart” earned the title of Masters Obedience Champion at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – an accomplishment she has logged every year since the competition began in 2016. The 6½-year-old Lab is owned and handled by professional dog trainer Linda Brennan of Columbia, New Jersey, […]

For Nuri the Azawakh, the green synthetic turf of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a far cry from the Tennessee greenery to which this 6-year-old Sighthound is accustomed. Rest assured, plenty of attention is focused on the breed's inaugural appearance at one of America's most well-known dog shows. Nuri and her owner Vicki Williams, […]

The Golden Retriever may be America's third most popular dog breed, but Tammy Tomlinson is not your average Golden owner. From her Ligonier, Pennsylvania-based Hillock Goldens kennel, Tomlinson has bred, owned, and handled the adored Sporting Group breed for over 40 years, and produced scores of conformation champions and dog sport athletes across the spectrum. […]

Make no mistake about it, Joe Pete is a stellar search and rescue dog. But the plucky 9-year-old Doberman Pinscher also gives new meaning to the word rescue. “There is a saying that you get the right dog at the right time,” says owner-handler Cris Bean, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. “I had always been a busy […]

Dogs have fought alongside man since ancient times. The Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Romans, and others used dogs as sentries and scouts and sometimes brought dogs into combat. Attila the Hun used fierce Mastiff-like breeds that were sometimes armored and sent into battle. In more modern times, Germany created military dog-training programs late in the 19th […]

Dogs prefer meat, but a vegan or vegetarian diet is possible with the right supplements. For health and ethical reasons, many vegetarian and vegan humans choose to share their dietary preferences with their dogs. In general, dogs are omnivorous. They eat meat, fish, and poultry, but also can derive nutrients from a wide variety of […]

As states begin to open and the demand to test and screen for COVID-19 grows, researchers are enlisting all the help they can get — including dogs. Led by Cynthia M. Otto, director of the Working Dog Center at UPenn’s School of Veterinary Medicine, eight Labrador Retrievers are being trained to sniff out the coronavirus. Training […]

Did you know that there are amazing dog memorials located across the country? Whether they’re war heroes or stars of their local community, canines have inspired permanent monuments that dog lovers can visit. While we can't travel at the moment due to COVID-19, there are many dog memorials you can learn about from your living […]

Radar is a “decomposition dog" who is trained to pick up the scent of death. He can also find missing people, suspects of crimes, and track evidence. Now eight years old, Radar has been training for this since he was just 10 weeks old. Since then, he's helped put away about 24 murders and has […]

The mahogany huntress leapt from one bale to the next in pursuit of her prey. Straw and dust swirled in the air as Beatrice, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, canvassed the barn with handler Ikuko Jones following briskly behind. Jones sidestepped the hay bales as she watched intently for her dog’s “tell”: a swift, heavy swat of […]

It all started with a tweet. “Your story could be in Season 2 of DOGS.” The June 2019 post from Dogs producer Glen Zipper included an announcement about the Netflix show’s second season. Your story could be in Season 2 of DOGS. 🐶👇 https://t.co/aoxWtSdPtO — Glen Zipper (@Zipper) June 12, 2019 Around the same time, the Live […]

Every dog lover knows the telepathy between man and his best friend: that doggy sixth sense that has them loving on you when you're sad and even seeming to anticipate your commands. But how did dogs get to be so excellent at communicating with people in the first place? Putting Puppies’ Communication Skills to the […]

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/AmericanKennelClub/videos/10154092245349121/[/embed] People around the world were touched by the loyalty and resolve of the Search and Rescue Dogs who worked tirelessly to recover victims of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. In the aftermath of the attacks, the American Kennel Club coordinated efforts to assist the SAR handlers and dogs at the World Trade […]

The AKC works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog program and the AKC Search & Rescue program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); North American Flyball Association (NAFA); and […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! AGILITY Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more […]

Meet Willow Martin: Not Content to Sit and Watch! Name: Willow Martin Age: 17 Hometown: Williamsburg, VA Grade: 11th Family: Parents, Randi and David Martin AKC: How old is Violett and how did she come into your life? Willow: Violett (she has an extra “t” because she is extra special) turned 7 on April 17. She came into our lives by accident. When I was about 10, a […]

The Animal Welfare Program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DAFC) has proposed amendments to its Animal Welfare regulations.  The amendments apply to breeding kennels, boarding kennels, shelters, and pet stores licensed by the state. The proposal seeks to improve accountability for animal facilities importing animals for sale or adoption and improve […]

South Portland: On Tuesday, September 7, 2021, the City Council of South Portland reviewed proposed changes to its animal ordinance, which was amended in late August.  At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council forwarded the proposal—ORDINANCE #3-21/22 - Amending Chapter 3, "Animals and Fowl", regarding dogs—to an ad hoc committee for the purpose of continued work […]

On August 7, the Texas Legislature entered its second Special Session of 2021. Governor Abbott’s proclamation to convene the special session identified 17 agenda items for the legislature to consider, none of which involve dog-related issues.  Nevertheless House Bill 17 and Senate Bill 78, relating to the tethering of dogs, have been filed. Both HB […]

Today, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced a measure to require that all dogs imported into the U.S. meet minimum health standards as demonstrated in a health certificate issued by a recognized veterinary authority in the country of origin. The Senate Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2021 joins companion measure HR 4239 […]

Yesterday, Governor Sununu signed H. 338 into law, making the tampering or removal of a dog’s collar or microchip a misdemeanor crime.  It also increases the penalty for stealing a dog, from a misdemeanor to a class B felony, for anyone guilty of multiple offenses.  These changes, effective January 1, 2022, are expected to act […]

The Virginia Board of Wildlife Resources as proposed amendments to the Commonwealth’s regulations governing hunting, trapping, and terrestrial wildlife specifically as they relate to Coyote and Furbearer Hunting Contests which could impact field trials and similar training events.  Online comment submission closes July 30, 2021. As proposed, a new section to Title 4 of the […]

Clubs Allowed to Use Waiting Lists (July 2021) New Lifetime Achievement Title/Flea and Tick Collars (March 2019)   Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests for Spaniels Eligible Breeds    

Several of the pointing breeds have a heritage of retrieving from water. These breeds are required to pass the AKC Water Test in order to be awarded field trial or hunting test titles. An ongoing issue that owners have faced is the lack of water tests. To address this issue, the AKC Performance Events Department […]

Memorandum Today, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced a measure to require that all dogs imported into the U.S. meet minimum health standards as demonstrated in a health certificate issued by a recognized veterinary authority in the country of origin. The Senate Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2021 joins companion measure HR […]