Hello, everybody, and thank you for joining us for the second virtual meeting of our Delegate Body. The onset of Autumn is usually a time when we celebrate the return of events in cooler climates when the heat of the summer is replaced by the hint of turning leaves, and yet here we are, with […]

On Monday, March 21, 2022, the Maryland Senate will give third and final consideration to the passage of Senate Bill 44 which regulates dogs outdoors and unattended in certain weather conditions and temperatures.  Its companion bill, House Bill 16, had previously passed the House and is now in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. The AKC […]

A radical animal rights ballot proposal in Oregon has been postponed until 2024.  This proposal would outlaw all hunting, criminalize artificial insemination, and have a significant impact on many other animal husbandry practices in the state. Background: In 2021, supporters began advocating for Initiative Petition 13, officially called the “Abuse, Neglect, and Assault Exemption Modification […]

On Monday, March 21, 2022, the Maryland Senate passed Senate Bill 44  which regulates dogs outdoors and unattended in certain weather conditions and temperatures. The bill is schedule for a hearing before the House Environment and Transportation Committee at 1:00pm on Wednesday, March 30,2022.  Written comments will only be accepted on Monday, March 28.  Scroll […]

So far in 2022, responsible Tennessee dog owners have successfully opposed several problematic bills. Next week, more overreaching bills are scheduled for hearings. These bills could actually increase the risk of harm to dogs. Senate Bill 2243 and House Bill 2860 both seek to make it an offense for a person to restrain a dog […]

The Arkansas Fish and Game Commission has proposed extensive updates to the state’s general hunting, miscellaneous wildlife, and general fishing regulations, which it will consider at its April 20-21, 2022, meeting.  Interested Arkansas residents and visitors who hunt and fish in Arkansas are encouraged to review and comment on the proposal. Of the 111 proposed […]

The Maryland General Assembly has adjourned, and passed bills relating to keeping dogs outdoors and care of animals seized on suspicion of cruelty.  While some positive amendments were included to protect responsible dog owners, some concerns still remain. The governor could take action on these bills very soon.  Those who reside or participate in dog […]

With Retrievers being one of the most popular breeds in America, it’s a safe bet that thousands upon thousands of hours are spent playing fetch each year. While you might think it’s just a form of play (and a fun party trick!), it’s actually much more: It’s a Retriever embracing his natural ability to respond […]

Retrievers are one of the most versatile breeds around. Their natural instinct to retrieve (anything) but specifically birds make up their drive to please. They are not only useful for hunters but for families and professionals in many ways. Retrievers can be hunting dogs, great family dogs, arson dogs, bomb detection dogs, drug detection dogs, […]

This program was formulated due to the overwhelming success of the Retriever Hunting Test program. In 1986 Director of Field Trials and Hunting Tests, A. Hamilton (Ham) Rowan, Manager of Performance Events, John Carroll, and AKC Field Representative, Bob Bartel developed the plans for the fledgling Pointing Breed Hunting Test program. The regulations were approved […]

Field Trial Grounds being Developed in Alabama by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources First Dog to Earn MHA — ‘Battue‘ Growing Up With Field Dogs Get Started Growing Up In A GSP Family Kaitlyn Walsh -- A Young Handler for the Hunt Test Crowd "Miles" -First Junior Hunter Advanced Title Portuguese Pointer: First to […]

Spaniels are undeniably cute, with a happy and gentle personality. But did you know they are also hardy and skillful hunting companions retrieving water fowl and flushing game birds in all conditions. Spaniels competing in trials will be judged on game-finding ability, steadiness and retrieving. A spaniel’s work in the field is a compilation of […]

In 2014, DreamWorks Animation announced that it was putting Lassie on the comeback trail, but not in the way you might think. “We realized that Lassie has an authenticity that makes her a merchandising holy grail,” DreamWorks executive Michael Francis crowed to The New York Times. Francis (the man behind Target’s fabulously successful Bull Terrier […]

What tugs at our hearts more than an adorable Chihuahua peeking out of Reese Witherspoon’s purse in the movie Legally Blonde? Perhaps it is the sight of puppies glee­ fully romping through scenes in 101 Dalmatians, or the exploits of Otis, the endearing Pug, in The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Dogs occupy a treasured […]

It's no secret that every owner thinks that their dog is special — especially those dogs that have qualified for the 2022 AKC National Agility Championship (NAC), which is being held in Ocala, Florida on April 1-3 this year.   But one of these dogs has earned a title that bears no acronym or ribbon: Hero. […]

The bubonic plague, or Black Death, was unleashed in 1348 by the humble rat flea. The plague decimated the people of Europe and before the connection was made between the plague and rats, half of all Europeans — by some estimates 40 or 50 million — suffered an unspeakably gruesome death. In the wake of […]

Dogs are incredibly diverse in size, appearance, energy levels, and temperament, and it's no accident. Dogs have been purpose-bred for generations to highlight this diversity. In times past, people relied on dogs to perform jobs and tasks. Different breeds were developed specifically to do for those working purposes. Today, most of our dogs spend a […]

Tifani King of Spring Lake Park Minnesota could technically still compete as a junior. But after a successful Juniors career, she made the decision to start not just competing against adults, but to become a professional handler, where she is hired to show other people's dogs in the breed ring. For someone with a lifelong […]

The history of dogs might be very different without the people of Phoenicia. These seafaring traders sailed the Mediterranean from what is today Lebanon 2,500 years ago, During their trip, they did business in luxury items. As they went, it's assumed that the Phoenicians disseminated Egyptian hounds throughout the ancient world. The prevailing theory suggests […]

Owning a dog is one of the greatest pleasures and highlights of our life. But there is a downside to loving a dog, and that’s the huge difference between our life expectancy and theirs. “Everyone wants to live as long as possible, and we want the same for our family members and pets,” says Dr. […]

Sophia Rainna Jean Norman from Cincinnati, Ohio got started showing dogs when she was just five years old. Now twelve, she's a seventh-grader and an avid dog sports competitor with her American Eskimo Dog Sailor “CH Wintersun's Making Waves RN SNB SNE CGC TKN.” Getting Started At five, Norman started showing as part of Peewee […]

At only 10 years old, Addie Weger from Cameron, North Carolina is already a breeder, owner, and handler. Weger, who shows two Swedish Vallhunds – CH Hightower Au Reult Alva Elora “Eevee'' and Au Reult SD Maplewoof Master of Disaster “Valkyrie” – inspires other junior handlers to get involved and stay involved in dog sports […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama –House Bill 485 as introduced would, among other provisions, allow a dog to be confiscated without court authorization if “suspected” of harassing, harming, or killing livestock. AKC is working with the bill sponsor on additional amendments to […]

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 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it is soliciting comments from the public on the use […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – House Bill 485, among other provisions, would have allowed a dog to be confiscated without court authorization if suspected of harassing, harming, or killing livestock. Minor amendments were adopted in committee, and AKC GR advocated for […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world's largest dog registry and leading authority and advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 American Kennel Club Performance Events Junior Scholarship. A total of $10,000 has been awarded to five exceptional students. They reflect a diverse representation of AKC Performance sports and have […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world's largest dog registry and leading industry authority and advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that ten exceptional students from nine states have been awarded the American Kennel Club Junior Scholarship for 2022. The scholarships are offered to high school and college students, this year ranging from $3,500 - […]

Lnh's Shot Of Fire FCAT ACT1 CGC TKE owned by Lindsey Hazlett of Mount Horeb, WI “Heisman is a 5-year-old rescue who has spent the last year learning complex tricks and routines for the AKC Trick Dog program,” Lindsey said. He earned his Elite Performer title in December 2021 after performing a routine called Heisman […]

MACH Jesse's Girl CDX BN RE MXB MJB XF T2B CA SWA SIE SEE SBE THDA CGC owned by Cris & Robert Ballenger of Wheaton, IL The very accomplished Jesse started her dog sports career in Obedience and Rally. She then moved on to Agility, earning her MACH at age 9. She is also a […]

Among the world’s oldest breeds, the slim but rugged Saluki was the hunting hound of kings for thousands of years. Salukis are swift and agile sprinters who love a good chase. They make gentle, dignified, and independent but loyal pets.