Today, the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission accepted the modification of State Senator Lucio to “sever” the Commission Staff’s recommendation that the Licensed Breeders Program be eliminated.  The modification was then adopted as part of the entire package of changes to programs administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.  In effect, the Licensed Breeder […]

Have you, as a breeder, been targeted or harassed after you participated in a legislative process, commented on a proposed law or regulation, or communicated your opinion on a dog-related issue?  Let’s ask that question more plainly: Do you believe that something suspicious, threatening, or unjustified occurred just because you took action on an issue […]

Breeders want the best for their puppies. They carefully seek loving owners who match well with their breed and can provide safety, health care, and training. But they may not realize how AKC Registrations give their puppies a jump start to a great life in their new homes. In addition to preserving the puppies’ names […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and AKC Pet Insurance are pleased to announce the launch of the AKC Breeder Rewards Program. The program is designed to reward breeders who promote responsible dog ownership. Beginning November 10th, breeders who register their litters with the AKC can earn up to $10 per puppy for encouraging owners to […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2020 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “We are proud to honor these esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “Each of them has made important contributions to the […]

Tonight, October 19, at 7:00pm, residents in Marshfield, Massachusetts, will be asked at a special town meeting to vote on two of three proposed dog ordinances, Articles 1, 2 and 3.  We are grateful that after the American Kennel Club’s (AKC’s) initial legislative alert and subsequent contacts were made with town officials, Article 3 regarding […]

The next meeting of Texas’ Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee is scheduled for Monday, November 30, 2020, at 10AM.  The meeting will be held via video conference and will be broadcast live on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s YouTube channel. Please note that the agenda and staff reports to be considered are currently unavailable, […]

On Monday, October 19, at 7:00pm, residents in Marshfield, Massachusetts, will be asked at a special town meeting to vote on three proposed dog ordinances, Articles 1, 2 and 3.  These articles are extremely problematic because combined, they hamstring local breeding programs in favor of importing strays to meet consumers’ high demand for dogs.  New […]

Changes to the county animal ordinance, including discussion of a proposal to declare numerous dog breeds as dangerous, were presented at the Barrow County Board of Commissioners meeting on September 22, 2020.  The county manager recommended that 12-15 breeds be designated as dangerous. TAKE ACTION TODAY.  Barrow County residents are urged to immediately contact their […]

Earlier this week, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) introduced a bill that would make changes to the federal Animal Welfare Act to mandate arbitrary new requirements for certain professional and small hobby dog breeders. S. 4757 – the “Puppy Protection Act of 2020” – is a companion measure (with the same language) to HR 2442 introduced […]

The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is still accepting comments on its June staff report recommendation that the state’s Licensed Breeder Program should be eliminated due to fundamental flaws with the law that created it, the program’s ineffectiveness, and significant operational costs. The Commission was originally scheduled to consider the recommendation at an August hearing, but […]

I smelled the stench before I saw her, sort of like a landfill on a 92-degree day. A mottled gray and once-white shaggy blur ran down the hall into my arms, and I was in love, no matter what my nose told me. This cuter-than-a-teddy-bear puppy had darted into my boyfriend’s office when he opened […]

So, you think you want a dog? Before adding a canine companion to your family, you should give careful thought to what it means to be a responsible dog owner. I know I had to. When I was a little kid, my family was not animal-oriented, but I was obsessed with animals, especially dogs. I […]

In June, staff of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission recommended that the state’s Licensed Breeders Program should be eliminated due to fundamental flaws with the law that created it, the program’s ineffectiveness, and significant operational costs.  The Sunset Advisory Commission will meet on Thursday, August 20, to accept testimony on recommendations to eliminate 15 regulatory […]

On Monday, July 20 at 7:30pm, residents in Holliston, Massachusetts will be asked at its annual town meeting to vote on warrant  Article 22 .  Although the proposal’s title is “Protecting Consumers and Animals in Holliston,” it instead would ban the sale of purpose-bred pets from state-inspected and -licensed facilities, like pet shops, in favor […]

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners through sound scientific research and the dissemination of health information. CHF works with researchers, veterinarians, breed clubs, dog owners, and breeders to find and fund studies with the greatest potential to improve the health […]

In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed and then-Governor Perry signed into law the Dog and Cat Breeders Act.  The law’s aim is to regulate those who (1) possesses 11 or more adult intact female animals and (2) who are engaged in the business of breeding those animals for direct or indirect sale or for exchange […]

Canine herpes virus, more commonly known as fading puppy syndrome, can be a devastating disease if it hits your kennel. Dogs typically become exposed by nose to nose contact with an infected dog or through the air in crowded areas. Dogs at highest risk for the virus are young females who’ve never been exposed and […]

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) provides educational resources and tools for dog breeders as part of its mission to advance the health of all dogs. To help responsible breeders utilize the latest canine health information in their breeding and rearing plans and share that information with their puppy buyers, CHF provides infectious disease facts […]

In addition to emergency measures to address the COVID-19 virus, the City Council of Palm Springs has stated they will continue with their full scheduled agenda at their meeting on Thursday, March 19.  This includes a second reading on a proposal enacting breeder restrictions in the city. At their February meeting, the council gave initial […]