This issue of Taking Command reviews major issues and emerging trends in legislation.  Among other developments, an increasing number of proposed laws seek to establish arbitrary dog care requirements that are not based on scientific criteria or accepted animal husbandry practices. For example, some states and communities have proposed laws that would require owners to provide dogs with “constant […]

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 […]

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 […]

Election Day is right around the corner. On Tuesday, November 8, all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate, 36 governorships, and many other state and local elections will be contested. To preserve the future of purebred dogs, it’s important to identify dog-friendly candidates and […]

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 […]

In addition to tracking and responding to legislative proposals, AKC Government Relations addresses dog-related regulatory proposals from the U.S. federal government, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia.  AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) is currently tracking approximately 750 regulatory proposals, most which concern land use/hunting regulations and those governing the practice of veterinary medicine.  […]

Learn the basics of dog wound care, so you can handle emergencies and ongoing at-home treatment to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing.

I'm Just Little! – Important Reminders for Toy Dog Owners AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Breanne Long, owner of two Papillons, discusses the different needs of toy dogs and important things to keep in mind if you own a small dog. The world of a small dog is a very big place. People and dogs are […]

On Oct. 27, 2019, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois military working dog named Conan took part in the Barisha raid, which resulted in the death of the leader of ISIS. While Conan received minor wounds, it was reported she is expected to fully recover. Conan joined a long list of heroic military working dogs. Whenever a […]

Whether you live in an area of the country where earthquakes are common, or you are somewhere where earthquakes are more rare it's important to make...

Years ago, a friend wanted to interview a global giant in her breed. Everyone who heard about the project was excited. She issued the invitation, and the great lady agreed. The two met at an important American show that the overseas breed authority would be attending. Over the course of a few days, their discussions […]

Recently at a show, I chatted with an exhibitor who was new to the sport. She had done a lovely job of grooming and showing her very promising puppy, a European import. Since she seemed really determined to learn all she could about showing her breed successfully, I couldn’t resist asking why she had felt […]

On a balmy Saturday in June, three Leonbergers and two Samoyeds completed one of the first group AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGC) tests in the nation. The new test assesses a dog's ability to manage tasks that city-dwellers may face every day, such as using public transportation, navigating crowded streets, and waiting calmly in […]

Ever wonder if there's anything you can do to strengthen the bond between you and your dog? Maybe you want him to be better socialized, or maybe you want to teach him some tricks. Maybe, you just want an activity for the two of you to do together that's fun and engaging. Well luckily, for […]

Roberta Hill and her Treeing Walker Coonhound "Toddie" came into each others' lives by accident. But their bond has been nothing short of exceptional since.

When "Zodiac," a 110-pound Akita, hears "Go Say Hi," he ambles into the room and gently perches on the person seated on the floor. Or he might lean...

Settling City Dogs Sassafras Patterdale CPDT-KA Being in a city environment isn't always easy for dogs. Cities are crowded and busy with distractions...

There seems to be no shortage of fun-filled adjectives to characterize the Barbet, one of two dog breeds earning full American Kennel Club recognition on January 1, 2020. For starters, try playful, quirky, goofy, clownish, and loving. According to the biggest Barbet boosters – longtime Barbet Club of America (BCA) officers – "loyal" and "smart" should […]

Here are 10 things you probably didn't know about the Samoyed. This beautiful, smart, and wolf-like dog breed has a long and storied history.

Much has been written about the need for socializing puppies at an early age, but sometimes even an experienced breeder might forget about this necessity, especially if it's been a while since they raised a litter. One of the things I’ve learned during my almost 50-year involvement with Italian Greyhounds is that this breed is […]

Mantrailing has traditionally been an activity used to assist in the hunt for missing persons. However, it is growing in popularity as a dog sport.

The first moment I met my 8-week-old Leonberger puppy, Miss Emily von Alpensee, she took one look at me and peed on the floor. I used that opportunity to open a conversation with the breeder about housetraining. "Oh, it's easy," the breeder said. "Leonbergers get it very quickly. As soon as you see the puppy […]

Some dogs love hiding toys, treats, and anything else they can find. Learn why dogs hide things, and what to do if the behavior becomes a problem.

Make your annual cleaning ritual dog-friendly by adding these dog-specific tasks to your checklist. Remember to always use pet-safe cleaning products!

The top agility canine athletes in the nation were crowned on March 25 from an overall entry of 917 dogs at the AKC National Agility Championship held in Reno, Nevada. “These dogs are true athletes, and it’s amazing to see them do what they do best,” said Carrie DeYoung, AKC Director of Agility. “Their performances […]

March is Red Cross month, the perfect time to refresh your pet first aid skills. As a breeder you probably already have good first aid knowledge, but it’s a good idea to brush up every so often and to review what is in your first aid kit. In the heat of an emergency, even the […]

The world of AKC Rally may be smaller, but there's certainly room in this dog sport for Terry Albert,

Pugs won us over with their adorable faces, loyalty, and easy-going nature. But where did those qualities come from? Learn more with these Pug fun facts.

Searching for a new purebred puppy isn’t necessarily as easy as it seems. Sure, anyone can post an advertisement for healthy, purebred, AKC-registered puppies on sites like Facebook and Craigslist, but that doesn’t make them true. It is important for dog owners to know where exactly their new furry friend came from to ensure their […]

The AKC works with 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); the North American Flyball Association (NAFA); […]