Next week, the New Hampshire House Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety will hear public testimony on bills the American Kennel Club (AKC) believes are well-intentioned, but concerning as currently written. SERIOUS CONCERN:  HB 1310 would prohibit hunters from discharging a firearm in the direction of a building, livestock, or pets within their eyesight. […]

Bills impacting animal ownership, basic animal care, and service animals will be considered in Illinois on Tuesday, February 1. Those who live or participate in events in Illinois are strongly encouraged to contact the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee using the information below, and also to create witness slips prior to the hearing by clicking on this […]

This week, two New Hampshire House Committees voted down HB 1308 and HB 1310, bills negatively impacting hunting dogs that the American Kennel Club (AKC) actively opposed.  The near unanimous rejection of these bills sends a strong message of continued support for training hunting dogs, hosting field trials, and engaging in canine sporting activities in […]

Senate Bill 128 seeks to designate the Treeing Walker Coonhound as the official state dog of Kentucky. The bill states that the Treeing Walker Coonhound is a native Kentucky dog breed, developed in the 1800s by two Kentucky breeders.  Dog lovers in the state are urged to contact your state senators and representatives and ask […]

The Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee has scheduled a Committee vote tomorrow, February 18, 2022, at 3 p.m. on House Bill 16.  The bill would place limitations on dogs being outdoors and unattended in certain weather conditions, with exemptions for “if the dog is lawfully and activity engaged in hunting; livestock herding; sledding; sporting; or […]

At last week’s meeting of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, a problematic amendment was filed to House Bill 2034.  This bill seeks to create requirements and penalties for tethering/restraining dogs. Because the amendment removed practical exemptions for hunting and working dogs, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has changed its position on HB 2034 from “neutral” […]

The American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department (AKC GR) has just learned that Georgia House Bill 1450, entitled the Georgia Safe Outdoor Dog Act, will be considered by the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 9AM. As currently worded, the measure establishes some good practices to assure the health […]

A set of arbitrary and harmful federal breeder bills (H.R. 2840 /S. 1385) that would mandate new requirements for certain hobby and professional dog breeders are gaining support in Congress.  We urge all responsible dog owners, breeders and enthusiasts to contact their lawmakers about the harmful consequences of the bills, and ask them not to […]

Bills regulating dogs being outdoors and unattended in certain weather conditions and temperatures continue to advance in the Maryland Senate. Yesterday, the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee voted to give a favorable report on Senate Bill 44 as introduced.  The bill now goes to the full Senate where it is up for second consideration tomorrow, […]

Dogs bark. It's a fact of life that nearly all dog owners must accept. Barking is a self-rewarding behavior. But it is important for breeders and kennel owners to understand the different types of barking, and when it has turned into a problem behavior.  Canine Sounds & What They Mean A bark or vocalization is not just a bark or a vocalization.  A dog owner, breeder, or […]

One of the oldest of the Arctic sled dog breeds, the Alaskan Malamute (Malamute) has a proud history of working and living in extremely harsh conditions. These tireless dogs are members of the Working Group, and their form and function directly relate to their origin of heavy freighting. They are not racing dogs, but are […]

The story of “Woodbine, the Pandemic Puppy” starts with Christmas 2019 when James Canavan surprised his wife, Breedette Hayes, with a gift book, “The Curious History of Irish Dogs,” by David Blake Knox. “We live in New York City but are originally from Ireland, so we were keen to learn more about native breeds,” says […]

When Carla Repko was younger, she and her brother would beg and beg their parents for a dog and were sadly unsuccessful with each attempt. So naturally, when she bought her first house, the first thing she did was get a dog: a mixed breed named Artoo. While his behavior was great in the first […]

As Kayla Stanley was taking photos at her local dog club in 2018, she realized she wanted her own dogs to get in on the fun. But at the time she only had two older dogs and a Beagle who weren't interested in dog sports. Kayla told her husband they needed another dog just for […]

When Leah Graham, 9 years old, commented on the AKC's TikTok asking them to find her showing her Chihuahua in a bright lime green outfit during the 2021 AKC National Championship, she never imagined it would actually happen. Or that the video of her showing would be seen by more than 250,000 people on the […]

Natalia Backos, a 14-year-old from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, has never known a time when she didn't spend her weekends at dog shows. A proud third-generation breeder/owner/handler, Backos is following in the footsteps of her grandmother and mother, alongside her sister. Her dogs include her Parson Russell Terriers BISS GCH Panther Creek Stone Cold Sober "Boozer" and […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Arizona – House Bill 2323 states that for the purposes of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, the breed of dog may not be considered for underwriting or determining risk or loss, questionnaires or surveys regarding the presence of a […]

In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our sport on a national […]

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); […]

Competition/Titles Update Winter 2022 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 Agility Grand Champion (AGCH) AGCH MACH3 Up&Running A […]