Two new Maryland laws that could impact dog owners are now in effect. The first requires that dogs left unattended in extreme weather have suitable shelter.  The other addresses “Cost of Animal Care” and requires individuals whose animals have been seized due to charges of cruelty or severe neglect to pay the cost of caring […]

A revised animal ordinance is scheduled for a second vote at the Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, TN, Council Meeting on December 6, 2022. View the proposed ordinance. The current proposed ordinance, BL2022-1571, is less problematic than a previous version that was withdrawn in June. However, the current proposal still contains certain overreaching provisions, which […]

Anti-breeder and animal rights groups are making a year-end push on Capitol Hill to advance arbitrary and harmful federal breeder regulations (H.R. 2840 /S. 1385)  called the “Puppy Protection Act”.  This bill would mandate arbitrary new requirements for certain hobby and professional dog breeders, and continues to gain support Congress.  We urge all responsible dog […]

Connor Wooton is an 18-year-old from Bel Air, Maryland. Wooton became an active dog sports competitor as a junior handler and has just aged out of...

Magic happened at the 2022 AKC National Trick Dog Competition. Muriel McMullen and her Australian Terrier, Maddie, took some inspiration from the Wizarding World of Hogwarts for a routine titled "Dogwarts School of Witchcraft." From packing her bags to head off to Dogwarts to managing to transform her pet owl into a dragon, Maddie wowed […]

There are few things more beautiful than watching a dog running in a full-out sprint without abandon. On September 16, 2022, dogs from across the United States journey to Kannapolis, North Carolina to compete in the 2022 Fastest Dogs USA. Bolting down the field with the fifth fastest time was Salt, the No. 1 ranking […]

Remember “The Golden Girls” — that TV sitcom staple decades ago? Well, today’s version is fun-loving, too, but has gone to the dogs. And boy do they know their breed, Golden Retrievers. Nancy Lewine and Jenny Cochran are the brains and workhorses behind GoldenSoul Dogs, of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, and American Kennel Club Breeders of Merit. […]

Have you ever opened a jar of peanut butter and watched your dog come running from 50 yards away? Or seen your dog sniff out a tasty morsel in a five-acre field? These are just two examples of the incredible sense of smell that dogs have. Their noses are at least 100,000 times more sensitive […]

The European Open Junior (EOJ) event in Europe brings the best of agility to a world stage. Seventeen-year-old Sasha Zitter is one of 19 Juniors headed to Switzerland this year as part of the only International Junior Agility team in the United States. For her, this year's event is particularly special, as it is her third and […]

As a world-renowned sculptor, Susan Bahary brings to life service animals in her monuments, but it was her start in showing Afghan Hounds in the 1970s that inspired her to incorporate the veracious details of her subjects. “I began dabbling with sculpting at age 16,” says Bahary, recipient of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s prestigious […]

When we go on vacation, we want to escape from the mad pace of our daily lives. Rest, relaxation, time to meditate, and spend time in nature. But can we feel truly rested when we’ve left our best friend back home? Why not take your dog along with you? Luckily, there are a few wellness […]

When the music starts Elizabeth McKibben and her Australian Shepherd Harper and her Border Collie Fanta come alive. The 16-year-old from Dayton, Ohio, and her dogs are active competitors in Musical Freestyle competitions. McKibben and Harper have earned their fourth Musical Freestyle Championship and Fanta is about to earn his first Musical Freestyle Championship. Bringing […]

The 2021 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Dec. 18 and 19 hosted more than 5,000 dogs who all competed for the coveted title of Best in Show. The competition began with each dog competing for best in their breed. Best of Breed winners then advanced to compete in the group competitions to […]

Imagine you are 19 years old, your apartment has been destroyed by Russian bombs, and you have left your family and friends behind in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Now, nine months later you find yourself in the bright lights at The National Dog Show in Oaks, Pennsylvania, with an affable 3½-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Quentin beside […]

2022 Delegate Committee Annual Reports Dog Show Rules Committee 2021 Delegate Committee Annual Reports All-Breed Clubs Committee Delegate Advocacy and Advancement Committee 2020 Delegate Committee Annual Reports All-Breed Clubs Committee Delegate Advocacy and Advancement Committee Dog Show Rules Committee 2019 Delegate Committee Annual Reports All-Breed Clubs Committee Companion Events Committee Dog Show Rules Committee Delegate […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – AB 1648 would require anyone who has a city or county kennel license to also have an animal disaster preparedness plan.  As passed by the Assembly, there are no specific instructions or guidelines for what should […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Maine – At the November Animal Welfare Advisory Council meeting, members noted that the dog license subcommittee had not met and no new information was provided. Discussion did focus on the lack of access to timely veterinary services […]

What is your name? Spencer Pardee How old are you? 16 years old What state do you live in? Michigan What breed(s) do you compete with? Standard Poodles What sport(s) do you compete in with your dog(s)? Tracking, obedience, rally, field, and agility How did you become involved with this sport? I became involved with […]

Meet Alyssa Lanier: Dogs are a Family Affair Name: Alyssa Lanier Age: 11 Hometown: Ocklawaha, FL Grade: Sixth Family: Parents Chad and Jennifer Lanier; Brother, Zachary; Sisters, Brianne and Skyla Dog training started as a 4H activity for Alyssa’s older siblings. Alyssa tagged along and soon was training her own dogs. Now showing dogs is something the entire family participates in. Alyssa and Wrangler placed third in Novice A at […]

Like many serious dog fanciers of today, most of us were introduced to dogs by someone else.  Someone with some knowledge of different breeds, or training, or care.  Through the years an interest in dogs often turns into a passion that consumes our thoughts and our dreams.  We may become breeders, amateur or professional trainers, […]