Dear AKC Delegates, Club Officers, Judges and Breeders, Please forward this information to your club members in Washington State. The Washington State House Judiciary Committee will hear Senate Bill 5501 on Tuesday, March 17th. The measure will make it a class 2 civil infraction (punishable by a fine of up to $125) to "leave or […]

On March 11, 2015, the Arkansas House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development is scheduled to consider House Bill 1620, which would establish regulations, fees, inspections, and problematic requirements for dog breeders and for dogs "sold for commercial purposes." The definitions in the bill are contradictory. A "commercial breeding kennel" would be defined as […]

Tomorrow, March 20, 2015 at 9:00 a.m., the Arkansas House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development is scheduled to consider an amended version of House Bill 1620 as a special order of business. This bill would establish regulations, fees, inspections, and problematic requirements for dog breeders. Provisions of concern with HB 1620 include, but […]

Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Minnesota Senate File 1325 seeks to modify the use of certain traps used in hunting, and would require the reporting of pets or companion animals found caught in traps.  SF 1325 is currently pending in the Minnesota State Senate after being passed by both the Environment and Energy and Judiciary committees.  […]

April 28, 2015 Attention Alabama Dog Owners: Alabama House Bill 548 seeks to establish criminal penalties for failure to comply with overreaching, undefined, and arbitrary requirements for the care, feeding, and housing of dogs.  Compliance with the problematic provisions of HB 548 would be required for every person or organization that has “custody or ownership” […]

May 5, 2015 A bill remains active in Iowa that would further regulate breeders, hobbyists, fanciers, groomers, and rescues and require them to pay significant license fees.  Iowa dog owners, breeders, and fanciers are strongly encouraged to contact your State Senator and ask them to oppose Senate File 502.  Even if you already contacted your […]

AKC Government Relations has just learned that on Tuesday, June 2nd the Taos County, NM Board of County Commissioners will consider proposed changes to county animal control ordinances that include: Mandatory spay/neuter provisions Burdensome licensing fees Leash requirements that could deem your dog to be “at-large” even when on your own property, and Limit laws […]

June 12, 2015 The Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, June 16, that would make several changes regarding dog training areas, including providing protections for dogs actively training or participating in field trials. Background: Senate Bill 77 creates a number of new provisions, including: Making it unlawful […]

June 8, 2015 The New York Assembly Agriculture Committee is considering a bill tomorrow (Tuesday, June 9) that would make some changes and clarifications to the laws regarding hunting dogs. Assembly Bill 7220 deals with dogs recovered or seized by local law enforcement for being at-large.  Under the provisions of this bill, a hunting dog […]

The New York Legislature has adjourned and will likely not reconvene until 2016.  Prior to adjournment, three bills were passed that would directly impact dog owners.  The bills must still be sent to the governor for his approval or veto: Assembly Bill 6626/Senate Bill 5372 – Allowing Service/Therapy Dogs to Accompany Domestic Violence Victims: The […]

The Iredell County Board of Commissioners is having a public hearing on October 6 regarding numerous proposed changes to the county’s animal control laws.  Several of the concerns originally mentioned by the AKC and local clubs have been addressed; however, there remains an unclear definition of “household pet”. The proposal defines a “household pet” in […]

A new law has been passed in Pennsylvania that makes several changes regarding dog training areas, including providing protections for dogs actively training or participating in field trials.   The law will go into effect in late January 2016.  Highlights of the new law include: Making it unlawful for anyone to “willfully, negligently or maliciously” kill, […]

A Maryland Senate Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on February 11 that will provide further protections for owners of service animals.  Senate Bill 264 creates two new provisions that would protect service dogs and their owners.  It amends the crime of aggravated cruelty to state that a person may not intentionally inflict bodily […]

House Bill 2303, which would require regulation, inspection, and potentially high registration fees for dog breeders, has been rescheduled for a vote in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, February 16. Its companion bill, Senate Bill 2175, has been rescheduled for a vote on Monday, February 22, in the Senate Energy, Agriculture, […]

A proposal has been introduced in West Virginia that would require the sterilization of all dogs and cats, with very few exceptions. All bills must be considered in committee by the end of this week, so it is important that all who reside or participate in conformation, hunting, performance, or other activities with dogs in […]

On Wednesday, February 24, the Rhode Island House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee will consider several dog-related bills, including House Bill 7062, which seeks to further restrict the practice of humane tethering of dogs.  Current Rhode Island law provides specific exemptions from the state’s restrictions on the practice of tethering animals.  Exempted parties include licensed […]

A proposal is scheduled for a vote on July 5 by the Baltimore County Council that would prohibit dogs being used for hunting or training on county-owned property.  Current law states that any dog being used for hunting or trained for hunting is exempt from the county’s at-large dog laws.  The AKC opposes the portion […]

The Santa Fe County Commission is holding the first of two public hearings on Tuesday, September 13, on a proposal that would impact all dog owners residing or participating in events in the county. Those who reside or participate in events in the county are strongly encouraged to contact the committee, and if possible, attend […]

This morning, the Michigan Senate Agriculture Committee passed two bills that would establish a new Animal Welfare Commission in the state to create new rules, licensing, inspections, and other requirements for anyone who breeds dogs in Michigan.    This commission will be given broad powers to regulate animal welfare in the state, and yet those directly […]

This article originally ran in the “Training & Behavior” column of AKC Family Dog. Congratulations on entering your first rally trial! The hours of practice with your dog are about to pay off. Now all you have to do is stick with your plan for pre-show week and you’ll be good to go. Show Countdown: […]

with Family's Devotion   While her daughter took a tennis lesson, jogger Vicky Kaseorg put her wait time to good use with a run around the neighborhood. A lifelong animal lover, Vicky forced herself to look away when she spotted a skinny mud-covered dog lying in a parking lot. Surely some kind-hearted person would help, […]

If your dog is constantly on the prowl for squirrels, moles and any other critters that appear in your backyard, then they should be a natural for the fun sport of Barn Hunt.   As of April 1, 2013, the American Kennel Club recognizes titles earned at events sanctioned by the Barn Hunt Association (BHA). […]

By Gary N. Sadler It may be hard to imagine, but at 14, Kayla is an "old hand" when it comes to training and running pointing dogs in AKC Hunting Tests. Around dogs all of her life, Kayla was introduced at age six to German Shorthaired Pointers by her Grandmother, Stacie Smith. At seven, Kayla […]

This story originally appeared in the summer 2012 issue of the AKC Canine Partners News and later was reprinted in a 2013 issue of AKC Family Dog magazine. The story won first place in the 2013 Dog Writers Association of America writing competition in the category of “Magazine Feature Article with the topic of Rescue.”Since […]

Sweet & Sassy Cajun UD BN GN RN owned by Birgit Mantilla of Chicago, IL Cajun was born just over 11 years ago at Birgit’s home. She was one of 10 puppies in Birgit’s first foster litter from animal control.  “Even though I did all I was supposed to with Cajun (going to classes, socialization), […]

Not every dog is cut out for the demanding role of a therapy dog. Rachel Shaw shared this story about her rescue Catahoula Leopard Dog and her discovery along the training road that Odette preferred not to do therapy work - except for one special moment that she will never forget. This story originally appeared in […]

 This is a special story about an incredible therapy dog. Luke passed way in January 2010 at about 14 years of age, but the impact he made on many children continues to last. His owner Debra White shares their story. To protect privacy, Debra has changed the names. This story originally appeared in an issue […]

If your dog loves to chase squirrels and dig for moles, then they would love the sport of Barn Hunt. Dogs get to hunt for rats, which are safely enclosed in heavy PVC tubes that are hidden in hay bales. The sport is for all dogs of all breeds, including mixed-breeds, like Hexie, who is […]

Toby’s Sister Shiloh RN CAA RATN owned by Joe Horne of Florence, SC Joe discovered lure coursing while researching ways to keep his Border Collie mix, Shiloh, entertained.  “I had never been involved in any kind of dog related events, but I started looking for any kind of sport to keep her busy so she […]

River Birch Bohland CD RAE owned by Brittany Rupp of Gully, MN River came to Brittany’s home as a 12-week-old fluff ball, thanks to a “Free Puppies” sign in the yard of a farm in rural Minnesota.  “She’s the first puppy I’ve ever had, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that if […]