News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Twelve state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session, and three state legislatures are in special session. AKC Government Relations is currently tracking more than 1,429 local, state, and federal issues. The following are highlights […]

No matter what your interest in dogs, the chances are good that there’s a dog club near you where you can meet people who share your interests. AKC recognizes fifteen (15) different types of clubs: Parent Specialty, All-Breed, Specialty (single breed), Group (limited breed), Obedience, Tracking, Agility, Rally, Field Trial, Hunting Test, Herding, Coonhound, Lure […]

What’s New from AKC Government Relations May has been a busy month for the AKC Government Relations Team. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter legislative calendars and processes nationwide.  A patchwork of state requirements impact dog owners, club activities/ events, and pet-related enterprises. In addition to GR’s standard legislative tracking, the team continues to […]

AKC Government Relations continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2023 Legislation Tracking map and click on “Federal Bills” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of issues we are currently addressing on the federal level include: U.S. Congress – HR […]

Local/Other: Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in U.S. Territories The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to assist dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can't help unless we are aware of the proposal. Please contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org when new laws are discussed or […]

The German Shepherd Dog is always near the top of the most popular breed rankings, and there's good reason for that. However, there's a similar breed you might mistake for a German Shepherd – the Belgian Malinois. The two breeds' close resemblance in appearance and shared herding heritage can lead to some confusion. And similarities […]

The oldest competitor at the AKC Agility Premier Cup, Papillon "Focus", and his housemates, bring owner Brenda Kautz comfort after a devastating loss.

According to a friend, Dr. James Price McCain started exhibiting dogs in the 1930s to “relieve the nervous tension of his medical practice and perhaps most of all to participate in an activity in which his success or failure would be determined in merit, not solely upon the color of his skin.” Dr. McCain’s merit […]

While every breed has a shot at winning Best in Show at any given dog show, there are some dogs whose stand-on-your-tippy-toes glamour simply makes them hard to ignore. And the Poodle, with his halo of perfectly coiffed fur and showy attitude (so distinctive that it has spawned its eponymous adjective – “Poodley"), is undoubtedly […]

Ever wonder if you can go from watching dog shows on TV to competing at big shows yourself? Well that's exactly what Junior Handler Ashlyn Navis did.