Please share this information with dog owners in Decatur, AL. The Decatur (AL) City Council is scheduled to vote Monday, October 21, 2019, on amendments to the city’s animal ordinance that include restrictions on tethering, the establishment of minimum enclosure sizes for dogs, a requirement to use specified water receptacles, and other potentially problematic provisions. […]

New Jersey Senate Bill 1013 will be considered by the Senate Economic Growth Committee on Monday, December 12, 2016. As originally introduced, this measure contained numerous prohibitions on the crating, confinement, transportation and keeping of dogs that would have arbitrarily and unnecessarily banned standard, humane temporary care practices utilized at dog shows and events.    AKC […]

The NY Assembly Agriculture Committee is scheduled to consider a bill tomorrow (Tuesday, March 10) that would ban the practice of debarking in the state unless it is medically necessary to treat an injury, illness, or congenital defect. The AKC opposes this bill, which would restrict the rights of responsible dog owners to make viable, […]

This week, Texas Governor Abbot took action on three additional bills of interest to AKC: House Bill 2063- Informed Consent for Kennel Facilities Status: Filed into law without the Governor’s Signature, effective date September 1, 2023 HB 2063 requires kennel facility operators (those who are providing boarding services for breeding, sheltering, training, hunting, “or similar […]

The Maryland Senate is expected to consider a bill any day that contains some very troubling legislative findings (including implying that breeders are the reason dogs end up in shelters). The purpose of the bill is to ensure that pet stores and dealers in Maryland only obtain dogs from reputable breeders, and many positive amendments […]

Recently, I was a guest on the History Channel's weekly series "History's Business" where I was asked to discuss AKC and the sport of purebred dogs.  In preparation, I did a great deal of reading about AKC’s 120-year history and the individuals who contributed to making the organization and the sport what it is today. […]

This year as we gear up for the fourth annual AKC ® Responsible Dog Ownership Day (AKC RDO Day) I am pleased to report about some new opportunities for clubs, state federations, and pet-related organizations as they plan their AKC RDO Day events in communities across the country. Publicly promoting responsible dog ownership takes time, initiative and […]

--"Keep On Keepin’ On"-- In his insightful and highly acclaimed biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson chose to capture a defining characteristic of Jobs by giving him the last word on his own life. Jobs, who proved to be a good student of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan’s philosophical insights, used a Dylan lyric to explain his […]

The American Kennel Club® announced today that it will provide same-day video coverage of the Bred-by-Exhibitor groups on www.akc.org. "The Bred-by-Exhibitor competition features dogs bred and exhibited by their owners, people who have devoted much time and energy striving to improve their breeds in health, temperament and appearance," said Ron Menaker, Show Chairman. "We are pleased […]

National Champion Beats Dogs from 49 States and Hundreds of International Competitors   GCHB CH Cordmaker Mister Blue Sky, a Puli known as “Preston” triumphed over nearly 5,000 dogs to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, held this weekend in […]