Policies for All New Clubs: Two Path Event Process for New Club Accreditation to License Status (July 2023 Bd Mtg): The Club Relations Department proposed a two-path event process from accreditation to license status for all new clubs. Currently, there are eight event paths for clubs to reach license status. The event path assigned to a […]

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 […]

The following list highlights some of the AKC Government Relations’ (AKC GR) legislative successes through June 30, 2026.  These and other victories have been won in cooperation with AKC federations, clubs, and responsible dog owners and breeders around the country who continue to work tirelessly to promote positive canine legislation in their state and community. […]

How do Juniors who don't own dogs show? The AKC Junior Pilot Program allows Junior Handlers to show dogs they or their immediate family members don't own.

An AKC Match Show or fun match is a way to go through the motions without the pressure. Here's why you should enter a fun match before competing.

If you’re the owner of a senior dog or have a dog that is losing vision or hearing, you might not think it’s possible to continue doing dog sports. But participating in dog sports can help with both mental stimulation and physical exercise and can help strengthen that human-canine bond. There are plenty of senior dogs who are […]

For years her Vizslas’ successes in dog sports have produced many smiles and good vibes for Cathy Cline, of North Hollywood, Calif., but those memories don’t compare to the unshakable happiness triggered by Friends and Vets Helping Pets (FVHP), the foundation she started in 2012. Yes, there have been plenty of hand-wringing, frustrating moments, too, […]

Visit a Conformation dog show, and you'll see hundreds of dogs groomed to the max and striking a well-trained pose. But there are different types of shows.

The 2020 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Dec. 12 and 13 hosted 3,680 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 in Group Best of Breed winners then advanced to compete in the group competitions. Each […]

From the time he was three weeks old, curled up with his littermates in a Minnesota breeder’s whelping box, Nathan made quite the impression on Janis Dibert, who had recently lost her husband Dennis. A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever owner for 17 years, Dibert says, “Usually puppies are matched to you based on the information you […]