The Joint Municipalities and Regional Government Committee of the Massachusetts General Court is scheduled to consider 14 legislative proposals at its next meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2016.  Included in the agenda are bills pertaining to dogs.  All concerned Massachusetts dog owners are encouraged to contact the members of the Joint Municipalities and Regional Government […]

On Wednesday, November 8, one dozen animal bills impacting dogs and breeders are on the agenda for review by the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture (JENRA). The hybrid public hearing is scheduled to start at 1PM. The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department (AKC GR) has tracked most of these bills […]

In response to public health concerns associated with COVID-19, the Maryland Legislature has ended the 2020 session and will not reconvene until January 13, 2021. As a result of the House and Senate working hurriedly to move numerous bills and pass a budget, many bills did not make it to final passage.  Three of those […]

A public hearing will be held February 1, 2013 on House Bill 233, which would require licensing of "commercial dog breeders" subject to unnamed fees, would require unannounced inspections, and would establish requirements and standards of care. A commercial dog breeder would be defined as a person who owns, maintains, or otherwise has custody or […]

As the 2026 Florida Legislative Session concludes its policy calendar, the American Kennel Club (AKC) Government Relations team is pleased to provide a final update on key legislative outcomes impacting dog owners, breeders, and the broader purebred community across the state. While the Legislature will reconvene budget negotiations, all substantive policy matters of relevance to […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2019 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “The breeders honored with this award have made important contributions to the sport and future of purebred dogs,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and […]

Helyne E. Medeiros Named 2017 AKC Breeder Of The Year -Award Presented at AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin- Helyne E. Medeiros was presented with the 2017 AKC Breeder of the Year award for her Seasyde Pointers at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 16, 2017.  The annual award […]

Sponsorship to include new content series: “The Road to The National Championship” The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry, and Royal Canin, a leading global pet food company specializing in breed-health nutrition, are pleased to announce the renewal of a multi-year agreement for Royal Canin to continue as the presenting sponsor of […]

Award Presented at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship   James W. Smith of North Collins, NY was honored with the 2012 AKC Breeder of the Year Award for his Absolutely Smooth Fox Terriers at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Sunday, December 16, 2012.  The annual award honors those breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the […]

Being truly unique in our mission and having a history spanning more than 120 years, there are few organizations with a heritage anything like ours. However, in recently learning more about the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), I have been struck at the many parallels it shares with the AKC. Both the AKC and AVMA […]