AKC Board of Directors Chairman's Reports

The American Kennel Club faces enormous challenges in reversing the continuing decline in registrations. Today, we are losing market share at an alarming rate, especially in the retail sector. We are being challenged competitively and financially. The declining registrations and associated core revenues, if allowed to continue, will fundamentally change our organization going forward. Make […]

Last month the American Kennel Club along with Karen R. Breslin of the Progressive Law Center, LLC of Lakewood, Colorado and the Washington D.C. office of Kaye Scholer LLP filed a brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit asking to reverse a lower court’s decision and grant former Denver resident […]

Recently, AKC's Communications Department’s public relations initiatives and the Marketing department’s branding program were honored by some of the top industry organizations in their respective fields. Our PR campaigns, which focused on responsible dog ownership, the popularity of purebred dogs in America, and how to avoid online puppy buying scams as well as AKC-licensed product […]

This September we will celebrate the sixth annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day. As always we invite AKC-affiliated clubs and other dog-related organizations to host local events in conjunction with our two flagship events hosted by AKC staffers from our headquarters in New York City and our Operations Center in Raleigh, N.C. This year our […]

Pointing breed field events are some of the oldest sporting dog activities in the country. The recent AKC Pointing Breeds Gun Dog Championship held outside Reno, NV with nearly 200 entries demonstrates that the rich tradition and pleasure of watching dogs work in the field is alive and well. The competitors that just concluded this […]

Many of you have seen AKC's licensing program come to life via toys, treats and other canine products sold at more than 5,000 stores nationwide such as Wal-Mart, Target, Petco and Petsmart. Our program began in 2004 with six licensees and has now grown to over 30, offering unique, high quality products that address the […]

AKC has long recognized excellence in the sport of purebred dogs through various awards dedicated to members of the fancy. Parent clubs have special awards that represent the pinnacle of achievement in their breeds. Dog writers too have their day in the sun, to receive recognition for the hard work they put into crafting articles […]

In an effort to help the puppy-buying public find responsible breeders of AKC registered puppies, the Board has approved a program whereby clubs can easily and proactively promote the AKC brand, AKC registration and AKC breeder referral through local classified advertising. This initiative which we have dubbed, "Demand AKC Papers" asks clubs to place classified […]

The AKC Board, staff and the fancy often talk of the importance of public relations and advertising in fostering a positive public image of the AKC and the sport. We have made great strides in both of those areas in recent years and our message is often delivered via both editorial and advertising content in […]

As the year comes to a close I’d like to review what the AKC has accomplished. The Board and Staff have worked diligently to ensure the continued success of our club and the sport. The Fancy has played a major role in our success. They were effective in defeating the proposed mandatory spay and neuter […]