In addition to tracking and responding to legislative proposals, AKC Government Relations addresses dog-related regulatory proposals from the U.S. federal government, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia.  AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) is currently tracking approximately 750 regulatory proposals, most which concern land use/hunting regulations and those governing the practice of veterinary medicine.  […]

Can CBD oil help dogs with epilepsy and seizures? Anecdotal evidence suggests maybe — CBD oil may offer a treatment alternative for several illnesses, including canine epilepsy, but no in-depth studies have verified these claims. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an extract of the cannabis plant (marijuana). Unlike the major active ingredient of the plant, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC) is pleased to name the Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS) as the fourth quarter 2020 winner of the Walter Bebout Award for Leadership in Canine Legislation. The award recognizes federations and owner/breeder organizations that have demonstrated leadership in educating legislators about responsible dog ownership issues and have […]

-Toy Breed Becomes 197th To Be Recognized- [caption id="attachment_120259" align="aligncenter" width="300"]             Courtesy of the Biewer Terrier Club of America and AKC[/caption] The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, announced today that the Biewer Terrier has received full recognition, and is […]

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 introduced in your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]

From Our Nation's Capitol AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2020 Legislation Tracking page and click on “US Fed” 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 […]

Most of us can remember a special school teacher who had a profound influence on our lives during those formative years. In our lives breeding and showing dogs, a great mentor can have an equally powerful influence: teaching us, guiding us, and inspiring us. Talk to the iconic figures in our sport and they will […]

Bringing home a Newfoundland puppy is unlike raising any other puppy. Not only are they physically huge as puppies—which means giant-size fun and big messes—these large pups also take significantly longer to physically and mentally mature than smaller breeds. This means particular training considerations, both when your puppy first comes home, and for the first […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – SB 1115 allows commercial blood banks to obtain blood from community-sourced animals (currently not allowed in California) and establishes procedures for phasing out current commercial blood banks (captive closed-colony blood banks) for animals if certain criteria are met.  This is in […]

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 introduced in your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]