AKC Government Relations recently welcomed the Dog Owners of the Golden State (DOGS) as its fourth recognized federation in California. GR works with state federations of dog clubs to fight bad dog laws and support positive measures that teach the public about responsible dog ownership and care.  State federations are the ground soldiers for state-level […]

Atlanta, GA – The American Kennel Club (AKC) honored Georgia Senator Bill Heath with the AKC Legislator of the Year Award on January 12, 2017 in recognition of his dedication to protecting the wellbeing of dogs and the rights of responsible dog owners and sportsmen. The AKC Legislator of the Year award honor legislators who demonstrate […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) hosted a U.S. Detection Dog Conference February 28 – March 1.  The purpose of this conference was to discuss the pressing need for a U.S.-based national breeding program for explosives detection dogs.  A majority of dogs procured by government agencies come from Eastern Europe, and the increasing global demand for […]

Since 2012, the AKC Government Relations team has hosted Conferences on Canine Legislation for AKC legislative liaisons and state federation leaders. The popular biennial conference brings together in Raleigh, North Carolina, grassroots leaders from across the country -- from as far as Hawaii to Maine Raleigh, North Carolina for two days of training and networking. […]

Searching for a new purebred puppy isn’t necessarily as easy as it seems. Sure, anyone can post an advertisement for healthy, purebred, AKC-registered puppies on sites like Facebook and Craigslist, but that doesn’t make them true. It is important for dog owners to know where exactly their new furry friend came from to ensure their […]

If you are looking for a calm, confident, and courageous guardian, then look no further than the Rottweiler. These robust dogs are powerful and loyal companions that have strong protective instincts. They can quiet, well-behaved housedogs, yet are powerful enough to ward off burglars. Their personality can vary from dog to dog, with some being […]

As recent history has shown, many anti-breeder animal rights extremists continuously advocate for incremental breeding and sales restrictions that they hope will eventually lead to outright bans on all animal breeding and ownership.  They collectively consider all breeders and pet stores as substandard and inherently not interested in practicing or promoting animal welfare.  These politically-aware […]

In early February, the U.S Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which oversees implementation of federal Animal Welfare Act regulations and pet breeder/dealer licensing announced it was removing certain documents from its online databases for review appending litigation and to ensure full compliance with privacy requirements. Almost immediately, the statement created […]

Over the past 30 years, shelters have done an extraordinary job of ending dog overpopulation in many parts of the United States. Their success has created some empty spaces at shelters, which has led the people who run those organizations to scramble for pet inventory or risk going out of business. The lack of shelter […]

AKC Government Relations now has information available on the economic impact of dog shows in each state in 2016.  This information, downloadable by state, helps demonstrate to legislators a tangible reason to support dog shows, fanciers and breeders.  To view this information, visit the Government Relations Toolbox and scroll down to “Economic Impact of Dog […]