Sen. Sharpe James has once again introduced his annual version of the Responsible Pit Bull Ownership Licensing Act (S801). Nearly identical legislation was introduced and soundly defeated in two previous sessions. S801 would allow a municipality to: Require a special license for all "pit bulls" ($150-700)—including "American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull […]

As expected, legislation that would allow cities and counties to enact breed-specific legislation has once again been introduced in Oklahoma, this year by Sen. Cliff Aldridge. S1569 would repeal an existing law that forbids regulating dogs by breed. The American Kennel Club strongly supports sound, enforceable, non-discriminatory legislation to govern dog ownership, and we appreciate […]

Award Ceremony Featured on National Broadcast of AKC/Eukanuba National Championship The recipients of the AKC Breeder of the Year Award, Dave and Peggy Helming of Flemington, N.J., were honored on the live national broadcast of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Saturday, January 14. The annual award honors those breeders who have dedicated their lives to […]

2005 was an outstanding year for AKC. Revenues far exceeded our expectations and management continued to do a superior job of controlling expenses. AKC contributed $1.7 million dollars to the AKC Canine Health Foundation during 2005. We also contributed $300,000 last year toward scholarships for veterinary school students and undergraduate students who had participated in […]

Under a new bill proposed in Virginia, all dogs and cats acquired from dealers, hobby breeders, pet shops and adoption agencies would be have to be sterilized and microchipped. Sponsored by Sen. W. Roscoe Reynolds, S55 defines a "dealer" as any person who sells or transfers companion animals (with the exception of rescue groups). The […]

Immediate help is needed to stop two poorly written bills that would hurt responsible dog owners in Illinois ! HB4213 Background: Introduced by Rep. Michael Tryon on December 1st, 2005, HB4213 automatically deems American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, "pit bulls," Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers and Staffordshire Terriers vicious and requires owners of these […]

-- Tiny Terrier Poised to Overtake the Great Golden Retriever as Second Most Popular Dog in U.S.-- New York, NY — For the 15th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, according to AKC® registration figures released today. The Golden Retriever held onto the number two spot and the […]

The American Kennel Club® is seeking new interns for the summer of 2006 as part of their popular internship program. Students will be selected for paid eight-week internships at either the New York headquarters or the Raleigh facility. The program will run June 5 - July 28, 2006. Dating back to the summer of 2002, […]

Sen. Ann Cummings has introduced S250, a bill to prohibit ear cropping in Vermont. Violators would face a civil penalty of up to $3,000 for a first offense. Those who commit subsequent violations or who perform the procedure without anesthesia would face criminal charges. The bill does not prohibit owning, showing, buying or selling a […]

Purebred dogs are poetry in motion. We love to watch them play, sleep, and perform the tasks for which they were bred. Over the centuries man continues to capture this beauty in various art mediums.  If we should find ourselves without our companions we therefore have something to feast our eyes on to rekindle that […]