Assembly Bill 2110 was recently amended and the new language will affect certain AKC sanctioned events. The bill will prohibit "live field coursing," which is now defined as "a competition in which dogs are, by the use of rabbits, hares, or foxes, assessed as to skill in hunting live rabbits, hares, or foxes." AB 2110 […]

Congress welcomed purebred dog owners from across the country last week as part of the American Kennel Club's third-annual Lobby Day. Hosted by the Canine Legislation department, Lobby Day gives attendees a chance to learn more about issues that impact fanciers on the federal level. More importantly, participants are given an opportunity to carry the […]

Hunters and dog fanciers in Texas are extremely concerned about HB326 and its companion, SB172. The identical bills would amend the state's cruelty law in several ways. First, the measures make it a crime to cause bodily injury to an animal, with "animal" being defined as any "nonhuman mammal, bird or captive amphibian or reptile." […]

AKC and California fanciers scored a major victory when AB342, which would have prohibited hunting with dogs or training for that purpose, was soundly rejected in committee by a vote of 19-0. The bill was granted reconsideration as a courtesy to the author, meaning it could possibly come before the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee […]

AKC and California dog owners are outraged by legislation that prohibits hunting with dogs or training for that purpose. This bill (AB342) was intended to restrict the hunting of fur-bearing animals with dogs but is extremely poorly worded. As written, AB342 makes it illegal for any dog to hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or […]

  -- Lee Arnold, Carl C. Ashby, III, Alan Kalter, and Dr. Robert D. Smith Elected -- The Annual Meeting of the AKC Delegates took place on March 10, 2009. Four new Directors have been elected: Lee Arnold, Delegate from the Southern Colorado Kennel Club; Carl C. Ashby, III, Delegate from the United States Kerry Blue […]

  The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce the appointment of John Wade to Director of Judging Operations. Wade’s background includes 50 years of involvement in the sport and more than 20 years of business and management experience from various professional roles in highly competitive industries. "We are pleased to welcome John to his […]

  Every dog breed is unique. They each have their own personality characteristics and special looks — which is exactly why we love our purebred dogs! There are so many things that make them simply adorable, and one of those is their tails. Tails probably come in as many varieties as dogs do, and in […]

Since 1937 Basset Hounds have competed in AKC field trials. To become a part of that history your first step is to decide which type of field trial you wish to compete in. There are Brace, Small Pack Option, Large Pack and Gundog Brace field trials. Brace trials, the oldest type of AKC Basset Hound […]

At all Beagle Field Trial Rules Judges Seminars for the Small Pack Option/Gundog Brace formats and regularly at beagle field trials we have a lengthy discussion on the "Deer Rule". What we are really talking about is the American Kennel Club BEAGLE FIELD TRIAL RULES AND STANDARD PROCEDURES FOR BRACE, SMALL PACK AND SMALL PACK […]