Members of Congress are currently back in their home districts for the August recess. Many are telling AKC Government Relations that they are getting heavy pressure from animal rights activists to advance bills that are harmful to small hobby breeders. Your Member of Congress needs to hear from you TODAY!  Scroll down for contact information. […]

"Primitive," "aboriginal," "village," and "landrace" are a few of the terms archaeologists use to describe the world's oldest canine breeds. But what does it mean if a dog breed is primitive?

The Oregon Legislature has concluded its 2023 legislative session. AKC actively monitored and participated in numerous bills before the legislature this year. Some of the more significant bill proposals from 2023 are listed below. Notably, due to a walkout by the minority party in the state Senate, many bills (not just related to bills of […]

So, you think you want a dog? Before adding a canine companion to your family, you should give careful thought to what it means to be a responsible dog owner. I know I had to. When I was a little kid, my family was not animal-oriented, but I was obsessed with animals, especially dogs. I […]

I smelled the stench before I saw her, sort of like a landfill on a 92-degree day. A mottled gray and once-white shaggy blur ran down the hall into my arms, and I was in love, no matter what my nose told me. This cuter-than-a-teddy-bear puppy had darted into my boyfriend’s office when he opened […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Twelve state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session, and three state legislatures are in special session. AKC Government Relations is currently tracking more than 1,429 local, state, and federal issues. The following are highlights […]

This July, federal policy has been heating up. AKC Government Relations has been working to educate Congress on the many problems and concerns with two bills that could negatively impact dogs and responsible breeders. One-size-fits all mandates such as the Puppy Protection Act (HR 1624) may sound great on the surface, but they are problematic […]

This week, animal rights activists are ramping up their efforts to urge Congress to pass laws that could undermine the proper care of dogs, and even create an environment for abuse and unnecessary euthanasia of animals. Your Member of Congress and U.S. Senators to hear from you TODAY!  Let them know you are a constituent […]

This week, animal rights/ “protection” groups are actively lobbying Congress to restrict and limit the activities of dog breeders. They are making unsupported claims that there are “tens of thousands of puppy mills” in the United States, and asking members of Congress to advance arbitrary, one-size-fits-all mandates that could require small hobby breeders to place […]

Good dogs come from good breeders. Good breeders strive to improve their breeds while considering canine health, temperament, training and promoting responsible dog ownership. Part art, part science, and total devotion, breeding is exciting and challenging. Breeder education is key. The American Kennel Club will be honoring Parent Clubs which provide outstanding breeder education materials […]