You're walking your dog outside to go to the bathroom with it's late at night. But instead of finding a suitable spot to do its business, your silly pet is spinning around a few times before pooping. It may seem like odd behavior, but some dogs like making circles rather than making number two on […]

Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories 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 July 2022, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of monkeypox a global health emergency. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, which means that it can spread between animals and people. It still is unclear how easily the monkeypox virus is spread between people and animals. As with all zoonotic illnesses, confirmed infected people with […]

AKC Meet the Breeds has gone to the...cats?! That's right. Fabulous felines are back in New York City as part of AKC Meet the Breeds presented by Purina® Pro Plan®. The Westminster Kennel Club, in conjunction with The International Cat Association, will offer Meet the Breeds, a family-friendly event where you can meet dog breeds […]

“When Harry Met Minnie: A True Story of Love and Friendship,” by Martha Teichner. Celadon Books. $26.99. OK, admit it. When you see that book title your first thoughts turn to the popular 1989 romantic comedy, “When Harry Met Sally,” starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Some of the same elements are in this tender, […]

According to Food Allergy Research & Education, an organization that works on behalf of Americans with food allergies, one in every 13 children in the United States has a food allergy, and peanuts are one of the 8 most common food allergens. Reactions can be mild, but for some people, life-threatening anaphylaxis is a risk. […]

After taking part in the fast-growing, fun, and accessible sport of dog parkour, you're not likely to look at park benches, tree stumps, or playground equipment the same way again. It's an ideal activity if attending Agility or Obedience classes isn't possible or practical. And, with a bit of imagination, any neighborhood offers boundless opportunities […]

While the world focuses on the pandemic, another public-health crisis is brewing: antibiotic resistance. According to the United Nations, illnesses that are resistant to human medications could cause up to 10 million deaths a year by 2050. And our beloved dogs' food could be contributing to the crisis. Testing Dog Food for Dangerous Bacteria British […]

At its recent meeting, the Rockingham County Planning Commission (Harrisonburg, VA) tabled a proposed Dog Kennel Ordinance that could impact local hobby kennels.  As a result, the proposal now goes to the Board of Supervisors for possible enactment. The ordinance is not currently listed on the agenda for the 6:00pm meeting on Wednesday, July 27.  […]

Here are some highlights of state and federal regulatory issues AKC GR recently addressed.  Visit AKC’s Regulatory Resource Center for more information on these and other significant regulatory issues addressed by AKC Government Relations. Federal - On June 1, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an extension and modification of the July […]