Growing up on a farm, Adrienne Hales developed a love of raising animals at an early age. Her passion turned to pets at the age of 8 when she began breeding Teddy Bear Hamsters for her friends. Her dedication to detail included designing their playgrounds and building them with paper towel rolls. At age 12, […]

When the going gets tough, the tough get dogs. That was the lesson of 2020, when global lockdowns saw dog breeders' waitlists multiply and rescues empty as everyone rushed out for a furry companion. But new findings reveal a stunning 73 percent of people who became first-time dog owners during the COVID-19 crisis have considered […]

News from the State Capitols  Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Connecticut – On January 8, 2021 the General Assembly issued a bulletin listing legislative leadership and a two-week schedule for remote committee meetings to determine organization rules governing procedures. Florida – Several bills of interest to dog owners […]

A good website can be an invaluable tool for a breeder, one that provides an excellent means to educating puppy seekers about your breeding philosophy and your breed. With demand for puppies very high, breeders don’t need to do much to attract buyers, but a well thought-out website is a good way to screen for […]

Thousands of dogs put their best paw forward for the title of National Champion The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin® will air on its new network, ABC, as a three-hour special this Sunday January 17, 2021 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. The show features thousands of dogs from around the country and the […]

Is a German Shepherd Dog right for you? Experts who know the breed will tell you that it all depends. Perhaps a better answer to the question "Which dog is right for you?" lies in a few bigger questions. What do you want in a dog? Where do you plan to take your dog? Gow […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Connecticut – A Police Transparency and Accountability Taskforce has been gathering public input before issuing recommendations for law enforcement reforms.  AKC GR testified that standards of accountability for law enforcement misconduct should include municipal animal control officers since they are identified as law […]

Czarina Ellingson held her breath as she took the leash off her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Gatsby, at an Agility trial. She had decided that if he didn't obey her, Czarina would pick him up and walk him out of the ring — therefore willingly disqualifying them from their favorite dog sport. Gatsby — named after […]

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) is expected to have legislation filed in 2021 that would seek to amend the part of the state’s Veterinary Practice Act. Currently, North Carolina law (NC GS § 90-187.10) defines what parties are required to be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state.  That law also provides […]

The results of several elections may still not be official, but our outreach as responsible dog owners, exhibitors, and breeders needs to begin now. Many states elected a large number of new lawmakers on the federal, state, and local levels – most of whom likely know very little about canine legislation. Most state legislatures will […]