-- AKC's 125th Anniversary Celebration in 2009 -- Next month when we ring in the New Year, we will also kick off the celebration of our 125th Anniversary. We will mark not only our growth over the last century-and-a-quarter but celebrate the wonderful experiences, friendships and traditions that the sport of purebred dogs has given generations of […]

AKC has long recognized excellence in the sport of purebred dogs through various awards dedicated to members of the fancy. Parent clubs have special awards that represent the pinnacle of achievement in their breeds. Dog writers too have their day in the sun, to receive recognition for the hard work they put into crafting articles […]

Many of you have seen AKC's licensing program come to life via toys, treats and other canine products sold at more than 5,000 stores nationwide such as Wal-Mart, Target, Petco and Petsmart. Our program began in 2004 with six licensees and has now grown to over 30, offering unique, high quality products that address the […]

Recently, AKC's Communications Department’s public relations initiatives and the Marketing department’s branding program were honored by some of the top industry organizations in their respective fields. Our PR campaigns, which focused on responsible dog ownership, the popularity of purebred dogs in America, and how to avoid online puppy buying scams as well as AKC-licensed product […]

The American Kennel Club has long been regarded as the pre-eminent purebred dog registry in the United States. Indeed, we govern the sport of purebred dogs and have the largest and only not-for-profit all-breed registry in the country. But our visibility and ability to influence go beyond our borders, extending across the globe. We enjoy […]

As the year comes to a close I’d like to review what the AKC has accomplished. The Board and Staff have worked diligently to ensure the continued success of our club and the sport. The Fancy has played a major role in our success. They were effective in defeating the proposed mandatory spay and neuter […]

The AKC Board, staff and the fancy often talk of the importance of public relations and advertising in fostering a positive public image of the AKC and the sport. We have made great strides in both of those areas in recent years and our message is often delivered via both editorial and advertising content in […]

The American Kennel Club has been advocating for purebred dog owners since our founding in 1884. Yet in 1990 we stepped up our efforts in the political arena with the formation of the Canine Legislation department. Now the time has come again for AKC to further enhance our role in protecting owners' and breeders' rights. […]

Last month in my Chairman's Report I reported on a pending threat to purebred dog ownership in California: Assembly Bill 1634 would require the mandatory spay or neuter of dogs 4 months or older unless an intact dog permit is purchased through local authorities. Should this bill become law, I fear it could be a […]

As an organization of dog lovers, we have all been deeply impacted by the news of NFL quarterback Michael Vick's federal indictment for alleged involvement in the illegal and barbaric "sport" of dog fighting. While this story is distressing and brings up intense emotions in all of us, there is a silver lining. It is […]