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 […]

Breeders want the best for their puppies. They carefully seek loving owners who match well with their breed and can provide safety, health care, and training. But they may not realize how AKC Registrations give their puppies a jump start to a great life in their new homes. In addition to preserving the puppies’ names […]

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 […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – SB 1115 allows commercial blood banks to obtain blood from community-sourced animals (currently not allowed in California) and establishes procedures for phasing out current commercial blood banks (captive closed-colony blood banks) for animals if certain criteria are met.  This is in […]

AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2020 Legislation Tracking page and click on “US Fed” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of issues we are currently addressing on the federal level include:  COVID-19 – […]

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 your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and AKC Pet Insurance are pleased to announce the launch of the AKC Breeder Rewards Program. The program is designed to reward breeders who promote responsible dog ownership. Beginning November 10th, breeders who register their litters with the AKC can earn up to $10 per puppy for encouraging owners to […]

Last week, the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee released HB 5150, which establishes a state budget for 2021.  777 amendments to the bill have been filed for consideration, including two specifically impacting working dogs. Amendment #18 to H5150 – “Nero’s Bill” would allow emergency care and transportation for a police dog injured in the […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2020 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “We are proud to honor these esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “Each of them has made important contributions to the […]