Dogs can teach us a nation’s history as surely as any textbook. Trace the history of the coonhound, for example, and you’ll find a master class on how our fledgling nation flourished. The very first Americans were British, and so too were their dogs. But as America’s hounds evolved, they changed dramatically, just like the […]

See below for useful articles and resources including commonly asked questions and data from the American Kennel Club and its affiliates. Breeds by Year Recognized AKC National Breed Clubs: Breed Rescue Family Tips Puppy Buying Why Purebreds? Responsible Breeders Seniors When to See the Vet Bereavement What is Agility? Top Breeds in Major U.S. Cities […]

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:  U.S. Congress – […]

The San Antonio City Council is scheduled to consider changes to the city’s animal ordinances at its meeting this Thursday, October 29, 2020.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9AM. As previously reported, the ordinance seeks to further limit breeding and restrict pet stores to sourcing dogs and cats only from an animal rescue […]

State Issues: News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – AB 2257 addresses California’s new law regarding independent contractors being given the same benefits as employees.  While it was unclear whether this would apply to judges for events, an amendment in the bill requested […]

Local/Other: Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in U.S. 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 […]

Tonight, October 19, at 7:00pm, residents in Marshfield, Massachusetts, will be asked at a special town meeting to vote on two of three proposed dog ordinances, Articles 1, 2 and 3.  We are grateful that after the American Kennel Club’s (AKC’s) initial legislative alert and subsequent contacts were made with town officials, Article 3 regarding […]

The San Antonio City Council is expected to consider a new animal ordinance that seeks to further limit breeding and restrict pet stores to sourcing dogs and cats only from an animal rescue organization, an animal control agency, or a county animal shelter licensed by the city. Currently, Sec. 5-106 of the city’s ordinances requires […]

The next meeting of Texas’ Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee is scheduled for Monday, November 30, 2020, at 10AM.  The meeting will be held via video conference and will be broadcast live on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s YouTube channel. Please note that the agenda and staff reports to be considered are currently unavailable, […]

On Monday, October 19, at 7:00pm, residents in Marshfield, Massachusetts, will be asked at a special town meeting to vote on three proposed dog ordinances, Articles 1, 2 and 3.  These articles are extremely problematic because combined, they hamstring local breeding programs in favor of importing strays to meet consumers’ high demand for dogs.  New […]