Two bills will be considered in Illinois on Tuesday, April 10, that would allow private citizens to remove animals from locked vehicles if they have a good faith belief the animal is in imminent danger. The AKC agrees that no person or animal should ever be left in a situation where their health or safety […]

On Monday, April 9, the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will hear testimony on a bill to require state animal shelters and animal control facilities to report certain information regarding the animals entering and leaving the facilities. House Bill 5477, initiated by the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners (IFDCO), is an important […]

The Onondaga County Legislature had been considering two proposals that would impact a dog owner’s ability to keep their dog outside. The AKC Government Relations department urged residents and those who participate in events in Onondaga County to share concerns with Legislator Ryan’s proposal, which would prohibit anyone from tethering a dog outdoors for more […]

In the last 27 years, things have changed dramatically. Facebook launched, Apple took over the mobile world, the United States has gone through four different presidents, and the AKC launched agility, Scent Work, Trick Dog, and more. One thing, however, has remained the same. Since 1991, the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog breed in […]

Dogs' ability to communicate with humans is unlike any other species in the animal kingdom. They can sense our emotions, read our facial expressions, and even follow our pointing gestures. They seem to possess a special skill for knowing exactly how we're feeling. But not much is known about the role that hearing plays in […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="Lesson Plan: Grades K-1"] Using Illustrations in Peyton Goes to the Dog Show Learning Objectives Students will use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters. Grade Levels K-1 Common Core Standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7 Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.7 Participate in shared […]

Ironically, the most compelling passages from “The Dog: A Natural History,” by Ádám Miklósi, focus on our best friend’s future rather than his past. But the bulk of this scholarly, yet highly readable, 224-page volume — published by the Princeton University Press ($27.95) and scheduled for wide release on April 11 — explores the history […]

Like many young people who have become involved in dog showing, I first heard about it from others.  In my case, I learned a lot about it when I was in sixth grade and did a project for one of my teachers, who enjoyed raising and showing dogs.   That’s when I knew that it was […]

One meaningful achievement that I am very proud of was the earning of my Master Title as a Junior Handler through the American Kennel Club (AKC) dog hunt tests. These hunt tests are designed to test and qualify dogs in a rigorous series of field exercises intended to demonstrate both the dog’s hunting ability and […]

A bill is pending final approval in the Kansas House of Representatives that would mandate unannounced inspections of all state licensees- including hobbyists. In Kansas, a hobby breeder must be licensed if 3-5 litters are produced and under 30 animals sold in a year.  Unannounced inspections could prove challenging, as it is a hobby and […]