An organization is only as strong as its staff – the group that implements new ideas, solves challenges, deals with our customers and represents the AKC to the world. We are starting 2004 under the new leadership of President and CEO Dennis B. Sprung and I know his extensive background in the sport of purebred […]

It is well known that revenue from our registration services forms the major portion of AKC’s income.  The slow but gradual decline in our registration numbers over the past years has been of concern to all of us.  Therefore, it is gratifying to me to see the possible reversal of this trend with a steady […]

I’m pleased to report that the AKC, along with hundreds of our clubs and other pet-related organizations, is well into the planning of the second annual “AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day.”  Proclaimed by the Board as September 17th (the date of AKC’s founding in 1884), this event focuses on celebrating the benefits of dog ownership […]

Each March, Delegates representing the AKC Member Clubs elect individuals from among their own number to serve as voting members of the AKC Board of Directors. In order to understand the significance of this process, it is important to understand how the AKC is governed. There are three distinct, but interrelated, groups of individuals with […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC), through its affiliate organization AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC/CAR), established the AKC/CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund in 2001.  It was designed as a permanent, charitable fund to provide resources, support, funds, and other assistance to not-for-profit animal shelters and similar not-for-profit organizations providing care for domestic animals orphaned or […]

Recently, I was a guest on the History Channel's weekly series "History's Business" where I was asked to discuss AKC and the sport of purebred dogs.  In preparation, I did a great deal of reading about AKC’s 120-year history and the individuals who contributed to making the organization and the sport what it is today. […]

The AKC Canine Good Citizen® program rewards responsible dog ownership and is the national gold standard for recognizing good canine behavior and a dog owner’s commitment to basic training.  The 10-step CGC™ test not only encourages owners to begin a journey with their canine companions that epitomizes the human-animal bond, but is used as a […]

Fanciers this month commemorated a rich tradition in the sport of purebred dogs as well as opened their hearts to provide continued relief to those dogs left homeless by the hurricanes affecting the Gulf region. With more than 3,600 entries at the 2005 Morris & Essex Kennel Club dog show, this second revival of the […]

The American Kennel Club is sponsoring the third annual AKC® Responsible Dog Ownership Day (AKC RDO Day) on September 17th. It is one of our most popular initiatives for fanciers and pet lovers alike. In honor of AKC’s founding, on September 17, 1884, AKC initiated a public awareness campaign for current and future dog owners […]

The American Kennel Club is sponsoring the third annual AKC® Responsible Dog Ownership Day (AKC RDO Day) on September 17th. It is one of our most popular initiatives for fanciers and pet lovers alike. In honor of AKC’s founding, on September 17, 1884, AKC initiated a public awareness campaign for current and future dog owners […]