October 9, 2015 A document released last week provides clarification and guidance on the USDA Retail Pet Store Rule and the Importation of Live Dogs Rule. This guidance contains no new policy changes, but highlights federal licensing requirements for individuals and groups that distribute or transport pets for transfer or sale within the United States. […]

UPDATE (June 1, 2015):  Governor McCrory vetoed HB 405 on Friday, May 29.  The legislature now has the option of overriding this veto with a 3/5 majority vote in both chambers.  The AKC supports this measure and urges North Carolinians to contact their state senator and representative today and ask them support a veto override. […]

The AKC Board of Directors recently discussed problematic new “pet leasing” schemes in which prospective owners make hefty monthly payments for a pet, but are not given legal ownership of the pet. In response to this concerning trend, the Board has updated the AKC Canine Legislation Position Statement on Protection for Puppy Purchasers to include […]

You Can Keep Your Pooch from Digging up the DaisiesApril showers bring May flowers—but all that work can be ruined when one determined dog gets to it. We asked our Facebook followers for advice for when gardening efforts are hindered by a hairy horticulturist. Here are some of the suggestions we received: When planting inedible […]

Canine Good Citizen®The AKC Canine Good Citizen program is recognized as the gold standard for good canine manners. Dogs who pass the 10-step test will earn the AKC’s official “CGC” title. This e-book is a great place to learn what the CGC is all about. It includes a breakdown of the test items and what […]

Capturing Your Dog's AttentionYou might not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, as the cliché says, but you can teach almost any dog to obey basic commands, trainers and handlers agree. It's best to begin training a dog at the puppy stage. Start when the puppy is about seven weeks old and […]

Research Indicates that Some Dogs Can Emulate Their Owner’s ActionsSome dogs are copycats. Experiments indicate that some breeds are capable of emulating the actions of their owners. "Where did my dog learn that?" The next time you ask yourself that question, take a look in the mirror. A study published in “Proceedings of the Royal […]

There is a general movement within the dog world that has breeders and their clubs looking for new ways to make breed improvements. This is occurring because of the growing arsenal of tools available to breeders and their clubs. Given these conditions, the opportunity for making improvements is well within the reach of most clubs […]

Guardians of the ZooAfrican elephants are the unexpected residents of 724 acres of lush forest and pasture in southwest Pennsylvania. Even more surprising, is a group of elite canines that helps to protect these endangered animals from wildlife and human intruders. The International Conservation Center (ICC), which is part of the Pittsburgh Zoo, is dedicated […]

By the time most owners discover fleas on their pet; their home is usually part of the problem. Controlling and eliminating fleas requires understanding that the flea life cycle has three working parts. Each part can be found wherever dogs like to sleep, play and spend time. The three part life cycle involves: eggs, larvae […]