AKC continues to monitor several bills impacting dog owners in Washington state. Below are the latest updates, along with contact information if you wish to comment on any of these measures. AKC GR will continue to provide individual updates and alerts when necessary.  Bills in Washington state Legislature: House Bill 1012 – Addressing the response […]

Two Minnesota bills that seek to protect the rights of tenants who own dogs will be heard by the House Finance and Policy Committee on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.  House File 758 seeks to prohibit landlords from encouraging or requiring tenants to declaw or devocalize an animal; while, among other provisions, House File 831 would […]

On Thursday, February 16, 2023, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee will accept public testimony on HB 6635, concerning dog breed insurance underwriting.  The bill would prohibit homeowners' insurance and renters' insurance policies from discriminating based on harboring or owning any dog of a specific breed or mixture of breeds.  If enacted, […]

Food poisoning is actually more common than is generally suspected in both dogs and people. While usually not life-threatening, it can still wreak havoc on your pet's digestion. Here is what to look out for and how to prevent food poisoning in your dog. Can Dogs Get Food Poisoning? Dogs do get food poisoning, an […]

Showing dogs—the formal term for it is “Conformation”—is a sport. Like any football game or tennis match, dog shows have rules, too. But folks who sit on the sidelines can easily become bewildered if they don’t understand how guidelines apply to the game at hand. Whether you’re taking aim at a fastball or trotting with […]

On Tuesday, February 14, a Montana Senate committee will consider a bill that would modify the laws regarding bird dog training.  Montana residents who wish to comment on this expansion of existing law can do so with the information found below. Summary: Under current Montana law, training of bird hunting dogs is allowed under the […]

Next week, two Connecticut General Assembly Joint Committees will accept public testimony on the following bills impacting dog owners: SUPPORT ACCESS TO SERVICE DOGS: SB 976, “Concerning health insurance coverage for individual and group health insurance policies,” would, among other provisions, mandate  health insurance coverage for the cost to purchase a trained service animal that […]

On Tuesday, February 14, an Illinois House Committee will consider a bill that would provide a legal advocate in court for a dog or cat in legal cases involving the health, safety, or an injury of a dog or cat. House Bill 1169 is similar to bills introduced in other states in an effort to […]

A Utah House committee has just scheduled a hearing for tomorrow (Thursday, February 9) on a bill that would seek to develop regulations for virtually all dog breeders in Utah. AKC understands that amendments will be offered, but it is unclear what impact the amendments will have on breeders – particularly those who breed and […]

Ivy the Chihuahua may be tiny, but she is a survivor. Rescued from a dumpster as a puppy, the eight-and-a-half-year-old dog is a true Renaissance pup. Owned by Rockford, Illinois, resident Jennifer Walker, Ivy has earned over 40 titles as an AKC Therapy Dog and canine athlete. Bringing Ivy Home In 2014, Walker and her […]