December was a very busy month for the AKC GR team.  In addition to legislative/policy tracking, updates and advocacy, the team also updated and prepared a number of new resources highlighted in this newsletter. These include two new Key Issues webpages on pet choice/sales bans and service dogs; and new resources on the legal status […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Connecticut – A Police Transparency and Accountability Taskforce has been gathering public input before issuing recommendations for law enforcement reforms.  AKC GR testified that standards of accountability for law enforcement misconduct should include municipal animal control officers since they are identified as law […]

In addition to tracking and responding to legislative proposals, AKC Government Relations addresses dog-related regulatory proposals from the U.S. federal government, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia.  AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) is currently tracking approximately 750 regulatory proposals, most which concern land use/hunting regulations and those governing the practice of veterinary medicine.  […]

From Our Nation's Capitol 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 […]

Teaching your dog to "drop it" is an important behavior and allows you to get that item away from your dog without a chase or fight.

Czarina Ellingson held her breath as she took the leash off her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Gatsby, at an Agility trial. She had decided that if he didn't obey her, Czarina would pick him up and walk him out of the ring — therefore willingly disqualifying them from their favorite dog sport. Gatsby — named after […]

Australian Shepherds are smart and energetic dogs. They have so many winning traits, no wonder they're one of the the country's most popular breeds.

The 2020 Junior Showmanship Finals at the AKC National Championship took place on Dec. 12 in Orlando, Florida. To qualify, juniors had to have at least three first-place wins in Open Class with competition present between Oct. 10, 2019 and Oct. 7, 2020. In addition, juniors must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 for the past […]

–Award Presented at AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin – Gail S. Wolaniuk and Joan E. McFadden were presented with the 2020 AKC Breeder of the Year award for Unique Standard Poodles at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Sunday, December 13, 2020.  The annual award honors those breeders who have […]

The top ten owner-handled dogs (plus ties) in each breed from the 2020 qualifying period were invited to compete in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals. The 611 competitors entered represented 196 different breeds/varieties. Best in Show honors went to GCH CH Eclipse Hive Talkin', a Berger Picard known affectionately as “Beegee” owned and handled […]