Want to give your dog a special moniker? Check out our list of unique dog names — you're bound to find something original!

The AKC has approved title recognition for the "Certificate of Conformation Assessment" (CCA) title  for those breeds whose parent club has made the request. The purpose of the CCA is to provide education to owners on proper breed conformation. It is a non-competitive, one-on-one evaluation where dogs are assessed against the standard, not against each […]

Recent news reports from Wisconsin about a rare infection spread by cats and dogs have caused concern among pet owners. Capnocytophaga, as hard to treat as it is to pronounce, is a common bacteria found in our pets. While harmless to cats and dogs, it can cause serious health problems in humans. So, should we […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2018 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. California – Assembly Bill 1762 would require California State Parks to post on its website details of where dogs are allowed within […]

Summer is winding down and many legislatures are in recess or have adjourned, but AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) has remained extremely busy working around the country to protect the rights of dog owners and educate legislators on canine legislation issues. AKC GR is pleased to announce that there have been numerous legislative victories as […]

The AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2018 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 level include: U.S. […]

Officials in Kansas City, Missouri, are seeking input from residents on numerous proposed changes to the city’s animal control laws. This includes amending the current ownership limit laws and removing breed-specific provisions.  Other considerations include mandatory spay/neuter and regulations on tethering and outdoor shelters. The city has set up a website with a questionnaire to […]

The Township Committee of Shamong, New Jersey, is expected to consider significant changes to its animal ordinances at its Tuesday, September 4, meeting.  As currently worded, the proposal contains many troublesome and controversial provisions, including future prohibitions on kennels and breeders with 5 or more intact females.  The proposal also includes breeding and ownership restrictions, […]

Now more than ever, fitness is important for both dogs and people. The most commonly recommended exercise to improve fitness is walking. Walking is considered a safe activity that improves muscular strength, circulation, memory, weight loss, increases energy, helps with sleep, and reduces stress. The American Heart Association recommends walking a minimum of 150 minutes […]

When's the last time you took a good old-fashioned road trip? It's always fun to travel somewhere new, and even better when you get to bring the dog. But before you hit the road together, there are a few things you need to consider. Make sure you have enough food and water for the trip, […]