A Publication of the AKC Government Relations Department
A Publication of the AKC Government Relations Department — April 2016
 
 
Suzi Szeremy and AKC mascot Bailey at AKC Meet the Breeds in New York.
© AKC GR Staff
 

Purebred dogs play a special and important role in our lives. On May 1, the American Kennel Club invites you to join us as we honor the pride, predictability, and purpose of purebred dogs and promote the preservation of these breeds.

The May 1st National Purebred Dog Day movement was created by Colorado resident and Puli fancier Suzi Szeremy to celebrate the amazing diversity, heritage, and predictability of these breeds. In 2015, the Colorado General Assembly became the first state to pass a resolution designating a National Purebred Dog Day.
 
 

As an advocate for responsible dog ownership and the rights of dog owners, the American Kennel Club celebrates the recent Texas Supreme Court decision in Lira v. Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue, Inc. The decision brought an end to the debate as to who should be the rightful owner of a German Shepherd Dog called Monte Carlo.
 

For over 130 years, the American Kennel Club has been dedicated to protecting and promoting the health and well-being of dogs. This is reflected in AKC events, public education initiatives, inspections, and many programs that celebrate and encourage responsible dog breeding and the preservation of purebred dogs.

At its April meeting, the AKC Board of Directors approved a new canine legislation position statement that re-emphasizes AKC’s dedication to preserving the future of purebred dogs and honors the thousands of excellent breeders whose commitment and dedication to their breeds and their individual dogs make ownership of a purebred dog possible.

The American Kennel Club recognizes the benefits of spaying and neutering dogs that are not part of a responsible breeding program or are not being shown.

However, the decision of when and whether to spay or neuter a dog is not one to be taken lightly. Though commonplace, these elective procedures are major surgeries and there are many important factors to consider, especially when it comes to the long-term health of the dog and the age at which the surgery can be performed safely.

In April, the AKC Board of Directors approved a new AKC canine legislation position statement on purebred dog breeding and updated position statements regarding spaying and neutering, purebred dog rescue, and canine population issues:

Click here to view all of AKC’s canine legislation position statements in a single document. And look for these and other educational materials, issues analyses, flyers, and handouts in the AKC Government Relations Toolbox.

The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to partner with state federations, dog clubs and concerned owners to protect the rights of dog owners. The tireless response of responsible breeders, owners and fanciers across the country truly makes a difference! Visit the 2016 Legislative Successes page to view examples of recent results of their good work.
Legislative Information and Updates

Each year, thousands of dog-related laws and regulations are proposed at the federal, state, and local levels. To date this year, AKC GR has been monitoring more than 1,800 measures at the state, local and federal levels that could impact dog owners. Thirty-three state legislatures are currently in regular session. Washington is in special session.

Visit the 2016 Legislation Tracking page for the most up-to-date information on state and federal legislation. This site, updated each weekday, provides the latest bill text, status, and links to legislative alerts posted by the AKC. Click on the links below to view highlights of issues that are being tracked by AKC Government Relations:

Federal— issues that may affect all dog owners in the US
State — issues specific to your state.
Local— issues at the city and county levels

Please contact AKC GR at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org for more information or to let us know what’s happening in your local community.
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