Since 1884 the American Kennel Club

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1 In Session AKC S CONGRESSIONAL NEWSLETTER Perspectives Since 1884 the American Kennel Club (AKC) has been recognized as the leading expert on dogs, dog ownership and dog breeding in the United States. As a not-forprofit, non-partisan organization, the AKC maintains the world s largest purebred dog registry, licenses more than 5,000 dog clubs around the country, and sanctions thousands of family-friendly educational and competitive dog events each year. AKC s performance-based Care and Conditions of Dogs Policy guides the AKC kennel inspections program that inspects thousands of breeding kennels each year. AKC s dedication and expertise in ensuring the health and well-being of all dogs comes from more than a century of experience and thousands of breeders. This commitment led the AKC to offer a wide range of educational programs to encourage responsible dog ownership throughout the nation. The AKC has also established the AKC Humane Fund, which provides resources for disaster relief, assistance to domestic violence shelters that support abuse victims and their pets, and grants to local dog clubs assisting animals in need of rescue; as well as the AKC Canine Health Foundation, which is the largest is the largest nonprofit organization funding exclusively canine health research. Inside Continued on next page Congresswoman Renee Ellmers...1 What Today Didn t Tell You...3 AKC Assists With Disaster Relief...4 AKC Position- PUPS and APHIS Regulations...5 AKC Letter on PUPS...7 New AKC Breeds...10 The American Kennel Club s Newsletter for Members of Congress and their Staff Congressional Canine Spotlight- Congresswoman Renee Ellmers In each issue of In Session, the AKC profiles a dog-loving member of the Capitol community. This issue features Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (NC-2) and her Golden Retriever Dixie. Congresswoman Renee Ellmers at home with her family and Dixie any of us have wonderful Mmemories of our childhood dog a pet that was a loyal friend and constant companion. Congresswoman Renee Ellmers recollects playing in the backyard with Skipper, a shepherd mix that her family bought when Ellmers was just four years old. He was always there to greet me and I have such fond memories of my time with him He was an amazing friend and companion. I always had someone to keep me company. Now Congresswoman Ellmers and her family enjoy the companionship of their AKC-registered Golden Retriever and two cats. The Ellmers family obtained their dog from a breeder shortly after moving to North Carolina from Michigan. They named her Dixie in honor of their new home in the South. The family also has two cats named Marley (after Reggae singer Bob Marley) and Cookie (a Calico the family thought looked like a chocolate chip cookie). Golden Retrievers are known for being a friendly, active and energetic breed. She loves to go for her daily walk in the morning around our neighborhood [in Continued on next page PHOTO COURTESY OFFICE OF RENEE ELLMERS 1

2 (Continued from page 1) Today the rights of responsible dog owners and purebred dog breeders are being threatened by animal extremists and groups that seek to limit or end our heritage of responsible purebred dog breeding by misinformation that confuses the ownership of multiple intact dogs with substandard care. At risk is the ability of future generations to purchase and own a quality purebred pet or working dog. In this issue of In Session, we take a look at recent legislation and proposed regulations addressing commercial kennel regulations and provide insight about why certain details in the proposals are problematic. We invite you to use the AKC as your resource for balanced expertise for canine policy issues. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly at or doglaw@akc.org. All the best, Sheila Goffe Director of Government Relations shg@akc.org AKC Government Relations Department (919) doglaw@akc.org F O U N D E D AKC MISSION STATEMENT The AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Founded in 1884, the AKC and its affiliated organizations advocate for the purebred dog as a family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership. Continued from page 1, Congressional Canine Spotlight - Congressman Renee Ellmers The Golden Retriever is a member of the Sporting Group and is the third most-popular breed registered with the American Kennel Club. I think it is important that people really think through the decision [to get a dog] Especially with larger dogs that must be walked multiple times a day. Dunn, North Carolina] and she loves playing catch, Ellmers said. Dixie also loves doing tricks for treats. Her repertoire of tricks is limited to sitting, playing dead, and turning 360 degrees, she admitted, but we love her enthusiasm! Ellmers loves being a dog owner, but believes that it s important for people to carefully consider all the responsibility involved before getting a pet. Unfortunately, I think that a lot of people like the idea of getting a dog, but ultimately do not have the time and energy to truly take care of him/her, she explained. I think it is important that people really think through the decision to add a new member to their family. This is especially important with DID YOU KNOW? larger dogs that must be walked multiple times a day. The Congresswoman added that she believes a responsible dog owner treats their pet as a member of their family meaning you give them the love and respect you give other members of your family. This is something the Ellmers family takes to heart. Dixie, Marley, and Cookie are very much members of our family, she explained. All three are very spoiled and we love them dearly. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800 s and was used primarily as a hunting dog. The Golden Retriever was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925 and has been one of the most popular breeds in the United States for many years. In 2012, it was the third most popular breed registered with the AKC. To see the full list of breed registration statistics and the top breeds in major U.S. cities, visit GOLDEN RETRIEVERS- AKC 2

3 The AKC is extremely disappointed that The Today Show was given all of the information below but chose not to include any of it in their segment this morning. We met with the producers for an hour prior to the taped interview which also lasted nearly an hour and we provided them with supporting documentation, and they chose only to include less than 1 minute of airtime for AKC. They disregarded important facts that should have been told. In fact, we requested to receive a copy of the tape of the entire, unedited interview with Jeff Rossen so that we could show you all of the information we gave them, but their lawyers refused to provide the footage to us. Here are some top facts that The Today Show didn't tell you: 1. They didn't tell you that no other organization does more to protect dogs than the AKC and that "being the dog's champion" means, among other things, donating more than $24 million to canine health research, conducting kennel inspections, and offering more educational programs for responsible dog owners than any other organization. 2. They didn't tell you that when an AKC inspector finds substandard kennel conditions they must immediately report it to the appropriate federal, state and local authorities to take action. 3. They didn't tell you that, in many instances, the highly publicized raids for which animal rights groups take credit in the media have come about as a direct result of AKC's reporting to law enforcement. 4. They didn't tell you that, as we explained to Jeff Rossen and his producers numerous times, there are no "AKC Registered Operations" or "AKC Registered Breeders" and that breeders use AKC services voluntarily. 5. They didn t tell you that less than 5% of AKC s registration revenue comes from commercial breeders or that the AKC is a not-for-profit organization whose total revenues are less than the total marketing budget of the HSUS. 6. They didn't tell you that AKC saw substandard breeders leave the registry in droves in the mid-1990's when we instituted an inspections program. We did it anyway, even though it affected our bottom line negatively, because it was the right thing to do for dogs. And, more breeders left when we began DNA testing. 7. They didn't tell you that when AKC has concerns with legislation, it publicly puts legislative alerts on its website where anyone can learn about how a bill may potentially affect responsible breeders and dog owners' rights and not do anything to protect dogs. 8. They didn't tell you that AKC works to ensure the enforcement of cruelty and neglect laws, as well as the provisions of the federal Animal Welfare Act. As a result, AKC has a productive working relationship with local animal controls, state and local law enforcement, state departments of agriculture throughout the country, as well as the USDA. 9. They didn't tell you that AKC is well respected by lawmakers who consider us credible experts on dog issues, and rely on our thoughtful and considered advice when it comes to legislation that will impact dogs and their breeders and owners. 10. They didn t tell you that the purebred rescue groups they referenced are actually AKC breed parent club groups and affiliates that make up the largest dog rescue group network in the country. 11. They didn't tell you that The Today Show's Natalie Morales made a TV public service announcement in conjunction with the Ad Council and the HSUS. For more information about the many programs and services the American Kennel Club offers to benefit dogs and promote responsible dog ownership, contact AKC Government Relations at (919) or doglaw@akc.org. 3

4 AKC and Affiliates Assist With Disaster Relief The American Kennel Club is committed to providing assistance to animals and pet owners after natural disasters. Shortly after September 11, 2001, AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR) established the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund to support volunteer canine search and rescue organizations and provide disaster relief resources for pets during hurricanes, tornados, floods and wildfires. Following Hurricane Sandy, the American Kennel Club Humane Fund created the Sandy Fund to assist organizations that provide support and services for dogs and owners faced with the challenges of natural disaster. The Sandy Fund allows AKC clubs and affiliated organizations to provide assistance for pets and their owners in their own communities during a time of disaster. The new Fund s first donation was made to the Staten Island Companion Dog Training Club to aid their relief efforts in Staten Island, New York. Other organizations that have received grants to date from the Sandy Fund are: The Sandy Fund and Canine Support and Relief Fund are available to provide assistance to organizations still recovering, as well as prepared to help when future disasters arise. GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG- AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB Northern New Jersey Great Dane Club Nutmeg Border Collie Club (NY) Seer Farms (NJ) After the Sandy storm, AKC CAR also helped provide supplies to many other organizations in need through its Canine Support and Relief Fund, including: The Woodbridge Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center in Sewaren, NJ, which had a floor submerged in more than five feet of water after the storms and the shelter lost many supplies due to water damage. Collars, leashes, pet beds, cage bedding, dog and cat food, and cleaning supplies were sent to help replenish their stock. St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ, received 100 AKC blankets to help pets cope with the dropping temperatures. The New York Yankees organization reached out to AKC as well to request support for companion animals in the region affected by the storms. The AKC immediately contacted Eukanuba, who arranged for 44 tons of dog and cat food to be delivered to Yankee Stadium. Agility Association of Central New Jersey ( JAG) Bobbi and the Strays, Inc. (NY) Last Hope Animal Rescue (NY) Mohawk Valley Kennel Club (NY) New England Saint Bernard Club (CT) New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs New York Humane Society These are just a few of the many examples of how the AKC and its affiliates have stepped forward to help animals and those caring for them in the aftermath of a natural disaster. The AKC Humane Fund Sandy Fund and the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund are available to provide assistance to organizations still recovering, as well as preparing to help when future disasters arise. DID YOU KNOW? Since its inception, the AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund has donated over $4 million to assist with displaced pets and search and rescue efforts. In 2012, over $258,000 in grants were awarded across the United States. Visit akccar.org for more information on this fund and a list of recent grants. In addition to the Sandy Fund, the AKC Humane Fund provides assistance to AKC parent club rescue activities, programs that educate adults and children about responsible dog ownership, and other programs including human services organizations that allow domestic violence victims to stay in shelters with their pets. Visit for more information. 4

5 Unintended Consequences: Pair of Measures Designed to Regulate Internet & Commercial Puppy Sales Could Devastate America s Responsible Small/Hobby Breeders The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the only not-for-profit purebred dog registry devoted to the health and wellbeing of all dogs. As the leading expert on purebred dogs and responsible dog breeding in the United States, the AKC expects breeders to give careful consideration to health issues, temperament, and genetic screening as well as to careful placement of puppies in appropriate homes. As a not-for-profit organization, we demonstrate our dedication to dogs and responsible dog ownership through a variety of educational programs, the AKC Humane Fund, more than $24 million dollars in donations given to canine health research through the AKC Canine Health Foundation, and by conducting thousands of kennel inspections each year of breeders who register their dogs with the AKC. The AKC supports strong enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and cruelty and negligence laws that exist in all 50 states. We share regulators concerns about substandard Internet puppy sellers. We do not oppose the concept of regulating high-volume breeder-retailers. However, two current controversial measures designed to improve the wellbeing of dogs by amending definitions in the AWA are not only unlikely to address the substandard conditions of facilities currently operating illegally, they also would devastate some of America s most responsible small/hobby breeders. If these measures advance as currently proposed, it would do irreparable damage to the future of responsibly-bred purebred dogs as family pets. PUPS bill (S. 395/H.R. 847): Reasonable Fixes Could Avoid Devastating Unintended Consequences Two current controversial measures designed to improve the wellbeing of dogs by amending definitions in the AWA would do irreparable damage to the future of responsiblybred purebred dogs as family pets. Although designed to regulate Internet sales of puppies, this bill was written so broadly that it would require anyone who shares an ownership interest in a few female dogs that produce 50 or more puppies offered for sale in a year to be subject to USDA dog dealer regulations regardless of whether they personally maintain or breed those dogs. These requirements were designed for highvolume commercial kennels that maintain dogs and produce puppies for wholesale, and require a USDA commercial license, maintenance of specified commercial kennel engineering standards and regular inspections. They are not appropriate for pet owners or small breeders who keep only a few dogs in their homes and individually breed significantly fewer than 50 puppies a year. AKC is concerned that the measure s overly broad definition does not take into account coand joint ownership relationships common among dog owners, dog show participants, hunting club members, sporting dog trainers and other hobbyists. It would hurt many responsible small hobby breeders who maintain only a few dogs in their homes by subjecting them to commercial standards of regulation as a result of joint or co-ownership agreements. Moreover, it would force many responsible hobby/small breeders to move their pets from a home setting into an industrial or commercial environment. Many responsible breeders would give up breeding before placing dogs into an environment that they do not believe is in the best interest of their dogs. AKC believes a better option is to strike ownership language; and simply define high volume retail dog breeder as an individual that breeds and sells more than 50 puppies a year. ALASKAN MALAMUTE- ISABELLE FRANCAIS FOR AKC 5

6 Another concern is the definition of a breeding female as an intact female dog aged 4 months or older. This is misleading and implies that a female dog may be bred at 4 months. Female dogs are not sufficiently mature at 4 months of age to be bred. AKC believes this should be struck from the bill. It is misleading and not relevant to the rest of the measure. Current requirements for daily exercise would prohibit exercise that is solitary, repetitive and goal oriented. This would include reasonable, standard and common forms of exercise such as field training, retrieving/games of fetch, or monitored exercise on a lead or treadmill. AKC suggests removing these types of activity from prohibitions on acceptable exercise. APHIS Proposed Rule: Unreasonable Changes Could be Detrimental to Dogs and Responsible Breeders A proposed rule issued by USDA/APHIS in 2012 (Docket No. APHIS ; RIN 0579-AD57) was also intended to address reasonable concerns about substandard Internet puppy sales. Unfortunately, like the PUPS bill, the proposed rule vastly expands regulation beyond that objective and instead would subject individuals who keep as few as five dogs and transfer a single puppy sight unseen, to federal regulation and inspection as high-volume dog dealers. Rather than focusing on the condition in which animals are maintained or actually regulating Internet sales, the proposal redefines retail pet store using a flawed transactional model that requires anyone who maintains more than four breeding females (a term the rule does not define) and transfers just one dog in any manner without a face-to-face interaction to be regulated as a high-volume commercial dealer. The proposal is nearly impossible to enforce, punishes small hobby breeders, and does not consider that many responsible, selective hobby breeders especially those with rare breeds often sell or transfer dogs to repeat customers, family or trusted colleagues around the country without a face-to-face handoff of the dog. Moreover, the concept of a simple face-to-face handoff provides no intrinsic assurance of the care and conditions of the animals, the facility in which they are raised, or quality of breeding stock. For example, a roadside hand-off or a sale that [These proposals] would likely depress responsible breeding by the law-abiding, responsible small breeders this nation has traditionally supported and revered. takes place in a shopping center parking lot should not be considered to reasonably afford any significant public oversight. The Regulatory Impact Analysis & Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (RIA) performed by APHIS estimates that only 1,500 people would be impacted by this change. The AKC believes that the number of hobbyists or small breeders who would be impacted by the new rule is approximately 10 times greater. For example, the number of breeders who registered more than four litters in 2011 with the AKC is greater than 10,700. Assuming that most of these individuals maintain at least four intact females, and considering that this number does not account for dogs not registered with the AKC and other species, it can easily be extrapolated that the APHIS analysis is flawed. Likewise, APHIS estimated their cost estimates for breeders based on typical improvements needed to an existing outdoor commercial kennel following pre-licensing inspections. Even if such upgrades are possible to residences and hobby kennels, those costs may be extremely prohibitive. (Details and a copy of AKC s official comments and recommendations for alternatives are available online at or from the American Kennel Club.) Both PUPS and the proposed APHIS rule would exponentially expand the pool of breeders regulated and inspected by USDA/APHIS. At a time when USDA/ APHIS inspection and enforcement resources are already stretched, such overregulation is unnecessary, unreasonable and tantamount to harassment of small breeders. Moreover, the measures would have little impact on the wellbeing of dogs (in some cases potentially harming them) or on stopping illegal breeders. Instead, they would likely depress responsible breeding by the law-abiding, responsible small breeders this nation has traditionally supported and revered. 1 A May 2010 audit of this program by the USDA Inspector General demonstrated that the existing inspections program is insufficient to carry out current responsibilities. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Audit Report SF. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Care Program, Inspections of Problematic Dealers. May SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS WHITEHALL SHELTIES, INDIANA. USED WITH PERMISSION 6

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10 Two New Lively Breeds Join AKC Family The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno and Chinook Gain Full AKC Recognition - The American Kennel Club (AKC ) expanded its litter of recognized breeds on January 1 to welcome the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno and Chinook, growing AKC s family to 177 breeds. In addition, the AKC also welcomed the Lagotto Romagnolo and Berger Picard into the Miscellaneous Class. "The AKC is thrilled to add these lively and energetic breeds to the registry giving dog lovers even more breeds to choose from," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Both breeds are very athletic and will make great companions for those who love to stay active. An American breed joining the Working Group, the Chinook was bred as a sled dog for drafting and sled dog racing in New Hampshire. The breed was later named the state dog of New Hampshire in Chinooks enjoy activities such as backpacking, skijoring, sledding, jogging, and hiking with their families. They are especially fond of children and get along well with other dogs. They are playful, highly trainable, and adaptable. Their tawny-colored double coat requires occasional bathing and CHINOOK- AKC brushing. Additional facts on this breed can be found on the Chinook Club of America s website at: The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno joins the Hound Group. The breed is known for its small size, erect ears and wedge shaped head. Bred to hunt in harsh terrains, they use sight, scent and sound to catch their prey-- typically rabbits. They have two coat types, smooth and wire. This breed is active, intelligent and easy to train. They require regular exercise but should be kept on a leash or in a fenced yard due to their instinct to chase. Additional facts on this breed can be found on the Portuguese Podengo Pequenos of America s website at: To become an AKC recognized breed there needs to be a certain number of dogs geographically distributed throughout the U.S. and an established breed club of responsible owners and breeders. Breeds working towards full recognition are recorded in AKC s Foundation Stock Service (FSS ). More information on the process can be found at akc.org. Article from AKC.org PORTUGUESE PODENGO PEQUENO AKC DID YOU KNOW? New Hampshire recognized the Chinook as the state dog in It is one of 11 states to have an official state dog: Alaska Alaskan Malamute Louisiana Cathoula Leopard Dog Maryland Chesapeake Bay Retriever Massachusetts Boston Terrier New Hampshire: Chinook Pennsylvania Great Dane South Carolina Boykin Spaniel Texas Blue Lacy Virginia American Foxhound Wisconsin American Water Spaniel North Carolina Plott To learn more about these breeds, and all the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, visit and click on breeds at the top of the page. 10