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Perspectives

www.akc.org

In our hectic daily lives we're bombarded with somuch information that we can lose focus on the

larger picture. It's easy for perception and hype toundermine substance and expertise. When this hap-pens, the voice of true experts and the real issues aremarginalized. This truth is evident in the debate overthe regulation of dog breeders in the United States.

Consider this: It is the responsible breeders – notthe animal rights activists – who have years, oftengenerations, of practical experience with theirbreeds and bloodlines, and who utilize this expertiseto provide the best care for the current and futuregenerations of their dogs.

Responsible breeders study pedigrees, health, andtemperament before making breeding decisions.Often they responsibly maintain numerous dogs,including beloved retired dogs that hold a place ofhonor and young dogs being "grown out" to assessfuture potential. Maintaining multiple generationsand keeping dogs intact until their merit can bedetermined enables good breeders to select the bestdogs to breed.

A responsible breeder can own many dogs and takeexcellent care of them. An irresponsible person canown just one dog and be cruel and neglectful.Responsibility is not about the number of dogs a personhas – it is about the care and environment provided.

Responsible breeders love dogs and care abouttheir future. They care enough to breed good dogsso that our children and grandchildren will begraced with the same kind of canine companions weenjoy today. Responsible breeders devote their livesand resources to dogs. They put in all-nighters andsleep for weeks on a cot to be near new puppies oran ill dog.

Responsible breeding is key to the wellbeing of

Congressman Dennis Ross ................................1

American Kennel Club Announces Most

Popular Dogs in the US ......................................3

AKC Inspections Program...................................4

AKC Enhances Care and Conditions

of Dogs Policy ....................................................6

Inside

Continued on next page

There are few friendships asendearing as a boy and his dog.

Growing up in Lakeland, Florida,Congressman Dennis Ross enjoyedthe constant companionship of“Ginger”, who was the family dogfrom the time Ross was four yearsold until she passed away when hewas 18.

“As a kid…I did a lot of exploringin other neighborhoods and nearbywoods. Wherever I went, my dogGinger went with me,” the FloridaCongressman explained.

The mixed-breed dog was alsofortunate enough to accompany thefamily on trips around the country.“She travelled the United Stateswith me… [when] our family took

summer vacations in a 19-footAirstream travel trailer. Ginger andI would stay together at night in thestation wagon.”

And as he got older, Ross wasn’tabout to allow a “no pets allowed”policy to deter him from lettingGinger travel with him. As ateenager, he drove to visit his par-ents at the Walt Disney World®

campground, which did not allowdogs at that time. “In order to get[Ginger]…past security, I put a coataround her as she sat in the passen-ger seat, [as well as] sunglasses anda hat,” he confessed. “I waved at thesecurity guard and drove on in with-out incident!”

Congressional Canine Spotlight-Congressman Dennis Ross

In each issue of In Session, the AKC profiles a dog-loving member of the Capitol community. This issue features Congressman Dennis Ross (FL-12).

PHOTO COURTESY OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN DENNIS ROSS

Continued on next page

The American Kennel Club’s Newsletter for Members of Congress and their Staff

In SessionAKC’S CONGRESSIONAL NEWSLETTER

Congressman Dennis Ross enjoying a Florida day with Jack, Cider, and Lightening

®

Now married with two sons, theCongressman has continued the tradition ofvacationing as a family with their three dogs“Lightening”, “Jack”, and “Cider”. All thedogs, including Lightening’s now-deceasedsister Thunder, were named by the Ross’ssons. “Thunder was our son Shane’s dog,”Ross’ wife Cindy explained. “So after ourloss, he set out to find a dog special enoughto fill the hole in our hearts. He found Jackand we just couldn’t leave his pretty littlesister at the[Lakeland, FL]SPCA, so weadopted them bothand gave Cider to[our son] Travis.”

Lightening is a 14-year-old blackLabrador Retriever,and Jack and Cider are 4-year-old LabradorRetriever/Mastiff mixed-breeds (it isbelieved that Jack may also have a houndbreed in his mix). Ross explained that thetwo younger dogs “rule [the] home.”

“All of our animals travel with us when weembark on an RV adventure in our 40-foot

motor home,” Ross explained.According to the Congressman’swebsite, the family has been toeach of the 48 continental UnitedStates, and most of these tripshave been with their dogs.

When not travelling the coun-try, the dogs enjoy life at theRoss family’s Florida home.“Chasing elusive squirrels andwrestling with each other aretheir favorite activities – otherthan sleeping!” the Congressmantold AKC. The family is alsoknown for having a very “dog-friendly” home, and guests areencouraged to bring their dogswhen they come to visit.

The dogs also enjoy playingwith the family cats “Blondie”,“KC”, and “Buddy”. “However,Jack and Cider like to play catand mouse with them,” Ross’ wifeexplained, “to be sure they show

them respect.” The Congressman agreed thatthese two dogs “rule [the] home.”

The congressman’s wife lovingly describedeach of their family pets and then said, “Ourdogs and cats are much more than colors andbreeds. They are truly part of our family.”

Congressman Ross is also dedicated topromoting responsible dog ownership andcare in his district. He has served on a localSPCA Advisory Board, which he describesas “a great group of Polk County (FL) volun-

teers who give of theirtime to raise money tofund an animal shel-ter, a veterinary clinic,and education pro-grams [teaching]responsible dog own-ership.”

When asked how hewould define responsible dog ownership, heanswered, “Treat your pet as you wouldwant to be treated.”

This is advice he takes to heart. “I wouldnot mind being one of my dogs,” he admitted.

AKC MISSION STATEMENT

The AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB is dedicated to uphold-

ing the integrity of its Registry, promoting the

sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and

function. Founded in 1884, the AKC and its affili-

ated 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.

2

AKC Government Relations Department

(919) 816-3720

doglaw@akc.org

www.akc.org/canine_legislation

Continued from page 1, “Congressional CanineSpotlight - Congressman Dennis Ross”all dogs. The future of dogs is too important for

us to let it be defined by activists who have noreal expertise or knowledge. This is why theAKC stands up for the future of dogs andresponsible breeders and advocates for strongenforcement of negligence and cruelty laws forall dogs – regardless of whether they are part ofa breeding program, in a shelter, in a kennel, orin a private home.

In this issue, we discuss some of the ways inwhich the AKC takes the lead in promoting thehealth and welfare of dogs and responsible dogbreeding. The AKC is the only all-breed, non-profit dog registry in the country with a signifi-cant kennel inspections program (p. 4). Ournewly enhanced Care and Conditions Policy (p.6) is just one way we demonstrate our commit-ment to promoting responsible dog ownership.

Good policy, properly enforced, doesn't arbi-trarily limit responsible breeding programs orassume that the number of dogs owned directlycorrelates to quality of care. Most important ofall, good policy, developed with input frombreeders, can protect all dogs – and the future ofresponsible breeding.

We are pleased to work with you to developreasonable solutions that protect the rights ofresponsible dog owners and the welfare of ourbeloved dogs for generations to come.

(Continued from page 1)

• The AKC Canine Partners℠ program was established in 2010 to enable spayed/neuteredmixed-breed dogs and other dogs not eligible for AKC registration to receive special benefits and participate in certain AKC events such as Agility and Obedience. Since the program’s inception, “All-American dogs” have accounted for over 30,000 entries in AKC events.

• The AKC Canine Partners℠ program also conducts outreach to local shelters to help promote responsible dog ownership and training.

• The AKC has compiled a series of helpful tips for owners wanting to travel with their dogs.For more information, visit akc.org/public_education/travel.cfm

DID YOU KNOW?

“Treat your pet asyou would want tobe treated.”

PHOTO COURTESY OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN DENNIS ROSS

®

F O U N D E D 1 8 8 4

All the best,

Sheila Goffe Director of Government Relationsshg@akc.org

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Look out Labrador Retrievers,the American Kennel Club®

(AKC) has announced that theBeagle has overtaken the belovedYorkshire Terrier to become thethird most popular dog breed inthe U.S., according to AKC regis-tration statistics recently released.The Golden Retriever also made astrong push into the top ranks –advancing from the fifth to thefourth most popular dog breed –and the Rottweiler made news byunseating the Shih Tzu – whichhad been in the top 10 since 2000.But fans of the Labrador Retrieverneed not fear: the beloved Labremains the champ – a spot it hasnow held for 21 consecutive years

– thanks to its well-earnedreputation for playfulnessand loyalty and its use as apolice and search-and-res-cue dog.

“While the LabradorRetriever has proven onceagain to be a family favorite,this year clearly belongs tothe Beagle,” said AKCSpokesperson Lisa Peterson.“The Beagle’s merry person-ality combined with his loveof outdoor activities makehim such a wonderful familypet that I wouldn’t be sur-prised to see this spunkybreed sniff his way to thetop of the list next year.”

American Kennel Club Announces Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.

Beagles Have Their Year! Curious and Comedic Breed Overtakes Yorkies to Place Third on Most-Popular List

Lovable Labs Hold Top Spot for 21 Years While Rottweiler Moves Into the Top 10

• To view the full list of AKC registration statistics, as well as the most-popular breeds in major U.S. cities, visit akc.org/reg and click on“Registration Statistics”

• For more information on finding a responsible breeder in your area, go to akc.org/breederinfo/breeder_search.cfm

• For information on purebred rescue, visit akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm

Learn More:

LABRADOR RETRIEVER-©MARY BLOOM-AKC

Article originally published online at AKC.org

“The Beagle’s merry personality combined with his love ofoutdoor activities make him…a wonderful family pet…”

2011 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S. 2010 Ranking1. Labrador Retriever 1. Labrador Retriever2. German Shepherd Dog 2. German Shepherd Dog3. Beagle 3. Yorkshire Terrier4. Golden Retriever 4. Beagle5. Yorkshire Terrier 5. Golden Retriever6. Bulldog 6. Bulldog7. Boxer 7. Boxer8. Poodle 8. Dachshund9. Dachshund 9. Poodle10. Rottweiler 10. Shih Tzu

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The American Kennel Club®

(“AKC®”) is passionate about dogsand believes that their care and welfareis of paramount importance. We prideourselves on the integrity of our reg-istry and the quality of the care afford-ed the dogs registered with us. TheAKC is the only all-breed, non-for-profit registry that has a significantkennel inspection program to ensurethe health, safety and welfare of thedogs it registers.

In 2011, the AKC’s Investigationsand Inspections Department (“I & I”)conducted thousands of inspections ofbreeders across the United States whoregister dogs and litters with the AKC.A typical inspection includes an exami-nation of the care and conditions of thedogs and kennel facilities, an inspectionof the breeder’s record-keeping anddog identification practices, and ran-dom DNA testing to ensure theintegrity of AKC pedigrees. While mostinspections are conductedbased on the number of littersregistered each year with theAKC, any breeder may beinspected if the AKC receives awritten, signed, and substanti-ated complaint.

A key component of AKC’sInvestigations and InspectionsDepartment is enforcement ofthe AKC’s Care andConditions Policy. The policy reflects the AKC’s values in pro-moting the responsible ownership and maintenance of dogs.These guidelines are meant as a basis for helping individualsensure that dog care practices are performed and housing facili-ties are maintained in a safe, humane and responsible manner. Inaddition to guidelines set forth in the policy, individuals areexpected to comply with all applicable federal, state, and locallaws and regulations regarding the owner-ship and maintenance of dogs. If duringan inspection it is determined that an indi-vidual is not maintaining their dogs orfacility in an acceptable manner, in accor-dance with AKC’s Care and ConditionsPolicy, federal, state, or local agencies willbe notified of unsanitary and/or unhealthyconditions found during the inspection.

The purpose of the I & I Departmentgoes far beyond inspections and issuingpenalties. The AKC believes strongly thateducation is in the best interest of bothbreeders and the animals in their care.Therefore a typical inspection will include

more than just a checklist of approveditems and areas requiring improvement.Each inspector assesses the overall situa-tion of the kennel being inspected andprovides helpful advice, suggestions, andrelevant information about the numerousbeneficial programs AKC offers—all as away to help educate breeders and con-tinuously strive for even better care stan-dards and practices. This attention tothe care and well-being of dogs goes along way to maintaining the high stan-dards and integrity of the AKC’s reg-istry.

Often breeders contact the AKCGovernment Relations Department (GR)regarding pending legislation in theirstate. One such breeder had beeninspected by the AKC and enthusiasti-cally relayed to GR how they wereincorporating into their dog care prac-tices the many helpful tips and recom-mendations that they had received fromtheir Inspector. This breeder knew the

thoroughness with which anAKC inspection is conductedand they took great pride in thepositive report they received.

AKC Inspectors also takegreat pride in their work andthe vital role they perform fordogs in communities through-out the United States.

"Our focus over the last cou-ple years has been increasingly

to educate people more about the AKC, better care and mainte-nance practices. We focus on helping people improve," saidAKC‘s Director of Compliance Support Jack Norton. "Ourinspectors’ approach is to be proactive and positive, and theyhave seen breeders embrace this change in attitude. The overallresult is an improvement in the lives of dogs."

AKC Inspections Program Helps Educate Responsible Breeders

©ROBERT YOUNG-AKC

• The AKC conducts thousands of inspections each year• AKC’s Inspections and Investigations team carried out a major disaster relief program effortafter Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, including visiting animal shelters and meeting with shel-ter coordinators and government leaders in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi to provideexpertise and hands-on support.

• The AKC has adopted a detailed Care and Conditions policy by which all breeders whoregister dogs with the AKC must abide. To read this policy and learn more about AKC’sInvestigations and Inspections Department, visit www.AKC.org and type “inspections” inthe search box. Also see page 6 of this issue for more details on AKC’s Care andConditions policy.

DID YOU KNOW?

“Our inspectors’ approach is tobe proactive and positive… Theoverall result is an improvementin the lives of dogs.”

AKC KENNEL INSPECTIONS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

BACKGROUND:

The American Kennel Club is the only purebred registry in the United States with an ongoing routine kennel inspection program. The AKC has a dedicated team of field inspectors who visit kennels to help breeders while ensuring the proper care and conditions of dogs and verify that breeders are maintaining accurate records for their dogs. Additionally, the Inspections Program has been proven to be a successful tool in promoting responsible dog ownership and breeding, and market research demonstrates the public’s positive perception of the AKC’s kennel inspection program. The AKC’s current policy regarding care and conditions was passed by the Board of Directors in 1996, and enforced by the AKC Inspections Program since that time, makes clear that the AKC will not tolerate substandard treatment of dogs.

FACTS ABOUT THE AKC INVESTIGATIONS AND INSPECTIONS PROGRAM

BUDGET: Over $1.5 million annually

THE NUMBERS: The AKC employs 9 inspectors spread throughout the United States. On average, the AKC Inspectors conduct thousands of inspections annually. The AKC’s inspection protocol applies equally to all types of breeders; the AKC does not conduct different types of inspections or apply different rules based on the number of dogs maintained or litters registered by a breeder.

PURPOSE OF AN INSPECTION: The AKC conducts inspections to ensure that care and conditions of the dogs and the facility in which they are housed are in compliance with AKC’s extensive Care and

Conditions Policy and to review records in order maintain the integrity of its registry,

During an inspection, the AKC Inspector reviews the care and conditions of dogs and the facility in which they are housed. This includes ensuring that dogs have access to adequate food and water, are in good physical condition, and have access to daily exercise. The inspector also makes certain that the facility is constructed in such a way as to maintain the safety of the dogs, and that it is clean and of a sufficient size so that overcrowding does not exist. The AKC Inspector also reviews the registrant’s individual dog ownership records, breeding records and litter records to make certain that the registration applications that have been received from the breeder are properly supported. The AKC Inspector may also take DNA samples under certain circumstances.

EDUCATION: AKC Inspectors educate registrants about the AKC’s Care and Conditions Policy, its record keeping and dog identification requirements, and other AKC programs.

If the inspection determines that the registrant needs to make improvements to their record keeping and dog identification practices, the Inspector will provide the breeder with information and recommendations on how to make improvements so that the breeder can achieve compliance.

ENFORCEMENT: If an individual fails to consent to an inspection or fails to correct areas identified as needing improvement during an inspection, the AKC will suspend the individual’s ability to register dogs with the AKC and compete in AKC events. Typically, a suspension includes a fine. AKC privileges will only be reinstated after an inspection is conducted to confirm that the registrant is in compliance with AKC’s rules and policies. In addition, if AKC inspectors find unsanitary and/or unhealthy conditions during the inspection, proper federal, state, and local agencies will be notified.

For information about these and other AKC programs working to support responsible pet ownership,

visit www.akc.org.

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FFor over 125years, the

American KennelClub® has remainedcommitted to promot-ing responsible dogownership and quali-ty breeding. AKCpolicies embody thatmission by advocat-ing for responsibledog ownership andensuring that the wel-fare and care of dogsis at the very heart ofeverything we do.

This challenge ismore complex than it may appear. Fewspecies are as varied as the domesticdog. The AKC currently recognizesover 170 distinct breeds of dogs. Theneeds of these dogs, the size of thekennels, and methods used to ensurequality care are as varied as the breedsthemselves.

When it comes to ensuring the well-being of dogs, the AKC’s extensiveexperience, through generations of on-the-ground breeding, kennel inspec-tions or a multi-tude of otherprograms, havedemonstrated thatstrict “one size fitsall” care policiestend to be bothinefficient andineffective. This isthe reason that theAKC often raises concerns when strictfacilities engineering – rather than per-formance-based protocols—for kenneland dog care are proposed in law.

Still, it’s not unusual to regularly seenew recommendations to impose thesame kennel engineering requirementson large, commercial kennels as onsmall hobby breeders who occasion-ally breed a litter of puppies in theirhome. Problems with such policies typ-

ically include arbitrary facility engi-neering requirements such as specificcage sizes, inappropriate temperatureranges (i.e., requiring snow-lovingSiberian Huskies be housed in facilitieswhose temperatures may never dropbelow 60 degrees), and a host of otherarbitrary requirements. Such policiesmay be unreasonable or incompatiblewith the operations of many responsi-ble, smaller, specialized breeders.More importantly, such policies are

not often in the best interest of dogs,whose care and welfare should be atthe forefront of any discussion onthese issues.

AKC concerns about specific pro-posed policies stem from our dedica-tion to the wellbeing of all dogs.Likewise, the AKC believes that thereare certain guidelines to which all dogowners and breeders should adhere. Toclarify these concerns, the AKC has

implemented a new,enhanced version of theAKC’s Care andConditions of DogsPolicy. These policiesare centered around aperformance-based out-come – meaning theyfocus on the quality ofcare and welfare of thedogs, rather than onstringent engineering orarbitrary numbers stan-dards that may not beappropriate for everysituation.

The policy, which canbe viewed in its entirety

on the opposite page,provides an easy-to-understand affir-mative guide for responsible dog own-ership, including care of dogs, kennels,and housing and operations. Anyonefrom a single dog owner to a large ken-nel manager can follow these guide-lines to ensure best practices of keep-ing and maintaining dogs.

Along with record-keeping and dogidentification, this policy serves as thecore of the AKC’s inspections pro-gram, and is the basis for the more

than 55,000inspections theAKC has con-ducted since2000. Eachtime an AKCinspector con-ducts an inspec-tion, they havethe opportunity

to educate owners and breeders aboutthis policy.

AKC Enhances Care and Conditions of Dogs Policy

“These policies…focus on the qualityof care and welfare of the dogs,rather than on [arbitrary] standards”

BEARDED COLLIES ©ISABELLE FRANCAIS FOR AKC

• View the AKC’s Care and Conditions of

Dogs Policy in its entirety on Page 7

• For more information on the AKC

Investigations and Inspections

Department, see Page 4

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