The American Kennel Club is the only purebred registry in the United States with an ongoing kennel-inspection program.

As a part of the AKC's breeder-education mission, a dedicated team of field inspectors works closely with breeders to ensure the proper care and conditions of dogs, and confirm accurate recordkeeping.

In many cases, AKC breeders not only welcome inspections but promote them as an assurance for puppy buyers. For these breeders, inspections provide evidence of the high operational standards of their kennels.

The policy has been reformatted into an easy-to-understand framework for responsible dog ownership, including Care of Dogs, Kennels and Housing, and Operations.

Enhanced guidelines include:

• The importance of daily positive human interaction and socialization for dogs


• Sufficient number of staff must be provided to carry out appropriate levels of care and conditions for the number of dogs kept


• Each kennel should maintain an emergency preparedness plan adequate for the type of facility owned and breed(s); of dogs maintained there


• When euthanasia is necessary, it should always be performed humanely.

"In our leadership role as experts on maintaining and keeping of dogs since 1884, we are uniquely placed to provide American dog and kennel owners with guidelines detailing best practices that embody responsible dog ownership regardless of the number of dogs owned," AKC Director of Compliance Support Jack Norton says.

"We are committed to protecting the integrity of our registry and ensuring that all AKC dogs are cared for in a humane way. Our policies embody the AKC's mission to promote responsible dog ownership."