What tugs at our hearts more than an adorable Chihuahua peeking out of Reese Witherspoon’s purse in the movie Legally Blonde? Perhaps it is the sight of puppies glee­ fully romping through scenes in 101 Dalmatians, or the exploits of Otis, the endearing Pug, in The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Dogs occupy a treasured [...]

Thinking of adding a small dog with a big personality to your life? Learn if the Chihuahua is a good breed for you and your lifestyle.

Ivy the Chihuahua may be tiny, but she is a survivor. Rescued from a dumpster as a puppy, the eight-and-a-half-year-old dog is a true Renaissance pup. Owned by Rockford, Illinois, resident Jennifer Walker, Ivy has earned over 40 titles as an AKC Therapy Dog and canine athlete. Bringing Ivy Home In 2014, Walker and her husband, Bill [...]

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we've rounded up some fascinating facts about Mexico's native dog breeds: the Xoloitzcuintli and the Chihuahua. While only a minor holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become a big deal in the United States. This popular observance is thanks in part to Mexican-American activists in the 1960s, who [...]

MACH Laws' Sandy MXB MJB owned by Nelda and Vern Laws of Haverhill, MA Sandy is an 8-year-old Chihuahua mix. Nelda met her in 2012 while volunteering at the MSPCA at Nevins’ Farm and Equine Center in Methuen, MA where she helps both house and farm animals. Only the day before she and Vern had lost [...]

MACH Dewey MXB MJS OF T2B owned by Elise Strauss of Anchorage, AK Dewey is a 7-year-old Jack Russell Terrier/Chihuahua mix and is Elise’s first agility dog. She never would have discovered the fun sport if it was not for trying desperately to find a way to keep Dewey busy! “I got [...]

With AKC Canine Partners from the Beginning: Teah OA OAJ OF THD and California’s Little Orphan Annie NA NAJ NF owned by Deborah Hoeflich of Morro Bay, CA Debby’s dog, Teah, has been part of the AKC Canine Partners program since it started 10 years ago. Before Canine Partners, “Teah was competing (in another [...]

Nicole Carazo of Riverside, CA, wrote this compelling story of a little shelter dog that she rescued with no intention of keeping. The dog had so many issues that no one would adopt her so Nicole started training her and realized that she had something really special. Today, that dog is MACH2 She’s [...]

This article originally appeared in the March 2012 issue of the AKC Canine Partners News newsletter Cooper is an agility superstar. It barely took him a month to go from Novice to the most advanced level of AKC agility – Excellent. But then the then-8-year-old mixed-breed dog suffered a back spasm that took him out of [...]

This story originally appeared in a 2011 issue of the AKC Canine Partners News newsletter. Since the story was published, Harley, now 9 years old, has earned the AKC’s highest honor in agility – the Master Agility Championship (MACH) and is now pursuing her Preferred Agility Championship (PACH). Most puppies spend their early months being loved by [...]

The sport of AKC Scent Work is based on the work of professional detection dogs. All dogs (purebred and mixed breeds) can participate; even dogs with physical challenges are eligible. AKC Scent Work celebrates the joy of sniffing and asks dogs to sniff to their heart’s content. It turns a dog’s favorite activity [...]

Meet Margaret Steinrock: Solution to Boredom Led to Agility Success Margaret Steinrock got her start in agility by playing around on her mother’s equipment with her dog Princess. Now she and her mother enjoy the sport together. At the 2017 AKC Juniors Agility Competition in Orlando, FL., Margaret and Princess Sassy Steinrock NAP OAP EAP [...]

Can They Really Get Along?   The AKC Offers Tips to Cat Owners On Introducing a Dog to Your Home  The age-old phrase “fighting like cats and dogs” does not have to be the case. Despite popular belief, canines and felines can, in fact, live together in harmony.  If you’re a cat owner looking to [...]

Cairn Terrier Learn about Cairn Terriers [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Cairn Terrier Club of America Patricia Gould, 9510 190th Place SW Edmonds, WA 98020; 406-459-8290; CairnPup@gmail.com Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] Canaan Dog Learn about Canaan Dogs [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Canaan Dog Rescue Network, Inc. [/accordion [...]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge III. This virtual conformation event is open to all AKC-recognized breeds and Miscellaneous class breeds. Best in Show and Best Puppy Michael Canalizo   Regular and Puppy Groups SPORTING Mr. Douglas A Johnson HOUND Mr. Eugene Blake [...]

Article Complements of Purina Pro Plan Agility competitors who are eager to sprint to the start line to put titles on their dogs are finding that being on an AKC Agility League team eases the journey. The team agility sport, which began its third year in May 2025, offers an amazing transformation in skills and confidence [...]

My name is Rose Rubing and I am a 16-year-old junior handler. I live in Florida and I compete in dog agility with my dog Slick Trick, who is an All-American. He and I have been a team for five years now. I have been training in agility since I was about nine years old [...]

WINNER Leslie Gelesh & Eli (Miniature Poodle) Batman FURever SEMI-FINALISTS Muriel McMullen & Maddie (Australian Terrier) The Grrrinch Faye Roche & Brio (Miniature Poodle) My Olympic Gold Medal Star: Brio Outstanding Performances from the 2021 AKC Trick Dog National Competition In addition to the competition winners listed above, here are some outstanding performances from 2021 (in random [...]

AKC Meet the Breeds events are a fun and educational way to spend a day with the whole family, and maybe even figure out which dog breed is right for you! If you are attending an AKC Meet the Breeds event, or are thinking about attending an event in the future, you can find out [...]

Showing dogs is a fun sport where the thrill of competition is combined with the joy of seeing beautiful dogs. Dog shows, or conformation events, originated as a way for breeders to evaluate their breeding stock. While the purpose remains, dog shows are a great opportunity to socialize with people in your breed and develop [...]