1. It helps your heart.  The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity) to promote heart health. Sure, a long walk each day after work can do the trick, too, but by increasing the intensity of the […]

George Washington was first President of the United States and the father of our country, but he also had another distinction—America’s first crazy dog man.When Washington wasn’t out leading revolutions and presiding over the birth a nation, the Virginia plantation owner was obsessed with his pack. Fox hunting was one of his greatest pleasures, and […]

As you look down at the Best in Show judging from your seat in the nosebleed section at Madison Square Garden (or from your own couch), you might be inclined to offer your own take on which dog is worthy of the top honor at Westminster.“That pug is the cutest dog in the ring,” you […]

A few simple measures can keep your dog safe and happy through the winter.   Avoid Thin Ice Too often we hear stories of dogs that had to be rescued from icy waters (and those are the lucky ones). It might look like fun to slide across that frozen pond, but ice can easily crack and your […]

An amended version of Arkansas House Bill 1717 is again on the agenda of the House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee for tomorrow, March 29. Among other provisions, this bill would require breeders who offer for sale one dog or cat through public media to register with, pay fees, and submit information to the […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) joins the world of online learning with the launch of AKC Canine College -- an initiative that will extend robust, interactive learning content to breeders and judges, adding subject matter for groomers and trainers in the near future. Anyone interested in learning more about the dog world will find a […]

  Opinion: Nothing is more frustrating to a dedicated breeder-exhibitor than hearing that a wonderful owner with unlimited potential in the sport has purchased a dog from a commercial kennel. After all, your breed parent club works hard to update its website and offer a cornucopia of relevant information. You attend dog shows regularly, breed […]

  You’re a successful breeder-exhibitor who’s been involved in the sport for 30 years, with scores of homebred champions to your credit. You have held positions on your parent club’s board and are a respected judge of your breed. One day, you receive an email from an up-and-coming fancier whom you’ve met once or twice, […]

After much coaxing from a friend, a Greenwich Village antiques dealer reluctantly agreed to attend the Westminster Kennel Club show. If on that cold day in 1920 the antiques dealer had been more adamant or the friend less persuasive, a great career in dogs might never have been. “It was my first show and I […]

Bergamasco (AKC recognition January 1, 2015) The breed’s traffic-stopping dreadlocks are called flocks. (For the Puli and Komondor, they’re called cords.) The flocks begin to form naturally, but during the first year, owners have to be vigilant about separating the mats. Once grown, they’re easy to maintain. At the AKC’s 2015 Meet The Breeds, the Bergamasco […]

BREED 2015 2014 2013 Retrievers (Labrador) 1 1 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 2 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 3 3 Bulldogs 4 4 5 Beagles 5 5 4 French Bulldogs 6 9 11 Yorkshire Terriers 7 6 6 Poodles 8 7 8 Rottweilers 9 10 9 Boxers 10 8 7 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 11 12 […]

Summer is vacation time and it's even better when our canine buddies can come along. After all, dogs love vacations, too. So, whether you're preparing for a long car ride, camping and hiking, a wide sandy beach, or a visit with old friends, here's some gear that will make traveling with your dog a lot […]

If you’re a hunter, you know what an asset the rugged Black and Tan Coonhound is in the field. If you’ve never hunted in your life, you know the breed as your best home companion, ready to sprawl on the sofa with you at a moment’s notice. This all-American scenthound is truly a dog for […]

Lovers of the American Foxhound could rave all day about these sweet, easygoing hounds, yet even the most ardent fan will tell you that the American Foxhound comes with his own special traits. But first, some history. The breed was developed from a line of dogs brought to the American colonies from England by Robert […]

There is a lot to love about Miniature Pinschers, aka the "King of Toys," aka "Mr. Personality," and we’ll get to that in a minute. But first let’s clear up a few misconceptions and point out some salient characteristics of the breed.   1. The Miniature Pinscher is NOT a miniature version of the Doberman […]

The Rat Terrier is a relatively new breed that has experienced some highs and lows during its history. Let's take a look at how Rat Terriers became the energetic, loyal, family dogs they are today. Here are six interesting facts about the Rat Terrier: 1. They Used to Be Wildly Popular With Farmers In the […]

The Clumber Spaniel looks like a more rugged version of the Cocker Spaniel, but the two breeds are very different. The Clumber is a rare breed with mysterious origins. Here are some interesting facts about Clumber Spaniels: 1. No One Is Sure Where They Are From There is a theory that the Clumber Spaniel began […]

The American English Coonhound is an extremely active and athletic breed. Full of energy and personality, they are great dogs for people with active lifestyles. Here are some interesting facts about the American English Coonhound: 1. They Were Bred to Hunt Raccoons The word "coon" in the breed's name refers to raccoon. But the American […]

"Wait, was that a Siberian Husky? Or was it an Alaskan Malamute?" Many dog breeds can be difficult to tell apart. To celebrate National Look-Alike Day, we're taking a closer look at six pairs of dogs that look remarkably similar to each other, but are actually completely different breeds. 1. Alaskan Malamute vs. Siberian Husky […]

You can tell by looking at the Norwegian Elkhound's thick, fluffy coat that it was built for cold weather. What else was this breed built for? Let's find out. Here are some interesting facts about the Norwegian Elkhound: 1. They've Existed for Thousands of Years Records indicate the Norwegian Elkhound could have emerged as early […]

While breaking out the red, white, and blue, you should also make a few preparations to ensure your dog is safe and comfortable during the celebrations. Confirm your dog’s microchip information is up-to-date. More pets go missing on the Fourth of July than any other day of year. If your pet is microchipped, take a moment […]

As any attendee can attest to, AKC's eighth annual Meet the Breeds event was a day full of excitement, education, and of course, fun. There were big dogs, small dogs, and even cats! Piers 92 and 94 were abuzz with talks of agility, responsible pet ownership, and of course, people deciding which breed was their […]

  One of my first memories about breeding dogs is that of my father building a whelping box for our Afghan Hound, Twiggy. I can remember Dad getting two boards 8 feet long by 1 inch thick by 12 inches wide, and 8 “L” brackets. He cut the boards in half and fashioned them together […]

If a leprechaun decided to disguise himself as a dog, chances are he would choose the Kerry Blue Terrier. Like the leprechaun, these joyful, full-of-life, and mischievous dogs are from Ireland, and it’s often said their hearts are sprinkled with Irish humor. The Kerry Blue Terrier is known as the Irish Blue Terrier in its […]

The English Foxhound is a versatile hunter and member of the Hound Group. This determined scent hound can be taught to hunt almost any ground-dwelling quarry, although traditionally it was used for foxhunting and can still be found in that same role today. Here are some fun facts about this sociable field companion. 1. The […]

The Neapolitan Mastiff (also known as the Neo or Mastino) is a huge, heavy-boned dog with awe-inspiring features. These members of the Working Group are enormous, and the average male weighs 150 pounds, but the bigger the better. There is no other breed that looks quite like the Neo, and they can be distinguished from […]

The Welsh Terrier is a medium-size sturdy, compact, and rugged terrier that originated in Wales many hundreds of years ago. In fact, some claim that it is the oldest existing dog breed in the entire United Kingdom. This spirited breed has a black-and-tan-colored, wiry coat, similar to an Airedale Terrier. Dogs are mentioned in the […]

The Plott is a member of the Hound Group that specializes in hunting big game such as wild boar, mountain lions, and even bear. These courageous and athletic dogs are also excellent raccoon hunters and excel at chasing and treeing these crafty animals. The Plott is a true American breed that was developed in the […]

The understated Border Terrier (BT) may be overlooked in his plain brown coat, but there’s a lot to love about this unique little dog. He developed as a working terrier that could go to ground, as well as follow the horses on a hunt, and he is built perfectly for both jobs. For centuries, hunters […]

Cold weather and the scattering of snow bring out “the frisky” in a lot of our dogs, but some breeds thrive and even excel in frigid conditions—many of them Nordic spitz-type breeds. Here are seven reasons why these breed types are so well adapted to arctic-like weather. 1. Big or hairy paws act like snowshoes […]