Melanie Bereckis, of Jolanie Schnauzers in Washington, made the decision to get a Standard Schnauzer while living in Germany with her family. They wanted a dog with a natural protection instinct that is good with children and is no- to low-shedding. A Miniature Schnauzer was her longtime dog growing up, so she was intrigued by [...]

Mary Falls, an AKC Breeder of Merit, has bred and shown Giant Schnauzers for 28 years under the kennel name Classic Giant Schnauzers of Easentaigh (Gaelic for “Falls House”). She lives on the Bluffs of Baraboo in Wisconsin. She began her work life as a certified veterinary technician and now holds a doctorate in nursing practice [...]

AKC Breeder Spotlight: Amy Shaffer of Crivitz Standard Schnauzers Each month the American Kennel Club profiles breeders to hear how they got started and learn about their breeding program and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with AKC Breeder of Merit Amy Shaffer of Crivitz Standard Schnauzers. Amy originally started with Irish Setters [...]

As a breeder-owner-handler of Miniature Schnauzers for the last 37 years, I have been blessed to have been able to produce a dog with a very specific look that speaks to most as “Regency.” These dogs have done well. Some have been number-one in my breed, and one is the top winner in [...]

Roberta Hill and her Treeing Walker Coonhound "Toddie" came into each others' lives by accident. But their bond has been nothing short of exceptional since.

Not many dogs can say they've won Best in Show. A few dogs, like "Baby Joe," are part of the unofficial 100 BIS wins club.

For six years, Tibetan Spaniel 'Tashi' has been a regular at AKC Meet the Breeds NYC. But a sudden injury almost prevented him from returning.

Loyal, alert, and willing to please, the Miniature Schnauzer is the most popular dog in the Terrier Group. They're well suited for a variety of households.

Hand-stripping is a specialized grooming procedure for wiry-coated dogs. It involves plucking dead strands of hair to retain the coat's coarse texture.

Kim Berkley and her Border Collies "Zayne" and "Zuko" are household names in obedience. But Berkley actually got her start in horse dressage.

Thirteen years ago, Ron Godshall and Heather Eckenrode entered agility class as newbies to the sport. Things have changed, but he's still active at 78.

If you're an experienced dog owner looking for a trainable, intelligent, and loyal breed, look no further than the Giant Schnauzer.

The champion of the 2024 AKC National Championship has been crowned! The AKC National Championship took place on December 14-15 at the Orange Country...

From a German Multipurpose Farm Dog to the Most Popular Schnauzer, learn more about this dog breed with Miniature Schnauzer history.

On Monday, September 9, we lost a member of our AKC family. Ranny Green had been a Features Writer for the American Kennel Club for almost 10 years.

Seventeen-year-old Isabella Ruffoni from Gilroy, CA is a third-generation dog show handler, but didn't get involved in the sport until she was 15.

Renal dysplasia (RD), also known as renal malformation, refers to a type of congenital chronic kidney disease. Learn more about renal dysplasia in dogs.

Dog aggression is a serious and potentially dangerous behavior. Learn what it is and the motivation behind it so you can better help your dog.

When Kevin Holmes went looking for a service dog that would double as a competition teammate two years ago, he had specific idea in mind. His answer? "Natalie" the German Wirehaired Pointer.

"Jazz," an 11-year-old Giant Schanuzer, is saying farewell to the world of agility as she prepares for retirement. This champion has a remarkable legacy.

Your dog's eye and vision evolved to emphasize the vision needed for hunting at night. Yours evolved for picking berries during the day. Here's how.

Canine heart disease can be a significant concern for breeders, and multiple tools are available for assessing heart health in breeding stock and puppies. Both phenotypic and genetic tests are important and must be interpreted together. Phenotype refers to a dog’s observable traits, whereas genotype refers to a dog’s genetic constitution. Phenotypic tests [...]

If your dog suddenly develops aggressive, bloody diarrhea, they could have hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (also known as acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome).

Periodontal disease in dogs is a very common health concern. Learn how to spot it and prevent it to protect your dog from potentially serious consequences.

Can dogs with missing tails, ears, or eyes compete in AKC conformations shows? It depends on the missing part and the breed standard.

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) today announced the judging panel for the 26th AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, to be held December 12–13, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The Club also released the judging panel for the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals. The panel for the AKC Royal Canin [...]

Sandi Lyon was presented with the 2024 AKC Breeder of the Year award for Margaux Bouviers at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 14, 2024.  The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicate their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs [...]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2024 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor this array of esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “These individuals have made important contributions [...]

Agility Journey Continues with a Friend’s Help When her friend Ron’s last agility dog passed, Heather Eckenrode stepped in and offered her young All American Dog, Franco, as his new partner. Ron was recuperating from losing his leg and learning to handle from a motorized scooter. The two quickly bonded and became an [...]

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