Cover these six basics in taking care of your puppy, and you can help him stay happy, healthy, and strong.Proper NutritionYour puppy needs a diet that is right for his age level. Premium brands often have higher-quality ingredients, so it might be worth springing for one. Your vet can help you choose the right food. […]

Dedicated dog lovers tend to be very kind people. We share our hearts and homes (and for some lucky pooches, even the foot of our beds) with our canine pals. Surely there is nothing wrong with sharing our favorite foods with them too, right? Not necessarily. Many of the foods, such as fruits and vegetables, that […]

Being selected for one of the US World Agility Teams is considered the ultimate achievement by many in the agility world. Now junior handlers who are 18 years old and younger have the same exciting opportunity. The European Open Junior (EOJ) Agility Championships will take place in Luxembourg July 13 – 16, and the 2017 […]

Training began for Jax on the day he joined the Majerle family of Phoenix, AZ. He was nine weeks old. “From day one,” Brandi Majerle said. “At meal time, instead of putting down a bowl full of his food, I treated each meal as a training session. I hand fed him small bites of food […]

If you celebrate Easter, you probably fondly remember going on Easter egg hunts as a child. Learning how to get your dog involved in the tradition allows you to never outgrow the fun. Here is a helpful guide to setting up a safe and fun Easter egg hunt for your dog.   Plastic Easter eggs can […]

'Tis the season for all things pumpkin. Dogs, too, love the taste of this squash plant, and it can even offer some health benefits (like relief from both diarrhea and constipation). But since dogs can't join you in sipping that spiced latte, we've found some ways you can help them enjoy the flavors of fall. […]

  Dogs bring tons of fun and love to our lives, but they also require a lot of care by dedicated owners. In recognition of AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Month , we have a list of things every good dog owner should do for his or her canine family members. No matter how adorable and […]

When it comes to diet for our dogs, there are countless options available. Canned foods, kibbles, raw foods, dehydrated foods—the possibilities and brands offered are essentially endless. Owners shouldn’t focus on brands or types, but on quality of nutrition in the foods available. This is because proper nutrition is one of the most important aspects […]

We wish we could always bring our dogs with us when we have to go away, but sometimes that's just not possible. Hiring a pet sitter to stay at your home and stick to your dog's regular routine will help make the time you're away a little less stressful for him (but don't worry—you'll still […]

Small but mighty, short but fast, serious but also a goofball. There's just something wonderful about the juxtapositions that make up the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. If you own one we're sure you can relate. Here are ten things that only Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners will understand: 1. Your Pembroke engages in what is known as […]

How do you know what your dog is thinking? Give him an MRI, of course. While this isn’t practical for the majority of dog owners, for the past five years Dr. Gregory Berns and his colleagues at Emory University have been training dogs to lie still while awake in an MRI scanner, so that they […]

  One of the greatest frustrations experienced by new puppy owners is housebreaking, but with patience and consistency every dog can learn not to soil their house. The AKC Good Dog! Helpline trainers recommend “S&S” – Scheduling and Supervision – as the most important components when you are “potty training” your infant canine. Feed your […]

Responsible breeders do everything they can to keep their puppies safe and healthy from before they were born until the day they leave their kennel. Around 8 to 12 weeks old, the puppies depart from their breeder, and their new lives begin in their meticulously, hand-picked homes. By discerningly choosing the right family for each […]

  AKC Breeder Spotlight: Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear about how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with AKC Breeder of Merit Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels in Zachary, La. Here, she answers questions about […]

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 […]

Are you looking for a dog that’s sedate, dignified, predictable, easily trained, and no trouble at all? Then do not get a Miniature Bull Terrier. Combine terrier fearlessness and feistiness with the mischievous antics of a clown, and you’ve got a dog that can frustrate an unprepared owner, but is a delight for those in […]

The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States, and for good reason. His physical capabilities and outgoing, eager-to-please temperament make him an ideal family pet and sporting dog. Contrary to his name, the Labrador Retriever doesn't come from Labrador, but from Newfoundland. There, it is thought, small water dogs were bred […]

The Norwich Terrier is living proof that good things come in small packages. Although only 10 inches tall, there's a lot of dog in that small body. Bred as a fearless ratter, this is a real working terrier. But combine that with his affectionate, fun-loving nature, and he's also an ideal family companion. Longtime fans […]

  Any dog lover will say that life just seems better with a dog. Dogs keep us company, entertain us, comfort us, protect us, and seem to make life fuller and more complete. Who else is as happy to see you when you come home or is willing to binge-watch TV with you on a […]

  There are thousands of dog treat products on the market, so why on earth would anyone consider making her own? For starters, when you make your own dog treats, you have control over what ingredients are included. Want another reason to make these vet-approved dog treats? The recipes are quick, easy, and fun!   […]

  There are so many brands and types of dog food, that it may seem confusing when you try to decide what to feed your dog and how much. If you take a few factors into consideration, you’ll be able to feed him appropriately to keep him healthy, happy, and even prolong his life. How […]

If you own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, or know someone who does, you'll need this list. For the most part, when we have our dog, we’re pretty content with our lives. What more do we want than that cold wet nose in the morning, the snuggling in the afternoon, and the hopping with excitement […]

  The Pyrenean Shepherd, or Pyr Shep for short, is a small and extremely capable dog. They've been working as herders for millennia, and the breed shows no signs of decline. Here are more interesting facts about the Pyrenean Shepherd: 1. The Breed Could Be More Than 6,000 Years Old There are no records of […]

The Bullmastiff is physically imposing, but incredibly patient and loving. Here are seven things you probably didn't know about this gentle giant: 1. They Were Bred To Be Guard Dogs The Bullmastiff was created in England in the 1860s by crossing a Mastiff with a Bulldog. The goal was to create a guard dog that […]

The American Water Spaniel was developed in the Great Lakes region of the United States, and to this day remains uncommon outside of that area. It's a rare breed, and a special one. It's extremely talented and makes a highly loyal companion. Here are some things you may not have known about the American Water […]

  If you were to choose just two words to describe the Norwegian Lundehund, they would likely be "rare" and "unique." These dogs have so many unusual characteristics, they seem almost otherworldly. Let's take a look at the fascinating attributes of the Norwegian Lundehund. 1. Their Name Comes From the Puffin "Lunde" is the Norwegian […]

  How much protein dogs need is highly debated. Some say that protein should make up the bulk of your dog’s diet, while others warn this could be dangerous. This decision should be made by you and your veterinarian, taking into consideration your dog's health and taste preferences. No pet food company should be making […]

  When it comes to choosing the right food for your dog, the choices are endless. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different brands, and even different types of foods within those brands. Researching ingredients and sources can be confusing and time-consuming, so you might find yourself focusing on the basic bullet points. The […]

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 […]

Dogs are social creatures, we know, but they’re also extremely food motivated. So scientists wondered: Would dogs be willing to share food in a social circumstance? That speculation led to a study conducted by researchers at the Messerli Research Institute in Vienna. During the study, the dogs were trained to touch three tokens, each leading […]