You’ve probably heard the expression “a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s mouth" at least once in your life. Is it true?

Dr. Jerry Klein, the American Kennel Club Chief Veterinary Officer, shares information about discoloration on dog's face. Return to the Vet's Corner

Puppy mouthing and play biting hurts, but with patient, consistency, and these expert tips you can teach your puppy not to mouth humans.

  Bonnie Bailey of Alexandria, Va., asks: Gunny seeks out rocks to retrieve, bury, and chew. I am concerned that Gunny will swallow a small one (although most are too big) or crack a tooth. It's not possible to remove all the rocks in the yard, so I would like to train him away from [...]

Learn how to stop your puppy from chewing your hands with these tips from AKC's dog training experts.

Your dog’s dental health is just as important as your own and should be one of the things you take care of on a daily basis, especially since it’s not something your pup can do for himself. As you think about your best friend’s dental care, have you ever wondered exactly how [...]

Your dog depends on you to help him stay healthy. Good dental hygiene can play an important role in keeping your dog in top form. Clean your dog's teeth and check his gums regularly. A bad tooth or gum disease could be giving your dog a lot of pain. Look for signs of discomfort and [...]

Question: I have a 4 month old Wire Fox Terrier who is a "mouther." Since I am the main subject of his mouthing affection, I continue to have small punctures and scratches on on my arms, hands and ankles. He has a number of puppy teething toys and we have tried "no" commands, displeasure yelps, constraint [...]

It's normal for puppies to lose their primary teeth. For an adult dog, a loose or wiggly tooth can be the result of an injury or a sign of dental...

Your dog just licked—or worse—swallowed a toad! Now what? Learn more about toads that are poisonous to dogs, and how to keep your dog safe.

When dentists advertise dental services for people, it's all about creating pretty smiles. But for dogs, the veterinary reminders prompt a different story, as canine dental problems go deeper than a toothy grin. Small and large dogs experience different types of dental issues—all beginning with the size of their mouths. Adult dogs have 42 teeth [...]

Golden Retrievers are called "America's sweethearts" by some, and have been among the most popular breeds for decades. Learn more about Goldens Retrievers.

Does your dog produce an excessive amount of drool? It could be perfectly normal for the type of breed or it could be a sign of something more serious.

Dogs love to experience the world through their sense of taste. Your dog probably licks their food bowl, their fur, their toys, and of course, your hands and face. But have you ever seen your dog lick the air? Is there something stuck in their mouth or are they tasting the air? In fact, dogs [...]

A recent warning by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) claims that the time-honored tradition of throwing a stick to your dog can put your pet at risk of getting hurt. Sticks, the veterinarians claim, can puncture the dog’s mouth or cause other problems, like obstructions, splinters, and infections. "Our message is that these [...]

Growing up, you may have heard warnings about the health risks of stepping on a rusty nail. It turns out rust isn't the problem but rather the bacteria.

Paid Advertisement Congratulations on deciding to welcome a new puppy into your life! Whether this is your first dog or it’s been a long time since you’ve owned a puppy, there’s a lot to learn about what to expect and how to handle certain changes in your dog as they age. Here [...]

Everything about the Chow Chow captures the imagination, from its magnificent, lion-like appearance to its long and storied history, but nothing catches the eye quite like his tongue. The Chow Chow's blue-black tongue sets it apart from almost every other dog breed. But why do Chows have blue tongues? We reached out to Linda Love [...]

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: Our ten month old Lab has gotten foxtails up her nose twice in less than two weeks. The first time our family vet couldn't reach it and she had to go to a specialist with a large vet bill. The second time our vet was able to remove [...]

  Learn How to Tell When Good Teeth Go Bad The February issue of the AKC Gazette - the American Kennel Club's flagship publication – the oldest continuously published dog magazine in America – has devoted several articles to dental health and product reviews as part of National Pet Dental Health Month, sponsored in [...]