By Jo Ann WhiteThere are many good reasons to buy a well-bred purebred dog from a responsible breeder. The first, of course, is predictability. You will know whether you are getting a breed that exemplifies what you want from a dog, rather than an albeit cute puppy who could grow up to be something other [...]

How do you find a responsible dog breeder? Once you decide to look for a puppy of your own, it's important to do plenty of research to figure out not only which breed is the best fit for you, but also which breeder you'd like to work with. Here are some considerations to help you [...]

Finding a responsible breeder you trust is your first—and most important—step to finding your new best friend. Breeders are invaluable resources. Not only are they a bridge between you and your perfect dog, but you can also rely on them throughout your dog’s lifetime. Think of a breeder as your own private [...]

Getting a dog should be a well-planned decision to ensure a lifelong commitment. Dogs are not objects that are returned if you change your mind because they have become too big, too energetic, or too time-consuming to care for properly. For the greatest chance for success, put forth the effort to find the best match [...]

Did you purchase your puppy from a breeder? They should be a valuable resource when you have questions or problems about your new dog.

Maybe this column should be titled “How Not to Buy an Italian Greyhound Puppy.” There are some definite “no-no’s” when it comes to shopping for a purebred puppy of any breed, but there are actually some things that apply to IGs that might not be an issue for other [...]

Getting a puppy is a big decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Have this list of questions handy to get to know your breeder and your potential puppy.

Have you been watching dog shows on TV and always dreamed about having your own show dog? Here's some tips on finding your own show dog.

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: My question regards breeding. I have a young male Beagle, about a year and a half, and I'd like to breed him with another beagle. I am told by my veterinarian, who has bred beagles extensively in the past that it is next to impossible for a breeder [...]

Congratulations on making the exciting decision to bring a puppy or dog into your home. Whether your new addition will be your first dog or another in a long line of family pets, we're here to guide you along the process of picking the best dog for your individual personality and lifestyle. Getting a dog [...]

What makes a dog lash out in aggression? It's one of the most critical questions dog lovers face — and failure to find answers can bring heartbreaking consequences, including behavioral euthanasia and even the banning of certain breeds. While it's important to know the difference between aggressive and reactive behavior, recent research out of the University [...]

As a dog trainer and an instructor for puppy socialization classes, I can’t help but notice that almost all of the purebred puppies I see (and many popular purposely-bred mixes) are not from good local breeders but were purchased through the Internet. It’s actually quite astonishing: On a whim, anyone can [...]

Thousands of dog-lovers made their way to the Javits Center Jan. 25 and 26 for the 11th annual AKC Meet the Breeds®, an unforgettable weekend full of canine fun and education. Adults and children alike went from petting Afghan Hounds to Yorkshire Terriers, learning about purebred dogs and responsible pet ownership along the way. So how do [...]

  You want to add a new dog to the family and have decided on the breed. You are excited about bringing a puppy home, but now a different search begins — for the right breeder. Adding a puppy to the family is a big decision to be made carefully, not impulsively. Selecting a responsible [...]

Meet four representatives of the Working Group, blue-collar dogs with strength and smarts, and understand why responsible breeding of working dogs is particularly important.

For more than 30 years, I have served as a veterinarian at one of the largest veterinary emergency hospitals in the country. Each year, our hospital treats more than 11,000 cats and dogs in our emergency room. Thousands more see our veterinary specialists. As you might guess, I’ve taken care of a lot of dogs and [...]

Header photo courtesy of Nancy Bishop, AKC Breeder of Merit The decision to get a puppy is a big one. First, there's deciding what kind of puppy you want, choosing a breed, and then, finding a reputable and professional breeder to ensure you are getting the dog of your dreams. And finding the right breeder [...]

Today on WOOFipedia, we posted a Q&A with Sheltie breeder Renee Wiseman about her decision to recently sell singer Miley Cyrus one of her puppies. Now, we get more in-depth with Wiseman, exploring her history in the breed and what puppy buyers should look for in a responsible breeder. How long have you [...]

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 [...]

A very attractive 50-something year old woman took her seat beside me on the plane. Within a few minutes, she looked at the carry-on bag under my seat and said, "What's in the bag?" I thought it was an odd question, but I replied. "A sandwich and some books." She began to laugh. "I [...]

Thinking of Buying a Puppy? Find a Responsible Breeder. Don't be put off if a breeder isn't immediately responsive. Hobby breeders often have full-time jobs and they don't always have available puppies. Be selective. Find a responsible breeder who is knowledgeable and make sure you're comfortable with them. Visit the breeder's home or kennel and [...]

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase from a responsible breeder. While the AKC does not endorse or recommend specific breeders, we do offer several resources to locate breeders. The AKC recommends puppy buyers begin the search process by contacting the AKC Parent Club. Please [...]

-- AKC Canine Health Resource Center at www.akcdoghealth.com -- As I reported in my November 2008 Chairman’s Report we know that canine health remains a top priority for AKC, its parent clubs, and all responsible breeders. In that report I outlined the resources available to the responsible breeder from a variety of sources [...]

New York, NY – This weekend we will have the pleasure of watching the top national and international dogs compete in the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. This spectacular event will feature more than 4000 dogs consisting of 191 breeds and varieties, with one thing in common – a dedicated responsible breeder bred each. These few thousand breeders, whose dogs [...]

-- Changing the Future -- New York, NY – Last Thursday we posted a charming photograph of three Golden Retriever puppies on the American Kennel Club Facebook page. The caption was “I love my breeder” with a request to “share your love for your dog’s breeder.”  The image was shared 2,500 times, received 11,000 likes and almost [...]

-- Parent Club Breed Flier Valuable Tool to Recruit New Members -- The American Kennel Club recognizes the need for parent clubs to build a strong foundation of members in order to secure their breed's future in this country. Membership rosters should be a diverse list of knowledgeable responsible breeders, breed health enthusiasts, dedicated rescue [...]

Dog Experts Say Researching Breeds and Finding a Responsible Breeder Puts Your Pet in a Leading Role in Your Family New York, NY — In anticipation of the April 4, 2007 release of the family comedy Firehouse Dog, the American Kennel Club® reminds moviegoers about the importance of making careful, educated decisions when considering adding a dog to [...]

In anticipation of the family film Good Boy! being released next week by MGM Pictures and Jim Henson Pictures, the American Kennel Club wants to remind moviegoers about the importance of making careful, educated decisions when considering adding a dog to their home. The AKC hopes to reiterate the message, which MGM responsibly included on [...]

-- Dog Experts Say Researching Breeds and Finding a Responsible Breeder Puts Your Pet in a Leading Role in Your Family. -- In light of the release this week of the film, "The Shaggy Dog," and the recent success of "8 Below" featuring Siberian Huskies, the American Kennel Club reminds moviegoers about the importance of making [...]

 Customers can receive one-on-one help to find their new dog. The American Kennel Club has launched AKC PuppyVisor™, a personalized dog concierge service to help potential dog owners find their new best friend. Whether looking for a puppy or to give an older dog a good home, the service is designed to walk customers through [...]