By Cheri Rankin It all started when my daughter, Erin, wanted a "sled dog" for her fourth birthday (because she was enamored of sled-dog movies like Iron Will and Balto). I've been a dog lover all my life and had always had a dog growing up, but at that point we had not had a […]

Accepted into AKC in 1885, the Saint Bernard swiftly rose to the position of the most popular dog of the 1890s. To this day, it is the only giant breed to secure the country’s top position as well as the only number-one breed to never appear in the top ten again. In later decades, two […]

No velvet pillows, hair ribbons, or French pedicures for these big bruisers. These are the no-nonsense, punch-the-clock-and-get-it-done dogs of the AKC Working Group, the Ford pickups of the canine kingdom. Many factors go into breeding dogs that work hard for their feed. Let’s consider a few, and then watch some well-bred workers in action. Physical […]

Picture Perfect: Beauty and Utility in Canine Imagery This month I was going to write about an all-time canine tearjerker, "Lassie Come Home." To refresh my memory, I cued up the 1943 classic and settled in with my notebook and some peanut M&Ms. And then I got sidetracked before the movie even began. The screen […]

AKC Gazette breed column: Survival of this rare terrier breed depends on getting the word out to potential owners about the Dandie's charm and personality. Everyone smiles when they see a Dandie Dinmont Terrier. They can’t help it. Whether on show grounds, sidewalks, or parks, the smiles are always there. The general public will ask, […]

Some people live by the motto "bigger is better," and it extends to their dogs too. There are many large dog breeds, each with different care and training needs. Exercise Most large dog breeds were bred for a purpose or function. Some breeds were meant to be hunters, others guard dogs. Dogs with great endurance […]

AKC Canine Health Foundation reaches out to owners of several breeds for participation in important genetic studies. Your dog can help researchers make advances in the study of many canine diseases. Participation is currently needed in the following trials and studies: Immunolight Therapy Clinical Trial for Canine Malignancies Dr. Michael Nolan and his team at […]

With devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy still gripping the Northeast, the American Kennel Club Humane Fund reminds clubs that the AKC Humane Fund is here to help them in their outreach to dogs and owners in their local affected areas with the “Sandy Fund.” Created in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the “Sandy Fund” was […]

After Hurricane Sandy swept through the tri-state area, many residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were left in need of basic supplies for their homes and pets. As part of hurricane relief distribution efforts, the New York Yankees organization reached out to request support for companion animals in the region. The AKC immediately […]

We all know that exercising is good for humans and dogs, but so much of it is so repetitive and boring that it becomes a chore. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here some alternatives to help you and your four-footed pal reach your fitness goals. Follow the Bouncing Paws Trampolines are not just […]