She radiates joy, but it’s her fighting spirit that defines the heart of a 13-week-old German Wirehaired Pointer that is about to embark on a coast-to-coast flight to a new home. Appropriately, Joy is her name. And, adds her breeder, Laura Reeves, of Grants Pass, Ore., “This is the case of the right dog at […]

As any attendee can attest to, AKC's eighth annual Meet the Breeds event was a day full of excitement, education, and of course, fun. There were big dogs, small dogs, and even cats! Piers 92 and 94 were abuzz with talks of agility, responsible pet ownership, and of course, people deciding which breed was their […]

You can tell by looking at the Norwegian Elkhound's thick, fluffy coat that it was built for cold weather. What else was this breed built for? Let's find out. Here are some interesting facts about the Norwegian Elkhound: 1. They've Existed for Thousands of Years Records indicate the Norwegian Elkhound could have emerged as early […]

"Wait, was that a Siberian Husky? Or was it an Alaskan Malamute?" Many dog breeds can be difficult to tell apart. To celebrate National Look-Alike Day, we're taking a closer look at six pairs of dogs that look remarkably similar to each other, but are actually completely different breeds. 1. Alaskan Malamute vs. Siberian Husky […]

Courtesy of Mary J McKennan, AKC Breeder of Merit   The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a hard worker and a loyal companion. It's most popular in Poland, naturally, but it also has a community of devoted owners in the United States. Here are some interesting facts you may not know about the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. […]

  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 […]

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 […]

The Spinone Italiano has always been near and dear to Italy, but only made a splash in the United States recently. If you haven't yet had a chance to get to know the breed, here are six interesting facts about the Spinone: 1. They Are Among the World's Oldest Hunting Dogs Until recently, the Spinone […]

The Swedish Vallhund is relatively new to the United States, but the breed has a long history in Scandinavia. SVs, as they are sometimes called, are small, strong, energetic, and fearless. Here are some more fun facts about the Swedish Vallhund: 1. He Was Previously Known as "Viking Dog" The Swedish Vallhund breed is at […]

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, also known as Korthals griffon, is a very rare breed, but it has seemingly endless talents. Here are some interesting facts about the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. 1. The Breed Was Inspired By Mendel's Research OK, so there's no definitive proof that the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was inspired by scientist Gregor Mendel's research, […]

The Kuvasz is a rare and ancient dog breed. What he lacks in notoriety, he makes up for in courage and loyalty. Here are five things you probably didn't know about the Kuvasz: 1. The Breed Actually Came From Tibet The origins of the Kuvasz are traced back to Mesepotamia and the steppes of the Ural […]

The Clumber Spaniel looks like a more rugged version of the Cocker Spaniel, but the two breeds are very different. The Clumber is a rare breed with mysterious origins. Here are some interesting facts about Clumber Spaniels: 1. No One Is Sure Where They Are From There is a theory that the Clumber Spaniel began […]

The Rat Terrier is a relatively new breed that has experienced some highs and lows during its history. Let's take a look at how Rat Terriers became the energetic, loyal, family dogs they are today. Here are six interesting facts about the Rat Terrier: 1. They Used to Be Wildly Popular With Farmers In the […]

There's so much to see at this year's AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. One of the most thrilling events on display is dock diving, where dogs seem to fly through the air into a body of water. We had the chance to catch up with one of the canines competing this year, Storie, […]

  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 […]

AKC Breeder Spotlight: Julia Heidbrink of Buggytown Bird Dogs Each month the American Kennel Club profiles breeders to hear how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with Julia Heidbrink of Buggytown Bird Dogs. Julia started breeding German Shorthaired Pointers about 10 years ago and today she […]

  Will a Meatless Diet Jeopardize Your Dog’s Health? As farmers’ markets blossom with a wider assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables during the summer months, many families choose to spice up the dinner menu with occasional vegetarian meals. But can the family dog handle a vegetarian diet? In general, dogs are omnivorous. They eat […]

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 […]

  Opinion: Nothing is more frustrating to a dedicated breeder-exhibitor than hearing that a wonderful owner with unlimited potential in the sport has purchased a dog from a commercial kennel. After all, your breed parent club works hard to update its website and offer a cornucopia of relevant information. You attend dog shows regularly, breed […]

Karen Powell of Frankfort, KY, has three rescued mixed-breed dogs that compete very successfully in AKC Agility, AKC Rally, and Barn Hunt: Stella CD RAE7 AXP AJP NFP RATN Biggie RAE2 MXP MJP XFP RATN Cody RAE MXP3 MXPB MJP4 MJPB OFP T2BP RATO She started taking classes with her dogs in 2006 because of […]