In November 2015, a 2-ounce Cocker Spaniel named Jordi was born. Her breeder, Kathy Korab, was not only shocked by her small size but by her leg as well. Her front right leg was deformed, folded in toward her body. On top of that, the mother had rejected the entire litter and all three puppies needed to […]

Whether he is comforting a terminally ill hospice patient or cavorting around an upbeat show ring, The Dude is right at home. Dewey (his nickname is "The Dude") is an almost two-year-old Norwich Terrier, owned by Becca Parkins, a Tacoma, Wash., hospice chaplain who also handles him in Western Washington dog shows on weekends. A […]

Gilligan isn't your average dog. Just take a look at her long list of titles: Fishbay’s Merchant of Venice CD BN RE AX AXJ OF RATN DN CGCA TKA WWDX CWDX MAC-3 SROM. The versatile Portuguese Water Dog has earned an array of accolades, including winning multiple agility, Rally, and obedience classes at national specialties. Perhaps most impressive […]

Positive reinforcement dog training, also referred to as force-free, reward-based, or clicker training, is a method that focuses on telling your dog when he is correct, instead of only pointing out what is incorrect. This is done through a marker for correctness and timing, paired with a reward that is reinforcing to the dog. The […]

So you've fallen in love with the stunning, brilliant breed known as the German Shepherd Dog. You are not alone. The German Shepherd, also known by the shorthand GSD, is among the world's most popular canine companions and workers. If you want a job done—whether it's apprehending dangerous criminals, sniffing rubble for disaster survivors, or […]

Teach Your Dog to Do a Handstand AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainer Erin Rakosky tells you how to teach a cool trick that will impress your friends -- a handstand! Here are some simple steps to help teach your dog to do a handstand. Remember to take it slow and have lots of small treats ready. […]

They are the undisputed braniacs of the canine universe. Whether they’re chasing lost lambs on craggy Scottish hillsides, blasting through agility courses, giving the “eye” to a herd of cattle, or wowing readers and television viewers with thousand-word vocabularies, the Border Collie never fails to astound. Their busy, no-nonsense take on the world has been […]

If you're looking for something fun to do with your dog at home when the weather is nice, these Treibball-inspired games are a great way to give them some physical and mental exercise. Even if your pup doesn't have any natural herding abilities, these games will still get them up and moving! What is Treibball? […]

We love our furry friends, but sometimes pet expenses can cause an unexpected dent in our wallets. Being unable to afford the cost of pet maintenance is one of the top three reasons dogs are relinquished to rescue networks, according to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy. But like most things, a little […]

It all started with a tweet. “Your story could be in Season 2 of DOGS.” The June 2019 post from Dogs producer Glen Zipper included an announcement about the Netflix show’s second season. Your story could be in Season 2 of DOGS. 🐶👇 https://t.co/aoxWtSdPtO — Glen Zipper (@Zipper) June 12, 2019 Around the same time, the Live […]

This is the third in a series on early socialization and training that breeders can do with young puppies to help them adapt to life in their future new homes. New puppy owners often do not see the benefits of crate training beyond short-term use as a tool to aid in housetraining, something to be […]

The relationship you have with your dog is unlike that of any other pet. Although your cat or your horse may read your emotions, no other animal reads human gestures like a dog. In fact, even mother-reared chimpanzees, one of our closest living relatives, can't compete with dogs when it comes to reading the gestures […]

Each year, the AKC Humane Fund pays tribute to five dedicated, hardworking dogs for making significant contributions to an individual or entire community. One award is given in each of the following categories: Uniformed Service K-9, Service, Therapy, Search and Rescue, and Exemplary Companion Dog. In a split second in 2006 Ryan Garrison’s life changed forever. Fast forward nine years […]

Did you know that there are amazing dog memorials located across the country? Whether they’re war heroes or stars of their local community, canines have inspired permanent monuments that dog lovers can visit. While we can't travel at the moment due to COVID-19, there are many dog memorials you can learn about from your living […]

In the winter of 1925, a deadly outbreak of diphtheria in the remote port of Nome, Alaska, threatened the lives of the 10,000-plus living in the area. Children were especially at risk, and Nome’s isolation created a nightmare scenario. An antitoxin was located, but the nearest point which the serum could reach by rail was […]

The AKC Rally National Championship will be held at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, OH on July 9, 2021. The event will be livestreamed on AKC TV. AKC Canine Partners wishes the best of luck to the All American Dogs and their handlers who qualified and will compete there: Rally Novice Wise's Coco Chanel RN owned by Heidi […]

State Issues: News from the State Capitols  Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – AB 468 would further clarify the difference between trained service dogs and emotional support animals, and particularly emphasizes that emotional support animals should not be granted the same privileges and access. The bill is […]

What’s New from AKC Government Relations The work of dog advocates is making a difference! On the federal level, the American Kennel Club, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Animal Interest Alliance, and leading dog advocacy organizations continue working on passage of the Healthy Dog Importation Act. This bipartisan measure seeks to require that […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2021 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19, 2021. The 2021 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

Meet Willow Martin: Not Content to Sit and Watch! Name: Willow Martin Age: 17 Hometown: Williamsburg, VA Grade: 11th Family: Parents, Randi and David Martin AKC: How old is Violett and how did she come into your life? Willow: Violett (she has an extra “t” because she is extra special) turned 7 on April 17. She came into our lives by accident. When I was about 10, a […]