Similar to how dogs have been shown to help their owners feel better, therapy dogs are able to bring comfort and support to the public. Therapy dogs are typically social, yet calm dogs who after training and certification can alongside their handler visit people in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other settings. There are also […]

Like people, dogs need daily movement to feel their best. Dogs need exercise to maintain muscle tone as well as an appropriate weight for their age and breed. But walking your dog isn't about physical activity alone. Walks provide mental stimulation, helping your dog build confidence and avoid potential behavioral issues like anxiety and aggression. How […]

Purebred dogs are symbols of the people and places that brought them into being. Every year, they're celebrated on National Purebred Dog Day.

Just like you don't become best friends with every person you meet in line at the grocery store, dogs don't automatically love every other dog they meet. There is a scale of sociability and just because some dogs don't enjoy meeting or playing with strange dogs, it doesn't mean there's something wrong with them. The […]

So, you have a new puppy and are intending to show it to its championship and then establish a breeding program with that new star! Great idea, but you need to know a lot of tax facts before you decide that you are in the business of breeding future champions. The Differences Between a Business […]

It goes without saying that in your house, your dog is the most popular. But what do the statistics say? The American Kennel Club has used registration data to compile the list of 2021’s most popular breeds. As always, the Labrador Retriever tops the list — this time for the 31st year!  The Lab's temperament […]

External parasites live on the outside of a dog’s body. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), at some point in their lives, many pets experience discomfort caused by external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, or mites, on their skin or in their ears. These parasites can cause serious skin problems or carry disease. […]

Canine Athletes from the 50 States, Washington, D.C. and 13 Countries Will Vie for Best in Show The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin continues to draw impressive numbers. An entry of 5,051 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 18 and 19, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the […]

Early socialization is important. But it's also important to keep your puppy safe. Here's when to have your puppy meet other dogs.

While skin bumps and strange lumps should always be taken seriously, certain types of bumps are more common than you might think.

Chollie was a gift meant to ease grief. That’s one of the first things I learned about my friend Gail Sheehy’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. After losing her Tibetan Spaniel in 2007 and her husband Clay Felker in 2008, Gail welcomed Chollie into her life at just the right moment. After two sad and lonely […]

How long can you keep your dog outside? Here we explore just how to determine when it's time to call your dog back inside after a day of outdoor fun.

Puppyhood is mysterious, exciting, challenging, curious, and full of transitions. Puppies are busy developing physical, cognitive, and social skills, which follow a very general timeline. If this sounds familiar, it’s not so different from the timelines and transitions we recognize in human babies and toddlers. And, as with children, understanding what happens and when helps […]

Sometime in spring, when the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees, your dog may suddenly start digging up the yard. They can hear something you can’t yet hear – juvenile cicadas tunneling through the ground getting ready to emerge. Most of the more than 3,000 types of cicadas appear every 2 to 5 years, and their […]

When you see dogs with cloudy eyes, it may be a natural part of the aging process. But cloudy eyes in dogs can also be a symptom of eye problems.

Halloween this year may look a little different, but that doesn't have to mean any less fun! It's the perfect time to show off your dog’s adorable looks, and many dog owners choose to dress their dog up for the holiday. Before dressing up your dog in any Halloween costume, keep these dog costume guidelines in mind […]

As a child and young adult, Laura Haas helped her family breed German Shepherd Dogs. But it wasn't until an encounter later in life with a whole new breed that re-ignited Haas's love of producing beautiful purebred dogs. “In 2008 while at an AKC conformation show, I met a Black Russian Terrier for the first time," […]

Typically breeders plan their litters far in advance. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped our world, there are issues to consider beyond the pedigrees and the physical compatibility of sire and dam. So, what should we as breeders be thinking about before we proceed with that spring breeding? Is now the […]

Is it healthy to let a dog sleep late every day? How long should dogs sleep? Here's everything you need to know about your dog's sleep schedule.

Dogs from the 50 States, Washington, D.C. and All Over the World Will Vie for Best in Show The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin continues to top itself, drawing record numbers in its 19th year. An entry of 5,284 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 14 and 15, […]

In the spirit of the holiday season, let’s stop for a moment to acknowledge the joy that the sport of conformation gives us every week of the year, and the people who contribute to that joy. Let’s be thankful for: Judges who are students of their dog breeds, know their standards, smile, and don’t look up […]

So, you've decided to rescue a dog. Now what? Between the internet, social media, and suggestions from friends, there is a bewildering sea of options out there. This guide will help you figure out if rescue is the right choice for you, how to know which dog rescue groups are reputable, and how to choose […]

For better or for worse, the ways we communicate have been changed forever by social media. Snail mail, faxes (remember those?), and long-distance telephone calls have largely been replaced by the ease and speed of online chatting. Still, convenience is not without its pitfalls. For novices and experienced fanciers alike, there are smart ways to […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking and Trick Dog. Big congrats to the first All-American to earn the Scent Work Masters title and the seventh All-American to earn the Obedience Trial Championship! AGILITY Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Multiple Master Agility […]

The AKC currently registers 200 dog breeds. The chart below lists all AKC recognized breeds and the year they first became registrable with the AKC.  DATE – BREED 1878 – Pointer  1878 – Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)  1878 – Spaniel (Clumber)  1878 – Spaniel (Cocker)  1878 – Setter (English)  1878 – Setter (Gordon)  1878 – Setter […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Tracking and Trick Dog, including the first and second All-American Dogs to become AKC Rally® Champions and two new AKC Champion Trackers! And many All-American Dogs had big success at the 2019 AKC National […]

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, we're focusing on […]

Bored dogs can get up to mischief, but there are plenty of ways to engage your pet. Here are some leading causes of boredom in dogs, as well as ways to deal with them.

Toy dogs are more than just small. Learn more about each of the Toy Group breeds and find out what exactly these adorable dogs were bred to do.

Anyone who mentors newcomers to showing dogs knows the steps to follow on the path to success. Yet we may present the advice as if it were a script,  forgetting to take that occasional refresher course ourselves. The start of the year is an excellent time to get back to dog show basics and try […]