A normal litter size can range from 1 to 12 puppies, with 5-6 puppies being average across all dogs. But just as every breed of dog differs by size, function, and personality, they also differ when it comes to litter size, according to AKC registration data. Big dogs tend to have larger litters while small […]

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: I will be adopting a Rough Collie and planned on neutering him. I am now debating it and wanted to know what AKC events we can do with a neutered dog. Conformation? Obedience? AKC Rally? Junior Handling? Herding? Thanks for your help. -- Enhancing Exhibitor Experiences Dear Enhancing: Congratulations on getting your […]

QUESTION: I own an American Staffordshire Terrier and live in the Midwest where it can get extremely cold. I generally put him in a sweater or jacket for walks on cold days. Recently, a passerby asked why my large and strong dog was wearing a sweater. Of course, I did not listen to this virtual […]

Out of all the activities that dogs can participate in, going for a walk is probably the most universal. After a break, maintain good walking behavior.

  Any dog lover will say that life just seems better with a dog. Dogs keep us company, entertain us, comfort us, protect us, and seem to make life fuller and more complete. Who else is as happy to see you when you come home or is willing to binge-watch TV with you on a […]

The Gordon Setter is the largest member of the setter breeds. Learn more about this breed with these Gordon Setter fun facts.

ASK AKC   Dear AKC: How many litters are too many for one dog? I met this lady yesterday who has her female on the 4th litter. Granted, the dog is old enough to have this many litters, but I am curious if there are any noticeable characteristics in a puppy from the 3rd or 4th […]

Dogs love peanut butter, but is it safe? Can dogs eat peanut butter? Some ingredients should be very limited. Learn more about dog-safe peanut butter.

For Picks of The Litter, a regular book review series, Ranny Green critiques “Two Dogs and a Parrot: What Our Animal Friends Can Teach Us About Life" (Blue Bridge). This cranial jukebox of enriching stories reflects a tough realism throughout whether the subject is an Irish Setter, Golden Retriever, or a medium-sized parrot. The internationally […]

Having a dog is great. Renting an apartment with a dog can be another story. When you find a rental apartment or condo that accepts dogs, you will probably have to pay a pet deposit, and if you own a large dog, you might have to introduce your pet to your prospective landlord to show […]

The first time I learned about chicken camp, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Train a what? Yes, train a chicken. I was intrigued. How could using clicker training for poultry possibly improve my dog-training skills? After all, isn’t a dog smarter than a chicken? Well, the point is not to win first place […]

If you and your pup are competing in any dog sport, you may start to accumulate ribbons. But what do you do with all of these prizes? Give them a place of honor in your home! Here are fun dog show ribbon display ideas for every decorating style. Trophy Wall Probably the easiest dog show […]

The world of all things dog is now on television. Dog lovers across America are enjoying a new television channel called FidoTV. FidoTV’s programming covers AKC breeds and events as well as other family programming dedicated solely to all things dog, all day. But millions of dog lovers still don’t have access to FidoTV. And […]

We all know dogs we describe as amusing, entertaining, or downright hilarious. Dogs can make us laugh. But do the dogs, themselves, have a sense of humor? Do they know they’re being funny? Do canines find things amusing? Do dogs laugh, and if so, what makes them laugh? Is playfulness the same as a sense […]

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'm so […]

AKC spokesperson Gina Lash appeared live on the Today Show earlier today to celebrate the many dog breeds which hail from Ireland: the Irish Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and the Irish Red & White Setter. Watch the segment. Following the Today segment, the dogs […]

  AKC Relief Efforts Continue in the Southeast after Rash of Hurricanes    New York, NY – The American Kennel Club (AKC) applauds the efforts of Diane Albers and the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs (FAKC) for arranging the transfer of more than 100 dogs – homeless as a result of the hurricanes – to […]

Spotacular Lil Jazz Hands MXP2 MXP MJP4 MJPB CGC, also known as Sammie, is one-half of a great agility team with his owner Sue Thompson of Raleigh,  NC. At 10 years old, Sammie is running better than ever and closing in on the AKC Preferred Agility Championship through the AKC Canine Partners program. Sue tells us […]

Greeting people would top the list of things that Wilson least liked to do. The black Labrador Retriever stayed far away from visitors to the Johnston County (NC) Animal Shelter.  He had no trust of human beings. That was before shelter volunteer Marcus Holland spotted him and saw something special in the young dog. A […]

On Wednesday, June 27, 2018, the Dallas City Council is scheduled to consider two dog-related ordinance changes that were recently passed by its Quality of Life, Arts, and Culture Committee at the urging of Dallas Animal Services.  One non-controversial change would amend the city’s dangerous dog law.  Another change, however, would require any animal redeemed […]