June 16, 2015 On June 23rd the Washoe County Board of Commissioners will be considering changes to their animal control ordinance that will define commercial animal establishments and commercial breeders. Two separate ordinances are proposed. The ordinances will impose significant fees and burdens on small, local, responsible breeders. State law already defines and regulates certain […]

Originally ran in the "Dogsport 101" column of AKC Family Dog Dog sports aren't only for purebreds. Since 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? […]

Hailey Has Plenty of Tricks Up Her Paws Baseballs, basketballs, skateboards and Frisbees – most parents invest in plenty of these items for their kids. And in Karen Profenna’s case, that includes her four-legged family member. Hailey – a little black-and-white fireball – can swing a bat, dunk a basketball, ride a skateboard and soar […]

For the past 35 years, we have had the great pleasure of spending most or all of the summer at Cape Cod, MA, with our many generations of Golden Retriever and mixed-breed dogs.  As we near the salt water, the dogs always sniff the air and eagerly look out the window at the many salt […]

Photo by Smooth Shots by Bill Koda Dane Lincoln Mo Rausch CA BCAT RATM CGC is the first All-American Dog to earn the new AKC Fast CAT title in the sport of Coursing Ability, on May 14, 2016, at the Blue Grass Coursing Club test in Radcliff, KY. Koda is also tied for first place […]

More than 60 All-American Dogs will compete in the 2018 AKC National Agility Championship, which is right around the corner. The event takes place March 23 – 25 in Reno, Nevada. There is a total of 917 entrants. To qualify, dogs must have earned seven double Qs, meaning they must have qualified in both Masters […]

  A few short weeks ago, it felt like you had all the time in the world with your new litter, but now it’s nearly time for your puppies to go home with their forever families. The 6-to-8-week period is especially critical for meeting as many people as possible and experiencing as many stimuli as […]

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: Our ten month old Lab has gotten foxtails up her nose twice in less than two weeks. The first time our family vet couldn't reach it and she had to go to a specialist with a large vet bill. The second time our vet was able to remove three, inch-long foxtails but […]

General ConcernsWinter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind: Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors. Adequate shelter is a […]

Ah, it's the debate that never ends—dogs vs. cats. You probably already have a preference but take this quiz to see where you stand. You might be surprised.  Which movie do you like the most?A. Toy StoryB. Gone With the WindC. I’m not home enough to watch movies. Friday night is best spent:A. Out with a group of friends.B. […]

On a balmy Saturday in June, three Leonbergers and two Samoyeds completed one of the first group AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGC) tests in the nation. The new test assesses a dog's ability to manage tasks that city-dwellers may face every day, such as using public transportation, navigating crowded streets, and waiting calmly in […]

Finding an AKC Sport that Fits Your Mixed-Breed DogSince 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the dog-park bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? Here’s an overview of the competitions. Obedience Dog-and-handler […]

Dachshunds are bound to pop up anywhere, doing anything. But who has time to keep track of all those Dachsie doings? As a public service, AKC Dog Lovers goes around the corner and around the world to bring you (cue deep-voiced announcer with lots of reverb) DACHSHUNDS IN THE NEWS! EL PASO, TEXAS—You never know […]

Pirate, a German Shepherd Dog, curls up in a laundry basket. The 7-year-old dog jumped in with little enticing, says owner Kathy Green, of Gold Bar, Wash. Header photo courtesy of Kathy Green When it comes to the Great Box Challenge, there simply are no limits—on size, shape, or container. And those loose parameters apply […]

Beautiful decorations are everywhere this time of the year, and your kennel shouldn't miss out on a chance to look festive. The dogs may not be concerned about how things look, but they'll certainly pick up on the holiday spirit that cheerful decorations generate in their humans! Whippet breeder Gail Boyd owns Town & Country […]

If you need a few little somethings for your dog-loving friends and family, our stocking stuffers cover everyone on your list. Choose from apparel, home goods, and more for small gifts that bring lots of good cheer. Ornaments Christmas trees shine a little bit brighter with these dog breed ornaments. These festive seasonal accessories make […]

For the men in your life who are dog lovers, we've got all the gifts you need. Whether he's an outdoor guy or a sit-by-the-fire kind of guy, you can choose from shirts and jackets, hats, and even dog breed wine glasses and other useful home goods. After all, love him, love his dog. Dog […]

Jewelry for Dog Lovers Some of the best gifts come in small packages. And who doesn't love jewelry? Our breed-specific charms, pendants, and pins will wow the dog lovers in your life; they're beautifully rendered, high quality, and show how thoughtful you are. You can browse our jewelry collection or see our top sellers below: […]

Dogs do a lot of strange things when they poop—they sometimes kick their back legs over it (find out why here) and some dogs even eat it, but even more prevalent are dogs who spin around before squatting. A video by DNews discussed various theories surrounding this behavior, including that patting down the grass or […]

We come together every quarter to share information about the status of our sport and the financial health of our organization; to introduce new ideas that may shape our future; sometimes to elect our directors; and certainly for camaraderie and the pleasure of catching up with fellow dog people. The face-to-face interactions that underscore these […]