If you are unfamiliar with the spunky, sturdy breed known as the Havanese, you might make the mistake of thinking it is some sort of Poodle. Or, you might think it is related to the Bichon Frise. If you guessed any of these well-known breeds, you’d be on the right track, because all of them […]

Are you noticing your dog has a runny nose and a sudden, harsh cough that sounds like a goose honking? There's a good chance they're suffering from an upper respiratory infection. You might dismiss a cough as something that will pass in a few days. While this is often the case, these types of infections […]

Lincoln is one of five 2022 AKC Awards for Canine Excellence recipients. He won the Search and Rescue category. This category recognizes dogs certified to assist in wilderness and urban tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people. It’s only fitting that search and rescue is part of 70-pound Lincoln’s identity. The 5-year-old Flat-Coated Retriever […]

Scout is one of five 2022 AKC Awards for Canine Excellence recipients. She won the Exemplary Companion category. This category recognizes dogs without formal training or certification that have nonetheless distinguished themselves in some way and have made a meaningful contribution to their owners or communities. For almost a decade, Scout has been going to […]

You likely know about the dangers of leaving your dog unattended in a hot car. But, what about when it's cold outside? While you might think it's safe to park your pet during the winter months, the potential for harm, while not as high as in the summer, is still substantial. Your dog may enjoy […]

Showing dogs—the formal term for it is “Conformation”—is a sport. Like any football game or tennis match, dog shows have rules, too. But folks who sit on the sidelines can easily become bewildered if they don’t understand how guidelines apply to the game at hand. Whether you’re taking aim at a fastball or trotting with […]

I looked up and it is already mid-December! Where did the year 2022 go? All my friends seem to be asking the same question… I have always heard that time marches on, but this year it is in a full out sprint to the end! As I look back at 2022 and forward into 2023, […]

Some dogs can catch a frisbee. But it takes a truly special dog to handle catching one thrown out of the hands of the monstrous, green Phillie Phanatic without running the other way. But Phame, an 8-year-old Labrador Retriever, is up for the challenge, performing Disc Dog routines at halftime shows across the country.   […]

From the day she was born almost seven years ago, Pieces has served up a mix master of surprises. First, it was blindness—which wasn’t ascertained immediately—then a propensity for Scent Work, and lastly, a perfect psychological pathway. The result? A sightless Belgian Malinois puppy with a keen sense of smell and uncanny ability to find […]

When Scout the Labrador Retriever was a puppy, she loved her wool blanket toy. Her owner, Bill Vore, would drag it around as she chased it. Then they would play hide-and-seek with it out in the snow. Sounds like a devoted owner having fun with his pup, but it was far more than that. Vore […]

I ask Julie Starbuck, from Peace River K9 Search and Rescue, if she remembers a time that left her feeling especially proud of Caliber, her German Shepherd Dog. “The first one that comes to mind is the time we were called to work a burned building. It had been burned the night before, and they […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2022 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor these knowledgeable and respected breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “The individuals have made significant contributions […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2022. The 2022 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

Like many serious dog fanciers of today, most of us were introduced to dogs by someone else.  Someone with some knowledge of different breeds, or training, or care.  Through the years an interest in dogs often turns into a passion that consumes our thoughts and our dreams.  We may become breeders, amateur or professional trainers, […]

At our recent conference, participants have asked about materials and findings about better ways to raise puppies and dogs. Here are some findings from research studies, program meetings with researchers and attendance at seminars. We will continue to report them in future Newsletters. Finding #1. Benefits of Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS). Five exercises each day […]

  December 2022 Welcome to the first in a new series of quarterly bulletins for those who want to learn more about the breeding, development and training of dogs needed for detection work. Our goal with these newsletters is to keep you apprised of advances and opportunities in breeding, development and training of detection dogs […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

Anti-breeder and animal rights groups are making a year-end push on Capitol Hill to advance arbitrary and harmful federal breeder regulations (H.R. 2840 /S. 1385)  called the “Puppy Protection Act”.  This bill would mandate arbitrary new requirements for certain hobby and professional dog breeders, and continues to gain support Congress.  We urge all responsible dog […]

On Tuesday, Congressional lawmakers released the final version of a must-pass $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 federal spending bill that provides funding for the U.S. Government. The agreement between House and Senate appropriators contains spending for several key areas impacting dogs. It also includes report language impacting canine policy, including legislative proposals AKC has tracked […]

2021 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL December 18 & 19, 2021 All Sporting, Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting Breeds and Junior Showmanship Competition  will be Judged on Saturday All Working, Terrier, Herding Breeds, Miscellaneous and Best in Show will be Judged on Sunday   The 2021 event will showcase the top canine […]