It can be very concerning when your dog isn't eating regularly. After all, a good, healthy diet is a key part of a happy life. So what exactly is happening when your dog refuses to eat? Learn about some common, plus some lesser-known, reasons why your dog might not be eating. Illness The most likely […]

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 Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more […]

What if your dog eats sand? Dogs who visit the beach are in danger of what veterinarians call intestinal sand impaction — even if they simply play fetch.

It's not uncommon for puppies to pick up things that we might have carelessly left on the floor. Soft, smelly, and stretchy socks are appealing chew toys. Without proper management and training, this sock stealing habit can become a problem—and not just because your dog is decimating your underwear drawer. Dogs that eat socks and […]

Bully sticks can be an excellent treat option for dogs that love to chew, providing potential health benefits and hours of fun.

They’re all elite athletes, but one of the entrants in the 8th Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster on June 11 is certain to attract more puzzled looks than the 349 others. That would be Caper (Paradox Capricious), a 5-year-old Danish-Swedish Farmdog owned and handled by Kelly Ansaldo, of Northhampton, Massachusetts. For you just don’t see […]

From the French Bulldog to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, small-to-medium dog breeds are some of the most popular dogs in the world. They're a great in-between dog. While many still act like lap dogs, they can play like bigger dogs. These pups love to play, be close to loved ones, and protect their families. Like […]

Humans often take precautions to protect themselves from the sun, but should we be doing the same for our dogs? Can dogs get sunburned, and do dogs need sunscreen? The answer is yes. Just like people, dogs are prone to sunburn and other complications and diseases associated with sun exposure. Taking certain safety measures can […]

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 […]

In the dog community, the word "coronavirus" is far from new. For decades, we have known dogs can contract coronaviruses. In fact, Canine Coronavirus was first discovered in Germany in 1971 after an outbreak among guard dogs and vaccines have been available at most veterinary practices for years. These coronaviruses, however, are not the same virus […]

Heartworm is a potentially deadly parasite that is transmitted only by mosquitos, which pick up larval heartworms, called microfilaria, circulating in the bloodstream of infected animals. Dogs and other canids, such as fox, wolves, and coyote, are considered the primary heartworm hosts, but these parasites can also affect other mammals, including cats and ferrets. There are treatments […]

If you’re considering getting a second dog, there are questions you should answer and steps you should take to prepare for the responsibility that comes with training the new dog and helping your current dog adjust. Questions to Ask Yourself Before you jump into this new commitment, ask yourself these questions: Is your current dog […]

Here at the AKC, we never get tired of learning more about dogs, whether it's a new study on canine behavior, a statistic from our database, or even just cool facts about a dog's impressive physical and mental abilities. You may know some of these already, and others may be more of a "wait, really?" […]

Dog owners reap many benefits from their canine companions – love and affection, nonjudgmental friendship, social connections, exercise incentives, stress relievers, guardians – and the list goes on. But, dog ownership also comes with significant financial costs. When buying a house, car, or living room furniture, most people carefully consider and plan for the costs. […]

Which breeds make the best family dogs? What are the best dog breeds for kids? We've compiled some of the best dog breeds for families and kids.

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking.  Alabama – HB 235 would authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. It also specifies that emotional support animals are not service animals within the meaning of the Americans […]

Sheryl Bradbury breeds Grand Bassets Griffon Vendéen (GBGV) and Lancashire Heelers, a breed in the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS). "My Lancashire Heeler kennel, Mashury, is devoted first to health, temperament, and conformation and to breeding dogs that can work hard, play hard, and love their shepherd." “I imported my first GBGV in 2012 from […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – House Bill 235 would authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. It also specifies that emotional support animals are not service animals […]

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.

Seventeen-year-old Ariella Harris was the first person in her family to show dogs. Today she's the number one Junior Handler Doberman Pinscher handler in the country. Although she might be the first dog fancier in the family, Ariella's family members are no strangers to working with animals. As a third-generation horse-woman, Ariella is proud to […]

With desensitization and counterconditioning, you can change your dog's negative emotions to positive ones.

The benefits of having a dog are rooted in scientific facts. Learn about how dog ownership can benefit your health and social life.

Dog parks are fenced-in, outdoor grounds designated for off-leash dog play. There are many variations, and are some safer and more fun for your dog than others. Also, like any other social activity, it’s important for dog owners to know the expectations. In this case, it’s not just a matter of a social cues. Failing […]

Does your puppy refuse to go on walks? Here's how to leash-train your puppy and get them interested in walking.

I smelled the stench before I saw her, sort of like a landfill on a 92-degree day. A mottled gray and once-white shaggy blur ran down the hall into my arms, and I was in love, no matter what my nose told me. This cuter-than-a-teddy-bear puppy had darted into my boyfriend’s office when he opened […]

Imagine a mild sedative before leaving home, a bandana sprayed with calming scents, a bunch of bacon snacks, and skipping the hour-long frenzy in the waiting room. From classical music wafting across the sign-in desk to licking peanut butter off the wall to act as a distraction from getting a shot, your dog’s typical freak-out […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, and Tracking. Many of you have had great success taking advantage of AKC’s Virtual Titling programs too!   Agility Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Multiple Master Agility Champions Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more MACHs: AGCH […]

Nobody forgets their first dog: the childhood games, the companionship, and the undying loyalty between a kid and their pup. Now, researchers in Australia have found that bonding with a family dog can give even very young children much more than lifelong fond memories. A new study published in the journal Pediatric Research finds that […]

When your dog is showing signs of illness or injury, you become a first responder, assessing your patient and determining what type of care—if any—he requires. For a vomiting dog, ask the following questions: Does he look sick? If your dog is—on one extreme—lying down and uninterested in the surroundings as well as vomiting, it’s […]

There just seems to be no stopping the Labrador Retriever! For a record 29th year (2019), the versatile sporting breed reigns supreme on the American Kennel Club registry list, a run like no other breed has seen in the record books. Changes in the top ten Little changed in the top ten standings from 2018. Following […]