We all want our dogs to live for as long as possible, so it can be scary to think of them developing an illness like heart disease, which affects their daily functioning and life expectancy. Heart disease is a condition that dogs are either born with (congenital) or develop (acquired) through a combination of factors […]

Merle in dogs is one of the most intriguing coat patterns in the dog world, both in its appearance and its genetics. Also known as dapple, merle is characterized by irregular blotches of fur set on a lighter background of the same pigment, such as solid black on gray (called blue merle) or solid brown […]

What is your name? Autumn Maine How old are you? 13 years old. What state do you live in? Virginia What breed(s) do you compete with? Boston Terrier. Labrador Retriever. I have also worked with many breeds as a volunteer. What sport(s) do you compete in with your dog(s)? Conformation, CAT, Fast CAT, Obedience and […]

Keep an eye out for physical, behavioral, and mental changes in your older dog. These might be signs of aging in dogs, and being aware of them is the first step to ensuring continued quality of life for senior dogs.

Yes, your dog can eat blackberries. With a few caveats, blackberries can even be beneficial treats for your dog, in moderation.

Consuming too much salt is dangerous for dogs and can lead to hypernatremia or salt toxicosis. Although it's rare, the condition is potentially deadly.

Season 8 - Fall/Winter 2024 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Extended Ph.D."] Top 3 Teams Champion – Happy Dog Sports Team 1 – Texas Reserve Champion – Naughty Spots – Virginia Third – WestRover’s Speed Squad – Alabama Individual Dog Placements (1st – 4th) 8-Regular 1-Hazel, Miniature American Shepherd, Smoothie and the All Sized Aussies 2-Sushi, French Bulldog, Happy […]

If you've spent any time on social media chances are you've come across the phrase "pet all the dogs" or "I just want to pet all the dogs." this memable...

Canine athletes come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of physical abilities. When people think of dog sports, they often think of the highest energy...

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 […]

Although giant breeds aren't necessarily what people first think of when it comes to canine athletes, these biggest dogs love having a job to do. Most...

Training dogs has been a way of life for Roxane Dutson since she was a teen. She taught the family dogs tricks and then became involved in competition through an obedience training group. “My love for working with dogs became stronger as my husband and I got our first Labrador in 1996,” Dutson says. “From […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2022 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The NOHS Finals will be held […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that Amanda Ciaravino of Crete, IL has been hired as an Executive Field Representative. Ciaravino’s career in the sport of dogs spans 35 years, starting as a Junior Handler. Since 2005, she has worked as an All-Breed Professional Handler, responsible for the day-to-day training, conditioning, and showing […]

Our dogs are extremely important parts of our daily lives. They follow our commands, work with us in various capacities, and act as faithful companions. Studies have shown that dogs provide health benefits. Service dogs have these abilities, combined with training to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities.  During the last decade, the use of service dogs has rapidly expanded. However, more […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to recognize its affiliated dog clubs which have been holding AKC events for over 100 years and are an essential part of the sport of dogs. Founded in 1884, AKC together with its affiliated organizations promote responsible dog ownership, conduct over 23,000 organized dog events per year, breed […]

Hip dysplasia is a common condition in dogs. Learn what to know about hip dysplasia including symptoms, treatment options, and preventative measures.

When it comes to the lifespan of dogs, researchers have found that size matters. Owners of small dogs can expect to enjoy several more years with their pets than the owners of large dogs. It doesn’t seem to make much sense: large mammals, like elephants and whales, tend to live longer than small ones, like […]

Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country. It’s challenging, great fun for dog and handler, and thrilling for spectators. For the dog-human team, agility requires athleticism, concentration, training, and, most of all, teamwork. The handler directs the dog through a predetermined pattern of obstacles, including jumps, tunnels, and weave poles, while […]

It's not surprising to see herding breeds like the Border Collie (295 of them to be exact) and Shetland Sheepdog (176 of those) running for the top spot at the 2022 AKC National Agility Championship. But there are some uncommon breeds making an appearance that are also worth watching at this year's event — like […]

As the American Kennel Club announced, the Labrador Retriever was the most popular dog breed in the United States in 2021 — for the 31st year in a row, no less! (It usurped the Cocker Spaniel in 1991, and hasn’t let go of the No. 1 spot since.) But when looking at the most popular […]

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 […]

When a new puppy arrives, you're likely to be focused on helping them feel at home with your family rather than any health concerns the dog may have. But a growing puppy can be at risk for developmental disorders such as panosteitis, which can be very painful. Fortunately, by knowing the risk factors and early […]

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 […]

In December 2021, a Giant Schnauzer named Bayou made breed history by being the first to win the AKC National Championship. But even in the ring, Bayou’s instincts came through. The dog's handler, Alfonso Escobedo, took note of the dog's behavior. The giant canine kept his eyes on the same location in the ring, to […]

Dogs – thousands of them, from Chihuahuas to ginormous Great Danes – met in Orlando, Florida compete in the American Kennel Club’s annual flagship event, formally called the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. No matter where you're located, you can stream the show from the comfort of your living room. The 2021 AKC National Championship […]

Is your dog scared of the vacuum cleaner? We explain why dogs fear these cleaning machines, and what you can do to get your dog used to the vacuum cleaner.

After three decades sharing my life with Bernese Mountain Dogs, I had developed clear expectations about the breed. Each energetic puppy would turn into a less energetic young adult, who would gradually become an adult couch potato who loved everyone. These biddable dogs would do their best for me in the obedience ring and gladly […]

It was a routine vet visit for Oliver, Julie Carter’s 3½-year-old Golden Retriever. At least, it was until the vet listened to Oliver’s heart and uttered the sentence that would change her life: “He has a heart murmur.” It was February 2018, and Carter had also brought in an interesting article from the Morris Animal […]

When you watch dogs compete in Flyball for the first time, it can be fun but confusing. We're here to break down the sport of Flyball.