When you get a dog, you have a friend for life. And part of being a good friend, and a responsible dog owner, is doing activities and bonding with your dog. There are many ways to do this. You can go for walks, hang out at the dog park, or if you're looking for a […]

Some war stories are lucky enough to make it into the papers; a select set are memorialized in books—and fewer still in Hollywood blockbusters.Many other incredible stories, though, go unheard by the public, preserved only by a photo, or in this case, a letter.   Sixty-eight years ago, the American Kennel Club received the following note in the mail. The fact that it still today evokes […]

Does it seem like your dog suddenly has lost interest in eating food? Knocks over their bowl out of boredom with their food? Here's why.

By Jennifer Clark, Manager, Canine Legislation  By Jennifer Clark, Manager, Canine Legislation The images are enough to break anyone’s heart – stray dogs roaming the street without proper food, water and basic needs; shelters overflowing with unwanted animals.  There is no question that something needs to be done.  The dogs – and the people of […]

Large Dogs Seem to Age at a Fast Pace Research has yet to explain the relationship between body mass and a dog’s lifespan. Generally speaking, large mammals, like elephants and whales, tend to live longer than small ones, like mice. So, why, then, do small dogs have a longer average life span than large breeds? […]

Every litter is a new and exciting adventure. The months of research into pedigrees, rereading notes on dogs that appear in various pedigrees and evaluating their influences, have come to fruition, and the future is now in the whelping box. The genetics are set; now the puppy socialization  begins. Handling puppies daily from day one […]

New York, NY- The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2025 AKC Breeder of […]

If we wish to achieve our goal of breeding quality dogs in fewer numbers, we must set our sights on producing and rewarding dogs with correct front-end assemblies. In a previous Gazette column I discussed front-end assembly and the problems associated with incorrect, upright shoulders. Because so many world-class dog people are concerned about the […]

Sixteen-year-old Izzy Burg of Onalaska, Wisconsin has already become an established owner-handler and has even begun her own breeding program.

AKC Breeder Spotlight: Amy Shaffer of Crivitz Standard Schnauzers Each month the American Kennel Club profiles breeders to hear how they got started and learn about their breeding program and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with AKC Breeder of Merit Amy Shaffer of Crivitz Standard Schnauzers. Amy originally started with Irish Setters […]

Following post-surgical care instructions can help to speed up neuter and spay surgery recovery times in dogs and reduce the risk of complications.

Depending on the type and intensity of a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be safer for you and your dog to stay where you are than to evacuate. FEMA advises that sheltering in place is appropriate when “conditions require that you seek immediate protection in your home, place of employment, school, or other location […]

Five years ago, after a difficult (and expensive) week at the specialty/emergency clinic, my veterinarian determined what was causing my Yorkie’s frequent stomach upset, weight loss, and seizures. He was diagnosed with a chronic condition that, fortunately, is completely manageable by medication and diet. I’ve had to tweak his care over the years, but please show […]

To most people, training a dog begins and ends with commands and equipment. They never think that developing a relationship with their dog through training is possible, let alone critical. But by forming a relationship with your dog through an activity like training — rather than only from cuddling on the couch or slipping him […]

This article originally appeared in the AKC Canine Partners News newsletter. Chris Moore and her family were content with owning two small dogs until a crime stripped their security away. The family returned home one day to discover a theft had taken place. Their home had been broken into, but thankfully, their Miniature Dachshunds, Mocha […]

Mori was selected to play the role of Sandy in a local theater production of Annie. Patrice tells the story of his theater debut. In July, I received a call from a friend who had been approached by a mutual acquaintance looking for a “light-colored, fluffy” dog to play the role of Sandy in a […]

Country duo Dan + Shay features nearly 40 shelter dogs in its new video, “Nothin’ Like You,” which was filmed in Nashville earlier this summer, according to The Tennessean. Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney said they wanted to raise awareness of the great dogs available in shelters. A Nashville rescue group, Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, provided the […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages Tennessee residents to join in support of House Bill 76, which seeks to further clarify the state’s animal abandonment law. SUMMARY Under current law, anyone who unreasonably abandons an animal in their custody is subject to prosecution for animal cruelty. If enacted as currently worded, HB 76 would add […]

All dogs six months of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Pointing Breed Field Trials: AKC Recognized Breeds Bracco Italiano (6/29/22) Brittanys Pointers English Setters German Shorthaired Pointers German Wirehaired Pointers Gordon Setters Irish Red & White Setters Irish Setters Spinone Italiano Vizslas Weimaraners Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Wirehaired Vizsla […]

By Jennifer Clark, Manager, Canine Legislation The images are enough to break anyone’s heart – stray dogs roaming the street without proper food, water and basic needs; shelters overflowing with unwanted animals.  There is no question that something needs to be done.  The dogs – and the people of Puerto Rico – deserve better. But […]