How do you know what your dog is thinking? Give him an MRI, of course. While this isn’t practical for the majority of dog owners, for the past five years Dr. Gregory Berns and his colleagues at Emory University have been training dogs to lie still while awake in an MRI scanner, so that they […]

Once again, the French Bulldog took New York City’s top spot in the 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The French Bulldog was also recognized as the #1 pup in San Fransisco, Honolulu, and West Palm Beach. The Labrador Retriever was NYC’s 2nd most popular dog, which ended the […]

Karen Powell of Frankfort, KY, has three rescued mixed-breed dogs that compete very successfully in AKC Agility, AKC Rally, and Barn Hunt: Stella CD RAE7 AXP AJP NFP RATN Biggie RAE2 MXP MJP XFP RATN Cody RAE MXP3 MXPB MJP4 MJPB OFP T2BP RATO She started taking classes with her dogs in 2006 because of […]

  You’re a successful breeder-exhibitor who’s been involved in the sport for 30 years, with scores of homebred champions to your credit. You have held positions on your parent club’s board and are a respected judge of your breed. One day, you receive an email from an up-and-coming fancier whom you’ve met once or twice, […]

  It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s a… sprinting Corgi? You heard us right. On Aug. 6, Emerald Downs in Auburn, WA hosted the first ever Corgi Races. In total, there were four heats culminating in a final championship race with one spirited Corgi taking home the trophy. Over 12,000 riveted spectators viewed the […]

BREED 2015 2014 2013 Retrievers (Labrador) 1 1 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 2 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 3 3 Bulldogs 4 4 5 Beagles 5 5 4 French Bulldogs 6 9 11 Yorkshire Terriers 7 6 6 Poodles 8 7 8 Rottweilers 9 10 9 Boxers 10 8 7 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 11 12 […]

Responsible breeders do everything they can to keep their puppies safe and healthy from before they were born until the day they leave their kennel. Around 8 to 12 weeks old, the puppies depart from their breeder, and their new lives begin in their meticulously, hand-picked homes. By discerningly choosing the right family for each […]

  Will a Meatless Diet Jeopardize Your Dog’s Health? As farmers’ markets blossom with a wider assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables during the summer months, many families choose to spice up the dinner menu with occasional vegetarian meals. But can the family dog handle a vegetarian diet? In general, dogs are omnivorous. They eat […]

  AKC Breeder Spotlight: Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear about how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with AKC Breeder of Merit Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels in Zachary, La. Here, she answers questions about […]

Although one of the earliest breeds to be registered with the AKC, the Field Spaniel almost faded into obscurity prior to the 1960s. And that would be a shame because this is one terrific dog. In the field, he’s known for endurance and energy, equally adept on land or water. But where the Field Spaniel […]

The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States, and for good reason. His physical capabilities and outgoing, eager-to-please temperament make him an ideal family pet and sporting dog. Contrary to his name, the Labrador Retriever doesn't come from Labrador, but from Newfoundland. There, it is thought, small water dogs were bred […]

The Norwich Terrier is living proof that good things come in small packages. Although only 10 inches tall, there's a lot of dog in that small body. Bred as a fearless ratter, this is a real working terrier. But combine that with his affectionate, fun-loving nature, and he's also an ideal family companion. Longtime fans […]

  Whether you lost your canine companions last week, last year, or even years ago, their memory is surely still alive. While people in your life without pets may not always understand, you know that the grief over a pet that’s passed away can be as deep and as acute as that for a human […]

If you own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, or know someone who does, you'll need this list. For the most part, when we have our dog, we’re pretty content with our lives. What more do we want than that cold wet nose in the morning, the snuggling in the afternoon, and the hopping with excitement […]

Whether a French Bulldog or an English Bulldog, these short little guys are completely adorable. Plenty of gift ideas for the Bulldog-lover in your life. 1- Umbrella   This umbrella is the bright spot on a rainy day: stylish, creative, and has a Bulldog on it.   2- Diaper cover A diaper cover? Why not […]

There's so much to see at this year's AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. One of the most thrilling events on display is dock diving, where dogs seem to fly through the air into a body of water. We had the chance to catch up with one of the canines competing this year, Storie, […]

  If you were to choose just two words to describe the Norwegian Lundehund, they would likely be "rare" and "unique." These dogs have so many unusual characteristics, they seem almost otherworldly. Let's take a look at the fascinating attributes of the Norwegian Lundehund. 1. Their Name Comes From the Puffin "Lunde" is the Norwegian […]

"Wait, was that a Siberian Husky? Or was it an Alaskan Malamute?" Many dog breeds can be difficult to tell apart. To celebrate National Look-Alike Day, we're taking a closer look at six pairs of dogs that look remarkably similar to each other, but are actually completely different breeds. 1. Alaskan Malamute vs. Siberian Husky […]

Center City in Philadelphia. Photo: Lulu Hoeller/Flickr Philadelphia is the historic City of Brotherly Love, and of course that love includes man's best friend. Here are seven fun activities to do with your dog in Philadelphia:   1. Go to the Park Philadelphia is full of historical parks, recreational parks, and dog parks, where furry friends […]

When most people think of boisterous, outdoorsy dogs, they think of the larger working and sporting breeds. Dogs like Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are popular choices for those looking for an outgoing, extroverted dog. But there are a lot of small breeds with some pretty big personalities. Not all small breeds are satisfied being […]

  How much protein dogs need is highly debated. Some say that protein should make up the bulk of your dog’s diet, while others warn this could be dangerous. This decision should be made by you and your veterinarian, taking into consideration your dog's health and taste preferences. No pet food company should be making […]

  When it comes to choosing the right food for your dog, the choices are endless. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different brands, and even different types of foods within those brands. Researching ingredients and sources can be confusing and time-consuming, so you might find yourself focusing on the basic bullet points. The […]

As any attendee can attest to, AKC's eighth annual Meet the Breeds event was a day full of excitement, education, and of course, fun. There were big dogs, small dogs, and even cats! Piers 92 and 94 were abuzz with talks of agility, responsible pet ownership, and of course, people deciding which breed was their […]

If you're reading this...you're probably someone who loves animals, especially dogs. And at AKC's eighth annual Meet the Breeds event, Piers 92 and 94 were packed full with dog lovers of all kinds. Families, breeders, agility competitors, and more all came out to NYC to meet different dog and cat breeds and work together to […]

She radiates joy, but it’s her fighting spirit that defines the heart of a 13-week-old German Wirehaired Pointer that is about to embark on a coast-to-coast flight to a new home. Appropriately, Joy is her name. And, adds her breeder, Laura Reeves, of Grants Pass, Ore., “This is the case of the right dog at […]

  One of my first memories about breeding dogs is that of my father building a whelping box for our Afghan Hound, Twiggy. I can remember Dad getting two boards 8 feet long by 1 inch thick by 12 inches wide, and 8 “L” brackets. He cut the boards in half and fashioned them together […]

As an AKC Senior Breeder Field Representative, I have had the privilege of visiting many “state of the art” beautifully planned and designed functional kennels and/or homes. Regardless of the type of kennel, I have never been to a kennel that is “finished.” If the kennel was completed yesterday, today the breeder or kennel owner/operator […]

Summer arrives this month, and most of the country has already experienced hot, muggy weather. I hope these ideas will help protect your home, kennel, and dogs from summer hazards. Check all air conditioners and fans. Make sure they are clean, in good working order, and properly wired. Clean and change the filters often.   […]

The first time you see a Sussex Spaniel, you might think you’re looking at a Cocker Spaniel in a fun house mirror. They have a definite resemblance, but the Sussex is shorter, longer, and heavier, with a muscular and solid build. Here are some interesting facts about the Sussex Spaniel. 1. The Sussex Spaniel is […]

If a leprechaun decided to disguise himself as a dog, chances are he would choose the Kerry Blue Terrier. Like the leprechaun, these joyful, full-of-life, and mischievous dogs are from Ireland, and it’s often said their hearts are sprinkled with Irish humor. The Kerry Blue Terrier is known as the Irish Blue Terrier in its […]