Growing up with a Golden Retriever, I remember hearing people explain that the black spot on his tongue was the result of Chow Chow bloodlines somewhere in his breeding. Like most kids, I believed what I heard, but it turns out that black spots on a dog’s tongue have a much simpler explanation than an […]

After much coaxing from a friend, a Greenwich Village antiques dealer reluctantly agreed to attend the Westminster Kennel Club show. If on that cold day in 1920 the antiques dealer had been more adamant or the friend less persuasive, a great career in dogs might never have been. “It was my first show and I […]

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 […]

  Does your dog have a lot to say about all the extra activity of a busy summer? Is his barking making it hard to enjoy the season? Kids and their friends are out of school, traipsing in and out of the house; more people are walking outside with their dogs, enjoying the weather. You […]

  A dog gate creates a boundary that keeps your dog either inside or outside another area of the house or grounds. It’s a useful piece of equipment, whether you have a brand new puppy or dogs that usually have the run of the house. A gate gives a puppy a safe, dog-proofed area to […]

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 […]

  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 […]

By now the lean, chiseled body of Rin Tin Tin is engraved in most people’s minds. A faithful companion, best friend, and super sleuth alongside his partners, Rin Tin Tin brought the emblematic German Shepherd Dog into our lives and living rooms throughout the years, gaining popularity for this intelligent dog breed that waned only […]

Although GCHS Oceano Darbydale’s Xecutive Decision (affectionately known as Xander) is entering the ring at the Beverly Hills Dog Show this weekend for the first time, he’s already accustomed to winning big—especially at the expense of his owner. The Newfoundland, though a member of the Working Group, decided early on that he shouldn’t have to […]

Question: What do you love most about your dog? Chances are your answer is how friendly, trusting, and loving he is. These are characteristics we’ve cherished for thousands of years, ever since our ancestors met the wolves that would later become dogs. Have you ever asked yourself why dogs are so friendly though? One researcher, […]

  If you've ever seen a Dock Diving event, it's certainly an experience you won't forget. But did you know that Dock Diving is a relatively new dog sport? The sport was officially recognized by the AKC in 2014 and since then, over 6,000 dogs have jumped on in. We got a special inside look […]

  Basic training and obedience are essential to having a happy and healthy dog. Not only does training help to correct unwanted behavior, it also helps to build the very special bond between owner and canine. We got to witness some incredible dogs perform their assigned tasks with precision in the AKC Obedience Classic and […]

The Rat Terrier is a relatively new breed that has experienced some highs and lows during its history. Let's take a look at how Rat Terriers became the energetic, loyal, family dogs they are today. Here are six interesting facts about the Rat Terrier: 1. They Used to Be Wildly Popular With Farmers In the […]

The Black Russian Terrier is large, majestic, and even a little mysterious, especially when all that hair is hiding his eyes. But there's no mystery behind where this breed came from. Here are five interesting facts about the Black Russian Terrier: 1. This Is a Very New Breed The Black Russian Terrier (BRT) has been […]

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, also known as Korthals griffon, is a very rare breed, but it has seemingly endless talents. Here are some interesting facts about the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. 1. The Breed Was Inspired By Mendel's Research OK, so there's no definitive proof that the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was inspired by scientist Gregor Mendel's research, […]

The Bullmastiff is physically imposing, but incredibly patient and loving. Here are seven things you probably didn't know about this gentle giant: 1. They Were Bred To Be Guard Dogs The Bullmastiff was created in England in the 1860s by crossing a Mastiff with a Bulldog. The goal was to create a guard dog that […]

  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 […]

In October 2016, the American Kennel Club (AKC®) joined the world of online learning with the launch of AKC Canine College. Canine College brings robust, interactive learning content to breeders and judges. Subject matter for groomers and trainers is in development and will be coming soon. AKC’s growing catalog of online courses features educational material […]

  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) continues to expand the educational content available to breeders via our online learning platform, AKC Canine College. The most recent course additions to Canine College round out content provided by famed dog author and breeding expert Claudia Waller Orlandi, Ph.D. Breeders will now have access to detailed courses on […]