June 16, 2015 On June 23rd the Washoe County Board of Commissioners will be considering changes to their animal control ordinance that will define commercial animal establishments and commercial breeders. Two separate ordinances are proposed. The ordinances will impose significant fees and burdens on small, local, responsible breeders. State law already defines and regulates certain […]

Originally ran in the "Dogsport 101" column of AKC Family Dog Dog sports aren't only for purebreds. Since 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? […]

Hailey Has Plenty of Tricks Up Her Paws Baseballs, basketballs, skateboards and Frisbees – most parents invest in plenty of these items for their kids. And in Karen Profenna’s case, that includes her four-legged family member. Hailey – a little black-and-white fireball – can swing a bat, dunk a basketball, ride a skateboard and soar […]

For the past 35 years, we have had the great pleasure of spending most or all of the summer at Cape Cod, MA, with our many generations of Golden Retriever and mixed-breed dogs.  As we near the salt water, the dogs always sniff the air and eagerly look out the window at the many salt […]

Photo by Smooth Shots by Bill Koda Dane Lincoln Mo Rausch CA BCAT RATM CGC is the first All-American Dog to earn the new AKC Fast CAT title in the sport of Coursing Ability, on May 14, 2016, at the Blue Grass Coursing Club test in Radcliff, KY. Koda is also tied for first place […]

  A few short weeks ago, it felt like you had all the time in the world with your new litter, but now it’s nearly time for your puppies to go home with their forever families. The 6-to-8-week period is especially critical for meeting as many people as possible and experiencing as many stimuli as […]

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: Our ten month old Lab has gotten foxtails up her nose twice in less than two weeks. The first time our family vet couldn't reach it and she had to go to a specialist with a large vet bill. The second time our vet was able to remove three, inch-long foxtails but […]

General ConcernsWinter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind: Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors. Adequate shelter is a […]

Ah, it's the debate that never ends—dogs vs. cats. You probably already have a preference but take this quiz to see where you stand. You might be surprised.  Which movie do you like the most?A. Toy StoryB. Gone With the WindC. I’m not home enough to watch movies. Friday night is best spent:A. Out with a group of friends.B. […]

On a balmy Saturday in June, three Leonbergers and two Samoyeds completed one of the first group AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGC) tests in the nation. The new test assesses a dog's ability to manage tasks that city-dwellers may face every day, such as using public transportation, navigating crowded streets, and waiting calmly in […]