Hormone-sparing sterilization (vasectomy or ovary-sparing spay) retain hormones associated with possibly better health and behavior.

Dog paralysis may be permanent or temporary, depending on the cause. Common causes include infections, trauma, spinal stroke and disk disease.

Many dermatological conditions cause flaky, inflamed, itchy skin for our pups, but one of the most commonly diagnosed skin diseases is pyoderma in dogs.

Water and soil outside can contain bacteria that can be dangerous to your dog, even causing a leptospirosis infection. What is leptospirosis in dogs?

Marthina Greer First presented Pure Dog Talk Jan 2023 Bladder stones are the quintessential “which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. By this, we mean that a dog can have a bladder symptoms that are caused by a bladder stone, or the bladder infection can cause bladder stones to form. Which then becomes […]

If your dog's tail is limp, it could be a sign of a sprained tail, known as swimmer's tail or limber tail. What should you do if you suspect swimmer's tail?

All AKC DNA + Health Kits include the original 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes, as well as over 328 genetic variants for health and traits. Download a pdf of all included tests Health Tests Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS, SN) This genetic variant is associated with an inherited neurological disease characterized by […]

If your dog is suffering from ataxia, the most common symptom you might notice is a change in his gait, making him very unsteady.

Know the signs of IBD and IBS and how to diagnose and treat them. IBS is less common in dogs than IBD, but can have many different causes.

Dogs pee in the house for many reasons, but they also urine mark. Learn to tell the difference between these behaviors and how to reduce marking.

Acupuncture for dogs is a popular complementary therapy. Learn more about the potential benefits of this low-risk treatment along with its limitations.

Acute or chronic kidney disease in dogs is a serious and progressive health concern. Early detection and proper management can extend your dog's life.

There are lots of reasons why dogs throw up, but is your dog vomiting or regurgitating? It's important to know the difference.

Canine herpes virus can affect adult dogs as well as puppies, and it's important to take precautions against it since so many dogs get it.

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

Glaucoma in dogs is caused by increased pressure in the eyeball, and it can lead to severe pain and blindness. Learn about signs and potential treatments.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a potentially fatal tick-borne disease, but if caught early is usually curable. Know the signs!

Dogs have an extra nail near their paws on their front legs, called dewclaws. Dewclaws can help dogs accomplish a variety of tasks, but what are they for?

Acute or chronic dog bronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchi, causes coughing. Learn to recognize the signs and how to treat the illness.

You might be fooled by Chick's short and stocky frame, but Chick the Bulldog excels in many sports, including Fast CAT, Diving Dogs, and Rally.

When it's bathtime, the best way to keep your pet clean is with products specially formulated for dogs. But what happens if you run out of dog shampoo? Can you use soap made for people on your dog? What Can I Wash My Dog With? Dog shampoos made with detergents work best on canine skin. They support […]

Here's what questions to ask before sending your dog out in a dog hiking group and how to know if your dog is a good fit for dog hiking groups.

Being proactive with tick prevention helps protect your dog from nasty tick-borne diseases, including ehrlichiosis. Learn more about ehrlichiosis in dogs.

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial illness that can be transmitted to humans, dogs, and other animals by certain species of ticks. It is caused by the spiral-shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried inside a tick and gets into a dog or person’s bloodstream through a tick bite. Once in the bloodstream, the […]

Removing ticks from your dog may not be pleasant, but it’s important to do it promptly and correctly. Once you know how to remove a tick, it will be a fairly easy process. Because they can carry infectious organisms, ticks infect thousands of animals and people with illnesses like Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis every year. […]

​It all started in January 1925, when doctors in Nome, Alaska, began to see symptoms of a deadly infection—diphtheria. Anchorage, more than 500 miles away, was the closest place with supplies of lifesaving serum. Alaska’s brutal winters, where temperatures could plunge to 50 below and snow and ice are measured in yards, made travel impossible. […]

If you own a dog, you have probably found yourself wondering how much exercise a dog needs daily. Depending on your schedule, that question might sometimes sound more like “How much exercise does a dog really need every day?” As with people, the answer varies from dog to dog and is dependent on age, health, […]

The American Kennel Club welcomes the introduction of the Healthy Dog Importation Act of 2023  in the United States Senate. AKC is grateful for the continuing and bipartisan leadership of Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) as lead sponsors of the bill and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga), Roger Marshall (R-Kan) and Kirsten Gillibrand […]

The American Kennel Club has learned that New Jersey Senate Bill 1803, which seeks to prohibit declawing procedures from being performed on cats and other animals unless deemed necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian, has been moved to the Senate Economic Growth Committee.  Please see updated committee contact information below. The American […]

Love is in the air during the month of February, and many dog owners find their “true love” in a canine companion, warming their laps and their hearts. To help keep those hearts happy and healthy, dogs and humans alike benefit from a daily walk or play time in the yard. However, there are many […]