As a child and young adult, Laura Haas helped her family breed German Shepherd Dogs. But it wasn't until an encounter later in life with a whole new breed that re-ignited Haas's love of producing beautiful purebred dogs. “In 2008 while at an AKC conformation show, I met a Black Russian Terrier for the first time," […]

You’ve probably seen Agility on television or perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to attend a local agility trial in person. No doubt you thought it looked like a fun activity to do with your dog. Well, it is! Dog agility is one of the fastest-growing canine sports in the United States because it’s exciting, challenging, and a […]

Mia Alvare is a thirteen-year-old Junior Handler who competes in Agility with her 3-year-old All- American dog Honey. Mia competes with the Antelope...

Owning an endangered breed can be incredibly rewarding. It's no secret that what’s old is new again. As a millennial, I know that what used to be known as "used clothing" is now "vintage" and all the rage. Many of us have gone back to eating local and embracing a "farm-to-table" mentality when it comes […]

COVID-19 has changed the way we live and the things that we are able to do with our dogs. But amidst all the cancellations and hardships, one bright light has been the expansion of virtual competition in dog sports, and the ability to participate in dog events remotely. One of the exciting side effects of […]

2020 was a year of pain, sadness, and frustration. For our sport, it has meant many months of doing without the weekly dog shows where we compete and socialize. We’re all familiar with the old saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” That phrase was never truer than in 2020, when fanciers found innovative […]

The Mudi (pronounced "MOO-dee"), one of two newly-recognized American Kennel Club breeds gaining full recognition January 1, brings a little bit of everything to the table. But make no mistake about it, this herding breed with Hungarian origin comes with a few caveats. “If not mentally and physically challenged, the Mudi can be barky and […]

Like people, dogs need daily movement to feel their best. Dogs need exercise to maintain muscle tone as well as an appropriate weight for their age and breed. But walking your dog isn't about physical activity alone. Walks provide mental stimulation, helping your dog build confidence and avoid potential behavioral issues like anxiety and aggression. How […]

For more than 30 years, I have served as a veterinarian at one of the largest veterinary emergency hospitals in the country. Each year, our hospital treats more than 11,000 cats and dogs in our emergency room. Thousands more see our veterinary specialists. As you might guess, I’ve taken care of a lot of dogs […]

It goes without saying that in your house, your dog is the most popular. But what do the statistics say? The American Kennel Club has used registration data to compile the list of 2021’s most popular breeds. As always, the Labrador Retriever tops the list — this time for the 31st year!  The Lab's temperament […]

What tugs at our hearts more than an adorable Chihuahua peeking out of Reese Witherspoon’s purse in the movie Legally Blonde? Perhaps it is the sight of puppies glee­ fully romping through scenes in 101 Dalmatians, or the exploits of Otis, the endearing Pug, in The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Dogs occupy a treasured […]

Humans and dogs have had a special bond for thousands of years—we see it in the way dogs work, play, and live with us. Most experts agree that this relationship developed when the wolf, the dog's ancestor, and human came in contact with each other. Some wolves, for unknown reasons, attached themselves to this strange […]

The nation's top puppies — 1,395 of them to be exact — gathered in Orlando, Florida to compete for the title of AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy of the Year. The AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes event, held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, is open […]

Getting a dog or becoming a multi-dog household is more complicated than this sounds. In deciding the right number of dogs for you, here are a few things to consider. Needs of Current Dogs Just as a puppy requires training and socialization, older dogs, dogs with special needs, and those with behavioral issues need your […]

You're bringing home your new puppy pretty soon. But while you're overjoyed, you've also never owned a puppy while living in an apartment, so you aren't sure what to expect. Don't worry — even in a small space or a rental, you can raise a happy and healthy puppy. By taking preventative measures and dedicating […]

Do you run up to and hug or jump on every person you see on the street? Of course not. Similarly, it's important to teach our dogs not to try to engage with all the other dogs they pass during a walk. As the world reopens after the pandemic, people are bringing their dogs more […]

The Labrador Retriever does it again! In a press conference today at its new pet care space, AKC Canine Retreat, the American Kennel Club (AKC®), the nation’s largest purebred dog registry, is announcing that the intelligent, family friendly Lab firmly holds on to the number one spot on the most popular list for a record-breaking […]

While a toy puppy may increase its birth weight by a factor of 10 to 20, a giant-breed puppy may grow to be 100 times bigger than when he was born. Consider this: A newborn Chihuahua may weigh only three ounces at birth and three pounds at maturity. A newborn Great Dane, however, may weigh […]

Inspector Gadget, a Bloodhound, is one of five, loyal companion dogs who won the 19th annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). The winners will be honored at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida, December 15-16, 2018. Make no mistake about it, search-and-rescue work is all about commitment […]

Maybe you have a German Shepherd Dog puppy, a Rottweiler, or a German Shorthaired Pointer and want to honor his heritage. Or maybe you just like cool-sounding names. Here’s your resource for 100 German dog names, along with their meanings. Surely, one of these fits your dog perfectly. 50 German Male Dog Names Alger—noble, bright […]

Disney Plus (stylized as Disney+) is finally here and it is overwhelmingly full of content. There are so many shows and movies to choose from that it seems almost impossible to choose what to watch. First, Disney is known for its wholesome content, both animated and live-action, which often involves animals. Where do you go […]

Humans have much longer lifespans than dogs. This is a basic fact of dog ownership and one that many owners struggle with when the time comes to say goodbye. While we may wish our dogs could live forever, knowing how long dogs live helps prepare us for their needs as seniors, ensuring that we give […]

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: We have a 22 month-old Bernese Mountain Dog and we just adopted a 7-month-old Standard Poodle from the shelter. He was not well taken care of by his previous owner since he is 22 inches tall and only weighs 23 pounds. He is not neutered. We have had the puppy for four […]

A normal litter size can range from 1 to 12 puppies, with 5-6 puppies being average across all dogs. But just as every breed of dog differs by size, function, and personality, they also differ when it comes to litter size, according to AKC registration data. Big dogs tend to have larger litters while small […]

By Anna Burke and Harriet Meyers One weekend last winter, my neighbor managed to schedule a relaxing getaway to soak up the sun in Florida. She made arrangements for a pet sitter to care for her Rhodesian Ridgeback, and left the sitter the code to the keypad on the garage door and several pages of […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) honored recipients of the AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards at the annual Delegates Meeting Luncheon, in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. The winners received an engraved silver Revere bowl. A larger Tiffany and Co. bowl, engraved with the names of all recipients past and present, will remain on permanent display […]

Canine mothers are the first sign of love and protection for newborn puppies. For the first three weeks after the puppies are born, the mother dog gives them her undivided attention and care. “What you’ll see on day one is a mother who doesn’t want to be away from her pups for more than a […]

How on earth does a breeder distinguish look-alike puppies in a litter? In breeds that are all the same color, or have only slight color variations without unique markings, it can seem impossible. To track puppies’ growth and manage care, it’s critical to be able to tell them apart from each other. AKC asked these Breeders of Merit what they do to keep track of their babies.  Oksana Fagenboym, Rocknrolla Poodles On new-born puppies, I […]

By Allan Reznik   By Allan Reznik (Reprinted with permission from Dogs in Review and author Allan Reznik, from the November 2014 issue of Dogs in Review magazine. People get into a new breed for all kinds of reasons: the need to downsize, a desire for less grooming, a thirst for greater challenges, even the search […]

Labrador Retriever puppy. Courtesy Barra Labradors Bringing a dog into your life is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It is a serious commitment to care for an individual who will rely on you completely—for food, shelter, health, and happiness—for a decade or more. In exchange, this puppy or adult dog […]