If you and your dog have been training in dog sports, one way that you can help prepare to enter a true competition is to enter a match first. An AKC Match Shows or "fun match" is an opportunity for dogs and handlers to enter a show-like environment but without the pressure of a show […]

Have you just opened a pack of sticky, plump, and delicious dried dates? You might wonder if your dog can partake in enjoying these sweet, fiber-filled snacks. While dates aren't highly toxic for dogs like grapes, that doesn't mean dates should be a go-to treat. Learn more about how dogs can eat dates and the […]

Dogs rely on their owners for everything from food and veterinary care to grooming and exercise. When you see a friend or family member falling short in caring for their dog in one or more of these areas, it's only natural to have concerns. If someone is dealing with depression, they might be neglecting their […]

For humans, peas are wholesome, nutritious vegetables packed with vitamins and minerals, rich in fiber and protein. But are they healthy options to include in dog food? Are Peas Good for Dogs? Used as a snack or a small part of your dog’s regular diet, snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden (or English) peas […]

Dogs love to experience the world through their sense of taste. Your dog probably licks their food bowl, their fur, their toys, and of course, your hands and face. But have you ever seen your dog lick the air? Is there something stuck in their mouth or are they tasting the air? In fact, dogs lick the air for all kinds of reasons. Alhough […]

Known to much of the public for decades as a "toy Collie" or the "little Lassie dog," the Shetland Sheepdog has in recent years come into its own as a distinguished, popular breed — and, happily for its devoted fanciers, the public has moved beyond these inaccurate nicknames. Indeed, although the Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, […]

Pulmonary hypertension in dogs is a life-threatening disease that involves higher than normal blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

There is so much misinformation passed around about dogs, but to truly know your pet, get to the bottom of these common dog myths.

Your pup rolls over on its back, and you can't resist giving the belly a tickle or two. Does your dog feel ticklish like people do? While dogs don't...

About 300 dog/handler search teams responded to 9/11, but only about 100 were prepared for the size of the disaster at Ground Zero. Since then, the need for search-and-rescue dogs and therapy dogs has only increased.

With warm weather comes the chance to fire up the grill and enjoy a barbecue. Dog owners may be tempted to let their pet have a taste of the delicious grilled foods. However, many cookout foods are not safe for dogs to eat. Here are a few tips on foods to watch out for. Hazardous […]

After seeing a cartoon of a Bulldog in the funny pages, a kindergarten-age Cody Sickle saved up to buy one of those jut-jawed creatures. He did just that only two years later – at the tender age of 8. Today, after more than a half-century, Sickle and his Cherokee Bulldogs in Oyster Bay Cove, New […]

Even if you're taking CGC classes, It's important to work on training with your dog at home. Here are step-by-step instructions to prepare for the CGC test.

Sirius, my Newfoundland, likes to play a game with me. The moment I sit down to eat, she asks me to take her outside to potty. When she has my attention, she will run back over to the table instead of to the back door and puts her chin up next to my plate. Sirius […]

Mushrooms are a complicated food group. These edible fungi are a staple in many dishes and grow wild in our yards, gardens, and parks, and yet we hear so many stories about mushroom foraging gone wrong. But can dogs eat mushrooms? The answer depends entirely on the kind of mushroom. Can Dogs Eat Wild Mushrooms? […]

One of the earliest lessons I learned about dog training was this: Never, ever, ever train your dog when you’re in a bad mood. Initially, I thought, That’s odd. Training always puts me back in a good mood. But I ultimately realized that in order to have a joyful and successful training session, the good […]

Regardless of what sport you compete in it's important to have good sportsmanship when engaging with fellow competitors. Good sportsmanship should...

Do you know what your dog finds most motivating? When practicing basic manners or training at advanced levels in a sport it's important to reward your...

Meet four representatives of the Working Group, blue-collar dogs with strength and smarts, and understand why responsible breeding of working dogs is particularly important.

For the majority of people in the U.S., Michael Phelps is a household name. He is the most medaled Olympian, having won a total of 28 medals in individual and team events. So who is the "Michael Phelps" of the dog world? Some may say it's Jennifer Crank. At just 35 (a year younger than Phelps!) […]

Starting to teach tracking skills at an early age can be a great way to build a puppy’s confidence, since he or she is in charge when it comes to finding a scent. But tracking work can be beneficial for an adult dog as well. For most of his life, one of our Pyrenean Shepherds, Speed, […]

Of all the odd habits our dogs have—drinking toilet water, rolling in dead things, licking their butts— nothing disgusts most dog owners more than knowing that dogs eat poop sometimes. A dog's motivation for eating poop isn't to gross us humans out, but the act of eating poop certainly disgusts us. So much so, in […]

It’s a cool, crisp Wisconsin morning and the sun is golden and bright, as a photographer and her dog walk quietly through the natural world. Suddenly, the curly-coated brown dog rushes into a thicket and a ruffed grouse flies out from its place of hiding. Quickly the photographer lifts the camera to her eye, as […]

Editor’s Note: The American Kennel Club has had a long history of inclusion across our sport for exhibitors and spectators from all walks of life. We are sharing the stories and voices of LGBTQ community members. Here, Sassafras Lowrey shares tips on how to be more inclusive as dog owners and handlers. You can read […]

From the time he was born three years ago, FISH’s life has been one irony after another. He’s a dog that was born in the Texas desert that you can’t keep out of the water today. And, if that’s not enough, when he arrived at 3 weeks old along with four siblings and their mother […]

In 2013, while walking in New York City, Laura Burkart saw a Brussels Griffon who stole her heart. The toy breed oozed personality with big black eyes and a look that said, "I'm your best friend." The chance encounter and a growing obsession with the breed eventually led Burkart to throw a lavish Kentucky Derby-themed party this […]

A combination of breed and socialization will help determine how your dog will behave. Here's why breed matters when selecting a pet.

Cadaver dogs are specially trained to use their sense of smell to locate human remains and alert people to them. Because these dogs can detect scent that is buried or even underwater, they are often deployed with their handlers alongside law enforcement during searches for missing people. In these situations, a cadaver dog can save […]

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Rottweilers are as loyal and loving as they are protective and confident. The working dog has been a long-loved breed that dates back to the times of the Roman Empire. And while they have played various roles over the course of history, today they make a fun-loving companion for families across the country. The breed is […]