Photo courtesy Melissa Hampton Photography   A dog-show newbie says handling isn’t as easy as it looks, but it sure is exciting. In “Talking Sports” we present advice from high achievers in the world of dog sports. But in this edition, about conformation dog shows, we thought it would be fun to see the sport […]

StoneBull BullMastiffs is a small hobby kennel located in the southwest corner of New Hampshire. Owners Steve Krulish and Jackie Smith have been involved in Bullmastiffs since 1989. With each litter, they say that their goals remain the same: to produce sound, healthy puppies that are good examples of the breed and who will enrich […]

One of the most difficult lessons to learn and accept in our sport is that it will sometimes be necessary to rethink our decisions. However costly those decisions might have been, it usually proves even more costly to ignore the warning signs and stubbornly forge ahead. When we are working with genes Mother Nature often […]

It's been almost a decade since Sharon Gardner of Austin, Texas, had her most devastating experience as a Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder. With no warning, her litter of five-and-a-half-week-old puppies began showing signs of lethargy. Then came the diarrhea and vomiting. A test performed by her veterinarian delivered the bleak diagnosis: parvovirus, a highly contagious disease […]

Balconies can provide dogs with exciting sights and smells, but they can be dangerous too. Here are some tips for making a balcony a safe doggy haven.

With a three-legged hop and a skip, 6-year-old Ari, aka Hero No. 1651, knows how to work a crowd. Giving his amputated limb the cold-shoulder, the Golden Retriever with the soft, friendly eyes can’t wait to cheer up anyone who needs a dose of happy. His specialty? Hospice patients, nonverbal people, children using wheelchairs, and […]

Disappointment at some point or another is inevitable in Conformation Knowing the right way to deal with setbacks is the key to success and enjoyment in the sport Be aware of your show dogs, your breeding dogs, and your relationships with other competitors. Trust your instinct and know when to end a dog's show career […]

Does your child love dogs and reading? Spend some time reading these awesome dog-themed books! Max Goes to the Moon by Jeffrey Bennett You can listen to astronaut Mike Hopkins read Max Goes to the Moon from the International Space Station! View here. Dex: The Heart of a Hero by Caralyn Buehner A scrappy Dachshund learns […]

PROGRAM SUMMARY In March 2014, the AKC Board of Directors approved the development of a program for all breeders. The program’s intent is to improve the health and well-being of purebred dogs by challenging breeders to meet health testing standards and participate in continuing education. The program will provide marketing and other support for those […]

At its meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, the Hillsborough County Animal Advisory Committee is scheduled to discuss an ordinance that would regulate, set requirements for, and establish fees for dog training businesses and dog trainers in the county.