The Westminster Kennel Club recently announced that Mr. Thomas H. Bradley III is scheduled to judge Best in Show at the club’s 141st dog show Feb. 13–14, 2017. A lifetime participant in the dog sport, Mr. Bradley competed in his first dog show as a teenager in 1955, showing his German Shorthaired Pointer at the […]

The Morris & Essex Kennel Club dog show taking place October 1 at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey, will continue a historic tradition in the dog world, harking back to the legendary shows of the early to mid-20th century that were hosted by Mrs. Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge on the grounds of her estate. From […]

Saying goodbye to our pets is always gut-wrenching. And as much as it breaks our hearts, we love when we hear stories of owners who go above and beyond to make their pet's time on earth extra special.  Jordan Greene Roberts of Houston, Texas, took exactly that approach to her beloved dog's (Duke's) death. She filled Duke's last day with […]

At the Annual Meeting of the American Kennel Club on March 8, 2016, the AKC Board of Directors Class of 2020 was elected. The three Directors elected were:     •       Patricia M. Cruz, Delegate from the Heart of the Plains Kennel Club.     •       William J. Feeney, Delegate from the Sir Francis Drake Kennel Club, Inc. […]

The Labrador Retriever has done it again. The intelligent, family friendly breed held onto the number one spot on the most popular list for the 24th consecutive year, continuing the longest reign as the nation’s top dog in American Kennel Club history. For the full list of breed rankings, click here. While the Lab holds strong, […]

July 14 is Bastille Day, when France and Francophiles the world over commemorate the start of the French Revolution in 1789. The AKC joins the celebration in just the way you’d expect—with dogs. Here’s a roundup of some AKC breeds developed in France, plus a few that are French by tradition if not by birth. […]

Swarms of setters, hordes of herders, oodles of Poodles— with the seemingly endless variety of dogs gaiting around AKC show rings, you might assume every breed in creation is represented. Actually, hundreds of breeds from around the world are outside the AKC orbit. Here are just a few:   ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG Birthplace: northern Portugal Job […]

Francis Redmond’s “Totteridge” Smooth Fox Terriers were a famous British line of the late 19th century. Redmond was a master dog man who did much to standardize his breed, and the Totteridge kennel was pivotal in the creation of the modern Smooth. It was the custom to immortalize dogs of such renown on canvas. These […]

No velvet pillows, hair ribbons, or French pedicures for these big bruisers. These are the no-nonsense, punch-the-clock-and-get-it-done dogs of the AKC Working Group, the Ford pickups of the canine kingdom. Many factors go into breeding dogs that work hard for their feed. Let’s consider a few, and then watch some well-bred workers in action. Physical […]

The French Bulldog is the most popular dog breed in New York City for 2015, according to AKC registration data. While the family-friendly Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in the United States, the adaptable French Bulldog holds the No. 1 spot in the nation's largest city.  However, the Frenchie isn't top dog in every […]

After a 7-year-old K-9 Belgian Malinois was killed in Paris Wednesday during police raids targeting those responsible for the attacks on Nov. 13, thousands took to social media to show their support for the police dog using the hashtags #JeSuisChien and #NotAllHeroesAreHuman. Many dog owners turned to Instagram to show their support for the police dog, […]

Although the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States, the Lab isn't top dog in a few of the 25 most populous cities, according to AKC registration data. For example, the playful and adaptable French Bulldog is No. 1 in New York City and San Francisco, while the active and intelligent Poodle is […]

When it comes to their canine soldiers, Britain’s 105 Military Working Dog Squadron (MWDS) knows that the best protective equipment is essential, even during training. In a recent video by the MWDS, a dog is outfitted with personal protection equipment, including ear defenders, goggles, a reflective collar, and booties. This English Springer Spaniel is among […]

On the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wreaking havoc in the southeastern United States, Seattle Times journalist Ranny Green reflects on his time in Louisiana on assignment with Noah's Wish, an organization that helps animals affected by natural disasters. -- It’s been decade since my life took a dramatic change and the Gulf Coast endured […]

On the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wreaking havoc in the southeastern United States, Seattle Times journalist Ranny Green reflects on his time in Louisiana on assignment with Noah's Wish, an organization that helps animals affected by natural disasters. Read Ranny's diary of his trip below, which originally ran in The Seattle Times in 2005. -- […]

The Pumi is the latest breed to be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), receiving full AKC status as a member of the Herding Group on July 1, 2016. This rare breed, with only a few new litters born in the United States each year, may be the new dog on the block, but […]

By Joan Harrigan and Susan BeegelMuch is demanded of show dogs – they must be adaptable, calm, and tolerant in addition to meeting the requirements of their breed standards. Two Beaucerons, both champions and exhibited at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, have show careers that are secondary to their day-to-day work. For Beaucerons […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) and Royal Canin are pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2016 National Championship to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2016. The 2016 event will showcase the top national and international dogs and will also […]

TEXT AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY RIA HÖRTER REPRINTED FROM THE CANINE CHRONICLE During war time, dogs have been used as messenger dogs, patrol dogs, guard dogs, mine dogs, Red Cross dogs or as draught dogs for the transportation of weapons, ammunition, food and medical supplies. No role at all Numerous dog books state that Greek and Roman […]

The American Kennel Club is delighted with the announcement of the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan by Pet Partners, Inc. AKC Pet Healthcare Insurance, underwritten by State National Insurance Company, an A rated company by AM Best, which features two comprehensive plans for fanciers and pet owners: the “Premier Plan” and “Premier Plus Plan.”  The plan […]