For decades after the Revolutionary War, America had been trying to secure a treaty of commerce with Turkey. In the spring of 1831, President Andrew Jackson sent an unlikely man to solve the problem. The proud and inflexible Commodore David Porter was a 50-year-old naval hero, who had fought in the First Barbary War, the […]

For millennia, the Cirneco dell’Etna has lived in the shadow of Mount Etna. Scrambling over the rocky, volcanic Sicilian soil in pursuit of rabbit, these small red dogs were invaluable sources of sustenance and protection for their peasant owners. But by the time the 20th Century dawned, the Cirneco was facing its own sunset of […]

The Vizsla was developed in Hungary centuries ago as both a versatile hunting dog and a devoted companion, and the breed today retains those combined qualities. Vizslas typically love to do things with their owners, and they’re curious and interested in all kinds of activities. Vizslas are athletic and exuberant. (Bob Holmes/AKC Photo Contest) With […]

This is an easy trick to teach, and your dog will love it! It’s best to start with teaching your dog to catch treats as you don’t want to throw a toy that might hit him in the face and turn him off to catching forever. Sit your dog about two feet in front of […]

Visitors and residents of Savannah, Georgia, who are hoping to catch a glimpse of something (or someone) otherworldly are getting a little help from a rather intuitive Golden Retriever. Bailey The Ghost Hunting Dog of Savannah accompanies his owner, Melynda Ware-Loomis, as she leads walking ghost tours of what is considered by some to be […]

With his fluffy white coat, the American Eskimo Dog does look like he came straight out of an igloo. But he actually has a very different origin. Here are seven interesting facts about the American Eskimo Dog: 1. They Originated in Germany The American Eskimo Dog, or Eskie, is actually not from America. They originated […]

The desert isn't just for cactuses and snakes. Phoenix is a dog-friendly city with tons of cultural activities and adventures for you and your four-legged best friend. Here are seven fun things to do with your dog in Phoenix: 1. Go To The Park Phoenix has dozens of parks where you can walk your dog […]

Did you know that there are 190 dog breeds registered by the AKC? While many of them are familiar faces, there are several breeds that most people have never seen before, or even heard of. Some are newly registered, and some are just less common in the United States. Here are some facts about a […]

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Sienna Bay Watermark Dirk DM DS TKN TKI CGC, shows off one of his tricks that helped earn him the new AKC Intermediate Trick Dog title. Eleven-year-old Kya has had an impressive career that includes a conformation championship and rally titles. Being a veteran has limited some of her activities, but that […]

  AKC Breeder Spotlight: Theresa Viesto of Tiger Rose Labrador Retrievers Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear about how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with Theresa Viesto of Tiger Rose Labradors in Newtown, Conn. Here, she answers questions about her […]

Gilligan isn't your average dog. Just take a look at her long list of titles: Fishbay’s Merchant of Venice CD BN RE AX AXJ OF RATN DN CGCA TKA WWDX CWDX MAC-3 SROM. The versatile Portuguese Water Dog has earned an array of accolades, including winning multiple agility, Rally, and obedience classes at national specialties. Perhaps most impressive […]

Lauren Mulvihill didn't grow up with dogs, but that never stopped her from wanting one. Growing up, her cousin's dog Casey — “the perfect Golden to a T" — was friendly, goofy, and smart. Lauren begged her parents for a dog like Casey. “I would ask every single holiday," she says. “I'd be like, please […]

Looking for the best pet massage tools? It's no secret that pets, like many humans, love a massage. And as with people, the feel-good benefits of a massage can have a meaningful impact on overall mental and physical health. It's true, a massage can help your dog by reducing stress, anxiety, and aches and pains, […]

Copper, a 16-month-old Black and Tan Coonhound, has achieved more in his 16 months than most people do in their first 10 years of life. Copper is a K-9 with the Cocoa Police Department in Brevard County, Fla. He's also a certified therapy dog and a courtroom dog. We had the pleasure of meeting Copper […]

When Drs. Carole Schuster and Philip Abessinio, of Locust Valley, N.Y., bought their West Highland White Terrier four years ago, the duo set some ambitious goals. They hoped their new canine companion, Max, would be a therapy dog, Canine Good Citizen, and a successful conformation competitor. The dynamic, 20-pound pup hasn't disappointed. "I was looking […]

Kol, a Grand Champion Bronze Golden Retriever, 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. There is a reason Jane Eisenberg has labeled […]

Millions have had midlife career changes. They touch on an amalgam of motivation, health, skills, and behavioral soundness. Not everyone’s psyche is geared to these life-altering, pressure-point transitions, however. And what about dogs? A pair of Washington state Shetland Sheepdogs — Brumby and Sonnet — are finding it suits them nicely. Both have discovered how […]

At a Glance: Researchers identified four distinct therapy dog handling styles: hands-off, permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian The new study suggests the dog's handler may impact the success therapy dog sessions Therapy dogs can have a tremendous impact on the people they interact with. From senior centers to hospitals to schools, these dogs bring joy and […]

For Valerie Schuter, doing a good deed for a dog turned into her downsizing Pinschers. The 30-year Doberman Pinscher breeder and rescue volunteer helped another breeder and ended up transitioning to the smaller German Pinschers—notably Bentley—GCH Diamond Bay A Chevelle Bentley Tribute. This conformation Grand Champion has a passion for people and racked up 13 […]

Each year, the AKC Humane Fund pays tribute to five dedicated, hardworking dogs for making significant contributions to an individual or entire community. One award is given in each of the following categories: Uniformed Service K-9, Service, Therapy, Search and Rescue, and Exemplary Companion Dog. “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” –author Roger Caras […]

I can count on one hand the number of barns I've been to that did not have a resident barn dog. Barns and dogs are the ultimate pairing. Dogs have helped deter vermin and would-be predators since humans first started keeping livestock thousands of years ago. And, we like having our dogs with us, especially […]

Dogs have fought alongside man since ancient times. The Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Romans, and others used dogs as sentries and scouts and sometimes brought dogs into combat. Attila the Hun used fierce Mastiff-like breeds that were sometimes armored and sent into battle. In more modern times, Germany created military dog-training programs late in the 19th […]

Field trials are all about letting a dog do what comes naturally in a competitive setting. For the Pointing Breeds that means finding birds and showing off their courage, stamina, and keen desire to hunt.  Since 1993, the AKC Gun Dog Championship continues to be one of the largest and most prestigious pointing all breed field trial championship in […]

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 […]

  The AKC Detection Dog Task Force has launched its Pilot Detection Puppy Rearing Program – an opportunity for breeders and owners to work closely with experts on raising dogs that will have the potential to be trained for explosives detection work. The United States has a serious shortage of qualified dogs to perform the […]

The U.S. Postal Service has just released a series of beautiful stamps honoring the brave dogs who work with the U.S. military. These stamps were first made available on August 1 when they were unveiled at a dedication ceremony. The stamps are designed with a white star in the background, along with red, white, and blue colors […]

Working Dogs for Conservation (WD4C) is the world’s leading conservation detection dog organization WD4C pioneered ways to use dogs’ sense of smell to protect wildlife by building upon techniques from narcotics detection, cadaver detection, and search and rescue, Traditional survey techniques require expensive helicopters, dangerous tranquilizers, or inefficient camera traps Dogs fix all of those problems […]

The Dogo Argentino is a pack-hunting dog, bred for the pursuit of big-game such as wild boar and puma, and possesses the strength, intelligence and quick responsiveness of a serious athlete. His short, plain and smooth coat is completely white, but a dark patch near the eye is permitted as long as it doesn't cover more […]

The Small Munsterlander is a versatile hunting dog and natural retriever with a medium range, solid pointing instinct, and strong desire for the water. He has excellent tracking abilities for all types of work after the shot. These qualities are enhanced by intelligence and trainability.

The Wetterhoun, although originally bred for hunting otters, now make excellent companions, watchdogs, and can excel in a variety of sports due to their perseverant nature.  The Wetterhoun is almost never seen apart from its owner; they enjoy their company as much as the owner enjoys theirs.