They’re all elite athletes, but one of the entrants in the 8th Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster on June 11 is certain to attract more puzzled looks than the 349 others. That would be Caper (Paradox Capricious), a 5-year-old Danish-Swedish Farmdog owned and handled by Kelly Ansaldo, of Northhampton, Massachusetts. For you just don’t see […]

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 […]

Dog people and cat people have an age-old debate about which animal makes a better pet. Dog owners brag about canine intelligence, and cat lovers reply that cats are as just smart as dogs, they simply can't be bothered to obey. Well, new research published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroanatomy seems to support the […]

  A rare outbreak of canine flu in the Chicago area has sickened more than 1,000 dogs, including five who died, in the past month, according to veterinarians in the region. The Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control is warning dog owners to avoid dog parks, group training activities and dog daycare and […]

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and our corporate alliance, Zoetis, are pleased to bring you the fifth installment in a podcast series devoted to canine reproduction education for pet owners, breeders, and veterinarians. In this podcast we are discussing infertility in the bitch, with reproductive specialist Dr. Cheryl Lopate of Wilsonville Veterinary Clinic in […]

Preparing the sweet, gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to follow good behavior guidelines isn't tricky. This graceful, fun-loving toy spaniel only wants to please you. With some planning, persistence, and a positive outlook, your puppy quickly takes to training. Sandy Harrison, Recording Secretary of the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, acquired her first Cavalier […]

Before you start training your puppy, there are a few things that you should know.Training is important. It helps you bond with your pooch and show her what’s expected of her. It will also help her feel more secure, as she will understand what you want from her.Training is based on reward and correction. Note […]

The pups are 5 weeks old as I start writing this piece. Feeding is twice a day; their mom is only with them at night. Within the next several days, the pups will be without their mom—weaning completed and on their own. Because it is summer with warm temperatures, the pups have spent all their […]

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 Few Puppy Don’tsHaving a new puppy is a lot like parenting. We need to find the line between being overprotective and providing the puppy with a safe environment to let his personality develop. A few of the don’ts about puppy rearing: Puppies love to play, but don’t get too rough. Be careful playing games […]

How much do you know about what goes on in your pup's head? Do you believe it's all pretty simple in there? Just thoughts about dinner, the cat next door, and more dinner? Think again. Dogs have been known to learn hundred of words, do arithmetic, and guess what people and other dogs are thinking. […]

You are no doubt familiar with the Doberman Pinscher. After all, they are very popular. Dobermans are distinguished and powerful with a keen intellect, and you might think their size, strength, and markings make them one of a kind. But there is a like-sized, equally powerful, and similarly attractive breed you might mistake for the […]

To some, Kirby may look like a Pug, but he's not: this little Brussels Griffon is a Dog Star who will let you know who's boss. Bringing Home a Brussels Griffon Veterinarian Christina Coudret had never heard of the Brussels Griffon breed until a technician she worked with at a veterinarian clinic was fostering for […]

Every litter is a new and exciting adventure. The months of research into pedigrees, rereading notes on dogs that appear in various pedigrees and evaluating their influences, have come to fruition, and the future is now in the whelping box. The genetics are set; now the puppy socialization  begins. Handling puppies daily from day one […]

  Finding a quality Golden Retriever puppy can be a daunting task. Experienced Golden owners will agree on the two most important elements in searching for a pup: a reputable breeder, and a quality pedigree. Good breeders understand the importance of pedigree. They select their breeding stock using dogs with parents, grandparents, and other ancestors who […]

Every holiday season, our family gathers for a celebration between Christmas and New Year. Several of our young grandchildren are between the ages of 5 and 8. In wintertime in Western Pennsylvania, a fire is often started in the fireplace during the late afternoon or evening hours. The young ones ask how a fire is […]

Having trouble deciding on a name for your hunting dog? You've come to the right place. The following list of hunting dog names should give you some inspiration. Let's start with some names inspired by hunting itself: Chase/Chaser - A great fit for tracking dogs. Scout - Also great for trackers. If you have two dogs, and you're a fan of […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world's largest dog registry and leading industry authority and advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that eleven exceptional students from 10 states have been awarded the American Kennel Club (AKC®) Junior Scholarship for 2021.  The scholarships are offered to high school and college students, ranging from $500 - […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed (or cat breed), or do you just want to meet all 150+ breeds? Find your favorites on our list of breeds so you won't miss a single wag, whisker, or woof! They'll all be there to meet you at the January 25-26, 2020 AKC Meet the Breeds event. […]

Who is THAT Junior Handler? The Role of an AKC Field Rep Blue-Green Algae and Dogs: Symptoms and Prevention Welcome Tommy to the World of AKC Retriever Hunting Tests Junior Kelsey Deuth - One Cool Cucumber!  1st AKC Advanced Judges & Handlers Seminar EJ Wendel – All Around Junior Handler Zipper: German Shorthair Is the […]

The Louisville Metro Public Health Committee is scheduled to consider changes to the city/county animal control ordinance during a special meeting tomorrow, June 2, 2021. While it features some reasonable and appropriate provisions, the proposed ordinance also includes certain vague and problematic dog care requirements. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages Louisville/Jefferson County residents to […]

AKC has just learned that the city council of Corpus Christi, Texas, is scheduled to consider extensive changes to the city’s animal ordinances on Tuesday, May 18.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) has concerns with the proposal’s  requirement that all dogs be spay/neutered on a first redemption from the city’s animal shelter; and believes that […]

At its Wednesday, May 19, 2021, hearing, the Massachusetts General Court’s Joint Judiciary Committee will consider multiple dog-related bills.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports five proposals and opposes four.  AKC encourages all concerned Massachusetts residents to contact the members of the Joint Judiciary Committee to express support of H. 1656, H. 1824, S. 1111, […]

A bill has been introduced in Michigan that could have a negative impact on many Michigan residents who own, breed, and train dogs. Senate Bill 395 has been assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee, and the chairman has been a strong supporter of responsible dog owners, breeders, and sportsmen.  Concerned Michigan dog owners are encouraged […]

Today during its work session, the Maine Joint Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife members considered testimony on LD 1265. The American Kennel Club (AKC) had issued an alert and testified expressing opposition to the bill, as introduced.  Although the title of the bill states it is intended to control the hunting of coyotes, the […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama – HB 235 would authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in outdoor restaurant seating areas and sets out access, sanitation, and other requirements. It also specifies that emotional support animals are not service animals within the meaning of the Americans […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) honored recipients of the AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards at the annual Delegates Meeting Luncheon, in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. The winners received an engraved silver Revere bowl. A larger Tiffany and Co. bowl, engraved with the names of all recipients past […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) honored recipients of the AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards at the annual Delegates Meeting Luncheon, in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. The winners received an engraved silver Revere bowl. A larger Tiffany and Co. bowl, engraved with the names of all recipients past […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) honored recipients of the AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards at the annual Delegates Meeting Luncheon, in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. The winners received an engraved silver Revere bowl. A larger Tiffany and Co. bowl, engraved with the names of all recipients past […]

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 […]