Rebel is a former shelter dog who now serves his community as a search and rescue dog and a certified therapy dog. He was honored for his amazing contributions with an Honorable Mention award in the 2015 AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) in the category of Search and Rescue. He has participated […]

By Don Paltani, AKC Senior Executive Field Representative Dennis Pierce started in German Shorthaired Pointers in 1993, having no knowledge of formal dog training. Dennis became involved in NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Assn), which has a strong training program for new handlers. Dennis ran his dogs through the NAVHDA programs including natural ability […]

AKC Obedience Trials owe their existence to a pioneer in the sport of purebred dogs, Mrs. Helen Whitehouse Walker. Helen was a breeder of Standard Poodles and the dogs of her Carillon Kennels were quickly gaining recognition as dogs with outstanding quality and character. Like many Poodle breeders, Helen had to fight the stereotype that […]

The spotlight shines on Giza, who is the sole representative of her breed - the Pharaoh Hound - in League. Not only is Giza a rarer breed of sighthound, she did not start her agility career until she was 6 years old. Now 12, she is still competing and having fun in the sport as […]

How to tease with a toy/towel Examples of exaggerated animation of the towel as a reward object. If the dog is not enticed or excited about playing with the towel, they will likely ignore it. You must bring it to life and remember "The bunny never jumps in the dog's mouth". DO NOT practice play […]

I will start by stating that I was raised as an Air Force brat and was told I could never have a dog, because we moved so frequently. So, being an obstinate child, I asked for a dog for every birthday that I was old enough to speak. When I was 14 I “borrowed” a […]

Task and Trip at Tractor Supply An example of working the pups through Tractor Supply for environmental stability (ability to work around a variety of things without distraction) and socialization (ability to work around people and animals without distraction). Clown Challenge The Department of Defense has added the Bop n Bozo to some environmental testing. We thought we would […]

I will start by stating that I was raised as an Air Force brat and was told I could never have a dog, because we moved so frequently. So, being an obstinate child, I asked for a dog for every birthday that I was old enough to speak. When I was 14 I “borrowed” a […]

Test for what is recommended for your breed. Order AKC DNA + Health Kit The AKC DNA Program recommends that breeders perform DNA tests that are relevant to their breed. The AKC DNA + Health Kit includes over 328 markers for health and traits, and every dog receives results for all tests. However, not all […]

All AKC DNA + Health Kits include the original 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes, as well as over 328 genetic variants for health and traits. Download a pdf of all included tests Health Tests Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS, SN) This genetic variant is associated with an inherited neurological disease characterized by […]

Order AKC DNA + Health Kit Activate AKC DNA Kit DNA Resource Center All AKC DNA + Health Kits include: The AKC DNA Profile of 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes 328 genetic variants for health and traits, including coat color Results are delivered by our trusted service provider (Neogen) with the […]

Chapter 1: Planning For an event to be successful, a great deal of planning is involved. The first organizational meeting is a time to consider many things. SCOPE The first consideration is the scope of your Test/Trial. Be realistic. Will your event draw club members only? Is your area one with a large number of […]

The AKC now works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); and the […]

AKC Title Recognition Awards The AKC now works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving […]

March 21 2018: Raleigh, North Carolina Title: 5 Days - Toy Breeds - Seminars & Hands-on Workshops Breed: Toy Breeds Presenter: N/A Sponsoring Club: NC Triangle Area Judges Education Group, Co-sponsored by the participating Tarheel Cluster dog clubs Contact Name: Celeste M. Gonzalez - Email: nctriangleareajudgesedgroup@yahoo.com Phone: (336) 259-0061 Fax: N/A Website: N/A Held in conjunction with the […]

Sophia Feid Junior Handler Feature Sassafras Patterdale Thirteen-year-old Sophia Feid of Apex, NC, is proof that you don't have to have a show dog of...

In the six years he's played disc games, Finn Proctor has set several world records for distance throws with his dogs.

Gabriella Casanova from Cicero, New York, is proof that you don't need to come from a dog family to be involved in dog sports.

17-year-old Hannah Krabbenhoft, who has been involved with dog sports since she was 12, credits dog agility with helping her to work through anxiety.

Disc dog competitor Macee Aumack and her Border Collie, "Riddle," share a powerful bond as they prepare to shine at the AKC UpDog Invitational.

Long-time educator Crystal Dennis loves teaching, whether it is in her classroom or in the dog show ring. And teaching two sisters from Alaska to do agility is just one way she's giving back.

Caring for the New Family Dog As the owner of a new puppy, you can expect the loveable little creature to: Chew the leather handle on your guitar case, the plastic lever on your home office chair, and the wooden leg of your walnut veneer coffee table. Whimper at the side of your bed at […]

Kathy Wakefield, from Tualatin, Oregon, grew up with two Rat Terriers — Kelly and Turbo. They were her best friends and learned every trick quickly and willingly. As an adult, Kathy decided it was the right time to get her own dog. She met a few different breeds, but they didn't feel like the right […]

The top 10 owner-handled dogs from each breed came to compete at the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals on December 15. After intense competition at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canine, the Best in Show honors went to GCHG CH Lamz Strike A Pose RN CAA CGC TKN, a Bedlington Terrier known affectionately as […]

What do Lindsey Dicken, Victor Rosado, Mackensie Murphy, Michelle Breen, Cat Opson, and Cheryl Purcell have in common with Michael Phelps? Well, while this U.S.A. team may not be breaking records in the 100-fly, they are winning gold medals . . . in grooming! On Oct. 1, the AKC-sponsored U.S.A. team participated in the World […]

The newly-opened AKC Museum of the Dog in New York City makes Manhattan a must-visit destination for dog-lovers. But what other dog exhibits already exist around the city? You can easily spend an entire day at these New York City dog tributes — you might even need a weekend! While all eight locations are sure […]

Dog owners are always thinking about their dogs' health and physical activity plays a big part in that. While light walks and pee trips are a regular part of having a dog, keeping your dog active can help improve their overall physical health and get out any restless energy. It can even help prevent or […]

Do dogs understand the meaning of words? Recent research on dog cognition has shed light on what dogs comprehend about human language including their understanding of words used as object labels.

How do Juniors who don't own dogs show? The AKC Junior Pilot Program allows Junior Handlers to show dogs they or their immediate family members don't own.

The AKC Museum of the Dog will feature Constance Bannister's work starting July 9. The new exhibit is titled "Women & Dogs in Art in the 20th Century" and will highlight several female artists. That great comedian and curmudgeon, W.C. Fields, warned of the perils of sharing the stage with animals or children. Both, he […]