In its ongoing pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our very best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our sport on a […]

The Italian Greyhound is many things, as well as a smaller cousin of the Greyhound. Learn more about this sleek, quick sighthound.

Even if, in your house, the term "dog bed" means any place your dog chooses to sleep, it's a good idea to provide one real dog bed. Whether your dog sleeps with you at night or in his own bed, this will be his very own special place to snooze, keep you company in the […]

AKE 20.4 1877-1969 EXTANT: 3 linear ft (in 2 flat boxes). Processed by Brynn White, 2016 Click here for a printable PDF of the collection finding aid   The collection is comprised of monographs and other print materials of collector Harry S. Peters, Sr., including a catalog for the first ever Westminster Dog Show and […]

AKE 20.1 c. 1880s-1930s [bulk: 1880-1910] 2 linear feet (in 2 document boxes and 2 oversized boxes) Click here for a printable PDF of the collection finding aid   The George Shephard Page papers include the records of the Page family's kennel, Dunrobin Kennels, which includes some of the first Scottish Deerhounds in America. The collection […]

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 […]

Much has been written about the need for socializing puppies at an early age, but sometimes even an experienced breeder might forget about this necessity, especially if it's been a while since they raised a litter. One of the things I’ve learned during my almost 50-year involvement with Italian Greyhounds is that this breed is […]

BREED 2015 2014 2013 Retrievers (Labrador) 1 1 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 2 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 3 3 Bulldogs 4 4 5 Beagles 5 5 4 French Bulldogs 6 9 11 Yorkshire Terriers 7 6 6 Poodles 8 7 8 Rottweilers 9 10 9 Boxers 10 8 7 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 11 12 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Forget what you think you know about winter dog sports. You don't need to own a team of sled dogs to enjoy dogsledding's simpler offshoot: skijoring.

Dr. Jerry Klein In early March 2015, there appeared to be a significant outbreak of Kennel Cough in Chicago. Our hospital, a 24-hour emergency and critical care facility, regularly sees a high volume of sick and injured dogs and cats. But what we were seeing in Spring 2015 was different. Suddenly, a large number of coughing, sick […]

Originally published in the AKC Gazette Almost all the spaniels and setters were developed in the British Isles—but of the AKC pointing breeds, only the Pointer has its roots in England. The rest come from all over Europe. European breeds are less specialized than those of the British Isles. None of the retrievers—developed as the […]

The American Kennel Club recognizes 184 dog breeds, and each was originally created for a reason whether it was to help put food on the table, guard herds, control vermin, or provide companionship. Most of these breeds are uniquely suited to do their job, and what follows is one such dog: Behold the perfect canine […]

With a joyful bark and bound, Philo, a 5-year-old Samoyed, pressed his shoulders against his padded harness. Behind him, a cart loaded with gray concrete cinder blocks slowly moved forward, as his handler called out, “Work, work, work.” On that day, Philo pulled a load of more than 1,800 pounds—winning the event at Doggie U […]

When people start training their dogs, "sit" is usually where they start. It’s an easy basic.  I've taught lots of dogs to sit! Then I got a retired racing greyhound.None of the usual methods worked; his back legs were pillars of unbending granite. No amount of luring or tricks would get him to fold those […]

There are times when it makes sense for a breeder to stamp more than just a "thumbprint" of influence on a breed. Dogs are generally thought to have descended from wolves. Kim Campbell Thornton's recent article "Looking Back to the Beginning" (AKC GAZETTE, September 1999) describes research that has determined, through DNA sequences, that the […]

With their soft, soulful eyes and silky, hanging ears, spaniels have timeless appeal. Ranging from lap-size to medium-large, all spaniels share common personality characteristics as gentle, devoted, tail-wagging companions who, if not in the field enjoying the delight of the hunt, want nothing more than to be with their human. Like a lady’s ringlets brown, […]

Finding an AKC Sport that Fits Your Mixed-Breed DogSince 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the dog-park bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? Here’s an overview of the competitions. Obedience Dog-and-handler […]

Dogs that can be considered of medium size can be found in most of the AKC’s seven groups. Whether it’s the energetic Shetland Sheepdog, the sporty spaniels, or the laid back Bulldog, there is a range of temperament and appearance within this size category. When considering getting a dog, size is a factor, but only […]

Big dogs equal big love and loyalty. Here are the large dog breeds that earn their place at the top of the size chart. Most people will know the Great Dane but what about the lovely Leonberger? When considering getting a dog, size is a factor, but only one of them. The dog’s personality, activity […]

Originally ran in the "Dogsport 101" column of AKC Family Dog Dog sports aren't only for purebreds. Since 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? […]

A few simple measures can keep your dog safe and happy through the winter.   Avoid Thin Ice Too often we hear stories of dogs that had to be rescued from icy waters (and those are the lucky ones). It might look like fun to slide across that frozen pond, but ice can easily crack and your […]

When a new breed is accepted in the American Kennel Club a special type of registration known as Open Registration, is available for a limited time. The American Kennel Club in conjunction with the Parent Club (also known as a national breed club) sets this time frame for the breed. Eligibility for Open Registration In […]

Daily Life Smaller dogs don’t necessarily need to work off loads of energy, so they are quite suitable for apartment life. But not all small dogs live to be lap warmers! Certain breeds like Dachshunds or small terriers would also love country life and the opportunity to run around on a farm. If your family […]

AKC Gazette, "Times Past"Through the 1920s and early '30s, a debate raged among Russian Wolfhound fanciers: Keep the breed name, or change it to "Borzoi"? Louis Murr, Gazette breed columnist and leading "Wolfhound" advocate, insisted that "any sane breeder can see why the name Russian wolfhound should be retained."   In his November 1928 column, […]

  Award Presented at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship  Debbie Butt of Toms Brook, Virginia was honored with the 2010 AKC Breeder of the Year Award for her Sporting Fields Whippets at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Sunday, December 5, 2010.  The annual award honors those breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament […]

New York -- In honor of Columbus Day on Monday, October 11th, and to celebrate the upcoming Meet the Breeds ™ event at the Javits Center on October 16th and 17th where pet lovers can meet over 200 breeds of dog and cat, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) celebrates the loveable breeds of Italian descent. […]

  – "AKC Breeder of the Year" to be Announced at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship – The American Kennel Club® announced today the seven group recipients of the 2010 AKC® Breeder of the Year Award.  The award honors breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs. "The AKC […]

Recently, both houses of the Iowa General Assembly passed versions of House File 2280, which seeks to provide for regulation of commercial establishments that handle dogs and cats.  The now–enrolled version of this bill provides the following: Major Provisions: With only one small change regarding racing Greyhounds, the bill continues to use the definition of […]