In honor of start of Movember, we're putting wags and whiskers centerstage. Here are six stately dog breeds that boast some seriously awesome beards.   Airedale Terrier: Look at at those muttonchops! No wonder he's called the "King of Terriers."    Miniature Schnauzer: Who can resist the bushy beard (and, seriously, the EYEBROWS) on […]

If you're stuck on what to name your dog, you may want to check out this year's list of top dog names from Rover.com. The list was created using information from the online dog-boarding service’s database. Many of the names align with the list of popular dog names AKC compiled earlier this year from the information of dogs […]

Each year there are hundreds of exhibitors who leave the ring unhappy about the placement of their dog. Some are disappointed because they did not win others because of a comment made by the judge. Here is an example of a comment that will upset many owners and handlers. "I liked your dog but it […]

Photo courtesy of JLFurtography All across North America, dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages, are taking part in a team sport designed to encourage burning off energy through running, jumping hurdles, and catching tennis balls, all within a short amount of time. If this sounds like something your super quick, smart, energetic dog might be […]

The author of “No Pet Left Behind” writes that dog owners can travel with their pets. In her book, “No Pet Left Behind,” Gayle Martz shares the invaluable information and tips she has picked up in her many years as a pet-toting jetsetter. The book covers preparation, training pets to accept a carrier, advice for emergencies, […]

English painter Francis Barraud (1856 - 1924) was an honorable journeyman, an artist of talent but not genius. Yet in 1898, thanks to a typically curious terrier, he created an image more enduring than masterworks by many of his more celebrated rivals.Berraud s subject was his brother's faithful dog, Nipper, whose favorite pastime was peering […]

By Bruce T. Paddock Sometime back in the last century, I was living in New York City with my then-fiancée, a lovely woman who used to breed and show English Cocker Spaniels. She was no longer doing that, though, for two reasons. First, in moving to our ridiculously tiny apartment she could bring only one […]

Some dogs, just like good wine, age with grace. They are sound and wise and still have some spark well into their senior years, and through their endurance they have demonstrated value to the breed There are many advantages to using a quality older male as a litter sire. Not only do you know that […]

It’s not uncommon for a puppy to become so excited to see you that he accidentally leaves a puddle on the floor. Some dogs, no matter how well housebroken, suffer from what is called “submissive urination.” This embarrassing problem, for man and beast, usually occurs when the “pack leader” of the household comes home, and the […]

For a variety of reasons (including better nutrition, advances in veterinary medicine, and a more health-conscious American public) domestic dogs are living longer lives. As a result, veterinarians and dog owners are just now learning to manage an array of canine geriatric problems. For older dogs, three main factors can greatly influence longevity: Diet and […]

On Saturday and Sunday, August 15-16, the weekend of AKC obedience and rally trials at On The Run! Canine Center in Ham Lake, Minnesota, arrived—and with it heat and humidity, as is typical for this time of year. But that didn’t stop local dog folks from showing up early to help set up and run the annual Cambridge […]

By Joyce Hughes -- Event Secretary and PKC Treasurer The Coursing Ability Test (CAT) is a new AKC coursing event for all dogs -- purebreds and mixed breeds. It's an event filled with amusement, entertainment and comical antics from our beloved canines. Pocatello Kennel Club, Inc. in Southeast Idaho, held its first CAT Event in […]

  By: Stephanie Kennerley “Just how fast is my dog?” Many owners have found themselves wondering that at one time or another. The FAST CAT®, one of AKC’s newest events, offers an answer. Launched in March of 2016, the FAST CAT® is a variation on the Coursing Ability Test. In the FAST CAT®, dogs chase […]

First Dog to Earn MHA -- 'Battue' On March 17th, 2012 Battue completed the final leg of his MHA, Master Hunter Advanced, hunting title at the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Northern Sacramento Valley test in Rio Vista, CA to become the first pointing dog to accomplish this title. Battue is a five-year-old Vizsla bred […]

Growing Up In A GSP Family Ten-year-old Brandon Novoa, a 5th grader at Boston Valley Elementary in Boston, NY, has reason to feel proud: He recently put a Junior Hunter title on one of his parents' German Shorthaired Pointers. Active in school extracurricular activities such as the school newspaper, orchestra (playing violin), chorus and various […]

By: Emily Easton For the Eastons of Dallas, PA, dogs are a true family affair. Starting with their first Vizsla, Dallas, in 1996, the Easton family -- Ralph, Diana and daughters Laura, now 20, and Emily -- has participated in conformation, field trials and hunting tests. Emily is a 6th grader with academic goals to […]

Starting last year at the Eastern German Shorthaired Pointer Club's Hunt Test, Kaitlyn has scored a "leg" at almost every Hunt Test, finishing Sage's JH title in Delaware this past January. With guidance from her father, Carl Walsh, and also Mal Decker, Eastern Director of the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America, Kaitlyn has impressed […]

Luis Neves and Betinho do Choupal -- Our Road to Master Hunter -- July 30, 2012 I was born in Portugal and spent my youth hunting with my father and our dogs. It was there that I developed my life-long love of hunting. I moved to America when I was 18 years old. I continued […]

Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds were developed so people would have an opportunity to demonstrate a dogs ability to perform under actual hunting conditions. Judges should evaluate a dog's natural abilities as well as those traits obtained through training. Hunting Tests are for people of all ages, male and female and for dogs at least […]

By: Zach Simpson Zach Simpson is a16-year-old from Wadsworth, IL, who knows exactly what he wants for his future. An All Honors or Advanced Placement student, this Junior is heavily involved in competitive shooting as well as his Hunting Test activities with his Vizsla, Otis, who Zach trained and handled to his Master Hunter title. […]

By Lyle Johnson, AKC Executive Field Representative In Pointing Breed Field Trials, the gun dog stake is probably one of the most fun stakes for the judges to choose the winners. While the Open All-Age dog might be the prototypical "big running dog," the Gun Dog should be more in tune with the handler and […]

By Milton S. Holcombe On the weekend of April 18-19, 2009, the first revised edition of the AKC Advanced Judges and Handlers Seminar was held at Forest Lake, Minnesota. This seminar was sponsored by the Northern Flight Hunting Retriever Association and the Lake Country Retriever Club. Chuck Stokes was the lead person for Northern Flight […]

Forms & Applications Corresponding Date Table Search for Clubs Find Events Learn about your dog's Point Progression Record Searchable Judges Directory Seminar Listings Register your Dog or Litter Online Other Title Recognition Programs Online Event Management System Participants with Disabilities How To Form a Dog Club If you have questions or need help using these online […]

Once in a lifetime you may be lucky enough to share your life with a simply amazing dog that nature has smiled on and who excels in every way.  I am incredibly fortunate to share my life with such a dog, CH Rosewood Little Giant UDX VER RA MHU SH MXP MJP T2BP XFP DJ, […]

by Elissa Kirkegard Ch. Realta's Galileo CD TD SH MHU QAA CGC (IWSCA ALL AROUND RETRIEVER AND IWSCA WCX) Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks? Nine year old veteran retriever and hunting dog, Gali, owned and handled by Elissa Kirkegard, took to the spaniel hunt test game with gusto. This is the […]

First NAVHDA based club to host an AKC Hunt Test By Bonnie Hidalgo, Executive Field Representative A reciprocal agreement for dog registration between the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) was announced in July 2007. The reciprocal agreement makes it easier to register a dog with AKC if […]

By Jerry D. Mann, Field Director -- Sporting Breeds As I entered the grounds for the Mid-South Hunting Retriever Club fall hunt test near Bruce, Mississippi I hurriedly approached the contestants' sign-up area to obtain a copy of the event catalog and locate the running site of the Master test. It was with anxious anticipation […]

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 Junior Event Opportunities There are many fun events offered by the AKC in which juniors may compete. Most often juniors choose to compete in just Breed and Junior Showmanship classes. There are, however, companion events that are often held in conjunction with the breed shows that rarely have any juniors competing. These companion events […]

The Road to Crufts by Lauren Hull “FIRST GOES TO THE IRISH SETTER!” I could not believe it when I heard the words….I had won Best Junior Handler at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.  We all work hard to get there…we all hope to win…and then when it happens, it is just unbelievable.  And, if you […]