Learning Objectives Students learn how artificial selection can be used to develop new dog breeds with characteristics that make the dogs capable of performing a desirable task and they “create” a dog that could be bred for their purposes.   Grade Levels 6-8   National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Standards: Construct an explanation based on […]

Art of Dogs Learning Objectives Students will compare two representations of dogs in a painting and a poem, noting the differences and similarities in the two representations, with reference to the time period within which each work was created. Grade Levels 9-10 Common Core Standards RL.9-10.7 Analyze the representation of a subject or a key […]

During 2020, we learned a lot about getting puppies and dogs to their new homes in a safe and affordable manner. As Americans adjusted to the “new normal” of working and learning at home, many people decided it was an opportune time to bring a new puppy or dog into their lives. We also discovered there […]

Can dogs think about themselves? Are dogs self-aware? New research suggests that yes: dogs do have self-awareness.

The PETS Act requires that household pets and service animals are included in any emergency preparedness operational plans by state and local authorities.

In today’s ever-connected world, your puppies’ families aren’t always the neighbors across town who found you in the local paper. Sometimes, prospective buyers will need to fly their new puppy home. To help them prepare, here are some useful tips and a travel checklist you can share with your puppy buyers. What Breeders Can Do […]

Weather, geography, and plenty of personal turmoil were all part of Sue Terry’s brittle landscape in 2022. And yet she and handler Starla Brewer found a way to get Finn, Terry’s beloved Karelian Bear Dog, to Orlando, Florida. There, the 12-year-old, 40-pound dog competed in the 2022 AKC Fast CAT Invitational, held in conjunction with […]

The earliest dog foods were our leftovers. The earliest commercial dog foods were made from ingredients deemed unfit for human consumption. That’s changed. Now, dog foods are increasingly competing with human foods as consumers of “human-grade” ingredients. This makes our pets’ environmental pawprints much larger than in the past; in fact, in the book Time […]

Alexis Chism and German Wirehaired Pointer "Greta" won National Owner-Handled Series Best in Show at 2025 AKC National Championship.

As a dog breeder, understanding the genetic underpinnings of the traits and health conditions in your breed is essential. One concept that often causes confusion is incomplete penetrance. This genetic principle can complicate breeding decisions and the interpretation of DNA test results. Let’s break it down with an example and explore how it might affect […]

Imagine a mild sedative before leaving home, a bandana sprayed with calming scents, a bunch of bacon snacks, and skipping the hour-long frenzy in the waiting room. From classical music wafting across the sign-in desk to licking peanut butter off the wall to act as a distraction from getting a shot, your dog’s typical freak-out […]

A new Listeria outbreak is affecting deli meats across the US. If you feed your dog deli meats, here's what you should know about Listeria and dogs.

Whether you have a puppy or a senior dog, the right flooring can make life easier. Explore durable, dog-friendly options for every home.

The best things come in small packages, as anyone with a small dog can tell you. Whether your dog is a little whirlwind like the Brussels Griffon, feisty like the Miniature Schnauzer, or as gentle as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, he deserves toys, treats, and gear made just for his diminutive size. Little Cuddler […]

There have been a lot of changes in the world since COVID-19 appeared. Every day we have to figure new ways to do lots of things differently to protect ourselves and our families. We have always had to think about how to protect ourselves from the bad guys.  We know the bad guys are always […]

Paid Advertisement Natural disasters are occurring on an increasing basis due to climate change. Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes—wherever you live you may experience one or more of these looming dangers and be forced to evacuate your home. The American Red Cross advises those who must leave their home during a disaster that the best […]

Wonder what your dog's New Year's resolutions are? Take a look at some behavior changes that may be on your dog's mind.

Miss Coco Rochelle CDX PCDX BN GN RAE THDN CGC owned by Jean Schaardt of Manahawkin, NJ Coco had a hard road in life, but is proof you can teach an old dog new tricks.  She spent the first seven years of her life in a Tennessee kennel and then was turned into a shelter, […]

1st AKC Coursing Ability Excellent: Creek Ridge Found in a Pickle CAX RN & Terry Lane of Peachtree City, GA Pickle was just a small puppy sitting in the middle of a road when Terry spotted him, stopped, and saved his life. “He was ugly and had adolescent mange. A friend of ours saw the […]

At its next meeting on Wednesday, January 28, the Jefferson Parish Council is scheduled to consider a proposal that will amend the parish’s ordinances that regard the humane treatment of animals. Several parts of the proposal are of concern to the American Kennel Club. Jefferson Parish residents are strongly encouraged to review the proposal and […]

Last month, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposed reissuing a rule to require that breeder/dealers, research facilities, intermediate handlers, carriers, and other animal enterprises subject to USDA licensing establish emergency/contingency planning in the event of a natural or manmade disaster or other business disruption. Under the proposed rule, […]

Today, the American Kennel Club (AKC) submitted comments to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding its proposed regulation updates that would redefine “service animal”  for the purpose of air travel. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel and requires […]

Yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the final adoption of a rule, effective January 3, 2022, that requires licensees under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA)—including breeder/dealers, research facilities, intermediate handlers, and carriers—to establish emergency/contingency plans in the event of a natural or manmade disaster […]

Today, as a comprehensive review of information published to its website continues, the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) posted inspection reports for some types of registrants it regulates.

As previously reported, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed to reissue a rule to require that breeder/dealers, research facilities, intermediate handlers, carriers, and other animal enterprises subject to USDA licensing establish emergency/contingency planning in the event of a natural or manmade disaster or other business disruption. HISTORY […]

THE FOLLOWING DOGS HAVE EARNED VCD TITLES ON THE DATES LISTED BELOW: VCD1 1/5/2013.  Eastern Waters' Makai Wind VCD1 BN RN, RET-CHES. Owned by: Doreen W Palmer/Gary W Palmer of COLUMBIA, CT. VCD1 1/6/2013.  Rogue Gaia Kuymal VCD2 HSAs MX MXJ MJB MXF, BEL SHP. Owned by: David Vesely/Joan Hagar of CORVALLIS, OR. VCD1 1/6/2013.  K-Tai Sey What? […]

The AKC® Humane Fund is proud to announce the winners of the 19th annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). These awards celebrate five loyal, hard-working dogs that have significantly improved the lives of their owners and communities. One award is presented in each of the following five categories: Uniformed Service K-9, Service, […]

Ten years ago, the American Kennel Club took a bold step with a communications campaign that became the catalyst for a new corporate effort – to clearly establish and reinforce the American Kennel Club as the authority and advocate of purebred dogs in the eyes of the American public.  Since then, AKC has made tremendous […]

Hello, everybody, and thank you for joining us for the second virtual meeting of our Delegate Body. The onset of Autumn is usually a time when we celebrate the return of events in cooler climates when the heat of the summer is replaced by the hint of turning leaves, and yet here we are, with […]

Regulations Highlights October 2020 Here are some highlights of state-level regulatory issues AKC GR has recently addressed.  Visit AKC’s Regulatory Resource Center for more information on these and other significant regulatory issues addressed by AKC Government Relations. Alaska – The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed changes to the regulations dealing with animal health, […]