By Karla Deithorn, Executive Field Representative When a terrier or a Dachshund does not progress through the levels of Earthdog tests to the owner's expectations, a common question asked is whether or not you need to train the dog for the tests. There are a wide variety of opinions on this subject and that is […]

At all Beagle Field Trial Rules Judges Seminars for the Small Pack Option/Gundog Brace formats and regularly at beagle field trials we have a lengthy discussion on the "Deer Rule". What we are really talking about is the American Kennel Club BEAGLE FIELD TRIAL RULES AND STANDARD PROCEDURES FOR BRACE, SMALL PACK AND SMALL PACK […]

July 1, 2013 Pre-Open and Pre-Utility Classes *The jump height is to be set at ½ the height of the dog at the withers, rounded to the nearest multiple of 2 inches. The Broad Jump will cover a distance equal to twice the height of the High Jump setting for each dog. For example: In […]

THE FOLLOWING DOGS HAVE EARNED VCD TITLES ON THE DATES LISTED BELOW: Versatile Companion Dog 1 (VCD1) 1/10/2010. GCH CH Gebeba Clancy Poetic Justice VCD1 RAE OA AXJ, PBGV Owned by: Megan Esherick/David Esherick/Betty Barth/George Barth of LEESPORT, PA. 1/16/2010. CH Sunbreak's Rainman Of Hapines VCD1 RN MX MXJ NF, SPAN-ENGCKR Owned by: Cathy Dutra of NEWARK, […]

THE FOLLOWING DOGS HAVE EARNED VCD TITLES ON THE DATES LISTED BELOW FOR 2012: VCCH 3/25/2012. TC OTCH CT Outburst Chasing Butterflies UDX RAE HSAds HSBds HIAds HIBd HXAds MXB MJB NAP OJP, BRDR COLLS. Owned by: Gerianne F Darnell of COUNCIL BLFS, IA. VCCH 6/2/2012. VCCH MACH3 Redwoods Sea Fox UDX3 OM3 RE MXC MJB2 MXF THD, […]

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? […]

Saturday, April 30, 2011 and Sunday, May 1, 2011 By Bonnie Hidalgo, AKC Executive Field Representative Saturday April 30 The Running was postponed until Sunday due to wet and dangerous riding conditions. Sunday May 1 FC/AFC MNL Rimrock's Desert Sand (Mac) GSP M Casten Pigman owner & handler DC/AFC Megasmoke Limited Edition (Ted) B M […]

All dogs have skills and instincts that come naturally, whether it’s running, hunting, or chasing. If you’ve ever wondered how good your dog’s natural abilities are, you might consider a low-stress, non-competitive test where each dog runs individually to measure performance. Lure Coursing In this event, Sighthounds chase a mechanized, white plastic lure around a […]

The variety of the Dachshund breed is mirrored in the vast differences we see in the Dachshund field trials across the country. From the level, open terrain at the Lone Star Dachshund Conservancy Grounds in Ladonia, TX to the olive groves in Chino, CA to the steep hills in Vacaville, CA to the rolling hills […]

  Barn Hunt events may be held in conjunction with AKC events provided they are held "separate and apart". Separate and apart means there must be a clear demarcation between the two events. The clear demarcation can be achieved in a number of ways --- Different times -- Starting the Barn Hunt event after the […]

It is generally acknowledged that the first Basset Hounds came to America from France. George Washington's friend Lafayette sent him hounds for pack hunting in America, and these hounds were probably the so-called Old Virginia Bench-Legged Beagles. Other imports in the early nineteenth century were obtained from France, but some also came from British packs, […]

An Introduction to Bassett Hound Field Trials by AKC Field Representative Jim Odle Just An Old Trophy by Doug Ljungren and Dan Hoke Introducing the Hunting Test - A Performance Event by Thad Makowski, BHCA Hunt Test Chairman

By AKC Field Representative Jim Odle Bassett Hound Field Trials are exciting and a lot fun for the hound and huntsman. These events date back to the 1930's. Basset field trials are designed and conducted for the purpose of selecting those hounds that display sound quality and ability to the best advantage. Shortly after the […]

In Dachshund field trials braces of dogs are put on the scent line of a rabbit or hare and judged on the quality of their work on the scent line. The Dachshunds should never appear to be running haphazard but rather should display sensible and efficient actions with an intense enthusiasm for hunting. The dogs […]

AKC appreciates the time that was taken to complete the survey about Junior Showmanship.  We will be including results throughout the next few issues of the Junior Newsletter.  We appreciate the comments and suggestions and are pleased to share the following with you.  The AKC Board of Directors approved Reserve Best Junior at the February […]

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 […]

I first became interesting training dogs from duck hunting! I met Mr. Tyler Kohen owner of Southern Duck Dogs when I was in the process of looking for a great duck dog/pup. Mr. Tyler took me under his wing teaching me all dog training and obedience abilities and how to have my dog AKC Hunt […]

Emilio has been a part of Delta’s training since the day he helped pick her from the litter in September 2013.  Emilio and his two younger brothers, Josh and AJ, quickly learned to become “bird boys” for their father Scott during their daily training routine.  A “bird boy” is simply a person that throws birds […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

Sunday, July 12, 2009 -- Beaver Dam, WI History was made today as the first Airedales to ever enter a Spaniel Hunting Test got the breed off to a successful start. Airedales became eligible to enter the Spaniel Hunting Test program on July 1, 2009. It didn't take long for Mark and Karen Werner of […]

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 Senior Field Rep Tom Meyer January 1st, 2012 marked the entry of the Flat-Coat Retriever into the Spaniel Hunting Test program. The Spaniel Hunting test program is a demonstration of a breed's usefulness in finding, flushing and retrieving upland game. This is one of the functions for which the Flat-Coats were bred. This is […]

By Wayne Bleazard, Executive Field Representative Most ten year old girls are interested in the latest styles and fashions and Justin Bieber! Kelsey Deuth's ideas about important things focuses on the animal kingdom. She LOVES all animals, especially dogs, and enjoys helping Kim and Doug Shade, a professional trainer from Oregon, at their kennels. She […]

  Somewhere above us is a Mount Olympus of dog-show gods—“god” is, after all, “dog” spelled backward—whose favorite form of entertainment is lobbing disappointment and defeat to the leash-clutching mortals below. Instead of thunderbolts, these diabolical divinities rain down all the vagaries that test the soul of the purebred dog fancier: That once-in-a-lifetime sire that […]

As you sit around your tree enjoying the presents delivered overnight, we can't help but think Santa's reindeer have it kind of easy. Fine, so one night a week, they lead Santa's sleigh around the globe, but these breeds of sled dogs reliably pull their weight all year round in some parts of the world. […]

We can only make informed decisions if we glean information from our experiences as breeders—including some that are heartbreaking. The most important dog you own is not the one who won the most ribbons, produced the most champions, or sleeps in your bed. It’s the one who just died of something other than old age, […]

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 […]