Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Chicago’s top spot in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC®) 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The Labrador Retriever was also recognized as the #1 pup in Washington, D.C., Seattle, and Boston, among others. The Labrador Retriever held strongly to the #1 spot in Chicago, […]

With nice spring weather not far away, many dogs will be spending more time in their backyards. What’s one of their favorite outdoor pastimes? Digging! Here are some ideas to help you and your dog agree on landscaping decisions. First, some of the reasons dogs dig: To pursue animals like moles, chipmunks, gophers, and rabbits. […]

Responsible breeders do everything they can to keep their puppies safe and healthy from before they were born until the day they leave their kennel. Around 8 to 12 weeks old, the puppies depart from their breeder, and their new lives begin in their meticulously, hand-picked homes. By discerningly choosing the right family for each […]

If you're reading this...you're probably someone who loves animals, especially dogs. And at AKC's eighth annual Meet the Breeds event, Piers 92 and 94 were packed full with dog lovers of all kinds. Families, breeders, agility competitors, and more all came out to NYC to meet different dog and cat breeds and work together to […]

Cold weather and the scattering of snow bring out “the frisky” in a lot of our dogs, but some breeds thrive and even excel in frigid conditions—many of them Nordic spitz-type breeds. Here are seven reasons why these breed types are so well adapted to arctic-like weather. 1. Big or hairy paws act like snowshoes […]

Feelings of envy and jealousy are common in social settings. You might say it’s the art of counting the other person’s blessings instead of your own. Some scientists don’t believe that dogs can feel these emotions. A different view came from a dogsled racer I met outside of Dawson City in Canada. He was getting […]

An athlete looking for a companion to tackle endurance sports is going to need a dog breed that can keep up physically and mentally.

Unless you live in Finland or happen to have reindeer that need herding, you may not be familiar with the Finnish Lapphund. If you do know the breed, you know what wonderful family dogs they can be. Smart and eager to please, Lappies are naturally submissive with people and great with children. Already one of […]

The tradition of picking out a Christmas tree as a family can be a highlight of the holiday season. But the task of transporting the tree from the farm to the car can turn the event from fun to frustrating. A group of Newfoundland breeders has found a solution that’s both practical and entertaining to […]

Every year in December (or January for a few years) since 2001, dog owners from around the world come together for the American Kennel Club National Championship presented by Royal Canin. This year, the event takes place in Orlando, Fla., with a nearly week-long series of events culminating in the Best in Show finale. Starting December […]

Rover.com released their annual list of top dog names this weekend. In addition to seeing the classics remain in the top ten, they also saw an increase in pop culture dog names, dogs named after powerful women, and food names. The top ten names for male dogs are: Max Charlie Buddy Cooper Jack Rocky Bear […]

Want to get away from the cold winter weather as the holidays approach? Planning a trip to warm and sunny Orlando, Fla.? Or maybe you live in "The City Beautiful," and are looking for new and fun activities for your weekend. No matter what your situation, we've got just the thing to do in Orlando […]

Dedicated to the Schipperke breed, professional breeder and handler Krista Nuovo-Roe of DeLamer Schipperkes has been involved with dogs since she was a child. Since then she has grown into a serious competitor who has worked extremely hard to produce champion dogs. While Nuovo-Roe began working with a different, much larger type of breed, the […]

Why do dogs crawl under the covers? For some dogs, it's a burrowing instinct. For others, it's a fear and anxiety-driven behavior.

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) joins the world of online learning with the launch of AKC Canine College -- an initiative that will extend robust, interactive learning content to breeders and judges, adding subject matter for groomers and trainers in the near future. Anyone interested in learning more about the dog world will find a […]

Right now, they’re pudgy puppies, drawing attention for their cuteness. But as they grow, these five Alaskan dogs will be trained to work as a team of sled dogs at the Denali National Park and Preserve. The puppies, named Cupcake, Happy, Party, Piñata, and Hundo (in honor of the park’s 100th anniversary), are cared for […]

The first time you see a Sussex Spaniel, you might think you’re looking at a Cocker Spaniel in a fun house mirror. They have a definite resemblance, but the Sussex is shorter, longer, and heavier, with a muscular and solid build. Here are some interesting facts about the Sussex Spaniel. 1. The Sussex Spaniel is […]

Dogs have made their way through pop culture over the years, in headlines, television, movies, books, and more. Whether you need some name inspiration for your new furry friend or want to enjoy some nostalgic trivia, here’s a list of some famous dog names from A to Z. Astro Astro, a Great Dane, was the […]

Your dog has spotted a squirrel and is running after it in the direction of the road as a truck is barreling toward him. You yell, “Come!” as loudly as you can. What happens? Does your dog pivot and run back to you, avoiding a potentially life-ending injury? Or, does he make the ultimate mistake […]

Is it us, or are jokes about dogs a lot funnier than others? We’ve compiled a list of some of the funniest dog jokes we could find, guaranteed to make you chuckle. Enjoy! Why do dogs always race to the door when the doorbell rings? It’s hardly ever for them.   Q: What kind of […]

Dogs young and old can be comical from time to time. From tricks and talents to everything in between, it’s always fun to watch their silly and smart habits captured on camera. Get ready to laugh with some of the funniest dog videos we could find. Note: All credit goes to original video owners. Say […]

In honor of Check the Chip Day, we wanted to share some great lost-dog recovery stories courtesy of AKC Reunite. These dogs all went missing, but were eventually found and reunited with their families with a little help from their microchips. Meet Monroe, the French Bulldog.   Monroe snuck out the front door and was […]

To most people, training a dog begins and ends with commands and equipment. They never think that developing a relationship with their dog through training is possible, let alone critical. But by forming a relationship with your dog through an activity like training — rather than only from cuddling on the couch or slipping him […]

Dry skin on dogs is frustrating for dogs and owners alike. If dry, itchy, or flaky skin is making your dog uncomfortable, here is what you need to know.

  Chicago is a pooch-friendly place, with no shortage of activities that dogs and humans can enjoy together. Here are seven fun things to do with your furry friend in the Windy City.   1. Go To The Park Photo: Matt Stratton/Flickr Chicago has tons of parks where you can walk your dog on a […]

With the holidays behind us and a cold winter ahead, it is a good time to highlight the way dogs enhance our lives despite the frosty temperatures. During the festivities, young dog lovers across the country recorded their favorite moments with their canine friends. The contest, sponsored by the AKC Public Education Program, asked: What […]

Loyal, mischievous, and outgoing -- there's certainly nothing boring about Siberian Huskies. The popular breed has won over the hearts of many with their playful and friendly nature. And if you're a Husky lover, these images will look familiar:   1. They know how to work their best angles.     A photo posted by […]

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 […]

Helfgott-Turner Productions is in the process of funding their latest project, a movie called “A Little Magic: The Trish and Cinnar Story.” The feature film will tell the true Cinderella story behind the 1980 Westminster Kennel Club show, where young Trish Kanzler handled her mother’s red Siberian Husky, Cinnar, to Best in Show—a remarkable feat, […]

These bright energetic dogs got their name from their place of origin, a province now located in Germany. The name Pomerania means "land by the sea." Although tiny, with an ideal weight somewhere between three and seven pounds, according to the breed standard, this member of the Toy Group is actually related to heavier sled […]