AKC Breeder of Merit Stephanie Mazzarella has had Xoloitzcuintlis for 30 years. She and her husband live on seven acres outside of Atlanta, Georgia, and have a home in Florida as well. She has produced many AKC and international champions and trained Xolos as service dogs. Many Amoroso Xolos are also serving as therapy and […]

Rat Terrier "Shazam!" is a godsend to the Pautlers. He's also taking the Agility world by storm, competing at the 2025 AKC National Agility Championship.

From the Lone Ranger to Zorro, we know good guys can wear masks. But just try convincing your dog of that. As controlling the spread of the coronavirus becomes a paramount concern, the federal government has recommended – and some states have mandated – wearing face masks in public. While we humans have acclimated to […]

The love, time and patience that breeders put into each litter is evident by the well-tempered, healthy puppies they send home with excited new puppy owners. New puppy owners may not be well informed about the benefits of pet insurance and turn to their breeder for advice. To help breeders best advise their puppy buyers, […]

Most reputable breeders will require you to sign a contract before you bring your new puppy home. How do you know what's typical in a dog breeder contract?

AKC Breeder of Merit William Buell, III grew up in Western North Carolina. His mother and her mother always had a Chow Chow. Bill has, since he can remember, almost always had a Chow Chow in the home. When he was young, he had two that would find, hold point and flush grouse. Although he […]

Wondering how long dogs are in heat? Learning about the length of the cycle stages will help you provide proper care and prevent unplanned pregnancy.

How often do dogs go into heat? What does a dog's heat cycle look like? Learn more about the signs of a dog in heat, and how to care for dogs in heat.

Click the links below to learn about AKC's Foundation Stock Service® Program. Foundation Stock Service® Program Home FSS Checklist - Updated May 2026 (PDF) FSS Acceptable Domestic Registries FSS Pamphlet - Updated May 2026(PDF) FSS FAQs FSS News Parent Club Best Practices First Certificate of Merit Earned for Miscellaneous Breeds How to Count Certificate of […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2019 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. Connecticut – AKC GR has learned that the state department of agriculture has compiled draft regulations overseeing […]