The highest prize in the world of conformation dog shows is Best in Show at the AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin. Out of the 5,500 dogs that competed in the competition's 25th year, only one was crowed Best in Show. After an intense weekend of breed, group, and Best in Show competition on […]

What does your dog bring to your life? Companionship? Joy? Protection? How about inspiration? "Creative muse" might not be your pet's typical role, but research, as well as artists' and creators' lived experiences, reveal that this is just one benefit of having a dog. Dog Walks Boost Creative Thinking "All truly great thoughts are conceived […]

If you’re the owner of a senior dog or have a dog that is losing vision or hearing, you might not think it’s possible to continue doing dog sports. But participating in dog sports can help with both mental stimulation and physical exercise and can help strengthen that human-canine bond. There are plenty of senior dogs who are […]

We've done it again. In the 17th year of the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin the event has drawn record entry numbers. An entry of 4803 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 16 and 17, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events including the inaugural […]

Is Capitol Hill going to the dogs? The vote is still out, but on the first day of the public impeachment hearings in November, 15 certified therapy dogs and their handlers went to work in Washington D.C. Among them were two Samoyeds, 12-year-old Zamboni, and 8-year-old Spumoni, and Mac, a 4-year-old Boerboel. Unlike lobbyists who […]

Around the country, dogs and their humans are gearing up for the event of the year: the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. This means rigorous training as dogs nail those jumps, weave poles, and tire jumps—all while following a diet carefully designed for peak performance. We spoke to Dr. Catherine Lenox (DVM, DACVN), […]

For more than 30 years, Mike Woodson has bred pure-bred dogs. He is an AKC Breeder of Merit, and his dogs have won many honors in conformation and performance events. Woodson often gives advice to people getting started in the dog fancy. An educator by profession, he could easily teach a course on breeding quality […]

The Toy Fox Terrier has a unique distinction in being the only breed whose AKC standard implies that a fondness for televi­sion viewing is a breed trait. Don’t believe it? The introduction to the breed standard states that not only is the Toy Fox Terrier an athletic, bold, lively pup who will happily go to […]

At AKC shows, dogs are organized into 7 groups: Hound, Working, Sporting, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Learn about what makes each group unique.

Cold temperatures and inclement weather can make it hard to do normal activities outdoor with your dog. Learn how to keep your dog entertained indoors.