“HOLD STILL!” Telemedicine sounds easy—talk to your vet, never leave your armchair.  And sometimes it is. But sometimes it isn’t. Like now. Have you ever tried holding your dog while pulling his lips back to expose his rearmost molars while at the same time trying to aim your cell-phone camera at the tooth in question? […]

Seventeen-year-old Ariella Harris was the first person in her family to show dogs. Today she's the number one Junior Handler Doberman Pinscher handler in the country. Although she might be the first dog fancier in the family, Ariella's family members are no strangers to working with animals. As a third-generation horse-woman, Ariella is proud to […]

In the COVID-19 era, you better be careful when uttering the word fever. But rest assured, Biewer Fever is all about smiles and plenty of engaging inquisitiveness tossed in for good measure. Welcome the Biewer (pronounced Beaver) Terrier to the American Kennel Club’s full-fledged competition family in the Toy Group. As the AKC’s 197th recognized […]

COVID-19 has changed the way we live and the things that we are able to do with our dogs. But amidst all the cancellations and hardships, one bright light has been the expansion of virtual competition in dog sports, and the ability to participate in dog events remotely. One of the exciting side effects of […]

More than 100 competitors from 29 states and Canada submitted videos of performances for the 2020 AKC Trick Dog Competition. This 2nd Annual competition was a virtual event, open to Elite Performers, AKC’s highest level of trick dogs. The videos were then judged by three AKC licensed judges who selected the winners. The winner, it […]

Czarina Ellingson held her breath as she took the leash off her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Gatsby, at an Agility trial. She had decided that if he didn't obey her, Czarina would pick him up and walk him out of the ring — therefore willingly disqualifying them from their favorite dog sport. Gatsby — named after […]

Each year, the AKC Humane Fund pays tribute to five dedicated, hardworking dogs for making significant contributions to an individual or entire community. One award is given in each of the following categories: Uniformed Service K-9, Service, Therapy, Search and Rescue, and Exemplary Companion Dog. “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” –author Roger Caras […]

“Dog’s Best Friend: The Story of an Unbreakable Bond,” by Simon Garfield Talk about timing for a book release! Has there ever been a period in your lifetime when you felt more connected to your dog? COVID-19 has altered our lifestyle this year with work and study at home nonstop, which means we all need […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a lot more time at home with our dogs. That's meant more time for training, either on our own or with virtual dog training classes. One advantage of this at-home learning has been the lack of distractions. It's easier to teach your dog new behavior without anything disrupting their […]

Facing COVID-19, cancellations, and a torrential rainstorm, two Washington state all-breed clubs more than 200 miles apart worked together to put on a safe, five-day cluster. In 1995, the Seattle Mariners fashioned an incredible late-season run that catapulted them into the American League playoffs. In the process came the slogan, Refuse to Lose! On August 24, […]