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 […]

  Socializing puppies has traditionally been considered the responsibility of the new owner. We instruct new owners to take the puppy to classes and make sure they are exposed to a variety of people and situations. But recent research shows that encouraging a stable temperament can start even before puppies are born. Breeders can do […]

  A few short weeks ago, it felt like you had all the time in the world with your new litter, but now it’s nearly time for your puppies to go home with their forever families. The 6-to-8-week period is especially critical for meeting as many people as possible and experiencing as many stimuli as […]

The Welsh Terrier history shows how the breed developed from a rat hunter at home to a full-fledged show dog who still lives for the hunt.

Rinn Siegrist and "Saffron" the All-American Dog are competing at the Diving Dogs Teams Challenge. Saffy is the oldest dog at the 2026 event.

Breeding healthy, sound dogs that are good examples of their breed requires having a plan. Most breeders can tell you today which dogs they plan to breed together to produce their next two to three litters. “Breeding requires having a vision,” says Anita Oberbauer, PhD, professor of animal science and associate dean in the College […]

Learn why chewing on water bottles can be dangerous for dogs and what safe alternatives you can give your dog.

  You didn’t want your lowlife cousin to come to the party, but he came uninvited with your sister. Dog breeding can be like that. Some relatives can’t be avoided. Genotype, the genetic makeup of a dog, involves the extended family. My mentors taught me that linebreeding, the practice of breeding dogs who are somewhat […]

The AKC works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog program and the AKC Search & Rescue program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); North American Flyball Association (NAFA); and […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="K9 Ogar - Smith County Constable's Office, TX"] K9 Ogar, a one-year-old Belgian Malinois of Smith County Constable’s Office in Texas, was shot and killed while attempting an apprehension this past January. K9 Ogar and his handler, Deputy Constable Kevin Petty, were conducting a routine traffic stop when a vehicle fled, leading to […]