When competing at the 2025 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup Sarah Maleski wants to enjoy every second on the dock with 9-year-old Australian Shepherd 'Freyja.'

If you have made the decision to breed your bitch, congratulations, welcome… and take a deep breath! You are about to embark on an ambitious, demanding pursuit. It requires time, study, hard work and emotional fortitude. Here's everything you need to know about preparing for your first litter. First Things First Because your puppy buyers […]

As a dog breeder, understanding the genetic underpinnings of the traits and health conditions in your breed is essential. One concept that often causes confusion is incomplete penetrance. This genetic principle can complicate breeding decisions and the interpretation of DNA test results. Let’s break it down with an example and explore how it might affect […]

Most dogs love spending time outside, and backyards provide a space for their favorite activities, like playtime and training sessions — not to mention the joys of fresh air, sunshine, and rolling around in the grass. But can dogs get all the exercise they need in the yard? Dogs Need More Than a Yard for […]

  AKC Breeder Spotlight: Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear about how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with AKC Breeder of Merit Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels in Zachary, La. Here, she answers questions about […]

A memorable trip to Germany gave Cynthia Heyman an opportunity to visit family, tour the Rhine River, and meet her dream dog, aptly named "Dreamer."

What is it about humans, senior dogs, and bucket lists? There's the well-known “Dream Weekend" commercial and the popular children's book Stay: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List, which both celebrate the ritual that some families with older dogs take part in — creating a “bucket list" of fun activities to do together. We've compiled […]

After my 2024 article, someone asked me to do the next New Year’s Resolution article from our dogs’ perspectives. So, I am going to put my best foot forward in an open and honest attempt to tell you what I think our dogs may want us to resolve to do in 2025! First, we must […]

Although your senior dog might not be chasing the ball as fast or as far as they used to, there are many ways to engage with them in safe physical activity.

"How do I view my dog's awards summary?" Go to the AKC Store: https://www.akc.org/shop/index.cfm Click on the Competitor Reports  https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/store/?view=category&cde_category=COMP Once that page opens - then click on Individual Dog Award Records and Points Progression  https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/store/?view=product&cde_category=DOG&cde_product=CMPREC If you have not yet logged in, you will be prompted to do so. After you have logged in, […]