You've probably seen a guide dog out and about, but you may have misconceptions about the incredible work these service dogs do. Here are a few things you may not know. 1. Guide Dogs Are Carefully Paired With Handlers Everything from a person’s lifestyle, hobbies, activity level, family, living arrangements, and other pets go into […]

From the time he was three weeks old, curled up with his littermates in a Minnesota breeder’s whelping box, Nathan made quite the impression on Janis Dibert, who had recently lost her husband Dennis. A Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever owner for 17 years, Dibert says, “Usually puppies are matched to you based on the information you […]

When it comes to communication, dogs are significantly better at interpreting our body language than we are theirs. Humans rely on verbal language more heavily than body language, whereas dogs are just the opposite. Unfortunately, this often means we are left scratching our heads, wondering what our dogs are trying to tell us. Shaking is […]

  This Friday marks the release of the Warner Brothers/MGM film, Max, which follows a Belgian Malinois who works as a military dog. When his handler is killed in action in Afghanistan, the dog, stricken with post-traumatic stress disorder from the loss of his handler, returns to the United States to live with the soldier’s heartbroken […]

Can dogs eat carrots? The answer is yes. Find out why carrots, in fact, can be good treats for dogs and how to feed them to your dog safely.

Anna Katherine Nicholas wrote of the Dalmatian, ““He holds the distinction of being the world’s only true coach dog, substantiated by the early engravings and drawings depicting the spotted dogs accompanying Egyptian chariots.” 1. “He holds the distinction of being the world’s only true coach dog, substantiated by the early engravings and drawings depicting the spotted […]

As a search-and-rescue dog, Heidi works with her owner, Anne Wills, to sniff out missing people, pets, and things. Heidi has assisted the local police several times, including once locating a robbery suspect. She's helped almost 2,000 lost pets get home to their owners. But her biggest find yet happened in February when she sniffed […]

AKC Government Relations continues to monitor the US Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2021 Legislation Tracking map and click on “Federal Bills” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of issues we are currently addressing on the federal level include:  U.S. […]

Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories Palm Beach County, FL – Palm Beach County Government is introducing a comprehensive animal care ordinance that has far reaching impacts for breeders. Among the 75 pages of changes, here are some of the highlights: (1) Expand the Definition of Commercial Breeder The […]

The AKC works with 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); the North American Flyball Association (NAFA); […]