Imagine a look of determination on your dog’s face as he runs hard, nimbly making each turn. He keeps his eyes on you while scampering through tunnels, jumping over hurdles, and beaming with pride. The crowds in the stands cheer as you move together in perfect harmony. That’s the sport of Agility. It can be […]

2021 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL December 18 & 19, 2021 All Sporting, Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting Breeds and Junior Showmanship Competition  will be Judged on Saturday All Working, Terrier, Herding Breeds, Miscellaneous and Best in Show will be Judged on Sunday   The 2021 event will showcase the top canine […]

In 2009, my family received our first purebred Bernese Mountain Dog, Zack. Zack's breeder encouraged my older to get involved with Junior Showmanship, leading to my family's devotion to the breed and sport of purebred dogs. When I turned 9 years old, I began showing in Junior Showmanship with our Bernese Mountain Dog, Juliette. Throughout […]

This issue’s training tip is brought to us by Valerie Dietz of O’Fallon, IL. Valerie has learned through experience the importance of building confidence in her dogs. She has enjoyed much success with her dogs in several sports, including Agility, Obedience and Rally. She competed on the Ph.D. team, Teeter Tippers, in the AKC Agility […]

Children and teenagers are the future of the sport of dogs and responsible dog ownership. The more they learn, the more they will grow in dog sports and as a person. The values, attitudes, and responsibility learned while competing as Juniors serve children throughout their entire lives. Junior Showmanship Junior Showmanship offers children between the […]

CANINE PARTNERS SPOTLIGHT - MEET BREYON AND LIGHTNING – A TALENTED TEAM WITH BIG GOALS Breyon Gunn worked hard to convince his parents that he and his brother should have a dog, and he has more than proven to them that it was a great decision to add Lightning to the family. Little Lightning Bolt […]

Meet Alyssa Lanier: Dogs are a Family Affair Name: Alyssa Lanier Age: 11 Hometown: Ocklawaha, FL Grade: Sixth Family: Parents Chad and Jennifer Lanier; Brother, Zachary; Sisters, Brianne and Skyla Dog training started as a 4H activity for Alyssa’s older siblings. Alyssa tagged along and soon was training her own dogs. Now showing dogs is something the entire family participates in. Alyssa and Wrangler placed third in Novice A at […]

Photo by Clark Kranz  Kola is a rescue terrier mix whose favorite thing in life is lure coursing – a sport that allows dogs to release their prey drive. Dogs chase a lure – white trash bags – tied to a pulley system that moves it jerkily around a field. Most dogs love to chase […]

Buster J. Brown UD RE owned by Tom Kmiotek of Naperville, IL Tom found Buster in 2004 while walking in the woods in his area. It appeared the terrier-mix had been lost for some time; he was very thin, dirty and weak. Tom took Buster to a dog rescue group, which cleaned him up and […]

Gra’Nola Doodle CDX RAE OA OAJ AXP NF OFP THDX owned by Ingrid Schillebeeckx-Rice of Barnegat, NJ Nola’s career started as an animal assisted therapy dog in the ​ Little Egg Harbor School District. Nola worked with both the general and special education population, serving as a catalyst for therapists, teachers and counselors to accomplish […]