(Originally edited and written by A. Hamilton Rowan, Jr.; updated by M. Sue Richey from material submitted by Evelyn Monte Van Horn and Lisa Brown as cited in the Poughkeepsie Journal.) American sportsmen used Spaniels for hunting game birds and waterfowl long before there were Spaniel field trials. The Cocker Spaniel, recognized by The Kennel […]

Dear Rally Enthusiasts, We are pleased to announce the launch of a new Rally Ranking System. This system is designed to recognize the accomplishments of our Rally teams by highlighting participants in the Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent, Master, and Choice classes, as well as dogs who have earned the RACH title. There are two types […]

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 […]

This article originally appeared in the summer 2013 issue of the AKC Canine Partners News. Since that time, Diesel, now 4 years old, has added many other achievements, including earning the top AKC Rally title of Rally Advanced Excellent. His full name is now Tennessee Diesel Smoke CD BN GN RAE CGCA. The pointers and […]

The Washington Puget Sound area's Grief Support Dogs is a place where widowed people can talk about their experiences as widowed people. But dog sports brought them together.

Kreg Hill competes with two Australian Terriers in multiple dog sports.

"Going to the dogs" has a whole new meaning for Karen Scheiner, who practiced law for three decades but fell in love with dog sports along the way.

Meet Hungary’s russet-coated dog-of-all-trades: the Vizsla. While talking with the breed’s American fanciers, it seems the exclamation point and the Vizsla were made for each other. If this breed could talk (one of the few things it can’t do—yet) it would say things like “Yes I can!,” “Go for it!” and other such interjections that […]

The Irish Water Spaniel was one of the nine original breeds recognized by the AKC. Learn more about this versatile, water-loving breed's history.

Give GWPs A Chance A few years ago, Ariel Wolf had hardly even heard of the German Wirehaired Pointer. The Winston-Salem, North Carolina, native was born with a rare connective tissue disorder, resulting in issues with her joints, tendons, and ligaments. Wolf had benefitted from service dogs in the past, and she was seeking a new dog […]