The phrase "go for the gold" certainly applies to Jada Sawhney. The 12-year-old junior handler has earned dozens of awards in dog sports with her two Golden Retrievers: Four-year-old Bentlee and 18-month-old Tallee. While she competes in Agility, Obedience, Rally, and Junior Showmanship, Agility is her favorite. "It's really fun to run with your dog […]

When the music starts Elizabeth McKibben and her Australian Shepherd Harper and her Border Collie Fanta come alive. The 16-year-old from Dayton, Ohio, and her dogs are active competitors in Musical Freestyle competitions. McKibben and Harper have earned their fourth Musical Freestyle Championship and Fanta is about to earn his first Musical Freestyle Championship. Bringing […]

To some, Kirby may look like a Pug, but he's not: this little Brussels Griffon is a Dog Star who will let you know who's boss. Bringing Home a Brussels Griffon Veterinarian Christina Coudret had never heard of the Brussels Griffon breed until a technician she worked with at a veterinarian clinic was fostering for […]

If you're interested in taking part in a low-cost and accessible activity with your dog, why not try the lesser-known dog sport of Treibball? Professional dog trainer Dianna Stearns is the President of the American Treibball Association (ATA). She explains that sport was first introduced in Germany by Jan Nibjoer, and then, in 2009, a […]

Middleburg, Virginia—Paintings from the American Kennel Club collection will be part of the National Sporting Library & Museum’s “Side-by-Side with Gun and Dog” exhibition, celebrating three centuries of the unique partnership of hunter and gundog. The ambitious show contains American, British, and French "fur-and-feather" art on loan from the collections of the Adirondack Museum, Detroit […]

The regal Chow Chow has a fascinating history and many unique features. But did you know that they have blue-black tongues? Read on to learn more about this breed.

A third-generation handler from South Carolina, Ryley Kirkland first experienced the thrill of entering the ring at three years old. Now 15, Kirkland ended 2020 as the #1 Junior Handler in the country and has been in the top 4 Junior Handlers for 2021. Her dogs are Bullet, a Treeing Walker Coonhound (Ch Stackem Up Lutras […]

It’s good to be King. On Feb. 12, the Wire Fox Terrier Grand Champion Kingarthur Van Foliny Home was crowned Best in Show at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Purina® Pro Plan® at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The victory was nothing if not dynastic: Wire Fox Terriers are the […]

After starting at 10-years-old, Junior Handler Delana Eschenbach is a 13-year-old from Ohio, who will be participating in the 2023 AKC Rally National Championship.

AKC appreciates the time that was taken to complete the survey about Junior Showmanship.  We will be including results throughout the next few issues of the Junior Newsletter.  We appreciate the comments and suggestions and are pleased to share the following with you.  The AKC Board of Directors approved Reserve Best Junior at the February […]