Most experts agree that as long as you do not suffer from dog-dander related allergies and your dog does not disturb your sleep, that there is no harm in having your dog as your sleeping companion. In fact, it can improve your sleep by making you feel more safe and calm - plus dogs can […]

Our new series will take one section from the Illustrated Standard for the Icelandic Sheepdog each quarter and provide that information in this column. Our first topic is temperament. We begin with the AKC standard, compare it to the home country’s standard, and end with comments made by breed experts. We hope you find this […]

June 16, 2015 On June 23rd the Washoe County Board of Commissioners will be considering changes to their animal control ordinance that will define commercial animal establishments and commercial breeders. Two separate ordinances are proposed. The ordinances will impose significant fees and burdens on small, local, responsible breeders. State law already defines and regulates certain […]

It is easy to understand how and why a singleton puppy would or could develop into being a dominant dog. Why not? The singleton puppy never had any littermates around to dissuade this notion. The singleton will always be the only being in his or her universe (other than Mom), unless he or she is […]

By William GivenIn any serious conversation about the future of our sport, we have to acknowledge the importance of our youth and the need to bring more young people into our sport. Today’s junior handlers are the “future of our sport.” They will be the exhibitors, breeders, mentors, professional handlers, judges, stewards, show chairmen, superintendents, […]

Golden Retrievers — We now have the benefit of “clearance” testing and the mapped canine genome that could help guide intelligent crossbreeding decisions and the possibility that new breeds might eventually be developed. In the 19th century, as gentleman farmers and sportsmen kept breeding records of their canines and began to exhibit the best of their […]

“We’re thrilled to welcome such a great selection of dogs to the AKC family,” said AKC Spokesperson Gina DiNardo.  “Each of these breeds is unique and will make wonderful companions to a variety of people.  We urge potential dog owners to visit akc.org and learn about all 187 breeds to determine the right dog for […]

Remi, Sassi and Anna love to go boating in the summer with owner Barbara Kappe and her family of Tinton Falls, NJ. Barbara said her canine crew loves to spend holidays and weekends on the St. Lawrence River. Many dogs love to go boating with their owners, but it is a good idea to get them […]

In 1990 I walked into an indoor arena at the CCA national specialty with my Collie Perry and tried something we’d never done before, we’d entered the Herding Test level of one of the very first AKC Herding Trials. Neither one of us had ever even seen sheep before! The judges helped us out, and […]

AKC Gazette breed column: Giant Schnauzers — The proposed AKC rule change to include an obedience path without group stays will provide an option for owners and handlers who are concerned about group-stay safety. Hopefully this is a question we will be able to ask ourselves when competing in AKC obedience. The creation of another […]