Local/Other: Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in U.S. Territories The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to assist dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can't help unless we are aware of the proposal. Please contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org when new laws are discussed or […]

Calling all puppy lovers! The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is excited to announce the newest group of puppies for its “AKC Puppy Pack,” which will feature three puppies training for work that will transform the lives of their human companions - what’s better than that? The AKC will follow the endearing stories of all eight […]

Each October, hundreds of dogs and thousands of spectators flock to New York City's East Village to experience the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Variously described as "the biggest Halloween costume contest for dogs in the world" (CNN) and "barking mad" (The Guardian), the parade draws all types of dogs in costumes for the enjoyment of […]

Learning Objectives Students will tell basic facts gleaned from listening to conversations and stories about dogs. ELL Levels Emerging Materials Needed Two native English speakers (Canine Ambassador can assist) Lesson Introduction Students will listen to a conversation between two native English speakers about one person’s new dog. The Canine Ambassador can come in to facilitate […]

With nice spring weather not far away, many dogs will be spending more time in their backyards. What’s one of their favorite outdoor pastimes? Digging! Here are some ideas to help you and your dog agree on landscaping decisions. First, some of the reasons dogs dig: To pursue animals like moles, chipmunks, gophers, and rabbits. […]

Naming a dog can be serious business. After all, you'll be saying that name thousands of times over the years, and you want it to fit your dog's personality. But it can also be great fun, especially when you come up with clever wordplay, goofy long names, or a funny name that reflects your own […]

While every breed has a shot at winning Best in Show at any given dog show, there are some dogs whose stand-on-your-tippy-toes glamour simply makes them hard to ignore. And the Poodle, with his halo of perfectly coiffed fur and showy attitude (so distinctive that it has spawned its eponymous adjective – “Poodley"), is undoubtedly […]

Even though your dog's puppy years are far behind him, his need to play is still strong. Playtime provides senior dogs with mental stimulation, keeps their cognitive skills in tip-top shape, and helps them maintain a youthful personality. It's important to engage your senior dog in mentally challenging, age-appropriate play. Here are our picks for the best toys and games […]

Stone Age fossils suggest that spitz-type dogs resembling today's Keeshond co-existed with cavemen back as far as 5000 B.C. Images of dogs just like them appear on everything from ancient Greek wine jugs to the Great Seal of Amsterdam. Today, they are the national dog of the Netherlands. Historians have different opinions of how the […]

Among the marvels of human ingenuity is the way various breeds of dog were developed, mentally and physically, to tackle specific jobs. Consider the farmer’s eternal war against rodents and other burrowing mammals that devastate grain stores, raid henhouses, tear up fields, dig away riverbanks, and carry disease. As their number-one weapon in subterranean warfare, […]