This training tip is contributed by Julie Kirkland of Swansea, IL, owner and trainer of OTCH Sophie Sparkle Gypsy UDX4 OM6 RN. Julie and Sophie, a former shelter dog, have made many achievements in Obedience, including winning High in Trial and being only the second All-American Dog team to earn the Obedience Trial Championship. They […]

It was a fiery tower of flame. Or so it must have appeared to the English Springer Spaniel whose body language made it crystal clear he was having no parts of this frightening sight. The incident took place many years ago at Canada’s prestigious “Show of Shows,” an annual event that pits the previous year’s […]

I’m a caricaturist. I draw funny faces. That is, I draw faces funny. It’s an important distinction. Any decent draftsman can draw a funny face; a caricaturist finds the funny in a nondescript or even beautiful face. And caricaturists who aspire to a certain level of sophistication, those of the "New York School" whose dean […]

There are times when it makes sense for a breeder to stamp more than just a "thumbprint" of influence on a breed. Dogs are generally thought to have descended from wolves. Kim Campbell Thornton's recent article "Looking Back to the Beginning" (AKC GAZETTE, September 1999) describes research that has determined, through DNA sequences, that the […]

General ConcernsWinter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind: Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors. Adequate shelter is a […]

Mental attitude plays an essential role in your physical response to stress and how you control your emotions. A positive attitude makes a great difference in you, and it can also mean a significant difference in your dog’s reaction to you and the show ring. While it is not possible to completely hide your nerves […]

He’s A PatchWork Puppy CDX CGC TDI OJP OAP OFP GN CD BN RAE Sheila Dempsey of Jane Lew, WV, wrote this special tribute to her amazing multi-titled All-American Dog, Patches, when he retired from competition at age 13 two years ago. Patches is now 15 ½ years old and enjoying his retirement, Sheila says. […]

By Bruce T. PaddockIt’s a well-worn cliché that dogs are “man’s best friend,” but surely there can be no greater act of friendship than to save a person’s life. Two different breeds, the Saint Bernard and Newfoundland, were developed to do just that. Rescuer of the Alps: The Saint Bernard There is only one pass […]

If the word "drafting" is unfamiliar to you, you’renot alone. It’s one of those dog sports that probably isn’t on the radar of the average dog owner. The basic definition is the act of pulling a cart or wagon. (And "carting" is often used interchangeably.) Some of the breeds in the Working Group were originally […]

PACH Reggie MXP3 MXPB MJP3 MJPB PAX OFP owned by Lee Sutherland of Columbia Station, OH Reggie was one of 10 puppies left in a box by a burned-out trailer and was lucky enough to be adopted by Lee. “I chose her because of her white back feet.  I wanted an agility dog and, knowing […]