The 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Purina® Pro Plan® awarded one dog in each of the seven groups Best in Group. Some of these winning breeds, like the Wire Fox Terrier, have won their group 23 times. Yet others, like the Schipperke and Havanese, won their groups for the first time. Best in Terrier Group Best […]

Did you miss any of the camera-ready canines who lit up the screen during Sunday's big game? From avocados to beer, this year's Super Bowl ads certainly seemed targeted at dog lovers. Check out some of the four-legged stars from the dog Super Bowl commercials and see if you recognize their breeds. Afghan Hound - […]

It’s irresistibly cute. A dog with a head cocked to the side makes us smile, and it’s hard not to shower him with praise, pats, or treats. But why do dogs tilt their heads? Do they know how adorable they look, or is something else going on? According to Los Angeles-based certified applied animal behaviorist […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2019 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. Idaho – Senate Bill 1312 would increase penalties for any person who purposely injures or harasses a service dog or a service […]

2018 was another busy year for AKC Government Relations, its state federations, and responsible dog owners and breeders advocating for dogs.  Over 2,100 bills impacting animals were monitored by AKC Government Relations department.  Several new laws impacting dog owners and breeders were enacted over the past year.  It is imperative for responsible owners to ensure […]

  One of the most frustrating behaviors dog owners experience is digging. Many a garden has been sacrificed to the paws of a digging dog, and it can become a nuisance if it's not understood and managed. Understanding why dogs dig is an important tool in controlling the behavior, especially if the digging is only […]

The sport of AKC Scent Work® makes a game out of your dog’s favorite activity — sniffing. Scent work asks a dog to locate a hidden cotton swab scented with essential oil. Besides being incredibly fun, the sport has many benefits, and any dog, purebred or mixed breed, is welcome to compete. Why Try Scent […]

Dog owners are nothing if not fickle in their tastes. Breed popularity is cyclical through the years and, too often, based on a dog’s random star turn in a movie, TV commercial, or YouTube video (with little research done on the breed’s exercise and grooming needs.) What Happened to Afghan Hounds? Most people are surprised […]

Anyone who mentors newcomers to showing dogs knows the steps to follow on the path to success. Yet we may present the advice as if it were a script,  forgetting to take that occasional refresher course ourselves. The start of the year is an excellent time to get back to dog show basics and try […]

There’s a newly recognized breed coming to American Kennel Club all-breed show rings this year. It has both a tongue-twister name and a unique physique. Many confuse this breed for a Greyhound or a Whippet, but three owners set the record straight. Meet the Azawakh Meet the Azawakh (pronounced AH-ZA-WAHK), a tall, slender Hound originating […]