ASK AKC   Dear AKC: How many litters are too many for one dog? I met this lady yesterday who has her female on the 4th litter. Granted, the dog is old enough to have this many litters, but I am curious if there are any noticeable characteristics in a puppy from the 3rd or 4th […]

Nothing is more fun than introducing a litter of puppies to the world. Interactive playtime with balls, squeaky toys, climbing obstacles, and games of hide-and-seek helps puppies put their best paw forward on socialization. Add in children and seniors, backyards and basements, carpet and concrete, and puppies will be well on their way. Puppy socialization focuses on that sliver […]

Breeders – experienced and inexperienced – will benefit from monitoring their newborn pups for the following parameters. These parameters have been modified based on recent research gleaned from Neocare in France. Assessing and monitoring specific numbers can be very helpful in early intervention with newborn pups, and managing these will help prevent loss of these […]

ASK AKC Dear AKC: My Bulldog will soon be having her first litter. What should be included in a puppy kit for the new owners? -- Novice Breeder Needs Dear Novice: A great way to insure a new puppy's continued success with their new family is to provide an abundance of resources for each new owner. As a longtime […]

Welcoming a new litter of puppies into the world is very rewarding, but dog pregnancies can be confusing and stressful, as well as time-consuming and costly. If you are considering breeding your dog, there is so much information that you need to know. You should be familiar with your breed's standard and individual breed health test […]

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 […]

Avoiding malnourishment of a bitch from the pre-breeding phase to parturition is vital to the health of both the bitch and her pups. We are all aware that good nutrition and proper prenatal care play important roles in ensuring the birth of healthy human children. The same is true in ensuring that our canine friends […]

Multiple-sire litters are not new to breeders, yet they represent less than 1 percent of AKC registration statistics. But why? The practice is rooted in science, and with DNA testing being commonplace, why not hedge your bets? Still, historically, breeders have shied away from the practice, which, while appealing, is not without controversy. Accidental breedings […]

Paid Advertisement The role of dog breeders in determining whether a puppy achieves his or her potential cannot be underestimated. Many factors that occur early in a puppy's development impact quality of life and ultimately affect aging and longevity. Newborn Puppy Care "Proper care of puppies includes many things," says Melanie A. Barnes, DVM, head […]

Below you will find recording links and resources for webinars that aired in 2021. Once you click the recording link, you will be asked to enter your name and email address in order to access the recording. Webinar Topic Recording Link Resources Getting Puppies Started Right for Detection Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 7:30pm EST […]