Puppies' eyes open at 14-21 days old, but their sight is still limited Hearing is the last sense that puppies fully develop — they can't hear until about three weeks old Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born — it is their strongest sense Puppies come tumbling into our lives full of […]

You've welcomed a new puppy into your home. Congratulations! Now what? In addition to enjoying snuggles, playtime and the challenges and rewards of puppy training, it's up to you to make sure your dog gets the right amount of food and exercise. Keeping healthy weight gain on track helps ensure a smooth transition from puppyhood […]

Many first-time puppy owners feel overwhelmed in the early weeks of bringing home their new addition. As a responsible breeder, there is much that can be done to alleviate some of the more common issues owners have with new puppies before you send your precious litters out to their new homes. Addressing common problems before they begin can set your puppies up for success in their […]

You've chosen a puppy, bought supplies, puppy-proofed your home, and established some household rules. Now it's time to bring your new puppy home. Of course you're excited and eager to start this new bond, but try to imagine what this is like for the puppy. He's just been taken from his mother, siblings, the only […]

She's a Grand Champion in the show ring, but Florin's more impressive title is Super Mom. The gregarious 4-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, owned by Layal Bouaoun, of St. Louis County, Missouri, is equally comfortable on the streets of Manhattan, as she demonstrated recently while competing in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, or on her […]

Puppies grow rapidly. At times during their rapid growth and development from weaning until approximately 4 to 6 months of age, puppies, depending on the breed, require about twice as much energy, or calories, per pound of body weight as adult dogs of the same breed and a higher nutrient intake to support their growing […]

Humans take years to develop. Dogs though, in our eyes, mature almost overnight. One morning you have an adorable little puppy on your hands, and the next your puppy is starting to act like a teenager, complete with mood swings and behavioral changes. Sexual maturity is an important part of this process, and it is something that we […]

A vet visit is not typically high on any dog’s list of favorite things. For some, it can be so terrifying that it's almost impossible for veterinarians to provide important care. As a conscientious breeder, you are in the best position to set puppies up for success during the many vet visits that all dogs will make throughout their lives.  The things that you are already doing […]

Coronavirus concerns did not dominate headlines when Beci Beasley boarded a plane for Canada in late January. Traveling with the North Carolina resident was her cherished Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Sunny, who had a long-awaited date with a carefully selected stud dog. “I had been waiting two years to do this breeding," Beasley said. "There […]

Editor's Note: Beginning June 1, 2020, dogs under the age of four months may not receive a title for AKC Trick Dog or Canine Good Citizen in order to emphasize AKC STAR Puppy and socialization. Once puppies reach four months old, they are free to participate in Trick Dog! What's a dog to do while waiting […]