"If I could get one idea across in my teachings, it would be that hair and fur are different and must be treated differently." So says Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins, a Certified Master Groomer with more than four decades of experience. But how do dog hair and fur actually differ from one another? Do Dogs Have Hair […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2022. The 2022 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin has a new record-breaking entry. Five thousand three hundred eighty-five (5,376) dogs will compete for the title of America’s National Champion on December 17 and 18, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events, including the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, the […]

For people, there are few things more refreshing than an ice-cold glass of lemonade. In addition, lemons are high in vitamin C and fiber; using them while cooking can be a healthy way to add flavor to your favorite recipes. But can dogs eat lemons? No, and here's why. Are Lemons Safe for Dogs? While […]

Parent Club Best Practices Mission Statement Welcome to the Best Practices resource documents and links created by the Parent Club Best Practices Committee. Our committee was formed in the early months of 2020 and represents the collective efforts of nearly a dozen AKC Delegates, Parent Club Presidents or Officers and AKC Staff. Our overarching goal […]

It was just a little town in south Texas until May 24, when 19 children and two teachers lost their lives in a horrifying act of gun violence. Then, everyone was talking about the nightmare in Uvalde. Within a day, Therapy Animals of San Antonio’s CARE (Crisis Animal Response) teams were speeding to the site, […]

Chances are, eons ago, one of your parents sat you down, all strained smiles and adult awkwardness, and had that “birds and bees” talk. But did anyone ever have that same conversation with you about your dog? If you’ve decided to get into casual breeding, you need to know how to tell if your bitch […]

Have you just opened a pack of sticky, plump, and delicious dried dates? You might wonder if your dog can partake in enjoying these sweet, fiber-filled snacks. While dates aren't highly toxic for dogs like grapes, that doesn't mean dates should be a go-to treat. Learn more about how dogs can eat dates and the […]

Is this a whelping emergency? Am I jumping the gun? Am I waiting too long? Are the puppies in danger? Is the dam in danger? What should I do? Does she need a C-section? There's not a breeder alive who hasn't agonized over these same questions during a whelping. But take a deep breath, calm […]

Corn is a common and much-maligned dog food ingredient. But, just because corn in dog food is cost-effective, it doesn't mean it's worthless.