If you combine dogs with Disneyland, what do you get? Literally the happiest place on Earth. Four puppies from the non-profit Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) recently took a trip to the California-based theme park as part of their training. "It’s great socialization for the dogs since they get to be around all the different […]

The Maryland Legislature has approved a bill which will prohibit retail pet stores (defined as any “for profit establishment open to the public that sells or offers for sale domestic animals to be kept as pets”) from selling any dogs or cats.  Instead, they would only be allowed to “showcase” animals available for adoption from […]

There is an unspoken line that seems to divide dogs and cats — and sometimes even "dog people" and "cat people." The idea that dogs dislike cats, or vice versa, is so pervasive that it's almost a cliché. But is there any truth behind it, or is it just another dog myth? Do Dogs Hate […]

Susan S. wrote to ask what is the best way to teach her Field Spaniel puppy to stay. To teach your puppy “stay,” the most important thing to remember is to take it in baby steps. Too many owners make the mistake of turning it into an endurance contest: how long can the puppy stay […]

State Issues: News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2018 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC.  Alabama – SB 232, among numerous other provisions, establishes procedures by which a dog can […]

In the last 27 years, things have changed dramatically. Facebook launched, Apple took over the mobile world, the United States has gone through four different presidents, and the AKC launched agility, Scent Work, Trick Dog, and more. One thing, however, has remained the same. Since 1991, the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog breed in […]

One of the first things most people think about when adding a dog to their family is getting him trained. After all, training will make your new best friend well behaved, whether he's a family pet or destined for the competition ring. You have a lot of choices when it comes to training these days, […]

Photo courtesy Melissa Hampton Photography   A dog-show newbie says handling isn’t as easy as it looks, but it sure is exciting. In “Talking Sports” we present advice from high achievers in the world of dog sports. But in this edition, about conformation dog shows, we thought it would be fun to see the sport […]

Ever wonder how handlers get into conformation? Well, many of them start out in Junior Showmanship. And it turns out the kids have a lot to say! We chatted with 12 youngsters ranging from the ages of seven to 16 years at the annual Seattle Kennel Club (SKC) Dog Show at Centurylink Field on March […]

One crisp fall morning in 1967, Anne H. Bowes arrived at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Connecticut to find that the polo field where she always rode her horse was engulfed in a sea of yellow-and-white-striped tents. The dog-show bug bit her that day – hard – and the following February Bowes found herself […]