The Vizsla was developed in Hungary centuries ago as both a versatile hunting dog and a devoted companion, and the breed today retains those combined qualities. Vizslas typically love to do things with their owners, and they’re curious and interested in all kinds of activities. Vizslas are athletic and exuberant. (Bob Holmes/AKC Photo Contest) With […]

If you happen to have a Sheltie for a family member, you know these ten things to be true... 1. They are famous for their Sheltie smile.   2. They are so smart. They are always learning new tricks and trying to outsmart you (and sometimes they succeed).   3. They are the best watchdogs. […]

A common problem but an annoying one: Your dog is well-behaved when you're home, but as soon as you leave, he can't seem to keep his mouth shut. It's driving your neighbors nuts. Instead of being ousted from the neighborhood, try these tricks, courtesy of Mary Burch, Ph.D., AKC's Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Director, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. […]

Is your dog ready to go viral? Help show him off to the world—either in a YouTube video or a photo contest—with these photography tips.  1. Train your dog. Everyone has seen those great videos of Border Collies herding, catching Frisbees, and doing tricks like dancing, drawing, and loading laundry in the dryer. Amazing tricks are […]

We all know one of those dogs. He’s the one who’s welcome everywhere. He brightens everyone’s day, whether he’s performing tricks, prancing in a show ring, walking down the street, or soothing the spirits of an ailing child. He’s the kind of dog you never worry about, even if you leave him in the kitchen […]

Since Maggie entered into the phase of life known as senior, thoughts that I never dreamed I’d have keep floating through my mind, thoughts like: * I love my sponge mop, so, so much. * The world is a better place because of the existence of seven-foot-long, washable, waterproof hospital pads. * Whoever it was […]

ASK AKC Dear AKC: I have a cute yellow Labrador Retrievers and I want to try and get him into magazine ads or even TV commercials. He is definitely a sight to see. How can I get him into show business? —Hollywood-Bound Hound in Houston Dear Hollywood: There are many different factors to consider besides just "being […]

If you want to improve your skills as a dog trainer, one way to do this is to get plenty of experience training dogs of all shapes and sizes. Since most of us are not in a position to have a house full of dogs of multiple breeds and sizes, a good way for trainers to […]

Papillon celebrates 100 years in AKC Stud Book In 1915 the AKC registered an itty-bitty dog named Joujou, its first Papillon. In the 10 decades since, the small breed with the big ears has beguiled American owners with its sunny personality and surprising athleticism. This year we welcome the Papillon, along with the Flat-Coated Retriever, as […]

AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainer Milena Barreto has taught her Standard Poodle, Phoebe, dozens of tricks and the two often entertain on their therapy dog visits. Here, Milena tells us how to teach your dog to go Under the Bridge! This is a fun and easy trick to teach your dog. Your dog learns how to crawl under your upraised […]