Harry of SharonDale VCD1 PCDX GN RE OAP OJP has become the fifth mixed-breed dog to earn the AKC’s prestigious Versatile Companion Dog (VCD) title. The program honors dogs who earn titles in three of the AKC Companion Events: Obedience, Agility and Tracking. From being found wandering down a country road in fall 2008 as […]

Nutmeg BN RAE owned by Sarah Kreps of Muncie, IN Sarah brought Nutmeg home when the pup was 8 weeks old and had no plans to compete with her new dog. But when the puppy turned a year old, they started taking classes in competition obedience and rally. Nutmeg did so well that they entered […]

Ruby was a wormy, skinny puppy when Judy Finley of Edina, MN, adopted her from the local shelter. Once she got her health back, Ruby had a lot of energy so Judy thought she better channel it productively and took her to agility class. Ruby loved the sport and is now an AKC Agility champion […]

Shadow Earns Rally Title at 6 Months & Top Title by 2 Years Sandy River Casts a Shadow BN RAE, owned by Jan Treharne of Brush Prairie, WA, has been a fast learner since she adopted him at age 8 weeks. The Lab/Border Collie mix entered his first AKC Rally competition at age 6 months […]

Foster Puppy Returns & Jumps into Agility Ring Karen Powell of Frankfort, KY, fostered two littermates eight years ago and never dreamed that both of them would end up living with her permanently and having successful careers in AKC dog sports. Cody recently earned his AKC Preferred Agility Championship (PACH) through the AKC Canine Partners […]

This is the third in a series of profiles on the six top mixed-breed dogs that received the invitations to compete in the 2015 AKC Agility Invitational. The annual event takes place Dec. 11-13 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships in conformation and the AKC Obedience Classic. Mixed-breed dogs, known as All-American […]

Six-year-old Gianna loves nothing better than rolling around in the mud. The Dalmatian regularly spreads her muddy paw prints around the home of her owner, Paul Goulet of Cumberland, RI. While it might be aggravating to owners when their dogs come in covered in mud or other foul-smelling stuff, it makes perfect sense to the […]

By AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Elizabeth Sandling A therapy dog can bring much comfort and joy when visiting people in places such as retirement homes, nursing homes, hospitals, schools to help children with special needs, and visiting those who have experienced a stressful or crisis situation. A therapy dog's job is to make people feel […]

That is how Paula Kotowski of Santa Barbara, CA, describes her little rescue dog Riley, who is formally known in the AKC Canine Partners program as PACH Smiley Riley MXP3 MJP4 PAX. Paula adopted Riley when he was about 9 months old from a crowded Los Angeles shelter, where he had been brought in as […]

Rémi (light puppy) and his brother Wongwong (dark puppy) reunited for the second time after leaving their litter. The Labrador-Husky mix puppies are having fun with typical puppy play fighting! The puppies were 4 months old when this video was taken. Mixed-breed dogs are eligible for AKC events and programs through the AKC Canine Partners program.