Many of us originally selected our breeds based on general appearance, compatible temperament, and acceptable grooming and exercise requirements. While we each remain staunchly faithful to our breeds of choice, the time may come when downsizing, for whatever reason, becomes a desired option. Perhaps it’s a move to smaller living space or the inability to […]

We all know dogs we describe as amusing, entertaining, or downright hilarious. Dogs can make us laugh. But do the dogs, themselves, have a sense of humor? Do they know they’re being funny? Do canines find things amusing? Do dogs laugh, and if so, what makes them laugh? Is playfulness the same as a sense […]

Demonstrating the usefulness of a dog as a companion to humankind, AKC Obedience is a sport with rules, regulations, judges, conditioning, training, placements and prizes. Objective: Dog and handler teams are judged on how closely they match the judge's mental picture of a theoretically perfect performance as they execute a series of specified exercises. Accuracy […]

What is Agility? All AKC registered breeds may compete -- whether a tiny Yorkshire Terrier or a giant Irish Wolfhound. Dogs of all sizes run the same course with adjustments in the expected time and jump height. Originating in England in 1978, agility was designed to be halftime entertainment at the Crufts Dog Show. AKC […]

At the 144th iteration of the famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in New York City's cavernous Madison Square Garden, judge Robert H. Slay pointed to “Siba" the black Standard Poodle for Best in Show. That win — in an entry of almost 2,600 dogs — marked the fifth time one of these elaborately […]

For Devon and Randy Rauenzahn, it was going to be a typical Christmas week visiting family in Eastern Washington. "Typical" was not quite how it actually turned out. The couple, who work in Spokane and operate Heaven With a D Rescue in nearby Deer Park, found themselves suddenly in the middle of a large Shetland […]

Tuesday, February 4, 2020 This bill has been removed from the February 5 agenda and AKC Government Relations will update when developments warrant. Monday, February 3, 2020 The American Kennel Club is concerned with Hawaii House Bill 2163.  The bill, introduced by Representative Roy Mitsuo Takumi, seeks to limit the practices of surgical births, debarking, […]

Penny Kelley of Sandusky, Ohio, has had Icelandic Sheepdogs for 11 years. The dam of her first litter, Ch. Valhalla’s Heart O’ Gold, is the first Icelandic Sheepdog to earn an AKC championship (shown by Kelley) and is the mother of nine AKC champions, and six of those are Grand Champions AKC: How did you get started in breeding dogs? Kelley: I got started in breeding Icelandic Sheepdogs nine years ago after my first girl, Ch. Valhalla’s Heart O’ Gold (Stella), became […]

Adrienne Scott is an AKC Breeder of Merit who has realized a lifelong dream in her small hobby kennel, Prairie Crest Beaucerons, of Maysville, Missouri, devoted to preserving the centuries-old Beauceron breed. She has produced many champions and, through health testing, improving temperaments, and structure, she strives to produce the best Beaucerons possible. Adrienne has traveled […]

National Champion is First Toy Group Winner in the History of the Show GCH CH Pequest Wasabi, a Pekingese known as “Wasabi” triumphed over more than 5,200 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 14-15, 2019 in […]