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![rescue dog at shelter waiting to go home](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn-origin-etr.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/06140336/Mixed-breed-dog-at-a-shelter-waiting-to-go-home-1-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Lifestyle
11 Questions to Ask When Getting a Dog From a Rescue or Shelter
Rescuing a dog is exciting but can also be intimidating. Whether you’re looking at the local shelter or using a private rescue organization, there can be many dogs to choose from. Although you might be tempted to pick the first cute face you see, it’s essential to make an informed choice. Your goal is to […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/questions-to-ask-when-getting-a-dog-from-a-rescue-shelter/
| April 6, 2022
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Expert Advice: Agility
How to Watch the 2022 AKC National Agility Championship
Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country. It’s challenging, great fun for dog and handler, and thrilling for spectators. For the dog-human team, agility requires athleticism, concentration, training, and, most of all, teamwork. The handler directs the dog through a predetermined pattern of obstacles, including jumps, tunnels, and weave poles, while […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/watch-2022-akc-national-agility-championship/
| March 29, 2022
![Briard puppies sitting together outdoors.](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Briard-puppies-sitting-together-outdoors-1-400x267.jpeg)
Expert Advice: Dog Breeding
Replying to Puppy Inquiries: How Responsible Breeders Should Respond
Recently I helped a breeder friend compile a package of handouts to send to prospective owners. This was her first litter so she was new to the process. I was surprised to learn that her bitch’s breeder had not sent her anything comparable when she was shopping for a puppy. I used to think these […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/replying-puppy-inquiries-responsible-breeders-respond/
| April 8, 2021
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Expert Advice: Agility
Oldest Agility Competitor Also One of the Year’s Top
Competing with a senior dog can come with its fair share of concerns, from joints to weakened eyesight — but at nearly 14 years old, Radiance, a Shetland Sheepdog, is still moving well in Agility. In fact, she’ll be the oldest dog competing in the 2022 National Agility Championship (NAC) on April 1-3 in Ocala, […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/oldest-agility-competitor-also-one-years-top/
| March 31, 2022
![bulldog jumping through an agility course](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/stella-bulldog-agility-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Agility
What Breeds Are Competing at the 2022 AKC National Agility Championship?
It's not surprising to see herding breeds like the Border Collie (295 of them to be exact) and Shetland Sheepdog (176 of those) running for the top spot at the 2022 AKC National Agility Championship. But there are some uncommon breeds making an appearance that are also worth watching at this year's event — like […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/breeds-competing-2022-akc-national-agility-championship/
| March 22, 2022
![Dalmatian puppy carrying a toy in the grass.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn-origin-etr.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/28120113/Dalmatian-puppy-carrying-a-toy-in-the-grass-400x267.jpeg)
Expert Advice: Advanced Training
How to Teach Your Dog to Identify Toys by Name
Your dog probably has a lot of toys—maybe even too many. But the good news is that you can use them to create a challenging brain puzzle. Our dogs understand many words, from obedience cues to words about their daily life and activities like walk, park, and dinner, but they can also be taught the […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/dog-trick-identify-toys-by-name/
| March 28, 2022
![two poodles outdoors top 5 most popular breeds](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn-origin-etr.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/15085347/Miniature-Poodles-head-portrait-outdoors-1-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Dog Breeds
Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2021
It goes without saying that in your house, your dog is the most popular. But what do the statistics say? The American Kennel Club has used registration data to compile the list of 2021’s most popular breeds. As always, the Labrador Retriever tops the list — this time for the 31st year! The Lab's temperament […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/most-popular-dog-breeds-of-2021/
| March 15, 2022
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Expert Advice: Dog Breeds
Old English Sheepdog vs. Bearded Collie: How to Tell the Difference
With their long, profuse double coat, the Old English Sheepdog (OES) is the quintessential shaggy dog. You can't help but know one when you see one. But what about the Bearded Collie (Beardie)? Can you recognize those as readily? In fact, it can be easy to confuse these two members of the Herding Group. You might be lucky enough to […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/old-english-sheepdog-vs-bearded-collie-how-to-tell-the-difference/
| March 24, 2022
![Collie.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn-origin-etr.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/21104531/Collie_BreedStandards002-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Dog Breeds
Collie History: From Queen Victoria to Lassie & Beyond
In 2014, DreamWorks Animation announced that it was putting Lassie on the comeback trail, but not in the way you might think. “We realized that Lassie has an authenticity that makes her a merchandising holy grail,” DreamWorks executive Michael Francis crowed to The New York Times. Francis (the man behind Target’s fabulously successful Bull Terrier […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/collie-history-queen-victoria-lassie-beyond/
| March 21, 2022
![](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-NAC-Preferred-Winners-Adj61-copy-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: News
2021 National Agility Championship Preferred Winners
In the final hours of one of the most exciting dog sports weekends of the year, 29 dogs qualified to run in the National Agility Championship Preferred Finals. In preferred competition, the jump heights are one height lower than the dog would ordinarily qualify to compete at. This makes it possible for senior dogs and other […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/2021-national-agility-championship-preferred-results/
| March 29, 2021