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![Bullmastiff puppies playing with toys in the grass.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn-origin-etr.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/20112820/Bullmastiff-puppies-playing-with-toys-in-the-grass-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Training
Puppy Socialization: Why, When, and How to Do It Right
Learn the best time to socialize your puppy, how to do it right, and why it's important from AKC's dog training experts.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/puppy-socialization/
| July 7, 2022
Sports & Events
Titles & Abbreviations
Click below to see titles and abbreviations for: Prefix Titles Suffix Titles Parent Club Titles Working Dog Titles Other Recognized Titles Other Title Lists: Titles Sorted by Sport Titles Sorted in Alphabetic Order Prefix Titles Title Title Name AFC An Amateur Field Trial Champion title can be earned in either Beagle Field Trials, Pointing […]
https://www.akc.org/sports/titles-and-abbreviations/
| November 13, 2017
![Senior German Shorthaired Pointer head portrait outdoors.](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Senior-German-Shorthaired-Pointer-head-portrait-outdoors-400x267.jpeg)
Expert Advice: Senior Dog Health
How to Improve Your Senior Dog’s Quality of Life
Senior dogs can still have a wonderful quality of life. There are also lots of ways owners can promote movement, health, cognitive function, and comfort.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-improve-your-senior-dogs-quality-of-life/
| May 4, 2021
![](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/midwest-crate-with-bulldog-400x267.png)
Expert Advice: Safety
Choosing the Right Playpen for Your Dog
Although a dog playpen, also called an exercise pen or Xpen for dogs, may not be the first thing on your must-have list, this piece of equipment is surprisingly useful. Like a dog crate, they serve as a way to contain your dog. But unlike a crate, they give them plenty of space to move […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/playpens-for-dogs/
| July 14, 2020
![](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Bloodhound-on-a-scent-in-the-woods-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Dog Sports
Mantrailing for the Scent-Driven Dog
Mantrailing has traditionally been an activity used to assist in the hunt for missing persons. However, it is growing in popularity as a dog sport.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/mantrailing-for-the-scent-driven-dog/
| January 11, 2021
![Down and Back: Stores From the American Kennel Club Archives Podcast](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Podcast_Season2_16x9-400x267.jpg)
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Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives Dog Podcast
In our award-winning Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives dog podcast, now in Season Four, host Bud Boccone tells the tales of breeds, dogs, and personalities who’ve shaped America (and Americans) over generations. Using the American Kennel Club's historical records, archival material, oral histories, interviews, and more, the show brings dog […]
https://www.akc.org/about/down-and-back-akc-podcast/
| December 20, 2023
Sports & Events
Junior Showmanship FAQs
last updated 7/5/2023 How do I join the AKC National Junior Organization? Everyone who has a Junior Showmanship number is automatically entered in the AKC National Junior Organization. How do I get a Junior Showmanship number? E-mail: juniors@akc.org or download form. What is a Junior Showmanship number and do I need to have one to […]
https://www.akc.org/sports/conformation/junior-showmanship/junior-showmanship-faqs/
| October 26, 2017
![Peruvian Inca Orchid standing in the grass outdoors.](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn-origin-etr.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/19160511/Peruvian-Inca-Orchid-standing-outdoors-400x267.jpg)
Expert Advice: Dog Breeds
How Does a Dog Breed Become AKC-Recognized?
Have you ever wondered what it means to be AKC-recognized? How does a dog become AKC-recognized? Learn about the entire breed recognition process.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/how-dog-breed-become-akc-recognized/
| January 5, 2022
![gsp puppy detection](https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/gsp-puppy-400x267.jpg)
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AKC Patriotic Puppy Program
The AKC Detection Dog Task Force has launched its AKC Patriotic Puppy Program – an opportunity for breeders and owners to work closely with experts on raising candidates for explosives detection work. The United States has a serious shortage of qualified dogs to perform the much-needed role of explosives detection dogs. As the number of […]
https://www.akc.org/akc-detection-dog-task-force/akc-pilot-detection-puppy-rearing-program/
| February 12, 2019
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AKC Detection Dog Task Force FAQs
Why is there a shortage of domestic detection dogs? Following the events of 9-11, the demand for scent detection dogs for use in search and rescue, as well as explosives detection, began to grow and has steadily risen since. Recent events, including the bombings in Brussels, Boston, Las Vegas and New York City, have accelerated […]
https://www.akc.org/akc-detection-dog-task-force/faqs/
| April 20, 2018