The City of Overland Park, Kansas is considering a repeal of its breed ban after 35 years – and the council is seeking feedback from residents. Starting in May, the city will be holding a series of meetings (first with “experts” on May 11, then a public hearing on June 9). In addition, the city […]

In the search for something to do, a bored dog can become a destructive dog, digging up your garden or chewing on the furniture for example. This is especially true of puppies because they are curious, eager to learn about the world around them, and full of energy. Plus, they may not yet understand the […]

The owners of certain AKC breeds have come to accept that, sooner or later, they’re going to be asked some version of, “what’s the difference between the [their dog] and the [similar breed]?” It happens to owners of Norfolk and Norwich terriers; Bernese Mountain and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs; Cocker Spaniels and their British counterpart, […]

The breed standard for the Maltese sums it up: “The Maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, white hair.” But words can't really convey the flashy visual drama and glamour of a Maltese in full show coat. When a stunningly groomed Maltese champion enters the show […]

Walk down any street with a Bedlington Terrier and you won't get far before you hear it: "He looks like a lamb!" There is probably no other AKC-recognized breed that so closely resembles another species (at least of the surface). The Bedlington Terrier's distinctive appearance, however, is only one of the surprising features and facts […]

The Boston Terrier is a small but sturdy American breed. Also known as the “American Gentleman” for his tuxedo coat and polite demeanor, this intelligent dog was bred to be a companion. In 1870, in Boston, William O’Brien sold a dog (imported from England), who was a cross between a white English Terrier and a […]

Among the marvels of human ingenuity is the way various breeds of dog were developed, mentally and physically, to tackle specific jobs. Consider the farmer’s eternal war against rodents and other burrowing mammals that devastate grain stores, raid henhouses, tear up fields, dig away riverbanks, and carry disease. As their number-one weapon in subterranean warfare, […]

AKC Gazette breed column: Bedlington Terriers — A judge’s perception of balance can depend on which side of the person’s brain is more dominant in processing information.  The brain is divided laterally into the right and left hemispheres. Theoretically, each hemisphere has a different way of processing information, making some people right-brain dominant and some people left-brain dominant.  Right-brain-dominant people are visual and process the whole […]

AKC Gazette breed column: Survival of this rare terrier breed depends on getting the word out to potential owners about the Dandie's charm and personality. Everyone smiles when they see a Dandie Dinmont Terrier. They can’t help it. Whether on show grounds, sidewalks, or parks, the smiles are always there. The general public will ask, […]

Placing an adult dog with another breeder or as a house pet requires some planning, and you must know the dog’s individual personality. You have a lovely, finished bitch who has produced two litters for you. From each litter you have kept a bitch. The older one is almost finished, and the younger one shows […]