“Is that a Labradoodle?” “No, it’s an Otterhound.” “A what? I never heard of them. What were they bred to do?” “Hunt river otters.” “Oh. My friend has a Labradoodle.” Probably every Otterhound owner has been part of a conversation like this. “Doodles,” whether “Labra–” or “Golden–,” are a popular trend, as are a number […]

I ask Julie Starbuck, from Peace River K9 Search and Rescue, if she remembers a time that left her feeling especially proud of Caliber, her German Shepherd Dog. “The first one that comes to mind is the time we were called to work a burned building. It had been burned the night before, and they […]

It was a call that all breeders dread. The young couple, who had adored their puppy, reported they had a new baby, leaving no time for their dog. Teri NeSmith did not hesitate. “I gladly take any of my puppies back if the owner lets me know that they don’t want the dog. In fact, […]

Two days until Christmas and Chandler Ray could not wait to get home. A heavy rain did not deter the 23-year-old as he left his girlfriend’s place in Raleigh, North Carolina, to make the two-hour trip to see his family. His drive had barely started when his vehicle hydroplaned on the wet road, flipped, and […]

Growing up in Michigan, Cindy followed her grandmother around whelping and caring for several different kinds of babies - puppies, kittens, peeps, and various other farm animals. The retired nurse studied canine genetics at Michigan State University and says she inherited her love for breeding and training  from her family. Hartman now lives in South […]

From the time he was born three years ago, FISH’s life has been one irony after another. He’s a dog that was born in the Texas desert that you can’t keep out of the water today. And, if that’s not enough, when he arrived at 3 weeks old along with four siblings and their mother […]

 Traci Mitchell is an AKC Breeder of Merit Bronze, who breeds Black and Tan Coonhounds and an occasional Smooth Fox Terrier. The name Carlin is Irish Gaelic, meaning Little Champion in honor of her first Smooth Fox Terrier. She splits her time between southern California and southwest Iowa. She has lived in California all her […]

When it comes to love, dogs offer all of the devotion with none of the guile. They won't sign up for a secret dating profile or see another owner behind your back. And that flirtation with the pet sitter … well, it's harmless. After all, there's a reason dogs have a reputation for being faithful […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

Showing dogs—the formal term for it is “Conformation”—is a sport. Like any football game or tennis match, dog shows have rules, too. But folks who sit on the sidelines can easily become bewildered if they don’t understand how guidelines apply to the game at hand. Whether you’re taking aim at a fastball or trotting with […]