It's kind of fitting that a dog named "Snowhill’s Zygmund Marley" is a Polski Owczarek Nizinny (PON in the United States) who answers to a name like Ziggy. Chances are, this is a breed (Polish Lowland Sheepdog) many of you have never heard of. In 2019, the breed ranked 173 out of 193 in popularity. […]

In 1977, 14-year-old Maris Sienstecker read about a pregnant blue whale dying a slow death on a whaling dock. The story upset the teenager to such an extent that she and her mother resolved to help other marine mammals avoid a similar fate. Together they founded Save the Whales. The Seaside, California organization dedicated its […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that GoodPup, a dog training over video chat service, is the official sponsor of the new Virtual Home Manners (VHM) Program. The program is designed to help teach dogs proper manners at home. Teaching their dogs to behave at home is important for owners, mentally stimulating for […]

German Shepherd Dogs consistently make the AKC's annual list of most popular breeds. And it's no wonder. Their loyalty, courage, confidence, ability to learn, and willingness to protect their people is like no other breed. See some of the highlights in the history of our love affair with GSDs:1899. Max von Stephanitz, a Prussian cavalry officer considered the […]

The Yorkshire Terrier, or “Yorkie,” is currently number 6 on the AKC’s Most Popular Breeds list. Small in stature but big in personality, the Yorkie is intelligent, inquisitive, and a sucker for attention. While originally bred to catch rats in the mills of Northern England, their glamorous coat and loyal nature quickly made them popular […]

City dogs need exercise and stimulation, just like their suburban and country counterparts. Sports like rally, treibball, and dog parkour are creative and fun forms of urban fitness. Even mushing through Manhattan can be accomplished with the right equipment and attitude. For a fulfilling life, a dog must have a yard, green grass, and room […]

Dogs dancing were depicted in ancient pottery, and vaudeville-era included musical numbers with dogs. Modern musical freestyle dates back to the '80s, helped by "heelwork to music" displays at Crufts. Dogs of any breed capable of learning obedience and tricks can ultimately learn musical freestyle. In 2013, Zandra Brown took in a 5 1/2 –year-old […]

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, […]

“Most Popular Dog Names” is a common search term, with lists going out almost as regularly as your dog does. But we don’t usually come across ones that connect popular names to their specific breeds. Based on 2015 data sourced from members who included pet information in their profile settings on a social network called […]

Originally published in the AKC Gazette. Writing in 1667, Nicholas Cox describes small land spaniels of courageous mettle, “strong, lusty and nimble rangers, of active feet, wanton tails and busy nostrils”—still a good description of the Cocker Spaniel. A less flattering description was given in 1647 by the “Witch-Finder General,” whose dubious job it was […]