For a variety of reasons (including better nutrition, advances in veterinary medicine, and a more health-conscious American public) domestic dogs are living longer lives. As a result, veterinarians and dog owners are just now learning to manage an array of canine geriatric problems. For older dogs, three main factors can greatly influence longevity: Diet and […]

Is Tibetan Mastiff just a bit too large for your taste? And a Chihuahua maybe, well, a little too small? You might find one of these eight breeds to be just right. Learn more about popular medium-sized dogs here: Bulldog: Gentle and protective, Bulldogs make excellent family pets. They form strong bonds with children and have a loveable disposition. Bulldogs don’t […]

One of the most important elements of a trial revolves around the quality of the livestock. The AKC rulebook is very specific as to the suitability of stock and provides an in-depth description of the proper type of livestock for tests and trials. Livestock should be comfortable in the presence of both dogs and people, […]

The Stop will be one of the most important commands a handler can teach their dog. The dog stopping in an exact spot can make the difference in accomplishing a chore correctly, winning or losing in a trial situation, or even saving a dog's life. Introduce the stop command to a dog away from stock. […]

It looks so innocent. Three sides...a swinging gate....a quiet, empty, beckoning space... and a six foot rope. Why is it then, that sheep often hit an invisible barrier as they approach this inanimate object we call the free-standing pen? Why do they stop, lean back, then shy away and hesitate to enter? Could it be […]

Most herding dogs are naturally fetching dogs. That is, they always want to bring the sheep towards the handler. Some herding dogs are naturally driving dogs. That is, they move sheep in any direction without regard to the location of the handler. A very few herding dogs are both naturally driving and fetching dogs. You'd […]

As an AKC Senior Breeder Field Representative, I have had the privilege of visiting many “state of the art” beautifully planned and designed functional kennels and/or homes. Regardless of the type of kennel, I have never been to a kennel that is “finished.” If the kennel was completed yesterday, today the breeder or kennel owner/operator […]

Make no mistake about it, dog sport competitors are no different than finely tuned human athletes. These dogs long to get in the ring and give it their best, while performing in concert with their handlers. In the process, doggy dynamics are accented with plenty of psychological gymnastics. If ever there was a prototype for […]

The old saying “dogs are man’s best friend” is just as accurate as it is cliché. Various studies have proven the effects dogs have on our health and well-being. For instance, in 2011, the American Psychological Association found that pet owners had “greater self esteem, were more conscientious, were more extraverted, tended to be less fearful, […]

When most people think of boisterous, outdoorsy dogs, they think of the larger working and sporting breeds. Dogs like Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are popular choices for those looking for an outgoing, extroverted dog. But there are a lot of small breeds with some pretty big personalities. Not all small breeds are satisfied being […]