Humans take years to develop. Dogs though, in our eyes, mature almost overnight. One morning you have an adorable little puppy on your hands, and the next your puppy is starting to act like a teenager, complete with mood swings and behavioral changes. Sexual maturity is an important part of this process, and it is something that we […]

A vet visit is not typically high on any dog’s list of favorite things. For some, it can be so terrifying that it's almost impossible for veterinarians to provide important care. As a conscientious breeder, you are in the best position to set puppies up for success during the many vet visits that all dogs will make throughout their lives.  The things that you are already doing […]

Before discussing pregnancy in dogs, it is important to stress that the breeding of pure-bred dogs is a serious endeavor best taken on only by responsible breeders, breeders who have studied all the intricacies of a particular breed of dog and are committed to maintaining and improving type, temperament and health.  Knowledge of a breed’s […]

AKC Gazette breed column—Anti-breeding ways of thinking distract people from remembering that it's through the breeding of good dogs that the breed exists and continues. In the 1970s the Doberman Pinscher was among the top five breeds in popularity. At that time, most specialty shows had well over 100 Doberman entries, with some shows having […]

We can help to educate prospective owners before they get a new puppy or dog—likewise, breeders can be educated too about ways they can properly screen their buyers. We must help spread the word to the public about responsible dog ownership—and that message includes educating people about the homework that should be done before they […]

There are times when it makes sense for a breeder to stamp more than just a "thumbprint" of influence on a breed. Dogs are generally thought to have descended from wolves. Kim Campbell Thornton's recent article "Looking Back to the Beginning" (AKC GAZETTE, September 1999) describes research that has determined, through DNA sequences, that the […]

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: My question regards breeding. I have a young male Beagle, about a year and a half, and I'd like to breed him with another beagle. I am told by my veterinarian, who has bred beagles extensively in the past that it is next to impossible for a breeder to accept my dog […]

California’s Coolest ClusterOn the July 4 holiday weekend, with temperatures ranging between a high of 75 degrees and a low of 61 degrees, the El Camino Real Summerfest cluster of dog shows and obedience and rally trials made good on its promise as “California’s Coolest Cluster.” Beautiful Seaside Park in Ventura is the perfect venue for one […]

I’m not a fan of country music, but as I begin writing this column, from the radio in the next room the song “The Gambler” is crooning, “The secret to survivin’ is knowing what to throw away, and knowing what to keep.” Choosing a brood bitch is a bit of a gamble. Whether acquiring your […]

Four decades ago, when I first became interested in Lhasa Apsos, I sought out experienced breeders and exhibitors whose dogs I admired and who were willing to share information. They shared their time and knowledge and answered my endless questions, and I learned from watching and listening. There were far fewer dog shows per year […]