Writer James Thurber called it “this most inconsolable of sorrows,” the grief that comes with the loss of a beloved four-legged companion. In the months leading up to end for my 15-year-old Labrador Retriever, Maggie, I braced myself for a deep paralyzing misery. I had pulled her from a shelter 14 years earlier. She was […]

The Scottish Terrier is among the most recognizable of purebred dogs. It has been a mainstay of American iconography since its great wave of popularity in the 1930s, when the breed was a celebrity fad. Humphrey Bogart was a Scottie owner. So were Charles Lindbergh and Shirley Temple. Both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were […]

Not a lot has changed regarding the fear and myths surrounding canine epilepsy since the first person observed seizing dogs when animal/human cohabitation started. Throughout history, thousands of people suffering from epilepsy have been killed because they were thought to be possessed by the devil. Sadly, despite all the scientific improvement and understanding of this […]

Dogs are always born in litters and oftentimes look alike, so it is easy to assume that identical twins aren't uncommon in puppies. But in reality, identical twins in dogs are incredibly rare. Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy. They can be either identical twins, meaning that they develop from one egg […]

Language is a strange thing, even when it comes to dogs. Just like some other words have strange plurals, "goose" and "geese," for example, some dog breed names have strange plurals, as well. Not every breed plural is as easy as Labrador Retriever and Labrador Retrievers. Instead, we have "Puli" and "Pulik." Think you have […]

It was the canine version of the Titanic – but with far less tragic results. In 1807, a ship left Newfoundland, Canada, bound for the English harbor of Poole in Dorset. Off the Maryland coast, it encountered a heavy gale, and began to take on water. With the smaller boats on the brig swept out […]

Learning how to be safe around dogs is important for everyone, especially children, whether or not they have a dog at home. In order to make interactions between kids and dogs pleasant for all parties, we recommend teaching children how to approach a dog, what to do when they see a loose dog, and the proper way […]

Meet Sophie Penson – Trick Trainer Extraordinaire! At age 17, Sophie has achieved more than many dog trainers do in a lifetime. She is already a celebrated trick dog trainer and has achieved many firsts in the field.  Name: Sophie Penson Age: 17 Hometown: Marietta, GA Grade: 11th Family: Parents, Nicole and Jimmy AKC: How old is Ducky and how did she come into […]

Stepping into an Agility course for the first time can be scary. The thought of competing at the National Agility Championship can be even more intimidating. But the fact is that every competitor at the AKC National Agility Championship began somewhere. And for a few National Agility Championship competitors, they began with an Agility Course […]

Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat, is a disease dreaded by dog owners and veterinary professionals. In this emergency condition, the stomach fills with gas and rotates on its axis, leading to cardiovascular shock and abnormal function of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, kidney, and clotting systems. Known risk factors for bloat include breed, […]