Header photo courtesy of Karen Moureaux, Contact Point Border Collies You finally decided on the breed of your dreams. You researched and found a potential breeder of your ideal dog on AKC Marketplace. Ready to pick up your new addition? Not so fast! Responsible breeders do as much interviewing and questioning as the buyers to […]

When you get a dog, you have a friend for life. And part of being a good friend, and a responsible dog owner, is doing activities and bonding with your dog. There are many ways to do this. You can go for walks, hang out at the dog park, or if you're looking for a […]

Each month the American Kennel Club profiles breeders to hear how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with Success Kennel’s Nancy Sedlacek, who breeds Portuguese Water Dogs. Nancy is an AKC Breeder of Merit and her dogs are among the top ranked in the country with […]

  Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear how they got started and learn about their breeding program and experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with Karen Hanson of Labyrinth Brittanys in Maidens, Va. Karen began breeding Brittanys when she was a teenager, and today she is an AKC Breeder […]

Whether it’s learning pedigrees, wrapping your head around difficult breed standards, or staying on top of important medical issues that can adversely affect our beloved show dogs, achieving success in our sport demands that we remain lifelong students. We pore over a wealth of data and try to make the wisest, most objective decisions possible. […]

When we first began our individual journeys in the sport of dog breeding and showing, we did so with the highest of ideals, hoping not only to succeed, but also to make worthwhile contributions to our breed and the fancy. Along the way, we meet those who are prepared to cut corners and do what’s expedient, if not in the […]

As all dog breeders know, you’re only as good as your latest generation. After all, those promising newbies are the ones on which you build your future. The sport of dogs is governed by the same principle: Newcomers in all venues — from conformation to obedience to agility, not to mention breeding — are vitally […]

I recently participated in my local all-breed kennel club’s annual show weekend. As always, it was a friendly, laid-back event, less than 1,000 dogs — although the entry was up by 150 this year — and the shows drew some nationally ranked Top 10 canines from many far-flung states. I made myself useful stewarding each […]

For better or for worse, the ways we communicate have been changed forever by social media. Snail mail, faxes (remember those?), and long-distance telephone calls have largely been replaced by the ease and speed of online chatting. Still, convenience is not without its pitfalls. For novices and experienced fanciers alike, there are smart ways to […]

Rory is a well-versed Collie with 12 titles in dog sports On his dam's side, Rory's litter represents 13 generations of Kaye's Chelsea Collies Give Rory, a sable and white Collie, the chance to compete in a dog sport, and he struts his athletic stuff with fluff and finesse. The 13th generation of AKC Champion […]