Canine ear infections are very common and certain breeds (dogs with long hanging ears) are predisposed to them. One in five dogs suffers from ear disease.  The problem is more common during the warm months, when ear infections are reported to be 10 to 15 percent of all patients brought to veterinary hospitals. Ear infections […]

By Connie VanacoreIn life there are many examples of the ingredients essential to succeeding at anything, and there are enough books on the topic to fill many libraries. However, there are specific elements that are crucial to success in the dog world, although these may apply elsewhere as well. Every team coach, no matter what […]

The action is just heating up in Reno at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center. Make sure to check out the action today and this weekend. There will be results, photos and live streaming from the event. Good luck to all the competitors. Check out some of the pre-event media coverage in the Reno Gazette-Journal, NBC […]

The American Club today launched akc.org/health, the organization’s first ever mobile-optimized, digital content platform dedicated to canine health. The site kicks off a series of health initiatives and announcements to be introduced in the coming year. The initial stage of the new microsite offers resources and information on care, nutrition, fitness, preventative health and breeder […]

Stellar photographer Sophie Gamand, who caught our attention last year with her global award–winning photographs of wet dogs, has outdone herself. The Brooklyn-based artist worked with multiple NYC-based rescue organizations to highlight pit bulls as non-threatening in this photos series, called "Flower Power." Gamand explains: "This project started as an excuse for me to discover […]

Originally ran in the "Dogsport 101" column of AKC Family Dog Dog sports aren't only for purebreds. Since 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? […]

JD is a 5 year old Jack Russell and Corgi cross who was born in Lynchburg, TN, just down the road from the Jack Daniels distillery. “He is a fantastic competitor, and one of his favorite words is practice,” says his owner and trainer Alison Smith of East York, Ontario, Canada. At the age of […]

This article originally ran in the “Training & Behavior” column of AKC Family Dog. Congratulations on entering your first rally trial! The hours of practice with your dog are about to pay off. Now all you have to do is stick with your plan for pre-show week and you’ll be good to go. Show Countdown: […]

with Family's Devotion   While her daughter took a tennis lesson, jogger Vicky Kaseorg put her wait time to good use with a run around the neighborhood. A lifelong animal lover, Vicky forced herself to look away when she spotted a skinny mud-covered dog lying in a parking lot. Surely some kind-hearted person would help, […]

Contributed to AKC Canine Partners by Kari Koulmentas “Wait at the door” differs from stay in that your dog will get to move forward after given permission.  It doesn’t matter if they sit, lie down, or stand as long as they don’t move forward without permission.  We first use the door as the prompt, but […]