Have you ever wondered how sled dog trainers keep their dogs in shape during the snow-free “dry" season? Instead of pulling sleds, they let their dogs pull them. The trainer and dog run together with the dog out front pulling the trainer along. This activity, sometimes called urban mushing, has grown in popularity over the […]

While not especially common, the state dog is a symbol used by at least 13 states across the U.S.A, with several others pending legislation. Some state dogs, like the Boykin Spaniel in South Carolina, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Maryland, and the Boston Terrier in Massachusetts, reflect homegrown originals first developed in that state. Others, […]

Central Park in autumn splendor was the scene of a very special picnic in honor of Balto, the single representative of canine sculpture in New York City's flagship park. The much loved sculpture by Frederick George Richard Roth depicts the famous sled dog, Balto, who led the team that raced through hurricane-force winds and minus-50-degree […]

In November, a 2-year-old black Labrador Retriever named Hatty made headlines as the first facility dog to be employed by the Cook County State Attorney’s Office in Illinois. Specifically, Hatty has been tasked with providing courtroom comfort to child victims of violence and sexual assault. Trained and provided by the St. Louis-based organization Duo Dogs, […]

September is National Service Dog Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness and showing appreciation for the work of service dogs. Sassafras Lowrey is an award-winning author and Certified Trick Dog Instructor. This is Sassafras' first-hand account of having a service dog. When I was 18 years old, I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). […]

National Champion is First Toy Group Winner in the History of the Show GCH CH Pequest Wasabi, a Pekingese known as “Wasabi” triumphed over more than 5,200 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 14-15, 2019 in […]

The 2019 AKC Obedience Classic and the AKC Agility Invitational took place December 14-15, 2019 in Orlando, FL in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, demonstrating the highest level of training and teamwork between dog and handler. Obedience and agility competitions for junior handlers were held for the ninth year, and […]

Is Capitol Hill going to the dogs? The vote is still out, but on the first day of the public impeachment hearings in November, 15 certified therapy dogs and their handlers went to work in Washington D.C. Among them were two Samoyeds, 12-year-old Zamboni, and 8-year-old Spumoni, and Mac, a 4-year-old Boerboel. Unlike lobbyists who […]

The annual AKC Breeder of the Year award honors exceptional breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament, and quality of purebred dogs. On December 14 at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, Elizabeth and Daniel Karshner were selected as winners of the 2019 AKC Breeder of […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, welcomed Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings at the 2019 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Sunday, December 15th to present the AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence (ACE) in the Uniformed Services Dog Category. The […]