Although giant breeds aren't necessarily what people first think of when it comes to canine athletes, these biggest dogs love having a job to do. Most...

Training dogs has been a way of life for Roxane Dutson since she was a teen. She taught the family dogs tricks and then became involved in competition through an obedience training group. “My love for working with dogs became stronger as my husband and I got our first Labrador in 1996,” Dutson says. “From […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2022 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The NOHS Finals will be held […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that Amanda Ciaravino of Crete, IL has been hired as an Executive Field Representative. Ciaravino’s career in the sport of dogs spans 35 years, starting as a Junior Handler. Since 2005, she has worked as an All-Breed Professional Handler, responsible for the day-to-day training, conditioning, and showing […]

Our dogs are extremely important parts of our daily lives. They follow our commands, work with us in various capacities, and act as faithful companions. Studies have shown that dogs provide health benefits. Service dogs have these abilities, combined with training to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities.  During the last decade, the use of service dogs has rapidly expanded. However, more […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to recognize its affiliated dog clubs which have been holding AKC events for over 100 years and are an essential part of the sport of dogs. Founded in 1884, AKC together with its affiliated organizations promote responsible dog ownership, conduct over 23,000 organized dog events per year, breed […]

Hip dysplasia is a common condition in dogs. Learn what to know about hip dysplasia including symptoms, treatment options, and preventative measures.

When it comes to the lifespan of dogs, researchers have found that size matters. Owners of small dogs can expect to enjoy several more years with their pets than the owners of large dogs. It doesn’t seem to make much sense: large mammals, like elephants and whales, tend to live longer than small ones, like […]

Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country. It’s challenging, great fun for dog and handler, and thrilling for spectators. For the dog-human team, agility requires athleticism, concentration, training, and, most of all, teamwork. The handler directs the dog through a predetermined pattern of obstacles, including jumps, tunnels, and weave poles, while […]

It's not surprising to see herding breeds like the Border Collie (295 of them to be exact) and Shetland Sheepdog (176 of those) running for the top spot at the 2022 AKC National Agility Championship. But there are some uncommon breeds making an appearance that are also worth watching at this year's event — like […]