If given a choice, would your dog always choose to hang out with you over someone else? Research suggests it depends on where we are when we offer them the choice. A recent study, published in Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, gave dogs the option of getting petted by their owner or by […]

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 Cathy Lewandowski of SoftMaple Curly-Coated Retrievers in Croghan, N.Y. Lewandowski is an AKC Breeder of Merit who has produced versatile, top-winning dogs. Lewandowski's love for […]

Yesterday the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 741, which will prohibit municipalities from enacting breed-specific policies. AKC supports this bill, which protects dog owners while still allowing communities to enact laws that hold all dog owners accountable. Scroll down to the sixth page of the Senate Journal (page 532) to see the official vote for […]

Does your Dachshund bury those expensive dental chews you buy him? Maybe your Standard Schnauzer hides pilfered socks under couch cushions or in blankets on your bed. It’s natural to wonder why your dog is burying something you know he likes. It can also be frustrating if he’s made a molehill out of your backyard. […]

The Michigan Senate will likely be voting soon on a bill that seeks to protect the rights of responsible dog owners in the state by prohibiting municipalities from enacting breed-specific policies. Municipalities would still be permitted to enact other policies and regulations on dog owners, so long as these laws do not target specific breeds. […]

About Canine Good Citizen® Apply for a CANINE PARTNERS NUMBER What is Canine Good Citizen and who can participate? For Dog Owners Training Classes, Earning the AKC CGC Title Test Items and Pledge CGC as a Title After the CGC Getting Started in Training Getting Started in Training Finding Classes/Evaluators Finding Classes and Evaluators For Evaluators […]

Smiles lit up the room in a Michigan animal shelter the second Maggie, a mini Golden Doodle, climbed into owner Jillian Grzegorczyk’s lap. She had vanished without a trace from the family’s backyard 19 months earlier, but thanks to a microchip — which had been registered with AKC Reunite’s database — the pup was coming home. […]

A bill has passed the Kansas Legislature that would mandate unannounced inspections of all state licensees- including hobbyists. In Kansas, a hobby breeder must be licensed if 3-5 litters are produced and under 30 animals sold in a year.  Unannounced inspections could prove challenging, as it is a hobby and the owner cannot be expected […]

Although most dog lovers view every day as pet day, April 11 marks National Pet Day — a chance to honor the happiness and joy they bring to our lives. Celebrate the occasion with one (or more!) of these gifts your canine companion is sure to love. Toys & Treats BFF Dog Gift Pack Everything your dog […]

College can be an extremely stressful time for many students, and that stress can be a barrier to academic success. In addition, college students tend to face challenges to their emotional well-being, such as loneliness and depression. To help improve student mental health, some universities have started animal-assisted stress reduction programs, where animals and their […]