A skilled exhibitor, whether amateur or professional, examines a show prospect slowly and carefully, noting the positives and negatives. If it is a coated breed, it would quickly be determined: “Is there sufficient coat to help hide the obvious faults?” A skilled judge of long experience has learned to “look through” hair to evaluate the […]

If you are a judge, do you find it harder to go from judging Great Danes to judging Yorkshire Terriers, or to go from judging English Cocker Spaniels to judging American Cocker Spaniels? In other words, is it harder to turn the page in your mind and adjust for the vast differences between two breeds […]

It is always a tremendous honor to be asked to judge at one of the big, prestigious shows. It’s a thrill. One thing that makes it so is that these shows tend to draw dogs of excellent quality, and it’s always a pleasure to go over quality dogs. When you’re judging a televised show, you […]

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: I have a two-year-old Golden Retriever who loves treats. I go to a meat market weekly for meats and wondered if real meat bones from a meat market are good for dogs to eat. -- Meats or Treats Dear Meats: There are two schools of thought about whether or not dogs should be allowed […]

Here are some quick tips for the Canine Culinarian. Many dog owners swear by the benefits of preparing homemade meals for their pets. Holistic vets can provide advice on ensuring your meals provide a balance diet. Some dog owners who prepare meals for their pet favor the raw food diet; others prefer to cook their dog’s […]

A good diet will keep your dog looking and feeling his best. It provides your dog with the right amounts of essential nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Your dog must have all these in correct proportions to stay healthy. Dog food companies make a variety of foods for all life stages, from […]

The range of sizes among dog breeds is greater than that of any other animal. For example, a 150-pound Newfoundland is 50 times the size of a three-pound Pomeranian. And as you might expect, large breed puppies and small breed puppies have very different nutritional needs. There are general rules for feeding any puppy, but […]

Dogs Can Adapt to a Vegan Household. Dogs prefer meat, but a vegetarian diet is possible with the right supplements Dogs Can Adapt to a Vegan Household. Dogs prefer meat, but a vegetarian diet is possible with the right supplements. For health and ethical reasons, many vegetarian and vegan humans choose to share their dietary preferences with […]

People have a very special relationship with their dogs and we know that dogs became man’s best friend even earlier than previously thought.  Our dogs are our loyal and faithful companions. We are spending ever increasing amounts each month on our dogs. Our dogs are an important part of our lives. Increasingly brands are capitalizing […]

July 14 is Bastille Day, when France and Francophiles the world over commemorate the start of the French Revolution in 1789. The AKC joins the celebration in just the way you’d expect—with dogs. Here’s a roundup of some AKC breeds developed in France, plus a few that are French by tradition if not by birth. […]