Canadian photographer Pete Thorne got the idea of using his camera to explore aging at his grandmother's 100th birthday party. He later decided to turn his lens toward dogs. "I was naive going into it. I was initially interested in photographing old dogs as caricatures of old guys and gals," he says. Then, as he […]

The owners of certain AKC breeds have come to accept that, sooner or later, they’re going to be asked some version of, “what’s the difference between the [their dog] and the [similar breed]?” It happens to owners of Norfolk and Norwich terriers; Bernese Mountain and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs; Cocker Spaniels and their British counterpart, […]

Training Your Dog to Be a Therapy Dog The AKC GoodDog! Helpline receives frequent inquiries about how to train dogs for therapy work. GDH Trainer Christie Canfield conducts therapy visits with her dog and also teaches therapy dog classes. She tells us the “who, what, when and how” of making a therapy dog. Because of […]

Each of the AKC registered breeds are assigned to one of seven groups representing characteristics and functions the breeds were originally bred for. Current as of June 1, 2023 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Herding Group"] HERDING GROUP The Herding Group, created in 1983, is the newest AKC classification; its members were formerly members of the Working Group. […]

Some dog show judges go over each dog very thoroughly, while others seem to do a more cursory exam, but what matters is that the final decisions are sound. Judges develop individual techniques as they go about the process of evaluating dogs in the show ring. Exhibitors give each individual’s technique considerable leeway, within the […]

The Redwood Shores Dog Rodeo put mixed-breed dogs in the spotlight with a fun competition to select the most unusual mix of breeds. Oscar Hutton, a Labrador Retriever-Dachshund mix, took home first prize. All  mixed-breeds can join the American Kennel Club and compete in AKC events and participate in fun programs through the AKC Canine […]

A tail-wagging crowd of well-trained dogs showed their skills at the Twin Ports Dog Training Club’s three days of AKC rally and obedience trials at the Four Seasons Event Center in Carlton, Minnesota, Friday through Saturday, July 10–12. The fun began on Thursday evening, with “5 for 5” run-throughs, a casual get-together where owners can get in some […]

  Finishing touches are being applied to Monroe County Fairgrounds; Monroe, Michigan for the annual dog show, hosted this July holiday weekend by Ann Arbor Kennel Club. From Friday July 3rd through Sunday 5th more than two thousand dogs will compete in Conformation, Rally, Obedience and Barn Hunt. For the first time ever, Dock Diving […]

Bari looks like an ordinary dog, a happy bundle of light cream-colored curls and tail wags, but don’t let that fool you. This 22-month-old is a political powerhouse. He’s the inspiration that led New York to choose the service- and working dog as the state’s first canine mascot. Bari is the beloved pet of Assemblyman Matthew […]

We know you will enjoy this wonderful video of rescue dog Murray’s Road to the AKC Master Agility Championship! https://vimeo.com/104271983. MACH Paved With Good Intentions MXB MJB XF owned by Tamar Fuhrer & Jon Faria of Culver City, CA Tamar and Jon adopted Murray in March 2011 from LA Harbor Shelter. He had already been […]