As a dog trainer and an instructor for puppy socialization classes, I can’t help but notice that almost all of the purebred puppies I see (and many popular purposely-bred mixes) are not from good local breeders but were purchased through the Internet. It’s actually quite astonishing: On a whim, anyone can Google a breed, click […]

This is an excerpt from Bo Bengtson’s 1994 AKC Gazette profile of photographer Joan Ludwig, who reigned for a half century as the acknowledged West Coast master of canine photography: If it’s true that a picture is worth more than a thousand words, then Joan Ludwig has spoken more to the dog fancy than almost […]

Have you ever wondered why dog show judges look at the dog's teeth? What are they looking for when judging canine dentition?

Thirteen-year-old Halli was only 2 years old when the cute terrier mix joined her family, but the partnership that was meant to be almost did not happen, Halli’s mother Cathie Tyler recalls. Shelter staff felt that the scruffy little dog was too much dog for a mother with a young child and did not even […]

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. […]

  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 […]

MACH Gator Zurborg MXB MJS owned by Laurie Zurborg of Trabuco Canyon, CA Gator was adopted by Laurie at 8 months of age. “He was severely ill and during recovery he stole my heart. He's been my soul mate ever since, sharing my pillow each night,” Laurie said. A long-time agility competitor, Laurie started training Gator […]

On September 29, 2013, I awoke to a cool summer day. I leaned over the bedside and called to my long-coat Chihuahua, “Today is the day we have been training for these past three months. Izzy, are you ready?” She looked at me as if to say, “Are you kidding, mom? I’m ready for anything.” […]

Careful Breeding I am writing the column this time not as an individual who is experienced in the world of purebred dogs but as a layperson who lost a beloved pet. I recently lost my Doberman Pinscher, Amber, who was a family member to us. She lived with a Bulldog, two cats, and later two grandchildren […]

MACH Shilo’s Wicked Revenge Elphaba MXB MJB owned by Ann Khanna of Hortonville, WI Elphie is a 3-year-old Golden Retriever/Border Collie mix who Ann first encountered as a 5-week-old puppy. Ann said she immediately noticed that Elphie was special and reluctantly decided the puppy had to join her family. “For eight years I had been […]