Good morning, fellow Delegates. Before I begin, I have a question for you all. How great is it to be together in person once again? Big thanks to Paula, and to Gina and Dennis for arranging our first in-person meeting in a year and a half – and a special thanks to all of you […]

What would help to lessen worry about your dogs in the event of a disaster? It’s something that you can start right now: basic training. Instead of being a burden, your dogs can be manageable, even welcome, in places they might not otherwise be - the homes of friends, relatives, or even emergency shelters - […]

Your small breed dog might think they're one of the big dogs, but when it comes to dinnertime, their nutritional needs are unique. Food for small dog breeds needs to follow a specially-formulated diet to help your dog feel and act their best. Unfortunately, finding the best dog food for small breeds is not always […]

He seems like someone who had to have been conjured up by an adventure novelist— space explorer, pro football player, scholar, educator, musician, inspirational speaker, chemist, engineer, writer, wanderer. Leland Melvin has been all of those things, but he is very much a real person and, despite the more than 565 hours he logged in […]

Giant dogs are some of the hardest-working and most recognizable breeds. But because many of them maintain the strong working instincts and drive they were bred for, they can be a lot to handle. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're considering adding one to your family. Maturation Giant dogs are giant […]

The Animal Welfare Program of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DAFC) has proposed amendments to its Animal Welfare regulations.  The amendments apply to breeding kennels, boarding kennels, shelters, and pet stores licensed by the state. The proposal seeks to improve accountability for animal facilities importing animals for sale or adoption and improve […]

Kathy Clayton lives on 867 acres of wooded land in South West City, MO, at the corners of Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas. She is an AKC Breeder of Merit - Gold and has bred Chitawee French Bulldogs  for 28 years and is a National French Bulldog Club of America nominee  for the AKC Sportsmanship Award. […]

“A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” -- Colin Powell There are many reasons to put in the time and resources necessary to earn recognition of your dog’s abilities: You might do it to show off their superior abilities; or you might do it for the personal satisfaction that […]

Think your dog is an A+ student? Are your friends and family jealous with how well you’ve trained your dog? Then you might want to take things to a new level by participating in Obedience competitions (known as "trials"). Developed in the 1930s, Obedience is one of the AKC’s oldest sporting events, and it's open […]

4-H Dog Project Manual AKC Family Dog is a comprehensive good manners program for all dogs, whether purebred or mixed breed. While participating in enjoyable activities that are fun for both dogs and people, dogs become well-socialized and develop a lifelong bond with their owners. Within the AKC Family Dog organizational umbrella are programs that […]