Does your dog ever do things that gross you out? Drinking out of the toilet is a common canine behavior that tends to turn people's stomachs. But while it may seem strange to us, dogs usually think it's a perfectly acceptable habit. Why Do Dogs Drink From the Toilet? If given the opportunity, most dogs […]

With wildfire season stretching longer each year, dog lovers in fire regions should always make sure they know how to keep their dog safe if a blaze breaks out. But what about all the ways dogs have kept humans safe from fire over the years? That's right: man's best friend has also long been a […]

The relationship you have with your dog is unlike that of any other pet. Although your cat or your horse may read your emotions, no other animal reads human gestures like a dog. In fact, even mother-reared chimpanzees, one of our closest living relatives, can't compete with dogs when it comes to reading the gestures […]

A dog is called a man's best friend for a reason. They are the embodiment of unconditional love and a source of entertainment. Their paws leave an indelible mark on our hearts. Our existence is sprinkled with moments of joy that our dogs bring when life is sometimes a bit too much to handle. In […]

What’s New from AKC Government Relations The work of dog advocates is making a difference! On the federal level, the American Kennel Club, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Animal Interest Alliance, and leading dog advocacy organizations continue working on passage of the Healthy Dog Importation Act. This bipartisan measure seeks to require that […]

AKC Government Relations continues to monitor the US Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2021 Legislation Tracking map and click on “Federal Bills” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of issues we are currently addressing on the federal level include: U.S. […]

UPDATE: On August 17, 2021, the FDA issued a "corporate-wide warning letter" to Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc., the company that produces Sportmix pet food and other pet food brands. Per the FDA alert, as of August 9, the agency "is aware aware of more than 130 pet deaths and more than 220 pet illnesses that […]

This is the third in a series on early socialization and training that breeders can do with young puppies to help them adapt to life in their future new homes. New puppy owners often do not see the benefits of crate training beyond short-term use as a tool to aid in housetraining, something to be […]

Thank you to Abby, and Darin for sharing their experiences. Have your own story? Submit it to juniors@akc.org. [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Abby Engler"] My name is Abbey Engler from New Palestine, IN and I am 11 years old. My adventure into dog sports began when I was 9 years old and I received an early Christmas gift; […]

He was powerfully built, towering a good six inches above his brothers, and was probably a chieftain or great warrior. Whoever he was, in his lifetime he must have commanded tremendous respect, even awe. That much was clear 10 centuries after his death from the way he had been sent to his final rest. Archeologists […]