From Our Nation's Capitol Although neither chamber is in session this week, AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2019 Legislation Tracking page and click on “US Fed” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of […]

In the spirit of the holiday season, let’s stop for a moment to acknowledge the joy that the sport of conformation gives us every week of the year, and the people who contribute to that joy. Let’s be thankful for: Judges who are students of their dog breeds, know their standards, smile, and don’t look up […]

It's the dog misdeed most likely to turn an owner's face beet red—humping. When your pup gets that gleam in their eye and mounts their pal (or worse, yours), it's tempting to yell, pull the dog away by force, or pray for the ground to open and swallow you. But with a little patience, owners […]

The Johnson City Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a third and final vote on Thursday, November 21, 2019 to enact an overreaching new animal ordinance.  Proponents of the ordinance state that they will immediately seek to pass this same legislation throughout Washington County. AKC agrees with the city’s intent to protect dogs in […]

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the small dog on your list? Whether you're buying for a Chihuahua or a Miniature Schnauzer, it can be tough to find a great gift for a dog that seemingly has it all. To help, we created a gift guide full of gift ideas for small dogs. […]

Keeping your dog occupied at dog shows is important, so they can be at their best once in the ring. Learn tips for keeping your dog good to go at dog shows.

Routine spaying and neutering of dogs is generally accepted, and some doggy daycares and dog parks don't allow intact male dogs or female dogs in heat. In addition, many states require dogs in rescue shelters to be spayed or neutered before they're placed in a home, often at just a few months old. Along with […]

Crate training is a vitally important part of bringing a dog of any age into your life and home. It can benefit puppies, adult dogs, and seniors in one way or another. Crate training can give dogs a sense of security and give owners more peace of mind. Breeders and Vets Recommend Crate Training Your […]

Dogs spend lots of time staring at us owners, but why do dogs stare so much? Communication, expectation, and understanding are some reasons why dogs stare.

The SoCal Shiba Before they became a dynamic duo in sunny Santa Monica, Desi Desario and Dioji the Shiba Inu both spent their days in California's sprawling Inland Empire. Dioji had been living with a family in Riverside who didn't quite know what to do with the young, energetic dog. Desario, meanwhile, had recently moved to the Los Angeles area […]