It seems hard to believe that it is almost Thanksgiving.  AKC Government Relations continues to be hard at work around the country, but we would be remiss if we did not pause for a moment and thank the federations, legislative liaisons, breeders, and local dog owners around the country who have taken the time this […]

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 […]

The "leave it" command can keep your pet from eating dangerous items. Here's how to teach your dog to ignore items that they shouldn't eat.

Brenda Riemer grew up a California girl surrounded by sunshine, sand, and surf. These days, though, she struggles with another "S" element – snow. All of these, however, have sublimely shaped the dynamics affecting the sport psychologist/mental skills trainer and her approach to teaching dog handling seminars nationwide. “I hate snow," Riemer says. “I hate winter. As someone who grew up in L.A., driving […]

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 American Kennel Club (AKC®) honored recipients of the AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards at the annual Delegates Meeting Luncheon, in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. The winners received an engraved silver Revere bowl. A larger Tiffany and Co. bowl, engraved with the names of all recipients past […]

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 […]

Since the 1950s, the popular calculation of how old a dog was “in human years” has been that one dog year is the equivalent of seven human years. Even though this formula has been around for a surprisingly long time, the reality is not so cut-and-dried. That doesn’t stop people from defaulting to this traditional […]

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 […]