Face-licking dogs are sending a messageWhen a dog licks the face of another, the behavior probably can be traced to the puppy stage. A puppy’s display of licking signaled a desire to be fed. In adult dogs, it could be a sign of respect. Wild dog puppies lick their mother's lips when she returns from […]

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: Our ten month old Lab has gotten foxtails up her nose twice in less than two weeks. The first time our family vet couldn't reach it and she had to go to a specialist with a large vet bill. The second time our vet was able to remove three, inch-long foxtails but […]

Dear AKC: I have a four month old Golden Retriever who, it seems, was born with a mouth full of razor sharp puppy teeth. A lot of people tell me the teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth at three and four months old. This hasn't happened. When does this normally take place? --Tooth Troubles in […]

Many avid runners appreciate the company and support of a fellow runner. Taking your dog for a run not only gives you the advantage of companionship but also the satisfaction of keeping your dog healthy. What better way for you and your dog to stay trim and fit than to run together on a regular […]

Finding an AKC Sport that Fits Your Mixed-Breed DogSince 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the dog-park bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? Here’s an overview of the competitions. Obedience Dog-and-handler […]

When we did agility with our dog, we drove 2.5 hours one way to take lessons from a world-class trainer. I have a friend in Houston who starts a 2-hour drive across Houston in 5 o’clock traffic to get to the best training school she could find. So when we surveyed 3500 dog owners and discovered […]

Some Breeds Might Be Better Choices for People with AllergiesNo breed of dog is totally hypoallergenic. However, certain breeds seem to tolerated better by people with persistent allergies. In a recent study investigating people with animal-related allergies, researchers found that the worst animal for hypersensitive people to own was guinea pigs, followed by rabbits and […]

Getting Your Dog to Ignore the Chaos and Obey Your Commands If your dog is unaccustomed to compliance in unpredictable, high-pressure situations, his training could fail him when it matters most-in speeding traffic, for instance. Distractions should be very slight at the beginning of training and gradually increase in degree of challenge. As with training […]

Be Selective about the Toys You Give Your DogDogs are tremendously "oral" creatures and they experience much of the world through their mouths. Depending upon the breed, some dogs can exert 150 to 450 pounds per square inch with their jaws. As a result, we need to safeguard our dogs from chewing excessively (with their […]

There is a general movement within the dog world that has breeders and their clubs looking for new ways to make breed improvements. This is occurring because of the growing arsenal of tools available to breeders and their clubs. Given these conditions, the opportunity for making improvements is well within the reach of most clubs […]