For a variety of reasons (including better nutrition, advances in veterinary medicine, and a more health-conscious American public) domestic dogs are living longer lives. As a result, veterinarians and dog owners are just now learning to manage an array of canine geriatric problems. For older dogs, three main factors can greatly influence longevity: Diet and […]

Putting a pudgy dog on a diet is a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. Dogs who maintain a proper weight have higher quality of life and lower vet bills. Whether the dieter is canine or human, the trick is to find the happy medium between maintaining a healthy weight and the daily pleasure of […]

The pups are 5 weeks old as I start writing this piece. Feeding is twice a day; their mom is only with them at night. Within the next several days, the pups will be without their mom—weaning completed and on their own. Because it is summer with warm temperatures, the pups have spent all their […]

Deborah Tung is a Virginia teenager who does it all with her dogs. Deborah competes in Agility and the fun new sport of Barn Hunt with her All-American Dog, Nigel. Barn Hunt tests all dogs’ hunting ability in finding vermin, which many breeds were developed to perform. Rats are placed in heavy, safe PVC tubes […]

Butch had a tough life. Right up until his last few weeks. The Boston Terrier had been abandoned by his owner over two years ago and lived on the streets of Pinson, Alabama, eating whatever food he could find and withstanding freezing temperatures. It all caught up with him recently when he was found in […]

The Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee will consider several bills on Tuesday, February 17 that will impact dog owners and breeders, including a bill (LB 377) that could force a dog owner to forfeit their animals for only a suspicion of animal cruelty – even before a conviction by the court. AKC encourages dog owners and […]

  From our friends at Vetstreet We know you love your pet unconditionally and strive to take good care of him, but even the most experienced owners can sometimes harm their dogs or cats and not even realize it. Here are a few mistakes you might be making, but don't worry, we've also included advice […]

AKC Gazette breed column, Bearded Collies: Try something new with your dog in 2015 — there's a veritable feast of canine activities out there that he's likely to enjoy. I recently spent a pleasant afternoon cruising on Lake Ontario in a sailboat owned by friends who have two Bearded Collies of my breeding. The Beardies, […]

AKC Gazette breed column, Miniature Pinschers—It can take a little bit of patience before you can bring home that much-anticipated new puppy—but if you’ve chosen a good breeder, it’s worth the wait. Well, it’s done. You did the research by reading books and checking the American Kennel Club and the website of your chosen breed's […]

The FDA's Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network is conducting a massive study to gauge the risk of infection, to pets or humans, from contaminated pet foods. Preliminary results show that very few animals, less than 100 out of the nearly 3,000 tested positive for bacterial infection. Just half of those showed any signs of […]