The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2017 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “The breeders honored with this award are truly committed to excellence, consistency, breed standard and type,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO.  “They […]

Movement involves every part of a dog’s construction, and because no two breeds move exactly alike, the study of movement can be a life’s work. Expert breeders and anatomists have written shelves full of books on the subject, and gifted photographers and filmmakers have documented canine locomotion in minute detail. Here, then, are just a […]

Reputable breeders don’t just breed in the moment: They are thinking years, even decades ahead, thoughtfully breeding dogs that are typey, healthy, and sound enough to continue to benefit the breed long after they are gone. And that philosophy of paying it forward is even more satisfying when a second generation decides to plunk itself […]

Did you know that when a puppy buyer searches on AKC Marketplace, Breeders of Merit litter listings are the first ones they see? This is because Breeders of Merit receive special AKC Marketplace benefits. These include: Free litter listings for their qualified breed(s) Priority placement in search results Breed-Specific Breeder of Merit identification Breeder of […]

While some dogs aren't fans of swimming, there are other dog breeds that can swim easily and happily. These breeds were developed to work in the water, whether for hunting, retrieving, rescue, or as all-around helpers. Even though they’re perfectly happy on land, they’re truly delighted to hit the beach, lake, or anything wet. If […]

Breed Weight Male Weight Female Affenpinschers 7-10 pounds 7-10 pounds Afghan Hounds 50-60 pounds 50-60 pounds Airedale Terriers 50-70 pounds 50-70 pounds Akitas 100-130 pounds 70-100 pounds Alaskan Malamutes 85 pounds 75 pounds American English Coonhounds 45-65 pounds 45-65 pounds American Eskimo Dogs 6-10 pounds (toy), 10-20 pounds (miniature), 25-35 pounds (standard) 6-10 pounds (toy), […]

The Flat-Coated Retriever (Flat-Coat) is a large and strong utilitarian hunting dog that shines at flushing birds, such as quail and pheasant, during upland shooting (the pursuit of birds usually found in heavy cover on the ground). He is also skilled at retrieving game from the land and the water. Here are nine interesting facts […]

There is a lot to love about Miniature Pinschers, aka the "King of Toys," aka "Mr. Personality," and we’ll get to that in a minute. But first let’s clear up a few misconceptions and point out some salient characteristics of the breed.   1. The Miniature Pinscher is NOT a miniature version of the Doberman […]

Best of Breed winners vied for top honors at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Among the Group First winners, six of seven were dogs fed Purina® Pro Plan® dog food. The success of Purina® Pro Plan®-fed dogs at the Garden reflects the record set in 2016 […]

Following two nights of challenging competition, GCh. Ch. Lockenhaus' Rumor Has It V Kenlyn, a German Shepherd Dog known as “Rumor," has been awarded with the coveted Best in Show title at the 2017 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan® at Madison Square Garden in New York on Feb. 14. The decision was […]