American Kennel Club

responsible dog ownership new puppy children family dog Puppies are undeniably adorable. But is raising a puppy hard? Social media, TV, and movies usually make it look fun and easy. But there’s far more to responsible dog ownership than you might realize. In fact, new research in the journal PLOS ONE showed that one in three families found raising a puppy harder than they had expected.

digestion acid reflux If your dog is gagging, coughing, or swallowing excessively, especially after eating, they could be suffering from acid reflux. This backflow of stomach fluids towards the throat can be a source of discomfort for your dog, and if left untreated, it can result in chronic symptoms. Fortunately, most dogs go on to live comfortable lives following a diagnosis of this common condition.

chihuahua handler junior showmanship In her final entry as a junior handler, Marilyn Dempsey wore a shimmering suit that matched the silver hairs dusting her veteran Chihuahua’s face. The 150th Westminster Kennel Club show marked the end of an era for the team — Dempsey, 19, had aged out of Junior Showmanship, and “Vader” (GCHP CH Terlingua Dark Side Dazzler BCAT) was retiring from the show ring. Her final months as a Junior were huge for her and Vader.

running fast cat invitational The American Kennel Club held the seventh annual AKC Fast CAT Invitational. Over the span of four days, dogs competed to determine who was the fastest dog in two divisions: Handicap and Speed of the Breed. The event was held at the Sycamore Creek Family Ranch in Branson, Missouri, from September 18-21. The top five fastest dogs of each breed were invited to compete in the Fast CAT Invitational, based on AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT).

blood blood type blood transfusions plasma You probably know your blood type. But what about your dog’s? Dog blood types are different, and a bit more complicated, than human blood types. Humans have the A-B-O system, whereas dogs have at least eight major blood groups, known as dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1 to 8. But it doesn’t stop there. Other types, known as Dal, Kai-1, and Kai-2, only appear in a few breeds, for a total of at least 12 different blood types.

aging lifespan senior dog dental care This article originally appeared in the award-winning AKC Family Dog magazine. Subscribe now! People are increasingly determined to help their dogs live as long as possible. In a relatively short period, society has moved away from dogs being regarded as livestock to becoming members of the family.

spotted lanternfly conservation dog invasive species Conservation dogs work on all kinds of tasks. They can sniff for endangered wildlife, detect disease, and locate invasive species. One invasive species that they can track? The spotted lanternfly (SLF), an insect that can wreak havoc on agriculture. Spotted lanternfly detection dogs are among conservation dogs making a difference.

joint health mobility cbd Paid Advertisement Watching your dog slow down is one of the hardest parts of seeing them grow older. Hesitation before jumping into the car, taking a little longer to stand after a nap, or choosing to skip a game of fetch can all be subtle signs that something has changed. These changes are often associated with aging, but they’re not always something dogs just have to live with. Mobility can be influenced by many factors.

english cocker spaniel cocker spaniel The decision to bring a dog into your life requires careful consideration. Whether it’s your first time or you’re an experienced dog owner, there’s a lot to think about. With so many breeds of varying size, exercise needs, and temperament, it can be hard to know where to start your search. If you’re looking for an affectionate andl oving, energetic breed that does well with families, consider the English Cocker Spaniel.

cancer scent hemangiosarcoma Five scent-detection dogs are helping researchers identify a unique odor signature linked to hemangiosarcoma. These dogs are part of a study at the Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine to identify the deadly canine cancer. Backed in part by the AKC Canine Health Foundation, the study found that trained dogs could distinguish blood serum samples from dogs with hemangiosarcoma with 70% accuracy.