Tag Archives: american kennel club

Dog Show Lingo

Have you been watching the dog shows lately? Maybe you saw the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship during Super Bowl weekend. Maybe you watched the famous Westminster Kennel Club Show this week. Dog shows — like any kind of competition — come with their own special lingo. Talking about the dogs: Angulation: the angles created at the joints. Gait: the way a dog moves. This is a good indicator of structure and body condition. Pedigree: a written record of a dog’s family tree. Traces the line back three generations or more. Soundness: mental and physical well-being. Handlers and handling: Baiting: using a … Continue reading →

Dog Shows for Junior Handlers

Showing your dog is a great way to bond! You and your dog will spend lots of time together — grooming, practicing, and finally competing. Dog shows aren’t restricted to adults, either. The American Kennel Club offers lots of opportunities for kids to get involved! Children between the ages of ten and eighteen are allowed to compete with their peers at certain AKC events as “junior handlers”. Junior handlers are not only judged on their dogs’ conformation to breed standards — they are also judged on how they present their dogs. To get started as a junior handler, your best … Continue reading →

Dog Shows For Beginners

After all the talk lately in the Pets Blog about dog shows, you may be interested in getting your dog involved! Here are some things you might want to know: To compete in an American Kennel Club (AKC) dog show, your dog has to be a registered purebred. Other shows may not require a pedigree and papers. Know the rules before you apply! There are different types of dog show: all breed shows (where more than 150 different breeds compete; this is the kind of dog show you see on TV), specialty shows restricted to certain breeds, and group shows … Continue reading →

My Mom Went to Westminster!

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show — one of the biggest dog shows out there — is going on right now at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Last year, I was very tempted to hop on a train and catch some of the action, but didn’t. But I just got the inside scoop from my mom, who went to day one of the Westminster action yesterday! Here are some of the things she noticed: It’s much easier to follow the action on TV — because there are commentators. At the show itself, it can be hard to tell … Continue reading →

AKC Canine Ambassadors

The American Kennel Club doesn’t just put on dog shows — they also work to educate people about responsible dog ownership, canine safety, and more. A part of that educational effort comes in the form of Canine Ambassadors. Canine Ambassadors are teams of dogs and owners who are members of AKC affiliated clubs. They visit schools and youth organizations — like Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups, local libraries, or the Boys and Girls Club — to make presentations. The Canine Ambassadors work closely with the club’s appointed Public Education Coordinator. Often, the PEC will help the Canine Ambassadors make … Continue reading →

About the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

If you had your eye on Animal Planet over the weekend, you probably saw the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship broadcast. I only managed to catch the “tail” end of the show, but I did get to see the lovely German shepherd win the working dog group and the Best in Show awarded to a Sealyham terrier with lots of personality. Here are some things you might not know about the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship: The AKC (American Kennel Club) is the oldest and only not-for-profit purebred dog registry in the United States. The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is by invitation only. The top … Continue reading →

Bouviers des Flandres

Best in Group from the Herding Group at the Westminster Kennel Club show was the Bouvier des Flandres. This breed originated in southwest Flanders (hence the name) and on the northern plains of France, and was nearly wiped out during World War I. Most of the early breeders were farmers, butchers, and cattle merchants. The Bouvier des Flandres is a natural cattle driver and helpful herding dog. In 1910, the breed began making show appearances. When World War I broke out, the areas where the Bouvier was bred were hard-hit and nearly destroyed. Most people left the area, leaving their … Continue reading →

About Working Group Dogs

Working group dogs were bred to perform jobs — “working” isn’t just a clever name! American Kennel Club working group dogs are used to guard property, pull sleds, and assist in rescue efforts. Working dogs have also been seen carrying messages in wartime, guiding the blind, and working with police. Don’t confuse working dogs with herding or hunting dogs — in the American Kennel Club, these are separate groups of dogs. In general, working group dogs are intelligent, capable, and quick to learn. They also tend to be very large, and may not be the best pets for families with … Continue reading →

Training Your Dog to Be a Therapy Dog

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Training your dog to be a certified therapy dog is not only a great way to bond but also a great way to help people in your community! Therapy Dogs International was founded in 1976 in my own state of New Jersey, but you can find therapy dogs and handlers in all 50 states and Canada. TDI is a volunteer organization that helps regulate, test, and register therapy dogs and their handlers. The therapy dogs are purebred or mixed, and can visit nursing homes, hospitals, and other institutions. To become a therapy dog, your dog must pass all the requirements … Continue reading →

Canine Good Citizens

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Since 1989, the American Kennel Club has offered a Canine Good Citizen certification for good mannered dogs and responsible pet owners. CGC certification is a great base for further activities like obedience training, agility, and other performance events. Before beginning the program, owners must sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, agreeing to take care of their dog’s health, safety, training, and quality of life. The Canine Good Citizen test has ten parts: Accepting a friendly stranger. The dog should be neither resentful nor shy, and should not try to go to the evaluator for attention. Evaluator and handler will shake … Continue reading →