Originally published here  at AKC.org  on October 23, 2025 by Melanie Haid Sometimes the first breed that you get doesn’t end up being “your breed.” With an open mind, research, and often, some fate intervening, you can end up with the breed that’s perfect for you and your lifestyle. And sharing that love of the breed with others becomes part of the great joy of being an owner. And, in Betty-Anne Stenmark’s case, a breeder and judge at prestigious dog shows, such as the Westm

Originally published here   at AKC.org  on October 6, 2025 by Melanie Haid In 2000, the movie ‘ Best in Show ‘ was released, a comedy/drama surrounding the events of the fictitious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. This star-studded cast, including beautiful dogs everywhere you look, made their mark — 25 years later, the film is still a classic. But how much of it is accurate in the conformation dog show world? We sat down with Michael Canalizo, who may or may not have inspire

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on August 19, 2025 by Melanie Haid Kayla Stilger of southern Indiana, might be new to breeding, but to her, it’s always been an option. Stilger, a veterinarian, founded Apricity Icelandic Sheepdogs in 2022, and says she’s already learned so much. “It felt like a natural progression for me to get into breeding,” she says. The lifelong dog lover fell in love with the rare Icelandic Sheepdog breed after having Golden Retrievers and growi

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on July 25, 2025 by Melanie Haid For Atlanta, Georgia-based breeding program “Chateau Barbets,” their emphasis isn’t on making this newly recognized breed more popular. In fact, owner Eva Gellert hopes that the Barbet ‘s numbers don’t rise quickly, but not because of a lack of love for the breed. It’s actually her devotion to the breed that drives her and the Barbet community to be selective about breeding and who the puppies eventually

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on July 4, 2025 by Melanie Haid Jupiter Piquet, from Pinellas Park, Florida, is no stranger to the big stages of the dog sport world. At 23 years old, Piquet, who uses they/he pronouns, has already been doing dog sports for over 15 years. Now, Piquet and his Beagle , “Watcher” are taking on the biggest AKC Rally stage in the country: the AKC Rally National Championship . This year, the competition, which is being held in conjunction wi

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on June 17, 2025 by Melanie Haid Ikuko Hisaka, owner of Elfin Bolognese , has loved the breed almost as long as she’s been breeding them. But her introduction to Bolognese didn’t come until later in life. Hisaka grew up in Tokyo, Japan, and moved to the United States in 1987 when her husband’s job transferred them to Portland, Oregon. It would take another two decades for Hisaka to be introduced to the breed. But once she held a Bologne

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on March 26, 2025 by Melanie Haid Bev Klingensmith of Newton, Iowa, loves her dogs: 7-year-old Great Dane “Bing” and Golden Retriever “Nash.” She’s very involved in the dog world, showing, breeding, training and doing dog sports . She’s the President of the Great Dane Club of Des Moines, and is involved in the Des Moines Obedience Training Club, Central Iowa Kennel Club, and Great Dane Club of America . Now, she’s added “handler to a

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on March 18, 2025 by Melanie Haid Linda Grems didn’t set out to be a dog breeder , and she didn’t always have Miniature Pinschers . The Howell, Michigan already had a career in business in a different realm: automotive design. These business skills are reflected through multiple degrees, including an MBA, all uncommon for a woman especially at that time. One thing gave her a solid foundation in her career: her mentor, her dad. This mento

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on February 13, 2025 by Melanie Haid Kellie Verrelli, co-breeder of Akekal Mudis and Shepherds Kennel with Beth Bochardt, wasn’t always a Mudi breeder. Verrelli, who lives near Nashville, Tennessee, notes that her breeding journey actually began with Scottish Terriers after she and her husband got their first Scottie in 1995. Currently the owner of four Scottish Terriers and two Mudis, Verrelli typically breeds when she’s ready for a

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on January 29, 2025 by Melanie Haid At nine years old, Morgan Johnson is among the youngest competitors in the sport of agility – and certainly among the youngest handlers competing at the 2024 AKC Agility Invitational . Part of the AKC National Championship week, presented by Royal Canin, agility teams competed at the Orange County Convention Center on December 14-15. The top five dogs in each breed received an invitation to compete a

'Louis' the Pug is the first dog in his breed to receive his AKC Rally Championship title.

“Monty” the 5-year-old Giant Schnauzer will go down in history as the 24th AKC National Champion Best in Show winner.

Calista Sophia McKee, 15, spent the last 11 months and 1 week traveling across the country to show dogs in every state.

“Winston” and Jeff Wells found each other. Wells rescued the then-puppy in 2021, and soon grew to mean more to Wells than just a pet.

Originally published here to AKC.org on October 18, 2024 by Melanie Haid https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/thy-cavagnaro-meet-the-b...

Junior handler Ellie Dalton of Franklin, Massachusetts, was one of two 11-year-old handlers at the 2024 AKC Rally National Championship.

Kori Bevis of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, and her Golden Retriever 'Baker' have made history in AKC Obedience.

From the moment she saw her first dog show on TV as a child, An Tu knew that she wanted to do conformation dog shows.

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/akc-rally-national-championship-goose-all-american-dog/

Originally published on AKC.org on June 3 2024 by Melanie Haid This article was a Finalist for the Dog Writers Association of America's...