u/americankennelclub

From barbecues to swimming, the start of summer can mean a lot more outdoor gatherings that you'd like to bring your dog to. Before choosing to include your dog, be sure to prepare so they are safe and comfortable.

Take note of the barbecue foods that your dog may beg for but might not actually be good for them to avoid a trip to the vet.

Look out for early signs of heatstroke if you're outside with your dog and limit the amount of time spent outdoors if it's hot and humid.

Not every breed is a natural swimmer. Gradually introduce your dog to water and have a life jacket on them if there is a chance for swimming.

It's time to celebrate because we're spotlighting the Borzoi as our Breed of the Day today on our Facebook page, Instagram stories, and website! We publish a new breed each day to educate our followers to make informed decisions when choosing a dog while providing the history and hard work that our parent clubs do to preserve their breed. Celebrate with us by sharing what you love about your Borzoi!

We're excited to present AKC Celebrates USA 250 as part of the AKC on ESPN Dog Sports Series. The event is a high-energy, family-friendly weekend of dog sports and entertainment taking place June 5th - 7th at the Philadelphia Navy Yard as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations. AKC Celebrates USA 250 is free and open to the public!

Over three days, the Philadelphia Navy Yard will transform into a festival-like environment featuring high-energy canine competition and family-friendly experiences, including:

• AKC Diving Dogs Team Challenge: Top canine athletes take flight in a fast-paced team competition filled with big jumps, bigger splashes, and a thrilling knockout finish
• AKC Agility Premier Cup: Elite agility dogs and handlers race through fast, technical courses in an exciting test of speed, precision, and teamwork
• AKC Agility Team Challenge: A brand-new team format brings strategy and speed together as top teams battle through unique rounds and head-to-head knockout races
• Mini AKC Meet the Breeds: Meet, play with, and learn about a variety of different dog breeds at a mini AKC Meet the Breeds, happening 12pm - 2:30pm on June 6-7!
• Kid’s Zone: Test your agility skills in our interactive fun zone and participate in games and photo opportunities for the whole family
• Food Trucks AKC Celebrates USA 250 will take place at the Marine Parade Ground Field at the Philadelphia Navy Yard from 11am to 4pm each day.

Additionally, debuting at AKC Celebrates USA 250 is the AKC FIT DOG Star-Spangled Scurry, a new addition to the AKC FIT DOG Programs virtual group walks! The event encourages dog owners across the country to get active with their dogs through a flexible, community-driven virtual 5K that can be completed from anywhere.

Participants can complete the 5K all at once or in smaller segments any time from June 1st through August 15th, 2026. Commemorative medals that act as your registration for the event will be available for purchase at the AKC Celebrates USA 250 event in Philadelphia for $20 each. A portion of medal sale proceeds will benefit a charitable dog organization.

It's time to celebrate because we're spotlighting the American English Coonhound as our Breed of the Day today on our Facebook page, Instagram stories, and website! We publish a new breed each day to educate our followers to make informed decisions when choosing a dog while providing the history and hard work that our parent clubs do to preserve their breed. Celebrate with us by sharing what you love about your American English Coonhound!

It's time to celebrate because we're spotlighting the Great Pyrenees as our Breed of the Day today on our Facebook page, Instagram stories, and website! We publish a new breed each day to educate our followers to make informed decisions when choosing a dog while providing the history and hard work that our parent clubs do to preserve their breed. Celebrate with us by sharing what you love about your Great Pyrenees!

Congratulations to Han Yu and Skye for being crowned the 12" Agility Champions with 33.246 seconds!

Teaching your dog how to sit and stay is a crucial part of building good manners and reliable obedience - and it's simpler than you might think!

To train stay successfully, you'll need to start small and build slowly. You'll want your dog to know what the release word means first after they show a proper sit. Once your dog understands that they can move after the release word, you can start adding duration. asking them to stay for longer periods of time. Continue building and rewarding them while they're in the stay to keep them engaged.

Learning Sit and Stay will get you closer to earning an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title. The sixth test item is Sit and down on cue/Staying in place which has you and your dog doing the sit, down, and stay cues in one sequence. The CGC program provides a perfect framework for training your dog to become a polite member of society.

It's time to celebrate because we're spotlighting the Yorkshire Terrier as our Breed of the Day today on our Facebook page, Instagram stories, and website! We publish a new breed each day to educate our followers to make informed decisions when choosing a dog while providing the history and hard work that our parent clubs do to preserve their breed. Celebrate with us by sharing what you love about your Yorkie!