Exercise and conditioning are important for all dogs, but especially so for canine athletes.
Walking, running, stretching, and trick training are all ways to keep your dog well-conditioned.
The AKC Fit Dog program is an excellent motivator to help keep you and your pup in shape.
Regular exercise and keeping your dog in good physical condition is important for all canines, and essential if you are thinking about participating in any dog sports together. Human athletes prepare their bodies b
Border collies are highly trainable, greyhounds love to chase, and German shepherds make good guard dogs. While the environment plays a role, traits like these are highly heritable, according to a study of 101 dog breeds. The work identifies 131 genetic variants associated with breed differences in behavior.
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Dog ownership was associated with a 33% lower risk of early death for heart attack survivors living alone and 27% reduced risk of early death for stroke survivors living alone, compared to people who did not own a dog. Dog ownership was associated with a 24% reduced risk of all-cause mortality and a 31% lower risk of death by heart attack or stroke compared to non-owners.
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New research finds dog owners are often inaccurate when measuring out kibble using a scoop, putting the dogs at risk of under-nourishment or weight gain.
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For the uninitiated, these lithe-bodied runners can seem underweight. But nothing could be further from the truth.
If modern dogs were required to have resumés, most would list their job description as “companion.” But even if a dog’s main activity is warming the couch, his body – not to mention his brain – still reflects the original purposes for which he was bred, from the badger-battling Dachshund to the sled-pulling Alaskan Malamute.
Indeed, the world’s breeds display a tremendous variety
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we honor and celebrate all dog owners who have fought cancer by sharing their inspiring stories.
Almost one-third of all dogs more than seven years old will experience cancer at some point in their lives.
One in eight women in the United States will have breast cancer in their lifetime, and it’s estimated that 41,760 women will die from breast cancer in the United States this year.
So what does dog cancer have to do with breast cance
Researchers have identified the gene mutation responsible for a form of night blindness in dogs. Strategies to treat this condition, which affects a layer of neurons just below the primary photoreceptor cells, could also inform treatment of other diseases that rely on targeting this cell type.
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Lop (floppy) eared rabbits are more likely than erect ('up') eared breeds to have potentially painful ear and dental problems that may ultimately affect their ability to hear and eat properly, finds a small observational study.
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What is it about humans, senior dogs, and bucket lists? There’s the well-known “Dream Weekend” Subaru commercial and the popular children’s book Stay: A Girl, a Dog, a Bucket List, which both celebrate the ritual that some families with older dogs take part in — creating a “bucket list” of fun activities to do together.
We’ve compiled a list of activities for you to help create special milestones to commemorate your dog’s golden years. After all, just because your special pal is getting older d
Many dogs suffer from arthritis as they age. This painful condition, which occurs in dogs and in people, results when cartilage, the cushioning between the bones, begins to thin and wear away. As a result, the ends of the bones start to rub against each other. Trauma, disease, or normal wear and tear that comes with use over years all may cause arthritis.
“While there is no cure for canine arthritis, some treatments can lessen pain and improve mobility,” says Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC’s chief ve
Neurotoxocarosis (NT) occurs in humans when larvae of the Toxocara roundworm migrate into the central nervous system. That infection is accompanied by a complex molecular signaling cascade, including changes to anti-inflammatory lipid molecules, researchers now report.
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The World Health Organization has made it a goal to eliminate human rabies deaths due to dog bites by the year 2030. An increase in dog rabies vaccination rates decreases dog rabies cases, human exposure, and human deaths, researchers now report.
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An evolutionary biologist has spent more than three decades studying the skulls of many species of large carnivores -- including wolves, lions and tigers -- that lived from 50,000 years ago to the present. She reports today the answer to a puzzling question.
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Dog welfare campaigns that tell people to be 'responsible owners' don't help to promote behaviour change, a new report suggests. Dog owners interviewed for a study all considered themselves to be responsible owners, despite there being great variation in key aspects of their dog-owning behavior.
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Nail trimming is an essential part of dog grooming, and trim nails are one clear sign of your dog’s good health and hygiene. Professional groomers will perform the task for squeamish owners, but dog nail trimming is a simple procedure if done correctly.
Since nail trimming can be an anxiety-laden experience for many dogs, start handling your puppy’s feet and trimming their nails when they’re young, so they become accustomed to the process. Some dogs will sit in your lap or on a table while you
Researchers have found that dogs can suffer from the same type of autoimmune encephalitis that people do. The finding could lead to better screening methods for diagnosis and possibly more effective treatments for canine encephalitis.
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Cats have a reputation for being aloof and independent. But a study of the way domestic cats respond to their caregivers suggests that their socio-cognitive abilities and the depth of their human attachments have been underestimated. The findings show that, much like children and dogs, pet cats form secure and insecure bonds with their human caretakers.
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A new study reports that the prevalence of overweight dogs is markedly larger among overweight owners than among normal weight owners. Part of the explanation lies in whether treats are used as training tools or ''hygge-snacks''.
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Some people lament the end of summer, holding on to the lingering warmth as much as they can, while others celebrate the arrival of cooler weather. Whatever your stance is, once autumn arrives, it’s time to tend to your dog’s post-summer grooming needs—from heat-damaged paw pads to insect-bitten skin and sun-bleached fur.
Here’s how to best prep your pup for fall:
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Do you like to take your dog to the beach or lake with you? Go on hikes? Or have her keep you company in the backyard?
Your dog’s sleeping habits may begin to change as he or she ages
Sleeping more is (usually) very normal for senior dogs, although there can sometimes be reason to worry
Pay attention to your canine’s behavior — certain changes in sleep cycles may be an indication of possible disease
If you have a senior dog at home, then you know all too well that your pet’s health and behavior are likely to evolve and adapt over the years — and that includes sleep. But what differences should you expect a
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Puppies explore the world through their mouths, so they’ll chew anything they can sink their teeth into. By providing them with toys that indulge their teething instincts, you’re more likely to spare your shoes and socks from destruction.
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A change in diet is a go-to strategy for treating inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's. In dogs with a similar illness, researchers tracked specific changes in the microbiome as the pets went into remission. The team's findings, which mirror what is seen in children with Crohn's, could inform the design of improved therapeutic diets.
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