Posts tagged "meet the breeds"

Blind Beagle With Special Silicone Eyes Is a Therapy Dog

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Jan 7th 2011 1:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Hero Pets

Damon Dahlen, AOL

Han Solo, a 5-year-old beagle from Johnson City, N.Y., has been blind his whole life. But that hasn't stopped the little dog from living large as a therapy dog, working in nursing homes and participating in a program for kids at the local library.

Solo's owner, Mary Cummings, is a breeder and owner of Stone Meadow Kennel. "He was my first beagle litter. His mother is a champion," Cummings explains.

A Serious Illness
When the puppy was born, he appeared normal. But his mother had caught a serious bacterial infection from two stillborn puppies, and the infection passed to Solo. Both mother and puppy survived, but the illness took its toll. "The infection caused his eyes to swell like little balloons," Cummings says, leaving the puppy blind and clinging to life.

Cummings wouldn't give up on the beagle and took him everywhere she went, bottle-feeding him and nursing him back to health. Her family was also invested in the puppy: Her 4-year-old son gave the dog his "Star Wars"-inspired name. As Solo recovered, Cummings continued to take him everywhere. Despite his blindness, he was a natural around people.

Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist: Why Should I Consider the Canine Good Citizen Program?

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Dec 8th 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Ask the AKC

Mary Burch picture Damon Dahlen, AOL

Meet Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen director and Paw Nation's expert columnist addressing your questions on animal behavior.

Dr. Burch has more than 25 years of experience working with dogs, and she is one of fewer than 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists based in the United States. She is the author of 10 books, including the new official book on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, "Citizen Canine: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know."

At the Meet the Breeds event in New York City, Mary Burch put dogs through their paces as part of the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program. Here, we asked her to explain it to us.

What is the CGC program and what are its goals? Why would someone want to participate?
Started in 1989, the Canine Good Citizen Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The tagline for the CGC program is "Responsible Owners, Well-Mannered Dogs," and this summarizes the goal of one of AKC's most rapidly growing programs.

Feline Agility Competitions

by Jennipher Walters (Subscribe to Jennipher Walters's posts): Nov 2nd 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Photo Galleries

If you've ever owned a cat, it may be hard to imagine that it will do anything you want on command. Especially jumping through hoops and climbing through tunnels. But at the recent Meet the Breeds, crowds gathered to watch cats compete in a mini version of the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) Feline Agility Competition. (The video above shows a Tonkinese kitten starting her training for these events and the photo gallery below shows the preview the CFA gave Paw Nation at Meet the Breeds.)

During these events, a handler guides a cat through a standard 10-obstacle course by enticing the cat to follow along using a cat teaser wand. The contestants must navigate stairs, four jumps (4 inches, 6 inches and 14 inches), two hoops, two tunnels and a set of four weave poles. Typically, feline agility competitions are two days long with about 30 to 40 cats vying for the title of fastest feline. Each cat gets 10 minutes of training on the specific course and three timed runs before competing.

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Meet the Breeds - Cat Agility Contest

The Cat Fanciers Association gives Paw Nation a special preview of the cat agility contest at the Meet the Breeds convention in New York City.

Damon Dahlen, AOL

Boo at the Zoo

Zoo goers take part in the Lost Hayride on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

Reynaldo Cordero, aka Batman works the gates at the Bronx Zoo on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

Zoo goers take part in the Lost Hayride on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

Helen and Alice Hickey ride on the Lost Hayride on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

Zoo goers take part in the Lost Hayride on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

Milda Morales rides on the Lost Hayride at the Bronx Zoo on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

A zoo worker lies in wait to scare zoo patrons on the Lost Hayride on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

A zoo worker lies in wait to scare zoo patrons on the Lost Hayride on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

A zoo worker lies in wait to scare zoo patrons on the Lost Hayride on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

Todd Pugsley demonstrates pumpkin carving for the kids at the Bronx Zoo on October 9, 2010. In celebration of Halloween, Bronx Zoo holds "Boo at the Zoo" with various activities such as Haunted Safari Adventure, Lost Hayride, Costume Parade and pumpkin carving. ( Damon Dahlen, AOL )

Boo at the Zoo

What Happened at Meet the Breeds

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Oct 22nd 2010 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs

cane corso dog picture This lucky attendee got to visit with Cane Corsos, one of the newest breeds to be recognized by the AKC. Damon Dahlen, AOL

Paw Nation had an amazing time at Meet the Breeds last weekend. We loved getting to chat with fans of the site and some of the 39,000 dog and cat lovers who attended. While our photo/video booth and iPad giveaways were big hits, there was lots more fun to be had throughout the Javits Center!

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) brought together 1,000 dogs and cats representing 200 breeds for the public to meet (and pet and cuddle). Part of the allure of the event is the opportunity to see a number of rare breeds and talk to experts about what owning that pet is like.

Learning About the Breeds
"Meet the Breeds gives the public the opportunity to see, touch and play with dogs and cats -- including some of the rarest breeds most people may have only read about or have seen on television -- and learn more about which dog or cat could become a lifelong member of their family," says American Kennel Club spokesperson Christina Duffney.

"It's a great opportunity for kids to play with a 200 pound mastiff dog that is larger than most New York City kitchens, pet a hairless sphynx cat, or interact with 'Toto' and other characters from 'The Wizard of Oz' in the cairn terrier booth, all while their parents learn about the characteristics of each breed and the importance of picking the right dog or cat that best fits their lifestyle," she added. Educating the public about the responsibilities and quirks of each breed is, in fact, a major motivating factor for having the event.

First Report from Meet the Breeds

by Susan Segrest (Subscribe to Susan Segrest's posts): Oct 18th 2010 6:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Cats

Editorial Director Chrissy Persico and her daughter Annabel checked out the Paw Nation photo and video booth at the event.

Paw Nation had a blast at Meet the Breeds this past weekend.

As the official blog of the event, we enjoyed first-hand this gathering of over 1,000 dogs and cats, representing over 200 breeds at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), created this event so folks could get up close with these animals and ask breed experts about what it's like to own them.

Be sure to come back to Paw Nation in the next few weeks as we'll be sharing stories from the event including a cat agility contest, clips from the Paw Nation video booth and more!

See You at Meet the Breeds This Weekend! And Don't Forget to Enter to Win All These Great Prizes

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Oct 15th 2010 12:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Giveaways

Meet the Breeds

It's finally here! Meet the Breeds is this weekend, Oct. 16–17, in New York City. As the official blog of Meet the Breeds, we'll be there at booth 2401. If you're in the area, come say hello!

Even if you're not able to make it to the event, you can still follow along. We'll be posting updates all weekend on Facebook and Twitter. Check out a preview of the event in the video below.

And don't forget, today is the last day to enter all of our great Meet the Breeds giveaways! Want a year's supply of dog food, or a fancy heated bed to keep your pet warm and cozy this winter? What about pet insurance or a great travel pet carrier? Click on the giveaways below to sign up! The contest registration ends today at 5 p.m. ET, so hurry!

DOG FOOD: Win a year's supply of Iams dog food

PET INSURANCE: Win a year of pet insurance from PetPartners, Inc.

DELUXE PET BED AND MORE: Win a PetSafe Heated Wellness Sleeper and a coupon for $100 off the installation of an Invisible Fence

CAT LITTER: Win 80 pounds of Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter

PET CARRIER: Win a SturdiBag Pet Carrier

TRAVEL GIFT PACK: Win a GoPetFriendly.com Gift Pack

CLEANING AND GROOMING PRODUCTS: Win $100 Worth of AKC GOLD Products

HOME AND CAR SAFETY: Win an ADT Safety Bundle

TASTY TREATS: Win $100 Worth of Pet Brands AKC Treats and Rawhides

Dog Behavior - Why Does My Pet Do That?

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Oct 14th 2010 2:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Photo Galleries

Do you ever wonder just why your German shepherd leans against you so much? Or why your Yorkie chases everything? It might have more to do with your dog's breed history than his personality. Learn more in the gallery below!

Enter to Win a Travel Gift Pack, Cleaning Products, Dog Food, Cat Litter and More

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Oct 14th 2010 10:00AM Filed Under: Giveaways

Meet the Breeds

Meet the Breeds is coming up this weekend, Oct. 16–17 in New York City. But you don't have to attend the event to get in on the fun. Many of the Meet the Breeds sponsors are giving away fabulous prizes to Paw Nation readers!

Want a year's supply of dog food, or a fancy heated bed to keep your pet warm and cozy this winter? What about pet insurance or a great travel pet carrier? Click on the giveaways below to sign up! The contest registration ends Friday, October 15, 2010.

DOG FOOD: Win a year's supply of Iams dog food

PET INSURANCE: Win a year of pet insurance from PetPartners, Inc.

DELUXE PET BED AND MORE: Win a PetSafe Heated Wellness Sleeper and a coupon for $100 off the installation of an Invisible Fence

CAT LITTER: Win 80 pounds of Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter

PET CARRIER: Win a SturdiBag Pet Carrier

TRAVEL GIFT PACK: Win a GoPetFriendly.com Gift Pack

CLEANING AND GROOMING PRODUCTS: Win $100 Worth of AKC GOLD Products

HOME AND CAR SAFETY: Win an ADT Safety Bundle

TASTY TREATS: Win $100 Worth of Pet Brands AKC Treats and Rawhides

Enter to Win a Pet Carrier, Cat Litter, Deluxe Dog Bed, a Year of Dog Food and More

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Oct 13th 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Giveaways

Meet the Breeds

Meet the Breeds is coming up this weekend, Oct. 16–17 in New York City. But you don't have to attend the event to get in on the fun. Many of the Meet the Breeds sponsors are giving away fabulous prizes to Paw Nation readers!

Want a year's supply of dog food, or a fancy heated bed to keep your pet warm and cozy this winter? What about pet insurance or a great travel pet carrier? Click on the giveaways below to sign up! The contest registration ends Friday, October 15, 2010.

DOG FOOD: Win a year's supply of Iams dog food

PET INSURANCE: Win a year of pet insurance from PetPartners, Inc.

DELUXE PET BED AND MORE: Win a PetSafe Heated Wellness Sleeper and a coupon for $100 off the installation of an Invisible Fence

CAT LITTER: Win 80 pounds of Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter

PET CARRIER: Win a SturdiBag Pet Carrier

TRAVEL GIFT PACK: Win a GoPetFriendly.com Gift Pack

CLEANING AND GROOMING PRODUCTS: Win $100 Worth of AKC GOLD Products

HOME AND CAR SAFETY: Win an ADT Safety Bundle

TASTY TREATS: Win $100 Worth of Pet Brands AKC Treats and Rawhides

Curious About Cat Shows? Here's How They Work

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Oct 12th 2010 12:00PM Filed Under: Cats

Cornish rex cat picture A Cornish rex at a CFA cat show in San Mateo, Calif. shinzui, Flickr

Canines aren't the only ones who get to win ribbons for their physical perfection. Cats have been starring in their own competitions since 1906 and the creation of the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).

A member of the CFA's Board of Directors, David White has been showing and breeding cats for 15 years. He currently has the number-one ranked Cornish rex in the country and the tenth best cat in the country. White talked to Paw Nation about what happens at cat shows and how felines are judged.

What is the Cat Fanciers' Association?
It's the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats.

How many different cat breeds are there?
The CFA currently has 41 recognized cat breeds.

When are cat shows held?
The CFA show season lasts from May 1 to the following April 31. Every weekend, there are five to 10 shows throughout the country, and there are international shows too. Serious competitors can spend upwards of $15,000 in a show season.

How large do the cat shows get?
Entries for cat shows in the U.S. are limited to 225 to 450 for space reasons. At international shows with larger exhibit spaces, there can be 1,000 or more cats per show.

Meet the Breeds - Enter to Win a Year of Dog Food, 80lbs of Cat Litter, Pet Insurance, Grooming Products and More

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Oct 11th 2010 10:00AM Filed Under: Giveaways

Meet the Breeds

We're just a week away from Meet the Breeds, taking place Oct. 16–17 in New York City. But you don't have to attend the event to get in on the fun. Many of the Meet the Breeds sponsors are giving away fabulous prizes to Paw Nation readers!

Want a year's supply of dog food, or a fancy heated bed to keep your pet warm and cozy this winter? What about pet insurance or a great travel pet carrier? Click on the giveaways below to sign up!

DOG FOOD: Win a year's supply of Iams dog food

PET INSURANCE: Win a year of pet insurance from PetPartners, Inc.

DELUXE PET BED AND MORE: Win a PetSafe Heated Wellness Sleeper and a coupon for $100 off the installation of an Invisible Fence

CAT LITTER: Win 80 pounds of Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter

PET CARRIER: Win a SturdiBag Pet Carrier

TRAVEL GIFT PACK: Win a GoPetFriendly.com Gift Pack

CLEANING AND GROOMING PRODUCTS: Win $100 Worth of AKC GOLD Products

HOME AND CAR SAFETY: Win an ADT Safety Bundle

TASTY TREATS: Win $100 Worth of Pet Brands AKC Treats and Rawhides

Beagles - Test Your Knowledge

by Rebecca Quimby (Subscribe to Rebecca Quimby's posts): Oct 11th 2010 7:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Meet the Breeds

Beagles are cute, cheery, and make great (if sometimes mischievious) family pets. You've probably met a beagle or two in your life, but how well do you really know the breed? Take this quiz to find out!

How Well Do You Know Beagles?

What were beagles were originally bred to do?

Hunt rabbits
Track deer
Be family pets
Imitate bugles with their baying

According to AKC Registration Statistics, how popular are beagles?

#2
#5
#14
#9

Which of these traits is beagles known for?

Courage
Laziness
Independence
Retrieving

Where did the breed originate?

France
The United States
England
Belgium

What U.S. President owned three beagles named Him, Her, and Edgar?

John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Grover Cleveland
Ronald Reagan

Which of these famous fictional dogs is a beagle?

Snoopy
Odie
Brian Griffin
Grommit
All of the above

Learn more about your favorite breeds at the upcoming Meet the Breeds event in New York City on October 16th - 17th. For more information, visit MeetTheBreeds.com.

Meet the Breeds - Enter to Win a Year's Worth of Dog Food, 80lbs of Cat Litter, Pet Insurance, Grooming Products and More

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Oct 8th 2010 6:00PM Filed Under: Giveaways

Meet the Breeds

We're just a week away from Meet the Breeds, taking place Oct. 16–17 in New York City. But you don't have to attend the event to get in on the fun. Many of the Meet the Breeds sponsors are giving away fabulous prizes to Paw Nation readers!

Want a year's supply of dog food, or a fancy heated bed to keep your pet warm and cozy this winter? What about pet insurance or a great travel pet carrier? Click on the giveaways below to sign up!

DOG FOOD: Win a year's supply of Iams dog food

PET INSURANCE: Win a year of pet insurance from PetPartners, Inc.

DELUXE PET BED AND MORE: Win a PetSafe Heated Wellness Sleeper and a coupon for $100 off the installation of an Invisible Fence

CAT LITTER: Win 80 pounds of Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Litter

PET CARRIER: Win a SturdiBag Pet Carrier

TRAVEL GIFT PACK: Win a GoPetFriendly.com Gift Pack

CLEANING AND GROOMING PRODUCTS: Win $100 Worth of AKC GOLD Products

HOME AND CAR SAFETY: Win an ADT Safety Bundle

TASTY TREATS: Win $100 Worth of Pet Brands AKC Treats and Rawhides

Countdown to Meet the Breeds - Pet Brands AKC Treats and Rawhides Giveaway

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Oct 8th 2010 9:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Giveaways

akc pet brands treats picture Pet Brands

We love giving our dogs yummy treats, though we're sure our dogs would argue that they love it just a little more! Pet Brands knows this. So as sponsors of Meet the Breeds, and in honor of the upcoming event, Pet Brands is giving away $100 worth of American Kennel Club dog treats and rawhide (products may vary).

Just imagine the look on your dog's face when he sees all those goodies! Or at least think about how hard his tail will wag!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what kind of tricks your pet will do for a treat.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, October 15, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive $100 worth of American Kennel Club dog treats and rawhide (valued at $100).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Countdown to Meet the Breeds - ADT Safety Bundle Giveaway

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Oct 7th 2010 2:00PM Filed Under: Giveaways

meet the breeds safety bundle picture ADT

Everybody thinks about home safety, but have you thought about it with regard to your pets? ADT Security Services has, and they've teamed up with the American Kennel Club to help the estimated 500,000 pets affected by home fires yearly. A security system hooked up to your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can alert authorities to an emergency in your home if you're not there (but your pets are). Even without a security system, there's more you can do to help keep your pet safe.

As sponsors of Meet the Breeds, and in honor of the upcoming event, ADT is giving away a safety bundle that includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a roadside safety kit, and set of home emergency lights. All these items will help keep you and your family, whether the members have two or four legs, safe at home and on the road. And entering to win is a snap!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what you do to protect your pets.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, October 15, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive an ADT safety bundle including a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a roadside safety kit, and set of home emergency lights (valued at $125).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Posts tagged "meet the breeds"

Blind Beagle With Special Silicone Eyes Is a Therapy Dog

Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist: Why Should I Consider the Canine Good Citizen Program?

Sponsored Links

Feline Agility Competitions

Boo at the Zoo

What Happened at Meet the Breeds

First Report from Meet the Breeds

See You at Meet the Breeds This Weekend! And Don't Forget to Enter to Win All These Great Prizes

Dog Behavior - Why Does My Pet Do That?

Michael Vick dogs

Enter to Win a Travel Gift Pack, Cleaning Products, Dog Food, Cat Litter and More

Enter to Win a Pet Carrier, Cat Litter, Deluxe Dog Bed, a Year of Dog Food and More

Curious About Cat Shows? Here's How They Work

Meet the Breeds - Enter to Win a Year of Dog Food, 80lbs of Cat Litter, Pet Insurance, Grooming Products and More

Beagles - Test Your Knowledge

How Well Do You Know Beagles?

What were beagles were originally bred to do?

According to AKC Registration Statistics, how popular are beagles?

Which of these traits is beagles known for?

Where did the breed originate?

What U.S. President owned three beagles named Him, Her, and Edgar?

Which of these famous fictional dogs is a beagle?

Meet the Breeds - Enter to Win a Year's Worth of Dog Food, 80lbs of Cat Litter, Pet Insurance, Grooming Products and More

Countdown to Meet the Breeds - Pet Brands AKC Treats and Rawhides Giveaway

Countdown to Meet the Breeds - ADT Safety Bundle Giveaway

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