By James Morrissey ©WildCoyoteStudio.com

Canine photography has become the largest component of my business over the last several years. The demand has grown to the point that I stopped photographing weddings and other special events so that I could focus exclusively on canine events and portraiture. Most people who hire me are looking for photographs of beloved companions. Exhibitors want images that accurately represent breed type and expression. Performance competitors want to showcase athleticism and drive. Breeders want photographs that highlight the qualities they have spent generations developing. Regardless of the audience, the goal remains the same–create an image that captures not just what the dog looks like, but who the dog is.

You can see examples of my work at Wild Coyote Studio. I hope that the following tips help you create stronger canine photographs of your own.

(1) KNOW Your Subject

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292 – July, 2026

By Caroline Coile

How well do you know your AKC rules? Most people don’t bother to really study them until they unwittingly violate one and their dog loses its win–or worse. I’d advise everyone to sit down with the ‘AKC Rules Applying to Dog Shows’ before even entering their first show. I know I did. Even so, it seems every new reading reveals something I didn’t know before—and yes, I’ve lost wins because I thought I knew the rules when it turned out I didn’t. So this is the first of a series of common questions and misunderstandings when it comes to AKC rules, starting with one of the most misunderstood areas, NOHS. By the way, feel free to send any rules questions and I’ll try to research them and include them in future installments.

NOHS

1. You entered the Amateur-Owner-Handler class, but did not check the NOHS-eligible box. Your dog goes WD. Are you eligible for NOHS BOB? Yes. “Entries into the Amateur-Owner-Handler class are automatically entered into the NOHS.”

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284 – July, 2026

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278 – July, 2026

By Lee Connor

Many years ago, we bought a tiny black and tan Miniature Dachshund puppy (who would later become the renowned ‘Alfie’) and dutifully attended our local ringcraft classes.

Here, he (we) learned all about ring etiquette and, more importantly, Alfie also learned about socializing with other dogs.

One of these dogs was a huge, rufous-haired beast of an animal who Alfie quickly developed a bizarre kind of magnetism for!

I was quite wary of the two interacting, fearing that the little one could quite easily end up as a tasty snack, but the big dog’s owner was quite insistent, “Oh, he’ll be fine, Leo is an absolute lamb…” Yeah, I’d heard that line before…

Tentatively, I allowed Alf to move over to say hello…it was love at first sight.The big dog was so gentle with our little fella, permitting all kinds of doggy indiscretions!

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260 – July, 2026

By Dr. Carmen Battaglia

By the time you finish reading this article, I hope you will come to the conclusion that dog clubs have increasingly come to recognize the need for more workers. Unfortunately, many are missing an opportunity that is hiding in plain sight. All clubs need more volunteers. Those who have found a way to develop this army of workers are building the backbone and atmosphere necessary to support the future success of their club. The better clubs find ways to recruit and use these individuals to benefit their club and the sport. For example, we know that members and non-members who volunteer to serve do so because they know it helps their club and it builds friendships. Collectively they like being with others, they want to help where needed, and they care about the sport. Yes, there are other benefits produced by volunteers including the economic, professional, and personal benefits. In many ways volunteers inject thousands of dollars into local economies across the country. Dog show data collected by AKC confirms that communities benefit from hotel stays, food, liquor, and gasoline sales– money spent by volunteers and those attending shows. For some of the younger volunteers, it boosts their employment prospects. Generally speaking, volunteers provide an effective and meaningful service, and demonstrate their commitment to a cause. Some see themselves as problem-solvers. Others have the satisfaction of seeing what they bring to the sport, their club, and the local community through their efforts.

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244 – July, 2026

By Lisa Dubé Forman

How did our journey into the wild world of canine reproduction become such a three-ring circus? Most of you know what I’m talking about, so don’t pretend otherwise. Just ask any private, purebred dog breeder muttering as their bitch nears her heat cycle—they’ll confirm the madness. Honestly, we’ve all gone a bit mad. Yet here we are, doomed to repeating the cycle until our wallets wave the white flag.

If you’ve retired from breeding or let Mother Nature call the shots, you’re blissfully unaware of the spectacle you’re missing! Hats off to you—you probably think the rest of us, orchestrating puppy litters with syringes and science, have gone completely bonkers. The madness is real: artificial insemination now takes center stage, with theriogenology’s high-tech wizardry stealing the show. Nearly every breeder I know sheepishly confesses to relying on artificial insemination more often than not. But the real showstopper? The jaw-dropping costs and the endless hours it devours.

Let’s dive into theriogenology and canine reproduction. Here’s our roadmap: we’ll touch on natural breeding, then veer into artificial insemination, with its fresh-chilled and frozen methods—each with its own twist, timing, and price tag. Fair warning: this is a maze of details, so buckle up! You’ll soon see my favorite phrase: ‘It depends.’

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232 – July, 2026

This agreement strengthens international collaboration around shared priorities, expanding canine exhibitions and registrations, advancing education, promoting dogs as family companions, and supporting responsible breeding and ownership, while establishing a framework for cooperation to deliver meaningful value to breeders, dog owners, exhibitors, judges, and event officials in both the United States and Australia.

“Strong international partnerships are essential to ensuring a solid future for purebred dogs,” said Gina M. DiNardo, President and CEO of the American Kennel Club. “We are honored to collaborate with Dogs Australia as we work together to advance responsible breeding, expand educational opportunities, support the growth of dog sports, and celebrate the extraordinary bond between people and dogs.”

“Some of our clubs, breeders, judges and competitors already have contact with and enjoy association with AKC members” said Hugh Gent OAM, President of Dogs Australia.  “The Mutual Cooperation Agreement will be of enormous benefit to both organizations, allowing us to share experience, embracing Canine Health, Research, Sporting Activities and collaboration on the many challenges facing our sports.”

“Dogs Australia sport activities are wide ranging and thorough,” said Doug Ljungren, AKC Executive V.P. for Sports A& Events. “We look forward to learning from each other in order to strengthening and broaden our programs.”

Under the agreement, the AKC and Dogs Australia will explore opportunities to collaborate on events, encourage the registration of purebred dogs, promote responsible breeding practices, and share knowledge to enhance the education of judges, exhibitors, breeders, and event officials. The organizations will also work together to promote dogs as valued family companions while advancing canine health and welfare through the exchange of research, resources, and best practices.

By Lisa Dubé Forman

The cell phone dilemma. These gadgets have become so woven into our daily routines that some folks can barely function without them–even in the middle of a dog show ring.

Not long ago, an AKC Facebook group post sparked a disagreement about professional handlers and exhibitors using cell phones in the show ring during judging, either to text or answer a call. The topic was a hornet’s nest! Here’s what started it. A spectator observed a handler in the ring waiting to be examined when, reportedly, the handler’s phone rang loudly enough for everyone to hear–and the handler answered it. The original poster called it appalling. Maybe not the best adjective, given that it sounds like an overstatement of their reaction, but clearly they were upset.

Before the comments were shut down, 91 opinions poured in. Some argued that professional handlers need phones in the ring to coordinate assistants or juggle time conflicts, and seeing no harm in it. Others likened answering a call to chatting with someone outside the ring, so they shrugged it off. Some swore that possible kennel emergencies or having kids made phone availability essential. A handful stood their ground, declaring any cell phone use during a dog’s exhibition completely off-limits. I doubt the original poster expected such a whirlwind of differing opinions.

Let’s settle the controversy here and now about whether using a cell phone in the show ring is permissible. Here is an excerpt from Page 9 of the Red Book, aka Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges. This is an AKC policy denoted with the letter [P].

The judge, ring steward, and exhibitors may not initiate or receive any phone calls and/or text messages while in the ring and judging is in progress.

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226 – July, 2026