Being a journalist I know how important it is to follow copyright rules. I'd never dream of using a photo on my website without permission, even if it means long and hard "detective" work to find the breeder, photographer or dog owner.
I remember well when I worked on a pedigree where the sire of my pups was an American bred male, in his turn sired by Borador by George (Gordy).
No matter how hard I searched the web I couldn't find a photo of Gordy's dam, Deer Runs Sweet Carmel Queen. I sent several emails to one breeder in particular but never received an answer (which I thought was a bit rude).
I didn't give up though and a couple of months later I finally found "Carmen's" breeder and original owner - Patricia Grice!
She not only answered with a lot of info about her dogs and their health but also sent several photos of Carmen AND her dam as well. In one of the photo's, from 1998, Carmen was handled by Rusty Howard
Another dog in the pedigree was bred in England and the photo I wanted to use was taken by Anne Roslin-Williams, daughter of Mary Roslin-Williams, Mansergh Labradors. I spent much time trying to find Anne's phone number and at that particular time I was happy to have the assistance of some breeder friends in England.
So, if it's at all possible, please try do do your outmost to find the "source". Everone is happy and no sour grapes whatsoever

I agree with everything Anki said. As far as photographs go, if the photographer has copyrighted the photograph, then all rights to duplication, and replication and DISPLAY belong to her or him. Now most photographers who take photos of dogs, usually license part of their copyright to the owner or owners with the purchase of the photo of the dog, to give them the right to display the photograph or use it in their puppy packages or stud dog packages, or as an advertisement in LQ or a club show catalog,etc..

My suggestion would be when in doubt, ask the person who currently has the image, whether they took it or someone else did. If they took it, they can give you permission to use it. If a photographer took it, and did not license them to re-use it for various purposes, then just check back with the photographer who took the photograph originally. These photographs are the products of the photographer, who usually expects to earn fees off the image; especially if they have bothered to spend the cost (yes there is a charge ) to register the photograph with the U.S. Copyright Office. Unless the photographer has given an exclusive license to the original purchaser of the photograph, she or he still retains the rights to license the picture to others on a nonexclusive basis. For a probably nominal fee, you can probably also purchase rights to use the image. Just be sure to specify what uses you want the photograph for, so that the photographer can give you the license you want/need. Hope the extra information helps!