Press Releases

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is excited to announce that its popular special, AKC HEROES: 2023 AWARDS FOR CANINE EXCELLENCE, will premiere on Sunday, December 10th at 10:30pm ET on ESPN2. The show features incredible stories of this year’s AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) winners. These annual awards celebrate loyal, hard-working dogs […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2023 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees.   “We are proud to honor these knowledgeable and responsible breeders,” said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “Each of these individuals are […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for all dogs, is honored to recognize K9 Huk of Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in Jacksonville, Florida and K9 Loki of Michigan Department of State Police, in Houghton Lake, Michigan with the American Kennel Club’s DOGNY Paw of Courage Award. The AKC […]

The AKC® National Championship presented by Royal Canin has a new record-breaking entry. A grand total of 5,762 dogs will compete for the title of America’s National Champion on December 16 and 17, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events, including the AKC®/Royal Canin National All-Breed […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC) presented New Hampshire Senator Howard Pearl on November 4, 2023, with the 2023 AKC Legislator of the Year award in recognition of his advocacy for fair and balanced legislation for responsible dog owners. The award was presented by Sheila Goffe, AKC Vice President of Government Relations (GR), noting Pearl “has […]

America’s largest educational dog extravaganza returns to the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City when The American Kennel Club (AKC®) brings its annual AKC® Meet the Breeds® showcase back to NYC on January 27th and 28th, 2024.  This family-friendly, canine spectacle gives dog lovers the unique opportunity to meet and play with hundreds of adorable […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce its list of the most popular dog names of 2023. “Choosing a name is a very personal and meaningful decision for dog owners, as dogs are an integral part of our families,” […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for all dogs, is excited to announce that the Canine Flyball CanAm Classic will premiere on Sunday November 5th, 2023 at 3p.m. ET on ESPN2 The nation’s largest Flyball tournament was hosted by the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) and brought […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 AKC Trick Dog Competition. The overall winners were Paula Jarabin and her All-American dog, “Rosie,” from Santa Barbara, CA. In their routine, “The Honky Tonk Café Talent Show,” Rosie demonstrated the tricks needed to win a talent show. The 5th annual […]

The AKC® Humane Fund, Inc.SM is thrilled to announce the 2023 recipients of the Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship, celebrating the human-canine bond. Each year, the AKC Humane Fund awards five full-time students enrolled in courses of study that contribute to the well-being of dogs and the advancement of responsible pet ownership. The scholarship is […]