Forty-five years ago Toni Pearson set eyes on a “Samoyed without a tail” that jokingly morphed into an Australian Shepherd. Today, Team Pearson (her husband, David, and twentysomething daughters, Anna and Laura) are all in on this versatile breed under the umbrella of Timberwood Aussies, in Granite Falls, Washington. “When I married David (an Englishman), […]

When he was born, he was struggling to survive. Now, Australian Shepherd "Leonidas" is a conformation dog and PTSD service dog.

After two rounds of competition, Willie, an Australian Shepherd, was named the winner of the 7th Annual Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster. The competition took place at the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York on June 20, 2022. Officially known as OTCH Blue Skies At Dejavu UDX OM1 and owned by Kathleen and Stephen Keller, […]

Australian Shepherds are known for their energetic personalities and sharp minds. While Aussies are loyal to their owners and love to please, they can get into trouble if they're not put to work. After all, they are a herding breed. To help you navigate your Aussie puppy's first year and beyond, we turned to Dr. […]

At first glance,  you wouldn't be able to tell that Cheyenne is the oldest dog competing at the 2021 AKC Rally National Championship. Lively and energetic, the Australian Shepherd defies her age -- 15 years old. More impressive, this is the senior dog's first AKC Nationals event. But Cheyenne is not at all new to […]

Australian Shepherds are smart and energetic dogs. They have so many winning traits, no wonder they're one of the the country's most popular breeds.

Like many Americans whose ancestors arrived in previous centuries, the Australian Shepherd history is a confounding mix of many different cultures.

From their piercing eyes to their fluffy tri-colored coats, the Australian Shepherd has many fans of the breed. Here’s a list of the perfect gift to get anyone who loves this sweet, unique, and loyal dog. Whether you’re giving a gift to someone who simply loves the breed or someone who owns Australian Shepherds, this […]

(c) 2007 Ernest Hartnagle and Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor Some historians propose Basques and their sheepdogs from the Pyrenees played an insignificant role in the history of the Australian Shepherd breed. Secondly, Basques did not to go Australia with their "little blue dogs" and then come to the U.S. with boatloads of sheep. Thirdly, the Basque […]

You've likely seen the beautiful Australian Shepherd, but have you ever wondered if this breed would be a good fit for you?

1. All toys are mine. If you have the toy, it is mine. If I leave the toy and you take it, it’s still mine. 2. Your house is accessorized—with fur. Australian Shepherds shed twice a year, for six months at a time. 3. You cannot run without being “herded” in the correct direction when you own an […]

The spotlight shines on a special team composed of all Junior Handlers and Australian Shepherds – the Wiggle Butt Crew. The team, which competes in Regulation Senior, is based at Ashley’s Dog Sports in Jacksonville, FL. Dog trainer and mother Ashley Escobar coaches this cute and talented bunch. She tells us more about the team […]

Order AKC DNA + Health Kit Activate AKC DNA Kit DNA Resource Center All AKC DNA + Health Kits include: The AKC DNA Profile of 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes 328 genetic variants for health and traits, including coat color Results are delivered by our trusted service provider (Neogen) with the […]

We asked a veterinarian about Imodium® (loperamide) for dogs, why you should use the drug cautiously or not at all, dosages, and the safer alternatives.

Your dog's eye and vision evolved to emphasize the vision needed for hunting at night. Yours evolved for picking berries during the day. Here's how.

From double to single, long to hairless, and curly to wiry, dogs' coats come in different textures, lengths, and colors. So what's a double coat?

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce the winners of the AKC Junior Versatility Scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to the top 10 Juniors who competed in a minimum of three different competitive AKC Events. The dates of eligibility were […]

Are you looking for a colorful, lively breed? The Miniature American Shepherd is an interesting, small breed with a rich history!

Plott Hound 'Q' is not your average agility competitor. Known for their noses, Q is competing at the AKC Agility Invitational and representing her breed.

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 […]

Learn more about blue tongue dogs. Which breeds have them (its not just Chow Chows) and why, and when it's something to see your veterinarian about.

All AKC DNA + Health Kits include the original 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes, as well as over 328 genetic variants for health and traits. Download a pdf of all included tests Health Tests Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS, SN) This genetic variant is associated with an inherited neurological disease characterized by […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

Blue eyes in Siberian Huskies are caused by a different genetic mutation than other dog breeds.

The AKC uses registration data to collect the most popular breeds of the past year, and for the first time in history, the French Bulldog takes the #1 spot

The 2023 AKC National Agility Championship (NAC) will take place March 16 through March 19 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The fast-paced sport of dog agility will see plenty of dogs take to the ring to race against the clock while completing a pre-determined obstacle course. But what dog breeds will you be able to see compete […]

Agility is a fast-growing dog sport that showcases the power of the human-canine bond. As the handler directs the dog through a predetermined obstacle course, the team races against the clock to finish the agility course with as few mistakes as possible. The 2024 AKC National Agility Championship took place March 14 through 17 in […]

Clara Brown of Santa Rosa, California, has been involved in showing and breeding purebred dogs for more than 50 years. She has bred and shown many champions and obedience-titled dogs, starting with Belgian Tervuren and Golden Retrievers. She has bred and shown Australian Shepherds since 1993. In 2008, she became enchanted with the Tibetan Spaniel […]

The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin has a new record-breaking entry. Five thousand three hundred eighty-five (5,376) dogs will compete for the title of America’s National Champion on December 17 and 18, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events, including the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, the […]

Merle in dogs is one of the most intriguing coat patterns in the dog world, both in its appearance and its genetics. Also known as dapple, merle is characterized by irregular blotches of fur set on a lighter background of the same pigment, such as solid black on gray (called blue merle) or solid brown […]