If you're seeking the perfect, friendly small dog, look no further than a Boston Terrier. Learn more about the breed.

Will small-but-mighty Boston Terrier Delilah hold her crown as the fastest of her breed at this year's AKC Fastest Dogs USA?

The Boston Terrier, dressed to the nines in a striking tuxedo coat of snow-white and either black, brindle, or seal (which appears black except it has a red cast when viewed in the sun or bright light), turns heads wherever it goes. This intelligent, compact, and jaunty companion has some terrier roots but isn't a [...]

The French Bulldog, one of the most popular dog breeds around, and the Boston Terrier, state dog of Massachusetts, are both adorable companions. Sharing fabulous ears and distinct faces, these small and compact members of the Non-Sporting Group both adapt well to an urban environment. But if you see them walking down the sidewalk, can [...]

Despite the word "terrier" in their name, the Boston Terrier is actually in the Non-Sporting Group and is known for being a world-class companion breed. With their large, round eyes, intelligent expression, and unique "tuxedo" coat, the Boston Terrier makes people fall in love with them at first sight. Here's what to know about this [...]

The Boston Terrier is a small but sturdy American breed. Also known as the “American Gentleman” for his tuxedo coat and polite demeanor, this intelligent dog was bred to be a companion. In 1870, in Boston, William O’Brien sold a dog (imported from England), who was a cross between a white English [...]

There is, carved into a Scottish Highlands farm wall, the image of a short-legged, longheaded, prick-eared, cobbily built dog barking on a wheelbarrow. The image appears to date from around A.D. 200, and is about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, small enough that the viewer cannot make out if the dog is double-coated or [...]

Who's the best puppy? More than 1,300 puppies later, we have an answer. Hundreds of puppies and junior dogs ages six months to 18 months competed for AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy of the Year on Friday, December 13. Only one came out on top: "Pierce" the Wire Fox Terrier. Fleet St Forged At Hampton Court "Pierce [...]

Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Boston’s top spot in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC®) 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The Labrador Retriever was also recognized as the #1 pup in Raleigh, Houston, and Atlanta, among others. There were quite a few shifts and [...]

The American Kennel Club is the world's largest registry of purebred dogs, and uses these statistics to rank the most popular breeds — and the rarest breeds. The numbers are in: these are the rarest dog breeds according to AKC registration statistics. In 2025, 202 total breeds were counted in the registration statistics. In 2026, 205 breeds will be counted [...]

The American Kennel Club has released registration statistics for 2025. Who will be crowned the most popular breed?

Vision plays a crucial role in your dog's quality of life. How often should you get your dog's eyes checked to prevent problems?

Hand-stripping is a specialized grooming procedure for wiry-coated dogs. It involves plucking dead strands of hair to retain the coat's coarse texture.

The 2025 AKC Military Diving Dogs Challenge was held in collaboration with North American Diving Dogs and ESPN in Georgia as part of AKC Salutes the Troops.

Pride parades and festivals are often annual events that take place around the world to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Can you bring your dog?

Based on American Kennel Club registration statistics, we rank the most popular dog breeds in America each year. The French Bulldog takes the No. 1 spot!

When did Fast CAT start? Was it when it when the dog's wolf ancestors chased down their first rabbit? When the Pharaohs unleashed swift hounds in...

Carefully bred for working ability, Briar has more than fulfilled her breeder’s hopes. The 4-year-old Golden Retriever has already earned the AKC Obedience Trial Championship and the AKC Master Agility Championship, as well as shown her ability in the field with a Junior Hunter title. She has learned the tasks for service dog work [...]

The Boston Terrier is a lively little companion recognized by his tight tuxedo jacket, sporty but compact body, and the friendly glow in his big, round eyes. His impeccable manners have earned him the nickname “The American Gentleman.”

Fleet St Forged At Hampton Court, a Wire Fox Terrier known as “Pierce” triumphed over more than 1,300 dogs ages six months to 18 months to become the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Junior of the Year, held today in Orlando, Fla in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. “Pierce,” owned and bred [...]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior [...]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 25th AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025. The 2025 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also include popular attractions such [...]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2024 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The NOHS [...]

Despite strong opposition and lobbying efforts by concerned dog owners and the AKC, the Boston City Council approved a breed-specific dangerous dog ordinance on June 23rd. Prior to its passage, the measure was amended to include a mandatory spay/neuter provision for all "pit bulls." Pit bulls are defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire [...]

Despite opposition from concerned dog owners and fanciers at a public hearing in Boston on Thursday, April 29th, legislators appear resolute in their support of a breed-specific ordinance. The proposal now heads to committee for further consideration. If enacted, the measure would: Require residents to register their "pit bulls" with the city at a cost [...]

Attention Boston dog owners! Councillors Rob Consalvo and James Kelly have introduced an ordinance that requires residents to register their "pit bulls" with the city at a cost of $50 annually. Pit bulls are defined as American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, or any mix of those breeds. The measure also limits [...]

On October 22, the Ojai City Council voted 4-1 to adopt a first-in-the-nation law that prohibits the breeding of dogs and cats with “congenital anatomical features” that are likely to cause the animal or its offspring to suffer pain, deformity, or difficult expressing natural behaviors, difficulty breathing, difficultly with physical exertion or exercise, or difficulty breeding [...]

The team of She Shed’s SuperSonics won the largest League class of Regulation Senior for the Fall 2025 Agility League season – a honor that they have held for the past three seasons! In addition, they have placed in that class at the AKC Agility League Championships for the past two years. This is a large [...]

AKC Group Standards Download AKC approved breed standards by complete group for use on any portable electronic device. Sporting Hound Working Terrier Toy Non-Sporting Herding Misc. Judges Study Guide No single written guide is ever comprehensive enough to be the only learning tool utilized in preparation for judging a new breed. We urge you to [...]

The following are the group designations that AKC breeds have been assigned. There are currently 205 breeds and 9 breeds with 21 varieties.  The varieties are by size, color or group.   The varieties are marked by **(Revised 3/10/26) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Sporting Group – 33 breeds"] Sporting Group Naturally active and alert, Sporting dogs make likeable, well-rounded companions. First developed [...]