We have all heard the heartbreaking stories: A child brutally attacked by a dog. A beloved family pet or a farmer’s livestock killed or injured by a stray dog. Such stories are far too common, and everyone agrees our communities must be protected from dangerous animals. When faced with this dilemma, many public officials […]

  A groundbreaking shelter study released today by the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) reveals that U.S. animal shelters are reporting an all-time low in the number of purebred dogs available. The study finds that only about five percent of the dogs available in U.S. shelters are purebred; a significant departure from the 25% figure […]

Dog trainer Brian Burton rescued Sammy and recognized his extreme intelligence which has been channeled into amazing performances in AKC Rally. Enjoy this video of one of Sammy’s perfect score AKC Rally trials: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjvQn54xZH0 Read more about Sammy's story: It was nearly Christmas 2009 when the New York City Animal Control picked up the terrier […]

Safira is a 4-year-old pitbull - Border Collie mix who is looking for a home at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. Safira is a little shy until she gets to know you, but she is very loving and playful. She loves swimming, playing with the water hose and her Jolly ball, but, most of […]

Pitbull mix, Remington, loves pulling owner Casey Sprogis on his online skates in this warm-weather version of the dog sport of Skijoring. Usually, the sport is practiced on snow in winter and the dog pulls their owners on skis - but this version works great and Remington looks like he is having a great time! […]

A big congratulations to Jasmine of Lindenbrook UD & Nan Daley of Woodside, CA, on a very prestigious win in AKC Obedience competition. Jasmine went High in Trial and High Combined Score at the Nor-Cal Keeshond Club all-breed obedience trial on Nov. 6 in Napa, CA. She scored 198.5 out of a possible perfect score […]

Jasmine of Lindenbrook UDX and Nan Daley of Woodside, CA, have become just the third All-American Dog team to achieve the AKC Obedience title of Utility Dog Excellent (UDX). This challenging goal requires dogs to qualify in both Open B and Utility B classes on the same day 10 times. Jasmine achieved this in just […]

This training tip is contributed by dog trainer Kay Lackey of Lodi, OH, owner of Katie’s Ark Dog Training. She is the owner of an AKC Canine Partner named Rocky, a pitbull mix who is a certified therapy dog and rally competitor. Lackey, who has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science, has worked with animals […]

Stellar photographer Sophie Gamand, who caught our attention last year with her global award–winning photographs of wet dogs, has outdone herself. The Brooklyn-based artist worked with multiple NYC-based rescue organizations to highlight pit bulls as non-threatening in this photos series, called "Flower Power." Gamand explains: "This project started as an excuse for me to discover […]

JuliAnna Munden is a lifelong dog lover, but training classes and competitions never occurred to her. A bark in her backyard changed all that. One day five years ago, JuliAnna was trying to study but a persistent bark outside her home in Pasco, WA, kept interrupting. “I went out back and saw this dog inside […]

In 2007, football star Michael Vick plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges for running a dogfighting ring out of his “Bad Newz Kennels” in Virginia. Fifty-one dogs were rescued during a raid, and many were rehabilitated. He served 18 months in jail, and then continued on with this professional life, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles […]

Pitbull Abandoned by Owner Gets New Family & Career Jasmine of Lindenbrook UD owned by Nan & Kevin Daley of Woodside, CA Jasmine was dropped off at the Daley’s house by a friend of their daughters' to watch while his landlord inspected his rental house. “He didn't come back as expected and then told us […]

More Canine Victims of the Hurricanes Airlifted Out of Ravaged Area Continuing its efforts to aid the canine victims of the hurricane affected areas, the American Kennel Club (AKC®), along with its affiliate AKC Companion Animal Recovery (AKC CAR), airlifted 4,000 pounds of furry passengers to Illinois and Wisconsin. This is the sixth airlift of […]

A groundbreaking shelter study released today by the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) reveals that U.S. animal shelters are reporting an all-time low in the number of purebred dogs available.  The study finds that only about five percent of the dogs available in U.S. shelters are purebred; a significant departure from the 25% figure commonly […]

The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to assist dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can't help unless we are aware of the proposal. Please contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org when new laws are discussed or introduced in your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]

The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to assist dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can't help unless we are aware of the proposal. Please contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org when new laws are discussed or introduced in your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]

The AKC Government Relations Department is pleased to assist dog owners with canine legislation issues in their local communities, but we can't help unless we are aware of the proposal. Please contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org when new laws are discussed or introduced in your city or county. We will provide you with resources and […]

He’s almost 1½ years old but you should see his social calendar already. And managing it resembles a command central operation. Dubs is a 75-pound Alaskan Malamute who just happens to be the University of Washington’s mascot and a conformation show dog in the Pacific Northwest. The university explains why it chose an Alaskan Malamute […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking and Trick Dog. Big congrats to the first All-American to earn the Scent Work Masters title and the seventh All-American to earn the Obedience Trial Championship! AGILITY Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Multiple Master Agility […]

Late Start in Agility Does Not Slow Down Joelle Joelle, formally known as Ma Belle Joelle MX MXJ MJB XF T2B CA BCAT DM CGC, is an 8-year-old rescue dog who did not start taking agility classes until she was nearly 4 years old. Her owner, Ali Park of Williamsburg, Virginia, thought she was getting a laid-back Mastiff when she […]