Meet "Trevor" the Saluki, who was born in the breed's homeland of Iran. He's now a Fast CAT competitor, and one of the top-ranked Salukis across the board.

Sometimes it’s the journey, not the goal. And it took a devastating event, plus a bag of tricks, to show me that. My goal was to break yet another record with my Saluki, Pepe. He was already a Best in Show, National Specialty Best of Breed, Best in Field (Coursing), and High in Trial (both […]

The Saluki breed is sometimes known for its shyness with strangers. But not Dragon. He was owner-handler Suzanne Roble’s “heart dog,” meaning he’d forever be part of her emotional existence. But Roble says with a laugh, “Dragon never read that stuff about being aloof and standoffish with strangers. He loved everybody and would go up […]

For decades after the Revolutionary War, America had been trying to secure a treaty of commerce with Turkey. In the spring of 1831, President Andrew Jackson sent an unlikely man to solve the problem. The proud and inflexible Commodore David Porter was a 50-year-old naval hero, who had fought in the First Barbary War, the […]

The top 10 owner-handled dogs from each breed came to compete at the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals on December 14, 2019. The 791 competitors entered represented 199 breeds and marked the highest entry in the competition's history. After intense competition at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, the NOHS Best in Show honors went […]

The AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHS CH Baha Pyramid Scheme BN JC NAJ BCAT CGC TKA, a Saluki known affectionately as “Ponzi” owned, handled and bred by Dr. Caroline Coile. The 2019 NOHS Finals Best in Show winner was crowned by judge Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia after […]

The sleek and graceful Saluki has hunted with humankind for thousands of years. Because the history of this ancient sighthound reaches back long before the invention of breed clubs and written records, the breed's origin is veiled in mystery. Here are 10 interesting facts about this beautiful breed. 1. The Saluki Is One of the […]

Among the world’s oldest breeds, the slim but rugged Saluki was the hunting hound of kings for thousands of years. Salukis are swift and agile sprinters who love a good chase. They make gentle, dignified, and independent but loyal pets.

Leo was the picture of health until one day one of his eyes seemed to bulge and cloud over. It turned out to be blastomycosis in dogs, a fungal infection.

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 […]

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!

The AKC Lifetime Achievement Awards were created to recognize those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of purebred dogs on a national level. The recipients were selected by votes cast by AKC Member Clubs for nominees in each of the following categories: Conformation, Companion Events and Performance Events. The American Kennel Club […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards: Michael Canalizo (Conformation), Curt Curtis (Companion Events) and Laurie Soutar (Performance). The Awards, created by AKC President and CEO Dennis Sprung in 1999, are presented in […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="2024"] Below you will find recording links and resources for webinars that aired in 2024. Once you click the recording link, you will be asked to enter your name and email address in order to access the recording. Review and FAQ's on Conformation Judging Procedures, Policies and Guidelines Tuesday, January 16, 2024 View […]

Test for what is recommended for your breed, not everything available. Order AKC DNA + Health Kit The AKC DNA Program recommends that breeders perform DNA tests that are relevant to their breed. Although the AKC DNA + Health Kit includes over 328 markers for health and traits, not all genetic variants have been validated […]

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 that the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) has honored the AKC Family Dog magazine. In the DWAA’s annual writing competition, the magazine earned a total of seven Maxwells and special awards, […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2024 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 2024. The 2024 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

Nominees in Conformation Michael Canalizo Michael Canalizo has spent many years in the Dog Show World as a Breeder/Owner, Professional Handler, turned Judge. His first exposure to his primary breed: the Afghan Hound came in 1961 as a member of “the typical Hobby Breeder family” with their purchase of “Babu Bamn of Grandeur”. He showed […]

AKC Meet the Breeds events are a fun and educational way to spend a day with the whole family, and maybe even figure out which dog breed is right for you! If you are attending an AKC Meet the Breeds event in 2024, or are thinking about attending an event in the future, you can […]

Can dogs with missing tails, ears, or eyes compete in AKC conformations shows? It depends on the missing part and the breed standard.

Congratulations 2018 NLCC winners! November 11, 2018 Weirsdale, FL Best of Breed Winners: Afghan Hound - DC Kominek’s Narcissa SC Basenji – GCH DC Borassus Hot.Cool.Yours. SC CA Cirneco dell’Etna – CH Via2 For The Dough D’Lea Greyhound – DC Windrock Batoutahellius MC LCX Ibizan Hound – DC Abbaio Mighty Aphrodite SC Rhodesian Ridgeback – […]

Congratulations 2019 NLCC winners! December 30, 2019 Limestone, TN Best of Breed Winners: FC Kominek's Lucius SC LCX Afghan Hound   M Terry Kel Simoon Ramisi 'N Sambala RN SC CA BCAT CGC Azawakh     M BISBEE Zoiboyz Lolita CGC TKN Borzoi     L Pocurull/K Thompson FC Oquirrh Sunfleet Sapphire SC CA BCAT Greyhound     F Burnham DC Fusion's Jessica Rabbit FDC MC LCX3 TKN Ibizan Hound     K Radke FC Hallam Mia Lucy Lightfoot Al Bakhu SC Pharaoh Hound     T Haig/D Carota GCH DC […]

Congratulations 2021 NLCC winners! October 31, 2021 Muncie, IN Best of Breed Winners: FC Kominek’s Freya MC LCX2 Afghan Hound E Kominek/S Kominek FC Kel Simoon Ramisi ‘N Sambala RN SC CA BCAT CGC Azawakh M Bisbee FC Annandael & Lia Faille’s Dark Matter SC CA Basenji L Frazer/M Hogan/D Johnston NFC FC Oxota Storm […]

"Primitive," "aboriginal," "village," and "landrace" are a few of the terms archaeologists use to describe the world's oldest canine breeds. But what does it mean if a dog breed is primitive?

Every year, the AKC publishes its list of breed rankings by popularity, based on registration statistics. 2022, the top 10 least popular breeds were: Pyrenean Shepherds (No. 190) Cesky Terriers (No. 191) Sussex Spaniels (No. 192) Harriers (No. 193) Azawakhs (No. 194) Belgian Laekenois (No. 195) American Foxhounds (No. 196) Sloughis (No. 197) Norwegian Lundehunds […]

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 […]

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

When it comes to love, dogs offer all of the devotion with none of the guile. They won't sign up for a secret dating profile or see another owner behind your back. And that flirtation with the pet sitter … well, it's harmless. After all, there's a reason dogs have a reputation for being faithful […]

What are the best dogs for running or jogging partners? We run down dogs with endurance, build, athleticism, and temperament for running.

Finding the right dog match for you from 201 breeds can be daunting. That's one of the best reasons to attend AKC Meet the Breeds!