“Louie,” a mischievous Bichon Frise, inspired Karen Petit to write a children’s book series about the American Revolution.

Curious, playful, and peppy, the Bichon Frise is a small dog with a big personality. They're surprisingly athletic and thrive in a variety of settings.

There is more to the Bichon Frise than meets the eye. Here are some facts you might not know.

The adorable Bichon Frise is among the canine kingdom’s great survivors, relying on charm and intelligence to weather history’s ups and downs.

Each February, thousands of people travel to New York City for either Fashion Week or The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. But for some, these two worlds collide. Flynn, the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Best in Show, took to the runway this year. On Feb. 7, he strutted his stuff at the American Heart Association [...]

For much of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show’s 142-year existence, winning the country’s most famous dog show meant the fast track to retirement. Sure, sometimes a plucky soul returned the following year for another grab at the brass ring: After all, the very first Westminster Best in Show winner, the Smooth Fox [...]

Following two nights of challenging competition, GCHP CH Belle Creek's All I Care About Is Love, a Bichon Frise known as "Flynn," has been awarded the coveted Best in Show title at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan® at Madison Square Garden in New York on Feb. 13. The decision was [...]

Barbara Lundy owns Patchwork Pet Resort in Marshall, Texas. She has traveled the world showing her champion Bedlington Terriers, but her true love is the Bichon Frise. She has spent her career caring, grooming, training, showing, boarding and breeding four-legged furry children. AKC: How did you get started in breeding dogs? Barbara: I began working [...]

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?

Fun facts about the newest AKC recognized breed

Alexis Chism and German Wirehaired Pointer "Greta" won National Owner-Handled Series Best in Show at 2025 AKC National Championship.

One of the many decisions you'll need to make as a dog owner is whether to spay or neuter your dog. Here are things to note if you want to keep your dog intact.

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!

In its 149th year, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has crowned its winner: Giant Schnauzer "Monty," handled by Katherine Bernadin.

Over two days of breed competitions, seven dogs were crowned the winners in their group at the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

There's a reason why the AKC divides its breeds into seven groups. That reason is a mixture of tradition and breed function. But why?

The Poodle's fluffed and coiffed coat, coupled with the breed's spirited intelligence, and passion for a good swim explains the Poodle's popularity.

Dog poop is an environmental contaminant, so it's essential to scoop it up and dispose of it properly. Learn about the different disposal options.

The small but sturdy and resilient Bichon Frise stands among the world’s great “personality dogs.” Since antiquity, these irresistible canine comedians have relied on charm, beauty, and intelligence to weather history’s ups and downs.

Mister Murphy THDD owned by Christine Witzler of Bowling Green, OH Murphy is a 10-year-old Bichon Frise that Christine rescued when he was a year and a half old. “You could tell at the first meeting that he was born to be a therapy dog,” she said. “He has been in cribs [...]

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 AKC® National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHG CH Wirewick Afterhours Feels Like A Regret BN RN JH FDC CGCA CGCU TKA ATT VHMA VSWB, a German Wirehaired Pointer known affectionately as “Greta” owned by R Wickes & M Hancock & A Chism & A Chism, handled by Alexis [...]

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 [...]

GCHG CH Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB, a Giant Schnauzer known as “Monty” triumphed over more than 5,600 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize when they were awarded Best in Show at the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 14-15, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. “Monty,” owned [...]

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 AKC Agility League recently concluded its seventh season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the eight divisions. The AKC Agility [...]

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 [...]

RESULTS 2025 AKC Trick Dog National Competition Overall Winner “Cricket” (Breed: Russell Terrier) handled by Elizabeth Berthold-Davis from East Patchogue, NY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hxz-0J3Be4   Semi-finalists “Cheza” (Breed: All American) handled by Heidi Armstrong from Austin, TX https://youtu.be/oiLmkAUlXVs?si=pbBl0gyZJkE41PLa   “Hashbrown” (Breed: Brussels Griffon [...]

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 [...]