The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase from a responsible breeder. While the AKC does not endorse or recommend specific breeders, we do offer several resources to locate breeders. The AKC recommends puppy buyers begin the search process by contacting the AKC Parent Club. Please [...]

Whether you’re breeding your first litter or next Best in Show winner, we offer invaluable resources for dog breeders, including up-to-date information, ongoing educational programs and more: Litter Registration Show you are a responsible breeder and that your puppies meet breed standards! When you register your litters with the AKC, you get a Registration [...]

Your go-to resource for all-things breeder!  What is AKC Breeder Toolkit? AKC Breeder Toolkit is a FREE online tool created for AKC breeders that centralizes important AKC registration and recordkeeping functions into one location. AKC Breeder Toolkit is the easiest way to maintain records for dog, litter, and puppy registration data.  With AKC Breeder Toolkit [...]

The AKC is the only purebred registry in the United States with an ongoing routine kennel inspection program. The AKC has a dedicated team of field agents who visit kennels to help breeders while ensuring the proper care and conditions of AKC-registered dogs and verify that breeders are maintaining accurate records for their dogs. Since [...]

 Good dogs come from good breeders. Good breeders strive to improve their breeds while considering canine health, temperament, training, and promoting responsible dog ownership. Part art, part science, and total devotion, breeding is exciting and challenging. AKC is here to support you on this amazing journey.   Dog Breeding Fundamentals Course AKC Legacy Breeder Videos [...]

Each year, The American Kennel Club recognizes and celebrates an outstanding purebred dog breeder with the Breeder of the Year Award. The award honors those breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs. At a special presentation held during the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin [...]

Thinking of Buying a Puppy? Find a Responsible Breeder. Don't be put off if a breeder isn't immediately responsive. Hobby breeders often have full-time jobs and they don't always have available puppies. Be selective. Find a responsible breeder who is knowledgeable and make sure you're comfortable with them. Visit the breeder's home or kennel and [...]

Breeders that participate in the AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program enjoy these benefits: Bred with H.E.A.R.T. Program Logos Logos will be on both AKC dog registration applications & certificates Breed Specific Web Banners Web banners may be used to promote program acceptance on your website. Litter and [...]

Even if you don’t know Chris Flessner and her husband Bryan, chances are you’ve admired their handiwork: Their homebred “Trumpet” (GChB Flessner’s Toot My Own Horn) was the Westminster Kennel Club’s 2022 Best in Show winner, shown by professional handler Heather Buehner, who is also his co-breeder and co-owner. While this year [...]

Breeding comes with great responsibility, but preparing yourself with knowledge will ensure a rewarding experience. The AKC Education portal, sponsored by Royal Canin offers courses covering a wide range of breeder education topics, such as breeding basics, genetics, selection, and anatomy.  Like the AKC, Royal Canin is committed to improving the lives of the dogs [...]

Breeder of Merit Application (PDF) Use this form to apply for Breeder of Merit or for additional breeds Breeder of Merit Advanced Recognition Application (PDF) Use this form if you are currently an enrolled Breeder of Merit and wish to apply for an advanced level of Breeder of Merit Breeder of Merit Titles Report Order [...]

The Breeder Toolkit is a new records management tool that updates the functionality of Your Manage Dogs, and Litters and Breeding Records that is accessible through your MyAKC account and introduces new streamlined functions.  The tools you need to manage your Dogs and Litters are congregated in one place for easy management, as well as [...]

  Search here for breeders who have met the requirements to be a Breeder of Merit.   Breeder of Merit sponsored by Royal Canin 

Once again, I sit on the edge of the whelping box eagerly awaiting the new arrivals. How many boys? How many girls? What colors will they be? Will Carrie be a good mother? I am curious, and excited. I am soothing Carrie — who has no idea that she is about to embark on the [...]

If you are considering becoming a mentor for an aspiring breeder, first I would say congratulations and thank you for doing your part to keep all that we love growing and flourishing. Next, there are things I would like you to consider. Becoming a mentor should not be undertaken without a lot of soul-searching on [...]

Breeder Tax Options and ResponsibilitiesBreeders must be aware of all tax options and discuss them with a tax professional. Whether you owe a substantial amount or have a refund coming, start your tax planning at the beginning of each year. For many dog breeders, just like thousands of other Americans, the scramble to file taxes [...]

Giving new breeders a great start and helping experienced breeders learn new skills are just two benefits of attending the new AKC Breeder Symposiums. AKC started the educational opportunities to create a supportive culture for all breeders, whether they have produced one litter or 100 litters. The idea started last year when the AKC Breeder Development [...]

At today's AKC Meet the Breeds event there were over a hundred breeds of dogs to snuggle. Behind every adorable dog in attendance is a responsible, caring, and knowledgeable breeder. We got a chance to talk with one and learn what got her into the world of dogs and a little about the furry [...]

Meet Gayle Watkins, breeder of over 100 titled Golden Retrievers that have excelled in multiple sports and co-founder of Avidog International.  A Gold-level AKC Breeder of Merit, Gayle Watkins of Highlands, North Carolina, puts the “purpose” in multi-purpose dogs: Her Gaylan’s Golden Retrievers have earned more than 140 American and Canadian conformation, obedience, tracking, Rally and [...]

The AKC Breeder of Merit program was introduced in October 2010. Since that time, more than 13,000 breeders have been enrolled. The program was developed to recognize those breeders that are the foundation of our sport through their participation in various AKC events and dedication to selective breeding of healthy purpose-bred purebred dogs. The Basic Requirements Minimum [...]

The AKC Breeder of Merit program was introduced in October 2010. Since that time, almost 16,000 breeders have been enrolled. The program was developed to recognize those breeders who are the foundation of our sport through their participation in various AKC events and dedication to selective breeding of healthy purpose-bred purebred dogs. The basic requirements are Minimum [...]

Anyone who aspires to be a breeder rather than merely a producer of puppies must first understand the nuances of correct type, following the recipe given in the breed standard. Just what is type? In general, with regard to purebred dogs type means those physical features and characteristics that define the breed—that make a [...]

As part of the American Kennel Club’s continual efforts to provide our valuable breeders with the best services for managing their business, the AKC created the Breeder Toolkit.  Since initial release in mid-2020, the platform has been expanded to be more user friendly and include additional features. Litter and Dog Management, Breeding Records, Online [...]

It can be tricky to know how to find a responsible breeder. Here are some considerations to guide you in your search for your next puppy.

AKC Gazette breed column—Anti-breeding ways of thinking distract people from remembering that it's through the breeding of good dogs that the breed exists and continues. In the 1970s the Doberman Pinscher was among the top five breeds in popularity. At that time, most specialty shows had well over 100 Doberman entries, with some [...]

People in the sport of dogs can wear many hats, and Bonnie Threlfall of Cary, North Carolina, has pretty much donned them all: Born into a dog-show family, she has been breeding her Edgewood English Cocker Spaniels for more than 40 years. After a decade-long stint as a professional handler in the late 1970s into the [...]

Minnesota Senate Bill 121, known as the Dog and Cat Breeders Bill, has been introduced by Senators Betzold and Koering. It seeks to establish breeder licensing, inspection of all "kennels", and unproven care standards. If passed and signed into law, the changes imposed by this bill would have a profound impact on dog breeders in Minnesota [...]

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently expressed support for 2026 legislation that will seek to “crack down on abusive ‘puppy mills’ and strengthen animal welfare standards” in Florida.  The governor made the announcement from the grounds of a well-funded animal rescue, which championed extreme anti-breeder legislation filed in the Florida legislature earlier in 2025. The Governor’s announcement [...]

Information about the requirements and benefits of the AKC Breeder of Merit program. Because Breeder of Merit is not simply a one-time recognition, breeders who want to be considered for it must apply for the program. Successful applicants can be recognized for their work with more than one breed. Breeders of Merit are recorded in [...]