You may know the Boston Terrier for their distinct round head — which has granted them the nickname "Roundhead." They're actually a relatively new breed: they were developed mainly int he 20th century. From England to the United States Their journey begins in 1847, at the Burnett House in Southborough, Massachusetts. That 13-bedroom French Empire mansion […]

Each of the AKC registered breeds are assigned to one of seven groups representing characteristics and functions the breeds were originally bred for. Current as of June 1, 2023 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Herding Group"] HERDING GROUP The Herding Group, created in 1983, is the newest AKC classification; its members were formerly members of the Working Group. […]

The summer is finally upon us! With the warm weather comes cookouts and outdoor fun. Here are some things to keep in mind when planning for barbecue safety.

Bringing home a new puppy is incredibly exciting. Follow this checklist to make sure your puppy’s transition is a success.

Agility is a fast-growing dog sport that showcases the power of the human-canine bond. As the handler directs the dog through a predetermined obstacle course, the team races against the clock to finish the agility course with as few mistakes as possible. On March 13-16, competitors zoomed through courses at the 2025 AKC National Agility […]

Click below to see titles and abbreviations for: Prefix Titles Suffix Titles Parent Club Titles Working Dog Titles Other Recognized Titles Other Title Lists: Titles Sorted by Sport Titles Sorted in Alphabetic Order   Prefix Titles Title Title Name AFC An Amateur Field Trial Champion title can be earned in either Beagle Field Trials, Pointing […]

The AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award Program was established in 2006 to provide each AKC Member Club with an embossed AKC medallion to award on a yearly basis as an ongoing effort to celebrate its volunteer club members. This award honors those individuals who deserve special recognition that have made a difference in the Sport of […]

Puppy biting can become a problem behavior if not nipped in the bud. Teaching bite inhibition, offering chew toys, and training are all ways to curb biting.

Fast CAT 101: The AKC's Fastest Sport! Does your dog feel the need for speed? Do you have the fastest dog on the block? Maybe on the planet? Try Fast CAT!

You’ve made the decision to welcome a new dog into your family. Now comes the fun part – finding the perfect dog. There’s a lot to consider. Before you commit, ask yourself these five questions. What’s Your Schedule? Think about your lifestyle. Do you work long hours? Struggle to get out the door in the […]

What dog breed works for you? We're here to guide you along the process of picking the best dog for your individual personality and lifestyle.

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 […]

To view other Pee Wee photos click here. If you have a Pee Wee photo you would like to share, please send to: juniors@akc.org [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Procedures and Guidelines"] A Club must submit a Special Attractions Form to conduct the Pee Wee Class Special Attraction. The request must be approved by the Event Operations department. The […]

[accordion] [accordion] [accordion_panel title="2025"] 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. Webinar Topic Recording Link Review & FAQ's on Conformation Judging Procedures, Policies & Guidelines […]

When a Foundation Stock Breed is accepted in the FSS program the clubs may designate a domestic registry or club registry for recording. Eligibility for FSS Recording The dog must be of a breed eligible for FSS Recording. The dog must first be registered with a registry acceptable to the AKC (see below) or foreign […]

  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="In the Zone - May 2025"] One Agility Competitor's Experience With a League of Her Own AKC Agility League Spotlight: Canine Odd Couple That Loves Agility AKC Agility League Spring/Summer Season Off to Great Start [/accordion_panel] [accordion] [accordion_panel title="In the Zone - March 2025"] 2025 AKC Agility League Championship Entries Open in […]

Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to things. There are different causes of allergic reactions, which can range in severity depending on your dog.

Can dogs eat dates? Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of dates and how to safely feed small amounts of this fruit to your dog.

Titles Earned in AKC Activities, Organized by Sport and Title Progression the # symbol behind the title abbreviation indicates that title can be earned multiple times, and will carry a numeric designation [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Agility Titles"] Class Abbrev. Title Name Abbrev. Title Name (Preferred Track) Prefix or Suffix ACT ACT1 Agility Course Test 1 Suffix […]

The following are the group designations that the current FSS breeds have been assigned. There are currently 86 breeds in the FSS program.  (Revised 2/1/25) Sporting Group - 16 breeds Blue Picardy Spaniel Braque du Bourbonnais Braque Francais Pyrenean Braque St. Germain Deutscher Wachtelhund Drentsche Patrijshond French Spaniel German Longhaired Pointer Large Munsterlander Pont-Audemer Spaniel […]

(updated 5/7/25 ) 4/7/2025 The American Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Club is the official parent club for the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier and to accept the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier into the AKC Stud Book on December 31, 2025. The breed will be eligible to compete in the Terrier Group beginning December 31, 2025. 2/7/2025 The Basset Fauve […]

Test for what is recommended for your breed. Order AKC DNA + Health Kit The AKC DNA Program recommends that breeders perform DNA tests that are relevant to their breed. The AKC DNA + Health Kit includes over 328 markers for health and traits, and every dog receives results for all tests. However, not all […]

SUMMARY Proposed changes to Greenville County, South Carolina’s Animals and Fowl ordinance are currently under consideration by the Greenville County Council.  Among its many changes, the proposal appears to require all “pet breeders”, including fanciers and enthusiasts who breed purebred dogs as a hobby, to register as a business and implement significant changes to their […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is excited to announce that the AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup Presented by Cosequin® will air on ESPN2. The competition will premiere on Sunday, May 4th at 8pm ET. This year’s AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup, held in collaboration with North America Diving Dogs, took place on April 5, 2025, […]

Loyal, courageous, and always up for a good game, Boxers never shy away from showing off their silly side. Learn more about Boxer history.

When you bring home a small breed puppy, it's important to begin socializing that puppy early on to set them up for success throughout their life.

Canine brucellosis is a contagious bacterial infection that can cause reproductive failure in dogs. The most common site of infection is the dog's reproductive tract. However, the bacteria can affect other organs and cause illness in spayed or neutered dogs. Brucellosis is highly contagious among dogs and is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted […]

The Dogo Argentino's history goes back to mid-1920s when a teenager had a vision of the ultimate big-game hunting dog. Learn more about the breed's origins.

Puppies are exciting. However, any experienced breeder will tell you they're also a lot of work. A responsible breeder prepares long in advance—to identify the purpose of the breeding; to carefully plan and research the breed, the standard, the health history, and available healthy males of good temperament; to form partnerships with their veterinarians and […]

The following breeders have met the requirements for the Breed and Levels recorded at the time of the application. The American Kennel Club is pleased to recognize these breeders for their contribution to the sport and maintaining the tenets of the Breeder of Merit program. (current as of  4/1/25, last updated 4/15/25) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Platinum"] […]