After an action-packed weekend, the 2024 Masters Agility Championship at Westminster, a winner has been crowned.

  Conformation Dog Shows General Conformation issues: eventplans@akc.org Conformation Judges: judgingops@akc.org 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy: eventnews@akc.org; (919) 816-3579 (AKC Events Department) Junior Showmanship: juniors@akc.org Owner Handler Series: eventnews@akc.org; (919) 816-3579 (AKC Events Department) Companion Events General Companion Events: (919) 816-3575 Agility: agility@akc.org; (919) 816-3575 Obedience: obedience@akc.org; (919) 816-3575 AKC Rally: rally@akc.org; (919) 816-3575 Tracking: tracking@akc.org; (919) 816-3575 Performance Events General Performance Events: (919) 816-3908; performanceevents@akc.org […]

These policies have been adopted by the AKC Board of Directors, although they have not yet been incorporated into an official publication. This reference will be updated as policies are adopted, revised and published. [accordion] [accordion_panel title="AKC Board Administration Policies"] AKC Charter and Bylaws Article XII Complaints (August 2016 Board meeting) AKC Educational Requirements Policy and Recommendations […]

  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="AKC Educational Requirements Policy and Recommendations (April 2024 Board meeting)"] As an additional step in creating a safe and respectful sport environment for all, the AKC Board of Directors approved the following educational requirements policy and recommendations.  Effective immediately: AKC Board of Directors, Inspectors, Field Staff across all sports, AKC Registered Handlers, […]

Since the 1980's, there have been significant advances in the field of animal assisted therapy and the use of therapy dogs. Organized therapy dog groups provide educational material to volunteers, they screen both volunteers and dogs, and they provide liability insurance for when the dog and handler are volunteering in a therapy setting. Therapy dog […]

In our award-winning Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives dog podcast, now in Season Four, host Bud Boccone tells the tales of breeds, dogs, and personalities who’ve shaped America (and Americans) over generations. Using the American Kennel Club's historical records, archival material, oral histories, interviews, and more, the show brings dog […]

The AKC USA World Agility Team is proudly sponsored by YuMOVE May 8, 2024 We would like to congratulate the following handlers and their dogs for their outstanding performance at the AKC/USA Agility World Team Tryouts and welcome them to the Team Short List for 2024. It is from this Short List of amazing Teams […]

*Please note the latest changes to the Regulations Governing Tracking Devices for both field trials and hunt tests effective August 1, 2023 shown in red below.    Pointing Breed Field Trials and Hunting Tests --- Tracking devices are allowed unless the host club specifies on the premium list they are not allowed.   AKC Approved […]

Do I need an appointment to view or research collections? Yes, an appointment is necessary so that the Archivist can be present and prepared to meet your research needs. At least 48 hours advance notice is required to ensure all desired materials are available for viewing. Please contact the Archivist using this form. What are […]

Traveling on the subway with your pup? Here's how to prepare your dog for a safe ride and where to look for public transit rules and regulations.

Canine Ambassadors are an excellent resource! They are experts in a variety of areas. Canine Ambassadors are skilled at teaching about safety around dogs and responsible dog ownership and some have vast knowledge about dog events. Many Canine Ambassadors are also judges, groomers, handlers, trainers and more! Best of all, Canine Ambassadors are experts on […]

Event Materials   All the forms and resources your club needs to host an AKC Retriever Hunt Test: After the Event Results must be submitted to AKC Performance Events within 7 days after the event and can be emailed to: performanceresults@akc.org Retriever Hunt Test Forms Other Forms and Publications Event Application Junior Handler Certification Secretary Report […]

Enrollment for the Spring/Summer Season has closed. Sign-ups for the Fall Season will open in August. Please contact AgilityLeague@akc.org for more information. Questions: AgilityLeague@akc.org Current Rankings The AKC Agility LeagueTM adds a fun and exciting way for agility enthusiasts to train and compete on teams, giving a new aspect to what is an individual sport. The league […]

Give these summer dog sports a go during the hotter months, as they're perfect for bonding and working with your dog outside.

Dogs are like people: sometimes they need a break. For many reasons, some dogs need space and time to themselves. Learn to recognize when and how to give dogs space.

AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida December 13 & 14, 2024   The AKC National Owner-Handled Series recognizes and showcases the quality dogs being exhibited by owner/handlers and provides a venue for the owner/handlers to compete against their peers. […]

Judges that apply to judge Scent Work are first approved for provisional status and can begin judging Novice and Advanced levels only for all elements and Handler Discrimination. After meeting further requirements, provisional judges can progress to approved status for Novice and Advanced only and will receive provisional status for higher levels - Excellent, Master […]

As part of the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, there are 10 essential skills that every dog should master. Here are the test items.

Scheduling Conformation Events General Questions Points Schedule Formulation Specialties Held With All-Breed and Group Shows Classes and Entries Submitting Results Awards and Titles Judges and Judging Junior Showmanship Sweepstakes Trophies, Prizes, and Ribbons Club Membership Upload Tool Scheduling Conformation Events AKC recommended Best Practices to hire and assign judges, leading to an efficient schedule. General […]

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 honor the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) K-9 Unit with the AKC Canine Officer Program Award. The AKC Canine Officer program was designed to recognize the extraordinary work that dogs in a public service […]

Common Resources: Find a Club/Trainer Find an Event Agility Regulations Online Entry System Downloadable Forms Titles and Abbreviations Versatile Companion Dog (VCD) Title News & Updates Agility FAQ [accordion] [accordion_panel title="General"] Agility Field Representatives Participants with Disabilities [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="Getting Started in Agility"] A Beginners Guide to Companion Events (PDF) Agility FAQs What is Agility?  […]

Agility Trial Secretary Blog Agility Trial Secretary Blog Agility Trial Secretary Event Kit Event kits will no longer be mailed for Agility trials. Please download the PDF files and print the number of copies indicated for each form prior to your event weekend so as to have these required items on-hand at your trial. Agility […]

At 17-years-old, Junior Handler Bebe Mathews is already ranked high in dog sports, even though she only got started in 2021.

Get Family Dog Magazine AKC Family Dog is a magazine unlike any other—written for dog people, by dog people. Now in an exclusively online format, we’re with you and your dog wherever you go. With stunning photography and compelling narratives, our multiple award–winning articles capture the infinite ways dogs enrich our lives—and what we can […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce that Tara Martin Rowell has been hired as an Executive Field Representative. She will start June 3rd, 2024. “Tara brings a broad background as a successful Maltese AKC Breeder of Merit, expertise as an All-Breed Professional Handler with many Best In Show titles and top winning dogs […]

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 launch of the National Owner-Handled (NOHS) Regional events this Fall. The timing for this pilot program aligns with the 2025 AKC NOHS Finals qualifying period – September 2024 to September 2025.  […]

Junior Showcase events are to promote junior participation in the sports of Agility, Obedience, Rally and Junior Showmanship. Participation in these events is limited to junior handlers. For more information see rules and regulations for agility, obedience, rally,and junior showmanship.  The event may be held in conjunction with a club's regular event or as a stand-alone event. Introducing […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="2024"] April 2024 Olivia Woods - SBM March 2024 Erin Kroetch - SCE, SIE Veronica Chaille - BCAT Ellie Hare - JH Hannah Krabbenhoft - BCAT Alice Tyler - SEA Kaylee Wagoner - JH Savannah Dekruif - SCN Jeremiah DeKruif - SBA Sorayah Palmer - JH February 2024 River Blair - SEN, SIN […]

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 […]

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. The 2024 AKC National Agility Championship took place March 14 through 17 in […]