The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce its list of the most popular dog names of 2023. “Choosing a name is a very personal and meaningful decision for dog owners, as dogs are an integral part of our families,” […]

You did the dog breed research, you stocked up on all the puppy essentials, you puppy-proofed your home, you found a veterinarian, you've booked basic dog training classes, and you chose the best dog food. But there's another big decision to make: what in the world are you going to name your new puppy or […]

In celebration of the upcoming AKC Meet the Breeds® on January 28th and 29th at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, the American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce its inaugural list of the most popular dog names […]

Rover.com released their annual list of top dog names this weekend. In addition to seeing the classics remain in the top ten, they also saw an increase in pop culture dog names, dogs named after powerful women, and food names. The top ten names for male dogs are: Max Charlie Buddy Cooper Jack Rocky Bear […]

If you're stuck on what to name your dog, you may want to check out this year's list of top dog names from Rover.com. The list was created using information from the online dog-boarding service’s database. Many of the names align with the list of popular dog names AKC compiled earlier this year from the information of dogs […]

Choosing your boy dog's name is important, as it's a name you and your new puppy will be living with for a long time, so it deserves some thought. A good boy dog name can actually enhance your dog's responsiveness and improve communication between you over a lifetime. We've compiled the top 100+ most popular […]

Choosing a name for your girl dog requires some creative inspiration and plenty of thought. After all, this is a name that you'll be saying to your new puppy every day for many happy years ahead. Like human baby girl names, female dog names rise and fall in popularity. It's unlikely you're meeting a lot […]

Good dog names are hard to come by. In the popular television series “Columbo,” the detective played by Peter Falk was sometimes accompanied by his droopy-faced basset hound. His dog’s name: Dog. Most dog owners are a bit more imaginative when it comes to naming their pets. The list of the most popular dog names generally doesn’t […]

There are many reasons to change a dog's name, and it only takes a few simple steps to do so. Learn why and how to change your dog's name.

Update: Season 4 is coming soon! In our award-winning Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives dog podcast, 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 […]

The flea circus your grandfather told you about was cute. Fleas on your dog are not. If your home feels like it is turning into your very own flea circus, you definitely need to take some action. Flea pills for dogs can be a very effective method for getting rid of fleas on dogs, and […]

Though we often don’t think about them in this way, dogs are really about people — those long-ago (or, sometimes, not-so-long-ago) figures who developed particular breeds for particular tasks. Some breeds — like the Doberman Pinscher, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, and Cesky Terrier — owe their existence to just one visionary person. Other breeds were brought into being […]

In recent years, the French Bulldog has blossomed in popularity, becoming America’s most sought-after breed in 2022. With their bat-like ears, flat faces, and compact frames, the Frenchie is instantly recognizable: and absolutely adorable. As with any pet, read up on their specific needs and traits to make sure that a French Bulldog is the […]

Whenever a canine historian out sets out to research the founding years of a particular terrier, there is always the chance that the research will end in a blind alley for lack of solid, verifiable data on how these dogs came into being. In the case of the Welsh Terrier, one of the oldest of […]

Your dog's pedigree is essentially the family tree for your dog. Perusing your dog's pedigree, you may notice some names that re-occur, possibly because they were popular sires of their day. Perhaps you will notice certain dogs with a lot of AKC titles, such as Champion (CH), Field Champion (FC), Companion Dog (CD), or one […]

Known to much of the public for decades as a "toy Collie" or the "little Lassie dog," the Shetland Sheepdog has in recent years come into its own as a distinguished, popular breed — and, happily for its devoted fanciers, the public has moved beyond these inaccurate nicknames. Indeed, although the Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, […]

Aficionado may not be a strong enough term to describe partisans of the Belgian Sheepdog. It takes the word appassionata to really convey the keen devotion of the breed's fanciers toward their dogs. The Belgian Sheepdog inspires such intense loyalty because they themselves live and love with such great passion. Their unique combination of intelligence […]

The Labrador Retriever is continually one of America’s most popular dog breeds. Its lovable nature, friendly and affectionate demeanor, and sociable personality make the Lab a top pick for many owners around the country. Before bringing home a Lab, be sure to do your research on what it takes to own this pup, since all […]

Great Danes are easy to spot—thanks to their physical magnitude—and quite easy to live with too, despite their large stature. The breed is known to be friendly, patient, and dependable. They are gentle giants who get along well with kids and are loyal and lovable pets all around. However, their large size and giant breed […]

We take name inspiration from all of our favorite things in life. Our favorite places, flowers, family members, movies—so when it comes to naming a new puppy, why not take a cue from some of our most-loved foods too? Whether you prefer sweet, salty, or savory, we have all kinds of food names for dogs. As […]