The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is excited to announce the most popular call names of 2025. “Choosing a pet’s name is such a fun and important part of the process [...]

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 2024. “Dogs are an extraordinary and important part of our lives and choosing a pet’s name is a fun part of the [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Struggling over what to name your new male puppy? Check out the most popular boy dog names based on AKC registration and enrollment data.

Struggling over what to name your new female puppy? Check out the most popular girl dog names based on AKC registration and enrollment data.

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 [...]

Danish-Swedish Farmdogs are small, compact dogs, but they come with a big attitude and a passion for a job and a challenge.

Your dog's name reflects their personality and helps you effectively communicate with them. But how do you choose the perfect name? Here are some tips.

How To Train Your Dog for Fast CAT Sassafras Lowrey CPDT-KA Fast CAT or the Coursing Ability Test (CAT) is a timed 100-yard dash where dogs start at...

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.

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 [...]

Not sure what to name your French Bulldog puppy? These 10 Frenchie name ideas are cute, classic, and full of personality.

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, may [...]

The Belgian Sheepdog history stems from a split of the Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, and the Belgian Malinois into separate breeds.

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 your taste leans sweet, salty, or savory, food-inspired names are playful, memorable, and full [...]

Rottweilers are as loyal and loving as they are protective and confident. The working dog has been a long-loved breed that dates back to the times of the Roman Empire. And while they have played various roles over the course of history, today they make a fun-loving companion for families across the country. If you're [...]

Explore the history of the Icelandic Sheepdog, from its Viking-era origins in Iceland to modern preservation efforts that saved this ancient herding breed.

In December 2021, a Giant Schnauzer named Bayou made breed history by being the first to win the AKC National Championship. But even in the ring, Bayou’s instincts came through. The dog's handler, Alfonso Escobedo, took note of the dog's behavior. The giant canine kept his eyes on the same location in the ring, to [...]

We all love seeing videos of dogs on social media, but sometimes the quest to try and go viral, or to get more “likes'' can lead to people making decisions that are harmful to dogs. Currently, a popular trend on TikTok is the “bark at your dog" challenge. To complete the challenge, dog owners are [...]

Antwerp is the world’s capital for diamonds, exquisite gems strong enough to cut glass. But the region is known for another multifaceted jewel, the Bouvier des Flandres, admired the world over for his striking appearance, tremendous strength, and courage. “Initially we are drawn to the Bouvier by the appearance of rugged hairiness, but what [...]

A hunting dog that doesn't compromise a bit of cuteness, the Beagle is a happy-go-lucky, loyal breed. They are known to be friendly, curious, and irresistibly adorable thanks to their floppy ears, unique coats, and pouty faces. The Beagle makes for the perfect picture of a traditional hound dog and has been a favorite breed [...]

You never know what's waiting in the attic. In 1996, Wayne Ferguson was visiting St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey, a rescue group where he was a board member. An employee who knew of his involvement in purebred dogs gave him a tip in passing. “Mr. Ferguson, you should go in the attic [...]

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 [...]