The Neapolitan Mastiff is a huge, powerful guarder whose astounding appearance has intimidated intruders since the days of ancient Rome. Wary with strangers, the profusely wrinkled Mastino is sweet, placid, and steady among loved ones.

The Neapolitan Mastiff (also known as the Neo or Mastino) is a huge, heavy-boned dog with awe-inspiring features. These members of the Working Group are enormous, and the average male weighs 150 pounds, but the bigger the better. There is no other breed that looks quite like the Neo, and they can be distinguished from other [...]

From their rope-like facial wrinkles to their tree-trunk-sized limbs, the Neapolitan Mastiff represents power. Learn more about Neapolitan Mastiff history.

Majestic. Massive. Muscular. Mastiffs are among some of the oldest breeds known to humans. They feature in legend, as well as recorded history, and were among the first canines to accompany humans on their migrations across the globe. The mastiff family is full of powerful breeds, each with its own unique personality. Mastiffs have been [...]

Big dogs equal big love and loyalty. Here are the large dog breeds that earn their place at the top of the size chart. Most people will know the Great Dane but what about the lovely Leonberger? When considering getting a dog, size is a factor, but only one of them. The dog’s [...]

Those who watched the 2008 Westminster Dog Show will fondly remember Best in Show winner Uno prancing around the ring bellowing the trademark Beagle sound, “A-roo!” Each breed has its own distinctive bark (or in the case of the the African Barkless Dog, the Basenji, more of a yodel). To highlight each of those [...]

All around us, there is renewed interest in preserving the past, embracing the basics and living in the most natural way we can. Real estate buyers pay happily for the privilege of gently restoring stately old homes. Restaurants whose menus reflect a farm-to-table philosophy have become a hot ticket from coast to coast, with discerning [...]

Movement involves every part of a dog’s construction, and because no two breeds move exactly alike, the study of movement can be a life’s work. Expert breeders and anatomists have written shelves full of books on the subject, and gifted photographers and filmmakers have documented canine locomotion in minute detail. Here, then, are [...]

Each AKC-recognized breed is assigned to one of seven groups. We're taking a closer look at the Working Group to see what these 32 breeds were bred to do.

Giant dogs are some of the hardest-working and most recognizable breeds. But because many of them maintain the strong working instincts and drive they were bred for, they can be a lot to handle. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're considering adding one to your family. Maturation Giant dogs are giant [...]

Based on American Kennel Club registration statistics, we rank the most popular dog breeds in America each year. The French Bulldog takes the No. 1 spot!

Bergamasco (AKC recognition January 1, 2015) The breed’s traffic-stopping dreadlocks are called flocks. (For the Puli and Komondor, they’re called cords.) The flocks begin to form naturally, but during the first year, owners have to be vigilant about separating the mats. Once grown, they’re easy to maintain. At the AKC&rsquo [...]

Looking for the perfect name for your new puppy? Consider some of the most famous dog names from movies, TV shows, and history.

Isn’t it always best to get a dog from its country of origin? I mean, you can’t get more authentic than a German Shepherd Dog from Germany, or an Italian Greyhound from Italy, or a Chinese Shar-Pei from China – right? Well, not so fast. That answer is highly breed dependent. And in the [...]

  Effective July 1, 2004, the Black Russian Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff became eligible for competition in the Working Group.   The Black Russian Terrier first bred true in 1956 and its history is a compelling one. During the 1930's a military kennel named the Red Star started work on a native breed that would be part [...]

  The American Kennel Club has announced that effective May 1, 2004, the Black Russian Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff have been granted regular status as AKC-recognized breeds and are eligible for competition in the Working Group, effective July 1, 2004. In addition, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is approved for AKC registration as of July 1, 2004 and for competition [...]

New York -- In honor of Columbus Day on Monday, October 11th, and to celebrate the upcoming Meet the Breeds ™ event at the Javits Center on October 16th and 17th where pet lovers can meet over 200 breeds of dog and cat, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) celebrates the loveable breeds of Italian descent. Notable Italian [...]

  New York, NY – In honor of Meet the Breeds, a group of Italian breeds, their owners and AKC staffers marched up 5th Avenue during the 2010 Columbus Day Parade in New York City. Participating breeds included the Bergamasco, Bracco Italiano, Cane Corso, Cirneco dell'Etna, Lagotto Ramagnolo, Neapolitan Mastiff and Spinone Italiano!  Meet [...]

  Highlights from the February 2007 meeting of the AKC Board of Directors are as follows: The Boykin Spaniel will become eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class, effective January 1, 2008. The Board approved specific activities that a club must meet in order to maintain its eligibility to hold shows. The specifics are included in the minutes [...]

Some people live by the motto "bigger is better," and it extends to their dogs too. There are many large dog breeds, each with different care and training needs. Exercise Most large dog breeds were bred for a purpose or function. Some breeds were meant to be hunters, others guard dogs. Dogs with great endurance [...]

Lab Ties Poodle for the Longest Consecutive Reign at #1 and Bulldog Enters Top 5   Check out a Slideshow of the Top 10 Breeds at TODAY.COM   New York, NY – Proving that bigger really is better, the American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced today that the Bulldog has muscled its way into the top 5, becoming [...]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is proud to announce its participation in the 68th Annual Columbus Day Parade, the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture on Monday, October 8th from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM up Fifth Avenue from 44th to 72nd street. “Nearly one million spectators will enjoy more than 20 marchers and 12 four legged friends [...]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior [...]

All 153 AKC-Recognized Breed Standards and Histories Included with Photographs The American Kennel Club has released the 20th edition of The Complete Dog Book, published by Ballantine Books. Previously revised in 1997, the volume has been a bestselling dog book for over seventy-five years (with over 2 million copies sold).   The newly revised The Complete Dog Book [...]

Neapolitan Mastiff Learn about Neapolitan Mastiffs [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club Susie Schramm; email:  schramms1@frontiernet.net [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] Newfoundland Learn about Newfoundlands [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Newfoundland Club of America [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] Norfolk Terrier Learn about Norfolk Terriers [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations [...]

Breed Rank Retrievers (Labrador) 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 Bulldogs 4 Beagles 5 Yorkshire Terriers 6 Poodles 7 Boxers 8 French Bulldogs 9 Rottweilers 10 Dachshunds  11 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 12 Siberian Huskies 13 Doberman Pinschers 14 Great Danes 15 Miniature Schnauzers 16 Shih Tzu 17 Australian Shepherds 18 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 19 Pomeranians 20 Shetland Sheepdogs 21 Pembroke Welsh Corgis 22 Boston Terriers 23 Chihuahuas 24 Havanese 25 Mastiffs 26 Brittanys 27 Spaniels (English Springer) 28 Maltese 29 Spaniels [...]

Breed Rank Retrievers (Labrador) 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 Bulldogs 4 Beagles 5 French Bulldogs 6 Poodles 7 Rottweilers 8 Yorkshire Terriers 9 Boxers 10 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 11 Siberian Huskies 12 Dachshunds 13 Great Danes 14 Doberman Pinschers 15 Australian Shepherds 16 Miniature Schnauzers 17 Pembroke Welsh Corgis 18 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 19 Shih Tzu 20 Boston Terriers 21 Pomeranians 22 Havanese 23 Shetland Sheepdogs 24 Brittanys 25 Spaniels (English Springer) 26 Bernese Mountain Dogs 27 Mastiffs [...]

    Breed Rank Retrievers (Labrador) 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 French Bulldogs 4 Bulldogs 5 Poodles 6 Beagles 7 Rottweilers 8 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 9 Pembroke Welsh Corgis 10 Dachshunds 11 Yorkshire Terriers 12 Australian Shepherds 13 Boxers 14 Siberian Huskies 15 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 16 Great Danes 17 Miniature Schnauzers 18 Doberman Pinschers 19 Shih Tzu 20 Boston Terriers 21 Havanese 22 Bernese Mountain Dogs 23 Pomeranians 24 Shetland Sheepdogs 25 Brittanys 26 Spaniels (English [...]

The AKC currently registers 205 dog breeds. The chart below lists all AKC recognized breeds and the year they first became registrable with the AKC.  (last updated 1/1/26) DATE – BREED 1878 – Pointer  1878 – Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)  1878 – Spaniel (Clumber)  1878 – Spaniel (Cocker)  1878 – Setter (English)  1878 – Setter (Gordon)  1878 – Setter (Irish)  1878 – Spaniel (Irish Water)  1878 – Spaniel (Sussex)  1885 – Basset Hound  1885 – Beagle  1885 – Bloodhound  1885 – Bull Terrier  1885 – Collie  1885 – Dachshund [...]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge III. This virtual conformation event is open to all AKC-recognized breeds and Miscellaneous class breeds. Best in Show and Best Puppy Michael Canalizo   Regular and Puppy Groups SPORTING Mr. Douglas A Johnson HOUND Mr. Eugene Blake [...]