Leila the Pekingese may not be the most speedy dog competing in 2024 AKC Fastest Dogs USA, but she's defying the odds racing with her limited vision.

Two years after his Pekingese "Wasabi" was the first Toy dog to win Best in Show at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, David Fitzpatrick walked away with two more huge awards. At the 2021 AKC National Championship, Fitzpatrick received the award for AKC Breeder of the Year for Pequest Pekingese and won […]

Update June 13, 2021: Wasabi the Pekingese won Best in Show at Westminster in 2021. Learn about Wasabi's first big win at the AKC National Championship in 2019: Anticipation is a double-edged sword: The more you expect from a situation, the greater your disappointment if those hopes are dashed. But the opposite is true as […]

As told to the AKC by Cindy Lutian. Cindy is an instructor at Canine Star Training Academy, where she teaches CGC and Rally. Currently, she owns five Pekingese who compete in CAT, Fast CAT, Rally, and more. Her dog Buster was the first-ever Pekingese to be invited to the AKC Fast CAT Invitational. *** When I came […]

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 […]

National Champion is First Toy Group Winner in the History of the Show GCH CH Pequest Wasabi, a Pekingese known as “Wasabi” triumphed over more than 5,200 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 14-15, 2019 in […]

Since Ancient China, Pekingese have long been revered, even believed by some to be shrunken-down lions. Today, they still retain some leonine qualities.

The Pekingese, a compact toy companion of regal bearing and a distinctive rolling gait, is one of several breeds created for the ruling classes of ancient China. These are sophisticated dogs of undying loyalty and many subtle delights.

Some of the fastest dogs in the country dashed after the coveted "bunny" lure in a 100-yard Fast CAT dash at Fastest Dogs USA, held on May 19 in Rock...

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 […]

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!

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="2024"] 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. Review and FAQ's on Conformation Judging Procedures, Policies and Guidelines Tuesday, January 16, 2024 View […]

Test for what is recommended for your breed, not everything available. Order AKC DNA + Health Kit The AKC DNA Program recommends that breeders perform DNA tests that are relevant to their breed. Although the AKC DNA + Health Kit includes over 328 markers for health and traits, not all genetic variants have been validated […]

It's normal for puppies to lose their primary teeth. For an adult dog, a loose or wiggly tooth can be the result of an injury or a sign of dental...

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2024 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 2024. The 2024 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

It's easy to panic when you see something on your dog's eye, especially if it's a large pink or reddish bump, which could be cherry eye in dogs.

AKC Meet the Breeds events are a fun and educational way to spend a day with the whole family, and maybe even figure out which dog breed is right for you! If you are attending an AKC Meet the Breeds event in 2024, or are thinking about attending an event in the future, you can […]

Can dogs with missing tails, ears, or eyes compete in AKC conformations shows? It depends on the missing part and the breed standard.

Shih Tzu "Comet" has won Best in Show at the 2023 AKC National Championship. Meet handler and co-owner Luke Ehrict, who also won Breeder of the Year with his wife for Hallmark Jolei Dogs.

The Group Winners are chosen to decide who will compete for Best in Show at the 2023 AKC National Championship. See the group winners here.

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 footage, oral histories, interviews, and more, the show […]

When you compete at a national level in any dog sport, it takes a special kind of passion, but being an emergency vet on top of that is dedication.

2023 AKC Fast CAT Invitational – Speed of the Breed Division FINAL ROUND – Fri. December 15, 2023 as of 5:03 PM ***All official and final results will be posted following the conclusion of the event*** RANK BREED CALL NAME OWNER MPH % ABOVE SOB 1 Lhasa Apso Max Debbie English 17.229 53.97% 2 Pomeranian […]

    2023 AKC Fast CAT Invitational Best of Breed Winners Results as of 12/15/23 3:11PM ***All official and final results will be posted following the conclusion of the event*** Breed Call Name Owner Final Time Airedale Terrier Oliver Lauren Combs 7.754 Alaskan Klee Kai Isla Cheryl Simpson 8.746 Alaskan Malamute McKinley Nadaga Poist 8.645 […]

Can dogs be albino? Yes, and certain breeds are more prone to the gene than others. Read about albino dog history, and what to do to keep them healthy.

The AKC Museum of the Dog is pleased to announce the opening of their new exhibit “Fashionable Dogs”, which will run from September 7th, 2023, through December 31st, 2023. This exciting exhibition is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor […]

Ever wonder if you can go from watching dog shows on TV to competing at big shows yourself? Well that's exactly what Junior Handler Ashlyn Navis did.

Marthina Greer First presented Pure Dog Talk Jan 2023 Bladder stones are the quintessential “which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. By this, we mean that a dog can have a bladder symptoms that are caused by a bladder stone, or the bladder infection can cause bladder stones to form. Which then becomes […]

Seven dogs were finalists for Best in Show at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, PBGV Buddy Holly of the Hound Group took home the prize.

In each of the seven groups, one dog from one breed is chosen to represent their group going into Best in Show at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Show.