--AKC Adds New Titles in Conformation, Companion and Performance Events -- New York, NY– Since the start of the year, each event type – conformation, companion and performance – now offers its exhibitors a brand new AKC title. The conformation and performance titles will appeal to the long-time exhibitor while the companion title will help bring along [...]

Dog owners are always thinking about their dogs' health and physical activity plays a big part in that. While light walks and pee trips are a regular part of having a dog, keeping your dog active can help improve their overall physical health and get out any restless energy. It can even help prevent or [...]

For Valerie Schuter, doing a good deed for a dog turned into her downsizing Pinschers. The 30-year Doberman Pinscher breeder and rescue volunteer helped another breeder and ended up transitioning to the smaller German Pinschers—notably Bentley—GCH Diamond Bay A Chevelle Bentley Tribute. This conformation Grand Champion has a passion for people and racked [...]

Rory is a well-versed Collie with 12 titles in dog sports On his dam's side, Rory's litter represents 13 generations of Kaye's Chelsea Collies Give Rory, a sable and white Collie, the chance to compete in a dog sport, and he struts his athletic stuff with fluff and finesse. The 13th generation of AKC Champion Collies for [...]

Linda Grems has been a dog breeder in Miniature Pinschers for over two decades. Now a mentor, Grems got her start in the breed through Min Pin mentors.

To raise strong, healthy puppies, you need a strong, healthy brood bitch. As a breeder, you choose your potential brood bitch carefully, probably earning conformation and/or performance titles with her and making sure she has all the health and genetic testing recommended for the breed. Extensive research goes into choosing a worthy sire that [...]

Motorized trucks may have replaced horses and Dalmatians in fire stations decades ago, but nine Dalmatians recently showed that spotted loyalty to...

What’s better than owning a top-winning show dog? Simple: Breeding one. In theory, anyone can purchase a canine competitor: All you need is a checking account with enough zeroes in it. But it’s far more challenging to produce quality purebred dogs that are consistently sound, well tempered and typey — that is to say [...]

Natalia Backos, a 14-year-old from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, has never known a time when she didn't spend her weekends at dog shows. A proud third-generation breeder/owner/handler, Backos is following in the footsteps of her grandmother and mother, alongside her sister. Her dogs include her Parson Russell Terriers BISS GCH Panther Creek Stone Cold Sober [...]

Participating in dog sports with your dog can provide mental and physical exercise, the thrill of competition, and a chance for you both to have fun. If you’re the owner of a senior dog, you might think your dog sports days are behind you. Fortunately, there are many sports that are suited to dogs [...]

This speedy game hunter and loving companion has delighted Italian Greyhound owners for more than 2000 years. Learn more about Italian Greyhound history.

Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear how they got started and learn about their breeding program and experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with Cathy Lewandowski of SoftMaple Curly-Coated Retrievers in Croghan, N.Y. Lewandowski is an AKC Breeder of Merit who has produced versatile, top-winning dogs. Lewandowski's love [...]

The AKC FIT DOG program began in 2022 and is designed to encourage dogs and people to be more active with their dogs to support their health and fitness.

Leaping over a broad jump, hopping through a hoop, and digging furiously underground to find rats. Add in a sniff-out session, some snappy switchbacks around poles, and a 100-yard dash in tizzy time and it looks like a dog in supersonic shenanigans. If this sounds like a flashy, popular breed who always stands in the [...]

It’s an unforgiving 30 degrees below zero on one of the coldest days the Rollins family can ever remember. Twenty-five acres of frozen white fields surround their home in Glenwood City, Wisconsin. In this weather, it makes perfect sense to stay indoors, but 5-year-old Nate Rollins has other ideas. Nate is bound and determined to [...]

Saint Bernard 'Shayna' may not be the most agile dog, but she is competing in both the AKC Obedience Classic and the AKC Agility Invitational.

Bonnet started as Horton's Novice A dog. The pair competed successfully all the way to a UDX title. The Norwegian Elkhound survived a stroke and was "truly a hero," showing her owner "what was important in life that I did not already know" he says. While he doesn’t have an iconic Superman "S" on [...]

AKC’s Virtual Title program has been a big hit, and it’s easy to see why: there is a lot to enjoy! Though dog shows are being held again, they are still few and far between. An excellent way to get your puppy buyers interested in competing and enjoying AKC dog sports is to [...]

***NEW*** AKC now offers a quick and easy way to submit your FIT Dog Title Application! For faster service, try the new – Title Application Portal (TAP)  Welcome to AKC FIT DOG Titles! The American Kennel Club is committed to improving and maintaining the fitness and health of all dogs and their owners. AKC FIT DOG [...]

  Performance Events Scholarship The Performance Events Department is pleased to announce the creation of a $10,000 scholarship fund for students that are active in AKC Performance Events who will be attending an institution of higher education during the 2020-2021 academic year. New AKC Performance Scholarship Program Announced! - Jan 2020 More information regarding the program can [...]

This program allows for the recognition of breed-specific Parent Club Performance Programs. Approved Parent Club titles are recognized on AKC records after title application is submitted. These performance programs allow breeds to be acknowledged for successfully performing the functions for which they were developed. A Parent Club will administer their own program in which their [...]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today the launch of the Breeder of Merit program, a new initiative designed to recognize AKC’s core breeders. "The Breeder of Merit program allows the American Kennel Club to celebrate our dedicated, passionate breeders who truly are the backbone of the sport and the foundation of our organization [...]

In an ongoing campaign to recognize the hard work and commitment of breeders dedicated to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs, the American Kennel Club® announced today the seven group recipients of the 2013 AKC® Breeder of the Year Award.    “The AKC Breeder of the Year Award celebrates [...]

"AKC Breeder of the Year" to be Announced at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Fla.   The American Kennel Club® announced today the seven group recipients of the 2012 AKC® Breeder of the Year Award.  The award honors breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of [...]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2018 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “The individuals that make up these breeding programs have dedicated their lives to the advancement of their respective breeds, producing dogs that are true to [...]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2024 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor this array of esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “These individuals have made important contributions [...]

  The American Kennel Club (AKC) announced today the addition of two new Senior Executive Field Representatives for the Performance Events, At-Large Division: Robert A. Mason, Senior Executive Field Representative, Performance Events At-Large. Robert started showing dogs in 1958. In the last 45 years he and his wife Shari have owned Afghan Hounds, Greyhounds, Whippets and Italian [...]

AKD 1.29 1980-2012 [bulk dates] 14 linear ft in 16 boxes (7 doc boxes, 6 record cartons, 2 photo boxes, 1 oversize) and mixed media storage Processed by Brynn White, 2016 Click here to the view complete inventory and/or to search all AKC archival collections Click here for a printable PDF of the collection guide The collection comprehensively documents the history of [...]

AKC Virtual Programs: Opportunities Grow for At-Home Titles AKC’s Virtual Title program offers opportunities to earn titles during the pandemic, and many owners have successfully taken advantage of them. Just added to the line-up is Virtual Home Manners. When you get a puppy or new adult dog, this program can get you started on [...]

In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our sport on a national level [...]