I can hardly believe the first day of winter is almost upon us! Where did the warm summer sunshine go? Cold weather is just around the corner, and I must be honest: My dog loves winter and I do not. This means we must meet in the middle. Meeting in the middle will look different […]

The AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award Program was established in 2006 to provide each AKC Member Club with an embossed AKC medallion to award on a yearly basis as an ongoing effort to celebrate its volunteer club members. This award honors those individuals who deserve special recognition that have made a difference in the Sport of […]

Limited Registration means that the dog is registered but no litters produced by that dog are eligible for registration. Chapter 3, Section 4A of the AKC's Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline states the following: "may be requested for a dog when application for individual registration of the dog is submitted, provided the application, together […]

The AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes is held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin   Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL Friday, December 12, 2025   The AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes is a competition created especially for purebred dogs aged 6-18 months (Puppies 6-12 months/ […]

2025 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL December 13 & 14, 2025 All Sporting, Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting Breeds and Junior Showmanship Competition  will be Judged on Saturday All Working, Terrier, Herding Breeds, Miscellaneous and Best in Show will be Judged on Sunday The 2025 event will showcase the top canine athletes […]

Xolos are over 3,000 years old, having been revered by ancient Aztecs in Mexico. Learn more fun facts about the Xoloitzcuintli.

German Shorthaired Pointers are all-round hunting dogs that also make for friendly companions. Learn all about this & more German Shorthaired Pointer facts.

Pink eye, known as conjunctivitis in the veterinary community, is quite common in dogs. Learn about symptoms and potential treatment options.

When competing at the 2025 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup Sarah Maleski wants to enjoy every second on the dock with 9-year-old Australian Shepherd 'Freyja.'

  The Confident Puppy [accordion] [accordion_panel title="The Confident Puppy (courses)"] Module 1: An Introduction to the Confident Puppy Program Module 2: Choosing the Right Puppy Module 3: Key Training Principles Module 4: Environmental Stability and Socialization Module 5: Introduction to Scent Work Module 6: Reward Engagement and Search Module 7: Fun Fitness and Assessment [/accordion_panel] […]

The moment a volunteer with a therapy dog walks into a room, you can instantly feel a change in mood. All eyes focus on them, as smiles spread across everyone’s faces. Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specifically trained to perform a task or tasks to assist a person […]

In compliance with PCI regulations, the American Kennel Club (AKC) no longer accepts credit card information on paper forms. Please submit payment by check, money order, or complete your transaction securely online. Most AKC forms and applications can be downloaded from this page. For best results, select a form and save it to your computer, […]

Here’s a newcomer’s guide to the basics of watching a dog obedience competition — including a breakdown of classes and scoring. 

One of the many decisions you'll need to make as a dog owner is whether to spay or neuter your dog. Here are things to note if you want to keep your dog intact.

Participating in dog shows can undoubtedly feel daunting for newcomers. Follow these tips to help you and your dog to feel comfortable in the ring.

It can be tricky to know how to find a responsible breeder. Here are some considerations to guide you in your search for your next puppy.

From contract obligations and health updates to training support and sharing milestones, staying in touch with your puppy’s breeder can benefit you both.

Senior Rescue Dog Starts Dog Sports Career Roger had a sad life before he was turned into a shelter in southern California. He has gunshot wounds and was suffering from a serious respiratory illness. Shelter staff did not expect him to live long when they sent him home with a foster for a “hospice” stay. […]

The AKC works with non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog program and the AKC Search & Rescue program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); the North American Flyball Association (NAFA); […]

A bill has been introduced in the Philadelphia City Council that would impose a 36-month moratorium on the breeding and the sale or transfer of any dog under 7 months of age within the city to address overcrowding at the city’s shelters. You are encouraged to act now and mobilize others to protect responsible breeding […]