The AKC Archives preserves and provides access to historically significant records documenting the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The Archives are organized into four major collecting areas:
- Clubs (AKC Parent Clubs and select Member Clubs)
- People (influential individuals in the sport)
- AKC Administrative Records
- Visual Materials (photographs and other graphic formats)
In addition to books and periodicals, the AKC Library & Archives maintains extensive Vertical Files and Special Collections documenting general dog breed history and AKC-related topics. These collections include photographs, pedigrees, correspondence, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, stamps, bookplates, scrapbooks, and other rare ephemera related to dog breeds, kennel clubs, and canine history. Materials were assembled by AKC Library staff or transferred from internal departments and external donors.
A catalog of archival collections is available through ArchivesSpace.
Click here to search the records. To view materials, contact the archivist to make an appointment.
Club Records in the AKC Archives
The Clubs collection represents the largest portion of the AKC Archives and includes records from AKC Parent Clubs and select Member Clubs. Materials vary by collection and may include:
- Meeting minutes, constitutions, and by-laws
- Officer lists and administrative files
- Original breed research and correspondence
- Premium lists, show catalogs, and club publications
- Photographs, brochures, pamphlets, and audiovisual materials
Club Collections by Breed Group:
- Sporting
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- American Water Spaniel Club (1939-2005)
- Irish Setter Club of America (1860-1991)
- Labrador Retriever Club (1938-2010)
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) (1916-2012)
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- Herding
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- Bearded Collie Club of America (1969-2011)
- German Shepherd Dog Club of Long Island (1946-2006)
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America (1936-2005)
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- Hound
- Greyhound Club of America (1889-2007)
- Otterhound Club of America (1931-2007)
- Scottish Deerhound Club of America (1931-2007)
- Working
- Akita Club of America (1972-2016)
- American Rottweiler Club (1947-1977)
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America (c. 1968-2001)
- American Tibetan Mastiff Association (c. 1970-2000)
- Doberman Pinscher Club of America (1887-2016)
- Giant Schnauzer Club of America (1905-2009)
- Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club of America (1968-2004)
- Mastiff Club of America (1890-2008)
- Newfoundland Club of America (c.1930 – 2003)
- Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (1972-2005)
- Standard Schnauzer Club of America (1905-2009)
- Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier Club of America (1923-2001)
- Bull Terrier Club of America (1947-2011)
- Cairn Terrier Club of America (1953-2000)
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America (1988-2008)
- Scottish Terrier Club of America (1902-2005)
- Skye Terrier Club of America (1930-2010)
- Toy
- Chihuahua Club of America (1956-2004)
- Japanese Chin Club of America (1965-2009)
- Pekingese Club of America (1909-1985)[collection of Iris de la Torre Bueno]
- Non-Sporting
- Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America (1976-2007)
- Keeshond Club of America (1938-2007)
- Löwchen Club of America (1971-2005)
- Poodle Club of America (1931-2016)
- General
- Muskogee Kennel Club (1974-2004)
- Westminster Kennel Club (1976-2007)
To access club materials, appointments are required. The AKC Library & Archives also holds additional club-produced materials outside of large donations. For research access or to discuss depositing club records, contact the AKC Archivist.
People
The People collections document individuals who played a significant role in the sport of purebred dogs, including judges, breeders, handlers, artists, and authors. These collections typically include correspondence, photographs, research files, pedigrees, scrapbooks, and original artwork. Collections are arranged alphabetically by last name.
- Faye Bergman Collection of Boxer photographs (1940-1960)
- Filomena Doherty Collection of Pug materials (1952-1973)
- Thomas M. Gately Papers (1925-1989)
- Wilbur E. “Red” Henry Collection of Beagle research (1876-1985)
- Dorothy Howe Collection of Labrador Retriever materials (1940s-1970s)
- Winkie (W.E.) Mackay-Smith Collection of Bull Terrier materials (1967-1997)
- Gustav Muss-Arnolt Pen Drawings Collection (1889-1908)
- The Peters Family and Windholme Kennel Papers (1866-1969)
- George Sheperd Page Collection of Scottish Deerhound materials (1880s-1930s)
AKC Administrative Records
The AKC Administrative collection documents the governance and operations of the American Kennel Club from 1884 to the present. Materials include:
- Board of Directors meeting minutes (1884-present)
- AKC Constitution and By-Laws (1884-present)
- Rules Applying to Registration and Dog Shows (1933-present)
- Dog Show and Field Trial Rules and Regulations (1884-present)
- Departmental records, including Club Relations, AKC Gazette, and Executive Office files
Many administrative records are available through the AKC’s Digital Collections.
Visual Materials and Dog Show Photography
The Visual Materials collection contains photograph-based and graphic materials, including prints, slides, negatives, and ephemera. A significant portion documents dog shows and win shots captured by leading photographers in the sport.
- John Ashbey Dog Show Photography Collection (1974–2003)
- William P. Gilbert Collection of Dog Show Photography (1979-1984)
- John T. Marvin Photography Collection (1800-1985)
- Margaurite and Kenneth M. McDonald Collection (1947-1979)
- Luis Sosa Collection (1992-2004)
- Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lewis Wiel Collection of Lakeland, Kerry Blue, and Fox Terrier Photography(1948-1965)
- Missy Yuhl Dog Show Photography Collection(974-1996)
Library Collections
The AKC Library holds an 18,000-volume research collection focused on purebred dogs, kennel clubs, dog shows, and canine history. Library holdings can be searched through CAIUS, the online catalog