My husband, Donald, became permanently disabled a year prior to us purchasing Klaus.  On May 1, 2012, as he was driving home from work, he smashed his car into another car while going 50 miles an hour and then hit a wall. At first we thought he fell asleep at the wheel but after months […]

The adorable Bichon Frise is among the canine kingdom’s great survivors, relying on charm and intelligence to weather history’s ups and downs.

A hunting dog that doesn't compromise a bit of cuteness, the Beagle is a happy-go-lucky, loyal breed. They are known to be friendly, curious, and irresistibly adorable thanks to their floppy ears, unique coats, and pouty faces. The Beagle makes for the perfect picture of a traditional hound dog and has been a favorite breed […]

In 2014, DreamWorks Animation announced that it was putting Lassie on the comeback trail, but not in the way you might think. “We realized that Lassie has an authenticity that makes her a merchandising holy grail,” DreamWorks executive Michael Francis crowed to The New York Times. Francis (the man behind Target’s fabulously successful Bull Terrier […]

Bulldogs are a breed that is ultra-fun, lovable, and utterly cute. These easy-going, dignified dogs will fit into almost any environment as they tend to be adaptable, friendly pets who bode well in both city and suburban life. Simply, to know a Bulldog is to love them. That being said, like with any pet, it's […]

The loyal Briard, also known as the "Chien Berger de Brie," is a strong and powerful sheepherding dog, originally from France. Fans of the breed call the dynamic and alert Briard "a heart wrapped in fur." Here are some interesting facts about this member of the Herding Group that will have you calling yourself a […]

Papillon celebrates 100 years in AKC Stud Book In 1915 the AKC registered an itty-bitty dog named Joujou, its first Papillon. In the 10 decades since, the small breed with the big ears has beguiled American owners with its sunny personality and surprising athleticism. This year we welcome the Papillon, along with the Flat-Coated Retriever, as […]

Growing up in Michigan, Cindy followed her grandmother around whelping and caring for several different kinds of babies - puppies, kittens, peeps, and various other farm animals. The retired nurse studied canine genetics at Michigan State University and says she inherited her love for breeding and training  from her family. Hartman now lives in South […]

They’re certainly great, but did you know they’re not Danish? Dogs resembling Great Danes appear as far back as ancient Egyptian carvings, but the modern Great Dane was actually bred in Germany in the 1800s.

The Poodle's fluffed and coiffed coat, coupled with the breed's spirited intelligence, and passion for a good swim explains the Poodle's popularity.

Some dog breeds are easy to say. Others, like the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, are trickier. Learn proper ways to pronounce tough breed names.

One of the oldest herding dogs bred in France, the Berger Picard has a rich history. Learn more about the breed with these Berger Picard fun facts.

What you see isn’t always what you get when purchasing a puppy. It will sometimes evolve into a surprise package like Loupy – and even a lifesaver. The fawn-colored, 54-pound Berger Picard was purchased almost seven years ago by Wadia Mulla and her husband, Steve Pahides, of Media, Pa., after the family’s Labradoodle died at […]

Originally bred as hunting companions, pointing breeds excel at tracking upland game for their owners. So which dogs are pointers, and what did they originally do?

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 […]

Following the devastating announcement that the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade had been canceled, the community banded together to ensure its return in 2018 with a successful crowdfunding campaign. At the final hour, the fest was brought back, and all rejoiced-- after all, what would Halloween in New York even be like without this […]

When it comes to their canine soldiers, Britain’s 105 Military Working Dog Squadron (MWDS) knows that the best protective equipment is essential, even during training. In a recent video by the MWDS, a dog is outfitted with personal protection equipment, including ear defenders, goggles, a reflective collar, and booties. This English Springer Spaniel is among […]

Adrienne Scott is an AKC Breeder of Merit who has realized a lifelong dream in her small hobby kennel, Prairie Crest Beaucerons, of Maysville, Missouri, devoted to preserving the centuries-old Beauceron breed. She has produced many champions and, through health testing, improving temperaments, and structure, she strives to produce the best Beaucerons possible. Adrienne has traveled […]

German Shepherd Dogs are marked by their smarts, confidence, and unshakable bravery. While the breed is all of those powerful things, they are also graceful, gentle souls who can be a great match for the right family. Like with any pet though, it's important to fully understand a breed's specific needs and personality before bringing […]

Chihuahuas are a beloved breed who are known for their loyal and loving nature toward their owners, their tenacious spirit and, yes, their diminutive frame. But while small in size — they're actually one of the smallest recognized dog breeds — Chihuahuas are sure to get themselves noticed and be heard. So, if you have […]

National pride, a lush natural landscape, and abundant game helped the German Shorthaired Pointer rise in popularity. Learn about the breed's history.

Discover the fascinating history of the Basset Hound, from its origins in France to its rise as a beloved companion.

From Washington's Foxhounds to Obama's famous Portuguese Water Dogs, presidential dogs are as traditional as baseball and apple pie. Almost all of our presidents have shared the White House with a dog, and often more than one. These presidential dogs became as much a staple of the capitol as the rest of the First Family […]

When you need to get tested for COVID-19, what would you rather have: a swab pushed deep into your left and right nostrils or a friendly sniff from a gentle dog? Recent research suggests that a dog's incredible nose may be one of the best answers to early detection of COVID-19 infection in humans. Rapid […]

There seems to be no shortage of fun-filled adjectives to characterize the Barbet, one of two dog breeds earning full American Kennel Club recognition on January 1, 2020. For starters, try playful, quirky, goofy, clownish, and loving. According to the biggest Barbet boosters – longtime Barbet Club of America (BCA) officers – "loyal" and "smart" should […]

Mom, Elizabeth Hoettels, and her best girl, Rio, are inseparable after work and on weekends. Photo courtesy Sweet Ventures by Nichole DuPont. Picture this for a moment. You're a military critical-care nurse, with a surgical team stationed in East Africa for several months, away from family, friends, and everything familiar. But the wonderful world of […]

AKD 6.13 1884-2016 [bulk: 1931-2016]   34 linear ft in 46 boxes (29 doc boxes; 1 legal box; 8 album boxes, 2 cartons; 3 flat boxes, 3 microfilm boxes) and 2 A/V drawers Processed by Brynn White, 2016 Click here to the view complete inventory and/or to search all AKC archival collections Click here for […]

(updated 6/1/26 ) 5/11/2026 From the May Board Meeting - one new breed was added to the Foundation Stock Service Program – Lucas Terrier. 4/13/2026 From the April Board Meeting - three new breeds was added to the Foundation Stock Service Program – Silken Windhound, Saarloos Wolfhond, Old Danish Pointer. 1/12/26 The Peruvian Inca Orchid […]

Guest columnist Patricia Johnson has bred, handled, and owned Best In Show Boston Terriers for 35 years. She is an AKC Breeder of Merit, an “AKC Gazette” breed columnist for Boston Terriers, served on her local animal advisory board for 9 years, and authored a pet disaster plan for her city. She owns Pat’s Grooming […]

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