What’s up With the Poodle Club of America Juniors? Well…They are up to learning and achieving and experiencing and forming great friendships with poodles in tow! This year at PCA there were 9 entries in Conformation as well as 2 entries in Obedience and Agility.  Congratulations to EVERY Junior who was able to attend, experience […]

The AKC Rally® Virtual Program has been made a permanent sport feature with AKC.   AKC Rally® Virtual Program The AKC Companion Events Department is excited to announce the AKC Rally Virtual Program has been approved as a permanent sport feature with AKC. The Rally Novice, Rally Intermediate, Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent classes will […]

Want an easy, low-stress way to get involved in the world of dog sports? Start with a Coursing Ability Test (CAT) because it is designed specifically for newcomers. The first thing to know about the CAT is that – as with all of our tests – dogs do not compete against each other (as opposed […]

We'd like to answer as many of your questions as we can before you attend, exhibit, or volunteer at AKC Meet the Breeds events! Whether you're coming as an attendee or participating as a volunteer, please find our most Frequently Asked Questions to help you get the information you need. I'm Attending AKC Meet the […]

The Spotlight shines on one of the rarest breeds competing in League this season – the Croatian Sheepdog. The breed is in the AKC Foundation Stock Service, moving towards recognition. Liya hails from her home country of Croatia, and her owner, Lorie, was inspired to get the breed because of her own heritage. Her father […]

About AKC Meet the Breeds From Affenpinschers to the Yorkshire Terrier and everything in between, AKC Meet the Breeds® gives pet lovers the unique opportunity to meet and play with more than 150 different dog and cat breeds in booths individually decorated to depict each breed’s country of origin, historical purpose/function, and attributes as a […]

AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida December 12 & 13, 2026   The AKC National Owner-Handled Series recognizes and showcases the quality dogs being exhibited by owner/handlers and provides a venue for the owner/handlers to compete against their peers. […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="My dog has earned one or more NOHS Levels of Achievement and I did not receive a pin. How can I get one?"] As part of the launch of the program, the AKC provides a commemorative pin and a downloadable certificate to recognize the highest NOHS Level of Achievement a dog has earned. […]

Emmy is 11 years old, and was adopted from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT, in 2008.  At the time, she was an insecure dog who knew very little about being a dog and generally seemed to lack any sense of purpose.  Eventually, she followed another dog in the family into agility classes. It […]

MACH Sollars’ Dreamboat Annie MXB MJB XF owned by Karen Sollars of Lafayette, IN Karen adopted Annie from a shelter back in summer 2007 when it was estimated that Annie was about six months old.  A spaniel-Beagle mixed, dubbed a “Speagle” by Karen, Annie was a natural for agility. “We became involved in agility back […]

1st AKC Masters Scent Work Dog: Reba’s Fancy Red Heart BN RI FDC CA FCAT ACT2 SWAE SWM SCME SIME SEME SHDE THDN CGCA CGCU TKI & Barbara Bumcrots of Maumee, OH When Barbara adopted Reba, she was 8 months old and already had two homes. They began working together right away in agility. “Reba […]

This is part of a series spotlighting All American Dogs competing in the national AKC Junior Agility Competition held on Dec. 14 in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational. The competition is for youth 18 and under.   Name: MACH Bisquik MXB MJB PJD OF Call Name: Biscuit Age: 7 years Gender: […]

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 […]

Each breed’s health testing requirements originate with a “parent club,” the AKC-recognized national club devoted to a particular breed. To assist breeders in fulfilling these requirements, AKC has compiled the health testing requirements for each breed, organized by group on the left navigation of this page. AKC Breeder Programs that Require Health Testing: Breeders that participate […]

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 […]

The biggest obstacle to breeding and raising better dogs is human emotional anthropomorphism. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropomorphism It is a very hard thing to breed and raise dogs without some profound attachment. We love our dogs, we believe in their unlimited potential. However, the reality is that not every dog is the elite dog with extreme expression of […]

Can They Really Get Along?   The AKC Offers Tips to Cat Owners On Introducing a Dog to Your Home  The age-old phrase “fighting like cats and dogs” does not have to be the case. Despite popular belief, canines and felines can, in fact, live together in harmony.  If you’re a cat owner looking to add […]

Each year during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, magnificent show dogs are recognized for their adherence to the breed standard, and well-trained purebreds and mixed breeds alike show off their skills in obedience and agility competitions. But this year, during the final day of the annual dog show, the American Kennel Club is shining […]

The English Setter is a medium-sized sporting dog of sweet temper and show-stopping good looks. It is one of the AKC’s four British setters created to work on the distinctly different terrains of England, Ireland, and Scotland.

The Wetterhoun, although originally bred for hunting otters, now make excellent companions, watchdogs, and can excel in a variety of sports due to their perseverant nature.  The Wetterhoun is almost never seen apart from its owner; they enjoy their company as much as the owner enjoys theirs.

The English Springer Spaniel is a sweet-faced, lovable bird dog of great energy, stamina, and brains. Sport hunters cherish the duality of working Springers: handsome, mannerly pets during the week, and trusty hunting buddies on weekends.

The Lagotto Romagnolo, Italy’s adorable “truffle dog,” sports a curly coat and lavish facial furnishings. Despite their plush-toy looks, Lagotti are durable workers of excellent nose who root out truffles, a dainty and pricey delicacy.

The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is lively, agile, self-confident, good-natured and alert. The breed is faithful, easy-going and friendly in the home. Outdoors he is a true sporting dog being keen, swift, tough, attentive and energetic. With sufficient perseverance and stamina, he enjoys working and does so with a cheerful character.

Have a puppy at home who you hope will grow up to be a canine athlete? Here's how to safely get them started across different sports.

There's no doubt dog sports are beneficial, but scientists think they may delay cognitive aging in dogs. Participants are needed for a new survey study.

Dog agility is incredibly fun and has so many benefits, but how do you get involved in the sport? This guide will have you participating in no time.

Fast CAT 101: The AKC's Fastest Sport! Does your dog feel the need for speed? Do you have the fastest dog on the block? Maybe on the planet? Try Fast CAT!

The dog community is a big place, but so is the LGBTQ+ community! Make an effort to be kind to others, and stand up for others when you can.

Diversity amongst dogs and people makes our dog sports community stronger. Meet some of the LGBTQ+ dog spot handlers and what they do.