We all know dogs we describe as amusing, entertaining, or downright hilarious. Dogs can make us laugh. But do the dogs, themselves, have a sense of humor? Do they know they’re being funny? Do canines find things amusing? Do dogs laugh, and if so, what makes them laugh? Is playfulness the same as a sense […]

  From our friends at Vetstreet We know you love your pet unconditionally and strive to take good care of him, but even the most experienced owners can sometimes harm their dogs or cats and not even realize it. Here are a few mistakes you might be making, but don't worry, we've also included advice […]

Photo courtesy Melissa Hampton Photography   A dog-show newbie says handling isn’t as easy as it looks, but it sure is exciting. In “Talking Sports” we present advice from high achievers in the world of dog sports. But in this edition, about conformation dog shows, we thought it would be fun to see the sport […]

The Diving Dogs Team Challenge winners have been crowned! See who took home the top prize in the pool in Philadelphia.

A combination of breed and socialization will help determine how your dog will behave. Here's why breed matters when selecting a pet.

Nine-year-old Belgian Malinois, Kratos, is one of the oldest competitors participating in the 2024 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup.

Dogs both transcend history and reflect it in a colorful, meaningful way. And that epochal and tender human-animal bond springs vividly to life in Anthony Cavo's new book Love Immortal: Antique Photographs and Stories of Dogs and Their People. Picture Perfect Cavo, a longtime antiques dealer, appraiser, and collector, has been collecting photographs since he […]

Mantrailing has traditionally been an activity used to assist in the hunt for missing persons. However, it is growing in popularity as a dog sport.

What do dogs dream about? While we don’t have all of the answers, scientists are taking steps to learn more about why dogs dream.

The 2021 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin was held December 18 and 19, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This event is the only all-breed dog show organized and presented directly by the AKC, the nation’s oldest and only not-for-profit purebred dog registry. Thousands of dogs from throughout the […]

The American Kennel Club has officially recognized over 200 breeds. Take a look at these AKC breed recognition fun facts to learn more!

Along with its short legs, sweet expression, and cheerful disposition, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a bold, rugged, and old hunting hound with ties...

The 2021 Met Gala was the fashion event of the year, but peeking out from behind from the celebrities, a lady in gold stole the show. Vail, a five-year-old Golden Retriever, is a working dog at The Met and was spotted in the background of many photos from the night. Vail captivated dog lovers around […]

Mother-daughter duo April and Paula Pelletier have developed a close-knit bond together and with their dogs, competing as a family in Fastest Dog USA.

Happy tail syndrome occurs when a dog wags its tail so hard it hits things and bleeds. It can be hard to treat, and complicated but possible to prevent.

By: Debra Lampert Rudman and Arliss Paddock   “It becomes one of those events about which people ask, ‘Did you go? Were you there?’ M&E has it all – atmosphere, ambiance, ladies and gents in their finery, and the world’s best dogs all together at the same time in a glorious outdoor setting. Everybody in the […]

When the human's away, the dog ... does what, exactly? Thanks to the wonders of technology, we don't need to guess anymore. With pet cameras and monitors, you can keep tabs on your pup from work or wherever else your day takes you. And peace of mind isn't all you get. As well as helping […]

Over two days of breed competitions, seven dogs were crowned the winners in their group at the 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Training dogs has been a way of life for Roxane Dutson since she was a teen. She taught the family dogs tricks and then became involved in competition through an obedience training group. “My love for working with dogs became stronger as my husband and I got our first Labrador in 1996,” Dutson says. “From […]

At only 18 years old, Madison Schlagel of Magnolia, Texas, has already made a name for herself in the dog world and is active in the Conformation ring. Madison owns and competes with three dogs: a Pointer named Daykene I Just Can't Help Myself ("Vice"), a Newfoundland named GCHB Bear N Mind's I'm Meant For […]

Let’s get this straight right from the outset: If you’re thinking Dogo Argentino (Dogo), you must be a leader and an experienced dog owner. In other words, firm, confident, and consistent. That’s the clear message from Amy Collins, a Dogo Argentino owner since 2000 and secretary of the parent club, the Dogo Argentino Club of […]

The American Kennel Club met for the first time on September 17th 1884 in Philadelphia. 140 years later, we've become the trusted experts on all things dog.

2020 was a year of pain, sadness, and frustration. For our sport, it has meant many months of doing without the weekly dog shows where we compete and socialize. We’re all familiar with the old saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” That phrase was never truer than in 2020, when fanciers found innovative […]

Sometimes, in the name of ideology, families get torn asunder. During the Civil War, brothers faced each other across Union and Confederate lines. After World War II, the Berlin Wall separated families, and fates. And in dogs more than a century ago, we had a similar philosophical divide between the fighting dog known as the […]

The popularity of Siberian Huskies has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to the breed's appearance on TV shows such as Game of Thrones. But as a fiercely intelligent and energetic dog, this breed is far from just a fashion accessory: it needs care, attention, and plenty of exercise and activity. How can new Siberian Husky owners care for […]

Order AKC DNA + Health Kit Activate AKC DNA Kit DNA Resource Center All AKC DNA + Health Kits include: The AKC DNA Profile of 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes 328 genetic variants for health and traits, including coat color Results are delivered by our trusted service provider (Neogen) with the […]

AKE 20.1 c. 1880s-1930s [bulk: 1880-1910] 2 linear feet (in 2 document boxes and 2 oversized boxes) Click here for a printable PDF of the collection finding aid   The George Shephard Page papers include the records of the Page family's kennel, Dunrobin Kennels, which includes some of the first Scottish Deerhounds in America. The collection […]

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 […]

AKC National Detection Dog Conference Returns to Durham, NC August 14, 2026 The American Kennel Club’s National Detection Dog Conference returned to Durham, North Carolina, August 4–6, 2026. The conference brought together researchers, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, law enforcement professionals, and industry experts to discuss advancements and challenges across the detection dog field. Pre-conference activities began […]

The resources below can be used in presentations to educate the public on topics such as purebred dogs, dog sports, safety around dogs, and other related topics. If you are interested in resources on a specific topic, please email publiced@akc.org for assistance. Printable 8.5" x 11" Dog Breed Posters More breed posters will be posted […]