The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today the launch of the Breeder of Merit program, a new initiative designed to recognize AKC’s core breeders. "The Breeder of Merit program allows the American Kennel Club to celebrate our dedicated, passionate breeders who truly are the backbone of the sport and the foundation of our organization," said […]

New levels designed to recognize the dedication of breeders who contribute to the sport   “Many breeders have demonstrated a long-term commitment to breeding quality, healthy puppies and to mentoring new puppy buyers,” said Mari-Beth O’Neill, Vice President of Sport Services.  “These breeders have done so much for their breeds that the AKC is proud to […]

- Doing the Right Thing for Dogs Everywhere - The American Kennel Club, along with its affiliates, the AKC Canine Health Foundation and AKC Companion Animal Recovery, is the only not-for-profit registry devoted to the health and well-being of dogs. We have allocated more than $30 million to fund programs for the betterment of dogs […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) continues its long-standing commitment to advance the health and welfare of all dogs with the launch of its new program Bred with H.E.A.R.T. (Health, Education, Accountability, Responsibility and Tradition) Modeled after the successful Breeder of Merit program, Bred with H.E.A.R.T. is a new way to engage, encourage and recognize all […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce AKC® DNA + Health. This new test combines genetic health and traits testing with AKC DNA identification, creating a powerful tool for breeders. “At the AKC, we’re always looking for tools to […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is thrilled to announce that Melanie King has been hired as an Executive Field Representative. She will start on May 20th, 2024. “Melanie has longtime experience with Irish Wolfhounds and Whippets. She is a successful Breeder-Owner-Handler […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that Lynn Meyer has been hired as an Executive Field Representative. She joins the staff on July 16, 2018 and will be based in the upper mid-west. “Lynn brings an abundance of experience to the position of Executive Field Representative, with many successful decades in the sport […]

  Award Presented at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship  Debbie Butt of Toms Brook, Virginia was honored with the 2010 AKC Breeder of the Year Award for her Sporting Fields Whippets at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Sunday, December 5, 2010.  The annual award honors those breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament […]

  New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce that Rebecca Ann Gerevics, a second-year student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University, is the recipient of the 2014 AKC/American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) Veterinary Scholarship. First offered in 2009, this $5,000 scholarship is designed to […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce that Tara Martin Rowell has been hired as an Executive Field Representative. She will start June 3rd, 2024. “Tara brings a broad background as a successful Maltese AKC Breeder of Merit, expertise as an All-Breed Professional Handler with many Best In Show titles and top winning dogs […]

-- A New Year, An Evolving AKC -- With a new year come new perspectives. Fresh resolutions allow us to look to the future, tackle our goals head on and make change a reality. It is a time to learn from the past and to embrace new starts and new ideas. In my past reports, […]

-- Making a Difference for Canine Health and Well-Being -- At the March Delegates meeting, Article III of the American Kennel Club Bylaws was amended to include the following: “The objects of the Club shall be to advance canine health and well-being…” Someone unfamiliar with the AKC might see this as a beginning. In fact, […]

On Tuesday, the Lafayette, Colorado, City Council agreed to not proceed with a ban on the private sale of dogs in the city at the recommendation of the proposal’s sponsor. The council decided to continue discussions at a future meeting on how to proceed with addressing concerns and developing alternative solutions. AKC thanks the Colorado […]

The American Kennel Club, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that Royal Canin®, a global pet nutrition brand known worldwide for feeding champion dogs for 50 years, will be the new sponsor of the AKC Registered Handlers Program (RHP). The RHP strives to maintain high standards […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the launch of AKC Marketplace with enhanced form and functionality to better serve responsible breeders with the opportunity to promote themselves directly to potential dog owners. Through interactive profile pages, unlimited listings and a user-friendly experience, AKC Marketplace helps breeders get in front of more dog owners, showcase all […]

-- The Way Forward in 2014 -- Everyone who has ever produced a litter of puppies knows this time of year brings holiday cards from puppy buyers with heartwarming photos and most-welcome news about the progress and antics of those puppies during the year. The cards are both informative and inspiring as the breeder considers […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2023 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees.   “We are proud to honor these knowledgeable and responsible breeders,” said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “Each of these individuals are […]

New York, NY – The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that Diana Wilson and Guy Fisher have been hired as AKC Executive Field Representatives.   Wilson will join the staff May 5, 2014 in the Denver, Colorado area, while Fisher will join the staff on June 2, 2014, working out of the AKC […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2021 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor this group of esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “These individuals have made important contributions […]

– Breeders Honored at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship – New York, NY — Gwen DeMilta and Carissa DeMilta Shimpeno were presented with the 2014 AKC Breeder of the Year Award for their Alisaton Doberman Pinschers at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Sunday, December 14, 2014. The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact […]

The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce that 28 Junior Scholarships have been awarded to students from 19 states. The scholarships for high school, college and graduate school students range from $1,000 to $3,000 for each student. “This year’s recipients have demonstrated academic success as well as impressive AKC involvement and we are happy […]

-- Board Planning Session Nurtures Ideas And Reviews Initiatives to Grow AKC’s Future -- In August the Board added a special “planning session” to the regular Board meeting to discuss a variety of topics including registrations, events, and brand imaging. On Sunday, Sept.12, AKC Vice Chairman Tom Davies, President and CEO Dennis Sprung, COO John […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2025 AKC Breeder of the Year group […]

–Award Presented at AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin – Elizabeth and Daniel Karshner were presented with the 2019 AKC Breeder of the Year award for their Little Ponds Bulldogs at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 14, 2019.  The annual award honors those breeders who have made an […]

Sandi Lyon was presented with the 2024 AKC Breeder of the Year award for Margaux Bouviers at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 14, 2024.  The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicate their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2024 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor this array of esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “These individuals have made important […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2019 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “The breeders honored with this award have made important contributions to the sport and future of purebred dogs,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and […]

Luke and Diane Ehricht were presented with the 2023 AKC Breeder of the Year award for Hallmark Jolei Shih Tzu at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 16, 2023.  The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicate their lives to improving the […]

Helyne E. Medeiros Named 2017 AKC Breeder Of The Year -Award Presented at AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin- Helyne E. Medeiros was presented with the 2017 AKC Breeder of the Year award for her Seasyde Pointers at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 16, 2017.  The annual award […]

-- Watch Reckon Defeat Nearly 2,500 Top Dogs During the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Broadcast on January 23, 2011 on ABC Television Network -- AKC/Eukanuba National Champion and New Hampshire’s Top Dog, Australian Shepherd Ch. Propwash Reckon, received an Official Commendation today from New Hampshire Governor John Lynch congratulating him and owners Leslie Frank and Judy […]