Bella is an 8-year-old rescue Miniature Schnauzer that Eileen adopted from the Kent County SPCA. Bella has brought countless hours of love and enjoyment to Eileen and also hundreds of other people through her therapy dog visits. She has earned the AKC Therapy Dog Excellent title for making more than 200 visits and also has […]

This training tip is contributed by dog trainer Kay Lackey of Lodi, OH, owner of Katie’s Ark Dog Training. She is the owner of an AKC Canine Partner named Rocky, a pitbull mix who is a certified therapy dog and rally competitor. Lackey, who has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science, has worked with animals […]

Meet OTCH Sophie Sparkle Gypsy All the dogs in the shelter clamored to be seen – barking and jumping against their kennel doors. But Julie Kirkland kept coming back to the dog that seemed more interested in watching than getting attention. “As my husband and I were walking through the facility looking at the adoptable […]

  Looking at these ragamuffin little dogs, you have to ask yourself, why on earth would anyone consider a Löwchen? They have a funny clip, which certainly defines the breed and which we, as breeders, love—but to the general public who keep them in a typical puppy clip, they really don’t look like what people […]

  This year’s national specialty for the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America (WSSCA) was held in late April during the Cherry Blossom Cluster in Maryland. We enjoyed four days of competition and camaraderie, and it only rained once! (In 2011 we held our national specialty in Pennsylvania during “The Great Harrisburg Flood.”) Welsh Springer […]

AKC Gazette breed column: Giant Schnauzers — The proposed AKC rule change to include an obedience path without group stays will provide an option for owners and handlers who are concerned about group-stay safety. Hopefully this is a question we will be able to ask ourselves when competing in AKC obedience. The creation of another […]

Some Breeds Might Be Better Choices for People with AllergiesNo breed of dog is totally hypoallergenic. However, certain breeds seem to tolerated better by people with persistent allergies. In a recent study investigating people with animal-related allergies, researchers found that the worst animal for hypersensitive people to own was guinea pigs, followed by rabbits and […]

Big dogs equal big love and loyalty. Here are the large dog breeds that earn their place at the top of the size chart. Most people will know the Great Dane but what about the lovely Leonberger? When considering getting a dog, size is a factor, but only one of them. The dog’s personality, activity […]

By Allan Reznik   By Allan Reznik (Reprinted with permission from Dogs in Review and author Allan Reznik, from the November 2014 issue of Dogs in Review magazine. People get into a new breed for all kinds of reasons: the need to downsize, a desire for less grooming, a thirst for greater challenges, even the search […]

The number-one breed of the 1940s, the Cocker Spaniel, enjoyed a renaissance in the 1980s, climbing to the number-one position. The breed was the most popular dog in the nation from 1983 to 1990, giving it the distinction of holding the number-one spot for more years than any other breed to that point (23). After […]

Poodles retain their position as the country’s top dog for a second decade and have regularly remained in the top ten since. The Doberman Pinscher made its first appearance in the top ten in the 1970s as the number-three breed. The breed would remain in the top ten for the 1980s as well. The Miniature […]

The Poodle, recognized by the AKC in 1887, did not make the top ten breeds until the 1950s, when it ranked number seven. This glamorous show dog and companion strutted into the number-one position in the 1960s and would become the first breed to hold the number-one crown for two consecutive decades. German Shepherd Dogs, […]

AKC Gazette breed column, Giant Schnauzers—Online classes allow dog owners to participate on their own schedule and introduce new concepts in a low-distraction environment. Online training classes are the latest resource for dog owners, allowing access to trainers who are highly skilled and current in the latest methods without having to travel thousands of miles. Thus […]

  In honor of start of Movember, we're putting wags and whiskers centerstage. Here are six stately dog breeds that boast some seriously awesome beards.   Airedale Terrier: Look at at those muttonchops! No wonder he's called the "King of Terriers."    Miniature Schnauzer: Who can resist the bushy beard (and, seriously, the EYEBROWS) on […]

New York, NY — The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) has recognized seven breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2015 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “The individuals that make up these breeding programs have dedicated their lives to the advancement of the purebred dog, producing dogs […]

There are a variety of breeds that don’t shed, each with different temperaments and energy levels, so you can find the right breed for your lifestyle. Breeds that Don‘t Shed Bedlington Terrier: The gentle, loveable Bedlington Terrier is known for its curly, wooly coat that resembles a lamb. The breed doesn’t need intense exercise – […]

There are also ways to prep your home that will help keep allergens at bay when you have a dog. Be sure to wash your pet‘s bed often, keep up with his grooming, and don‘t let him sleep on your bed. It‘s also helpful to remove heavy carpets and drapes that trap dander. Best Breeds […]

French Bulldog Continues its Remarkable Rise in Popularity   New York, NY – Labrador Retriever lovers have spoken!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced today that the intelligent, family friendly breed has taken the #1 spot on the most popular list for the 23rd consecutive year, the longest reign at the top in AKC history. […]

New York, NY — Dr. Joseph H. Kinnarney has been named the first American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) liaison to the American Kennel Club® (AKC®), a position newly created to foster shared objectives between the two organizations. As AVMA liaison, Dr. Kinnarney will work with AKC liaison Mari-Beth O’Neill to ensure access to world-class health […]

Be the First to Meet the Breeds, See Funny Dog & Cat Videos, and Get Instant Event Updates   New York, NY - Calling all dog and cat lovers, the American Kennel Club (AKC®) has launched the official AKC Meet the Breeds® event blog, giving readers the opportunity to get involved with the event by […]

Be the First to Meet the Breeds, See Funny Dog & Cat Videos, and Get Instant Event Updates   New York, NY - Calling all dog and cat lovers, the American Kennel Club (AKC®) has launched the official AKC Meet the Breeds® event blog, giving readers the opportunity to get involved with the event by […]

Highlights from the July 2012 meeting of the AKC Board of Directors are as follows.   Full details on these actions, as well as other actions taken, are included in the minutes for the meeting, which are posted on the AKC website, within one week of the meeting.   James Stevens, AKC’s Chief Financial Officer […]

  -- New 500 Square Foot Area Facilitates Collection Preservation -- The AKC Archives has expanded its collection preservation area as a result of the tremendous volume of archival material recently submitted by Parent Clubs. The Archives new 500-square-foot addition, located at AKC’s headquarters in New York City, will be used to process newly submitted […]

  -- Dr. Charles Garvin, Dr. William Newman & Patricia Scully Elected -- The Annual Meeting of the AKC Delegates took place on March 9, 2010. Three new Directors have been elected: Dr. Charles Garvin, Delegate from the Marion Ohio Kennel Club; Dr. William R. Newman, Delegate from the Mastiff Club of America; Patricia Scully, […]

  -- Lee Arnold, Carl C. Ashby, III, Alan Kalter, and Dr. Robert D. Smith Elected -- The Annual Meeting of the AKC Delegates took place on March 10, 2009. Four new Directors have been elected: Lee Arnold, Delegate from the Southern Colorado Kennel Club; Carl C. Ashby, III, Delegate from the United States Kerry Blue […]

Now that Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has chosen his vice president, it's time for him to concentrate on another important selection: family dog. The American Kennel Club® (AKC) announced today that the public has elected a Poodle as their breed of choice for the Obama family. The AKC launched its poll to find a […]

  Less Than Two-Weeks Left to Cast Your Vote for The Best "Canine Candidate" for the Obama Family @ www.presidentialpup.com The American Kennel Club® (AKC) reports a tight race between the Poodle and Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier in their poll to determine America's breed of choice for the Obama family. Preliminary results indicate that the […]

Each of the AKC registered breeds are assigned to one of seven groups representing characteristics and functions the breeds were originally bred for. Current as of June 17, 2025 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Herding Group"] HERDING GROUP The Herding Group, created in 1983, is the newest AKC classification; its members were formerly members of the Working Group. […]

The AKC Archives is arranged into four major groups: Clubs, including AKC Member Clubs and Parent Clubs People AKC Administrative Visual Materials In addition to the library book and periodical collection, there is also an assortment of photographs, pamphlets, clippings, pedigrees, and more in the Library & Archives vertical files. Please note that the list below may not […]

  Welcome to the AKC . We have put together definitions for dog words that you may not be familiar with. If you have additional questions regarding the glossary, please contact our Special Services Department. A Abdomen The belly or under surface between the chest and the hindquarters. Acetabulum The concave lateral portion of the […]