When most people first see Hex, a 7-year-old Samoyed, they might think she's just really good at winking. In reality, she's just good at seeing out of one eye, having the other removed in 2018 due to glaucoma. Despite the odds, she and owner Mary Drexler still compete in AKC Rally, Obedience, and Agility, placing […]

February is American Heart Month, a good time to review how you keep your dogs fit. Keeping them in good condition is critical to your breeding program, and educating your puppy buyers will help them ensure their dogs have long, healthy lives. They need to know that their dogs, just like humans, need good nutrition, […]

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.

Meet the only Norwegian Buhund competing in the 2025 AKC Rally National Championships

Dry cornstalks rustling in the wind provided a perfect background sound for the Great Plains Bearded Collie Club of Omaha’s all-breed herding tests and trials held Friday–Sunday, October 9, 10, and 11. Ann Witte’s Gaelyn Glen Farm in Springfield, Nebraska, has been host to AKC herding trials for many years as she steered and showcased […]

It’s one of the best ways to deeply bond with your dog. It's great exercise. And it just might be one of the most personally rewarding endeavors of your life. It’s the world of canine sports and events, and many events are open for all dogs to enjoy, including mixed-breed dogs. Something special happens between […]

Window barking is annoying for you and frustrating for your dog. Learn why dogs do it, how to manage it, and how to get dogs to stop barking at the window.

  You’re doing drafting work with your dog, and let’s say you need to navigate a tough turn that your Kuvasz can’t manage in one pass. You’ll need to back and fill with precision, and the space is too tight for your dog to stand at heel position. By using a series of hand signals and targeting, […]

Successful breeders know the strengths and weaknesses of each of their dogs. Pedigrees, when properly analyzed, can provide a roadmap of those positive and negative features. Computerized databases have made it easier to analyze pedigrees and to store and retrieve information, but breeders still must do their homework. Understanding a pedigree is more than simply […]

Kathy Wakefield, from Tualatin, Oregon, grew up with two Rat Terriers — Kelly and Turbo. They were her best friends and learned every trick quickly and willingly. As an adult, Kathy decided it was the right time to get her own dog. She met a few different breeds, but they didn't feel like the right […]

Adaptable Airedale Terrier, 'Tanner', is an ambassador for this oft-underestimated breed at the 2025 AKC National Obedience Championship.

Since acquiring their first Labrador Retriever over 20 years ago, Brenda and Ken Neil, AKC's 2019 Breeders of the Year for Retriever Field Events, have been among the breed's biggest champions. While that first Lab's life was sadly cut short, the Neils are a long way from heartbreak now. Today, they invite as many black Labrador […]

Deaf dogs can participate in a number of AKC events and dog sports. Learn more about some amazing canine athletes who are deaf and how their trainers work with them.

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

Donna Fox has only recently retired from dog sports: at 89 years old. Now 95, she reflects on her lifelong love of Poodles and dog Obedience.

After taking part in the fast-growing, fun, and accessible sport of dog parkour, you're not likely to look at park benches, tree stumps, or playground equipment the same way again. It's an ideal activity if attending Agility or Obedience classes isn't possible or practical. And, with a bit of imagination, any neighborhood offers boundless opportunities […]

Fitness Training Basics This month’s tip is contributed by Courtney Holscher, a rehabilitation and acupuncture veterinarian in South Carolina. Courtney is also an agility competitor, who started in the sport in 2003 at the age of 11 with her Cocker Spaniel. She has also run an Australian Shepherd and currently competes with her All American […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="K9 Bruno - Anaheim Police Department, CA"] K9 Bruno, a seven-year-old German Shepherd Dog, served with the Anaheim Police Department for six years at the time of his injury. He was given an AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence (ACE) by the American Kennel Club in 2014 after being shot while assisting the SWAT team with a search. […]

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 […]

About the Breeder of Merit Program The AKC Breeder of Merit program celebrates breeders who go above and beyond to prioritize the health, temperament, and well-being of their puppies. This program recognizes those dedicated to maintaining breed standards and ensuring their AKC-registerable puppies find loving homes.  As a Breeder of Merit, you’ll show your commitment […]

The AKC now works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); and the […]

AKC Rally: Teaching the Right Finish This month’s training tip walks you through training the Right Finish exercise for AKC Rally or Competition Obedience. It is contributed by AKC staffer Paisley Lunchick KPA-CPT RVT, a registered veterinary technician, professional dog trainer and member of the AKC GoodDog! Helpline. Paisley and her mixed-breed Eyre have earned […]

Competition/Titles Update We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience and Tracking. This past quarter delivered the first Agility Grand Champion and the first Rally Master title holders! There is also a new Champion Tracker and lots of exciting news about All […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) honored recipients of the AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards at the annual Delegates Meeting Luncheon, in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. The winners received an engraved silver Revere bowl. A larger Tiffany and Co. bowl, engraved with the names of all recipients past […]

The Hawaii House Health and Human Services Committee is scheduled to consider House Bill 1823 on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.  The bill seeks to create a misdemeanor for those found to have knowingly and misrepresents themselves, through conduct or verbal or written notice, as being disabled in an attempt to receive the benefits and protections afforded under […]

This issue’s training tip is contributed by Courtney Holscher, a rehabilitation and acupuncture veterinarian in South Carolina. Courtney is also an agility competitor, who competes on AKC Agility League teams with the Palmetto Agility Club of the Upstate in South Carolina. Courtney currently competes with her All American Dog, Ella; Border Collie, Zinnia; and Miniature […]

I have two AKC dogs, a Sheltie named Tui and a Eurohound (English Pointer/German Shorthair Pointer/Alaskan Husky) named Nessie. I love agility, and I know my dogs love it as much as I do! Where I live, there are four distinct seasons; rainy Spring, hot Summer, blustery Fall, and snowy Winter; because of this, I […]

September 2025 The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that the 2026 AKC National Obedience Championship (NOC) and the AKC Rally®️ National Championship (RNC) will be held at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio, on July 16–19, 2026. National Obedience Championship (NOC): July 16–17 Rally National Championship (RNC): July 18–19 The Roberts Centre offers a convenient central location, excellent facilities, and accommodations […]

Callahan’s Christmas Bliss OA OAJ NF owned by Lori Callahan of Clearwater, FL Callahan’s Christmas Bliss had an early life that was anything but merry.  Rescued from a Puerto Rican shelter with 278 other dogs, Bliss barely survived distemper and a bad case of mange.  The spaniel-retriever mix’s first six months of life were spent […]

Hailey Has Plenty of Tricks Up Her Paws Baseballs, basketballs, skateboards and Frisbees – most parents invest in plenty of these items for their kids. And in Karen Profenna’s case, that includes her four-legged family member. Hailey – a little black-and-white fireball – can swing a bat, dunk a basketball, ride a skateboard and soar […]