When dog lovers hear the phrase “mountain dog,” their thoughts naturally turn to the big guys: Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and other large, immensely powerful breeds created to guard flocks and rescue luckless travelers amid the world’s great mountain ranges. But dogs specially bred to thrive in high altitudes come in all […]

Arguably the world’s first “fad dog,” the Maltese was a persistent motif in Roman culture. Learn more about Maltese history.

In February 2021, Tibetan Mastiff breeders Dan Nechemias and his wife Lois Claus received the phone call that no breeder wants to hear. Waffle, a male puppy they sold to a new breeder in San Antonio, Texas three years ago, was one of several Tibetan Mastiffs seized in an animal neglect situation. The dog had […]

Rottweilers are superb guard dogs. And with training, they're also lovable sweethearts. Think you know the breed? Here are some Rottweiler fun facts!

Over the centuries, Mastiffs have maintained a reputation for their irrepressible protective streak. Learn more about the history of this dignified breed.

Senior dogs can still have a wonderful quality of life. There are also lots of ways owners can promote movement, health, cognitive function, and comfort.

Puppies are exciting. However, any experienced breeder will tell you they're also a lot of work. A responsible breeder prepares long in advance—to identify the purpose of the breeding; to carefully plan and research the breed, the standard, the health history, and available healthy males of good temperament; to form partnerships with their veterinarians and […]

Here at the AKC, we never get tired of learning more about dogs, whether it's a new study on canine behavior, a statistic from our database, or even just cool facts about a dog's impressive physical and mental abilities. You may know some of these already, and others may be more of a "wait, really?" […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce that Jill Bell has been hired as an Executive Field Representative in Conformation covering the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She joined the staff on June 7th. “Jill brings a high level of expertise to this position, having bred and handled dogs for many years,” said Patricia Proctor, […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2021 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The […]