Wondering how to groom a Standard Poodle? Here's everything you need to know about caring for your Poodle's coat, skin, nails, and more.

AKC Breeders of Merit share tips on how to groom a German Shepherd Dog, from best brushes to dealing with nails.

While many dog owners and their partners gladly share their sleeping space with their dogs, others may disagree about having a dog in the bed.

Thank you for your participation in the recent AKC Inspection of your dogs, records, and facilities. AKC has compiled a quick reference list of links to forms, regulations, and commonly requested programs for you. Register My Dog Forms Ownership Records Form Litter Records Form Emergency Preparedness Form Regulations Regulations for Record Keeping & Identification of […]

Whether you’re breeding your first litter or next Best in Show winner, we offer invaluable resources for dog breeders, including up-to-date information, ongoing educational programs and more: Litter Registration Show you are a responsible breeder and that your puppies meet breed standards! When you register your litters with the AKC, you get a Registration Certificate […]

Breeders of Merit are entitled to several benefits. Are you taking full advantage of yours? Online Credit. You receive up to $30 per month credit in your MyAKC account for purchase of downloadable reports from the AKC Store. Credits are refreshed on the 15th of each month. Downloadable reports include (but are not limited to) […]

The Foundation Stock Service (FSS®) program was developed in 1995 to assist the needs of rare breeds fanciers. Mari-Beth O’Neill, Vice President of Sport Services, and Christine Weisse, Senior Subject Matter Expert, assist these breeds through the process of becoming a fully recognized AKC breed. There are three major steps of the FSS® program: Acceptance […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="Adjunct Approval (April 1994 Board meeting)"] When a new breed becomes eligible for championship competition, there is one six-month window of opportunity for judges to submit applications under the adjunct system. [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="AKC Board Household Judges (July 2000 Board meeting)"] A household member of a Board member may submit a judging application […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="American Field Irish Setters (October 1975 Board meeting)"]  Based upon a request from the Irish Setter Club of America, AKC discontinued the registration of Irish Setters based upon pedigrees from the American Field Dog Stud Book. [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="Auction Policy (July 2003 Board meeting)"]  The Board reviewed its policy on Auctions, considering the […]

  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="2026"] Inside the Discussion: Comparing Multiple Approaches to Detection Dog Breeding and Training May 19, 2026 The AKC Detection Dog Task Force recently hosted a lively webinar featuring Tim Baird, Bart Rogers, and Stacey West, moderated by Sheila Goffe, on the many approaches to breeding, raising, and training future detection dogs. One […]

Visit a Conformation dog show, and you'll see hundreds of dogs groomed to the max and striking a well-trained pose. But there are different types of shows.

Legal Notices Linking policy Web material reproduction policy Third party links Quick Links  Cookies Compatible Browsers & Devices Browser Versions & Devices Pop-ups & Javascript Browser Plug-ins and Media Understanding My AKC Account Functions Creating Your AKC Account Two Factor Authentication (TFA, 2FA, Account Verification) Browser & Verification Tips Important Update – Usernames and Email […]

Breeder of Merit FAQs [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Prepaid Registrations In Breeder Toolkit"] If you plan to use the prepaid option to register all of the puppies – Do not select the electronic (downloadable) litter kit when you register the litter. That will disable the prepaid option. You are able to send an individual Registration Application for […]

Sophia Norman and her American Eskimo Dog 'Sailor' are competing at the AKC Rally National Championship. But Sailor is more than just a Rally partner.

  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="AKC Educational Requirements Policy and Recommendations (April 2024 Board meeting; amended May 2025)"] As an additional step in creating a safe and respectful sport environment for all, the AKC Board of Directors approved the following educational requirements policy and recommendations. Effective April 10, 2024: AKC Board of Directors, Inspectors, Field Staff across […]

The following breeders have met the requirements for the Breed and Levels recorded at the time of the application. The American Kennel Club is pleased to recognize these breeders for their contribution to the sport and maintaining the tenets of the Breeder of Merit program. (current as of  7/16/26, last updated 7/17/26) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Platinum"] […]

Click the links below to learn about AKC's Foundation Stock Service® Program. Foundation Stock Service® Program Home FSS Checklist - Updated May 2026 (PDF) FSS Acceptable Domestic Registries FSS Pamphlet - Updated May 2026(PDF) FSS FAQs FSS News Parent Club Best Practices First Certificate of Merit Earned for Miscellaneous Breeds How to Count Certificate of […]

  The American Kennel Club created the Foundation Stock Service® (FSS®) to answer the needs of today's rare breed fanciers. The Foundation Stock Service® is an optional record-keeping service for all purebred breeds not currently registrable with the American Kennel Club. Originally the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) program was used to bring in breeds such […]

If I purchase/acquire a dog that is from an FSS®-recorded litter, is the dog automatically considered FSS®-recorded? In order to have the dog recorded, you need to forward your FSS® application to the AKC for review with the appropriate fees. You should receive the FSS® application form from the person from whom you bought/acquired the […]

Click below to see titles and abbreviations for: Prefix Titles Suffix Titles Parent Club Titles Working Dog Titles Other Recognized Titles Other Title Lists: Titles Sorted by Sport Titles Sorted in Alphabetic Order   Prefix Titles Title Title Name AFC An Amateur Field Trial Champion title can be earned in either Beagle Field Trials, Pointing […]

Here’s everything you’ll need prior to joining the Breeder of Merit program:  Have a history of at least 5 years involvement with AKC events  Can demonstrate a commitment to individually registering 100 percent of the puppies you’ve bred Have earned either AKC Conformation, Performance, or Companion event titles on at least four dogs from AKC […]

Our Beginnings On September 17, 1884, a group of twelve dedicated sportsmen, responding to a "meeting call" from Messrs. J. M. Taylor and Elliot Smith, met in the rooms of the Philadelphia Kennel Club in that city. Each member of the group was a representative or "delegate" from a dog club that had, in the […]

Theodore Joshua Moore competes in dog sports with his German Shorthaired Pointers and is a two-time winner of the AKC Junior Versatility Scholarship.

How often do dogs go into heat? What does a dog's heat cycle look like? Learn more about the signs of a dog in heat, and how to care for dogs in heat.

'Samara' the Pyrenean Mastiff Outshines as a Guardian and Therapy Dog

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="Adding Junior Membership to AKC Member Club Bylaws (November 2022 Board meeting)"] The Board VOTED to permit existing clubs to add “Junior” as a membership option to their club Bylaws without AKC reviewing and approving each club’s Bylaws. The Board will receive notice from Club Relations of the clubs that have added “Junior […]

In compliance with PCI regulations, the American Kennel Club (AKC) no longer accepts credit card information on paper forms. Please submit payment by check, money order, or complete your transaction securely online. Most AKC forms and applications can be downloaded from this page. For best results, select a form and save it to your computer, […]

(updated 9/1/26 ) 7/14/2026 From the July Board Meeting - one new breed was added to the Foundation Stock Service Program – Nenets Laika. 5/11/2026 From the May Board Meeting - one new breed was added to the Foundation Stock Service Program – Lucas Terrier. 4/13/2026 From the April Board Meeting - three new breeds […]

Why do Chow Chows have blue-black tongues? Learn what experts know about this distinctive breed trait, when the color develops, and whether tongue spots indicate Chow ancestry.

Season 13 - Spring/Summer Season 2026 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Extended Ph.D."] Top Three Teams Champion – Michigan Border Patrol – Michigan Reserve Champion – Misfits on the Run – West Virginia Third Place – Let’s Play TAG – North Carolina Individual Dog Placements 8-Inch Regular 1st – Smirk, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pluff Mudd Brats 12-Inch Regular 1st – […]