The AKC Breeder of Merit program was introduced in October 2010. Since that time, more than 13,000 breeders have been enrolled. The program was developed to recognize those breeders that are the foundation of our sport through their participation in various AKC events and dedication to selective breeding of healthy purpose-bred purebred dogs. The Basic […]

Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear how they got started and learn about their breeding program and experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with Cathy Lewandowski of SoftMaple Curly-Coated Retrievers in Croghan, N.Y. Lewandowski is an AKC Breeder of Merit who has produced versatile, top-winning dogs. Lewandowski's love for […]

  In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were launched in 1998 and are now in its sixth year of honoring the Fancy's best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of selfless effort have made significant contributions […]

  The American Kennel Club (AKC) announced today the addition of two new Senior Executive Field Representatives for the Performance Events, At-Large Division: Robert A. Mason, Senior Executive Field Representative, Performance Events At-Large. Robert started showing dogs in 1958. In the last 45 years he and his wife Shari have owned Afghan Hounds, Greyhounds, Whippets […]

  The AKC Lifetime Achievement Awards honor those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of purebred dogs on a national level. The recipients are selected by votes cast by AKC member clubs for one of three nominees in the categories of Conformation, Companion Events, and Performance. The awards, engraved Tiffany and Co. […]

  In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were established in 1998 to honor our Fancy’s 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 level. […]

  The AKC Lifetime Achievement Awards honor those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of purebred dogs on a national level. The recipients are selected by votes cast by AKC member clubs for nominees in the categories of Conformation, Companion Events, and Performance. The awards, engraved Tiffany and Co. sterling silver bowls, […]

  -- Board Approved Parent Clubs Request for New Competition -- The American Kennel Club® Board of Directors has granted the request of four Parent Clubs to approve the Working Dog Sport (WDS), effective January 1, 2007 with regulations to be approved by the AKC Board. The breeds approved to compete in AKC®'s newest sport […]

Dog Recognized as Most Accomplished in AKC’s 122-year History New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® announced today that a portrait of the most titled dog in AKC® history, the Vizsla CH FC AFC OTCH MACH Legacy’s DeChartay UDX(5) MH, affectionately known as “Chartay”, will be unveiled in a special ceremony at the AKC […]

  Six Breeds to Join the Miscellaneous Class The American Kennel Club® is pleased to welcome the Dogue de Bordeaux as the 158th AKC registered breed. The Dogue de Bordeaux, sometimes referred to as the "French Mastiff", will be eligible for full AKC® registration and competition in the Working Group at shows held on and […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today the winners of the seventh AKC Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE), the award designed to commemorate loyal, hard-working dogs that have made significant contributions to their community. The ACE is given annually to dogs in each of the following five categories: Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service […]

  The American Kennel Club® (AKC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards. The awards, engraved Tiffany and Co. sterling silver bowls, will be presented to the recipients on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at the AKC Delegates luncheon held in conjunction with the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, […]

  -- AKC® Champions Can Compete for Grand Champion Title at AKC Conformation Events -- The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce that it will begin offering the Grand Champion title at AKC Conformation events. This new title will be available to AKC Champions of Record, giving the opportunity for Champion dog owners to […]

  The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the nominees for the annual Lifetime Achievement Awards.  Finalists are based on nominations by member clubs.  A winner from the three finalists in each category—Conformation, Companion Events, and Performance—will be voted on by member clubs, with voting ending on September 13, 2010.  There will be […]

  The American Kennel Club® (AKC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards: Walter F. Goodman (Conformation), James J. Ham (Companion Events) and Jo Ann Frier-Murza (Performance). The three recipients will receive engraved silver Revere bowls on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at the AKC Delegates luncheon held in conjunction […]

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 […]

"AKC Breeder of the Year" to be Announced at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Fla.   The American Kennel Club® announced today the seven group recipients of the 2012 AKC® Breeder of the Year Award.  The award honors breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs.   […]

Today, five-year-old English Springer Spaniel Pride ‘N Joy’s Juno-Lupa, better known as "Juno," and her handler Beckie Stanevich, AKC Delegate for the Mountaineer Kennel Club, became the first dog and handler team to receive the new American Kennel Club Urban Search and Rescue (SAR) title. The pair, which serves on FEMA’s Ohio Task Force One […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is expanding its Pointing Breed Field Trial program with several new offerings: the AKC Walking Gun Dog Championship and two new titles, Grand Field Champion and Grand Amateur Field Champion.   “We’re pleased to add the Walking Gun Dog Championship and the Grand titles to the activities available in AKC’s […]

In celebration of dogs with good manners at home and in the community, beginning January 1, 2013, passing the AKC®’s Canine Good Citizen® test can be recognized as an official American Kennel Club® title for all dogs. Since the program began in 1989, the CGC® has been considered an “award.” Dogs that passed the 10-step […]