How to Earn the Title: Qualifications   To earn an AKC Therapy Dog™ title, you and your dog must meet the following criteria: Certified/registered by an AKC recognized therapy dog organization. Perform the required number of visits for the title for which you are applying. For your convenience in helping you track your visits, you […]

AKC Parent Club Performance Events Breed specific performance events administered by Parent Clubs that test the skills need to maintain and enhance the breed's historical function.   Belgian Sheepdog Drafting - Belgian Sheepdogs are able to earn drafting titles in Bernese Mountain Dog events - effective June 1, 2012   PBGV Hunt Test effective March 1, […]

  Memorandum To: All Employees The AKC expects all employees to support its mission, policies and programs and to conduct themselves in the performance of their job duties, in an ethical manner. In addition, every AKC employee has certain responsibilities in regards to access and disclosure of confidential information. The protection of confidential business information […]

  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 […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Lifetime Achievement awards. This year’s recipients have greatly advanced the sport of purebred dogs through their dedication to breeding, exhibiting, judging, teaching and club involvement. The three winners were selected from votes cast by AKC member clubs. They will be honored […]

New York, NY – A Q&A between AKC Chairman of the Board Alan Kalter and Dog News’ Matthew H. Stander originally appeared in the April 11, 2014 issue of Dog News. The contents of the interview about the future direction of the AKC are reprinted here with permission of the publisher.   What steps do […]

New York, NY – Highlights from the February 7-8, 2013 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 will be posted on the AKC website.   The American Hairless Terrier, the Norrbottenspets, […]

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 […]

  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®) 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 […]

  -- 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 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, […]

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 […]

-- A Summer of Positive Action for AKC -- New York, NY – It is back to school time across America and students are being asked that time-tested question – “What did you do over the summer?” For my wife and I, it’s a rather easy question to sum up in just five words – “We […]

-- Progress to a Better Future -- New York, NY – Coming originally from the Bronx and being an ardent baseball fan, I always admired New York Yankees Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra. He is not only famous for being a gifted player, but also for his gifted ability for a memorable turn of phrase […]

-- Advancing Our Sport-- New York, NY – This year we celebrate the 129th anniversary of the American Kennel Club. Today, as it has been throughout those years, our beliefs and traditions continue to guide us in our sport, while innovation continues to advance us. We began the year with the spirit of relentless positive action […]

- Highlights of 2011 - It was a pleasure to be with many of you in Florida this weekend as we enjoyed the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, AKC Agility Invitational, AKC National Obedience Invitational and the surrounding festivities. We hope you enjoyed the incredible series of events that unfolded over the weekend. We are all aware […]

-- New Programs and Services Introduced in 2010 -- As we wind down the year, I am pleased to highlight programs and initiatives we have introduced in 2010. In April, the first agility, obedience and rally trials open to mixed-breed dogs in the AKC Canine Partners program were held. So far, 853 AKC-licensed clubs have […]

A common question we hear from dog lovers is "Does the AKC like mixed breeds?" The AKC stands for the love of all things dog, including mixed breeds.

Every dog sport has a different vibe, so if it's your first one, you'll want to make sure to dress appropriately. Check out our guide on what to wear!