Now that all of the Best of Breed Group Winners have officially been named, we're one step closer to crowning this year's AKC National Championship Best in Show champion! In case you missed our Group Finals livestreams on AKC.org, here's a recap of all of the commendable canines who will be competing for this year's […]

It's the moment we've all been waiting for! After an incredible competition, GCHP CH Silverhall Strike Force, an ASCOB Cocker Spaniel known as "Striker" was named Best in Show at the 2017 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin. "Striker" triumphed over nearly 5,000 dogs to earn a $50,000 cash prize in addition to the […]

The annual AKC Breeder of the Year award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs. This year, Helyne E. Medeiros was presented with the 2017 AKC Breeder of the Year award for her Seasyde Pointers at the […]

Cleo and Gwen Blake practice at Family Dog Training Center in Kent, Wash., a Seattle suburb. “Practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect,” says Blake. “And we need plenty of that.” Photo courtesy Kathy Lang. For Gwen Blake, it’s back to basics every time she steps into the obedience and rally rings with her […]

Even though we give our dog a name, many times we also give them a nickname, as well. "Sammy" gets shortened to "Sam," for example. Similarly, Labrador Retrievers are often called Labs, just as Golden Retrievers are called "Goldens." But did you know that some breeds have special nicknames? These nicknames were crafted especially for […]

Since dogs are an important part of our lives, dogs are also an important part of our literature. They accompany us on our adventures and protect us from our adversaries. Sometimes, dogs are the stars of the stories. Here's a list of the most beloved dogs in literature: 1. Lassie Lassie is by far the […]

Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Houston’s top spot in the 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The Labrador Retriever was also recognized as the #1 pup in the country, along with multiple cities including Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Denver to name a few. The French Bulldog jumped two spots […]

Mom, Elizabeth Hoettels, and her best girl, Rio, are inseparable after work and on weekends. Photo courtesy Sweet Ventures by Nichole DuPont. Picture this for a moment. You're a military critical-care nurse, with a surgical team stationed in East Africa for several months, away from family, friends, and everything familiar. But the wonderful world of […]

An event such as the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin offers an amazing opportunity to meet the many breeds competing in the ring. This year, the AKC Meet the Breeds individual booths represented more than 100 breeds. Like every breed, and, in fact, every dog, every booth is truly unique. Each breed club […]

For years her Vizslas’ successes in dog sports have produced many smiles and good vibes for Cathy Cline, of North Hollywood, Calif., but those memories don’t compare to the unshakable happiness triggered by Friends and Vets Helping Pets (FVHP), the foundation she started in 2012. Yes, there have been plenty of hand-wringing, frustrating moments, too, […]

TEXT AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY RIA HÖRTER REPRINTED FROM THE CANINE CHRONICLE During war time, dogs have been used as messenger dogs, patrol dogs, guard dogs, mine dogs, Red Cross dogs or as draught dogs for the transportation of weapons, ammunition, food and medical supplies. No role at all Numerous dog books state that Greek and Roman […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) and Royal Canin are pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2016 National Championship to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2016. The 2016 event will showcase the top national and international dogs and will also […]

By Joan Harrigan and Susan BeegelMuch is demanded of show dogs – they must be adaptable, calm, and tolerant in addition to meeting the requirements of their breed standards. Two Beaucerons, both champions and exhibited at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, have show careers that are secondary to their day-to-day work. For Beaucerons […]

The Pumi is the latest breed to be recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), receiving full AKC status as a member of the Herding Group on July 1, 2016. This rare breed, with only a few new litters born in the United States each year, may be the new dog on the block, but […]

On the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wreaking havoc in the southeastern United States, Seattle Times journalist Ranny Green reflects on his time in Louisiana on assignment with Noah's Wish, an organization that helps animals affected by natural disasters. Read Ranny's diary of his trip below, which originally ran in The Seattle Times in 2005. -- […]

On the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina wreaking havoc in the southeastern United States, Seattle Times journalist Ranny Green reflects on his time in Louisiana on assignment with Noah's Wish, an organization that helps animals affected by natural disasters. -- It’s been decade since my life took a dramatic change and the Gulf Coast endured […]

When it comes to their canine soldiers, Britain’s 105 Military Working Dog Squadron (MWDS) knows that the best protective equipment is essential, even during training. In a recent video by the MWDS, a dog is outfitted with personal protection equipment, including ear defenders, goggles, a reflective collar, and booties. This English Springer Spaniel is among […]

Although the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States, the Lab isn't top dog in a few of the 25 most populous cities, according to AKC registration data. For example, the playful and adaptable French Bulldog is No. 1 in New York City and San Francisco, while the active and intelligent Poodle is […]

After a 7-year-old K-9 Belgian Malinois was killed in Paris Wednesday during police raids targeting those responsible for the attacks on Nov. 13, thousands took to social media to show their support for the police dog using the hashtags #JeSuisChien and #NotAllHeroesAreHuman. Many dog owners turned to Instagram to show their support for the police dog, […]

The French Bulldog is the most popular dog breed in New York City for 2015, according to AKC registration data. While the family-friendly Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in the United States, the adaptable French Bulldog holds the No. 1 spot in the nation's largest city.  However, the Frenchie isn't top dog in every […]

No velvet pillows, hair ribbons, or French pedicures for these big bruisers. These are the no-nonsense, punch-the-clock-and-get-it-done dogs of the AKC Working Group, the Ford pickups of the canine kingdom. Many factors go into breeding dogs that work hard for their feed. Let’s consider a few, and then watch some well-bred workers in action. Physical […]

Francis Redmond’s “Totteridge” Smooth Fox Terriers were a famous British line of the late 19th century. Redmond was a master dog man who did much to standardize his breed, and the Totteridge kennel was pivotal in the creation of the modern Smooth. It was the custom to immortalize dogs of such renown on canvas. These […]

Swarms of setters, hordes of herders, oodles of Poodles— with the seemingly endless variety of dogs gaiting around AKC show rings, you might assume every breed in creation is represented. Actually, hundreds of breeds from around the world are outside the AKC orbit. Here are just a few:   ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG Birthplace: northern Portugal Job […]

July 14 is Bastille Day, when France and Francophiles the world over commemorate the start of the French Revolution in 1789. The AKC joins the celebration in just the way you’d expect—with dogs. Here’s a roundup of some AKC breeds developed in France, plus a few that are French by tradition if not by birth. […]

The Labrador Retriever has done it again. The intelligent, family friendly breed held onto the number one spot on the most popular list for the 24th consecutive year, continuing the longest reign as the nation’s top dog in American Kennel Club history. For the full list of breed rankings, click here. While the Lab holds strong, […]

At the Annual Meeting of the American Kennel Club on March 8, 2016, the AKC Board of Directors Class of 2020 was elected. The three Directors elected were:     •       Patricia M. Cruz, Delegate from the Heart of the Plains Kennel Club.     •       William J. Feeney, Delegate from the Sir Francis Drake Kennel Club, Inc. […]

Saying goodbye to our pets is always gut-wrenching. And as much as it breaks our hearts, we love when we hear stories of owners who go above and beyond to make their pet's time on earth extra special.  Jordan Greene Roberts of Houston, Texas, took exactly that approach to her beloved dog's (Duke's) death. She filled Duke's last day with […]

The Morris & Essex Kennel Club dog show taking place October 1 at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey, will continue a historic tradition in the dog world, harking back to the legendary shows of the early to mid-20th century that were hosted by Mrs. Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge on the grounds of her estate. From […]

The Westminster Kennel Club recently announced that Mr. Thomas H. Bradley III is scheduled to judge Best in Show at the club’s 141st dog show Feb. 13–14, 2017. A lifetime participant in the dog sport, Mr. Bradley competed in his first dog show as a teenager in 1955, showing his German Shorthaired Pointer at the […]

The American Kennel Club is delighted with the announcement of the AKC Pet Healthcare Plan by Pet Partners, Inc. AKC Pet Healthcare Insurance, underwritten by State National Insurance Company, an A rated company by AM Best, which features two comprehensive plans for fanciers and pet owners: the “Premier Plan” and “Premier Plus Plan.”  The plan […]