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Expert Advice: Dog Breeds
Is the Whippet a Good Fit for You?
Whippets are playful, affectionate dogs suited for a variety of households. These medium-sized dogs don't require much exercise and seldom bark.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/whippet-right-for-you/
| March 17, 2025
Press Releases
2025 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP JUDGING PANEL NOW AVAILABLE
The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 25th AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025. The 2025 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/2025-akc-national-championship-judging-panel-now-available/
| March 13, 2025

Expert Advice: Health
Laser Therapy in Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, and Alternatives
Laser therapy for dogs can be a helpful complementary or alternative treatment option for managing inflammation, chronic pain or wound healing.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/laser-therapy-in-dogs/
| March 7, 2025

Expert Advice: Health
Teeth Chattering in Dogs: Causes and Treatment
Dog teeth chattering doesn't only happen when your pet is cold. Veterinarians explain the reasons for teeth chattering in dogs and how to handle them.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/teeth-chattering-in-dogs/
| February 27, 2025
Sports & Events
Judges’ Study Guides
AKC Group Standards Download AKC approved breed standards by complete group for use on any portable electronic device. Sporting Hound Working Terrier Toy Non-Sporting Herding Misc. Judges Study Guide No single written guide is ever comprehensive enough to be the only learning tool utilized in preparation for judging a new breed. We urge you to […]
https://www.akc.org/sports/conformation/judging-information/judges-study-guides/
| February 18, 2025

Expert Advice: Breed History
History of the AKC Breed Groups: Why Are There Seven Groups?
There's a reason why the AKC divides its breeds into seven groups. That reason is a mixture of tradition and breed function. But why?
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/history-akc-breed-groups/
| January 17, 2025

Expert Advice: Fitness & Exercise
How Much Playtime Do Dogs Need?
Dogs of all ages benefit from playtime, but how do you know if your dog is getting enough for their life stage? Learn to assess your dog's play routine.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-much-playtime-do-dogs-need/
| January 7, 2025

Expert Advice: Dog Gear & Accessories
Eye Protection for Dogs: Goggles, Sunglasses, and More
We often hear about dogs' remarkable hearing and sense of smell, but eye health is just as important. Learn more about eye protection for dogs.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/eye-protection-for-dogs/
| January 6, 2025

Expert Advice: Events
Group Winners Crowned at the 2024 AKC National Championship
The biggest Conformation event of the year is here, and the results are out! See the group winners of the 2024 AKC National Championship.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/akc-national-championship-group-winners-2024/
| December 30, 2024

Expert Advice: News
Giant Schnauzer ‘Monty’ Wins Best in Show at 2024 AKC National Championship
The champion of the 2024 AKC National Championship has been crowned! The AKC National Championship took place on December 14-15 at the Orange Country...
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/giant-schnauzer-monty-wins-2024-akc-national-championship/
| December 30, 2024
Pages
AKC Breeds Broken Out By Group
The following are the group designations that AKC breeds have been assigned. There are currently 202 breeds and 9 breeds with 21 varieties. The varieties are by size, color or group. The varieties are marked by **(Revised 1/01/25) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Sporting Group – 33 breeds"] Sporting Group Naturally active and alert, Sporting dogs make likeable, […]
https://www.akc.org/akc-breeds-by-group/
| December 23, 2024

Expert Advice: Obedience
Golden Retriever ‘Squeeze’ Wins 2024 AKC Obedience Classic in Masters Class
Meet the winners of the 2024 AKC Obedience Classic that bested 266 dogs in four different obedience classes: Masters, Utility, Open, and Novice.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/obedience-classic-winners-2024/
| December 18, 2024

Expert Advice: Training for Dog Sports
How to Get Started in Barn Hunt With Your Dog
Many dog breeds were first developed to hunt vermin. Learn more about the sport of Barn Hunt and how it could be perfect for you dog.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/get-started-barn-hunt/
| November 27, 2024

Expert Advice: Dog Gear & Accessories
The Best Black Friday Dog Deals to Save Big
Black Friday dog deals are here early! Check out the best sales of the year and savings that make great gifts for you, your dog, or dog owners.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/black-friday-dog-deals/
| November 21, 2024

Expert Advice: Grooming
How to Groom a Double-Coated Dog
Double coats that are not maintained correctly can become tangled, irritate a dog's skin, and spread hair all over you and your house.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-to-groom-a-double-coated-dog/
| November 18, 2024

Expert Advice: General Health
Levothyroxine for Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, and Dose Monitoring
Levothyroxine for dogs treats the signs of hypothyroidism. Learn more about the drug's side effects and the importance of dose monitoring.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/levothyroxine-for-dogs/
| November 15, 2024
Press Releases
AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY ROYAL CANIN DRAWS ENTRY OF MORE THAN 5,600 DOGS IN ITS 24th YEAR
The AKC® National Championship presented by Royal Canin has a grand total of 5,637 dogs that will compete for the title of America’s National Champion on December 14 and 15, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Additionally, 1,756 puppies and juniors will vie for Puppy/Junior of the Year in the AKC/Royal […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/akc-national-championship-presented-royal-canin-draws-entry-5600-dogs-24th-year/
| November 12, 2024
Legislative Alerts
Ojai, California Adopts Severe Dog Breeding Restrictions, Highlights Need for Local Government Vigilance by Fanciers and Breeders
On October 22, the Ojai City Council voted 4-1 to adopt a first-in-the-nation law that prohibits the breeding of dogs and cats with “congenital anatomical features” that are likely to cause the animal or its offspring to suffer pain, deformity, or difficult expressing natural behaviors, difficulty breathing, difficultly with physical exertion or exercise, or difficulty […]
https://www.akc.org/legislative-alerts/ojai-california-adopts-severe-dog-breeding-restrictions-highlights-need-local-government-vigilance-fanciers-breeders/
| October 28, 2024

Expert Advice: Health
Recessed Vulva in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment
A sometimes overlooked, common condition that can contribute to recurrent UTIs is recessed vulvas in dogs. Learn more about it's symptoms and treatment.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/recessed-vulva-in-dogs/
| October 4, 2024
Sports & Events
Event Kits by Sport
Click below to see downloadable resources for each sport: Agility CAT Conformation Earthdog Fast CAT Basset Hound Field Trials Beagle Field Trials Dachshunds Field Trials Pointing Breed Field Trials Retriever Field Trials Spaniel Field Trials Herding & Farm Dog Pointing Breed Hunt Tests Retriever Hunt Tests Spaniel Hunt Tests Lure Coursing Obedience Rally Scent Work […]
https://www.akc.org/sports/event-kits/
| October 2, 2024

Expert Advice: General Health
What to Know About Dwarfism in Dogs
Short limbs and an unusually large head are signs of a medical condition called dwarfism in dogs. Learn more about dogs with dwarfism.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dwarfism-in-dogs/
| September 27, 2024

Expert Advice: Safety
Lead Poisoning in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments
Dogs need certain proteins and minerals to support their growth and overall health. Lead is not on this list. Learn more about lead poisoning in dogs.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/lead-poisoning-in-dogs/
| September 26, 2024

Expert Advice: Health
Can Dogs Have Heart Attacks? Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Heart attacks can occur and dogs, but they are rare. Knowing the signs of a heart attack can help you be prepared.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/can-dogs-have-heart-attacks/
| September 25, 2024

Expert Advice: General Health
Heart Disease in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments
New tools allow veterinarians to detect, diagnose and treat various types of heart disease in dogs. Learn more about heart disease.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/heart-disease-in-dogs/
| September 19, 2024

Expert Advice: Dog Behavior
Preventing Aggression in Dogs: What to Know
There is no guarantee your dog will never act aggressively, but with four simple steps you can help lower the chances of dog aggression.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/preventing-aggression-in-dogs/
| September 13, 2024

Expert Advice: News
Can Dogs Get Bird Flu? What to Know About Bird Flu and Dogs
A massive outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in the US has led to widespread rates of infection in both wild birds and farmed birds. With recent cases of the...
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/bird-flu-in-dogs/
| August 23, 2024

Expert Advice: General Health
Hair Loss in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatments
The sight of fur on your clothes and furniture is inevitable when you have a dog. Shedding is part of your dog's normal cycle of hair growth.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hair-loss-in-dogs/
| August 21, 2024

Pages
AKC National Detection Dog Conferences
[accordion] [accordion_panel title="2024"] AKC Detection Dog Task Force Hosts National Conference to Address Shortage of U.S. Bred and Raised Detection Dogs August 2024 Explosives detection dogs play a crucial role in U.S. safety and security at home and abroad, but unlike other vital national security tools, the United States is importing approximately 85-90% of its […]
https://www.akc.org/akc-detection-dog-task-force/akc-us-detection-dog-conferences/
| August 19, 2024

Expert Advice: Safety
Albuterol for Dogs: Uses, Side Effects, and Alternatives
Albuterol for dogs can be used to treat coughing and wheezing in dogs, but too much can be fatal. Make sure to speak with your veterinarian about usage.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/albuterol-for-dogs/
| August 5, 2024

Expert Advice: Dog Breeding
Understanding Autosomal Recessive Conditions in Dogs
Introduction to Autosomal Recessive Conditions Dogs have 78 chromosomes, or 39 pairs in each cell. Genes are located on these chromosomes, and they can have different genetic variants related to genes, known as alleles. Each gene typically has 2 copies, one from the dam and one from the sire. The dam and sire randomly contribute […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/understanding-autosomal-recessive-conditions-dogs/
| July 24, 2024