There are a variety of breeds that don’t shed, each with different temperaments and energy levels, so you can find the right breed for your lifestyle. Breeds that Don‘t Shed Bedlington Terrier: The gentle, loveable Bedlington Terrier is known for its curly, wooly coat that resembles a lamb. The breed doesn’t need intense exercise – […]

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 […]

Announcing the Launch of a new Pointing Breed Master Hunter Excellent (MHX) Test   See Announcement Here! Info and Materials:  Master Hunter Excellent Regulations MHX Scoresheet MHX approved site locations Pointing Breed Hunt Test Event Application - MHX test level MHX Lifetime Achievement Title Application Apply to judge MHX tests Current List of Approved MHX Judges […]

  The spotlight shines on a beautiful young red dog who loves agility. Keavy is an Irish Setter who competes in the 20-Preferred class in the Agility League division of Regulation Sophomore and often is the top scoring Preferred Tall dog when League rankings come out. Her owner, Cheryl, has shared life with Irish Setters […]

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 […]

AKC Meet the Breeds events are a fun and educational way to spend a day with the whole family, and maybe even figure out which dog breed is right for you! If you are attending an AKC Meet the Breeds event, or are thinking about attending an event in the future, you can find out […]

Dates: October 11 & 12, 2025 Location: Branched Oak State Recreation Area 12000 W Branched Oak Rd, Raymond, NE 68428   News & Updates The 11th AKC National Tracking Invitational was held at the picturesque Branched Oak Recreation Area in Raymond, Nebraska. The American Kennel Club extends its sincere appreciation to the Nebraska Kennel Club and […]

The American Kennel Club is the world's largest registry of purebred dogs, and uses these statistics to rank the most popular breeds — and the rarest breeds. The numbers are in: these are the rarest dog breeds according to AKC registration statistics. In 2025, 202 total breeds were counted in the registration statistics. In 2026, […]

The Irish Wolfhound is the gentle giant - the largest dog breed. Learn more about the breed with these Irish Wolfhound fun facts.

If your puppy has been wobbly since birth, they could have a non-progressive, non-curable neurological condition known as cerebellar hypoplasia.

There are many simple opportunities for us as dog owners to offer our dogs more freedom and control over their choices to help them be happier.

So, you want a dog but you seem to have an allergy attack whenever you're around one? You're not alone! It's estimated that 10 and 20% of people are allergic to cats and dogs, causing many prospective puppy owners to wonder which dogs are hypoallergenic. Spoiler alert: none of them are. That's right: no dog […]

Does your dog chase cars, bikes, skateboarders, squirrels, or other wildlife? You aren't alone. The good news is that it's possible to train your dog to ignore the temptation to chase and even channel that desire into games and sports.

The FDA is investigating potential links between canine heart disease and diet — specifically grain-free dog food diets. We've compiled the information you need to know to understand this ongoing investigation. Why Is the FDA Investigating Grain-Free Dog Food? It is easy to panic anytime we see an FDA headline about pet food. After all, keeping our dogs healthy […]

Dogs are renowned for their ability to read humans. But a study shows that the type of breed influences their level of human communication.

Every year, football fans look forward to seeing the year's Super Bowl commercials. But when dogs join the most significant sports event of the season, the clever canines always blitz the views. For this big-time contest, two breeds will appear for the first time in a major pigskin promotion. "Saz" Ch de Rafale Reve de […]

Learn about the signs and management options for megaesophagus in dogs, an esophageal condition that causes regurgitation and associated complications.

San Francisco junior handler Tatum Bartlett wins ANC Best Junior with her PBGV, Spotify.

The champion of the 2024 AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin, has been crowned! The nation's biggest dog show, with over 5,600...

Kathleen Walker and "Spike," a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, will compete in the 2025 AKC Obedience Classic in Florida.

Hand-stripping is a specialized grooming procedure for wiry-coated dogs. It involves plucking dead strands of hair to retain the coat's coarse texture.

Giant dogs are some of the hardest-working and most recognizable breeds. But because many of them maintain the strong working instincts and drive they were bred for, they can be a lot to handle. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're considering adding one to your family. Maturation Giant dogs are giant […]

Spaniels go back to at least the 14th century, but their ancestry may be even older. As of 2025, the AKC recognizes 15 types of spaniel breeds.

The original American Water Spaniel history is shrouded in a bit of mystery, but these curly hunting dogs were bred with purpose.

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  3/12/26, last updated 3/13/26) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Platinum"] […]

Ibizan Hound Learn about Ibizan Hounds [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Ibizan Hound Club of the United States [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] Icelandic Sheepdog Learn about Icelandic Sheepdogs [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] National Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue Alliance Email: nisrabod@gmail.com Email: isaabod@gmail.com [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] Irish Red and White Setter Learn about Irish Red and White Setters [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Irish […]

The following are the group designations that AKC breeds have been assigned. There are currently 205 breeds and 9 breeds with 21 varieties.  The varieties are by size, color or group.   The varieties are marked by **(Revised 3/10/26) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Sporting Group – 33 breeds"] Sporting Group Naturally active and alert, Sporting dogs make likeable, […]

When a new breed is accepted in the American Kennel Club a special type of registration known as Open Registration, is available for a limited time. The American Kennel Club in conjunction with the Parent Club (also known as a national breed club) sets this time frame for the breed. Eligibility for Open Registration In […]

The AKC currently registers 205 dog breeds. The chart below lists all AKC recognized breeds and the year they first became registrable with the AKC.  (last updated 1/1/26) DATE – BREED 1878 – Pointer  1878 – Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)  1878 – Spaniel (Clumber)  1878 – Spaniel (Cocker)  1878 – Setter (English)  1878 – Setter (Gordon)  […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to recognize its affiliated dog clubs which have been holding AKC events for over 100 years and are an essential part of the sport of dogs. Airedale Terrier Club of America Japanese Chin Club of America Airedale Terrier Club of New England Kennel Club of Buffalo American Chesapeake […]