"As the big hound is, so will the pup be."-- Irish Proverb New York -- It’s no surprise that Ireland has produced many immortal writers, poets and musicians, but did you know there are several dog breeds that hail from the Emerald Isle? In honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, the American Kennel […]

Three Breeds Gain Full AKC Recognition The American Kennel Club® is pleased to welcome the Irish Red and White Setter, the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Norwegian Buhund as the 159th, 160th, and the 161st AKC® registered breeds. The Irish Red and White Setter will join the Sporting Group while both the Pyrenean Shepherd and the […]

New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® is pleased to announce the hiring of William H. Deily, Jr. as the Director of Inspections and Investigations. Deily, who replaces the recently retired Steve Robinson, has joined the staff in Raleigh, NC. Deily has extensive background in both the sport of purebred dogs and law enforcement. […]

The AKC Humane Fund, Inc. is pleased to announce the 2016 recipients of the Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship, celebrating the human-canine bond. Each year, the AKC Humane Fund awards five full-time students enrolled in courses of study that contribute to the well-being of dogs and the advancement of responsible pet ownership. The scholarship is […]

  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to welcome the ten students who have been chosen to participate in the AKC Internship Program. The program--open to college students with a background and interest in purebred dogs--is designed to further their professional development as well as help the AKC identify potential employees with experience in […]

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 […]

The AKC® National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHB CH Kinloch So There!, an Irish Setter known affectionately as “Stryker” owned and handled by 14-year-old Adam Kucera and bred by Patty Fanelli and Mike Fanelli. Adam and Stryker beat out 874 other dogs to take highest honor. Additionally, 15-year-old Savanna […]

–Award Presented at AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin – Gail S. Wolaniuk and Joan E. McFadden were presented with the 2020 AKC Breeder of the Year award for Unique Standard Poodles at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Sunday, December 13, 2020.  The annual award honors those breeders who have […]

The Irish Water Spaniel was one of the nine original breeds recognized by the AKC. Learn more about this versatile, water-loving breed's history.

Never underestimate what terriers are capable of is a theme for this team! Jan Moller and her Irish Terrier Griffin (GCH CH Bay-Lei's MacGryphon BN RA...

The Glen of Imaal Terrier has a rich history that stems from the Emerald Isle and joined other AKC-recognized Irish Terriers in 2004.

Partially shrouded by the mists of time, the history of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier sometimes reflects the Irish people's gift as storytellers rather than historians. Folklore persists that following the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, a dog swam to the shore of Ireland from a sinking ship. Supposedly, he then bred to […]

The 1880s was the only decade that the English Setter reigned as the number-one breed and it remained in the top ten for four decades, but hasn’t been in the top ten since the 1910s. Irish Setters, the number-two breed of the decade, fell to number seven in the 1890s and then did not make […]

As legend has it, the roots of the Kerry Blue Terrier harken back to the Spanish Armada. Learn more about the history of the Kerry Blue Terrier.

When pursuing success in breeding dogs, there is no substitute for hard work, and there is nothing more necessary in that endeavor than establishing a great female line. “Great bitches come from other great bitches” was the advice of my mentor, Alma J. Starbuck. And she knew of what she spoke, having produced one famous […]

Get to Know the four dogs that are setter breeds: the English Setter, Irish Red and White Setter, Irish Setter, and the Gordon Setter.

Getting the chance to win big in the conformation ring at Westminster is one thing. Getting another kind of ring on top of that is even more life-changing.

The Gordon Setter is the largest member of the setter breeds. Learn more about this breed with these Gordon Setter fun facts.

The top five breeds of the 1880s were all working gundog breeds. While this is the only decade that the English Setter reigned as the number-one breed, it remained in the top ten for four decades, though it hasn’t appeared there in the top ten since the 1910s. Irish Setters, the number-two breed of the […]

AKC Breeder Spotlight: Amy Shaffer of Crivitz Standard Schnauzers Each month the American Kennel Club profiles breeders to hear how they got started and learn about their breeding program and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with AKC Breeder of Merit Amy Shaffer of Crivitz Standard Schnauzers. Amy originally started with Irish Setters […]

There's many reasons to love a long-eared dog breed, but how many are there? We've rounded up the dog breeds known for their long ears.

Originally bred as hunting companions, pointing breeds excel at tracking upland game for their owners. So which dogs are pointers, and what did they originally do?

These friendly dog breeds, both common and rare, are lovable and adorable. Learn more about each of the breeds and figure out if one of them might be the right fit for your family.

From Washington's Foxhounds to Obama's famous Portuguese Water Dogs, presidential dogs are as traditional as baseball and apple pie. Almost all of our presidents have shared the White House with a dog, and often more than one. These presidential dogs became as much a staple of the capitol as the rest of the First Family […]

  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 […]

AKC Gun Dog Championships  American Pointer Club, Inc. German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America, Inc. English Setter Association of America, Inc. Vizsla Club of America Inc. American Brittany Club, Inc. Irish Setter Club of America, Inc. Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc. Weimaraner Club of America

All dogs six months of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Pointing Breed Field Trials: AKC Recognized Breeds Bracco Italiano (6/29/22) Brittanys Pointers English Setters German Shorthaired Pointers German Wirehaired Pointers Gordon Setters Irish Red & White Setters Irish Setters Spinone Italiano Vizslas Weimaraners Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Wirehaired Vizsla […]

The Road to Crufts by Lauren Hull “FIRST GOES TO THE IRISH SETTER!” I could not believe it when I heard the words….I had won Best Junior Handler at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.  We all work hard to get there…we all hope to win…and then when it happens, it is just unbelievable.  And, if you […]

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 AKC Lifetime Achievement Awards were created to recognize those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of purebred dogs on a national level. The recipients were selected by votes cast by AKC Member Clubs for nominees in each of the following categories: Conformation, Companion Events and Performance. The American Kennel Club honors […]