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Expert Advice: Feature
Meet Junior Handler Theodore Joshua Moore
Theodore Joshua Moore competes in dog sports with his German Shorthaired Pointers and is a two-time winner of the AKC Junior Versatility Scholarship.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/junior-handler-spotlight-theodore-joshua-moore/
| September 24, 2025
Expert Advice: Safety
Caring for Dog Burns: Everything You Need to Know
Learn about the types and severity of dog burns and how to administer first aid to help with healing and reduce risk of infection or other complications.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-burns/
| August 25, 2025
Expert Advice: Safety
How to Keep Your Dog Safe From Bears
How should you keep your dog safe from bears? The U.S. Forest Service recommends learning about them and avoiding confrontation before hiking with your dog.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/keep-your-dog-safe-from-bears/
| July 23, 2025
Expert Advice: Juniors
Meet Junior Handler Quinn Duncan
First-generation dog show handler Quinn Duncan, a sixteen-year-old from Gulf Shores, Alabama, has already made a name for herself in the dog world.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/junior-handler-spotlight-quinn-duncan/
| July 17, 2025
Expert Advice: Grooming
Everything You Need to Know About Hand Stripping Dog Coats
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.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hand-stripping-dog-coats/
| July 15, 2025
Expert Advice: Feature
Mother-Daughter Duo Compete With Belgian Malinois at Fastest Dogs USA
Mother-daughter duo April and Paula Pelletier have developed a close-knit bond together and with their dogs, competing as a family in Fastest Dog USA.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/pelletier-fastest-dogs-usa/
| June 10, 2025
Expert Advice: Juniors
Meet Junior Handler Jacinda Williams
17-year-old Jacinda (Jace) Williams has always loved dogs and enjoyed watching dog shows like Westminster and the National Dog Show on TV, but when she...
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/junior-handler-spotlight-jacinda-williams/
| May 27, 2025
Expert Advice: News
The Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2024
Based on American Kennel Club registration statistics, we rank the most popular dog breeds in America each year. The French Bulldog takes the No. 1 spot!
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/most-popular-dog-breeds-2024/
| March 18, 2025
Expert Advice: Events
Taylor Johnson Wins 2025 Best Junior Handler at Westminster
Seventeen-year-old Taylor Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colorado a 3rd generation dog handler and breeder wins Best Junior Handler at the 149th Annual...
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/westminster-best-junior-2025/
| February 12, 2025
Expert Advice: Events
Meet the Winners of the Inaugural Flyball Tournament at Westminster
As part of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show week, presented by Purina Pro Plan, the inaugural Flyball Tournament crowned its winning teams.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/westminster-flyball-tournament-2025/
| February 10, 2025
Expert Advice: Events
Border Collie ‘Vanish’ Wins 2025 Masters Agility Championship at Westminster
The 12th annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster has crowned its winner! Border Collie 'Vanish' and Emily Klarman, took home the top prize.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/westminster-masters-agility-2025/
| February 9, 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: Juniors
Lila Holberg Wins Best Junior at 2024 AKC National Championship
Sixteen-year old Lila Holberg from Seattle, Washington and her Pointer GCH CH Southern Summit Hot Gossip JH was awarded the coveted Best Junior Handler...
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/lila-holberg-best-junior-2024/
| 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: Juniors
Meet Lila Holberg, Best Junior at the 2024 AKC Junior Showmanship Finals
Part of the 2024 AKC National Championship week includes crowning Best Junior in Junior Showmanship. See the winners of this coveted award.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/akc-junior-showmanship-finals-2024/
| December 15, 2024
Expert Advice: Juniors
Meet Junior Handler Sophia Feid
Sophia Feid Junior Handler Feature Sassafras Patterdale Thirteen-year-old Sophia Feid of Apex, NC, is proof that you don't have to have a show dog of...
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/junior-handler-sophia-feid/
| December 5, 2024
Pages
Competition Update Summer 2025
We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog! AGILITY New AGCH (Agility Grand Champion) AGCH MACH4 Gorman's Athena MXB2 PDS MJS2 PJS MFG TQX T2B6 owned by Diane Fairfax Gorman of St. […]
https://www.akc.org/register/information/canine-partners/newsletter/competition-update-summer-2025/
| September 19, 2025
Pages
Regional Seminars
[accordion] [accordion_panel title="2025"] Save the Date: AKC Patriotic Puppy Program Regional Seminar, August 2-3, 2025, Waterbury, CT The AKC Patriotic Puppy Program (PPP) is headed to CT State Community College Naugatuck Valley! The next In Person Regional Seminar will take place on Saturday, August 2nd & Sunday, August 3rd in Waterbury, CT. This unique dog […]
https://www.akc.org/akc-detection-dog-task-force/akc-pilot-detection-puppy-rearing-program/regional-seminars/
| March 7, 2025
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
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/
| September 11, 2025
Sports & Events
Spirit Captain Fostering Camaraderie on League Teams
Erin Rezmer is an Agility League competitor who fills a special role for her teams – Spirit Captain. You may have seen her posts on the League Facebook Group of the wonderful theme nights that she creates for her teams at For Your K9 in Illinois. The school came up with the idea of a […]
https://www.akc.org/sports/agility/in-the-zone/spirit-captain-fostering-camaraderie-league-teams/
| August 25, 2025
Press Releases
AKC AGILITY LEAGUE CROWNS WINTER SEASON CHAMPIONS
The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce the winners of the AKC Agility League’s winter season. The AKC Agility League recently concluded its ninth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/akc-agility-league-crowns-winter-season-champions/
| April 30, 2025
Press Releases
THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB ANNOUNCES THE RECIPIENTS OF JUNIOR PERFORMANCE EVENTS SCHOLARSHIPS
The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce the recipients of the Junior Scholarships awarded to those who compete in Performance Events. "The 2025 AKC Performance Events Junior Scholarship winners have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence—both in their academic […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/american-kennel-club-announces-recipients-junior-performance-events-scholarships/
| April 9, 2025
Press Releases
THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 2025 AKC JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIP
The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 AKC Junior Scholarships. Scholarships totaling $22,500 were awarded to the following recipients. “AKC encourages Juniors to try different events and expand their involvement,” says Mari-Beth O’Neill, VP […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/american-kennel-club-announces-winners-2025-akc-junior-scholarship/
| April 9, 2025
Press Releases
2025 NATIONAL ALL-BREED PUPPY & JUNIOR STAKES JUDGING PANEL NOW AVAILABLE
The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/2025-national-breed-puppy-junior-stakes-judging-panel-now-available/
| April 3, 2025
Press Releases
AMERICA HAS SPOKEN! FRENCH BULLDOG REMAINS THE MOST PUP-ULAR BREED FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR
It’s a three-peat for the French Bulldog! The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, announced this morning that the beloved French Bulldog is America’s most popular breed for the third year in a row, according to AKC registration statistics. While the playful and […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/america-spoken-french-bulldog-remains-pup-ular-breed-third-consecutive-year/
| March 18, 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
Press Releases
GIANT SCHNAUZER “MONTY” WINS BEST IN SHOW AT 24th AKC® NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY ROYAL CANIN
GCHG CH Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB, a Giant Schnauzer known as “Monty” triumphed over more than 5,600 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize when they were awarded Best in Show at the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 14-15, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/giant-schnauzer-monty-wins-best-show-24th-akc-national-championship-presented-royal-canin/
| December 30, 2024
Press Releases
LILA HOLBERG WINS BEST JUNIOR HANDLER AT THE AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP COMPETITION
The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce that Lila Holberg with her Pointer GCH CH Southern Summit Hot Gossip JH was awarded the coveted title of Best Junior Handler along with a $5,000 scholarship. Coming in second place and receiving a $4,000 scholarship was Taylor Stone with her Belgian Tervuren and third place, […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/lila-holberg-wins-best-junior-handler-akc-national-championship-junior-showmanship-competition/
| December 14, 2024
Press Releases
THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB 2024 BREEDER OF THE YEAR GROUP HONOREES ANNOUNCED
The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2024 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor this array of esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “These individuals have made important […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/american-kennel-club-2024-breeder-year-group-honorees-announced/
| November 13, 2024