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, […]

Bailey’s Book Club, an American Kennel Club® program, is designed to provide dog-themed books and related resources to K-12 schools around the country that qualify as Title 1 or have at least 40% of students enrolled qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The program also provides children with an opportunity to learn about the importance […]

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)  […]

Senior Rescue Dog Starts Dog Sports Career Roger had a sad life before he was turned into a shelter in southern California. He has gunshot wounds and was suffering from a serious respiratory illness. Shelter staff did not expect him to live long when they sent him home with a foster for a “hospice” stay. […]

The American Kennel Club is opposed to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. In solidarity with Ukrainian people, judges from the Russian Federation will not be approved to judge at AKC sanctioned events. *UPDATE: Dogs born in Russia that have been exported to other countries, with registries recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and registered in […]

Order AKC DNA + Health Kit Activate AKC DNA Kit DNA Resource Center All AKC DNA + Health Kits include: The AKC DNA Profile of 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes 328 genetic variants for health and traits, including coat color Results are delivered by our trusted service provider (Neogen) with the […]

Each of the AKC registered breeds are assigned to one of seven groups representing characteristics and functions the breeds were originally bred for. Current as of June 17, 2025 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Herding Group"] HERDING GROUP The Herding Group, created in 1983, is the newest AKC classification; its members were formerly members of the Working Group. […]

At AKC shows, dogs are organized into 7 groups: Hound, Working, Sporting, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding. Learn about what makes each group unique.

If you're interested in taking part in a low-cost and accessible activity with your dog, why not try the lesser-known dog sport of Treibball? Professional dog trainer Dianna Stearns is the President of the American Treibball Association (ATA). She explains that sport was first introduced in Germany by Jan Nibjoer, and then, in 2009, a […]

Deputy Gabriel Jasso and K-9 Bloodhound 'Keva' work on live-finding missing persons. The team won the 2025 AKC Award for Canine Excellence.

When it comes to choosing the right dog chews, the options seem just about endless. You may have heard that rawhide chews aren't good for dogs, or that they're filled with awful chemicals, or that they will get lodged in your dog's intestine. But is this really true information about rawhide? Are rawhide chews safe […]

Parvo in puppies is unfortunately a common disease with deadly consequences. Here's what to know about parvo in puppies and protecting your dog.

Hot spots are one of the most common skin conditions in dogs, particularly in the summer months. Here's how to treat and prevent hot spots on dogs.

It's easy to panic when you see something on your dog's eye, especially if it's a large pink or reddish bump, which could be cherry eye in dogs.

Curious about the Doberman Pinscher? Learn about the breed's German roots, their incredible intelligence, and which activities they excel in.

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 […]

Titles Earned in AKC Activities, Organized by Sport and Title Progression the # symbol behind the title abbreviation indicates that title can be earned multiple times, and will carry a numeric designation [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Agility Titles"] Class Abbrev. Title Name Abbrev. Title Name (Preferred Track) Prefix or Suffix ACT ACT1 Agility Course Test 1 Suffix […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is thrilled to announce the winners of the AKC Agility League’s fall season. The AKC Agility League recently concluded its 11th season of competition and honored […]

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 […]