It’s one of the best ways to deeply bond with your dog. It's great exercise. And it just might be one of the most personally rewarding endeavors of your life. It’s the world of canine sports and events, and many events are open for all dogs to enjoy, including mixed-breed dogs. Something special happens between […]

For baseball, it’s Little League. For gymnastics, it’s tumbling class. For football, pee-wees. Athletes in all sports don’t just make it to the big leagues right away. They have to start somewhere. The same goes for dog shows, and that’s where Junior Showmanship comes in. Aspiring handlers ages 9 to 18 compete in the Junior […]

Not interested in watching the Big Game this Sunday? Want a break from football? Switch the channel to ESPN to enjoy highlights from the AKC National Championship at 8 p.m. ET and highlights from the AKC K9 Detection Dog Challenge at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 13. Check your local provider for your channel. […]

You might be fooled by Chick's short and stocky frame, but Chick the Bulldog excels in many sports, including Fast CAT, Diving Dogs, and Rally.

Give these summer dog sports a go during the hotter months, as they're perfect for bonding and working with your dog outside.

Deaf dogs can participate in a number of AKC events and dog sports. Learn more about some amazing canine athletes who are deaf and how their trainers work with them.

Long-time educator Crystal Dennis loves teaching, whether it is in her classroom or in the dog show ring. And teaching two sisters from Alaska to do agility is just one way she's giving back.

You love training and competing in dog sports, and chances are, your dog enjoys them even more. But at some point, they can't move like they used to.

Every dog sport has a different vibe, so if it's your first one, you'll want to make sure to dress appropriately. Check out our guide on what to wear!

Around the country, dogs and their humans are gearing up for the event of the year: the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. This means rigorous training as dogs nail those jumps, weave poles, and tire jumps—all while following a diet carefully designed for peak performance. We spoke to Dr. Catherine Lenox (DVM, DACVN), […]

If you and your dog are adventurous and fit, and your dog loves to run, then bikejoring might be a good fit for you. Already well-established in Europe, dog-powered mountain biking is growing in popularity in the U.S too. In its infancy, sled dog racers created bikejoring. It was an ideal way to train and […]

If you’re the owner of a senior dog, there are many dog sports that are suited to dogs of any age so long as your veterinarian approves.

What are the nuances of this breed? What should I notice when evaluating my dog’s structure, or his movement? What do I need to know when considering breeding? How can I bring out the best in my dog at a dog show?  To those with “an abiding interest in dogs,” questions like these are just the […]

The letters at the beginning and end of a dog's registered name are titles which are accomplishments the dog has earned. Learn more about what titles mean.

There are so many different ways to go if you want to give your dog a sports-related name. You can honor a favorite athlete or a team. Perhaps you're a rabid fan of a particular sport. Sometimes, a dog's appearance, talents, or personality suggest just the right name. Or maybe you just like the sound […]

Below are some frequently asked questions about finding information on the new AKC.org website. If you have a moment, we encourage you to read the step-by-step instructions or watch the video to familiarize yourself with the structure of the new site to help you during future visits. Select your device: Desktop Instructions Mobile Instructions Full Video Webinar […]

  Learning Objectives After an introduction to energy terminology, students will complete research on energy and how it relates to various dog breeds and the dog sports that they can compete in.  Students will create a bar graph in groups and present to the class on their findings. Grade Levels 6-8 Next Generation Science Standards […]

Third Home is the Charm, owned by Laurie Liversidge of Irving, TX  Goose, a former stray from Dallas, had several injuries when she was picked up, including an embedded collar that had to be surgically removed. She had been adopted once but was returned to the shelter a couple of months later. “Since she had […]

If you have ever seen the fast sport of Flyball, you probably spotted many Border Collies and Australian Shepherds streaking down the lanes. But all dogs can play in this team relay race. Just ask Olive, a French Bulldog mix, who recently earned the prestigious ONYX award from the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) for […]

CT H.E.L.P.Er. VCD1 BN RM2 RAE2 FDC MX MXJ MJB OF SWN SCA SEA SBA SHDN CGCA TKP ATT TD owned by Alyson L. Deines-Schartz and Tim J. Schartz of San Diego, CA   Helper was 34 points and two triple Q’s away from her Rally Championship when COVID brought rally trials to a halt, so she […]