A phrase we hear more and more these days is helicopter parents — people who micromanage their child's every decision and movement. Often they take control and do tasks on their offsprings behalf no matter their age. In fact, for many helicopter parents, their grip grows as their children get older according to experts. Today […]

Every dog likes to be king of the castle, but some breeds have been favorites of royalty for hundreds of years with a rich tradition of sitting beside the throne. Here are six breeds known for their association with kings, queens, emperors, and pharaohs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel With a name like the Cavalier King […]

With more than 60 million households in the United States owning a dog, pups have infiltrated our lives in the best way possible. Our canine companions have become a part of the family, but sometimes they inch a little too close to the top dog title. (Training can help with that!) If any of these signs […]

Ever wonder how handlers get into conformation? Well, many of them start out in Junior Showmanship. And it turns out the kids have a lot to say! We chatted with 12 youngsters ranging from the ages of seven to 16 years at the annual Seattle Kennel Club (SKC) Dog Show at Centurylink Field on March […]

When their perky, 18-pound Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, J.B. (James Bond), enters the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show breed ring at 12:30 p.m. Monday, owners Lynnette and Randy Bragg’s focus will be in two directions. Yes, that’s right! Their attention, of course, will be directed on this special young champion, but their eyes will be […]

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now.  Dogs go above and beyond each and every day, not only as beloved family pets, but as […]

  The English Toy Spaniel is the quintessential lap dog. Loyal and loving, they always want to be with their owners. Here are some interesting facts about this cuddly breed: 1. They Are Believed to Have Come From Japan Although no one is sure exactly where the English Toy Spaniel originated, experts agree the breed […]

According to an article on Continental Toy Spaniels by Baron Albert Houtart, the spaniel family, regardless of size, belongs to the “braccoid” classification of the canine species, as defined by Pierre Megnin. One distinction that Houtart makes is that all spaniels characteristically have short hair on the skull, muzzle, and fronts of the legs with […]

When using probiotics, some ingredients might look a bit confusing. Here are some of the most common strains you'll find in probiotics.

The 20th annual AKC Agility Invitational, saw some of the most agile dogs in the country. See the winners in each division here.

Over 683 dog and handler teams competed in the 2025 AKC Rally National Championship at Purina Farms in Missouri, but only one was the overall Champion.

According to a recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity (APOP), a whopping 59% of US dogs are overweight or obese.

COCKER SPANIEL “STRIKER” WINS BEST IN SHOW AT LARGEST EVER AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY ROYAL CANIN National Champion Beats Dogs from 50 States and 44 Countries   GCHP CH Silverhall Strike Force, an ASCOB Cocker Spaniel known as “Striker” triumphed over nearly 5,000 dogs to earn a $50,000 cash prize, a paw print pendant […]

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce! This Labor Day, the American Kennel Club celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now. Dogs do so many important jobs. From hunting to bomb detection to saving lives, dogs […]

Record-Breaking Entry of 3,233 Top Competitors Will Participate At Tenth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship   Dogs from 49 States and More Than 40 Countries Compete for Over $225,000 in Prize Money and Prestigious Wins Event Broadcast airs on ABC Network Television Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011 NEW YORK, NY – Nearly 2,500 dogs will compete for […]

GCHP CH Ta Sen Westgate Jingle Juice, a Lhasa Apso known as “JJ” triumphed over more than 5,500 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize when they were awarded Best in Show at the 25th AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 13-14, 2025 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. […]

The 20th annual AKC® Agility Invitational took place December 13-14, 2025 in Orlando, FL in conjunction with the 25th AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, demonstrating the highest level of training and teamwork between dog and handler. The top five dogs in each breed received an invitation to compete in this prestigious event. Agility […]

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 that the top dogs in the nation were crowned from an overall combined entry of more than 800 dogs this past weekend at the AKC National Obedience Championship and AKC Rally® National […]

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now.  Dogs go above and beyond each and every day, not only as beloved family pets, but as […]

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 […]