The top dogs in the nation were crowned from an overall combined entry of 217 dogs this past weekend at the 10th AKC® Obedience Classic. Competitions were held December 16-17, 2023 in conjunction with the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. The 12th AKC® Obedience […]

In our award-winning Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives dog podcast, now in Season Four, host Bud Boccone tells the tales of breeds, dogs, and personalities who’ve shaped America (and Americans) over generations. Using the American Kennel Club's historical records, archival material, oral histories, interviews, and more, the show brings dog […]

When you compete at a national level in any dog sport, it takes a special kind of passion, but being an emergency vet on top of that is dedication.

The AKC® National Championship presented by Royal Canin has a new record-breaking entry. A grand total of 5,762 dogs will compete for the title of America’s National Champion on December 16 and 17, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events, including the AKC®/Royal Canin National All-Breed […]

Multiple pets can mean more fun and affection, but there are also extra challenges. These 10 tips will help you manage a multi-pet household.

2023 AKC Fast CAT Invitational – Speed of the Breed Division FINAL ROUND – Fri. December 15, 2023 as of 5:03 PM ***All official and final results will be posted following the conclusion of the event*** RANK BREED CALL NAME OWNER MPH % ABOVE SOB 1 Lhasa Apso Max Debbie English 17.229 53.97% 2 Pomeranian […]

    2023 AKC Fast CAT Invitational Best of Breed Winners Results as of 12/15/23 3:11PM ***All official and final results will be posted following the conclusion of the event*** Breed Call Name Owner Final Time Airedale Terrier Oliver Lauren Combs 7.754 Alaskan Klee Kai Isla Cheryl Simpson 8.746 Alaskan Malamute McKinley Nadaga Poist 8.645 […]

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. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to this dog on earning the Agility Grand Champion title: AGCH […]

Luxating patella in dogs is one of the most common orthopedic conditions, diagnosed in 7 percent of puppies. How do you treat it?

Marthina Greer First presented Pure Dog Talk Jan 2023 Bladder stones are the quintessential “which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. By this, we mean that a dog can have a bladder symptoms that are caused by a bladder stone, or the bladder infection can cause bladder stones to form. Which then becomes […]

All AKC DNA + Health Kits include the original 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes, as well as over 328 genetic variants for health and traits. Download a pdf of all included tests Health Tests Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS, SN) This genetic variant is associated with an inherited neurological disease characterized by […]

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. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

You may think of puppies when you think of dog daycare, but daycare for adult dogs can be just as rewarding. Learn more about the different benefits of daycare for your dog!

Yeast infections in dogs are common. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing serious complications.

Humans often try new trending diets to help them lose weight. If you want to help your dog shed some few pounds though, should you try intermittent fasting, and is it safe for dogs?

The AKC uses registration data to collect the most popular breeds of the past year, and for the first time in history, the French Bulldog takes the #1 spot

If you’ve ever watched an agility competition, you know it’s basically a canine obstacle course. The dog must run through tunnels, leap over jumps, and weave through poles. But the dog isn’t working alone – this is a sport of exquisite teamwork. A successful run requires taking each obstacle in a certain order, and the […]

Giving your dog the appropriate winter weather clothes can help keep your dog safe and comfortable during cold weather conditions. Although protective...

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. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

It's no wonder we describe dogs as "man's best friend." As the oldest domesticated animals, dogs are smart and social, just like their wolf ancestors. Dogs and wolves are part of the diverse biological family of animals called Canidae. But what makes an animal a "canid," and more importantly, what specifically makes a domestic dog […]

How many tricks does your dog know? Once your dog knows a few different tricks you can start to put together a small routine. Trick routines are a great...

Do all dogs need a winter coat? If so, what are the best winter coats for dogs? We break down our favorites for dogs of all sizes and breeds.

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 award the recipients of the Junior Versatility Scholarships to the top 10 Juniors who competed in a minimum of three different, competitive AKC Events between the eligible dates (July 1, 2021 – June […]

GCHG CH Cherokee Legend Encore, a Bulldog known as “Star,” triumphed over more than 5,300 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 17-18, 2022 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. “Star,” owned by Alaina […]

The 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin took place on December 18 and 19 in Orlando, Florida. Thousand of dogs competed for Best of Breed; the winner of each breed then went on to Group competitions. The winners of each of the seven Groups then competed for the coveted title of Best in […]

The 2022 AKC Fast CAT Invitational took place December 13-17, 2022 in Orlando, FL in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin. The top 5 of the fastest dogs from each breed, based on rankings from AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT), were invited to participate in the third annual AKC […]

Speed was the name of the game at the 2022 AKC Fast CAT Invitational. In conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, the event took place between December 13 and December 17 in Orlando, Florida. For this—the third AKC Fast CAT Invitational—the top five of the fastest representatives of each dog breed, […]

It's signature dog behavior to roll over and ask for a belly rub. And what owner can resist rewarding their pet with that kind of attention? It's a wonderful way to bond. But why do dogs like belly rubs? And is it truly a universal dog behavior, or do some prefer to be petted elsewhere? […]

With its fantastic food and mouthwatering aromas, Thanksgiving is one of the most delicious days of the year. As football plays on TV and family members gather around, most of us look forward to dinner as the highlight of the day. But will your begging dog detract from the occasion? Begging is a full-time job […]

Merle in dogs is one of the most intriguing coat patterns in the dog world, both in its appearance and its genetics. Also known as dapple, merle is characterized by irregular blotches of fur set on a lighter background of the same pigment, such as solid black on gray (called blue merle) or solid brown […]