There’s no more clichéd name for a dog than Fido. In fact, it’s so overworked that people no longer name their dogs Fido. You’ll find the name nowhere on those Most Popular Dog Name Lists that crowd the Internet. When the word Fido is used today it’s usually as a slang reference to any dog. […]

We are honored to announce the first set of 2017 AKC Paw of Courage awards to recognize the working canines that put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. This award specifically recognizes those who are serving or have served their departments honorably. “These selfless canines prove their devotion time […]

The AKC presented the United States Capitol Police K-9 Unit with the AKC K-9 Officers Award on May 1. The award recognizes the special public service role of dogs that work for government agencies and the skills and partnerships the K-9 handlers have with their dogs. AKC President and CEO Dennis B. Sprung presented the […]

Real Life Search and Rescue Dog Hero Unveils New DOGNY Sculpture Ruger Von Konigsdorf, one of the many search and rescue (SAR) dogs who inspired the American Kennel Club's charitable DOGNY public art program, had the honor Wednesday, September 4, of unveiling the DOGNY sculpture that will serve as the unofficial mascot to New York […]

  Opinion: Nothing is more frustrating to a dedicated breeder-exhibitor than hearing that a wonderful owner with unlimited potential in the sport has purchased a dog from a commercial kennel. After all, your breed parent club works hard to update its website and offer a cornucopia of relevant information. You attend dog shows regularly, breed […]

After much coaxing from a friend, a Greenwich Village antiques dealer reluctantly agreed to attend the Westminster Kennel Club show. If on that cold day in 1920 the antiques dealer had been more adamant or the friend less persuasive, a great career in dogs might never have been. “It was my first show and I […]

  AKC Breeder Spotlight: Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear about how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with AKC Breeder of Merit Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels in Zachary, La. Here, she answers questions about […]

  Basic training and obedience are essential to having a happy and healthy dog. Not only does training help to correct unwanted behavior, it also helps to build the very special bond between owner and canine. We got to witness some incredible dogs perform their assigned tasks with precision in the AKC Obedience Classic and […]

When most people think of boisterous, outdoorsy dogs, they think of the larger working and sporting breeds. Dogs like Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are popular choices for those looking for an outgoing, extroverted dog. But there are a lot of small breeds with some pretty big personalities. Not all small breeds are satisfied being […]

"Young people are the future of our sport. There is no future if we don’t get the youngsters involved in as many aspects as possible," says Sue Goldberg, member of Somerset Hills Kennel Club and mastermind behind the first AKC Juniors Ring Steward Apprentice Program. The idea came to Goldberg at a regular Somerset Hills […]