On a balmy Saturday in June, three Leonbergers and two Samoyeds completed one of the first group AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGC) tests in the nation. The new test assesses a dog's ability to manage tasks that city-dwellers may face every day, such as using public transportation, navigating crowded streets, and waiting calmly in […]

Finding an AKC Sport that Fits Your Mixed-Breed DogSince 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the dog-park bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? Here’s an overview of the competitions. Obedience Dog-and-handler […]

Dachshunds are bound to pop up anywhere, doing anything. But who has time to keep track of all those Dachsie doings? As a public service, AKC Dog Lovers goes around the corner and around the world to bring you (cue deep-voiced announcer with lots of reverb) DACHSHUNDS IN THE NEWS! EL PASO, TEXAS—You never know […]

Pirate, a German Shepherd Dog, curls up in a laundry basket. The 7-year-old dog jumped in with little enticing, says owner Kathy Green, of Gold Bar, Wash. Header photo courtesy of Kathy Green When it comes to the Great Box Challenge, there simply are no limits—on size, shape, or container. And those loose parameters apply […]

Beautiful decorations are everywhere this time of the year, and your kennel shouldn't miss out on a chance to look festive. The dogs may not be concerned about how things look, but they'll certainly pick up on the holiday spirit that cheerful decorations generate in their humans! Whippet breeder Gail Boyd owns Town & Country […]

If you need a few little somethings for your dog-loving friends and family, our stocking stuffers cover everyone on your list. Choose from apparel, home goods, and more for small gifts that bring lots of good cheer. Ornaments Christmas trees shine a little bit brighter with these dog breed ornaments. These festive seasonal accessories make […]

For the men in your life who are dog lovers, we've got all the gifts you need. Whether he's an outdoor guy or a sit-by-the-fire kind of guy, you can choose from shirts and jackets, hats, and even dog breed wine glasses and other useful home goods. After all, love him, love his dog. Dog […]

Jewelry for Dog Lovers Some of the best gifts come in small packages. And who doesn't love jewelry? Our breed-specific charms, pendants, and pins will wow the dog lovers in your life; they're beautifully rendered, high quality, and show how thoughtful you are. You can browse our jewelry collection or see our top sellers below: […]

Dogs do a lot of strange things when they poop—they sometimes kick their back legs over it (find out why here) and some dogs even eat it, but even more prevalent are dogs who spin around before squatting. A video by DNews discussed various theories surrounding this behavior, including that patting down the grass or […]

Has your senior dog developed health problems that make a trip outside to the toilet area challenging? Perhaps stairs are too difficult for his arthritic joints or he can no longer hold it through the night. There are many health conditions that can interfere with your older dog's bathroom routine, and in some cases, indoor […]

Who can resist that "sourmug" face?! In honor of Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day (yes, it's a real thing!), we've rounded up some of our favorite Bulldog-centric products that celebrate this friendly and dignified breed. Bulldog Leash and Collar Set Images of Bulldogs are woven into this colorful collar and leash set. The collar has a […]

The word kennel is believed to have originated in France to describe a pack of hounds and their housing. Today, it describes the most important environment in any breeder’s home. Once primitive man hooked up with dogs in a permanent ongoing relationship, the two learned to live together. Over the centuries, man began to construct […]

Most dogs love spending time outside, and backyards provide a space for their favorite activities, like playtime and training sessions — not to mention the joys of fresh air, sunshine, and rolling around in the grass. But can dogs get all the exercise they need in the yard? Dogs Need More Than a Yard for […]

In wake of the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, two AKC Pet Disaster Relief trailers have been deployed to offer aid. What The Trailers Do Each trailer is fully stocked with non-perishable supplies to house at least 65 pets immediately after a disaster is declared. The trailers contain items such as: crates, bowls, leashes, AKC Reunite microchips, […]

On a microscopic level, your dog’s body is an ecosystem of tiny organisms, such as bacteria and fungi. These minute creatures, or microbes, may seem gross, but many of them are essential for good health. This is particularly true in your dog’s digestive system. For example, the microbiota (community of microbes) in the gut aids […]

Design experts recommend that when you decorate your home, you fill it with things that you love. What if what you love most is your dog, and dogs in general? You don’t have to turn your house into a kennel to show your love. Here are some ideas about how to artfully incorporate a dog-themed […]

We come together every quarter to share information about the status of our sport and the financial health of our organization; to introduce new ideas that may shape our future; sometimes to elect our directors; and certainly for camaraderie and the pleasure of catching up with fellow dog people. The face-to-face interactions that underscore these […]

More than 60 All-American Dogs will compete in the 2018 AKC National Agility Championship, which is right around the corner. The event takes place March 23 – 25 in Reno, Nevada. There is a total of 917 entrants. To qualify, dogs must have earned seven double Qs, meaning they must have qualified in both Masters […]

Summer is right around the corner and with the warmer weather and longer days comes more time spent outside with your four-legged friends.    Summertime can, however, pose certain dangers to dogs.  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) offers the following tips to help dog owners have a safe summer season with their pets. DO keep […]

New York, NY – Nothing tops a holiday wish list more than an adorable puppy – but with the hustle and bustle of the season, the family pet can get lost in the shuffle.    The  American Kennel Club (AKC®) reminds those considering adding a dog to their home this holiday season that puppies are […]

We’re all guilty of packing on pounds during the winter season, and our dogs are no exception.  While a little extra weight on a human may not look like much, just a couple of additional pounds on your dog can really affect his health.  Exercise not only keeps your dog physically fit, but mentally as […]

New York, NY – The holidays are a fun and happy time, but they are also extremely hectic. One family member that can get lost in the hustle and bustle is the dog. Because of the added stress and frequent travel that the holidays can bring, the American Kennel Club (AKC®) offers safety tips for […]

  Majority of Dog Owners Would Rather Kiss the Family Dog Than Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie Forget about the treadmill. A recent American Kennel Club® (AKC®) New Year’s survey revealed that dog owners will use Fido to assist with a New Year’s resolution to exercise more.  In fact nearly 75% of respondents intend on […]

- New Data Says Pets Start Nearly 1,000 Fires Each Year - New York – July 12, 2010 – An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, however, nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets, according to a new data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association. […]

With excessive heat warnings posted and searing triple-digit temperatures predicted for major cities or sections of every region of the continental United States, taking special care to protect your pets from the dangerous effects of scorching heat is crucial. "Extreme heat is a very real, fast-acting threat to pets," said Gina Lash, American Kennel Club® […]

  Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) today released a "Discussion Draft" of an amended version of S. 1139, the "Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005" (PAWS). The Discussion Draft includes language clarifying several original provisions and adds some new provisions which resulted from input following a November 2005 hearing on the […]

Harsh winter weather and the hectic holiday season can be stressful for many people, but what about your furry, four-footed companion? The season's festivities can be both enjoyable and safe for your pet as long as you keep your canine's health and well being in mind. Following are tips from the American Kennel Club for […]

  New York, NY - The American Kennel Club is pleased to welcome the seven students who have been chosen to participate in the AKC Internship Program. The program--open to college students with a background and interest in purebred dogs--is designed to further their professional development as well as help the AKC identify potential employees […]

June 17, 2015 AKC has learned that these ordinances have been pulled from the June 23rd agenda. The Washoe County Commission has directed animal services to return to the drafting board and has indicated that they do not want ordinances that will negatively impact responsible breeders or animal oriented businesses in a negative manner. AKC […]

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a hearing for October 20 on a proposal that would, among other provisions, prohibit tethering a dog for more than 1 hour cumulatively a day – with no exceptions.  The proposal specifically states that this restriction is in place even if the dog is provided with the […]