Dennis brings years of experience and expertise to this position, having been involved in the fancy for 35 years as a breeder, exhibitor, club officer, judge and delegate, said Ronald H. Menaker, AKC Chairman of the Board. This expertise, coupled with the broad scope of his responsibilities over the last 15 years, make him most […]

Going for a run with your dog can be a great way to bond and get some exercise in daily. However, there are some precautionary measures you should take to ensure that your pup is doing so safely. Before having your pup join you on your morning run, make sure you’ve received approval from your […]

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 […]

State Issues: News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2018 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC.  Alabama – SB 232, among numerous other provisions, establishes procedures by which a dog can […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2018 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. Alabama – HB 277/SB 232 would establish the procedure by which a dog can be declared dangerous and would require the euthanization […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2018 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC.   California – Assembly Bill 1762 -- This bill would allow visitors to all California state parks to bring animals when they […]

Showing dogs is a fun sport where the thrill of competition is combined with the joy of seeing beautiful dogs. Dog shows, or conformation events, originated as a way for breeders to evaluate their breeding stock. While the purpose remains, dog shows are a great opportunity to socialize with people in your breed and develop […]

The American Kennel Club recognizes 184 dog breeds, and each was originally created for a reason whether it was to help put food on the table, guard herds, control vermin, or provide companionship. Most of these breeds are uniquely suited to do their job, and what follows is one such dog: Behold the perfect canine […]

Even if, in your house, the term "dog bed" means any place your dog chooses to sleep, it's a good idea to provide one real dog bed. Whether your dog sleeps with you at night or in his own bed, this will be his very own special place to snooze, keep you company in the […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2018 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16, 2018. The 2018 event will showcase the top national and international canine athletes and will also […]

The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that proposed Amendment 13 to the Florida Constitution can appear on the ballot on November 6, 2018. This amendment seeks to ban Greyhound racing in the state effective December 31, 2020. Please scroll down to view the text of the proposed amendment. The American Kennel Club’s canine legislation position […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2018 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “The individuals that make up these breeding programs have dedicated their lives to the advancement of their respective breeds, producing dogs that are true […]

Yesterday, Florida voters approved a new state constitutional amendment that will phase out commercial dog racing in the state in connection with wagering by 2020. Passage of this amendment means that Florida will join 40 other U.S. states that ban this practice.  The amendment passed with 69% of voters supporting the amendment.  The amendment provides that after December […]

Yesterday, Florida voters approved a new state constitutional amendment that will phase out commercial dog racing in the state in connection with wagering by 2020. Passage of this amendment means that Florida will join 40 other U.S. states that ban this practice.  The amendment passed with 69% of voters supporting the amendment.  The amendment provides that after December […]

In its ongoing pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our very best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our sport on a […]

It’s irresistibly cute. A dog with a head cocked to the side makes us smile, and it’s hard not to shower him with praise, pats, or treats. But why do dogs tilt their heads? Do they know how adorable they look, or is something else going on? According to Los Angeles-based certified applied animal behaviorist […]

Typically, the breed we choose to raise and show over many years and generations is the one to which we are committed for life. Yet sometimes, there are reasons - physical or emotional - that we are drawn to another breed. As exhibitors, we probably all have dozens of breeds that we admire at shows […]

In the early days of organized dog shows, many breeders were also horse people. You can still feel the tug of their reins in almost all the breed standards, which use equine terms to describe dog anatomy, such as “withers” instead of “shoulders” and “hock” rather than “ankle.” Perhaps predictably, some of those early “doggy” […]

January, 22, 2009 Legislation that seeks to prohibit persons from owning or maintaining an intact dog or cat older than four months old has been filed in the Florida House. If adopted, 2009 Florida House Bill 451 would have a profound negative impact not only on responsible dog breeders in Florida, but also on all […]

Being the "first" to achieve something takes a lot of determination and tenacity, something that Scottish Deerhound Brodie and his owner, Linda Beisswenger, know all too well. In St. Louis, Missouri, Brodie came to Beisswenger as just a puppy. Previously, Beisswenger competed in AKC Tracking with her Borzoi. "I just fell in love with Tracking and I'm still in love […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2019 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 2019. The 2019 event will showcase the top national and international canine athletes […]

Personalized medicine, which has seen success in humans, is now flourishing in veterinary medicine. Conditions from canine cancers to drug and anesthesia sensitivity are being studied in new ways. The AKC CHF is focusing on personalized medicine as a means to unlock new treatment methods. Would your dogs benefit from targeted health treatment and prevention plans […]

Kimberly and Colin Fritzer are AKC Breeders of Merit and the owners of Windrock Greyhounds in Grand Junction, Colorado. They are originally from Wyoming and plan to return to their home state next year. The Fritzers have been breeding Greyhounds since the early 1990s, having bred Afghan Hounds before that. Kimberly, who describes herself as “just an old farm kid,” is also a livestock judge with a very critical eye when it comes to animals. She has raised more than 350 champions and […]

Each October, hundreds of dogs and thousands of spectators flock to New York City's East Village to experience the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Variously described as "the biggest Halloween costume contest for dogs in the world" (CNN) and "barking mad" (The Guardian), the parade draws all types of dogs in costumes for the enjoyment of […]

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a bone cancer that is common in dogs, but rare in children. Studies found that the OS in canines shares genetic and genomic similarities to OS in kids. Comparative oncology helps doctors use dog OS as a means to unlock answers for OS in children. The bone cancer known as osteosarcoma is […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed when you visit AKC Meet the Breeds during AKC National Championship in Orlando? Or maybe you just want to meet them all! Don't miss a single wag or woof with this list of breeds that will be in attendance at the 2019 show. Get your tickets now. Dog Breeds […]

SB 285 recently passed the Senate Finance Committee and is pending consideration by the full Senate. The measure seeks to eliminate the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund (GBDF) and redirect all money from the Fund to the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund.  Additionally, it would eliminate the requirement that video lottery and racetrack table […]

Attention, city slickers! You, too, can own a happy, adjusted dog—even in the smallest studio space. These six breeds do great as apartment dogs. To them, a tiny space is more than enough as long as they receive the proper amount of exercise and socialization. Greyhound They may be known for their speed while running, but […]

There just seems to be no stopping the Labrador Retriever! For a record 29th year (2019), the versatile sporting breed reigns supreme on the American Kennel Club registry list, a run like no other breed has seen in the record books. Changes in the top ten Little changed in the top ten standings from 2018. Following […]

Though we often don’t think about them in this way, dogs are really about people — those long-ago (or, sometimes, not so long-ago) figures who developed particular breeds for particular tasks. Some breeds — like the Doberman Pinscher, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, and Cesky Terrier — owe their existence to just one visionary person. Other breeds were brought into being […]