In each of the seven groups, one dog from one breed is chosen to represent their group going into Best in Show at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Show.

They're adorable. Those small, sturdy dogs with their regal bearing and long, gorgeous coats. But which breed are you admiring? The Shih Tzu (pronounced “sheed-zoo" or “sheet-su") or the Lhasa Apso? To the untrained eye, it can be hard to tell these two dogs apart, especially in full coat. But in fact, although these breeds […]

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

At the annual meeting of the American Kennel Club on March 14, 2023, the Delegates elected members to the AKC Board of Directors. The Directors elected were: Class of 2027 Charles Garvin, Delegate, Dalmatian Club of America Steven Hamblin, Delegate, Pekingese Club of America Daniel J. Smyth, Esq., Delegate, Burlington County Kennel Club In addition, […]

Board of Directors [caption id="attachment_100992" align="alignleft" width="229"] Dr. Thomas M. Davies, Chairman[/caption] [caption id="attachment_166072" align="aligncenter" width="229"] Dominic P. Carota, Vice Chairman[/caption] Class of 2025 Rita J. Biddle, Esq, Delegate, Ingham County Kennel Club, Inc. Dominic Palleschi Carota, Delegate, Pharaoh Hound Club of America Dr. Thomas M. Davies, Delegate, Springfield Kennel Club, Inc. Thomas Powers, Delegate, […]

Need a break from the big game this Sunday? On Sunday, February 12, ESPN will offer up a mood-boosting alternative to football: four hours of dogs! The action begins at 6 p.m. ET when ESPN2 airs the AKC Agility Dog Invitational. At 8 p.m. ET, the action continues on ESPN with highlights from the AKC National […]

From Washington's Foxhounds to Obama's famous Portuguese Water Dogs, presidential dogs are as traditional as baseball and apple pie. Almost all of our presidents have shared the White House with a dog, and often more than one. These presidential dogs became as much a staple of the capitol as the rest of the First Family […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to recognize its affiliated dog clubs which have been holding AKC events for over 100 years and are an essential part of the sport of dogs. Airedale Terrier Club of America Japanese Chin Club of America Airedale Terrier Club of New England Kennel Club of Buffalo American Chesapeake […]

GCHS CH Bramblebush Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, an Irish Setter known as “Declan,” was named Best in Show at the December 17 AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals. Judge Dominic Palleschi Carota awarded the crown to the dog during the event, held during the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. […]

The AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHS CH Bramblebush Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, an Irish Setter known affectionately as “Declan” owned and handled by Cheryl L Stiehl DVM and bred by Cheryl L Stiehl DVM & Craig Larson. The 2022 NOHS Finals Best in Show winner […]

If you've never been to a dog show, get ready for a culture shock. These gatherings of the dog-obsessed started in the 19th century, and much of the terminology from long ago still persists today. Some of the verbiage also evolved from the idiosyncrasies of this close-knit community, where the endless focus is purebred dogs […]

These champion show dogs took the top prize in conformation at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin.

When Herb Williams, former president of the Löwchen Club of America, first saw the breed at Crufts in 1984, he never dreamed he would enter a show ring with one of the little lion dogs or become active in the club. "I had Pekingese, but I wanted something a little more active," he says. "I spoke […]

Is this a whelping emergency? Am I jumping the gun? Am I waiting too long? Are the puppies in danger? Is the dam in danger? What should I do? Does she need a C-section? There's not a breeder alive who hasn't agonized over these same questions during a whelping. But take a deep breath, calm […]

Dogs can have problems with their anus and rectum just like people can. You might see your dog scooting (dragging their bottom) across the carpet or straining when they squat to defecate. Your first thought might be hemorrhoids, a common ailment in people. But can dogs get hemorrhoids? Or is something else going on under your dog's […]

Some people lament the end of summer, holding on to the lingering warmth as much as they can, while others celebrate the arrival of cooler weather. Whatever your stance is, once autumn arrives, it's time to tend to your dog's post-summer grooming needs—from heat-damaged paw pads to insect-bitten skin and sun-bleached fur. Check off these […]

Fastest Dogs USA is back to determine who's got the most speed! The competition will air on April 14 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, and you can watch all the action for this exciting 100-yard dash.

At top speed a Pembroke Welsh Corgi can run 25 MPH. That's faster than Usain Bolt's 100 meter record of 9.58 seconds, which equates to 23.35 MPH. So yes, those little legs can fly. Across the county, dogs are challenging to see how fast they can sprint in AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT) […]

Dogs both transcend history and reflect it in a colorful, meaningful way. And that epochal and tender human-animal bond springs vividly to life in Anthony Cavo's new book Love Immortal: Antique Photographs and Stories of Dogs and Their People. Picture Perfect Cavo, a longtime antiques dealer, appraiser, and collector, has been collecting photographs since he […]

Have you ever felt overcome with emotion at the sight of a cute and fuzzy animal? Does seeing a picture of a baby smiling make you want to pinch their...

When dogs sleep on their back with their paws in the air, is it healthy for them or not? They choose this odd position for comfort and safety.

It's easy (and dangerous) for dogs to become overheated. Here's how to recognize signs of overheated dogs, how to prevent overheating, and what to do if you think you have an overheated dog.

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2022 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The NOHS Finals will be held […]

Paid Advertisement Does your dog love to run? Then you may want to consider getting them involved in Fast CAT, which has nothing to do with cats. Using dogs' natural inclination to run and chase, it's a sport that all dogs get a kick out of, from Greyhounds to Pekingese. What is Fast CAT? The […]

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is the second-longest continuously held sports event in the nation, predating the invention of the zipper and the light bulb. In fact, only the Kentucky Derby is older. The latest winner of this world-famous canine competition was CH Soletrader Buddy Holly "Buddy Holly" the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, 2023's Westminster Best […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to recognize its affiliated dog clubs which have been holding AKC events for over 100 years and are an essential part of the sport of dogs. Founded in 1884, AKC together with its affiliated organizations promote responsible dog ownership, conduct over 23,000 organized dog events per year, breed […]

Although its precise origins are unknown, the Shih Tzu is undoubtedly descended from lion-like Tibetan holy dogs and have existed for centuries.

It goes without saying that in your house, your dog is the most popular. But what do the statistics say? The American Kennel Club has used registration data to compile the list of 2021’s most popular breeds. As always, the Labrador Retriever tops the list — this time for the 31st year!  The Lab's temperament […]

Small dogs are some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Not only do they take up less space, but they also usually have large, fun personalities. Many people like smaller dogs because small-breed supplies are generally less expensive, and small dogs live longer and can be ideal for apartment living. However, not […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2022. The 2022 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]