You're getting a new puppy! This is an exciting time, and it's easy to daydream about all the fun things you'll do with a dog in your life. There's a lot you can do in preparation to make sure that your puppy's introduction into the household goes smoothly. It starts by creating some house rules […]

Learn more about the symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment of separation anxiety in dogs and puppies from AKC's dog training experts.

AKC Meet the Breeds events are a fun and educational way to spend a day with the whole family, and maybe even figure out which dog breed is right for you! If you are attending an AKC Meet the Breeds event in 2024, or are thinking about attending an event in the future, you can […]

While skin bumps and strange lumps should always be taken seriously, certain types of bumps are more common than you might think.

Finding the right dog match for you from 201 breeds can be daunting. That's one of the best reasons to attend AKC Meet the Breeds!

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 […]

At an early age, you can begin to teach children the fundamentals of respecting animals and their boundaries. A staple around our house was “Tails Are Not for Pulling," whose title is a handy catchphrase to repeat when a yank of any body part looks imminent. Reality Check Potentially dangerous situations between kids and dogs […]

Every year, the AKC releases the list of most popular breeds. But which breeds were top 10 from 2000-2009? Find out here!

89 pups took to Newark International Airport this weekend as part of their training to become seeing eye dogs. The dogs, a host of German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, and Labrador Retrievers, are part of the New Jersey organization The Seeing Eye, which trains dogs to help the visually impaired. According to NJ.com, the dogs […]

Puppy strangles (or juvenile cellulitis) is an uncommon idiopathic skin disease. It's believed that a hereditary autoimmune issue, and is not contagious to humans or other dogs.

Potty training a puppy is challenging, but with the help of the AKC GoodDog! Helpline, these 10 tips can help make things easier for you and your dog.

Our dogs are extremely important parts of our daily lives. They follow our commands, work with us in various capacities, and act as faithful companions. Studies have shown that dogs provide health benefits. Service dogs have these abilities, combined with training to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities.  During the last decade, the use of service dogs has rapidly expanded. However, more […]

Do you suspect your dog is having vision trouble? Perhaps they're nervous in dimly lit spaces or bumping into things in unfamiliar environments. Although many conditions could be responsible for your dog's vision loss, one possible cause is progressive retinal atrophy, also known as PRA. This is a genetic disease of the retina in the […]

The benefits of having a dog are rooted in scientific facts. Learn about how dog ownership can benefit your health and social life.

It’s the day every dog owner dreads: a bad diagnosis that drops out of the blue. These days, an increasing number of pet owners are using dog DNA tests to ward off this sudden heartbreak or help them diagnose existing symptoms. It’s a tempting idea: just take a swab from your dog’s cheek and send […]

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

The only breed to rank in the top ten breeds every decade since the founding of the American Kennel Club became the nation’s top breed in the 1950s—the Beagle. Not coincidentally, Charles Schultz’s pet Beagle, Snoopy, made his illustrious first appearance in national newspapers on October 4, 1950, and swiftly became a pop phenomenon. The […]

"Wouldn't it be great if our dogs could talk?" says Amanda Nascimento, head of Integrative Veterinary Medicine and Research at NHV Natural Pet. "If you listen closely, they can." Dogs don't just bark to communicate. There are lots of different dog sounds our pups use to express how they feel, and some breeds vocalize differently. Sometimes, owners […]

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 […]

Originally bred to help hunters, retrievers were tasked with finding birds or other game and bringing them back undamaged. For this sort of job, the dog needed a “soft,” gentle mouth, where they would carefully carry the prey without damaging it. Also required were strength and agility to traverse a rugged landscape or work in […]

You've probably seen a guide dog out and about, but you may have misconceptions about the incredible work these service dogs do. Here are a few things you may not know. 1. Guide Dogs Are Carefully Paired With Handlers Everything from a person’s lifestyle, hobbies, activity level, family, living arrangements, and other pets go into […]

Originally appeared on dogcanceranswers.com, where Dr. Jerry Klein was asked to be part of a podcast discussing the responsible ways to get a dog. Dr. Jerry Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club, joins Dog Cancer Answers to discuss things to look for when choosing a breeder to increase the odds of […]

  Welcome to the AKC . We have put together definitions for dog words that you may not be familiar with. If you have additional questions regarding the glossary, please contact our Special Services Department. A Abdomen The belly or under surface between the chest and the hindquarters. Acetabulum The concave lateral portion of the […]

To borrow a popular phrase, Eli isn’t a one-trick Poodle, nor does he hide a thing. Right now, the Miniature Poodle and his 68-year-old owner, Leslie Gelesh, of Akron, Ohio, are at the top of their game after winning the 2021 American Kennel Club Trick Dog Competition with a dazzling six-minute routine called “Batman Furever.” […]

“Is that a Labradoodle?” “No, it’s an Otterhound.” “A what? I never heard of them. What were they bred to do?” “Hunt river otters.” “Oh. My friend has a Labradoodle.” Probably every Otterhound owner has been part of a conversation like this. “Doodles,” whether “Labra–” or “Golden–,” are a popular trend, as are a number […]

When your family is getting ready to cheer on your favorite team when a big sports game is on TV, don't forget to make plans for how to support your dog during game day gatherings. With a little preparation, you'll be able to keep your dog happy and safe while you root for your favorite […]

If you are unfamiliar with the spunky, sturdy breed known as the Havanese, you might make the mistake of thinking it is some sort of Poodle. Or, you might think it is related to the Bichon Frise. If you guessed any of these well-known breeds, you’d be on the right track, because all of them […]

The Internet can offer a wealth of tips and facts on dog food. Unfortunately, it provides even more dog food myths and misinformation. Here’s a sampling of urban legends populating the Web and the actual truths behind them. Myth: Don't Feed Dogs Pork But then I started to wonder why so few commercial foods contained […]

Edamame is a popular snack food or side dish for consumers worldwide. The name of these green soybeans, which are picked while still young, means "beans on a branch" in Japanese. This vegetable has all the essential amino acids the human body does not produce, is low in calories, fat, and sugar, and high in […]

Trying out a new pilot program in dog sports can be intimidating—even more so when you're the youngest person participating. At just 13 years old, Mia Alvarez is the first and only Junior Handler competing in the AKC's new Agility League with the Antelope Valley Dog Agility Group in California. She currently competes in Agility […]