Four Sennenhunds—the Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller Sennenhund, and Entlebucher Mountain Dog, excelled as all-around...

At AKC Meet the Breeds events, you can meet, play with, and learn about hundreds of dog breeds. Find an event in your local area!

Originally bred as hunting companions, pointing breeds excel at tracking upland game for their owners. So which dogs are pointers, and what did they originally do?

"Primitive," "aboriginal," "village," and "landrace" are a few of the terms archaeologists use to describe the world's oldest canine breeds. But what does it mean if a dog breed is primitive?

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 […]

AKC Meet the Breeds is an excellent way to do first-hand research on different dog breeds. Here's what to ask at each breed booth.

There's so much to see and do at an AKC Meet the Breeds event! Whether you want to interact with dogs, watch demos, or shop, it's sure to be a fun weekend.

In celebration of the upcoming AKC Meet the Breeds® on January 28th and 29th at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, the American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce its inaugural list of the most popular dog names […]

With passing of Queen Elizabeth II, 96, much attention has been paid to the ruler's lifelong passion for Pembroke Welsh Corgis. During her 70 years on the throne, the Queen became practically synonymous with Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Not only did she develop a stellar Pembroke breeding program, but she also brought worldwide focus to the […]

If you've got the time to provide the training and exercise these smart, high-energy wolf-like dog breeds need, they might be worth researching further.

Meet four representatives of the Working Group, blue-collar dogs with strength and smarts, and understand why responsible breeding of working dogs is particularly important.

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 […]

With their wagging tails and friendly temperament, the Cocker Spaniel has long been one of the most popular dog breeds. Learn more about this merry breed.

What kind of dog would prompt an acclaimed food critic and writer to open one of his last bottles of very expensive French wine? If the critic is Jim Harrison, the answer is simple: an English Setter. I remembered that on this very day a friend had sent afresh foie gras ... I ate it […]

What tugs at our hearts more than an adorable Chihuahua peeking out of Reese Witherspoon’s purse in the movie Legally Blonde? Perhaps it is the sight of puppies glee­ fully romping through scenes in 101 Dalmatians, or the exploits of Otis, the endearing Pug, in The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Dogs occupy a treasured […]

With over 200 recognized dog breeds, it can be difficult to learn about them all. You've probably seen plenty of Labrador Retrievers and French Bulldogs, two of the most popular dog breeds in the country, but there are many other breeds that go relatively unnoticed. If it weren’t for their enthusiasts, we might not even […]

It was the last blast of summer sunset gathering of the French Bulldog NYC Meetup group. Sophie, 5 months old, was determined to make the most of it. First, there was some serious rough-and-tumble with her pal, a Bernese Mountain Dog who was born just one day after Sophie in April. Then she was off, […]

Longtime devotees say the Lab’s full toolbox of attractions offers up something for everyone, first of all, versatility and 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 ability of dogs to put us humans in touch with our own spirituality, to draw our focus out of ourselves and cause us to reflect upon the wonders of nature, has not gone unrecognized by those who would perhaps understand this best. Dogs have long held a special place at monasteries worldwide, and certain […]

Rottweilers. American Staffordshire Terriers. Loving, loyal, ideal family pets. Yet they are sometimes misunderstood, assumed to have traits that a good representative of their breed would not possess. So why is a story about the smallest of all AKC-registered breeds talking about the big guys? Because Chihuahuas have also been subjected to a few undeserved […]

Your small breed dog might think he is one of the big dogs, but when it comes to dinnertime his nutritional needs are unique. He needs a diet specially formulated for small dogs to help him feel and act his best. Unfortunately, finding the best dog food for small breeds is not always easy. We […]

Giant dogs are some of the hardest-working and most recognizable breeds. But because many of them maintain the strong working instincts and drive they were bred for, they can be a lot to handle. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're considering adding one to your family. Maturation Giant dogs are giant […]

German Shepherd Dog history owes its existence, in large part, to the remarkable dog breeder Max von Stephanitz. Learn all about the origins of this hard-working dog breed.

Searching for your first-ever dog? Once you've determined you're ready for a puppy, one of the breeds below might be perfect for you and your family. Find a responsible breeder and discuss what you're looking for in a pet. This will help you figure out if the breed is a good fit for you. Cavalier King […]

If you live in a region with harsh winter weather, then you may want to consider a spitz breed. Many of these dogs were bred for life in arctic climates and originated in Scandinavia, Russia, North America, and Asia. The word “spitz” in German means "pointed." Physically, most spitz breeds have a wolf-like appearance that […]

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 […]

When you think of sports dynasties the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, New York Yankees and Alabama Crimson Tide certainly come to mind. But when you’re talking about dominance, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than the Labrador Retriever, America’s top dog for a record 30th consecutive year (2020). In a country where people’s tastes […]

From tenacious terriers to stunning sighthounds, learn more about the 8 AKC-recognized Irish dog breeds that hail from the Emerald Isle.

Of the 1,119 dogs competing at the 2021 AKC National Agility Championship, 248 are Border Collies. 109 are Shetland Sheepdogs. 98 are mixed breeds. 21 are Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Two are Pugs. One is a Borzoi. More than 100 different breeds are represented at the competition after qualifying last year. This year's event takes place […]