By now, I’m certain you’re sick of presidential politics and want this election to be over. Enter a welcome distraction: "Secret Service Dogs: The Heroes Who Protect the President of the United States" by Maria Goodavage, a New York Times bestseller. This insightful read serves up plenty of brief, punchy slices of dog life that […]

Can dogs eat edamame? Find out how and why to safely give your dog a bit of this nutritious snack as an occasional treat in their diet.

There was a time not long ago that nearly every advertisement featuring a child with a dog seemed to include a Lab or a Golden Retriever, consistently among the most popular dog breeds in America. Today, there’s a bit more variety in the breeds being photographed with children for commercial advertising. Perhaps the public perception […]

The first time you see a Sussex Spaniel, you might think you’re looking at a Cocker Spaniel in a fun house mirror. They have a definite resemblance, but the Sussex is shorter, longer, and heavier, with a muscular and solid build. Here are some interesting facts about the Sussex Spaniel. 1. The Sussex Spaniel is […]

  Let’s face it: some of our loved ones have, shall we say, challenging personalities that can throw a wrench into the dog-training process. Here’s how to handle some of the top culprits without destroying your relationship and while still effectively training the dog. The Empathizer: They love your dog, identify with his struggles, and […]

Great Danes are easy to spot—thanks to their physical magnitude—and quite easy to live with too, despite their large stature. The breed is known to be friendly, patient, and dependable. They are gentle giants who get along well with kids and are loyal and lovable pets all around. However, their large size and giant breed […]

Some see a stuffed toy or a mound of whipped cream with a nose and two black button eyes. Most say they see a “walking cotton ball,” and that’s pretty much on the mark because the first part of the breed’s name is the French word for cotton. Fluff aside, the dog known as the […]

Middleburg, Virginia—Paintings from the American Kennel Club collection will be part of the National Sporting Library & Museum’s “Side-by-Side with Gun and Dog” exhibition, celebrating three centuries of the unique partnership of hunter and gundog. The ambitious show contains American, British, and French "fur-and-feather" art on loan from the collections of the Adirondack Museum, Detroit […]

Many AKC-recognized dog breeds were originally bred as hunting dogs. Many of these dogs are retrievers, pointers, or spaniels. These dogs have the skills, instinct, and energy to be our companions in the field, and they have been doing so for hundreds of years. Now, when hunting opportunities are limited, many of these breeds compete in […]

Most of the world's national kennel clubs recognize the Belgian Shepherd as a single breed with four distinct varieties, but AKC recognizes all four.

What Thanksgiving foods can dogs eat? Learn which foods are safe and even healthy to share, and what should be avoided ahead of the holiday.

Every dog likes to be king of the castle, but some breeds have been favorites of royalty for hundreds of years with a rich tradition of sitting beside the throne. Here are six breeds known for their association with kings, queens, emperors, and pharaohs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel With a name like the Cavalier King […]

Curious, playful, and peppy, the Bichon Frise is a small dog with a big personality. They're surprisingly athletic and thrive in a variety of settings.

The English Setter, a member of the Sporting Group, has a long history as a gun dog. Learn more about this beautiful breed and its history.

For millennia, humans have relied upon dogs to help them in the fields, on farms, on hunts, and in their homes. One of the most important roles a dog could perform for a farmer or shepherd was that of livestock guardian. Such a dog had to be reliable around livestock like sheep, pigs, goats, and […]

Lilly of Windstone XFP OAP XJP SCN TD owned by Amy and Alex Nathanson of Palm City, FL Lily earned her TD on March 21, in Orlando, FL. “This is a huge accomplishment for a dog who wouldn’t even move forward without whimpering and crying when she first started learning about two years ago,” Amy […]

Twelve dogs in the AKC Canine Partners program are entered in the 2019 AKC Obedience Classic that takes place Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 14 - 15, in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with the AKC/Royal Canin National Championship and AKC Agility Invitational. There will be competition at every level of obedience - Novice, Open, Utility and Masters - […]

It seems hard to believe that it is almost Thanksgiving.  AKC Government Relations continues to be hard at work around the country, but we would be remiss if we did not pause for a moment and thank the federations, legislative liaisons, breeders, and local dog owners around the country who have taken the time this […]

The California Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, March 24, that ostensibly bans the use of dogs for deer hunting.  This is a follow-up to a bill passed in 2019 that banned bobcat hunting in the state. Supporters of Senate Bill 1041 characterize hunting with dogs […]

  The Sussex Spaniel is a True Original: Among the First AKC Registered Breeds in History "Stump" and owner-handler Scott Sommer won Best in Show at the 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Show. The American Kennel Club®, a non-profit organization whose rules govern more than 20,000 canine competitions each year including the famed Westminster Kennel Club […]