A GREAT PREVIEW TO AN AGILITY TRIAL: THE ACT PROGRAM The AKC Agility Course Test, or ACT, is an entry level agility event designed to introduce beginning dogs and their handlers to the sport of agility. Any dog who has not earned any agility title is eligible. Dogs must be 15 months old and do […]

Season 3   [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Regulation"] Freshman Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Sophomore Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Senior Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Ph.D. Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round […]

Meet Alyssa Daube, a Dedicated Agility Competitor Name: Alyssa Daube Age: 17 Hometown: Edwardsville, IL Grade: 12th Family: Parents, Rosemary Jones, Jason Daube, brother Jacob Daube, and stepfather Mike Jones Allyssa is an avid agility competitor who has qualified for the NAC two years in a row - 2022 and 2023 (which she will be attending […]

CANINE PARTNERS SPOTLIGHT - MEET BREYON AND LIGHTNING – A TALENTED TEAM WITH BIG GOALS Breyon Gunn worked hard to convince his parents that he and his brother should have a dog, and he has more than proven to them that it was a great decision to add Lightning to the family. Little Lightning Bolt […]

Meet Lauren Ecker: Keeping the Fun in a Successful Agility Career Lauren was accompanying her mother to an agility training class while she was training her dog, Scout. One day Lauren wanted to try her hand at the sport, and that was the beginning of a great agility career. Scout became Lauren’s dog. She handled […]

Meet Sierra Hagar: A Dog Sports Enthusiast Name: Sierra Hagar Age: 15 Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa Grade: 10th Family: Jennifer Vincent, Great Aunt/Guardian, and Aiden Hagar, brother Sierra belongs to a family that is all about dog sports. From early childhood she has helped out at flyball tournaments, disc events, scent work trials, and more. […]

It All Starts with Confidence This issue’s training tip is brought to us by Valerie Dietz of O’Fallon, IL. Valerie has learned through experience the importance of building confidence in her dogs.  She has enjoyed much success with her two All-Americans, Sally & Shani, in several sports. Sally, 10, has earned eight MACH titles in […]

AKC Title Recognition Program – New Title Holders  The AKC works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC- registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association […]

On Oct. 27, 2019, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois military working dog named Conan took part in the Barisha raid, which resulted in the death of the leader of ISIS. Conan joined a long list of heroic military working dogs. Call ‘em what you want — war dogs or military working dogs — they have been around for centuries […]

Showing dogs—the formal term for it is “Conformation”—is a sport. Like any football game or tennis match, dog shows have rules, too. But folks who sit on the sidelines can easily become bewildered if they don’t understand how guidelines apply to the game at hand. Whether you’re taking aim at a fastball or trotting with […]

There is a general movement within the dog world that has breeders and their clubs looking for new ways to make breed improvements. This is occurring because of the growing arsenal of tools available to breeders and their clubs. Given these conditions, the opportunity for making improvements is well within the reach of most clubs […]

For weeks the excitement built up for 70-year-old Randy Schepper returning to his natural turf – the dog-show arena – before attending the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show in mid-March. One of the Pacific Northwest’s most-loved – and premier – dog handlers, Schepper has been hospitalized and recovering from a devastating auto accident in early […]

During colder weather, take steps to protect your home, kennel, and dogs from winter hazards. Here are some quick reminders and tips to help prevent disasters and health hazards, including those pesky mice who like to come inside when it gets cold outside. Check All Heaters and Heat Sources Make sure your kennel heaters are […]

Members of the P Litter puppies (Labrador Retrievers) move about on their first day of training at the center. The P Litter (TSA/Penn Vet Working Dog Center) was whelped by a foster family and began their training at 8 weeks of age. Each member of this litter is named after a victim of the 9/11 […]

GCHP CH Ta Sen Westgate Jingle Juice, a Lhasa Apso known as “JJ” triumphed over more than 5,500 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize when they were awarded Best in Show at the 25th AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 13-14, 2025 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. […]

National Champion Beats Dogs from 49 States and Hundreds of International Competitors   GCHB CH Cordmaker Mister Blue Sky, a Puli known as “Preston” triumphed over nearly 5,000 dogs to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, held this weekend in […]

AKC Group Standards Download AKC approved breed standards by complete group for use on any portable electronic device. Sporting Hound Working Terrier Toy Non-Sporting Herding Misc. Judges Study Guide No single written guide is ever comprehensive enough to be the only learning tool utilized in preparation for judging a new breed. We urge you to […]

Thanks to Avery and Mara for sharing their experience in Junior Showmanship. We wish to feature as many juniors as possible, so please send your stories to juniors@akc.org. Avery Miller Hello, my name is Avery Miller and I am 12 years old. I started in the competition dog world with Barn Hunt about 5 years […]

The hardworking Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, renowned as the “supreme gundog,” is known for the harsh, low-shedding coat the breed is named for. Outgoing, eager, and quick-witted, Griffs are incomparable in the field and loving at home.