Imagine a mild sedative before leaving home, a bandana sprayed with calming scents, a bunch of bacon snacks, and skipping the hour-long frenzy in the waiting room. From classical music wafting across the sign-in desk to licking peanut butter off the wall to act as a distraction from getting a shot, your dog’s typical freak-out […]

Barking is natural for dogs. It's how they communicate, and different dog barks can have different meanings. In addition, barking has many root causes. Your dog might be excited, anxious, frustrated, or even bored. Whatever the reason, excessive barking can become problematic, cause friction with housemates or neighbors, or be disruptive during times when we’re in need of […]

Each AKC-recognized breed is assigned to one of seven groups. We're taking a closer look at the Working Group to see what these 32 breeds were bred to do.

What's that? A few white hairs in your dog's muzzle? Come to think of it, your BCF (Best Canine Friend) catches more zzz's than usual, and unlike the puppy years, doesn't fly into a frenzy every time the doorbell rings. Your senior dog is slowing down. Now might be a good time to make a […]

Her name is Soleil, French for sun. The 10-week-old Pharaoh Hound showed up at an AKC rally trial in New Jersey, during the summer.

“HOLD STILL!” Telemedicine sounds easy—talk to your vet, never leave your armchair.  And sometimes it is. But sometimes it isn’t. Like now. Have you ever tried holding your dog while pulling his lips back to expose his rearmost molars while at the same time trying to aim your cell-phone camera at the tooth in question? […]

Do you or a member of your family suffer from allergies when around dogs? Perhaps you sneeze, get itchy or watery eyes, hives on your skin, or even more serious respiratory issues. If you are a dog lover, you may have avoided owning one because of this problem, especially if the allergy symptoms are extreme. […]

Are you a canine instructor who works for other training companies? Do you think about working with dogs in a facility that you own and operate? When professional dog trainers imagined running a top-notch canine center, they made a big move.  The result? Two successful, state-of-the-art centers devoted to enriching dogs' relationships with their owners. Here's how […]

As a breeder, you are dedicated to your dogs and your breed. You spend countless hours, time, and energy to ensure your dogs are healthy, well cared for, and loved.  And the American Kennel Club is committed to partnering with you to help achieve these goals through a myriad of programs, education, and resources. One […]

Heroism during wartime can propel an average Joe into the spotlight. Just ask the Airedale Terrier. Called the “King of Terriers” because he is the largest in that family of earth dogs, the Airedale is believed to be the result of crossing various terriers with another British original, the Otterhound. That shaggy-haired hound contributed not […]

Here’s a simple prescription for what ails you: a furry friend. You already knew that, but the new book Doctor Dogs by Maria Goodavage will likely reinforce that conviction. A series of colorful case histories accented with wit, the book personalizes a wide array of medical disorders and the ways in which dogs assist us.

Over two days of breed competitions, seven dogs were crowned the winners in their group at the 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

32 AKC recognized breeds make up the hound group. We're taking a closer look at what each of these beauties were bred to do.

Small dogs are some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Here are the smallest dog breeds guaranteed to make you smile.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is thought to be an “enchanted” breed for many reasons. Learn about the history of this happy herder.

By Joan Harrigan and Susan BeegelMuch is demanded of show dogs – they must be adaptable, calm, and tolerant in addition to meeting the requirements of their breed standards. Two Beaucerons, both champions and exhibited at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, have show careers that are secondary to their day-to-day work. For Beaucerons […]

New York, NY - The Labrador Retriever has done it again. The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced today that the intelligent, family friendly breed holds tight to the number one spot on the most popular list for the 24th consecutive year, continuing the longest reign as the nation’s top dog in AKC history. While the […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2017 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “The breeders honored with this award are truly committed to excellence, consistency, breed standard and type,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO.  “They […]

In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our Sport on a national […]

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 (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); the North American […]