Swollen lymph nodes in dogs could mean a variety of things, but they're always a reason to visit your veterinarian. Learn more.

Partner A wants dog to sleep in the bed. Wet-blanket Partner B says no can(ine) do. Kid says he needs to bunk with his buddy. Parent says his bedroom is a No Pup Zone. Where the dog beds down for the night is a frequent source of disagreement between those who feel that there is […]

When a pup’s age is still counted in weeks, they'd be lucky to get much farther than the front door. But in 1954, a 6-week-old black-and-tan puppy from the sub­urbs of Sydney made a 7,500-mile journey on Qantas Empire Airways to his new home in La Crescenta, California. His name was "Sir Boomerang," and he […]

21 legislatures and the District of Columbia are in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: California – AB 1382 prohibits the sale and importation of genetically modified pets with cosmetic traits in California, except for modifications that benefit animal health or human interaction, and imposes civil penalties for violations. The bill has […]

Summer is fast approaching. And like schools, many legislatures are winding down for the year, or at least preparing for summer recess. As lawmakers reach the end of sessions, it’s common to see a plethora of bills and amendments moving very quickly.  AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) is working hard to keep you up to […]

Think of an AKC Rally event as any team sport: You and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you steer him through a course of 10-20 different signs. Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the […]

The spotlight shines on a dog representing a breed not seen in agility often – the Cane Corso, a mastiff breed that originated in Italy. Bjorn defies expectations, effortlessly jumping 24-inches and helping his Regulation Freshman win the Winter Season Reserve Championship! He is athletic and loves to please his owner Destanee, who is a […]

  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="May 2026"] AKC Agility League Spotlight: Meet a Cane Corso Making Strides in Agility Meet the Teams! 2026 AKC Agility League Championship Set for November [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] [accordion] [accordion_panel title="In the Zone - March 2026"] Building Community and Agility Skills: AKC Agility League AKC Agility League Spotlight: Meet the Chinook a True […]

Beagle Field Trials – Judges’ EligibilityCurrent Requirements(Two Couple Pack Judges must meet the same requirements as Field Trial Judges) Prior to JudgingMinimum Age: 18 Regular Seminar: Yes (Note – new judges must attend the “Regular” Beagle Seminar) Written Test: Yes – score 70%+ Exception to Seminar/Test: For Large Pack trials, judges do not have to attend […]

Herding Tests & Trials - Judges’ Eligibility Requirements For all Judges Information, please review Chapter II Section I. Judges of the AKC Herding Regulations Prior to any judging for Herding: Minimum age: 21 Seminar: Yes - must attend seminar within the past 18 months Written Test: Yes - must pass the Herding General exam found […]

  Pointing Breed Field Trials - Judges’ Eligibility Current Requirements For all Judges Information please review Chapter 5 of the Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedure for Pointing Breeds Prior to Apprenticeship Minimum Age: 18 yrs. Seminar: Strongly recommended Handling Experience: Must have placed a dog at the level they intend to apprentice Prior to […]

Pointing Breed Hunt Tests - Judges’ Eligibility Current Requirements For all Judges Information please review Chapter 1 of the Regulations for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds Prior to Apprenticeship Minimum Age: 18 yrs. Handling Experience: 1 qualifying leg at level to be judged or higher (club’s responsibility to monitor) Prior to Judging Apprenticeship: Twice […]

The process for becoming a judge begins by attending a Lure Coursing seminar taught by an AKC field representative. At the seminar, a Judges Application form will be handed out. It is the responsibility of the applicant to fill out the form as eligibility requirements are completed. Once all requirements have been met, the application […]

The process for becoming a judge begins by attending an Earthdog seminar taught by an AKC field representative. At the seminar, a Judges Application form will be handed out. It is the responsibility of the applicant to fill out the form as eligibility requirements are completed. Once all requirements have been met, the application form […]

A bill in New York regulating the tethering of dogs has been amended to protect a variety of dog performance events and activities including hunting, tracking, “winter dog sports”, and training for these activities. As mentioned in a previous alert, Assembly Bill 165 provides new requirements regarding tethering dogs outdoors for more than four hours.  […]

GCH Lockenhaus' Rumor Has It V Kenlyn, a German Shepherd Dog known as “Rumor,” triumphed over more than 4,000 dogs to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, held this weekend in Orlando, Fla. “Rumor,” owned by Deborah Stern, Pamela Buckles, Patti Dukeman, Pam McElheney […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior […]

Registration Now Open: 2026 AKC National Detection Dog Conference | August 4–6, 2026, Durham, NC Every day, detection dogs protect our airports, critical infrastructure, and communities. Behind every deployment is a network of professionals working to strengthen America’s detection dog programs. Join us for Unleashing Potential: Building America’s Canine Defense, One Puppy at a Time […]

Current | 2022  Graduates of AKC Patriotic Puppy Program   Agent Local Law Enforcement Ammo Private Security Firm Anakin Private Security Firm Anders Department of Defense Anthem Local Law Enforcement Arrow Private Security Firm Arvid Department of Defense Aspen Private Security Firm Atlas Jacksonville PD (NC) Atlas Private Security Firm Audi Private Security Firm August […]

The AKC Archives preserves and provides access to historically significant records documenting the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The Archives are organized into four major collecting areas: Clubs (AKC Parent Clubs and select Member Clubs) People (influential individuals in the sport) AKC Administrative Records Visual Materials (photographs and other graphic formats) In […]