Some dog owners like to choose dog names that honor the breed's country of origin. If you have a French breed, such as the Poodle, Briard, French Bulldog, or Dogue de Bordeaux, you have so many names to choose from. There's something about French, the language of love, that makes any name sound more important […]

The first time Za'Ria Thomas took Kahlua paddle boarding, Kahlua was petrified. The Miniature American Shepherd has a thin undercoat, so the chilly California water quickly makes her cold. Unlike her 15-month-old brother, Whiskey, a true water dog who loves jumping off paddleboards and swimming, 20-month-old Kahlua likes to stay on the board and out […]

AKC registration continues to expand for the sixth year in a row. The most popular dog breeds of 2018 were released on March 20, 2019, according to AKC registration statistics. Registration is not only beneficial for your dog, but for dogs everywhere. The American Kennel Club and its affiliates have donated over $38 million to canine […]

Wondering how popular your pooch really is? Now you can find out. The most popular dog breeds of 2019 were released on May 1, 2020 (also National Purebred Dog Day) based on 2019 AKC registration statistics. It may come as no surprise that the Labrador Retriever takes the top spot for the 29th year in a row, […]

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 […]

Lenore Hedemark, a 14-year-old from North Carolina, is the number-one American Hairless Terrier Junior Handler for the past two years. As an up-and-coming show photographer and active competitor, Lenore began showing dogs at 11 years old. She stepped into the ring for the first time with her aunt's ex-racing Greyhound registered with a Purebred Alternative […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed (or cat breed), or do you just want to meet all 150+ breeds? Find your favorites on our list of breeds so you won't miss a single wag, whisker, or woof! They'll all be there to meet you at the January 25-26, 2020 AKC Meet the Breeds event. […]

Disney Plus (stylized as Disney+) is finally here and it is overwhelmingly full of content. There are so many shows and movies to choose from that it seems almost impossible to choose what to watch. First, Disney is known for its wholesome content, both animated and live-action, which often involves animals. Where do you go […]

From the French Bulldog to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, small-to-medium dog breeds are some of the most popular dogs in the world. They're a great in-between dog. While many still act like lap dogs, they can play like bigger dogs. These pups love to play, be close to loved ones, and protect their families. Like […]

Humans have much longer lifespans than dogs. This is a basic fact of dog ownership and one that many owners struggle with when the time comes to say goodbye. While we may wish our dogs could live forever, knowing how long dogs live helps prepare us for their needs as seniors, ensuring that we give […]

Bulldogs. The wrinkly, adorable breed has been gaining popularity over the past few years, reaching fourth place in our most popular dog breeds in 2014. This intelligent, dignified dog is known for it’s gentle nature and unflappable demeanor. Originally bred in England for bullbaiting, the breed faced extinction when that cruel sport was outlawed in […]

A normal litter size can range from 1 to 12 puppies, with 5-6 puppies being average across all dogs. But just as every breed of dog differs by size, function, and personality, they also differ when it comes to litter size, according to AKC registration data. Big dogs tend to have larger litters while small […]

Traveling or moving to another country can require a lot of planning and effort. Depending on your destination, there are vaccinations, visas, and paperwork to contend with. And that’s just for the humans! If you take your dog with you on your travels or relocation, the necessary research and preparation are even greater. It’s not […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2021 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and 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 GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Breanne Long shares some tips on introducing your dog to the water so they have a positive experience and learn to love to swim. Many breeds are natural-born swimmers. Many retrievers and spaniels will swim with little encouragement, but dogs with body types less suited to swimming, like Bulldogs, may need more […]

Once the anticipation and waiting are over, and your pregnant dog has successfully delivered her new litter of puppies into the world, it is time to roll up your sleeves and dig into the business of caring for your newborn puppies. This care starts even before the puppies are born, but the moment they are, […]

AKC Gazette breed column, Bearded Collies: Try something new with your dog in 2015 — there's a veritable feast of canine activities out there that he's likely to enjoy. I recently spent a pleasant afternoon cruising on Lake Ontario in a sailboat owned by friends who have two Bearded Collies of my breeding. The Beardies, […]

There are times when it makes sense for a breeder to stamp more than just a "thumbprint" of influence on a breed. Dogs are generally thought to have descended from wolves. Kim Campbell Thornton's recent article "Looking Back to the Beginning" (AKC GAZETTE, September 1999) describes research that has determined, through DNA sequences, that the […]

  Finishing touches are being applied to Monroe County Fairgrounds; Monroe, Michigan for the annual dog show, hosted this July holiday weekend by Ann Arbor Kennel Club. From Friday July 3rd through Sunday 5th more than two thousand dogs will compete in Conformation, Rally, Obedience and Barn Hunt. For the first time ever, Dock Diving […]

California’s Coolest ClusterOn the July 4 holiday weekend, with temperatures ranging between a high of 75 degrees and a low of 61 degrees, the El Camino Real Summerfest cluster of dog shows and obedience and rally trials made good on its promise as “California’s Coolest Cluster.” Beautiful Seaside Park in Ventura is the perfect venue for one […]