[accordion] [accordion_panel title="What is the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin?"] The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin is North America's largest dog show, held annually since the year 2001. In 2019, the show takes place on December 14 and 15 in Orlando, Florida, with Championship Week events beginning December 10. Each year, […]

Stone Age fossils suggest that spitz-type dogs resembling today's Keeshond co-existed with cavemen back as far as 5000 B.C. Images of dogs just like them appear on everything from ancient Greek wine jugs to the Great Seal of Amsterdam. Today, they are the national dog of the Netherlands. Historians have different opinions of how the […]

An undated video shows Anne Rogers Clark grooming a Poodle In the not-so-long-ago dog world, there used to be two kinds of fanciers: Those who knew the revered judge Anne Rogers Clark well enough to call her “Annie,” and everyone else, who, in a kind of verbal genuflection, referred to her simply as “Mrs. Clark.” […]

While lions, tigers, and bears aren't a problem for many pet owners, there are plenty of other wild animals that can pose a significant threat to your dog. From porcupines to rattlers, here are some of the creatures that require caution for the safety of your dog. Dogs and Porcupine Quills Anyone who has seen a […]

Bonding with your canine companion, meeting new people, keeping your dog physically and mentally active, and good, pure fun—just some of the reasons people participate in AKC dog sports. For people with disabilities, these benefits may seem inaccessible. AKC dog sports can be and are enjoyed by individuals with disabilities. Today, people of varying physical ability […]

By Dr. Candace Croney, Ph.D., & Traci Shreyer, M.A.  The environment in which a dog or puppy is raised will have significant impacts on virtually every aspect of his or her life. The quality of the kennel environment can affect a dog’s physical health, comfort, and safety.    A kennel that is aesthetically pleasing to people but does not adequately meet the dogs’ […]

Watch the 2018 AKC National Tracking Invitational highlights on December 8 & 9 on AKC.TV, with showings at noon, 3, 6, and 9 p.m. ET. Chances are, the only time you notice your dog’s nose is when she uses it to deliver a poke — a cold, clammy reminder that a walk is needed or […]

This Standard Poodle is one of five, loyal companion dogs who won the 19th annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). The winners will be honored at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida, December 15-16, 2018. Some relationships resonate more deeply with time. In the case of 13-year-old […]

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 […]

Communicating the AKC mission to the public is one of our most important goals as an organization. Our leadership and staff are dedicated to sharing our message about purebred dogs, the work and expertise of the AKC, and responsible dog ownership as broadly as possible on a daily basis. Last year, the Communications department generated […]