Finding the right dog match for you from 201 breeds can be daunting. That's one of the best reasons to attend AKC Meet the Breeds!

AKC Meet the Breeds is an excellent way to do first-hand research on different dog breeds. Here's what to ask at each breed booth.

Have you found a little lump on your dog while cuddling with them on the couch? The first thing is, don't panic. It's not unusual for masses to develop on a dog's body throughout their lifetime; more often than not, they aren't malignant. However, that doesn't mean it's something to ignore. Having your veterinarian evaluate […]

Whether you have an innie or an outie, belly buttons are pretty obvious on humans. But have you ever wondered if dogs have belly buttons, too? Believe it or not, dogs do have belly buttons. They might be covered in fur and almost impossible to find, but they are there. Why do they exist, and […]

Some of the fastest dogs in the country dashed after the coveted "bunny" lure in a 100-yard Fast CAT dash, in hopes of being named the fastest dog in the country. Fastest Dogs USA was held on September 16 in Kannapolis, North Carolina, at the Atrium Health Ballpark where breeds of all sizes raced across […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is excited to announce that AKC Fastest Dogs USA, brought to you by presenting and official sponsors The Farmer’s Dog and YuMOVE, will be broadcast on the ABC Network. The competition will premiere on ABC on Sunday, September 25 at 3pm ET. This invitational event was held on Friday, September […]

There is so much misinformation passed around about dogs, but to truly know your pet, get to the bottom of these common dog myths.

If you're out for a walk and your dog or puppy starts barking at people, it's easy to freeze and feel embarrassed. Barking is a natural behavior for dogs, but we don't want to encourage our dogs to bark at people. Dogs bark at people for a variety of different reasons, whether because they are […]

Dogs might be our best friend but that doesn't mean that all dogs are going to like all people. Some dogs love seemingly all people automatically,...

Does your dog seem to get tired when you're training? Some dogs seem like they can train forever without losing enthusiasm but most dogs struggle with...

Kale appears in health foods, smoothies, and salads, and is believed to have numerous health benefits for people. But is kale safe for dogs? Is Kale Safe for Dogs? Kale can cause medical problems for dogs. The leafy green contains several potentially harmful natural compounds, including calcium oxalate and isothiocyanates. Calcium oxalate can cause health issues such […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2022 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 NOHS Finals will be held […]

Socializing your puppy should start early on, setting the stage for your dog to feel happy and confident throughout their life. It is key to start exposing your puppy to new people, places, and situation from the time you bring your pet home. How to Begin Socializing Your Puppy: Starting at Home The integral window […]

Many shrubs, trees, and flowers commonly found in the garden and in the wild are dangerous if your dog eats them. Here are the poisonous plants for dogs.

Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is a popular summer activity that you can actually do with your dog. It combines surfing and paddling into a full-body workout. With some patience and the right equipment, you can teach your dog to ride on the board while you push merrily along. Here's what you need to know before […]

Aging is a natural part of life, even for dogs. Their pace slows, their naps increase, and their coats may get gray. Giant breeds like the Mastiff are considered seniors by 6 or 7 years old, whereas toy breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier don't enter their senior years until they're 10 to 12. Regardless of when it happens, it's important to appreciate the […]

With solemn but curious brown eyes, the mahogany spaniel in the doorway gazes upon a visitor. A well-formed male with power in his stance, the dog pads gently forward, in a slow, assessing approach. His big brown nose investigates the newcomer. They say that Field Spaniels can be reticent when first meeting a stranger, but […]

When it comes to communication, dogs are significantly better at interpreting our body language than we are theirs. Humans rely on verbal language more heavily than body language, whereas dogs are just the opposite. Unfortunately, this often means we are left scratching our heads, wondering what our dogs are trying to tell us. Shaking is […]

All the forms and resources your club needs to host AKC Basset Hound Field Trials: Basset Field Trial Event Forms Other Forms and Publications Event Application Junior Handler Certification Event Secretary Report Memo: Junior Handler Basset Field Trial Judges Book Cover Procedural Checklist for Event Committee Basset Hound Field Trial Report Page Dealing With Misconduct […]

It goes without saying that in your house, your dog is the most popular. But what do the statistics say? The American Kennel Club has used registration data to compile the list of 2021’s most popular breeds. As always, the Labrador Retriever tops the list — this time for the 31st year!  The Lab's temperament […]

When a new puppy arrives, you're likely to be focused on helping them feel at home with your family rather than any health concerns the dog may have. But a growing puppy can be at risk for developmental disorders such as panosteitis, which can be very painful. Fortunately, by knowing the risk factors and early […]

Owning a dog means having certain responsibilities that come with dog ownership. It also means following the sometimes unspoken rules of dog ownership etiquette and good manners. After all, common courtesy goes a long way in making your dog a welcome member of the neighborhood. For new dog owners, knowing community dog ownership protocols can […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2022. The 2022 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

The 2021 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Dec. 18 and 19 hosted more than 5,000 dogs who all competed for the coveted title of Best in Show. The competition began with each dog competing for best in their breed. Best of Breed winners then advanced to compete in the group competitions to […]

The Clumber Spaniel earns high marks as both an entertaining companion and dependable bird dog. By all accounts, sharing one’s life with a Clumber Spaniel is a wonderful thing. Clumbers possess a cornucopia of virtues— among them an affectionate and amiable nature, intelligence, handsome appearance, and talent and enthusiasm in fieldwork. This heaviest of the flushing […]

    Breed Rank Retrievers (Labrador) 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 French Bulldogs 4 Bulldogs 5 Poodles 6 Beagles 7 Rottweilers 8 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 9 Pembroke Welsh Corgis 10 Dachshunds 11 Yorkshire Terriers 12 Australian Shepherds 13 Boxers 14 Siberian Huskies 15 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 16 Great Danes 17 Miniature […]

We love all dogs, but it's a fact that specific breeds are naturally better at performing certain functions than others. Some purpose-bred dogs have innate skills as hunting companions; others assist in the herding of livestock; and others serve as guardians of people and property. When you and your dog participate in a performance sport, […]

Have you ever wondered if your dog needs a wheelchair? Many senior dogs and dogs with joint issues show signs of mobility issues later in life. If your pet is showing any changes in mobility or exhibits pain when walking, talk to your vet immediately. Your vet may recommend a wheelchair. When you first learn […]

It was strange, eerie even, like one of those science-fiction movies where a person wanders into a town invaded by space aliens. No matter where you looked, there they were: little brown dogs. They were romping on lawns, trotting into grocery stores, sailing by on shrimp boats, and peering out the windows of cars and […]

You’re bringing home a new dog. You’ve searched for the right adult dog to become a member of your family. After careful thought and planning, the day has come. It’s important to recognize that, although you had a chance to think this through, your new dog has no idea that an unknown family, strange household, […]