Even though we give our dog a name, many times we also give them a nickname, as well. "Sammy" gets shortened to "Sam," for example. Similarly, Labrador Retrievers are often called Labs, just as Golden Retrievers are called "Goldens." But did you know that some breeds have special nicknames? These nicknames were crafted especially for […]

Attention, city slickers! You, too, can own a happy, adjusted dog—even in the smallest studio space. These six breeds do great as apartment dogs. To them, a tiny space is more than enough as long as they receive the proper amount of exercise and socialization. Greyhound They may be known for their speed while running, but […]

By Flo Laicher, Putnam Kennel Club Delegate  By Flo Laicher, Putnam Kennel Club Delegate Wanting to serve the pets and pet owners in our community, members of the Putnam Kennel Club, Inc. (PKC) started a project to donate rescue mask kits to the fire departments in Putnam County, New York. This kit gives the fire […]

These friendly dog breeds, both common and rare, are lovable and adorable. Learn more about each of the breeds and figure out if one of them might be the right fit for your family.

Each of the AKC registered breeds are assigned to one of seven groups representing characteristics and functions the breeds were originally bred for. Current as of June 17, 2025 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Herding Group"] HERDING GROUP The Herding Group, created in 1983, is the newest AKC classification; its members were formerly members of the Working Group. […]

Tuxedos are usually reserved for formal affairs, but Brittany Cipriotti of Warrenton, Virginia, lives with that striking black-and-white pattern day in and day out. Under her Ellenni banner, she breeds mantle Great Danes with her mentor and co-breeder Kristi Allison of Blackstone Great Danes, as well as similarly patterned but more vertically understated Boston Terriers. That’s not to say this Silver Breeder of Merit is monochromatic: Cipriotti also breeds fawn and brindle Danes with Marion Clark of […]

Sometimes it can take years to know what judge to show under. You can rely on the knowledge of other experienced competitors, and even that can be wrong. Learn what the breed standard says, and not what you fantasize it to be. The only way to succeed is to look objectively at how to achieve […]

On a balmy Saturday in June, three Leonbergers and two Samoyeds completed one of the first group AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGC) tests in the nation. The new test assesses a dog's ability to manage tasks that city-dwellers may face every day, such as using public transportation, navigating crowded streets, and waiting calmly in […]

Many breeders design holiday cards and send them out digitally or via “snail mail” to puppy buyers, friends, and family. Holidays are a great time to get in touch with your puppy owners and thank them for giving wonderful homes to your special pups. We thank these breeders for sharing their cards and hope they […]

"Cute" is a totally subjective concept. Even "small" can be subjective. After all, if you’re 6-feet-4-inches, anyone under 6 feet can look small to you. However, we are bravely putting forth our list of 12 small, cute dogs that rank high in the "adorable" category, while also being among the smallest breeds recognized by the […]

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 […]

Deep in the AKC Gazette photo archive is a battered old Kodak film box. It contains several rare—and extremely fragile—glass negatives taken by Rudolph Tauskey. They date to the early 1920s. Canine photography buffs have assumed for years that all of Tauskey’s glass negatives were lost, but six survive. Using a sophisticated scanner, the AKC Publications […]

While not especially common, the state dog is a symbol used by at least 13 states across the U.S.A, with several others pending legislation. Some state dogs, like the Boykin Spaniel in South Carolina, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Maryland, and the Boston Terrier in Massachusetts, reflect homegrown originals first developed in that state. Others, […]

United Airlines recently announced a reversal on their suspension of flying pets in cargo. Instead of outlawing all animals from flying in the cargo area, United stated that they will now ban 21 dog breeds and four cat breeds from flying cargo on their flights. The list of banned breeds includes dogs considered either brachycephalic […]

Every year in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin the general public is given the exciting opportunity to meet (and more importantly, play with!) over 100 different dog breeds at AKC Meet the Breeds. Attendees get the opportunity to learn about the different breeds and find out which dog might be […]

In her book, Picturing Dogs, Seeing Ourselves: Vintage American Photographs, author Ann-Janine Morey explores the America’s timeless romance with dogs. Featuring 115 antique photos in a variety of settings, from candid snapshots and hunting photos to posed studio portraits, the book provides an intimate look at how the family dog has shaped the American cultural […]

Active, friendly, outgoing – the Labrador Retriever, or Lab for short, perfectly encompasses the state of Ohio’s slogan – ‘The Heart of it All.’ It’s no wonder that earlier this month, Ohio State Representative Jeffrey S. Rezabek introduced House Bill 539 to recognize the Lab as the state dog. The versatile Lab is often trained […]

The Diving Dogs Team Challenge winners have been crowned! See who took home the top prize in the pool in Philadelphia.

Dogs, like humans, do not tolerate significant variation of body temperature. On average, a dog's normal body temperature is 101.5 degrees F. Small dogs may have a slightly lower temperatures and large dogs slightly higher. Because of this inability to handle wide swings in their body temperatures, dogs have wonderful internal mechanisms that keep their […]

ASK AKC Dear AKC: My wife and I are having a disagreement about whether to let our new Boston Terrier puppy sleep on the bed with us at night. Is this a good practice or will it create problems for us or the dog down the road? -- Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Dear Sleeping Dogs: […]

In 2018, when Tanis was 3 years old, the Rapoza family received a text message with a photo from Debby Chaplic of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. They had a coonhound-beagle mix with “their name written all over her.” The Rapoza family went with a leash to the shelter and returned home with Skippy. […]

  By Jessica Acito, AKC Government Relations   The Delaware House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill to make the Golden Retriever Delaware’s state dog. Eleven states currently have official state dog breeds, often recognizing those that are indigenous to a state. Pending approval by the Delaware Senate, the Golden Retriever will join the […]

By Jessica Acito, AKC Government Relations The Delaware House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill to make the Golden Retriever Delaware’s state dog.  Eleven states currently have official state dog breeds, often recognizing those that are indigenous to a state. Pending approval by the Delaware Senate, the Golden Retriever will join the ranks of […]

To view other Pee Wee photos click here. If you have a Pee Wee photo you would like to share, please send to: juniors@akc.org [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Procedures and Guidelines"] A Club must submit a Special Attractions Form to conduct the Pee Wee Class Special Attraction. The request must be approved by the Event Operations department. The […]

At the 2018 Brittany National Specialty, Paige Giebel and her Brittany, Turbo, were awarded the People's Choice award. "I was so honored to know that Brittany breeders and Brittany lovers chose Turbo as their 2018 People's Choice winner," says 16-year-old Paige. That moment was the highlight of the teenager's dog show career so far. Half […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed when you visit AKC Meet the Breeds during AKC National Championship in Orlando? Or maybe you just want to meet them all! Don't miss a single wag or woof with this list of breeds that will be in attendance at the 2019 show. Get your tickets now. Dog Breeds […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) and Royal Canin are pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2016 National Championship to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2016. The 2016 event will showcase the top national and international dogs and will also […]

The 2025 AKC Military Diving Dogs Challenge was held in collaboration with North American Diving Dogs and ESPN in Georgia as part of AKC Salutes the Troops.

If you are a pet owner who has taught your dog to sit, stay, heel, or perform any manner of tricks, you owe it all to Blanche Saunders. Poodle breeder Helen Whitehouse Walker became taken with the Obedience trials she saw conducted in England in the 1930s. She soon committed to establishing the practice in […]

The regal Chow Chow has a fascinating history and many unique features. But did you know that they have blue-black tongues? Read on to learn more about this breed.