A combination of breed and socialization will help determine how your dog will behave. Here's why breed matters when selecting a pet.

Picture this: You're walking your dog and suddenly, another dog is rushing towards you—something your dog is not prepared for. Dogs don't always need to greet other dogs when out on walks, and encouraging on-leash greetings aren't natural for dogs and could lead to or exacerbate reactivity. Even if your dog is friendly with other dogs, that […]

Purebred dogs are symbols of the people and places that brought them into being. Every year, they're celebrated on National Purebred Dog Day.

Dogs bring so much joy to our lives. Imagine working around them every day and getting paid for it! If you love dogs, chances are you have wondered how you can turn that passion into a living. Does the idea of a job with perks like unlimited tail wags and kisses from countless canine companions […]

Your dog probably has a lot of toys—maybe even too many. But the good news is that you can use them to create a challenging brain puzzle. Our dogs understand many words, from obedience cues to words about their daily life and activities like walk, park, and dinner, but they can also be taught the […]

What tugs at our hearts more than an adorable Chihuahua peeking out of Reese Witherspoon’s purse in the movie Legally Blonde? Perhaps it is the sight of puppies glee­ fully romping through scenes in 101 Dalmatians, or the exploits of Otis, the endearing Pug, in The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Dogs occupy a treasured […]

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 […]

Wavy, curly, silky, short, double, dense, wooly, corded – dog coats are definitely not all the same. There’s a wide variation from breed to breed and among individual dogs. That’s why no single shampoo is ideal for every dog. Finding a shampoo that is tailored to your dog’s type of coat will enhance the grooming […]

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 […]

To celebrate the dogs who do extraordinary things in the service of humankind, the AKC Humane FundSM is seeking YOUR nominations for its AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). Nominations are open now through July 1st and winners will be announced in late 2022. Winners will be highlighted in a made-for-tv special created […]

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 […]

There is not much in this world cuter than a puppy. Besides their downy ears and ridiculous antics, part of their undeniable appeal is their soft puppy coats. Unfortunately for adoring owners, puppyhood doesn’t last forever. Loss of puppy coat is a normal part of your dog’s growth, but it can be alarming for first-time […]

Two years after his Pekingese "Wasabi" was the first Toy dog to win Best in Show at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, David Fitzpatrick walked away with two more huge awards. At the 2021 AKC National Championship, Fitzpatrick received the award for AKC Breeder of the Year for Pequest Pekingese and won […]

–Award Presented at AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin – David Fitzpatrick was presented with the 2021 AKC Breeder of the Year award for Pequest Pekingese at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Sunday, December 19, 2021.  The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed […]

Teddy is one of five 2021 AKC Awards for Canine Excellence recipients, winning the Therapy Dog category. This category recognizes certified therapy dogs working in hospitals, schools, disaster sites, war zones, and wherever else the affection of a good dog can provide comfort. Team Teddy is all about emotional acuity and familial commitment that elicits […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2021 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor this group of esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “These individuals have made important contributions […]

Can a dog really be vegan or vegetarian? Does a dog need meat to survive? Here's everything you need to know about feeding your dog meat.

You never know what's waiting in the attic. In 1996, Wayne Ferguson was visiting St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey, a rescue group where he was a board member. An employee who knew of his involvement in purebred dogs gave him a tip in passing. “Mr. Ferguson, you should go in the […]

From haunted hounds to laboratory creations, these are the top dogs in horror movies to watch this Halloween.

    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 […]

CBD to calm anxiety. Mushrooms to boost immunity. Probiotics and plant-based diets. No, this isn't a rundown of advice from your favorite Instagram wellness coach, it's a list of rising wellness trends for dogs. Are these new trends truly beneficial for your dog, or are they merely passing fads? Get to know each trend and […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! AGILITY Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more […]

With wildfire season stretching longer each year, dog lovers in fire regions should always make sure they know how to keep their dog safe if a blaze breaks out. But what about all the ways dogs have kept humans safe from fire over the years? That's right: man's best friend has also long been a […]

- Programming to Feature Agility, Diving Dogs, & Flyball – The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for all dogs, is excited to participate in the second annual ESPN Dog Day, celebrating International Dog Day. Canine action will take over ESPN2 on August 26th from 7:00 p.m. ET-12:00 […]

ESPN is going straight to the dogs in the best way possible. On August 26, the American Kennel Club is proud to participate in ESPN Dog Day for the second time, with dog sports broadcast live on ESPN2 and the ESPN app. What better way to spend a hot August day than by watching dogs […]

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 […]

Summertime is perfect for outdoor fun. And it's even better if your dog can join in. There are oodles of activities to try, from old standbys like fetch to more adventurous pursuits like hitting the trail for a hike. Consider your dog's personality, activity level, and interests to be certain you find the perfect match. If you're looking […]

When dog lovers hear the phrase “mountain dog,” their thoughts naturally turn to the big guys: Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and other large, immensely powerful breeds created to guard flocks and rescue luckless travelers amid the world’s great mountain ranges. But dogs specially bred to thrive in high altitudes come in all […]

About, 2,400 years before the founding of the AKC, Plato invented the dog show. Well, not really, but kind of. The great philosopher theorized that all things around us in the natural world—the chair I’m sitting in, the keyboard I’m typing on—are but imperfect versions of the ideal representations of these objects that dwell in a higher realm of consciousness. These […]

Humans often take precautions to protect themselves from the sun, but should we be doing the same for our dogs? Can dogs get sunburned, and do dogs need sunscreen? The answer is yes. Just like people, dogs are prone to sunburn and other complications and diseases associated with sun exposure. Taking certain safety measures can […]