Our dogs are extremely important parts of our daily lives. They follow our commands, work with us in various capacities, and act as faithful companions. Studies have shown that dogs provide health benefits. Service dogs have these abilities, combined with training to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities.  During the last decade, the use of service dogs has rapidly expanded. However, more […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to recognize its affiliated dog clubs which have been holding AKC events for over 100 years and are an essential part of the sport of dogs. Founded in 1884, AKC together with its affiliated organizations promote responsible dog ownership, conduct over 23,000 organized dog events per year, breed […]

Hip dysplasia is a common condition in dogs. Learn what to know about hip dysplasia including symptoms, treatment options, and preventative measures.

When it comes to the lifespan of dogs, researchers have found that size matters. Owners of small dogs can expect to enjoy several more years with their pets than the owners of large dogs. It doesn’t seem to make much sense: large mammals, like elephants and whales, tend to live longer than small ones, like […]

Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country. It’s challenging, great fun for dog and handler, and thrilling for spectators. For the dog-human team, agility requires athleticism, concentration, training, and, most of all, teamwork. The handler directs the dog through a predetermined pattern of obstacles, including jumps, tunnels, and weave poles, while […]

It's not surprising to see herding breeds like the Border Collie (295 of them to be exact) and Shetland Sheepdog (176 of those) running for the top spot at the 2022 AKC National Agility Championship. But there are some uncommon breeds making an appearance that are also worth watching at this year's event — like […]

As the American Kennel Club announced, the Labrador Retriever was the most popular dog breed in the United States in 2021 — for the 31st year in a row, no less! (It usurped the Cocker Spaniel in 1991, and hasn’t let go of the No. 1 spot since.) But when looking at the most popular […]

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 […]

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 […]

In December 2021, a Giant Schnauzer named Bayou made breed history by being the first to win the AKC National Championship. But even in the ring, Bayou’s instincts came through. The dog's handler, Alfonso Escobedo, took note of the dog's behavior. The giant canine kept his eyes on the same location in the ring, to […]

Dogs – thousands of them, from Chihuahuas to ginormous Great Danes – met in Orlando, Florida compete in the American Kennel Club’s annual flagship event, formally called the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. No matter where you're located, you can stream the show from the comfort of your living room. The 2021 AKC National Championship […]

Is your dog scared of the vacuum cleaner? We explain why dogs fear these cleaning machines, and what you can do to get your dog used to the vacuum cleaner.

After three decades sharing my life with Bernese Mountain Dogs, I had developed clear expectations about the breed. Each energetic puppy would turn into a less energetic young adult, who would gradually become an adult couch potato who loved everyone. These biddable dogs would do their best for me in the obedience ring and gladly […]

It was a routine vet visit for Oliver, Julie Carter’s 3½-year-old Golden Retriever. At least, it was until the vet listened to Oliver’s heart and uttered the sentence that would change her life: “He has a heart murmur.” It was February 2018, and Carter had also brought in an interesting article from the Morris Animal […]

When you watch dogs compete in Flyball for the first time, it can be fun but confusing. We're here to break down the sport of Flyball.

I'll never forget the look my puppy obedience class trainer gave me when I told her proudly that my puppy had gone on a two-mile hike with me. As she explained, puppies, especially large-breed puppies, should not be exercised too much, as over-exercising could cause joint and bone problems, and two miles was definitely too […]

If you believe your dog is suffering from symptoms of bloat, call your vet or emergency vet immediately. I hate this disease. When I first started as a vet, we gave a dog with bloat a 50-50 chance if he could walk into the hospital. Many were too weak and had to be carried in. […]

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 […]

Giant dogs are some of the hardest-working and most recognizable breeds. But because many of them maintain the strong working instincts and drive they were bred for, they can be a lot to handle. Here are some things to keep in mind if you're considering adding one to your family. Maturation Giant dogs are giant […]

Dogs provide immeasurable benefits to their owners' lives including companionship, stress reduction, unconditional love, and more. It's impossible to put a price on all your dog does for you. But you can put a price on what it costs you to own them. And it may be far higher than you expect. In fact, many […]

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 […]

In August 2021, researchers from Tufts University published a study that indicated that peas may be a leading dog food ingredient contributing to a rise in diet-associated canine heart disease (DCM) in dogs. In the study, researchers compared traditional dog foods with those dog food diets that the FDA has associated with this canine heart […]

Every dog serves us in some way, if only to provide us with companionship and unconditional love. But service dogs are in a special category, trained specifically to help people with disabilities or life-threatening conditions. The best service dogs have traits that make them indispensable to their owners by helping them in ways that restore […]

While a toy puppy may increase its birth weight by a factor of 10 to 20, a giant-breed puppy may grow to be 100 times bigger than when he was born. Consider this: A newborn Chihuahua may weigh only three ounces at birth and three pounds at maturity. A newborn Great Dane, however, may weigh […]

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 […]

Arguably the world’s first “fad dog,” the Maltese was a persistent motif in Roman culture. Learn more about Maltese history.

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce that Jill Bell has been hired as an Executive Field Representative in Conformation covering the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. She joined the staff on June 7th. “Jill brings a high level of expertise to this position, having bred and handled dogs for many years,” said Patricia Proctor, […]

In February 2021, Tibetan Mastiff breeders Dan Nechemias and his wife Lois Claus received the phone call that no breeder wants to hear. Waffle, a male puppy they sold to a new breeder in San Antonio, Texas three years ago, was one of several Tibetan Mastiffs seized in an animal neglect situation. The dog had […]