As you look down at the Best in Show judging from your seat in the nosebleed section at Madison Square Garden (or from your own couch), you might be inclined to offer your own take on which dog is worthy of the top honor at Westminster.“That pug is the cutest dog in the ring,” you […]

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 […]

Polite applause and a smattering of cheers greeted Miss P as she strutted a final lap before the judge who would crown the Best in Show at Westminster.The 15-inch Beagle was clearly an underdog. The Madison Square Garden crowd loudly let it be known that their favorites were Swagger, an Old English Sheepdog, and Charlie, […]

With their delicate appearance and small size, Shih Tzu now fulfill their ancient role as canine comforters in ways their Imperial breeders never imagined.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is known for the unique "ridge" on its back, but why is it there? How does their fur get this way?

In 2003, when their sister Carol was critically ill and in a coma, long-time Afghan Hound fanciers Francine and Honi Reisman entered her Manhattan hospital room to an unusual sight. Iris Love, the famous archaeologist and dog fancier, was lying face down on the floor, her arms stretched out at her sides. “She had covered […]

Following two nights of challenging competition, GCh. Ch. Lockenhaus' Rumor Has It V Kenlyn, a German Shepherd Dog known as “Rumor," has been awarded with the coveted Best in Show title at the 2017 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan® at Madison Square Garden in New York on Feb. 14. The decision was […]

It was an exciting first night of the 2016 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan® on Monday, Feb. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York, as winners of the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding groups were named. CH Belisarius Jp My Sassy Girl, aka "Lucy," a 3-year old Borzoi won the […]

By: Debra Lampert Rudman and Arliss Paddock   “It becomes one of those events about which people ask, ‘Did you go? Were you there?’ M&E has it all – atmosphere, ambiance, ladies and gents in their finery, and the world’s best dogs all together at the same time in a glorious outdoor setting. Everybody in the […]

At top speed a Pembroke Welsh Corgi can run 25 MPH. That's faster than Usain Bolt's 100 meter record of 9.58 seconds, which equates to 23.35 MPH. So yes, those little legs can fly. Across the county, dogs are challenging to see how fast they can sprint in AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT) […]

It's the moment we've all been waiting for! After an incredible competition, GCHP CH Silverhall Strike Force, an ASCOB Cocker Spaniel known as "Striker" was named Best in Show at the 2017 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin. "Striker" triumphed over nearly 5,000 dogs to earn a $50,000 cash prize in addition to the […]

Breeders and handlers are a study in contrasts. Breeders are big-picture and behind-the-scenes, planning and studying for the future. Handlers, meanwhile,  are front and center, focused on the competition at hand and those split-second moments that can make or break a win. And of course, we all know what dog owners do. Sometimes, those three […]

Ten years ago, the GPS in your car was a dash-mounted brick that might just steer you into a detention pond, but now directional navigation consists of a soothing voice providing real-time traffic updates and restaurant recommendations. The tech in human gadgets has improved dramatically, and GPS gear for man's best friend has followed suit. […]

Pugs won us over with their adorable faces, loyalty, and easy-going nature. But where did those qualities come from? Learn more with these Pug fun facts.

Some of the fastest dogs in the country dashed after the coveted "bunny" lure in a 100-yard Fast CAT dash at Fastest Dogs USA, held on May 19 in Rock...

If you're looking for the perfect at-home companion, consider the Shih Tzu. This loving, playful, and outgoing breed is known for being good with kids.

GCHS CH Bramblebush Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, an Irish Setter known as “Declan,” was named Best in Show at the December 17 AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals. Judge Dominic Palleschi Carota awarded the crown to the dog during the event, held during the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. […]

After confirming that your dog is healthy, the following tips can help you prevent and clean tear stains from your dog's face.

Those small, sturdy dogs with their regal bearing and long, gorgeous coats are adorable. But have you ever wondered which breed you're admiring? The Shih Tzu (pronounced "sheed-zoo" or "sheet-su") or the Lhasa Apso? To the untrained eye, it can be hard to tell these two dogs apart, especially in full coat. But in fact, […]

In Japan, there are Inu (dogs) and there are Chin. To the Japa­nese. the distinction needs no clarification: Chin are royalty. They are descendants of dogs that warmed the laps of Chinese aristocracy and kept court with the women of the Imperial Palace. The Japanese Chin's true origin is in China, where the breed's chronol­ogy […]

Paid Advertisement Does your dog love to run? Then you may want to consider getting them involved in Fast CAT, which has nothing to do with cats. Using dogs' natural inclination to run and chase, it's a sport that all dogs get a kick out of, from Greyhounds to Pekingese. What is Fast CAT? The […]

Despite a very rainy weather forecast — not to mention the potential of Hurricane Joaquin bearing down on the Northeast within a few days — crowds of people and dogs descended on Somerset, New Jersey, on October 1 for the Morris & Essex Kennel Club’s spectacular 2015 outdoor dog show. A revival of the lavish events […]

  New York, NY – From Washington's Foxhounds to Bush's "Barney" and "Miss Beazley" presidential purebred pups are as traditional as baseball and apple pie. The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) reports that 22 U.S. presidents have owned purebred dogs and most shared the White House with them. While some dogs had jobs - "Millie" authored […]

National Champion Beats Out More Than 5,000 Dogs GCHG CH Lagniappe's From The Mountains To The Bayou, a Giant Schnauzer known as “Bayou” triumphed over more than 5,000 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 18-19, 2021 […]

National Champion Beats Out More Than 4,000 Dogs GCHP CH Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon, a Whippet known as “Bourbon” triumphed over more than 4,000 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 12-13, 2020 in Orlando, FL. “Bourbon,” owned […]

The AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHS CH Bramblebush Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, an Irish Setter known affectionately as “Declan” owned and handled by Cheryl L Stiehl DVM and bred by Cheryl L Stiehl DVM & Craig Larson. The 2022 NOHS Finals Best in Show winner […]

Award Presented at AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Claudia Orlandi, Ph.D. of Essex Junction, Vermont was honored with the 2009 AKC Breeder of the Year Award for her Topsfield Basset Hounds at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Sunday, December 13, 2009.  The annual award honors those breeders who have dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament […]

  In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were launched in 1998 and are now in its sixth year of honoring the Fancy's best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of selfless effort have made significant contributions […]

  Small dogs—those weighing less than 20 pounds—have held a steady place in the hearts of Americans over the past four years according to American Kennel Club registration statistics. Since 2000, four of the top ten most popular breeds have been small dogs, indicating that while Americans may be gravitating towards bigger cars and appetites […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="News"] Peruvian Inca Orchid Eligible to Compete in the Hound Group, January 1, 2027 AKC Educational Requirements Policy and Recommendations [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rules, Policies & Procedures"] Judging Approval Process - effective January 1, 2018, amended effective November 12, 2025  FAQ's on the Judging Approval Process (PDF) Rules Policies and Guidelines for […]