-- AKC Celebrates 125th Anniversary with a Look Back at First AKC Registered Breeds in History -- For the 18th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, according to 2008 registration statistics released today by the American Kennel Club® (AKC) But, while more than twice as many Labs were […]

AKC GoodDog Helpline trainer Breanne Long, owner of two Papillons, explains all the different ways you can transport your toy dogs and the benefits of each. These days the pet market is filled with bags, slings, baskets, and strollers designed to transport your little one. Which of these, if any, is right for you? Bags […]

Finding your first family dog is a daunting process—one that's up there with dating and house-hunting. And like parenting, when it comes to raising a dog to be perfectly well-behaved, successful, and sociable, well, let's just say practice makes perfect. But, these breeds, while they appeal to different interests, are easily trained and friendly (especially with children), […]

Always on the go and looking to keep a canine by your side? We have rounded up the most active dog breeds. They have no short supply of energy and are a perfect fit for an owner looking for a running buddy or an agility partner. Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pembroke Welsh Corgis are strong, athletic […]

We often hear dog shows accused of being nothing but “beauty contests.” In reality, they’re organized more like job fairs. At AKC shows, dogs are exhibited in seven groups organized by the original work the breeds were created to do. The dog judged best in each group becomes one of the final seven to vie […]

The Westminster Kennel Club recently announced that Mr. Thomas H. Bradley III is scheduled to judge Best in Show at the club’s 141st dog show Feb. 13–14, 2017. A lifetime participant in the dog sport, Mr. Bradley competed in his first dog show as a teenager in 1955, showing his German Shorthaired Pointer at the […]

The Labrador Retriever has done it again. The intelligent, family friendly breed held onto the number one spot on the most popular list for the 24th consecutive year, continuing the longest reign as the nation’s top dog in American Kennel Club history. For the full list of breed rankings, click here. While the Lab holds strong, […]

July 14 is Bastille Day, when France and Francophiles the world over commemorate the start of the French Revolution in 1789. The AKC joins the celebration in just the way you’d expect—with dogs. Here’s a roundup of some AKC breeds developed in France, plus a few that are French by tradition if not by birth. […]

A skilled exhibitor, whether amateur or professional, examines a show prospect slowly and carefully, noting the positives and negatives. If it is a coated breed, it would quickly be determined: “Is there sufficient coat to help hide the obvious faults?” A skilled judge of long experience has learned to “look through” hair to evaluate the […]

This is an easy and fun activity to play with your dog on a rainy day when they can’t get outside to exercise. It also a good way to mentally challenge your dog – and their nose – anytime.   Get a muffin tray and tennis balls or any size balls you can fit in […]

Finding an AKC Sport that Fits Your Mixed-Breed DogSince 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the dog-park bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? Here’s an overview of the competitions. Obedience Dog-and-handler […]

Swarms of setters, hordes of herders, oodles of Poodles— with the seemingly endless variety of dogs gaiting around AKC show rings, you might assume every breed in creation is represented. Actually, hundreds of breeds from around the world are outside the AKC orbit. Here are just a few:   ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG Birthplace: northern Portugal Job […]

Although the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States, the Lab isn't top dog in a few of the 25 most populous cities, according to AKC registration data. For example, the playful and adaptable French Bulldog is No. 1 in New York City and San Francisco, while the active and intelligent Poodle is […]

Those who watched the 2008 Westminster Dog Show will fondly remember Best in Show winner Uno prancing around the ring bellowing the trademark Beagle sound, “A-roo!” Each breed has its own distinctive bark (or in the case of the the African Barkless Dog, the Basenji, more of a yodel). To highlight each of those unique […]

Kelly and Alfred Schaefer were devastated when their dog Tabitha went missing earlier this month. Alfred, who has Alzheimer’s, wandered outside his Missouri home with the Bichon Frise–Poodle mix. Kelly was able to find her husband, but there was no sign of Tabitha. She created and posted hundreds of flyers, catching the attention of a […]

Is it us, or are jokes about dogs a lot funnier than others? We’ve compiled a list of some of the funniest dog jokes we could find, guaranteed to make you chuckle. Enjoy! Why do dogs always race to the door when the doorbell rings? It’s hardly ever for them.   Q: What kind of […]

On August 28th, Crystal Diamond RD, a standard Poodle, had a litter of 16 puppies. We'll give you a moment to let that sink in... Yup, 16 PUPPIES. According to the Jamestown Sun, Crystal's owner, Kelli Hewitt, believes that they have tied the record for the largest standard Poodle litter. 16 certainly is a lot […]

Pirate, a German Shepherd Dog, curls up in a laundry basket. The 7-year-old dog jumped in with little enticing, says owner Kathy Green, of Gold Bar, Wash. Header photo courtesy of Kathy Green When it comes to the Great Box Challenge, there simply are no limits—on size, shape, or container. And those loose parameters apply […]

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 […]

MACH Folly Farnsworth MXB MJS OF owned by Trudy & Sean Price of Kingsport, TN Trudy describes 6-year-old Folly, a Shih Tzu/Poodle mix, as “the extreme of high energy/anxiety.” “Folly took obedience classes and was always a disruption in class. He could not focus…We tried everything to calm him but nothing seemed to help.” A […]