Over two days of breed competitions, seven dogs were crowned the winners in their group at the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

In its 149th year, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has crowned its winner: Giant Schnauzer "Monty," handled by Katherine Bernadin.

The Standard Schnauzer is described as a friendly and cheerful companion that's particularly good with children. Are they a good fit for your lifestyle?

Loyal, alert, and willing to please, the Miniature Schnauzer is the most popular dog in the Terrier Group. They're well suited for a variety of households.

Friendly, obedient, and portable, the Miniature Schnauzer is a lovable terrier. Learn more about the breed with these Miniature Schnauzer fun facts.

If you're an experienced dog owner looking for a trainable, intelligent, and loyal breed, look no further than the Giant Schnauzer.

Learn fascinating Standard Schnauzer facts, including the function of their whiskers or beard, as well as how they came to America.

You’ve made the decision to welcome a new dog into your family. Now comes the fun part – finding the perfect dog. There’s a lot to consider. Before you commit, ask yourself these five questions. What’s Your Schedule? Think about your lifestyle. Do you work long hours? Struggle to get out the door in the […]

The Miniature Pinscher's distinctive high-stepping hackney gait, reminiscent of a hackney horse, communicates, "I'm proud, fearless, and in charge."

The champion of the 2024 AKC National Championship has been crowned! The AKC National Championship took place on December 14-15 at the Orange Country...

Thirteen years ago, Ron Godshall and Heather Eckenrode entered agility class as newbies to the sport. Things have changed, but he's still active at 78.

Of the top five breeds registered by the American Kennel Club, two have never won the sought-after Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Thousands of dogs compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show. Check out some statistics on the breeds and groups who've taken the trophy.

There is a lot to love about Miniature Pinschers, aka the "King of Toys." Here are a few fun facts about this active and fearless breed.

Each AKC-recognized breed is assigned to one of seven groups. We're taking a closer look at the Working Group to see what these 32 breeds were bred to do.

There's a reason why the AKC divides its breeds into seven groups. That reason is a mixture of tradition and breed function. But why?

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 […]

The Giant Schnauzer is a smart, imposing, and protective dog, fiercely loyal and hard-working. Owning one can be a challenge, but it's a rewarding one.

The biggest Conformation event of the year is here, and the results are out! See the group winners of the 2024 AKC National Championship.

Agility Journey Continues with a Friend’s Help When her friend Ron’s last agility dog passed, Heather Eckenrode stepped in and offered her young All American Dog, Franco, as his new partner. Ron was recuperating from losing his leg and learning to handle from a motorized scooter. The two quickly bonded and became an agility team. […]

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. […]

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! AGILITY AGCH (Agility Grand Champion) AGCH MACH6 PACH3 Patterday's Rocky Raccoon MXS2 PAD MJG2 PJD MXP8 MXPG PADP MJP9 MJPG PJDP PAX3 MFB MFPS […]

Test for what is recommended for your breed. Order AKC DNA + Health Kit The AKC DNA Program recommends that breeders perform DNA tests that are relevant to their breed. The AKC DNA + Health Kit includes over 328 markers for health and traits, and every dog receives results for all tests. However, not all […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 25th AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025. The 2025 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce that the AKC Agility League recently concluded its eighth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the 10 divisions, including the League’s […]

GCHG CH Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB, a Giant Schnauzer known as “Monty” triumphed over more than 5,600 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize when they were awarded Best in Show at the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 14-15, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, […]

Titles Earned in AKC Activities, Organized by Sport and Title Progression the # symbol behind the title abbreviation indicates that title can be earned multiple times, and will carry a numeric designation [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Agility Titles"] Class Abbrev. Title Name Abbrev. Title Name (Preferred Track) Prefix or Suffix ACT ACT1 Agility Course Test 1 Suffix […]

Scheduling Conformation Events General Questions Points Schedule Formulation Specialties Held With All-Breed and Group Shows Classes and Entries Submitting Results Awards and Titles Judges and Judging Junior Showmanship Sweepstakes Trophies, Prizes, and Ribbons Club Membership Upload Tool Scheduling Conformation Events AKC recommended Best Practices to hire and assign judges, leading to an efficient schedule. General […]

The AKC Agility League recently concluded its eighth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the 10 divisions, including the League’s new division of Elementary for beginner dogs. The AKC Agility League is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, YuMove and AKC Pet Insurance. The League […]