You may have seen dog shows on TV, but what exactly happens at a Conformation event? How are dogs judged, and how do they win?

Imagine stepping into the ring but not being able to see the dog at the end of your leash. This is what dog shows are like for Lexie Lanier.

14-year-old junior handler Adam Kucera and 2-year-old Irish Setter "Stryker" already have some impressive titles under their belt, including NOHS BIS.

How did modern dogs shows get to where they are today? Learn about the histroy of Conformation shows, that began over 150 years ago.

Nominees in Conformation Michael Canalizo Michael Canalizo has spent many years in the Dog Show World as a Breeder/Owner, Professional Handler, turned Judge. His first exposure to his primary breed: the Afghan Hound came in 1961 as a member of “the typical Hobby Breeder family” with their purchase of “Babu Bamn of Grandeur”. He showed […]

Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Six state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session, and two state legislatures are in special session. AKC Government Relations is currently tracking more than 1,500 local, state, and federal issues. The following are highlights of current legislation around the […]

GCHP CH Hallmark Jolei Out Of This World, a Shih Tzu known as “Comet” triumphed over more than 5,700 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 16-17, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. […]

Shih Tzu "Comet" has won Best in Show at the 2023 AKC National Championship. Meet handler and co-owner Luke Ehrict, who also won Breeder of the Year with his wife for Hallmark Jolei Dogs.

The Group Winners are chosen to decide who will compete for Best in Show at the 2023 AKC National Championship. See the group winners here.

In our award-winning Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives dog podcast, now in Season Four, host Bud Boccone tells the tales of breeds, dogs, and personalities who’ve shaped America (and Americans) over generations. Using the American Kennel Club's historical records, archival material, oral histories, interviews, and more, the show brings dog […]

The National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show winners were crowned on December 16 in Orlando Florida.

Luke and Diane Ehricht were presented with the 2023 AKC Breeder of the Year award for Hallmark Jolei Shih Tzu at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 16, 2023.  The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicate their lives to improving the […]

The AKC® National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHB CH Kinloch So There!, an Irish Setter known affectionately as “Stryker” owned and handled by 14-year-old Adam Kucera and bred by Patty Fanelli and Mike Fanelli. Adam and Stryker beat out 874 other dogs to take highest honor. Additionally, 15-year-old Savanna […]

CH Von Hawes Forever Forward, a Rottweiler known as “Granger” triumphed over 1,717 dogs ages six months to 18 months to become the AKC® Royal Canin National All-Breed Junior of the Year, held today in Orlando, Fla in conjunction with the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. “Granger,” owned and bred by Peter Hawes […]

Meet "Granger" the Rottweiler, 12.5 month-old winner of the 2023 AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes.

Rhodesian Ridgeback 'Thorin' may not be the first to come to mind when you think of obedience breeds. But he's the only Ridgeback competing at the AKC Obedience Classic

Pocket is the winner of the 2023 Award for Canine Excellence in the Search and Rescue Dog category. She isn't just a unique breed for a search and rescue dog, she's also so talented that she can sniff out burial grounds that are thousands of years old.

Federal - USDA APHIS has proposed new rules to establish requirements regarding the importation of live dogs for resale, whether through retail or wholesale channels or fee-based adoption, from regions where African Swine Fever (ASF) exists or is reasonably believed to exist.  The proposed rules would formalize requirements that have been in place since August […]

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 Congratulations to these dogs on earning the Agility Grand Champion title: AGCH MACH3 PACH Resq's Dopamine Rush BN RN MXG PAD MJC PJD […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce that Frank Murphy has been hired as an AKC Executive Field Representative. He will start January 2nd, 2024. Murphy has over forty years of experience in handling various breeds. He has handled top winning dogs in almost every group, such as the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2023 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees.   “We are proud to honor these knowledgeable and responsible breeders,” said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “Each of these individuals are […]

Federal - USDA APHIS has proposed new rules to establish requirements regarding the importation of live dogs for resale, whether through retail or wholesale channels or fee-based adoption, from regions where African Swine Fever (ASF) exists or is reasonably believed to exist.  The proposed rules would formalize requirements that have been in place since August […]

AKC Group Standards Download AKC approved breed standards by complete group for use on any portable electronic device. Sporting Hound Working Terrier Toy Non-Sporting Herding Misc. Judges Study Guide No single written guide is ever comprehensive enough to be the only learning tool utilized in preparation for judging a new breed. We urge you to […]

On Friday, October 20, the Los Angeles City Council directed that an ordinance be drafted to suspend the issuance of breeding permits in the city as a way to address shelter overpopulation concerns.  Public comments from key officials indicate that this could also curtail the ability to own intact animals in the city.  Should this […]

Despite opposition from responsible pet owners, on October 10, 2023, the Floyd County, Georgia, County Commission enacted changes to the county animal ordinance that make it “unlawful for any person to own, keep, or be in possession of a sexually mature dog or cat which has not been spayed or neutered, unless otherwise exempt from […]

Centers for Disease Control – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced an extension of current requirements for the import of live dogs from countries at high risk for rabies. Under current requirements established in June 2022 all categories of importers are eligible to import dogs from high-risk counties.   Commercially imported […]

Issues at the City, County, and Metropolitan Levels, and in US Territories Alabama, Gadsden – Despite strong objections by residents and the current lack of subsidized spay/neuter services, a mandatory spay/neuter law enacted by the Gadsden City Council in July 2023 remains on the books. An additional proposal was tabled September 19, 2023, City Council […]

Updated October 6, 2023 with email addresses for Floyd County Commissioners. Please scroll down to view this new contact information. URGENT:  Please share this information with dog owners, breeders, conformation and event participants, sportsmen, and hunters in Floyd County, Georgia. A brief public hearing and vote to enact mandatory spay/neuter of dogs 6 months of […]

URGENT:  Please share this information with dog owners, breeders, conformation and event participants, sportsmen, and hunters in Floyd County, Georgia. A brief public hearing and vote to enact mandatory spay/neuter of dogs 6 months of age and older is scheduled for next Tuesday morning, October 10, 2023, at 9:30am by the Floyd County, GA, Board […]

Late last week, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) proposed new regulations for dog and cat breeders that must be licensed by the state.  The proposed regulations implement amendments to Texas’ breeders law that were enacted earlier this year.  Texas dog breeders licensed by TDLR are encouraged to review the proposed rules and […]