- Doing the Right Thing for Dogs Everywhere - The American Kennel Club, along with its affiliates, the AKC Canine Health Foundation and AKC Companion Animal Recovery, is the only not-for-profit registry devoted to the health and well-being of dogs. We have allocated more than $30 million to fund programs for the betterment of dogs […]

By Nancy Pemberton, AKC Breeder of Merit Rowan Border Terriers One of the most important things to do for your pregnant bitch when the time for her to whelp approaches is to provide her with a safe place for her puppies. Not only will it make her feel more secure, it might be a matter […]

Adding a puppy to your family is a big decision that comes with lots of preparation. An interview with your prospective pup's breeder is a big part of that.

Header photo courtesy of Nancy Bishop, AKC Breeder of Merit The decision to get a puppy is a big one. First, there's deciding what kind of puppy you want, choosing a breed, and then, finding a reputable and professional breeder to ensure you are getting the dog of your dreams. And finding the right breeder […]

Courtesy of Mary J McKennan, AKC Breeder of Merit   The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a hard worker and a loyal companion. It's most popular in Poland, naturally, but it also has a community of devoted owners in the United States. Here are some interesting facts you may not know about the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. […]

The Bullmastiff is physically imposing, but incredibly patient and loving. Here are seven things you probably didn't know about this gentle giant: 1. They Were Bred To Be Guard Dogs The Bullmastiff was created in England in the 1860s by crossing a Mastiff with a Bulldog. The goal was to create a guard dog that […]

Many breeders require anyone who purchases one of their dogs to sign a contract. To some buyers, especially first timers, a contract may feel invasive; they might think that for the money they spend, they should have total control over what they do with their puppy. Explain to buyers that your contract is meant to […]

As a child with a passion for dogs, constantly bringing home the strays that crossed her path, Sylvia Calderwood read every book written by Albert Payson Terhune, the beloved author who was also a renowned Collie breeder. So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that her heart was eventually captured by the Shetland […]

AKC Breeder of Merit Kym Burch-Ryan has raised and shown Australian Shepherds since 1993. She lives on a 20-acre farm in Roxbury, Kansas. Her daughter Brandi shares her passion for the breed; she has shown Aussies since she was 8 years old. Kym’s younger daughter, Hadlei, is also now showing Aussies. AKC: How did you […]

The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States, and for good reason. His physical capabilities and outgoing, eager-to-please temperament make him an ideal family pet and sporting dog. Contrary to his name, the Labrador Retriever doesn't come from Labrador, but from Newfoundland. There, it is thought, small water dogs were bred […]

Tuxedos are usually reserved for formal affairs, but Brittany Cipriotti of Warrenton, Virginia, lives with that striking black-and-white pattern day in and day out. Under her Ellenni banner, she breeds mantle Great Danes with her mentor and co-breeder Kristi Allison of Blackstone Great Danes, as well as similarly patterned but more vertically understated Boston Terriers. That’s not to say this Silver Breeder of Merit is monochromatic: Cipriotti also breeds fawn and brindle Danes with Marion Clark of […]

A valuable tool in AKC’s Breeder Toolkit is Prepay Registration. It makes it easy to ensure 100% registration of your litter, helping you maintain control over the integrity of your breeding program. There are significant cost savings with prepaid registration, and it helps to avoid additional owner fees. When registering a litter through the Breeder […]

AKC Breeders of Merit share tips on how to groom a German Shepherd Dog, from best brushes to dealing with nails.

Lacey and Luisma Benítez, of LBK American Staffordshire Terriers, are the first and only Platinum Breeders of Merit of the American Staffordshire Terrier. They are a married couple, navigating life between Spain and St. Augustine, Florida, and have been deeply involved in this breed for 20 years. Luisma, who is from Spain, is a software […]

Beth Kirven of West Columbia, South Carolina, has always had Sporting dogs — her first dog as an adult was an English Cocker. But once she married and had children, she decided to ditch the grooming and go for some smooth operators: namely, Pointers, acquiring her first from the late Susan Thompson of Solivia Pointers […]

Thank you for your participation in the recent AKC Inspection of your dogs, records, and facilities. AKC has compiled a quick reference list of links to forms, regulations, and commonly requested programs for you. Register My Dog Forms Ownership Records Form Litter Records Form Emergency Preparedness Form Regulations Regulations for Record Keeping & Identification of […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) continues its long-standing commitment to advance the health and welfare of all dogs with the launch of its new program Bred with H.E.A.R.T. (Health, Education, Accountability, Responsibility and Tradition) Modeled after the successful Breeder of Merit program, Bred with H.E.A.R.T. is a new way to engage, encourage and recognize all […]

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 AKC® DNA + Health. This new test combines genetic health and traits testing with AKC DNA identification, creating a powerful tool for breeders. “At the AKC, we’re always looking for tools to […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that Lynn Meyer has been hired as an Executive Field Representative. She joins the staff on July 16, 2018 and will be based in the upper mid-west. “Lynn brings an abundance of experience to the position of Executive Field Representative, with many successful decades in the sport […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is thrilled to announce that Melanie King has been hired as an Executive Field Representative. She will start on May 20th, 2024. “Melanie has longtime experience with Irish Wolfhounds and Whippets. She is a successful Breeder-Owner-Handler […]