How do you know what your dog is thinking? Give him an MRI, of course. While this isn’t practical for the majority of dog owners, for the past five years Dr. Gregory Berns and his colleagues at Emory University have been training dogs to lie still while awake in an MRI scanner, so that they […]

We are honored to announce the first set of 2017 AKC Paw of Courage awards to recognize the working canines that put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. This award specifically recognizes those who are serving or have served their departments honorably. “These selfless canines prove their devotion time […]

The AKC Canine Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent, treat and cure diseases in all dogs, is pleased to announce that it has awarded the first research grant through the Comparative Brain Tumor Consortium (CBTC). The CBTC was launched at the National Institutes of Health by a group of clinicians and […]

Once again, the French Bulldog took New York City’s top spot in the 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The French Bulldog was also recognized as the #1 pup in San Fransisco, Honolulu, and West Palm Beach. The Labrador Retriever was NYC’s 2nd most popular dog, which ended the […]

Once again, the French Bulldog took San Francisco’s top spot in the 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The French Bulldog was also recognized as the #1 pup in New York City and West Palm Beach. New to San Francisco’s top 10 in 2016 was the Cavalier King Charles […]

Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Chicago’s top spot in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC®) 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The Labrador Retriever was also recognized as the #1 pup in Washington, D.C., Seattle, and Boston, among others. The Labrador Retriever held strongly to the #1 spot in Chicago, […]

Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Denver’s top spot in the 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The Labrador Retriever was also recognized as the #1 pup in Boston, Atlanta, and Houston. Although there were no changes in the Mile High City’s top five, there were some fluctuations in […]

Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Raleigh’s top spot in the 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The Lab was also recognized as the #1 pup in Houston, Kansas City, and Denver. The Havanese was a big mover and shaker in Raleigh, breaking into the top 10 at number […]

Real Life Search and Rescue Dog Hero Unveils New DOGNY Sculpture Ruger Von Konigsdorf, one of the many search and rescue (SAR) dogs who inspired the American Kennel Club's charitable DOGNY public art program, had the honor Wednesday, September 4, of unveiling the DOGNY sculpture that will serve as the unofficial mascot to New York […]

Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Boston’s top spot in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC®) 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The Labrador Retriever was also recognized as the #1 pup in Raleigh, Houston, and Atlanta, among others. There were quite a few shifts and changes among Boston’s most […]

Once again, the Labrador Retriever took Dallas’ top spot in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC®) 2016 ranking of the most popular AKC-recognized dog breeds in the U.S. The Labrador Retriever was also recognized as the #1 pup in Chicago, Austin, and Raleigh, among others. Yorkshire Terriers fell drastically in popularity this year in Dallas. The […]

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected by Hurricane Harvey. Here is some useful information on disaster preparedness and response, how you can help, and what AKC is doing for dogs and people in need.  Please check back, as we are constantly updating this page with the most up-to-date information and […]

So now you are ready for the next step after puppyhood for a potential future therapy dog. A great place to start in preparing your dog for therapy work is to take an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class. Some therapy dog organizations require a dog to obtain a CGC certificate as a prerequisite for […]

  One of the greatest frustrations experienced by new puppy owners is housebreaking, but with patience and consistency every dog can learn not to soil their house. The AKC Good Dog! Helpline trainers recommend “S&S” – Scheduling and Supervision – as the most important components when you are “potty training” your infant canine. Feed your […]

Karen Powell of Frankfort, KY, has three rescued mixed-breed dogs that compete very successfully in AKC Agility, AKC Rally, and Barn Hunt: Stella CD RAE7 AXP AJP NFP RATN Biggie RAE2 MXP MJP XFP RATN Cody RAE MXP3 MXPB MJP4 MJPB OFP T2BP RATO She started taking classes with her dogs in 2006 because of […]

  Opinion: Nothing is more frustrating to a dedicated breeder-exhibitor than hearing that a wonderful owner with unlimited potential in the sport has purchased a dog from a commercial kennel. After all, your breed parent club works hard to update its website and offer a cornucopia of relevant information. You attend dog shows regularly, breed […]

  As active breeder-exhibitors, much of our lives are tied up in numbers. Progesterone testing. Gestation periods. Keeping track of puppy weight gain. AKC registration numbers. Tabulating majors and point totals as we show our next generation of young hopefuls. One of the most important numbers we must keep in mind at all times is […]

  You’re a successful breeder-exhibitor who’s been involved in the sport for 30 years, with scores of homebred champions to your credit. You have held positions on your parent club’s board and are a respected judge of your breed. One day, you receive an email from an up-and-coming fancier whom you’ve met once or twice, […]

After much coaxing from a friend, a Greenwich Village antiques dealer reluctantly agreed to attend the Westminster Kennel Club show. If on that cold day in 1920 the antiques dealer had been more adamant or the friend less persuasive, a great career in dogs might never have been. “It was my first show and I […]

  It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s a… sprinting Corgi? You heard us right. On Aug. 6, Emerald Downs in Auburn, WA hosted the first ever Corgi Races. In total, there were four heats culminating in a final championship race with one spirited Corgi taking home the trophy. Over 12,000 riveted spectators viewed the […]

U.S. goalball team member Jen Armbruster is ready for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. The six-time Paralympian is decorated with a gold medal from the 2008 games in Beijing, a silver from Athens in 2004, and a bronze from Atlanta in 1996. She hopes to take home another medal in her last Paralympics, where she […]

BREED 2015 2014 2013 Retrievers (Labrador) 1 1 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 2 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 3 3 Bulldogs 4 4 5 Beagles 5 5 4 French Bulldogs 6 9 11 Yorkshire Terriers 7 6 6 Poodles 8 7 8 Rottweilers 9 10 9 Boxers 10 8 7 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 11 12 […]

Each year, the American Kennel Club and Theriogenology Foundation hold a series of seminars geared toward educating breeders, members of the veterinary community or anyone interested in dog breeding, about healthy breeding practices including the latest research in canine reproduction. The AKC Breeder of Excellence Symposiums are held at multiple locations nationwide throughout the year […]

Responsible breeders do everything they can to keep their puppies safe and healthy from before they were born until the day they leave their kennel. Around 8 to 12 weeks old, the puppies depart from their breeder, and their new lives begin in their meticulously, hand-picked homes. By discerningly choosing the right family for each […]

  Will a Meatless Diet Jeopardize Your Dog’s Health? As farmers’ markets blossom with a wider assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables during the summer months, many families choose to spice up the dinner menu with occasional vegetarian meals. But can the family dog handle a vegetarian diet? In general, dogs are omnivorous. They eat […]

AKC Breeder Spotlight: Julia Heidbrink of Buggytown Bird Dogs Each month the American Kennel Club profiles breeders to hear how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with Julia Heidbrink of Buggytown Bird Dogs. Julia started breeding German Shorthaired Pointers about 10 years ago and today she […]

  AKC Breeder Spotlight: Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels Each month, the American Kennel Club (AKC) profiles breeders to hear about how they got started, their breeding program, and their experience with AKC Marketplace. We recently spoke with AKC Breeder of Merit Jennifer Young-Hopkins of Y-Farms Kennels in Zachary, La. Here, she answers questions about […]

  Does your dog have a lot to say about all the extra activity of a busy summer? Is his barking making it hard to enjoy the season? Kids and their friends are out of school, traipsing in and out of the house; more people are walking outside with their dogs, enjoying the weather. You […]

  A dog gate creates a boundary that keeps your dog either inside or outside another area of the house or grounds. It’s a useful piece of equipment, whether you have a brand new puppy or dogs that usually have the run of the house. A gate gives a puppy a safe, dog-proofed area to […]

Although one of the earliest breeds to be registered with the AKC, the Field Spaniel almost faded into obscurity prior to the 1960s. And that would be a shame because this is one terrific dog. In the field, he’s known for endurance and energy, equally adept on land or water. But where the Field Spaniel […]