At the 17th annual AKC Agility Invitational Presented by YuMOVE®, 695 dogs and their handlers not only displayed their skills and training, but also the beauty of human-canine teamwork. The event, which took place on December 17 and 18, 2022, in Orlando, Florida, was held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal […]

Every year in conjunction with the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin the general public is given the exciting opportunity to meet (and more importantly, play with!) over 100 different dog breeds at AKC Meet the Breeds. Attendees get the opportunity to learn about the different breeds and find out which dog might be […]

The 2016 AKC Obedience Classic and the AKC Agility Invitational were held December 17-18, 2016 in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, demonstrating the highest level of training and teamwork between dog and handler. Obedience and agility competitions for junior handlers were held for the sixth year, and an AKC Rally® […]

Bentley is safe!Dog lovers around the world breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that Dallas has quarantined the dog belonging to Nina Pham, the Dallas nurse who contracted Ebola.On Monday, workers in haz-mat suits entered Pham’s apartment and removed the year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Dallas Animal Services (DAS) whisked him to an […]

These friendly dog breeds, both common and rare, are lovable and adorable. Learn more about each of the breeds and figure out if one of them might be the right fit for your family.

The best dog for you depends on your lifestyle, not age. Learn more about dog breeds that can make great companions for older adults

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to identify what makes us grateful. And it should come as no surprise that here at the AKC, our canine companions are at the top of our list. In anticipation of Thanksgiving, we asked our readers to submit their favorite fall photos of their four-legged sidekicks. Here are 15 canines […]

In the spirit of the holiday season, let’s stop for a moment to acknowledge the joy that the sport of conformation gives us every week of the year, and the people who contribute to that joy. Let’s be thankful for: Judges who are students of their dog breeds, know their standards, smile, and don’t look up […]

If your apartment seems to be missing something — such as an adorable furry friend to meet you at the door at night — then maybe a dog is in your future. But is your home truly worthy of a pooch? If your quarters are tight and you lack a yard where your canine could […]

by Faith Rogers, Junior Handler Agility is in every sense of the word a team sport, a combination of speed, consistency, and trust. This is a sport filled with magical runs, but also frustrating disappointments. Perseverance builds character when training plans don't succeed and the only choice is to try again. The dedication and commitment […]

Hundreds of dogs from all over the United States and beyond met in Florida to weave between poles, sit on demand, and jump through obstacles. Only a few of these dogs came out on top as winners of the AKC Obedience Classic and AKC Agility Invitational at the 2018 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin. […]

What tugs at our hearts more than an adorable Chihuahua peeking out of Reese Witherspoon’s purse in the movie Legally Blonde? Perhaps it is the sight of puppies glee­ fully romping through scenes in 101 Dalmatians, or the exploits of Otis, the endearing Pug, in The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Dogs occupy a treasured […]

For Anne Brastow, Obedience and Agility are all about daunting physical and psychological challenges with each step in the ring. But, you're probably asking yourself, isn't that the case for many? That may be true, but when the Bellevue, Washington, owner-handler competes in both AKC dog sports, she's doing so from a powered wheelchair. Consequently, her 7-year-old, multi-titled Cavalier King Charles […]

The best things come in small packages, as anyone with a small dog can tell you. Whether your dog is a little whirlwind like the Brussels Griffon, feisty like the Miniature Schnauzer, or as gentle as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, he deserves toys, treats, and gear made just for his diminutive size. Little Cuddler […]

"Cute" is a totally subjective concept. Even "small" can be subjective. After all, if you’re 6-feet-4-inches, anyone under 6 feet can look small to you. However, we are bravely putting forth our list of 12 small, cute dogs that rank high in the "adorable" category, while also being among the smallest breeds recognized by the […]

They jump, they weave, they sit, and they stay. We're talking about the winners of the AKC Obedience Classic and AKC Agility Invitational at the 2017 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin, of course. Competition took place December 16-17, 2017 in Orlando, Fla. and it was an incredible sight to see. These competitions demonstrate […]

According to an article on Continental Toy Spaniels by Baron Albert Houtart, the spaniel family, regardless of size, belongs to the “braccoid” classification of the canine species, as defined by Pierre Megnin. One distinction that Houtart makes is that all spaniels characteristically have short hair on the skull, muzzle, and fronts of the legs with […]

Not all of the judging at a dog show takes place in the ring. As a breeder-exhibitor, your demeanor and interactions with others will be judged from the moment you set foot on the showgrounds. Stewards, the superintendent and AKC field staff, the show committee, the media, fellow exhibitors, and, perhaps most importantly, the public, […]

  The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin has drawn record entry numbers in its 16th year. An entry of 4,710 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 17 and 18, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events the AKC Agility Invitational, the AKC Obedience Classic, AKC National Owner-Handler Series Finals, NADD/AKC Diving Dogs […]

For Picks of The Litter, a regular book review series, Ranny Green critiques “K9-5: New York Dogs at Work" featuring photographs by Michelle Rose (Pointed Leaf Press). No matter what their working environment, New Yorkers love their dogs and prefer to have them alongside. Whether they’re stress reducers or inspirational cohorts, the four-legged characters you […]

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 […]

The 2023 AKC National Agility Championship (NAC) will take place March 16 through March 19 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The fast-paced sport of dog agility will see plenty of dogs take to the ring to race against the clock while completing a pre-determined obstacle course. But what dog breeds will you be able to see compete […]

Generally speaking, smaller dog breeds can make good companion dogs for apartments or condominiums. They adapt well in confined spaces, and they don't need a tremendous amount of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. But there are many dog breeds that make good choices for apartments, some of which you may not expect! Bulldog […]

Bred from the Bulldog, terrier, and more, the public was fascinated with the Bull Terrier, a good-natured dog that wasn’t spoiling for a fight.

From Atlanta to West Palm Beach, here are the most popular dog breeds in each city based on the 2023 rankings from the American Kennel Club.

  The American Kennel Club created the Foundation Stock Service® (FSS®) to answer the needs of today's rare breed fanciers. The Foundation Stock Service® is an optional record-keeping service for all purebred breeds not currently registrable with the American Kennel Club. Originally the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) program was used to bring in breeds such […]

Marthina Greer First presented Pure Dog Talk Jan 2023 Bladder stones are the quintessential “which came first, the chicken or the egg” question. By this, we mean that a dog can have a bladder symptoms that are caused by a bladder stone, or the bladder infection can cause bladder stones to form. Which then becomes […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed when you visit AKC Meet the Breeds during AKC National Championship in Orlando? Or maybe you just want to meet them all! Don't miss a single wag or woof with this list of breeds that will be in attendance at the 2019 show. Get your tickets now. Dog Breeds […]

AKC National Agility Championship Champion Teams 2026 - Temecula, CA AKC National Agility Champions 08" - MACH Welly MXB MJS XF T2B CGC, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi known as Welly, handled by Peter Wirth of Longmont, CO 12" - MACH6 Safranne's Have No Fear MXS2 PAD MJG2 PJS NF, a Poodle known as Skye, handled […]

Legislatures are in full swing around the country, and the AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) team is monitoring bills impacting a broad range of issues. In the past year, we’ve observed an increase in proposals that could impact the rights of dog owners in a number of situations. Cost of care measures are designed to […]