Though we often don’t think about them in this way, dogs are really about people — those long-ago (or, sometimes, not so long-ago) figures who developed particular breeds for particular tasks. Some breeds — like the Doberman Pinscher, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, and Cesky Terrier — owe their existence to just one visionary person. Other breeds were brought into being […]

Wondering how popular your pooch really is? Now you can find out. The most popular dog breeds of 2019 were released on May 1, 2020 (also National Purebred Dog Day) based on 2019 AKC registration statistics. It may come as no surprise that the Labrador Retriever takes the top spot for the 29th year in a row, […]

There just seems to be no stopping the Labrador Retriever! For a record 29th year (2019), the versatile sporting breed reigns supreme on the American Kennel Club registry list, a run like no other breed has seen in the record books. Changes in the top ten Little changed in the top ten standings from 2018. Following […]

No doubt you've seen a Whippet or Italian Greyhound. These absolutely adorable dogs look like Greyhounds that have been blasted with a shrink ray. Thanks to their size, it's easy to see that they are not actually Greyhounds, but the trickier question is, how do you tell these two breeds apart? The larger Whippet is […]

For dogs, hydrotherapy usually consists of either swimming or walking in water, whether in shallow water along the beach or on an underwater treadmill.

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 […]

SB 285 recently passed the Senate Finance Committee and is pending consideration by the full Senate. The measure seeks to eliminate the West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund (GBDF) and redirect all money from the Fund to the State Excess Lottery Revenue Fund.  Additionally, it would eliminate the requirement that video lottery and racetrack table […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2020 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2020. The 2020 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

Some dog sports are only open to certain breeds, and others require intense dedication and time. Others are open to all breeds and can be tried by anyone.

As you work up a sweat with your huge, loose-jointed Mastiff puppy, trying to hold up his mid-section while keeping all four of his feet pointed in the same direction, it’s not surprising you’ll watch the Doberman Pinscher handler with a touch of envy. The Dobe glides around the ring, head held high, then nails […]

The 2019 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Dec. 14 and 15 had a record number of dogs in its 19th year. The competition began with 5,284 dogs each competing for best in their breed. Best in Group Best of Breed winners then advanced to compete in the group competitions. Each AKC-recognized breed falls […]

Dogs bark. It's a fact of life that nearly all dog owners must accept. Barking is a self-rewarding behavior. But it is important for breeders and kennel owners to understand the different types of barking, and when it has turned into a problem behavior.  Canine Sounds & What They Mean A bark or vocalization is not just a bark or a vocalization.  A dog owner, breeder, or […]

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 […]

While all dogs should have a basic soundness, their construction varies depending on breed and purpose. Understanding a dog's conformation requires looking at the canine from all angles. Even though there is nothing you can do to change your current dog's genetics, you can prevent injury and work on strengthening weak areas. Let's be honest: […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed (or cat breed), or do you just want to meet all 150+ breeds? Find your favorites on our list of breeds so you won't miss a single wag, whisker, or woof! They'll all be there to meet you at the January 25-26, 2020 AKC Meet the Breeds event. […]

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a bone cancer that is common in dogs, but rare in children. Studies found that the OS in canines shares genetic and genomic similarities to OS in kids. Comparative oncology helps doctors use dog OS as a means to unlock answers for OS in children. The bone cancer known as osteosarcoma is […]

Each October, hundreds of dogs and thousands of spectators flock to New York City's East Village to experience the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Variously described as "the biggest Halloween costume contest for dogs in the world" (CNN) and "barking mad" (The Guardian), the parade draws all types of dogs in costumes for the enjoyment of […]

Does your dog chase cars, bikes, skateboarders, squirrels, or other wildlife? You aren't alone. The good news is that it's possible to train your dog to ignore the temptation to chase and even channel that desire into games and sports.

Personalized medicine, which has seen success in humans, is now flourishing in veterinary medicine. Conditions from canine cancers to drug and anesthesia sensitivity are being studied in new ways. The AKC CHF is focusing on personalized medicine as a means to unlock new treatment methods. Would your dogs benefit from targeted health treatment and prevention plans […]

Puppies' eyes open at 14-21 days old, but their sight is still limited Hearing is the last sense that puppies fully develop — they can't hear until about three weeks old Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born — it is their strongest sense Puppies come tumbling into our lives full of […]

Being the "first" to achieve something takes a lot of determination and tenacity, something that Scottish Deerhound Brodie and his owner, Linda Beisswenger, know all too well. In St. Louis, Missouri, Brodie came to Beisswenger as just a puppy. Previously, Beisswenger competed in AKC Tracking with her Borzoi. "I just fell in love with Tracking and I'm still in love […]

A beloved breed known for their speed, Whippets also enjoy the role of man's best friend and are loving and cuddly family pets.

In the early days of organized dog shows, many breeders were also horse people. You can still feel the tug of their reins in almost all the breed standards, which use equine terms to describe dog anatomy, such as “withers” instead of “shoulders” and “hock” rather than “ankle.” Perhaps predictably, some of those early “doggy” […]

Breed 2018 Rank 2017 Rank 2016 Rank 2015 Rank 2014 Rank Labrador Retrievers 1 1 1 1 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 2 2 2 2 Golden Retrievers 3 3 3 3 3 French Bulldogs 4 4 6 6 9 Bulldogs 5 5 4 4 4 Beagles 6 6 5 5 5 Poodles 7 7 […]

  Breed Rank Retrievers (Labrador) 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 French Bulldogs 4 Bulldogs 5 Beagles 6 Poodles 7 Rottweilers 8 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 9 Yorkshire Terriers 10 Boxers 11 Dachshunds 12 Pembroke Welsh Corgis 13 Siberian Huskies 14 Australian Shepherds 15 Great Danes 16 Doberman Pinschers 17 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels […]

AKC registration continues to expand for the sixth year in a row. The most popular dog breeds of 2018 were released on March 20, 2019, according to AKC registration statistics. Registration is not only beneficial for your dog, but for dogs everywhere. The American Kennel Club and its affiliates have donated over $38 million to canine […]

It’s irresistibly cute. A dog with a head cocked to the side makes us smile, and it’s hard not to shower him with praise, pats, or treats. But why do dogs tilt their heads? Do they know how adorable they look, or is something else going on? According to Los Angeles-based certified applied animal behaviorist […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2019 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 2019. The 2019 event will showcase the top national and international canine athletes […]

Yesterday, Florida voters approved a new state constitutional amendment that will phase out commercial dog racing in the state in connection with wagering by 2020. Passage of this amendment means that Florida will join 40 other U.S. states that ban this practice.  The amendment passed with 69% of voters supporting the amendment.  The amendment provides that after December […]

Yesterday, Florida voters approved a new state constitutional amendment that will phase out commercial dog racing in the state in connection with wagering by 2020. Passage of this amendment means that Florida will join 40 other U.S. states that ban this practice.  The amendment passed with 69% of voters supporting the amendment.  The amendment provides that after December […]