Puppy buyers around the world contact AKC Breeder of the Year David Fitzpatrick. His Pekingese puppies have journeyed to new homes in Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Panama, Japan, and other international destinations. Fitzpatrick requires potential puppy buyers to travel to his home in Pennsylvania to meet him and his dogs. If they are lucky […]

There are two kinds of pointers at dog shows. The first type is the Pointer, an elegant dog with a dished face, tail shaped like a bee stinger, and the hard-wired instinct to signal the location of camouflaged birds with the slow-motion lift of a front paw. The other pointers, by contrast, are found in […]

National Champion Beats Out More Than 5,000 Dogs GCHG CH Lagniappe's From The Mountains To The Bayou, a Giant Schnauzer known as “Bayou” triumphed over more than 5,000 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 18-19, 2021 […]

The 2021 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Dec. 18 and 19 hosted more than 5,000 dogs who all competed for the coveted title of Best in Show. The competition began with each dog competing for best in their breed. Best of Breed winners then advanced to compete in the group competitions to […]

The 2021 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin was held December 18 and 19, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This event is the only all-breed dog show organized and presented directly by the AKC, the nation’s oldest and only not-for-profit purebred dog registry. Thousands of dogs from throughout the […]

–Award Presented at AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin – David Fitzpatrick was presented with the 2021 AKC Breeder of the Year award for Pequest Pekingese at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Sunday, December 19, 2021.  The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed […]

As the fastest Dachshund in the nation, Nugget was invited to compete in Fastest Dog USA. The event will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 12 p.m. ET on December 25. Owner Anne Rosenberg shares Nugget's journey to becoming the speediest of his breed. As a child, I had a Beagle named Peanuts. Then, after I […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2021 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor this group of esteemed breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “These individuals have made important contributions […]

Competition/Titles Update Fall 2021 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. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! AGILITY Agility Grand Champion (AGCH) AGCH MACH3 Day's Katie […]

In Japan, there are Inu (dogs) and there are Chin. To the Japa­nese. the distinction needs no clarification: Chin are royalty. They are descendants of dogs that warmed the laps of Chinese aristocracy and kept court with the women of the Imperial Palace. The Japanese Chin's true origin is in China, where the breed's chronol­ogy […]

With spotted pink skin, furry socks, and a crested hairdo, it's hard to mistake the Chinese Crested for any other breed. Yet in earlier times, the Chinese Crested was known by several different names: the Chinese Hairless, Chinese Edible Dog, Chi­nese Ship Dog, and Chinese Royal Hairless. Even locally, the breed took on different nicknames […]

Did you know these facts about the Shih Tzu dog breed? Learn more about this Asian breed that makes an excellent companion from the AKC Toy Group.

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

TIPS FROM THE AKC’S CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER, DR. JERRY KLEIN After over a year of being asked to stay home, all of us are craving a change in scenery. As the country reopens, so does the ability to travel. Some of us may want to take our dogs along for the ride. Before you and […]

Warmer weather typically means spending more time outdoors with your dog. These grooming tips will help keep your dog feeling cool and comfortable. As a bonus, they will also enhance the relationship you have with your pet. “Grooming is one of nature’s strongest ways of bonding,” says Jorge Bendersky, a certified master groomer and best-selling author. […]

Nearly 2,600 dogs vied for the coveted title of Best in Show at the 145th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan®. After three days of breed competition and two days of group competition, seven dogs moved forward to Best in Show competition. Working group Samoyed: Vanderbilt 'N Printemp's Lucky Strike Sporting group German […]

Dogdom has quite a few breeds that take their inspiration from other species: The dainty Papillon is named for its butterfly-evoking ears. The Shar-Pei is always channeling its inner hippopotamus. And a number of Asian breeds, from the Pekingese to the Tibetan Spaniel, were intentionally bred to evoke the king of beasts in miniaturized form. […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2021 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The […]

Some breeds of dogs have seen their purpose change over the years. The Pug is not among them. These cheerful, playful, and affectionate little dogs are among the oldest dog breeds known today, and throughout their long history they have performed just one very important job: keeping us company. The Ultimate Companion Pugs are an […]

For the most updated statistics, check out the latest rankings of America's most popular dog breeds. Is your dog’s breed winning popularity contests this year? Now you can find out! The most popular dog breeds of 2020 were released on March 16, 2021, based on American Kennel Club registration statistics. America continues its love affair […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2021 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19, 2021. The 2021 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

National Champion Beats Out More Than 4,000 Dogs GCHP CH Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon, a Whippet known as “Bourbon” triumphed over more than 4,000 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 12-13, 2020 in Orlando, FL. “Bourbon,” owned […]

Talk about an intoxicating win. Last month, Bourbon the Whippet left the 2020 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin with a career-capping victory: Best in Show under judge James Moses at the AKC’s flagship show, held December 12 and 13 in Orlando, Florida. The show, which is the largest in the country, aired on […]

Thousands of dogs, representing the best in their sports, competed at the 20th AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin and related AKC events. The competitions took place Dec. 11 – 13 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. More than 4,000 dogs competed in the conformation dog show. The overall show totals, […]

If you are reincarnated as a dog, make sure you come back as a Tibetan Spaniel. The region with the highest altitudes on our planet – hence its nickname, “the Roof of the World” – Tibet was forever changed when Buddhism arrived from northern India in the 7th and 8th centuries. Sprawling white monasteries began […]

The 2020 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Dec. 12 and 13 hosted 3,680 dogs who all competed for the coveted title of Best in Show. The competition began with each dog competing for best in their breed. Best in Group Best of Breed winners then advanced to compete in the group competitions. Each […]

Which dog is the fastest dog in the nation? Now we know. The 2020 AKC Fast CAT Invitational took place December 9-11, 2020 in Orlando, FL in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The fastest dogs from each breed, based on rankings from AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT), were […]

Monday, March 30 Welsh Springer Spaniel Tuesday, March 31 Belgian Laekenois Wednesday, April 1 Ibizan Hound Thursday, April 2 Puli Friday April 3 Airedale Terrier Monday, April 6 Sloughi Tuesday, April 7 Affenpinscher Wednesday, April 8 Lagotto Romagnolo Thursday, April 9 Rottweiler Monday, April 13 Finnish Spitz Tuesday, April 14 Welsh Terrier Wednesday, April 15 […]

Dog sneezes are common and often cute! Our canine companions squeeze their eyes shut and scrunch up their noses right before a big achhoooo. But there are many reasons dogs sneeze, ranging from playful behavior and communication to more serious reasons health concerns. You could even say it's nothing to sneeze at. Why Does My […]

With their delicate appearance and small size, Shih Tzu now fulfill their ancient role as canine comforters in ways their Imperial breeders never imagined.