In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our Sport on a national […]

Owning a dog is a joy, privilege, and responsibility. If you are considering bringing a dog into your life, think seriously about the commitment that being a responsible dog owner entails. The AKC is committed to protecting the health and well-being of all dogs. In honor of AKC's Responsible Dog Ownership Day, on September 17th, […]

Dog owners are always thinking about their dogs' health and physical activity plays a big part in that. While light walks and pee trips are a regular part of having a dog, keeping your dog active can help improve their overall physical health and get out any restless energy. It can even help prevent or […]

The American Kennel Club today announced that 48 Junior Scholarships have been awarded to students from 25 states. The scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and winners include students from high school to graduate school. "The AKC recognizes the important role our young fanciers play in the future of the sport of purebred dogs", said […]

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 […]

Athleticism. Stamina. Courage. An instinct to go, go, go. These qualities are the essence of the Pointing breed, and why they’re naturally superior hunters. As a dog owner, it’s important to consistently find new ways to stimulate your dog’s natural’s instincts. If you have a Pointing breed, training for and participating in a Pointing Field Trial […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards: Michael Canalizo (Conformation), Curt Curtis (Companion Events) and Laurie Soutar (Performance). The Awards, created by AKC President and CEO Dennis Sprung in 1999, are presented in […]

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.

The official term for dog shows is conformation -- as in, the act of conforming or producing conformity. While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. Why? Because […]

"Sadie," a Flat-Coated Retriever, doesn't show signs of the her canine cancer. Despite having hemangiosarcoma, she still loves to run agility.

The world of dog agility is fast-paced and exciting, but the terminology can be intimidating. Learn the language of dog agility so you can jump right in.

AKC’s Herding program offers both tests and trials. The herding test is offered in a non-competitive pass/fail format as an Instinct Test, Herding Test, and Pre-Trial test. All are conducted within a fenced arena and includes the use of livestock such as ducks, sheep, or cattle. During a test, a dog must demonstrate the ability […]

The AKC Club Relations Department handles the accreditation, licensing and member club approval process for all AKC clubs and administers the development of new clubs so they may qualify for the holding of sanctioned matches, mentored and licensed events. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I General Information PART II Organization  PART III AKC Accreditation  PART IV […]

February is American Heart Month, a good time to review how you keep your dogs fit. Keeping them in good condition is critical to your breeding program, and educating your puppy buyers will help them ensure their dogs have long, healthy lives. They need to know that their dogs, just like humans, need good nutrition, […]

A common question we hear from dog lovers is "Does the AKC like mixed breeds?" The AKC stands for the love of all things dog, including mixed breeds.

***NEW*** AKC now offers a quick and easy way to submit your FIT Dog Title Application! For faster service, try the new – Title Application Portal (TAP)  Welcome to AKC FIT DOG Titles! The American Kennel Club is committed to improving and maintaining the fitness and health of all dogs and their owners. AKC FIT DOG titles were […]

The AKC FIT DOG program began in 2022 and is designed to encourage dogs and people to be more active with their dogs to support their health and fitness.

If you're at your first AKC Trick Dog Event, you may hear some terms you don't recognize. Here's what people are saying, and what it all means.

Responsible dog ownership includes training your dog to be a well-mannered and happy companion. Obedience training is the foundation for all the fun activities and performance sports available to you and your dog. The American Kennel Club Virtual Obedience Test program provides an opportunity for exhibitors to train their dogs, evaluate their skill and teamwork, […]

The AKC Rally® Virtual Program has been made a permanent sport feature with AKC. AKC Rally® Virtual Program The AKC Companion Events Department is excited to announce the AKC Rally Virtual Program has been approved as a permanent sport feature with AKC. The Rally Novice, Rally Intermediate, Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent classes will be […]