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! AGILITY AGCH (Agility Grand Champion) AGCH MACH6 PACH3 Patterday's Rocky Raccoon MXS2 PAD MJG2 PJD MXP8 MXPG PADP MJP9 MJPG PJDP PAX3 MFB MFPS […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! AGILITY AGCH (Agility Grand Champion) AGCH MACH2 Rosie La Bella MXC PDS MJC PJS MFG TQX T2B5 […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking and Trick Dog. Big congrats to the first All-American to earn the Scent Work Masters title and the seventh All-American to earn the Obedience Trial Championship! AGILITY Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Multiple Master Agility […]

Competition & Title Updates  We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, and Tracking. AGILITY Congratulations to the winners at the 2019 AKC Agility Invitational AKC Canine Partners congratulates the All-American Dogs and their owners who competed and won honors at the AKC […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="2020"] July Resilience revisited June Obedience or no? May What makes a successful detection dog? Baselines for behavior February Comparing performance January  National Odor Recognition Test Why Assessing Canine Behavior is so important [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] [accordion] [accordion_panel title="2019"] December Assessment versus training November Problems and work arounds in ACS/TSA Hunt Test (part 1) […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="Companion and Performance Event Status for the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Breeds (February 2007 Board meeting)"]  Effective immediately, FSS Breeds meeting the following criteria may compete in AKC Companion and Performance Events: National Breed Club has been established Breed has been established in the AKC/FSS® system Breed Standard exists [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="ILP's (May […]

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! AGILITY New AGCH (Agility Grand Champion) AGCH MACH4 Gorman's Athena MXB2 PDS MJS2 PJS MFG TQX T2B6 owned by Diane Fairfax Gorman of St. […]

It happens fast, and he makes it look easy. "Hit it!" says Bea Page, and with a running start, Hogan the French Bulldog begins his sprint into parkour.

Switzerland has brought us many wonderful dog breeds, but perhaps none as popular as the large, tricolored Bernese Mountain Dog. These gorgeous and affectionate dogs are built for demanding work and are instantly recognizable for their size and beautiful markings. But there is another Swiss breed with similar looks and origin. The Greater Swiss Mountain […]

The Azawakh is one of the AKC's newest recognized breeds, becoming officially AKC-recognized in 2019. These tall and elegant sighthounds — known for their athleticism — are the passion of Kayley Paylor of In Stride Azawakh & Training. Paylor has fallen in love with the breed and she has been breaking records with her pack of […]

At 10 years old, Olivia Merrill is an active Junior Handler of over eight years. After a house fire, the dog show community helped her family rebuild.

It’s one of the American Kennel Club’s smallest recognized breeds, but the Russian Toy is seldom overlooked with its substance and splash. Petite (up to 6 ½ pounds) and personable, it is now fully recognized as a member of the Toy Group after three years in the Miscellaneous Class and AKC companion events such as […]

When you and your dog reach the Elite Performer level, you'll need not only to perform high-level tricks, but also act out a story together. The same is true for the AKC Virtual Trick Dog Competition. So, is your dog ready to be the star of their own show? As a fiction author turned dog […]

Leaping over a broad jump, hopping through a hoop, and digging furiously underground to find rats. Add in a sniff-out session, some snappy switchbacks around poles, and a 100-yard dash in tizzy time and it looks like a dog in supersonic shenanigans. If this sounds like a flashy, popular breed who always stands in the […]

The moment a volunteer with a therapy dog walks into a room, you can instantly feel a change in mood. All eyes focus on them, as smiles spread across everyone’s faces. Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specifically trained to perform a task or tasks to assist a person […]

Children and teenagers are the future of the sport of dogs and responsible dog ownership. The more they learn, the more they will grow in dog sports and as a person. The values, attitudes, and responsibility learned while competing as Juniors serve children throughout their entire lives. Junior Showmanship Junior Showmanship offers children between the […]

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 […]

There are several levels of competition available to you and your dog. If you aren't sure which class is best for you, please see our resources: Class Eligibility Chart Click Here for information on transfers. [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Regular Classes - Regular Titling Path"] NOVICE For the dog just getting started in obedience that can work on- […]

In January 1999, the AKC embarked on a journey to recognize Juniors who obtain titles on dogs in the Companion and Performance Events.  We are pleased to announce the continued growth of the program.  AKC will now be awarding points to Juniors who have competed in Junior Showmanship, Companion and Performance Events.  The Juniors number […]

  Obedience trials demonstrate the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring and emphasize the usefulness of the dog as a companion to humankind. The objective of obedience trials is to recognize dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs […]

This program was formulated due to the overwhelming success of the Retriever Hunting Test program. In 1986 Director of Field Trials and Hunting Tests, A. Hamilton (Ham) Rowan, Manager of Performance Events, John Carroll, and AKC Field Representative, Bob Bartel developed the plans for the fledgling Pointing Breed Hunting Test program. The regulations were approved […]

To earn an AKC Therapy Dog™ title, you and your dog must meet the following criteria: Certified/registered by an AKC recognized therapy dog organization. Perform the required number of visits for the title for which you are applying. For your convenience in helping you track your visits, you can use the Therapy Dog Record of Visits […]

OUR TRICK DOG PROGRAM IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY AND WE HAVE BEGUN TO PROCESS TITLES. THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN AMAZING! THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE NEW AKC TRICK DOG PROGRAM! FOR ANY INQUIRIES PLEASE CALL 919-816-3819 OR EMAIL: TRICKDOG@AKC.ORG. ***GRANDFATHERING ALLOWED FOR HIGHER DMWYD TITLES***  **Be sure to include both the title application and the […]

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 […]

Lure coursing clubs should be aware of the following:  Clubs are reminded to inform the Performance Events Department if they have to cancel their event by calling: 919-816-3908 or sending  an email to:  perfcancel@akc.org. Clubs at their option can now send  copies of  their results including their Secretary Report in PDF format via email to:  performanceresults@akc.org. Clubs will then be contacted to confirm […]

Sissy Santangelo of Harahan, LA, tells us how her Whippet mix, Katie, became the multi-titled Katie Lynn Panger Santangelo CD BN RAE CAA CGC. Katie is a member of the AKC Canine Partners community. Katie came to me as a foster from Whippet Rescue. After spending time with her, I realized how sweet she was […]

Originally ran in the "Dogsport 101" column of AKC Family Dog Dog sports aren't only for purebreds. Since 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? […]

How to Earn the Title: Qualifications   To earn an AKC Therapy Dog™ title, you and your dog must meet the following criteria: Certified/registered by an AKC recognized therapy dog organization. Perform the required number of visits for the title for which you are applying. For your convenience in helping you track your visits, you […]

What is a Therapy Dog? Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. From working with a child who is learning to read to visiting a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the […]