The spotlight shines on Hake and Carolyn Lathrop. Hake is a young Border Collie who works amazingly as a team with Carolyn, despite her physical limitations. Carolyn has a lung disease that requires her to be on an oxygen concentrator, but distance training and verbal communication have enabled them to succeed in agility. In the […]

Cheering on your hometown team is a true American tradition. So, what better way for the American Kennel Club to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than with the introduction of an agility event featuring teams that represent major US cities. The six teams faced off June 7 at an exciting competition held in the historic city of […]

WINNER Debbi Snyder & Amos Hairy Pawter SEMI-FINALISTS Tracy Dulock & Gryffindor Indian Bones Sandi Taylor & Evie Evie’s Magical Dream  Outstanding Performances from the 2020 AKC Trick Dog National Competition In addition to the competition winners listed above, here are some outstanding performances from 2020 (in random order). The performances ranged from a pre-COVID performance in an auditorium […]

All-Breed Shows All-Breed shows are conformation events that are held for the more than 190 breeds and varieties of dogs recognized by the AKC to compete in, unless otherwise noted on the club's premium list. Also listed under All-Breed are the Group Shows, or shows limited to one of the seven AKC Groups: Sporting, Hound, […]

What is your name? Spencer Pardee How old are you? 16 years old What state do you live in? Michigan What breed(s) do you compete with? Standard Poodles What sport(s) do you compete in with your dog(s)? Tracking, obedience, rally, field, and agility How did you become involved with this sport? I became involved with […]

2024 Results TUESDAY PRELIM 10/8/24 RESULTS PURE SPEED by Breed PURE SPEED by Handicap SPEED OF BREED WEDNESDAY PRELIM  10/9/24 RESULTS PURE SPEED by Breed PURE SPEED by Handicap SPEED OF BREED THURSDAY PRELIM 10/10/24 RESULTS PURE SPEED by Breed PURE SPEED by Handicap SPEED OF BREED FRIDAY FINALS 10/11/24 RESULTS PURE SPEED PLACEMENTS SPEED […]

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB CROWNS WINNERS OF FIRST EVER AKC AGILITY PREMIER CUP PRESENTED BY EEM New York, N.Y. – The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world's largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce the winners of the first ever AKC Agility Premier Cup Presented by EEM which was held […]

Lemke’s Rudy THDD owned by Judy Lemke of West Sacramento, CA Ten-year-old Rudy is an unassuming little dog who is a mix of Schipperke and Toy Poodle. “Packed within this small dog is a loving and willing heart,” Judy said. Rudy tested in March 2009 for Lend A Heart, Lend A Hand Animal Assisted Therapy […]

Gander Raises Awareness of Service Dogs’ Healing Magic     When the 2014 winners of the AKC Humane Fund Awards of Canine Excellence (ACE) were presented at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships, the roll call included a former shelter dog who almost lost his life and a military veteran who nearly took his own life. Gander […]

This trick tip is brought to you by AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainer Milena Barreto. Milena and her Standard Poodle, Phoebe, are a therapy dog team and entertain many people with their large repertoire of tricks. Here, Milena tells us how to get your dog to give you a hug on cue! Playing outside with your […]

Look at Me! By Mara Bovsun for AKC Family Dog, September/October 2019 Issue Look-At-Me-AKC-Family-Dog-Sept-Oct-2019 Printable Version Digital Version Directions: Read and Annotate. Then answer the questions below. Next to your answer, provide the paragraph number that supports each answer. 1. How did Winky’s performance in the Agility Championship compare with the winning performance? a) Winky was […]

  Atlanta's top 5 most popular breeds for 2013 "In keeping with the national trend, Atlanta loves its big dogs," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Lovable large breeds clearly dominate the city's top five." Labrador Retriever Golden Retriever German Shepherd Dog Boxer Cavalier King Charles Spaniel * Registration data pulled from Atlanta zip codes as […]

2024 Schedule Hair vs. Fur. Thu, Apr 25, 2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT "Jenkins splits hairs on the core differences of coat types" Sign up here to join the April 25, 2024 webinar with Jennifer Bishop. Jennifer Bishop Jennifer has been a Certified Master Groomer since 1985. Jennifer's passion and mission is the […]

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 […]

Trying out a new pilot program in dog sports can be intimidating—even more so when you're the youngest person participating. At just 13 years old, Mia Alvarez is the first and only Junior Handler competing in the AKC's new Agility League with the Antelope Valley Dog Agility Group in California. She currently competes in Agility […]

Each of the AKC registered breeds are assigned to one of seven groups representing characteristics and functions the breeds were originally bred for. Current as of June 17, 2025 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Herding Group"] HERDING GROUP The Herding Group, created in 1983, is the newest AKC classification; its members were formerly members of the Working Group. […]

An elegant, intelligent, and energetic breed, the Standard Poodle is one of three Poodle sizes. Is this the right breed for your lifestyle?

Just like the beauty-pageant queen who is a member of Mensa, the Poodle sometimes gets swept away in an unfair stereotype: These perfectly coiffed show dogs are also amazingly smart and versatile. Nicole Sugai of Targa Poodles in Saline, Michigan, knows that firsthand: A second-generation Poodle breeder together with her mom Patti Jason and sister […]

Poodles have been labeled as "elitist" and "overly glamorous" by many who don't understand the breed. Here's the history of the poodle haircut.

What do you think of when you hear the word Poodle? For many, it’s an overdone diva—big hair, polished toenails, and a phony French accent. Poodles are often described as “froufrou” dogs, a slur that means prissy and high-maintenance. The image has been widely embraced, even in the wonderful world of Disney, where dogs are […]