Competition/Titles Update We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience and Tracking, including the second and third dogs to earn the new AKC Agility Grand Championship! AGILITY Agility Grand Champion (AGCH) – Two more All-Americans have earned this prestigious new title! AGCH […]

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "breed" as a group of usually domesticated animals or plants with identifiable characteristics that distinguish them from other members of their species; especially a group that's characteristics are preserved by controlled mating or propagating. "Breed type" refers to basic form. The entire dog must be taken into consideration in determining proper […]

Leopards don’t change their spots, and neither do reputable Dalmatian breeders. Nothing can dampen their enthusiasm for the spotted dogs that have captured their hearts, as well as their couches. Patti Strand of Portland, Ore., has bred Dalmatians with her husband Rod under their Merry-Go-Round (MGR) affix for almost half a century. A former American […]

Showing dogs is a fun sport where the thrill of competition is combined with the joy of seeing beautiful dogs. Dog shows, or conformation events, originated as a way for breeders to evaluate their breeding stock. While the purpose remains, dog shows are a great opportunity to socialize with people in your breed and develop […]

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now.  Dogs go above and beyond each and every day, not only as beloved family pets, but as […]

AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY ROYAL CANIN DRAWS LARGEST ENTRY IN HISTORY OF EVENT Dogs from 50 States and 44 Countries Will Vie for Best in Show   The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin has drawn record entry numbers in its 17th year. An entry of 4803 dogs will compete for the title […]

We've done it again. In the 17th year of the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin the event has drawn record entry numbers. An entry of 4803 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 16 and 17, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events including the inaugural […]

AKC Obedience Trials owe their existence to a pioneer in the sport of purebred dogs, Mrs. Helen Whitehouse Walker. Helen was a breeder of Standard Poodles and the dogs of her Carillon Kennels were quickly gaining recognition as dogs with outstanding quality and character. Like many Poodle breeders, Helen had to fight the stereotype that […]

Hello, my name is Celeste Morelli and I am in Juniors. I am in Open Intermediate and I have Standard Poodles! I have been practicing since I was seven years old and I have been showing since I was nine years old. My breed is harder than most, but it is really fun to work […]

If you need a few little somethings for your dog-loving friends and family, our stocking stuffers cover everyone on your list. Choose from apparel, home goods, and more for small gifts that bring lots of good cheer. Ornaments Christmas trees shine a little bit brighter with these dog breed ornaments. These festive seasonal accessories make […]

The Schnauzer is immediately recognizable by their beard and bushy eyebrows. The Standard Schnauzer is the middle-sized Schnauzer breed — not too big, not too small. You might say they're "just right." Here are some fun facts about the Standard Schnauzer. 1. They Are the Original Schnauzer Breed Unlike the Poodle, the three sizes of […]

  The AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin has drawn record entry numbers in its 16th year. An entry of 4,710 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 17 and 18, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events the AKC Agility Invitational, the AKC Obedience Classic, AKC National Owner-Handler Series Finals, NADD/AKC Diving Dogs […]

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 […]

Header photo courtesy of Norma Ryan, AKC Breeder of Merit The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is renowned for his unique appearance as well as his literary connection. This long-bodied, low-to-the-ground dog is a member of the Terrier Group and while he exhibits some typical terrier qualities, he also has some unique characteristics. During the late 1600s, […]

Labrador Retriever puppy. Courtesy Barra Labradors Bringing a dog into your life is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It is a serious commitment to care for an individual who will rely on you completely—for food, shelter, health, and happiness—for a decade or more. In exchange, this puppy or adult dog […]

It takes an army to raise a champion show dog: an owner to take her home and love her when it’s not show time, a groomer to clip, trim, brush and smooth with perfect precision, a handler to highlight her best features and exhibit her to the best of her breed standards. But before any […]

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now.  Dogs go above and beyond each and every day, not only as beloved family pets, but as […]

ASK AKC   Dear AKC: I would like to get a dog, however my mom is allergic to the dander, so I am trying to find a breed that is more "hypoallergenic" so she doesn't have a reaction when she visits. I know that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but after looking through the AKC's […]

By Allan Reznik   By Allan Reznik (Reprinted with permission from Dogs in Review and author Allan Reznik, from the November 2014 issue of Dogs in Review magazine. People get into a new breed for all kinds of reasons: the need to downsize, a desire for less grooming, a thirst for greater challenges, even the search […]

As you look down at the Best in Show judging from your seat in the nosebleed section at Madison Square Garden (or from your own couch), you might be inclined to offer your own take on which dog is worthy of the top honor at Westminster.“That pug is the cutest dog in the ring,” you […]