The spaniel is a hunter’s companion bred to find, flush, and fetch game, but their exact origin is unknown. Some scholars speculate the type originated in Spain, hence the name. Other research suggests that they originated in Asia and migrated west, to Europe and beyond. Spaniels go back to at least the 14th century, but […]

Sled dog breeds have helped humans survive in the Arctic for millennia. Learn more about the work these breeds have done and the sports they participate in today.

If you're interested in taking part in a low-cost and accessible activity with your dog, why not try the lesser-known dog sport of Treibball? Professional dog trainer Dianna Stearns is the President of the American Treibball Association (ATA). She explains that sport was first introduced in Germany by Jan Nibjoer, and then, in 2009, a […]

There just seems to be no stopping the Labrador Retriever! For a record 29th year (2019), the versatile sporting breed reigns supreme on the American Kennel Club registry list, a run like no other breed has seen in the record books. Changes in the top ten Little changed in the top ten standings from 2018. Following […]

From the Airedale Terrier to the Whippet, AKC Meet the Breeds® is an encyclopedic celebration of dogs. The 11th annual event, held on January 25 and 26, 2020, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, will feature more than 100 different booths, representing some of the AKC's 195 recognized breeds. Each booth will be dedicated to a […]

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.

When you think of dogs pulling sleds in the Arctic, what breed comes to mind? Is it the Siberian Husky (Siberian) or the Alaskan Malamute (Mal)? Maybe you didn't realize that, for all their similarities, these are two distinct breeds. Granted, they both originated in Arctic areas, both have thick double coats, and they both […]

Grooming is an important piece of the puzzle to consider when owning a fluffy dog. Whether your dog is short-haired or long-haired, it's important to maintain a healthy coat by regularly brushing, grooming, and bathing to control shedding. This is especially important for dogs with fluffy coats. Grooming routines for some dogs can be done […]

Dogs and people have been living and working together for thousands of years. In fact, our canine companions were some of our earliest hunting partners. Over the years, we've developed many breeds to help us hunt, each of which has specific skills that can help us find and secure several types of game. These hardy […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed when you visit AKC Meet the Breeds during AKC National Championship in Orlando? Or maybe you just want to meet them all! Don't miss a single wag or woof with this list of breeds that will be in attendance at the 2019 show. Get your tickets now. Dog Breeds […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed (or cat breed), or do you just want to meet all 150+ breeds? Find your favorites on our list of breeds so you won't miss a single wag, whisker, or woof! They'll all be there to meet you at the January 25-26, 2020 AKC Meet the Breeds event. […]

- Tickets on Sale Now for New York’s Biggest Pet Event- Tickets are on sale NOW for the 11th annual AKC Meet The Breeds®, which returns to New York City’s Jacob Javits Center on January 25th and 26th, 2020. The American Kennel Club® (AKC) and The International Cat Association® (TICA®) bring this two-day educational event […]

Owning a rare breed of dog can lead to some unique joys, such as a more casual atmosphere at conformation shows, a small social circle of owners, and more.

The popular Yorkshire Terrier or 'Yorkie' is often confused with the rarer Silky Terrier or 'Silky,' a breed for which it played a part in the development.

Both known for their beauty, alertness, and popular white coats, American Eskimo Dogs (Eskies) and Samoyeds (Sammies) can appear similar to the untrained eye. Though the two breeds look alike to some, there are key characteristics that set them apart. Both breeds come with a different history, functionality, and physical appearance. Making History Around the World The American […]

The AKC independently selected each product featured in this article. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale. While we do our best to update links often, please note that prices and deals are subject to change. At the American Kennel Club, we celebrate our dogs every […]

- German Shorthaired Pointer Continues its Ascent Up the List - The Labrador Retriever once again breaks records! The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced at a press conference today at the AKC Museum of the Dog that the loveable Lab remains the number one most popular breed in the United States. Additionally, AKC registration continues […]

The Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) are both beloved dog breeds. In fact, they rank among the most popular dog breeds in America. These two members of the Sporting Group share the same early roots, which might explain why these merry, biddable, compact sporting dogs are often confused for one another. Cocker Confusion […]

Learning Objectives Students will research famous dog breeds from different decades that appeared in television or in movies.  Students will compare and contrast the various characteristics of the dogs displayed in the movies or on television to their official AKC breed standard, specifically temperament and appearance.  Students will present their findings to the class in […]

The Labrador Retriever may have just been named the most popular dog breed in the United States for the 27th year in a row, but overseas, this high-spirited companion doesn’t carry the same kind of clout. According to new research, Europe’s most popular dog breeds are the Cane Corso and the Rottweiler. However, these rankings, […]

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we've rounded up some fascinating facts about Mexico's native dog breeds: the Xoloitzcuintli and the Chihuahua. While only a minor holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become a big deal in the United States. This popular observance is thanks in part to Mexican-American activists in the 1960s, who saw […]

Every dog likes to be king of the castle, but some breeds have been favorites of royalty for hundreds of years with a rich tradition of sitting beside the throne. Here are six breeds known for their association with kings, queens, emperors, and pharaohs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel With a name like the Cavalier King […]

Labrador Retriever Leads the Pack as Most Popular for 27th Year - French Bulldog Leaps into Top Five, Knocking Out the Beagle - New York, NY – The Labrador Retriever continues to break records!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced at a press conference today that the loveable Lab once again is the number one […]

In the last 27 years, things have changed dramatically. Facebook launched, Apple took over the mobile world, the United States has gone through four different presidents, and the AKC launched agility, Scent Work, Trick Dog, and more. One thing, however, has remained the same. Since 1991, the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog breed in […]

In the Gregorian solar calendar, which is the international civil calendar, the New Year is a fixed day, Jan. 1, around the world. The Chinese calendar, however, is a lunar calendar, which is why the Chinese New Year falls on a different day each year. This year, the New Year is on Feb. 16. In […]

Usually, when we ask if a dog is smart, we really want to know how trainable they are. Although intelligence is a major component in a dog's ability to learn, each breed has a distinct personality, instinctive drive, and genetic heritage, which will affect trainability. For example, some breeds were developed to work cooperatively with […]

Some breeds seem destined for stardom at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan® and prove it by winning Best in Show repeatedly. Since the very first Westminster Best in Show in 1907, 46 winners have all come from the same group of dogs, if not the same breed. Do you […]

An event such as the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin offers an amazing opportunity to meet the many breeds competing in the ring. This year, the AKC Meet the Breeds individual booths represented more than 100 breeds. Like every breed, and, in fact, every dog, every booth is truly unique. Each breed club […]

Field Trials in recorded history began in Britain in 1866. America's first recorded field trial was held in 1874 near Memphis, Tenn. It was an event that started a trend that grows ever stronger. The winner of that first U.S. Field Trial was a solid black native Setter by the name of Knight, who was […]

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 […]