The AKC works with non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog program and the AKC Search & Rescue program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); the North American Flyball Association (NAFA); […]

PEMF therapy for dogs can be done at the vet or at home. It's a good choice for dogs who have osteoarthritis or an acute injury. Learn more.

"Wouldn't it be great if our dogs could talk?" says Amanda Nascimento DVM, MSc, PhD. "If you listen closely, they can." In This Article Understanding Why Dogs Bark Why Dogs Whine Understanding the Context Behind a Dog’s Howl Why Some Dogs 'Purr' and What It Means How to Interpret Growling in Different Situations Understanding Why […]

Summer is the time to have outdoor fun with our dogs. Longer walks in the park, ambitious hikes, beach days, or family travel—the sun is shining, and the outdoors is calling. But hot weather can also make us uncomfortable, and it poses special risks for dogs. From increased exposure to ticks and other insects to […]

Inspector Gadget, a Bloodhound, is one of five, loyal companion dogs who won the 19th annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). The winners will be honored at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida, December 15-16, 2018. Make no mistake about it, search-and-rescue work is all about commitment […]

Therapy dogs provide comfort and relief to those in hospitals, schools, and elsewhere. Learning to train a therapy dog takes temperament, time, & patience.

Setting off on vacation can be tough on pet owners if it means they have to leave their dogs behind. Luckily, many hotel chains are not just pup-friendly nowadays — many of them are virtually rolling out the red carpet for our furry companions. About 75 percent of luxury, mid-scale, and economy hotels now allow […]

When working with our dogs, we want to teach them new skills, build their confidence, and have fun together. Dogs aren't robots, and even if we think we're going into a regular training session, sometimes they can get nervous or spooked. But why does your dog get scared while you're training?

Leo Roar gives his best friend some loving. Their love affair is mutual and seemingly nonstop. Tiny road warrior Mara Rose attended her second American Kennel Club National Championship last month in Orlando, Fla. But there was a big difference and an entirely new perspective for her this time around. In 2015, she was still […]

It’s been a decade since Uno (Ch. K-Run’s Park Me in First) put his paw print on Westminster Kennel Club and American dog-show lore with a crowd-roaring triumph on the green carpet of Madison Square Garden. The 15-inch Beagle, who bayed and barked his way into fame and died recently at age 13, will be […]

Photos courtesy of Mike Perrin. If you're a dog lover and aren't watching BBC's 'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency,' you should be. It has mystery, sci-fi, humor, Elijah Wood, and most importantly, a Corgi! Played by Bentley the dog actor, this Corgi was a mysterious (and adorable) element of the pilot episode of the show […]

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is common in dogs, but treatable. Make sure you know the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia in dogs.

She called on tracking experts, social media users, psychics, and an army of volunteers. Would it be enough to bring her dog home? May 22, 2017, the day after my birthday, was the longest day I have ever lived. One minute, my Golden Retriever, Sam, was with me, then, in a heartbeat, he was gone. […]

Fifteen-year-old Reagan Wallace from St. Peters, Missouri got involved with training dogs during the pandemic. Now, she’s an active dog Agility competitor, placing third at the AKC Junior Agility Championship. In addition to Agility, Wallace and her dogs now participate in a variety of AKC sports, including Rally, Fast CAT, and Obedience. Wallace competes with […]

Maggie Schoolar says agility changed her life. She's now competing at the 2025 AKC Agility Premier Cup with her 8-year-old Miniature Poodle, "Cher".

A new study from the University of Helsinki is showing that the changes after getting a puppy can result in "puppy blues," similar to baby blues.

Learn the signs, causes and treatments of the most widespread types of canine dermatitis, a common dog skin condition that can range in severity.

Dogs pee in the house for many reasons, but they also urine mark. Learn to tell the difference between these behaviors and how to reduce marking.

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common in humans. But how do you know if your dog has a UTI? How is it treated, and how can you prevent it?

When your dog does something "undesirable," you may ask why your dog is being bad. But sometimes these 'bad' behaviors are just their nature.

Walking two dogs at once can be easier with a double dog leash, but they aren't suitable for all dogs depending on their training and behavior.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in adult dogs. Approximately 6 million dogs will be newly diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, with senior dogs at particular risk. It's a diagnosis nobody wants for their beloved pet, but thankfully there are powerful new tools to detect cancer in dogs earlier and […]

Whether it's your dog's first birthday or their sweet 16, you'll want to celebrate. This guide can help you plan a great day for your beloved dog.

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – AB 1648 would require anyone who has a city or county kennel license to also have an animal disaster preparedness plan.  As passed by the Assembly, there are no specific instructions or guidelines for what should […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. California – AB 1881 as introduced established a “Dog and Cat Bill of Rights”.  While the bill only required that the list be posted at shelters and rescues, AKC joined many organizations in expressing significant concerns about putting […]

Policies for All New Clubs: Two Path Event Process for New Club Accreditation to License Status (July 2023 Bd Mtg): The Club Relations Department proposed a two-path event process from accreditation to license status for all new clubs. Currently, there are eight event paths for clubs to reach license status. The event path assigned to a […]

"How do I view my dog's awards summary?" Go to the AKC Store: https://www.akc.org/shop/index.cfm Click on the Competitor Reports  https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/store/?view=category&cde_category=COMP Once that page opens - then click on Individual Dog Award Records and Points Progression  https://www.apps.akc.org/apps/store/?view=product&cde_category=DOG&cde_product=CMPREC If you have not yet logged in, you will be prompted to do so. After you have logged in, […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is thrilled to announce the winners of the AKC Agility League’s fall season. The AKC Agility League recently concluded its 11th season of competition and honored […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is excited to announce the winners of the AKC Agility League’s winter season. The AKC Agility League recently concluded its 12th season of competition and honored […]

By Stephanie Smith NPR’s recent story With Rescue Dogs In Demand, More Shelters Look Far Afield For Fido covered the growing number of dogs being transported across state lines for resale and rescue in other parts of the country. In areas like New England, the Northeast, the Northwest and the Great Lakes, stringent spay and […]