To borrow a popular phrase, Eli isn’t a one-trick Poodle, nor does he hide a thing. Right now, the Miniature Poodle and his 68-year-old owner, Leslie Gelesh, of Akron, Ohio, are at the top of their game after winning the 2021 American Kennel Club Trick Dog Competition with a dazzling six-minute routine called “Batman Furever.” […]

We pay homage to some of history's most indomitable female dogs. They went above and beyond (in one case, literally) in service to humankind. Strelka and Belka Years before Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman cosmonaut in space, two other females blazed a trail. On August 19, 1960, the two mixed-breed dogs were aboard the […]

If you own a dog, you have probably found yourself wondering how much exercise a dog needs daily. Depending on your schedule, that question might sometimes sound more like “How much exercise does a dog really need every day?” As with people, the answer varies from dog to dog and is dependent on age, health, […]

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. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! Agility Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

No matter the weather or how many dogs you have, there are walks and work to be done; sometimes, water will be involved. Wet, cold, and freezing conditions make it more challenging and time-consuming to complete daily tasks, especially those involving dogs. Here are some products and tips to help make the wet winter chores […]

Ivy the Chihuahua may be tiny, but she is a survivor. Rescued from a dumpster as a puppy, the eight-and-a-half-year-old dog is a true Renaissance pup. Owned by Rockford, Illinois, resident Jennifer Walker, Ivy has earned over 40 titles as an AKC Therapy Dog and canine athlete. Bringing Ivy Home In 2014, Walker and her […]

How many tricks does your dog know? Once your dog knows a few different tricks you can start to put together a small routine. Trick routines are a great...

Staying active is important for both humans and dogs alike. The CDC recommends that an average healthy adult should get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Dogs also need regular exercise, but how much depends on your dog's breed and age. Growing puppies are not yet ready to take on as much activity as […]

Sometimes it’s the journey, not the goal. And it took a devastating event, plus a bag of tricks, to show me that. My goal was to break yet another record with my Saluki, Pepe. He was already a Best in Show, National Specialty Best of Breed, Best in Field (Coursing), and High in Trial (both […]

If you and your canine companion are getting a little weary of winter, there are still plenty of seasonal activities, both indoors and outdoors, to liven up your days. After all, your dog needs activity and stimulation, regardless of the weather, and it’s good for you, too! Outdoor Winter Fun With Your Dog Skijoring Skijoring, a […]

On Valentine’s Day, humans give chocolate, teddy bears, and roses to our loved ones to show appreciation and affection. But what about our favorite canine companions? Here are some tips on how you can show your four-legged Valentine some love. Take a Long Walk What better way to spend Valentine’s Day with your dog than […]

There's so much to see and do at an AKC Meet the Breeds event! Whether you want to interact with dogs, watch demos, or shop, it's sure to be a fun weekend.

Below you will find recording links and resources for webinars that aired in 2023. Once you click the recording link, you will be asked to enter your name and email address in order to access the recording. Webinar Topic Recording Link AKC DDTF Webinar: Robustness in Training, Part 2-A Discussion with Jay Crafter of Invictus […]

Winter can be hard on dogs. Follow our tips for winter dog care, including products to protect dogs from the cold, keep them safe, and mentally stimulated.

During the wintertime, your dog’s paws can take a beating with all the snow, ice, salt on the sidewalk, and overall cold weather. It’s important to protect their paw pads as they don’t have protection like we do when we wear shoes. Fortunately, there are several ways to protect your dog’s paws this winter. Make […]

Here are ways to set dog training goals for the new year and how to go about keeping these resolutions and achieving these attainable goals.

Paid Advertisement Dogs' amazing abilities were on display at the Purina Pro Plan® Incredible Dog Challenge® (IDC) National Finals. Pro Plan congratulates the 2022 IDC champions, as well as all the talented individuals, both canine and human, who competed. Find out when and how to watch the IDC. Get a Sneak Peek at the IDC […]

For dogs and humans, winter brings the fun of snowball fights and sports like skijoring, but it also means fewer hours of daylight. And in people, that can lead to the winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression with a seasonal pattern. Have you noticed your dog's behavior change […]

When the music starts Elizabeth McKibben and her Australian Shepherd Harper and her Border Collie Fanta come alive. The 16-year-old from Dayton, Ohio, and her dogs are active competitors in Musical Freestyle competitions. McKibben and Harper have earned their fourth Musical Freestyle Championship and Fanta is about to earn his first Musical Freestyle Championship. Bringing […]

If you are unfamiliar with the spunky, sturdy breed known as the Havanese, you might make the mistake of thinking it is some sort of Poodle. Or, you might think it is related to the Bichon Frise. If you guessed any of these well-known breeds, you’d be on the right track, because all of them […]

All it takes is a trip to the grocery store or gas pump to feel the sting of inflation. Inflation impacts every aspect of our lives, and dog care costs are no exception. Meeting your dog's physical, mental, and emotional needs are key elements of responsible dog ownership, and some elements become more costly as […]

If you and your dog have been training in dog sports, one way that you can help prepare to enter a true competition is to enter a match first. An AKC Match Shows or "fun match" is an opportunity for dogs and handlers to enter a show-like environment but without the pressure of a show […]

Named after an iconic British sports car, 1½-year-old Aston exudes a wow factor of his own. The 49-pound Canine Partners mixed-breed, who is blind and deaf, recently earned a coveted American Kennel Club Novice Trick Dog title. Finding a Home Aston’s owner, Miriam Scheinblum, of Winter Park, Florida, dubs herself his “guardian and teammate.” She […]

Magic happened at the 2022 AKC National Trick Dog Competition. Muriel McMullen and her Australian Terrier, Maddie, took some inspiration from the Wizarding World of Hogwarts for a routine titled "Dogwarts School of Witchcraft." From packing her bags to head off to Dogwarts to managing to transform her pet owl into a dragon, Maddie wowed […]

Flopdoodle Chloe Bean CGC TKE VHMA owned by Christina & Gary Jones of Stafford, VA was one of two finalists in the 2022 AKC Trick Dog Competition. This fourth annual competition was a virtual event open to Elite Performers, AKC's highest level of trick dogs. There was also a Junior division for people ages 17 […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the 2022 AKC Trick Dog Competition winners. The overall winners were Muriel McMullen and her Australian Terrier, "Maddie" from Altoona, WI. In their routine, "Dogwarts School of Witchcraft," Maddie used her tricks to become a witch. This fourth annual competition was a virtual event open to […]

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. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! AGILITY Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more MACHs: MACH21 Donaldson's Daisy […]

Teach Your Dog “Place!” This issue’s Training Tip is brought to us by Kelly Castle of Chuluota, FL. Her three dogs have competed, or will compete, in agility, rally, obedience, tricks, Barn Hunt, Scent Work, FastCAT, and Dock Diving.  Zuri (Shameless Poc-Ket Of Petunias CD BN RM RAE AX OAJ CAX FCAT3 SEN RATCH CGCA CGCU […]

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); […]

If you want to offer a naturally enriching, calming, and enjoyable experience, your dog will enjoy a lot of sniffing on a walk.