From contract obligations and health updates to training support and sharing milestones, staying in touch with your puppy’s breeder can benefit you both.

Every dog sport has a different vibe, so if it's your first one, you'll want to make sure to dress appropriately. Check out our guide on what to wear!

The world of dog agility is fast-paced and exciting, but the terminology can be intimidating. Learn the language of dog agility so you can jump right in.

The holidays can be overwhelming for your dog, but they don't have to be! Utilize these tips this holiday season to reduce your dog's stress.

Metronidazole (also known by the brand names Flagyl, Metizol, Protostat, Metrogel) is a strong antibiotic sometimes used to treat dogs.

Labrador Retriever "Bea," owned by Buddy Niner, wins the 2025 AKC Award for Canine Excellence in the Service Dog category.

Golden Retriever "Syd" is the 2025 winner of the AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine excellence in the Exemplary Companion category.

Deputy Gabriel Jasso and K-9 Bloodhound 'Keva' work on live-finding missing persons. The team won the 2025 AKC Award for Canine Excellence.

We asked a veterinarian about Imodium® (loperamide) for dogs, why you should use the drug cautiously or not at all, dosages, and the safer alternatives.

You may have seen dog shows on TV, but what exactly happens at a Conformation event? How are dogs judged, and how do they win?

The French Bulldog, one of the most popular dog breeds around, and the Boston Terrier, state dog of Massachusetts, are both adorable companions. Sharing fabulous ears and distinct faces, these small and compact members of the Non-Sporting Group both adapt well to an urban environment. But if you see them walking down the sidewalk, can […]

How did modern dogs shows get to where they are today? Learn about the histroy of Conformation shows, that began over 150 years ago.

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 pleased to announce the top Juniors in AKC Sports for 2025. The American Kennel Club recognizes and appreciates the participation of Junior handlers across all […]

The AKC Canine Partners News is a digital newsletter for and about dogs in the Canine Partners program. It is produced quarterly and distributed via email. The publication has earned top honors at the Dog Writers Association of America awards, including winning the Best Online Newsletter category three times. Regular features include Training Tips, Junior […]

Fitness Training Basics This month’s tip is contributed by Courtney Holscher, a rehabilitation and acupuncture veterinarian in South Carolina. Courtney is also an agility competitor, who started in the sport in 2003 at the age of 11 with her Cocker Spaniel. She has also run an Australian Shepherd and currently competes with her All American […]

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! AGILITY Masters Agility Championship (MACH) MACH Racing On Arrows Edge MXB MJB MXF T2B2 owned by Nicole Shaffer of Colorado Springs, CO  In 2018, […]

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); […]

Frequently Asked Questions Visiting the Library & Archives Do I need an appointment to view or research collections? Yes. Research visits are by appointment only, so that staff can pull and prepare your requested materials. Please provide at least 48 hours’ notice, and note that a photo ID is required for entry. To schedule an […]

    The Secretary's Page reports actions being considered and taken by the AKC Board of Directors. This includes applications and approvals for breed, obedience and tracking judges, registered handlers and registered kennel names; disciplinary actions; and pending breed standard, rule and regulation changes. 2025 December November  October September August July June May April March […]

Breeder of Merit FAQs [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Prepaid Registrations In Breeder Toolkit"] If you plan to use the prepaid option to register all of the puppies – Do not select the electronic (downloadable) litter kit when you register the litter. That will disable the prepaid option. You are able to send an individual Registration Application for […]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="417"] American Kennel Club Library & Archives logo[/caption] American Kennel Club Library & Archives The American Kennel Club Library & Archives preserves the history of purebred dogs, the AKC, and the wider dog sport dog community. As one of the largest canine research collections in the world and the only national repository […]

You may search several different ways in order to find the seminars you may be interested in. Please choose the way you wish to see the seminars presented in order to proceed: State Breed Seminar Type Presenter All Seminars Schedule of Future Advanced Judging Institutes (PDF) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Judges Education Webinars"] Judging Operations in collaboration […]

The Agility Course Test (ACT) is an entry level agility event designed to introduce and welcome beginning dogs and their handlers to the AKC sport of agility. There are two types of ACT courses. ACT Standard - ACT 1 and ACT 2 - which are the beginning level standard courses.  Starting February 1, 2021 ACT […]

Junior Showcase events are to promote junior participation in the sports of Agility, Obedience, Rally and Junior Showmanship. Participation in these events is limited to junior handlers. For more information see rules and regulations for agility, obedience, rally, and junior showmanship.  The event may be held in conjunction with a club's regular event or as a stand-alone event. […]

To view other Pee Wee photos click here. If you have a Pee Wee photo you would like to share, please send to: juniors@akc.org [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Procedures and Guidelines"] A Club must submit a Special Attractions Form to conduct the Pee Wee Class Special Attraction. The request must be approved by the Event Operations department. The […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="2025"] November 2025 Holden Smith - NE Laramie Thornhill - BCAT Ada Conklin - JH Tullus Arthur - BCAT Alexis Smith - CA October 2025 Kirbie Allen - BCAT Emily Klein  - JH Erin Kroetch - SCNE Joshua Benbow - BCAT Evelyn Cunningham - SEN September 2025 Elise Bianco - JH Evelyn Cunningham […]

The Companion Events staff is pleased to encourage Junior Handlers in the sports of Obedience, Agility, Rally and Tracking. In these Companion Events, any Junior Handler up to the age of 18 is eligible to compete as a Junior. They exhibit in the regular classes and in the field along with all other exhibitors at […]

Informal FREE clinics, conducted by AKC Registered Handlers Program members, and open to anyone under the age of 18 interested in learning more about handling. The exact times and ring locations are posted at the superintendent's desk on the day of the event. No pre-registration necessary. Show up with a dog on a lead ready for some […]

Agility Trial Secretary Blog Agility Trial Secretary Blog Agility Trial Secretary Event Kit Event kits will no longer be mailed for Agility trials. Please download the PDF files and print the number of copies indicated for each form prior to your event weekend so as to have these required items on-hand at your trial. Agility […]

Common Resources: Find a Club/Trainer Find an Event Agility Regulations Online Entry System Downloadable Forms Titles and Abbreviations Versatile Companion Dog (VCD) Title News & Updates Agility FAQ [accordion] [accordion_panel title="General"] Agility Field Representatives Participants with Disabilities [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="Getting Started in Agility"] A Beginners Guide to Companion Events (PDF) Agility FAQs What is Agility?  […]