AKC Canine Partners is re-printing this story that originally appeared in the spring 2012 issue of the Canine Partners News newsletter in loving memory of Magi, also known as MACH Magic Carpet Ride and who passed away at age 12 in 2013. photo by Karen Moureaux Magi was one of the first mixed-breeds to earn […]

Want to know what to expect if you’re a Junior participating at the Poodle Club of America’s National Specialty? Walk through the week with me. They’ll be soooo much more you’ll experience, but we can at least hit the highs. The Poodle Club of America (PCA) Junior Education Program was established in 2013 by Dennis […]

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 […]

Two Days, Two Bloodhounds, Two Best Juniors What a thrilling dog show weekend at the Terry-All Kennel Club dog show in Brighton, Colorado. The Juniors in my area are truly fabulous and most of them are my dog show friends. Honestly besides my family, the Juniors ring is where I get most of my support […]

AKC appreciates the time that was taken to complete the survey about Junior Showmanship.  We will be including results throughout the next few issues of the Junior Newsletter.  We appreciate the comments and suggestions and are pleased to share the following with you.  The AKC Board of Directors approved Reserve Best Junior at the February […]

2026 Annual AKC Trick Dog Competition It’s that time again!  We are pleased to announce the 2026 virtual AKC Trick Dog Competition. ENTRIES OPEN: Saturday, August 1, 2026 DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES:  Thursday, October 1, 2026 RULES for ADULT HANDLERS (U.S.) (click for rules) RULES for JUNIOR HANDLERS (U.S.) (click for rules) RULES for INTERNATIONAL HANDLERS (click for rules)   […]

Whether you’re breeding your first litter or next Best in Show winner, we offer invaluable resources for dog breeders, including up-to-date information, ongoing educational programs and more: Litter Registration Show you are a responsible breeder and that your puppies meet breed standards! When you register your litters with the AKC, you get a Registration Certificate […]

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); […]

Will small-but-mighty Boston Terrier Delilah hold her crown as the fastest of her breed at this year's AKC Fastest Dogs USA?

Meet Dallas-based disc dog team Daniel Suda and Beauceron "Fat Tuesday," who will compete at the 2025 AKC UpDog Invitational for Freestyle.

The Group Winners are chosen to decide who will compete for Best in Show at the 2023 AKC National Championship. See the group winners here.

There are many types of nose work for dogs, from scent work to various sports like tracking, earthdog, search and rescue, or barn hunt.

When Emily Johnson first got involved in dog sports, she knew she needed a dog that would keep up with her after initially working with an Australian Cattle Dog and an adamant Maltese. Eventually, she settled on a Belgian Tervuren named Helo, now 5 years old. “I wanted something with a little bit more drive. […]

Robin Kletke, an AKC Agility judge and handler, and his wife Robin Cohen are challenging the norm with their senior Afghan Hound “Dazzle.”

It’s good to be King. On Feb. 12, the Wire Fox Terrier Grand Champion Kingarthur Van Foliny Home was crowned Best in Show at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Purina® Pro Plan® at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The victory was nothing if not dynastic: Wire Fox Terriers are the […]

The phrase "go for the gold" certainly applies to Jada Sawhney. The 12-year-old junior handler has earned dozens of awards in dog sports with her two Golden Retrievers: Four-year-old Bentlee and 18-month-old Tallee. While she competes in Agility, Obedience, Rally, and Junior Showmanship, Agility is her favorite. "It's really fun to run with your dog […]

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 […]

The regal Chow Chow has a fascinating history and many unique features. But did you know that they have blue-black tongues? Read on to learn more about this breed.

After starting at 10-years-old, Junior Handler Delana Eschenbach is a 13-year-old from Ohio, who will be participating in the 2023 AKC Rally National Championship.

A third-generation handler from South Carolina, Ryley Kirkland first experienced the thrill of entering the ring at three years old. Now 15, Kirkland ended 2020 as the #1 Junior Handler in the country and has been in the top 4 Junior Handlers for 2021. Her dogs are Bullet, a Treeing Walker Coonhound (Ch Stackem Up Lutras […]

To some, Kirby may look like a Pug, but he's not: this little Brussels Griffon is a Dog Star who will let you know who's boss. Bringing Home a Brussels Griffon Veterinarian Christina Coudret had never heard of the Brussels Griffon breed until a technician she worked with at a veterinarian clinic was fostering for […]

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 […]

Middleburg, Virginia—Paintings from the American Kennel Club collection will be part of the National Sporting Library & Museum’s “Side-by-Side with Gun and Dog” exhibition, celebrating three centuries of the unique partnership of hunter and gundog. The ambitious show contains American, British, and French "fur-and-feather" art on loan from the collections of the Adirondack Museum, Detroit […]

The 2026 AKC National Agility Championship final is here! Learn more about agility and how to tune in for the ESPN broadcast.

The 2024 Flyball CanAm Classic is here! Watch all the action on Sunday, November 17th, at 2pm ET on ESPN2 with your TV provider.

Every year in December (or January for a few years) since 2001, dog owners from around the world come together for the American Kennel Club National Championship presented by Royal Canin. This year, the event takes place in Orlando, Fla., with a nearly week-long series of events culminating in the Best in Show finale. Starting December […]

In each of the seven groups, one dog from one breed is chosen to represent their group going into Best in Show at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Show.

Part of the 2024 AKC National Championship week includes crowning Best Junior in Junior Showmanship. See the winners of this coveted award.

Regular exercise and keeping your dog in good physical condition is important for all canines, and essential if you are thinking about participating in any dog sports together. Human athletes prepare their bodies before hitting the court or field, and it's the same for canine athletes. Well-conditioned dogs are less likely to be injured than […]

The newest AKC recognized breed, the Danish-Swedish Farmdog is a little dog with a lot of personality. Learn more with these breed fun facts.