So after the months of preparation in organizing and testing before the breeding, praying and crossing fingers that your girl “took,” fretting before, during and after the whelping, the constant vigil for weeks after the whelping, the 24/7 care of your girl and the litter, the vet visits, testing and evaluating your pick, it is time […]

Puppies, like human babies, do a lot of learning in their early months, especially when it comes to navigating their new environment and adopting good manners. For tips on how to facilitate that learning, we turned to certified dog trainer Kate Naito, who is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and Manners Program Director […]

Looking for basic puppy obedience? Here's how to get started in training your puppy, including how to find a trainer and what methods to use.

Choose a dog training class or facility carefully for your dog or puppy since it's a big decision. Here's what to consider before enrolling your dog.

Have a puppy at home who you hope will grow up to be a canine athlete? Here's how to safely get them started across different sports.

Intelligent and curious, the Belgian Malinois is a tireless worker who maintains a lifelong attachment to their owner. Learn about the breed's history.

How often do dogs go into heat? What does a dog's heat cycle look like? Learn more about the signs of a dog in heat, and how to care for dogs in heat.

The 2025 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup was held in collaboration with North American Diving Dogs on April 5, in Mississippi at Mississippi State University.

A Black and Tan Coonhound can be a great choice for experienced owners who want a loving, smart, athletic companion.

As a novice owner-handler, Antoinelle Vulpis and her 8-year-old Skye Terrier "Archer" have big goals - and they're achieving them.

Purebred dogs are symbols of the people and places that brought them into being. Every year, they're celebrated on National Purebred Dog Day.

Steve and Maggie Chen share their journey of discovering Whippets including their dog "Bobo" who has performed dock diving at Nationals.

Loyal, courageous, and always up for a good game, Boxers never shy away from showing off their silly side. Learn more about Boxer history.

Hiking is an ideal outdoor activity enjoyed by all types of people and dogs, but some breeds are better suited to hiking and life on the trail than others.

If you’re the owner of a senior dog, there are many dog sports that are suited to dogs of any age so long as your veterinarian approves.

English Springer Spaniels were originally bred to flush game from the brush. Today they are tireless in the field but happy to relax after a long day out.

Choosing the right dog for your family can be a challenge. Families looking for a watchful, loyal guard dog should consider the Rottweiler.

The Miniature Pinscher's distinctive high-stepping hackney gait, reminiscent of a hackney horse, communicates, "I'm proud, fearless, and in charge."

While AKC Scent Work is a relatively new sport, it has become one of the fastest-growing. This low-impact sport is an excellent way to build your dog's confidence and is great for all dogs no matter their size, breed, age, or ability. Scent Work is all about your dog's joy of sniffing. In AKC Scent […]

If you're an experienced dog owner looking for an energetic, loyal companion, look no further than the Shiba Inu.

Australian Shepherds are smart and energetic dogs. They have so many winning traits, no wonder they're one of the the country's most popular breeds.

Use the following resources as a guide to responsible dog breeding. You may also want to watch the AKC webinar on Planning Breedings: Are you ready to breed a litter of puppies? Prepare Yourself for Breeding a Litter of Puppies Breed to Improve Understand the Commitment Choose A Suitable Mate Know Your Genetics Finalize Stud […]

Welcome to the AKC Agility League – a fun team-building twist on the sport of Agility! Teams compete on their “home base” – local training school, club or even their backyards. Teams work together to judge, time and set bars for its members. Scores are reported to AKC, and the team and dog rankings are […]

What sets the AKC apart from other dog registries? Plenty!  AKC is the world’s largest all-breed dog registry and dog sport organization. AKC has more than 5,035 local and breed-based dog clubs throughout the U.S. AKC sanctions over 29,000 dog events per year with more than 3.5 million entries, including breed conformation, agility, obedience, field […]

AKC Patch Program The AKC Patch Program is an interactive "scavenger hunt" hosted by clubs at a dog show. Youth groups and children are invited to attend a club's show to complete the Patch Program and learn about purebred dogs, AKC dog sports, and responsible dog ownership. Upon completion, participants receive an iron-on AKC Patch […]

Judging Responsibilities Responsibilities of judges include working with the club to plan the test, approving the layout of the course, directing the helpers re: the placement of blinds and distractors, and completing the required online Test Summary Form within 7 days after the test so that titles can be issued. The club or judge will determine […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world's largest purebred dog registry, and a leading advocate for dogs, is proud to announce the release of the Dog Adventures Kids Camp, an AKC summer camp curriculum developed by AKC Public Education. This five-part series of lessons is designed to teach campers aged 9-12 about […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce the winners of the AKC Agility League’s winter season. The AKC Agility League recently concluded its ninth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®)—the world’s largest purebred dog registry and a leading advocate for all dogs—is proud to collaborate with the U.S. Army to present AKC Salutes the Troops, a high-energy, family-friendly, dog-sport-filled weekend at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, GA, and Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA from May 1–4, 2025. This special event […]

Rio Grassle Rozzi TD CA DCAT SWM CGC TKI owned by Mariana & Cory Rozzi of Westfield, IN The Rozzis rescued Rio in November of 2021 and at the time, they knew nothing about dog performance sports. They began private lessons with their dog trainer, John Krasich, shortly after getting Rio. “Starting those lessons turned […]