Notice: No Dogs Assigned to Judges on June 27th and July 4th Due to the RNC/NOC Nationals and the July 4th holiday, no dogs will be assigned to judges on Friday, June 27th or Friday, July 4th. You are still welcome to enter during this time, but please note that dog assignments will be paused […]

The AKC Rally® Virtual Program has been made a permanent sport feature with AKC. Notice: No Dogs Assigned to Judges on June 27th and July 4th Due to the RNC/NOC Nationals and the July 4th holiday, no dogs will be assigned to judges on Friday, June 27th or Friday, July 4th. You are still welcome […]

Since the 1980's, there have been significant advances in the field of animal assisted therapy and the use of therapy dogs. Organized therapy dog groups provide educational material to volunteers, they screen both volunteers and dogs, and they provide liability insurance for when the dog and handler are volunteering in a therapy setting. Therapy dog […]

Mother-daughter duo April and Paula Pelletier have developed a close-knit bond together and with their dogs, competing as a family in Fastest Dog USA.

Discover how Suzanne Bauman and her senior Chihuahua "Teddy" became the oldest dog competing in the 2025 AKC National Agility Championship.

Pride parades and festivals are often annual events that take place around the world to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Can you bring your dog?

Failing to comply with these dog park etiquette tips could put your dog and other pets at risk. Here's how to know if your dog should go to the dog park.

LGBTQIA+ dog owners have always been part of AKC dog sports. For some, the dog world has been a supportive haven, while for others, it has been more challenging.

Celebrating the diversity of our dog sports community is part of helping our sports to thrive, including the AKC LGBTQ community.

Diversity amongst dogs and people makes our dog sports community stronger. Meet some of the LGBTQ+ dog spot handlers and what they do.

The sooner diabetes in dogs is diagnosed and treatment begins, the better chance your pet has of a normal life. Here's what to look for.

Your dog's hazy pupil could be a sign of a cataract, a clouding of the eye's lens. Cataracts in dogs can affect vision, but surgery can restore their sight.

The summer is finally upon us! With the warm weather comes cookouts and outdoor fun. Here are some things to keep in mind when planning for barbecue safety.

How do you know if your dog has anxiety? What can you do to treat dog anxiety? We're here to explain everything you need to know.

As told to the AKC by Cindy Lutian. Cindy is an instructor at Canine Star Training Academy, where she teaches CGC and Rally. Currently, she owns five Pekingese who compete in CAT, Fast CAT, Rally, and more. Her dog Buster was the first-ever Pekingese to be invited to the AKC Fast CAT Invitational. *** When I came […]

As the fastest Dachshund in the nation, Nugget was invited to compete in Fastest Dog USA. The event will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 12 p.m. ET on December 25. Owner Anne Rosenberg shares Nugget's journey to becoming the speediest of his breed. As a child, I had a Beagle named Peanuts. Then, after I […]

  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="AKC Educational Requirements Policy and Recommendations (April 2024 Board meeting; amended May 2025)"] As an additional step in creating a safe and respectful sport environment for all, the AKC Board of Directors approved the following educational requirements policy and recommendations.  Effective April 10, 2024: AKC Board of Directors, Inspectors, Field Staff across […]

These policies have been adopted by the AKC Board of Directors, although they have not yet been incorporated into an official publication. This reference will be updated as policies are adopted, revised and published. [accordion] [accordion_panel title="AKC Board Administration Policies"] AKC Charter and Bylaws Article XII Complaints (August 2016 Board meeting) AKC Educational Requirements Policy and Recommendations […]

Each of the AKC registered breeds are assigned to one of seven groups representing characteristics and functions the breeds were originally bred for. Current as of June 1, 2023 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Herding Group"] HERDING GROUP The Herding Group, created in 1983, is the newest AKC classification; its members were formerly members of the Working Group. […]

READ THE CURRENT ISSUE As the official journal of the sport of purebred dogs, the monthly AKC Gazette hasn’t missed an issue since 1889. For those with an abiding interest in exhibiting dogs as a sport, hobby, or profession, the digital Gazette is the AKC’s premium resource—written for, and mostly by, the American dog fancy. […]