We were delighted to learn that cumulative ratings indicated more people watched the last AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel than any other televised dog show.  Therefore our televised event is one of the most important vehicles we have to positively showcase AKC programs and the sport. One group that deserves special […]

Dogs initially earned the moniker "man's best friend" as a result of their work alongside man as hunter, herder, or guardian. Today's canine may have dwindling duties on the farm and in the field but a new role has emerged, taking simple companionship a step further and becoming a full fledged family member. Like our […]

In the 1950s, the Poodle skirt as a fashion trend embodied the popularity of the number one AKC® registered breed. And if the recent media attention surrounding the release of AKC's 2006 Registration Statistics is any indication, not only does the Labrador Retriever reign supreme, but the purebred dog remains one of the most popular […]

-- AKC Archives’ Online Digital Collections Growing -- The AKC Archives continues to distinguish itself as the only national repository dedicated to the sport of the purebred dog and covering 125 years of canine history and tradition. The Archives has turned hard copy historical data into digital collections providing the fancy and the public with […]

Rowdy Cuz E Iz CD BN RAE owned by Mary Patterson of St. Michael, MN Mary brought Rowdy home when he was an 8-week-old puppy and started training soon after. The now 6-year-old Shih-tzu – Poodle mix is “extremely smart and a wonderful performance dog,” Mary said. “I've never really cared for obedience until I […]

Originally ran in the "Dogsport 101" column of AKC Family Dog Dog sports aren't only for purebreds. Since 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? […]

PACH Pistol Pete owned by Barbara Thomas of Minerva, OH Barbara decided to try agility class with Pistol Pete, better known as Petey, to give additional exercise to the very active young dog. “As a pup, he was quite a handful.  We enrolled in agility class just to blow off some energy, and the rest is […]

“We both enjoy doing this because we like seeing how the residents light up when Max enters the facility,” Burn said.  “It provides joy to all involved in the encounters.” Steve rescued Max from the Arlington (TX) Animal Services Center in December 2009. He is a mixed breed and, according to a DNA test, he […]

Then a hero, clad in a life jacket, appears, rips open the car door and --- licks the driver all over his face as the crowd goes wild. Meet Radar the Weather Dog, star of Tray’s Wild Weather Camp – a fun show with a very serious message – teaching children how to be safe […]

This trick tip is brought to you by AKC GoodDog! Helpline trainer Milena Barreto. Milena and her Standard Poodle, Phoebe, are a therapy dog team and entertain many people with their large repertoire of tricks. Here, Milena tells us how to get your dog to give you a hug on cue! Playing outside with your […]