The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior […]

Standard Poodles are among the most instantly recognizable of all dog breeds. Known largely for their stylish looks, the athletic, eager, and intelligent Standard Poodle has so many more talents besides simply looking pretty. Learn more about this iconic Non-Sporting Group breed with these Standard Poodle fun facts. Standard Poodles Originated in Germany Although it […]

The Bernese Mountain Dog is hard-working, affectionate, and gentle. Learn more about this this beautiful breed with Bernese Mountain Dog fun facts.

Based on American Kennel Club registration statistics, we rank the most popular dog breeds in America each year. The French Bulldog takes the No. 1 spot!

Next week is the deadline for House bills in Illinois to get an initial committee hearing, and there are several critical bills for dog owners still pending.  It is important for dog owners and clubs to register your opposition online today on key measures pending in two committees: House Agriculture and Conservation Committee: HB 1902 […]

A bill in Illinois seeks to require all breeders to “have their dogs genetically tested for diseases that cause early death or physical impairments.”  If a “genetic defect or mutation” is found that would cause this, it would require that the dog sterilized immediately. It is possible that this bill could be considered as early […]

Can dogs eat pork bones? It's not advisable for them to do so. Here's why you should avoid giving your dog pork bones and what to do if they do eat one.

People looking for the ultimate house dog should consider the loving, outgoing, and all around charming Pug. Learn more about this toy breed.

Each AKC-recognized breed is assigned to one of seven groups. We're taking a closer look at the Working Group to see what these 32 breeds were bred to do.

There's a reason why the AKC divides its breeds into seven groups. That reason is a mixture of tradition and breed function. But why?

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 that the AKC Agility League recently concluded its eighth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the 10 divisions, including the League’s […]

There is more to the Bichon Frise than meets the eye. Here are some facts you might not know.

The biggest Conformation event of the year is here, and the results are out! See the group winners of the 2024 AKC National Championship.

The AKC Agility League recently concluded its eighth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the 10 divisions, including the League’s new division of Elementary for beginner dogs. The AKC Agility League is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, YuMove and AKC Pet Insurance. The League […]

GCHG CH Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB, a Giant Schnauzer known as “Monty” triumphed over more than 5,600 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize when they were awarded Best in Show at the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 14-15, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, […]

On Wednesday, following 40 minutes of floor debate, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Beagle Brigade Act (S. 759) to support U.S. detection dogs. The Senate passed this measure in November. The bill now goes to the President for his signature. AKC has been pleased to advocate over several years for passage of this […]

The Poodle's fluffed and coiffed coat, coupled with the breed's spirited intelligence, and passion for a good swim explains the Poodle's popularity.

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2024 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 2024. The 2024 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2024 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The […]

  Since the first issue of AKC Family Dog in 2003, we have been telling the stories of service dogs who guide the blind, hear for deaf, perform household tasks for wheelchair users, indicate on impending seizures and diabetic trauma, and perform many other jobs for disabled owners. During our 13-plus years of interviewing service-dog […]

It’s a crisp 60 degrees on a spectacular summer day at Glacier National Park in Montana’s Rocky Mountains. Cascading waterfalls, glacier-carved mountain peaks, and an ark full of wildlife makes this place a paparazzi’s paradise. The A-list celebs here consist of mountain goats and bighorn sheep who regard the visitor-center parking lot at 6,646-feet–high Logan […]

If you are a pet owner who has taught your dog to sit, stay, heel, or perform any manner of tricks, you owe it all to Blanche Saunders. Poodle breeder Helen Whitehouse Walker became taken with the Obedience trials she saw conducted in England in the 1930s. She soon committed to establishing the practice in […]

Among the marvels of human ingenuity is the way various breeds of dog were developed, mentally and physically, to tackle specific jobs. Consider the farmer’s eternal war against rodents and other burrowing mammals that devastate grain stores, raid henhouses, tear up fields, dig away riverbanks, and carry disease. As their number-one weapon in subterranean warfare, […]

Dogs dancing were depicted in ancient pottery, and vaudeville-era included musical numbers with dogs. Modern musical freestyle dates back to the '80s, helped by "heelwork to music" displays at Crufts. Dogs of any breed capable of learning obedience and tricks can ultimately learn musical freestyle. In 2013, Zandra Brown took in a 5 1/2 –year-old […]

Imagine a mild sedative before leaving home, a bandana sprayed with calming scents, a bunch of bacon snacks, and skipping the hour-long frenzy in the waiting room. From classical music wafting across the sign-in desk to licking peanut butter off the wall to act as a distraction from getting a shot, your dog’s typical freak-out […]

Can a dog really be vegan or vegetarian? Does a dog need meat to survive? Here's everything you need to know about feeding your dog meat.

Sue Stejskal was inching along on her belly in a dark crawl space that may have once held the corpse of a murder victim. A headlamp was all she had for light. She was in that tight spot because of Chili Dawg, a sweet 8-pound Dachshund with wiry hair the color of a caramel milkshake. […]

The Internet can offer a wealth of tips and facts on dog food. Unfortunately, it provides even more dog food myths and misinformation. Here’s a sampling of urban legends populating the Web and the actual truths behind them. Myth: Don't Feed Dogs Pork But then I started to wonder why so few commercial foods contained […]

The spotlight shines on a special handler and dog. Braelyn Cross had never heard of agility until she was in college and got involved in a unique program at Iowa State University. The ACE project helps rescue dogs while exposing students to the wonderful world of dog sports. It is run by Dr. Cheryl Morris, […]

An icon of overcoming adversity, Helen Keller had a lifelong love of dogs and owned many. She's credited with bringing the first Akita to America in 1937.