Toy dogs are more than just small. Learn more about each of the Toy Group breeds and find out what exactly these adorable dogs were bred to do.

The most popular breeds in the U.S. have been announced, but where does your city fall? See 2025's most popular breeds by city.

For many at-risk youth in New York City, violence and crime is an inescapable fact of life. But Audrey Hendler is hoping to change that, with the help of about 25 four-legged teaching assistants. In 2010, Hendler launched A Fair Shake for Youth, a program that brings therapy dogs into middle schools in under-served communities […]

In addition to the renowned conformation show, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan® hosted the third annual Masters Agility Championship and the inaugural year of the Masters Obedience Championship.   Masters Agility Championship Agility is an athletic event designed to demonstrate a dog's willingness to work in a variety of […]

A tail-wagging crowd of well-trained dogs showed their skills at the Twin Ports Dog Training Club’s three days of AKC rally and obedience trials at the Four Seasons Event Center in Carlton, Minnesota, Friday through Saturday, July 10–12. The fun began on Thursday evening, with “5 for 5” run-throughs, a casual get-together where owners can get in some […]

Obesity in dogs can put your pet at risk for other health conditions. Here's what to know about canine obesity and what to discuss with your vet.

The 20th annual AKC Agility Invitational, saw some of the most agile dogs in the country. See the winners in each division here.

Whiskey is typically an acquired taste. But at the largest-ever AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin on December 15 and 16, judges and spectators alike toasted a 3-year-old Whippet by that name who went all the way to Best in Show under judge Elliott B. Weiss. The First Whippet Winner Platinum Grand Champion Pinnacle […]

Dog owners are nothing if not fickle in their tastes. Breed popularity is cyclical through the years and, too often, based on a dog’s random star turn in a movie, TV commercial, or YouTube video (with little research done on the breed’s exercise and grooming needs.) What Happened to Afghan Hounds? Most people are surprised […]

Dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages jumped, weaved, and ran at the 2020 AKC Agility Invitational. The 2020 AKC Agility Invitational took place December 12-13, 2020 in Orlando, FL in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, demonstrating the highest level of training and teamwork between dog and handler. The top […]

Nearly 1,300 dogs competed in the AKC National Agility Championship presented by YuMOVE, but only 12 were Champions. See all winners here.

Owning a rare breed of dog can lead to some unique joys, such as a more casual atmosphere at conformation shows, a small social circle of owners, and more.

A phrase we hear more and more these days is helicopter parents — people who micromanage their child's every decision and movement. Often they take control and do tasks on their offsprings behalf no matter their age. In fact, for many helicopter parents, their grip grows as their children get older according to experts. Today […]

Scan the dog show ring, or simply watch pets strut down the street in your neighborhood, and you realize what a wide variety of coats dogs have. Long, short, thick, thin, corded, double-coated — and the list goes on. Even dog breeds who are known to have minimal grooming needs have coats that need to be kept […]

Over 683 dog and handler teams competed in the 2025 AKC Rally National Championship at Purina Farms in Missouri, but only one was the overall Champion.

A promising puppy from your last litter has gotten off to a smashing start with his owner-handler. He made his debut at your breed’s national specialty by winning Best in Sweepstakes, and shortly thereafter beat impressive adult competition to claim his first major. His owner exhibits him beautifully; they have built a great rapport; and […]

Love is in the air during the month of February, and many dog owners find their “true love” in a canine companion, warming their laps and their hearts. To help keep those hearts happy and healthy, dogs and humans alike benefit from a daily walk or play time in the yard. However, there are many […]

No matter if you’re a dog show newbie or veteran, you can easily become enthralled by a newly recognized breed. You might see it in the ring, and everything about it—its appearance, gait, and coat—fascinates you. You have grooming to do at your set-up but you take the time to find out when and where […]

According to a recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity (APOP), a whopping 59% of US dogs are overweight or obese.

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce!  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now.  Dogs go above and beyond each and every day, not only as beloved family pets, but as […]

I recently participated in my local all-breed kennel club’s annual show weekend. As always, it was a friendly, laid-back event, less than 1,000 dogs — although the entry was up by 150 this year — and the shows drew some nationally ranked Top 10 canines from many far-flung states. I made myself useful stewarding each […]

At a recent dog show, several littermates of both sexes, handled by assorted novice owners, were entered in the 9-12 Month Puppy class. While none of the puppies exhibited disqualifying faults, they were generic in type and not what I would consider "show quality." The judge that day agreed. The puppies were not up to […]

Breeding and showing dogs is a roller-coaster ride, with exhilarating highs and great disappointments in equal measure. You must make difficult decisions, and when they impact friends, saying "no" can be especially hard. If you own a stud dog, one of those difficult decisions will be turning down a bitch owner who wishes to breed […]

After an action-packed weekend, the 2024 Masters Agility Championship at Westminster, a winner has been crowned.

Whether you learned about it in history class or, at the very least, from the iconic movie of the same name, there are very few people who don’t know the story of the RMS Titanic, the luxury ocean liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912. More than 1500 people died […]

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

We've done it again. In the 17th year of the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin the event has drawn record entry numbers. An entry of 4803 dogs will compete for the title of National Champion on December 16 and 17, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events including the inaugural […]

If you’re interested in learning as much as possible about dog sports and want to participate in a meaningful, hands-on way, joining your regional breed club is an important connection to make. It is a natural complement to membership in your local all-breed kennel club. The all-breed club will afford you the opportunity to learn […]

Small dogs are some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Here are the smallest dog breeds guaranteed to make you smile.

Dog Breed Health Testing Requirements Listed below are all AKC breeds and their health testing requirements. A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z Affenpinscher Ophthalmologist Evaluation Patella Evaluation Afghan Hound Hip Evaluation Ophthalmologist Evaluation Thyroid Evaluation Airedale Terrier Hip Evaluation Cardiac Exam Renal Disease DNA Test Ophthalmologist Evaluation Akita Hip Evaluation Ophthalmologist Evaluation Alaskan Malamute Hip Evaluation Ophthalmologist Evaluation Polyneuropathy DNA test American […]