The AKC works with several non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog titling program and the AKC Search & Rescue title program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); and the North […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Tracking and Trick Dog, including the first and second All-American Dogs to become AKC Rally® Champions and two new AKC Champion Trackers! And many All-American Dogs had big success at the 2019 AKC National […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Tracking and Trick Dog, including the fourth All-American Dog to earn the new AKC Agility Grand Championship, the fifth All American Dog to earn the AKC Champion Tracker title, and another CAX for the […]

CANINE PARTNERS SPOTLIGHT - MEET BREYON AND LIGHTNING – A TALENTED TEAM WITH BIG GOALS Breyon Gunn worked hard to convince his parents that he and his brother should have a dog, and he has more than proven to them that it was a great decision to add Lightning to the family. Little Lightning Bolt […]

Art of Dogs Learning Objectives Students will compare two representations of dogs in a painting and a poem, noting the differences and similarities in the two representations, with reference to the time period within which each work was created. Grade Levels 9-10 Common Core Standards RL.9-10.7 Analyze the representation of a subject or a key […]

In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our sport on a national […]

While the benefits of pet ownership far outweigh the costs, every responsible dog owner knows that along with love and companionship comes financial responsibility. An online survey of more than 1,000 visitors to www.akc.org determined what responsible owners can expect to pony-up for their pooch:  One-time costs such as a crate, spaying/neutering or emergency vet […]

The earliest scientific review of canine development using assessment tools was the work done in Bar Harbor, Maine at the Jackson Laboratory. This seminal work has undoubtedly been the foundation of much of our knowledge of canine behavior. However, the research was not meant to lay down universal laws of canine behavior and development, it […]

The earliest scientific review of canine development using assessment tools was the work done in Bar Harbor, Maine at the Jackson Laboratory. This seminal work has undoubtedly been the foundation of much of our knowledge of canine behavior. However, the research was not meant to lay down universal laws of canine behavior and development, it […]

The AKC Museum of the Dog will feature Constance Bannister's work starting July 9. The new exhibit is titled "Women & Dogs in Art in the 20th Century" and will highlight several female artists. That great comedian and curmudgeon, W.C. Fields, warned of the perils of sharing the stage with animals or children. Both, he […]

An undated video shows Anne Rogers Clark grooming a Poodle In the not-so-long-ago dog world, there used to be two kinds of fanciers: Those who knew the revered judge Anne Rogers Clark well enough to call her “Annie,” and everyone else, who, in a kind of verbal genuflection, referred to her simply as “Mrs. Clark.” […]

In 1939, a million Americans a year paid admission to attend AKC shows exhibiting over 100,000 dogs across the country. The mightiest events, Westminster and Morris & Essex, reported record-setting entry numbers during the 1930s that have still never been topped. Savvy publicity efforts and new AKC publications brought the formerly closed-circuit world of purebred dog breeding and exhibition to the American public, who clamored for more. […]

Every sport has had its great ones. And the sport of dogs had Alva Rosenberg. Excruciatingly modest and correspondingly revered, Alva Rosenberg was, and arguably still is, the most respected judge in the history of dog shows in America, and perhaps the world. Even the British, who invented the conformation game and have no tendency to […]

Life may be a box of chocolates, but after you’ve nibbled enough bonbons, you know which flavor you like best. Over the past four decades, Nancy Edmunds of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, has owned quite a Whitman’s Sampler of purebreds, including Cocker Spaniels, Manchester Terriers, Whippets, Brussels Griffons, Poodles, and Afghan Hounds. But in 1985, she finally came across her forever breed: the Vizsla. After almost 30 years breeding those Hungarian […]

Trisha Brenner was shocked when her active 5-year-old Weimaraner named Charlie collapsed on a walk in November of 2018.  “Charlie had been healthy, except for some allergic dermatitis symptoms he experienced as a young dog,” says Brenner.   Those symptoms resolved after a diet change recommended by a board-certified veterinary dermatologist. Unfortunately, the same diet that helped his skin disease […]

There are so many books about dogs that a dog-loving reader could spend years engrossed in them. Here are the ones you won't want to miss and some worth trying. Such a short list is bound to omit someone's favorite. What are some of the books you would recommend to other dog lovers? Classics for […]

Susan Kustrup, owner of Tallie Farms Beagles in Manahawkin, NJ, has lived in New Jersey all her life. She is an AKC Breeder of Merit, having bred and shown dogs since 1977, and has bred and shown Tallie Farms Beagles for the past 15 years. She is a past board member of the Central New Jersey Hound Association.   AKC: How did you get started in breeding dogs? Susan: I started […]

There just seems to be no stopping the Labrador Retriever! For a record 29th year (2019), the versatile sporting breed reigns supreme on the American Kennel Club registry list, a run like no other breed has seen in the record books. Changes in the top ten Little changed in the top ten standings from 2018. Following […]

Breed 2018 Rank 2017 Rank 2016 Rank 2015 Rank 2014 Rank Labrador Retrievers 1 1 1 1 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 2 2 2 2 Golden Retrievers 3 3 3 3 3 French Bulldogs 4 4 6 6 9 Bulldogs 5 5 4 4 4 Beagles 6 6 5 5 5 Poodles 7 7 […]

Who's the best puppy? More than 1,300 puppies later, we have an answer. Hundreds of puppies and junior dogs ages six months to 18 months competed for AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy of the Year on Friday, December 13. Only one came out on top: "Pierce" the Wire Fox Terrier. Fleet St Forged At Hampton Court […]

The 2019 Junior Showmanship Finals at the AKC National Championship took place on Dec. 14 in Orlando, Florida. To qualify, juniors had to have at least five first-place wins in Open Class with competition present between Oct. 11, 2018 and Oct. 9, 2019. In addition, juniors must have a grade point average of at least […]

The AKC Rally National Championship, National Agility Championship, and National Obedience Championship all take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 15-17. While thousands of adults travel from across the country to compete, several kids will be competing amongst them. Meet Emilee, Alexandra, and Mara: three Junior Handlers taking Tulsa by storm. Agility – Emilee Cragg, 15 […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2019 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, 2019. The 2019 event will showcase the top national and international canine athletes […]

Fleet St Forged At Hampton Court, a Wire Fox Terrier known as “Pierce” triumphed over more than 1,300 dogs ages six months to 18 months to become the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Junior of the Year, held today in Orlando, Fla in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. “Pierce,” owned […]

National Champion is First Toy Group Winner in the History of the Show GCH CH Pequest Wasabi, a Pekingese known as “Wasabi” triumphed over more than 5,200 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 14-15, 2019 in […]

- Entries Open August 3rd- The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the second AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge. This virtual conformation competition is open to all AKC recognized breeds including Miscellaneous breeds. Entries close on August 10th at 12pm ET. Heading the panel as Best in Show and […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed when you visit AKC Meet the Breeds during AKC National Championship in Orlando? Or maybe you just want to meet them all! Don't miss a single wag or woof with this list of breeds that will be in attendance at the 2019 show. Get your tickets now. Dog Breeds […]

English Cocker Spaniel Club of America English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association National English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association  

All dogs six months of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Spaniel Field Trials: AKC Recognized Breeds Cocker Spaniels English Cocker Spaniels English Springer Spaniels Dogs of these breeds recorded with the Purebred Alternative Listing Program/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) are not eligible to participate. Dogs of these breeds with […]

Tuesday, February 4, 2020 This bill has been removed from the February 5 agenda and AKC Government Relations will update when developments warrant. Monday, February 3, 2020 The American Kennel Club is concerned with Hawaii House Bill 2163.  The bill, introduced by Representative Roy Mitsuo Takumi, seeks to limit the practices of surgical births, debarking, […]