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Expert Advice: Dog Breeds
Miniature Pinscher History: From Vermin Catcher to the ‘King of Toys’
The Miniature Pinscher's distinctive high-stepping hackney gait, reminiscent of a hackney horse, communicates, "I'm proud, fearless, and in charge."
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/miniature-pinscher-history/
| April 17, 2025
Expert Advice: Dog Breeding
Holiday Cards: A Great Way to Touch Base with Owners
Many breeders design holiday cards and send them out digitally or via “snail mail” to puppy buyers, friends, and family. Holidays are a great time to get in touch with your puppy owners and thank them for giving wonderful homes to your special pups. We thank these breeders for sharing their cards and hope they […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/holiday-cards-great-way-touch-base-owners/
| December 10, 2018
Expert Advice: Dog Sports
Which Dogs Excel At Earthdog & Why?
AKC Earthdog is a dog sport involving a simulated underground hunting scenario. Many Earthdog breeds were bred to hunt subterranean quarry and still possess those instincts. Providing natural opportunities for your dog to dig and explore can help them excel at Earthdog. Do you own a terrier or Dachshund? Have you noticed your dog's love […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/earthdog-sport-history-and-heritage/
| October 28, 2019
Expert Advice: Cute & Funny
Do You Look Like Your Dog? Humans & Dogs Celebrate National Look Alike Day
Do you think you look like your dog? It might not just be you — in fact, a study by Sadahiko Nakajima, a psychologist at Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan, found that people were surprisingly accurate when matching pictures of dogs with their owners. And they could do it based on facial features alone. In honor of […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/look-like-dog-human-canines-celebrate-national-look-alike-day/
| April 29, 2020
Expert Advice: Responsible Breeding
Dog Show Judges Use a Range of Techniques in Evaluating Dogs
Some dog show judges go over each dog very thoroughly, while others seem to do a more cursory exam, but what matters is that the final decisions are sound. Judges develop individual techniques as they go about the process of evaluating dogs in the show ring. Exhibitors give each individual’s technique considerable leeway, within the […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/dog-show-judges-use-a-range-of-techniques-in-evaluating-dogs/
| August 24, 2015
Expert Advice: Dog Behavior
Why Do Dogs Bury Bones? The Answer Is Surprisingly Simple
Why do dogs bury bones? You can thank your pet's ancestors, including wild dogs and the gray wolf, and their feast or famine diet.
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-do-dogs-bury-bones/
| April 14, 2018
Expert Advice: Conformation
Practicing Your “Ta-Da”: Tips from a Young Dog Show Exhibitor
By Karissa Groves, age 14 Hi! I’m Karissa Groves, and I love dogs, all sorts of dogs—but I really love Bloodhounds! About four years ago, I went to a dog show with my grandma. When I saw kids there showing dogs, I asked her if I could start showing too. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" link="none" ids="28350,28351"] […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/practicing-your-ta-da-tips-from-a-young-dog-show-exhibitor/
| March 7, 2011
Expert Advice: Dog Breeding
Average Litter Sizes: How Many Dogs Are Born in a Litter?
A normal litter size can range from 1 to 12 puppies, with 5-6 puppies being average across all dogs. But just as every breed of dog differs by size, function, and personality, they also differ when it comes to litter size, according to AKC registration data. Big dogs tend to have larger litters while small […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/average-litter-size/
| May 24, 2021
Expert Advice: News
Westminster 2019 Best In Group Winners
The 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, presented by Purina® Pro Plan® awarded one dog in each of the seven groups Best in Group. Some of these winning breeds, like the Wire Fox Terrier, have won their group 23 times. Yet others, like the Schipperke and Havanese, won their groups for the first time. Best in Terrier Group Best […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/westminster-2019-best-in-group-winners/
| February 14, 2019
Expert Advice: Fun Facts
Top 10 Breeds of the 1880s
The top five breeds of the 1880s were all working gundog breeds. While this is the only decade that the English Setter reigned as the number-one breed, it remained in the top ten for four decades, though it hasn’t appeared there in the top ten since the 1910s. Irish Setters, the number-two breed of the […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/top-ten-breeds-of-the-1880s/
| February 13, 2015
Expert Advice: News
“Surfing Dog Float” Breaks World Record at This Year’s Rose Parade
At this year's Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., a float featuring surfing dogs set the world record for longest and heaviest float in Tournament of Roses Parade history. The float, The Lucy Pet's Gnarly Crankin' K-9 Wave Maker, was 125 feet long and weighted 148,250 pounds, reports the laist. A contributing factor to the massiveness […]
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/surfing-dogs/
| February 1, 2018
Expert Advice: Breed History
History of the AKC Breed Groups: Why Are There Seven Groups?
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?
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/history-akc-breed-groups/
| January 17, 2025
Apps
FAST CAT Rankings
FAST CAT is a 100-yard dash for dogs. The FAST CAT Ranking is a list of handicapped speed standings for the top 20 dogs in each breed based on FAST CAT races for a given year. It's a performance-driven way of answering questions about how fast a dog is or can be. FAST CAT is […]
https://www.apps.akc.org//apps/fastcat_ranking/index.cfm
| November 15, 2017
Press Releases
2014 AKC Breeder of the Year Award Group Honorees Named
New York, NY — The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today the 2014 AKC Breeder of the Year Award group recipients, recognizing seven breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups that are dedicated to excellence and the advancement of the purebred dog. “Breeders are the heartbeat of the American Kennel […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/2014-akc-breeder-of-the-year-award-group-honorees-named/
| August 19, 2014
Press Releases
Sit! The Popularity of Small Dogs is Here to Stay
Small dogs—those weighing less than 20 pounds—have held a steady place in the hearts of Americans over the past four years according to American Kennel Club registration statistics. Since 2000, four of the top ten most popular breeds have been small dogs, indicating that while Americans may be gravitating towards bigger cars and appetites […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/sit-the-popularity-of-small-dogs-is-here-to-stay/
| April 15, 2005
Press Releases
American Kennel Club Announces Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
Lab Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary in the Top Spot, While the Bulldog Continues Its Ascent to Reign Supreme in the Dog World The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced its nationwide registration statistics today, revealing that for the 20th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed in America. This year’s list included […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/american-kennel-club-announces-most-popular-dogs-in-the-us/
| January 26, 2011
Press Releases
As Seen in USA Weekend: 2003’s Most Popular Dogs
As seen in the 1/18 issue of USA Weekend Magazine, the AKC has just released its registration numbers for 2003. For the 14th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, according to registration figures released today by the American Kennel Club*. Nearly three times as many Labs were registered […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/as-seen-in-usa-weekend-2003s-most-popular-dogs/
| January 19, 2004
Press Releases
American Kennel Club Announces Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
Beagles Have Their Year! Curious and Comedic Breed Overtakes Yorkies to Place Third on Most-Popular List; Lovable Labs Hold Top Spot for 21 Years While Rottweiler Moves Into the Top 10 Look out Lab, the American Kennel Club® (AKC) has announced that the Beagle has overtaken the beloved Yorkshire Terrier to become the third […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/american-kennel-club-announces-most-popular-dogs-in-the-us-1/
| February 28, 2012
Press Releases
The 25 Smallest Dog Breeds
Daily Life Smaller dogs don’t necessarily need to work off loads of energy, so they are quite suitable for apartment life. But not all small dogs live to be lap warmers! Certain breeds like Dachshunds or small terriers would also love country life and the opportunity to run around on a farm. If your family […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/smallest-2014-sept/
| September 30, 2014
Press Releases
Bulldog Muscles Its Way Into AKC’s List Of Top 10 Most Popular Dogs In America
Bulldog Makes the List for First Time in Nearly 75 Years; Labrador Retriever Continues to Fetch Top Spot AKC Appears on NBC Today Show to Announce 2007 Registration Statistics - New York, NY – Today the American Kennel Club® announced that the Bulldog, a popular sports team mascot and one of the most recognizable and iconic […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/bulldog-muscles-its-way-into-akcs-list-of-top-10-most-popular-dogs-in/
| January 16, 2008
Press Releases
The AKC Awards 2005 Junior Scholarships
The American Kennel Club today announced that 58 Junior Scholarships have been awarded to students from 26 states. The scholarships for high school, college and graduate school students range from $1,000 to $5,000 each for a total of $100,000. "The Junior Scholarship program is a special way for AKC to honor the hard work and […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/the-akc-awards-2005-junior-scholarships/
| April 28, 2005
Press Releases
Notice to Exhibitors of the Cabrillo and Del Sur Kennel Club
Please be advised - We have just been notified that the Cabrillo and Del Sur Kennel Club dog shows that were to take place May 15 and 16th have been canceled due to problems with the show site. The status of the independent specialties, the group show, and the other events surrounding the weekend, […]
https://www.akc.org/press-releases/notice-to-exhibitors-of-the-cabrillo-and-del-sur-kennel-club/
| April 24, 2004
Pages
Test Your AKC Dog Knowledge!
Whether you want to challenge your general dog knowledge or are simply looking to pass the time with cute dog questions, we've got you covered with our quizzes. Guess the Breeds From Puppy Pictures! Just like humans, a dog’s appearance can change throughout their lives. Some breeds look very different as puppies than they do […]
https://www.akc.org/test-your-akc-dog-knowledge/
| December 12, 2018
Pages
Gustav Muss-Arnolt Pen Drawings collection
AKE 20.3 1889-1908 1.75 linear ft (in 2 flat boxes.) Processed by Brynn White, 2016 Click here for a printable PDF of the collection finding aid The collection includes clippings of the 204 pen drawings by promiment dog painter and show judge Gustav Muss-Arnolt published between 1889 and 1908 in the American Kennel Club […]
https://www.akc.org/about/american-kennel-club-archives/guide-collections/gustav-muss-arnolt-pen-drawings-collection/
| May 19, 2016
Canine Partners
Former Shelter Dog Excels at Search & Rescue
This article originally appeared in the AKC Canine Partners News newsletter. Chris Moore and her family were content with owning two small dogs until a crime stripped their security away. The family returned home one day to discover a theft had taken place. Their home had been broken into, but thankfully, their Miniature Dachshunds, Mocha […]
https://www.akc.org/canine-partners/former-shelter-dog-excels-at-search-rescue/
| May 7, 2015
Canine Partners
Novice A Dog Earns Rare Perfect Score in Obedience Competition
Photo courtesy of Houston PetTalk Magazine/Rebecca Burwell It is rare for even the most experienced competition obedience dog to earn a perfect score of 200. But recently, an All-American Dog achieved a flawless performance in his first time in the Novice class. Super Cooper Trooper CD BN RN and his owner Josh Wiggins of Spring, […]
https://www.akc.org/canine-partners/novice-a-dog-earns-rare-perfect-score-in-obedience-competition/
| July 18, 2016
Sports & Events
Instinct + Training = Success
By Karla Deithorn, Executive Field Representative When a terrier or a Dachshund does not progress through the levels of Earthdog tests to the owner's expectations, a common question asked is whether or not you need to train the dog for the tests. There are a wide variety of opinions on this subject and that is […]
https://www.akc.org/sports/earthdog/articles/i-t-success/
| October 26, 2017
Sports & Events
Earthdog: About
For generations small terriers and Dachshunds were bred as hunting dogs to track game above and below ground; to bark at their quarry in the den and to bolt or draw it for the hunter. Now these wonderful little dogs are very suitable as family pets, however, they sometimes have to be trained not to […]
https://www.akc.org/sports/earthdog/about/
| October 26, 2017
Sports & Events
Field Events for Hounds
Ever hear of the phrase, “the nose knows” ? Scent hounds are guided by their nose! Any Beagle, Basset, Dachshund or Coonhound out in the field working a track is happy to be sniffing out rabbit, hare or raccoon. In addition to scent hounds having amazing noses and the drive to pursue a scent, they […]
https://www.akc.org/sports/field-events-hounds/
| April 26, 2018
Sports & Events
Judges’ Eligibility
Beagle Field Trials – Judges’ EligibilityCurrent Requirements(Two Couple Pack Judges must meet the same requirements as Field Trial Judges) Prior to JudgingMinimum Age: 18 Regular Seminar: Yes (Note – new judges must attend the “Regular” Beagle Seminar) Written Test: Yes – score 70%+ Exception to Seminar/Test: For Large Pack trials, judges do not have to attend […]
https://www.akc.org/sports/field-events-hounds/beagle-field-trials/judges-eligibility/
| August 9, 2018