Many owners are familiar with the sight of their dogs chasing their tails. Most of the time, it's an easy way for a dog to entertain itself and burn energy. However, there are times when tail-chasing can indicate an underlying health condition. So, how can you tell the difference between a harmless activity and a […]

Have you ever wondered why dog show judges look at the dog's teeth? What are they looking for when judging canine dentition?

Loyal, intelligent, and courageous, Rottweilers gives off an air of nobility and self-confidence.  In fact, they've attracted people for millennia.

Hypothyroidism in dogs is common endocrine disease. It can be tricky to diagnose and needs lifelong management, but it is relatively easy to treat.

Victoria "Tori" Lee, the owner of Endachs, grew up with dogs of different ages and breeds. When she was 15 years old, she was determined to have a dog...

Renal dysplasia (RD), also known as renal malformation, refers to a type of congenital chronic kidney disease. Learn more about renal dysplasia in dogs.

Poodles have been labeled as "elitist" and "overly glamorous" by many who don't understand the breed. Here's the history of the poodle haircut.

A new study suggests that mixed-breed dogs do not have a medical advantage over purebred dogs. Both experience many of the same common health concerns.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a type of heart disease that affects the heart muscle, causing it to become weakened. This weakening of the heart muscle impairs its ability to pump blood efficiently, leading to dilation of the heart chambers. Clinical signs include fatigue, shortness of breath, an increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms, and heart […]

Since diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy was identified in 2018, researchers have linked it to diets with peas, lentils and possibly potatoes.

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!

16-year-old Caleigh Novak from Castle Rock, Colorado, currently splits her time between home and working for a professional handler in Minnesota.

Cross-pollinating his customs and canine careers, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann created the breed that today bears his name, the Doberman Pinscher.

Though we often don’t think about them in this way, dogs are really about people — those long-ago (or, sometimes, not-so-long-ago) figures who developed particular breeds for particular tasks. Some breeds — like the Doberman Pinscher, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, and Cesky Terrier — owe their existence to just one visionary person. Other breeds were brought into being […]

Canine heart disease can be a significant concern for breeders, and multiple tools are available for assessing heart health in breeding stock and puppies. Both phenotypic and genetic tests are important and must be interpreted together. Phenotype refers to a dog’s observable traits, whereas genotype refers to a dog’s genetic constitution. Phenotypic tests are typically […]

"Jet" the Doberman Pinscher may be a star diving dog only two years into his career, but it wasn't always this way. For three years, he couldn't even swim.

What are the best dogs for running or jogging partners? We run down dogs with endurance, build, athleticism, and temperament for running.

Seborrhea in dogs can cause flaking skin, oily skin and coat, and odor. Learn to recognize and treat this skin condition.

Colitis in dogs is an inflammation of the colon, which is the large bowel or large intestine. If you think your dog has colitis, here's what to know.

The AKC's DNA programs have resulted in an unprecedented level of accuracy to the AKC registry by evaluating the parentage of many AKC dogs and litters. However, for that very small percentage of registered dogs that are found, often years after birth, to have an unknown ancestor, the AKC has canceled the registration. To maintain […]

In our award-winning Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives dog podcast, now in Season Four, host Bud Boccone tells the tales of breeds, dogs, and personalities who’ve shaped America (and Americans) over generations. Using the American Kennel Club's historical records, archival material, oral histories, interviews, and more, the show brings dog […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog! AGILITY Master Agility Champion (MACH) MACH George G RN MXB MJB XF TKP owned by Sophie Janavs of Studio City, CA George is Sophie’s […]

All AKC DNA + Health Kits include the original 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes, as well as over 328 genetic variants for health and traits. Download a pdf of all included tests Health Tests Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS, SN) This genetic variant is associated with an inherited neurological disease characterized by […]

On Tuesday, April 16, a California Assembly committee will be considering a bill seeking to address concerns in animal shelters and change the definition of breeder in California code to encompass hobbyists. The proposal, as currently written, insinuates that people who breed as few as ONE litter are contributing to animal shelter population concerns. California […]

The Florida Senate Committee on Agriculture is scheduled to consider Senate Bill 1156, which would expand the state’s dangerous dog law, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.  Residents are urged to contact committee members and politely ask them to not advance Senate Bill 1156 as introduced, and to work with knowledgeable animal advocacy organizations and stakeholders […]

Florida Senate Bill 660, which seeks to exempt from public records requirements the identifying information about persons who foster, adopt, or receive legal custody of animals from certain shelters, is scheduled for a hearing by the Florida Senate Community Affairs Committee on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 4:00pm. It is important that Florida residents who […]

1/11/24 Update: Yesterday, Florida SB 660 unanimously passed the Senate Agriculture Committee and has been further referred to the Senate Community Affairs Committee.  AKC Government Relations will provide additional information on contacting that committee in a future alert. __________________________________________________________________________ Florida Senate Bill 660, which seeks to exempt from public records requirements the identifying information about persons […]

GCHP CH Hallmark Jolei Out Of This World, a Shih Tzu known as “Comet” triumphed over more than 5,700 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 16-17, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. […]

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 […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to welcome ten students chosen to participate in the 2005 AKC Internship Program. The program- open to college students with a background and interest in purebred dogs- is designed to further their professional development as well as help AKC identify potential employees with experience in both AKC operations […]