As you work up a sweat with your huge, loose-jointed Mastiff puppy, trying to hold up his mid-section while keeping all four of his feet pointed in the same direction, it’s not surprising you’ll watch the Doberman Pinscher handler with a touch of envy. The Dobe glides around the ring, head held high, then nails […]

If modern dogs were required to have resumés, most would list their job description as “companion." But from the badger-battling Dachshund to the sled-pulling Alaskan Malamute, dogs' bodies – not to mention their brains – still reflect the original purposes for which they were bred. Indeed, dog breeds display a tremendous variety of not just […]

You likely know about the dangers of leaving your dog unattended in a hot car. But, what about when it's cold outside? While you might think it's safe to park your pet during the winter months, the potential for harm, while not as high as in the summer, is still substantial. Your dog may enjoy […]

Ever heard the word spitz to describe a dog? Learn about these fascinating breeds, which are characterized by their wolf-like appearance.

When you think of sled dogs, your mind may go straight to the legendary dog races, such as the Iditarod, in which teams of beautiful huskies pull mushers (the sport's term for the sled drivers) through ice and snow. It's a stunning thing to watch, but there's much more to sled dogs' history than just […]

Finding the right dog match for you from 202 breeds can be daunting. That's one of the best reasons to attend AKC Meet the Breeds!

When it comes to the dog sports of AKC Rally® and Obedience, both are thrilling sights to behold. Obedience is like a silent, choreographed routine in which the dogs show a willingness and enjoyment to be working with their handlers, who use very few verbal commands, creating a rather awe-inspiring presentation. Though many dogs have […]

In the winter of 1925, a deadly outbreak of diphtheria in the remote port of Nome, Alaska, threatened the lives of the 10,000-plus living in the area. Children were especially at risk, and Nome’s isolation created a nightmare scenario. An antitoxin was located, but the nearest point which the serum could reach by rail was […]

The 2020 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Dec. 12 and 13 hosted 3,680 dogs who all competed for the coveted title of Best in Show. The competition began with each dog competing for best in their breed. Best in Group Best of Breed winners then advanced to compete in the group competitions. Each […]

2021 is rapidly drawing to a close. This year, I achieved a few of the things on my 2021 New Year’s resolution list! My first pledge for 2021 was to walk into the year with an open heart, mind and spirit of kindness towards every person and to do it with my dog by my […]

Why do dogs crawl under the covers? For some dogs, it's a burrowing instinct. For others, it's a fear and anxiety-driven behavior.

When you see a dog with their tail curled high over their back and triangular ears standing alertly, you might feel confident you're looking at a Japanese breed. But are you equally confident you know which one? The Akita and the Shiba Inu share a similar heritage and body shape. But the Akita, a member […]

Digging is such a source of joy for so many dogs. Has your dog filled your yard with holes? Does your garden look like gophers had a wild party? Digging is a common problem behavior in dogs, and many dog owners suffer the consequences at some point. It can be challenging to prevent, and dangerous […]

The world of dog shows, or conformation, has a unique set of language and terminology. Learn what some of the words you hear at dog shows actually mean.

AKC registration continues to expand for the sixth year in a row. The most popular dog breeds of 2018 were released on March 20, 2019, according to AKC registration statistics. Registration is not only beneficial for your dog, but for dogs everywhere. The American Kennel Club and its affiliates have donated over $38 million to canine […]

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 […]

Test for what is recommended for your breed. Order AKC DNA + Health Kit The AKC DNA Program recommends that breeders perform DNA tests that are relevant to their breed. The AKC DNA + Health Kit includes over 328 markers for health and traits, and every dog receives results for all tests. However, not all […]

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 […]

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 […]

Hoping to meet a specific dog breed (or cat breed), or do you just want to meet all 150+ breeds? Find your favorites on our list of breeds so you won't miss a single wag, whisker, or woof! They'll all be there to meet you at the January 25-26, 2020 AKC Meet the Breeds event. […]