National Champion Beats Out More Than 5,000 Dogs GCHG CH Lagniappe's From The Mountains To The Bayou, a Giant Schnauzer known as “Bayou” triumphed over more than 5,000 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 18-19, 2021 […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to recognize its affiliated dog clubs which have been holding AKC events for over 100 years and are an essential part of the sport of dogs. Founded in 1884, AKC together with its affiliated organizations promote responsible dog ownership, conduct over 23,000 organized dog events per year, breed […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2022 National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. The NOHS Finals will be held […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2022. The 2022 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

The AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHS CH Bramblebush Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, an Irish Setter known affectionately as “Declan” owned and handled by Cheryl L Stiehl DVM and bred by Cheryl L Stiehl DVM & Craig Larson. The 2022 NOHS Finals Best in Show winner […]

At the annual meeting of the American Kennel Club on March 14, 2023, the Delegates elected members to the AKC Board of Directors. The Directors elected were: Class of 2027 Charles Garvin, Delegate, Dalmatian Club of America Steven Hamblin, Delegate, Pekingese Club of America Daniel J. Smyth, Esq., Delegate, Burlington County Kennel Club In addition, […]

Puppy buyers around the world contact AKC Breeder of the Year David Fitzpatrick. His Pekingese puppies have journeyed to new homes in Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Panama, Japan, and other international destinations. Fitzpatrick requires potential puppy buyers to travel to his home in Pennsylvania to meet him and his dogs. If they are lucky […]

It goes without saying that in your house, your dog is the most popular. But what do the statistics say? The American Kennel Club has used registration data to compile the list of 2021’s most popular breeds. As always, the Labrador Retriever tops the list — this time for the 31st year!  The Lab's temperament […]

Paid Advertisement Does your dog love to run? Then you may want to consider getting them involved in Fast CAT, which has nothing to do with cats. Using dogs' natural inclination to run and chase, it's a sport that all dogs get a kick out of, from Greyhounds to Pekingese. What is Fast CAT? The […]

Every dog likes to be king of the castle, but some breeds have been favorites of royalty for hundreds of years with a rich tradition of sitting beside the throne. Here are six breeds known for their association with kings, queens, emperors, and pharaohs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel With a name like the Cavalier King […]

After a long day of breed judging at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the best dogs came out to compete in their respective groups. A grand audience at Madison Square Garden watched closely as these beautiful dogs made their way around the ring. Here are the best winners of their groups, who will now move […]

Dogs both transcend history and reflect it in a colorful, meaningful way. And that epochal and tender human-animal bond springs vividly to life in Anthony Cavo's new book Love Immortal: Antique Photographs and Stories of Dogs and Their People. Picture Perfect Cavo, a longtime antiques dealer, appraiser, and collector, has been collecting photographs since he […]

Have you ever felt overcome with emotion at the sight of a cute and fuzzy animal? Does seeing a picture of a baby smiling make you want to pinch their...

At top speed a Pembroke Welsh Corgi can run 25 MPH. That's faster than Usain Bolt's 100 meter record of 9.58 seconds, which equates to 23.35 MPH. So yes, those little legs can fly. Across the county, dogs are challenging to see how fast they can sprint in AKC Fast Coursing Ability Tests (Fast CAT) […]

Dogs can have problems with their anus and rectum just like people can. You might see your dog scooting (dragging their bottom) across the carpet or straining when they squat to defecate. Your first thought might be hemorrhoids, a common ailment in people. But can dogs get hemorrhoids? Or is something else going on under your dog's […]

Is this a whelping emergency? Am I jumping the gun? Am I waiting too long? Are the puppies in danger? Is the dam in danger? What should I do? Does she need a C-section? There's not a breeder alive who hasn't agonized over these same questions during a whelping. But take a deep breath, calm […]

When Herb Williams, former president of the Löwchen Club of America, first saw the breed at Crufts in 1984, he never dreamed he would enter a show ring with one of the little lion dogs or become active in the club. "I had Pekingese, but I wanted something a little more active," he says. "I spoke […]

The 2021 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Dec. 18 and 19 hosted more than 5,000 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 of Breed winners then advanced to compete in the group competitions to […]

GCHS CH Bramblebush Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, an Irish Setter known as “Declan,” was named Best in Show at the December 17 AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals. Judge Dominic Palleschi Carota awarded the crown to the dog during the event, held during the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida. […]

There are two kinds of pointers at dog shows. The first type is the Pointer, an elegant dog with a dished face, tail shaped like a bee stinger, and the hard-wired instinct to signal the location of camouflaged birds with the slow-motion lift of a front paw. The other pointers, by contrast, are found in […]

Need a break from the big game this Sunday? On Sunday, February 12, ESPN will offer up a mood-boosting alternative to football: four hours of dogs! The action begins at 6 p.m. ET when ESPN2 airs the AKC Agility Dog Invitational. At 8 p.m. ET, the action continues on ESPN with highlights from the AKC National […]

They're adorable. Those small, sturdy dogs with their regal bearing and long, gorgeous coats. But which breed are you admiring? The Shih Tzu (pronounced “sheed-zoo" or “sheet-su") or the Lhasa Apso? To the untrained eye, it can be hard to tell these two dogs apart, especially in full coat. But in fact, although these breeds […]

Breed Weight Male Weight Female Affenpinschers 7-10 pounds 7-10 pounds Afghan Hounds 50-60 pounds 50-60 pounds Airedale Terriers 50-70 pounds 50-70 pounds Akitas 100-130 pounds 70-100 pounds Alaskan Malamutes 85 pounds 75 pounds American English Coonhounds 45-65 pounds 45-65 pounds American Eskimo Dogs 6-10 pounds (toy), 10-20 pounds (miniature), 25-35 pounds (standard) 6-10 pounds (toy), […]

In each of the seven groups, one dog from one breed is chosen to represent their group going into Best in Show at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Show.

Seven dogs were finalists for Best in Show at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, PBGV Buddy Holly of the Hound Group took home the prize.

The AKC uses registration data to collect the most popular breeds of the past year, and for the first time in history, the French Bulldog takes the #1 spot

Adding a puppy to your family is a big decision that comes with lots of preparation. One thing you may not be prepared for is an interview with your prospective puppy's breeder. Responsible breeders want to place puppies with families that are a great match for the dog, so these interviews help both breeders and […]

For the most updated statistics, check out the latest rankings of America's most popular dog breeds. Is your dog’s breed winning popularity contests this year? Now you can find out! The most popular dog breeds of 2020 were released on March 16, 2021, based on American Kennel Club registration statistics. America continues its love affair […]

You’ve made the decision to welcome a new dog into your family. Now comes the fun part – finding the perfect dog. There’s a lot to consider. Before you commit, ask yourself these five questions. What’s Your Schedule? Think about your lifestyle. Do you work long hours? Struggle to get out the door in the […]

  Welcome to the AKC . We have put together definitions for dog words that you may not be familiar with. If you have additional questions regarding the glossary, please contact our Special Services Department. A Abdomen The belly or under surface between the chest and the hindquarters. Acetabulum The concave lateral portion of the […]