12 legislatures and the District of Columbia are in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country:    California – AB 1382 prohibits the sale and importation of genetically modified pets with cosmetic traits in California, except for modifications that benefit animal health or human interaction, and imposes civil penalties for violations. The bill […]

For many, summer is a time for travel – and whether it’s for dog shows and events or a personal vacation – travelers are more often bringing their dogs. Did you know that many states have requirements for bringing a dog into the state – even for a brief period of time for a dog […]

June 2026 Meeting Reimagining Dog Sports for Television and Beyond March 2026 Meeting AKC Government Relations Detection Dog Task Force and Patriotic Puppy Program AKC Education Upcoming Projects June 2025 Meeting AKC on ESPN 2025 Broadcast Update September 2024 Meeting Delegate Forum presentation - Paws and Progress: Exploring Developmental Orthopedic Challenges and Sports Injuries in […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is pleased to announce that nominations for the President’s Sportsman Award are now open, and will be accepted through Monday, August 17, 2026. Now in its […]

This article originally appeared in the award-winning AKC Family Dog magazine. Subscribe now! One of the highlights of 2025 for Michelle Starr was the Pismo Beach Corgi Nation Vacation. She drove three hours from her Carmel, California home with her two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Bailey and Blue, to join her best friend and her Cardigan […]

Rinn Siegrist and "Saffron" the All-American Dog are competing at the Diving Dogs Teams Challenge. Saffy is the oldest dog at the 2026 event.

15-year-old Sophie Weaver, from Parrish, Florida, is one of the brightest young talents on the US competitive agility circuit. Despite this, she remains remarkably humble about everything she and “Violet,” her 4-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, have achieved together. At the AKC Agility Premier Cup in Philadelphia this June, the teenager will stand out for being the […]

Six breeds: the American English Coonhound, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound, Plott Hound, Redbone Coonhound, and the Treeing Walker...

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a hound bred to hunt raccoons. Learn more about its unique history and what makes it such a versatile hunting dog.

Pride parades and festivals are often annual events that take place around the world to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Can you bring your dog?

Is the Scottish Terrier the right breed for your lifestyle? Learn more about this iconic terrier breed and see if they're right for you.

Before you start searching for the best dog food for sensitive stomachs, it's important to start out by figuring out what's causing your dog's digestion issues. Some dogs—just like some people—are sensitive to certain food ingredients. For others, a sensitive stomach could be a sign of a more serious problem. Make an appointment with your […]

The 2026 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup airs on May 3 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Watch the competition to see who takes the top prize.

Before sharing a meal or bit of your meal with your dog, learn about which human foods are and aren't safe for them to eat and how to prepare them safely.

Does your puppy keep going potty in their crate? Here's how to figure out what might be behind this behavior, as well as how to prevent it.

All-American Dog "Paige" had a rough start as as puppy. Now 11, she and owner Flora Steffan have had an incredible agility career.

The outdoor temperature where you live affects your dog's comfort level. If you live in a warm or tropical climate, what are the best breeds for hot...

If you're looking for a perfect mix of guard dog and companion, consider the Great Dane, one of the largest dog breeds.

When you bring that fuzzy ball of puppy energy into your home, you know right away that your new puppy depends on you for, well, everything. It’s up to you to give your new puppy all the care they need every day. It can be a little intimidating — your puppy needs the best puppy […]

Danish-Swedish Farmdog 'Atreyu' and owner Dae Grodin are flying to the 2026 Diving Dogs Challenge. Learn more about this team!

Bringing a dog into your life can be deeply rewarding, but it also requires planning, patience, and long-term responsibility. While many people imagine playtime, companionship, and affection, thinking about the realities of what dog ownership actually involves is the best first step you can take. Once the right dog for your family comes along, you […]

As a child, Dresden Graff remembers being terrified. First, there was the fear that loomed over him in Baptist school: What if I'm gay? What will my parents think if they find out? Then, there was the scarier question: How would my parents handle me coming out as transgender? Coming into his own identity as a teen was […]

Editor’s Note: The American Kennel Club has had a long history of inclusion across our sport for exhibitors and spectators from all walks of life. We are sharing the stories and voices of LGBTQ community members. Here, Sassafras Lowrey shares tips on how to be more inclusive as dog owners and handlers. You can read […]

The AKC GoodDog!SM Helpline team is here to help you get the most out of your relationship with your canine companion. Our staff has decades of experience in training dogs and helping their owners foster and build a long-lasting bond. The AKC GoodDog!SM Helpline trainers are passionate about what they do, and committed to your success in […]

The New York Legislature recently adjourned after a busy two-year session where AKC followed over 350 bills with the potential to impact dogs and New York dog owners. With state budget discussions dominating much of this year, there was a significant flurry of activity at the end of session to determine which bills would pass […]

The Illinois Legislature adjourned the spring 2026 session in the early hours Monday morning.  While the lawmakers will come back for a short session later this fall where bills may be considered, this adjournment crosses a major hurdle for bills impacting dog owners and breeders in Illinois. Thanks to a significant response from dog owners […]

The American Kennel Club offers breeders the Registered Kennel Name Program to protect the use of their kennel's name in the naming of AKC registered dogs. The use of a registered kennel name allows breeders to name dogs of their breeding in an identifiable manner creating a prominent familial foundation in the breed. Application for […]

The evaluators for the ATT must either be approved AKC licensed judges of obedience or rally or be an approved CGC evaluator. The person who conducts the ATT testing is referred to as the “ATT Evaluator.” All ATT Evaluators must go through an approval process that involves completing an ATT Evaluator application, logging in to […]

June 2026 The Board VOTED to approve a request of the Delegate Companion Events Committee to amend the Obedience Regulations, removing the words “must run” from the current statement and replacing them with “Fast,” meaning that the handler and dog must move forward at a noticeably accelerated speed. These changes are effective June 1, 2026. […]

* Indicates a title granted by another sanctioning body that is recognized by the AKC # Indicates that the title can be earned multiple times. The number of times the criteria for the title have been met will follow the title abbreviation (ex: MACH8) Abbreviation Title Name Prefix or Suffix ACT1 Agility Course Test 1 […]