Can dogs eat pork bones? It's not advisable for them to do so. Here's why you should avoid giving your dog pork bones and what to do if they do eat one.

People looking for the ultimate house dog should consider the loving, outgoing, and all around charming Pug. Learn more about this toy breed.

Each AKC-recognized breed is assigned to one of seven groups. We're taking a closer look at the Working Group to see what these 32 breeds were bred to do.

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?

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce that the AKC Agility League recently concluded its eighth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the 10 divisions, including the League’s […]

There is more to the Bichon Frise than meets the eye. Here are some facts you might not know.

The biggest Conformation event of the year is here, and the results are out! See the group winners of the 2024 AKC National Championship.

The AKC Agility League recently concluded its eighth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the 10 divisions, including the League’s new division of Elementary for beginner dogs. The AKC Agility League is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, YuMove and AKC Pet Insurance. The League […]

GCHG CH Hearthmore's Wintergreen Mountain RI CGC TKN FITB, a Giant Schnauzer known as “Monty” triumphed over more than 5,600 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize when they were awarded Best in Show at the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 14-15, 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, […]

On Wednesday, following 40 minutes of floor debate, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Beagle Brigade Act (S. 759) to support U.S. detection dogs. The Senate passed this measure in November. The bill now goes to the President for his signature. AKC has been pleased to advocate over several years for passage of this […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2024 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, 2024. The 2024 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2024 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 […]

  Since the first issue of AKC Family Dog in 2003, we have been telling the stories of service dogs who guide the blind, hear for deaf, perform household tasks for wheelchair users, indicate on impending seizures and diabetic trauma, and perform many other jobs for disabled owners. During our 13-plus years of interviewing service-dog […]

It’s a crisp 60 degrees on a spectacular summer day at Glacier National Park in Montana’s Rocky Mountains. Cascading waterfalls, glacier-carved mountain peaks, and an ark full of wildlife makes this place a paparazzi’s paradise. The A-list celebs here consist of mountain goats and bighorn sheep who regard the visitor-center parking lot at 6,646-feet–high Logan […]

If you are a pet owner who has taught your dog to sit, stay, heel, or perform any manner of tricks, you owe it all to Blanche Saunders. Poodle breeder Helen Whitehouse Walker became taken with the Obedience trials she saw conducted in England in the 1930s. She soon committed to establishing the practice in […]

Among the marvels of human ingenuity is the way various breeds of dog were developed, mentally and physically, to tackle specific jobs. Consider the farmer’s eternal war against rodents and other burrowing mammals that devastate grain stores, raid henhouses, tear up fields, dig away riverbanks, and carry disease. As their number-one weapon in subterranean warfare, […]

Dogs dancing were depicted in ancient pottery, and vaudeville-era included musical numbers with dogs. Modern musical freestyle dates back to the '80s, helped by "heelwork to music" displays at Crufts. Dogs of any breed capable of learning obedience and tricks can ultimately learn musical freestyle. In 2013, Zandra Brown took in a 5 1/2 –year-old […]

Imagine a mild sedative before leaving home, a bandana sprayed with calming scents, a bunch of bacon snacks, and skipping the hour-long frenzy in the waiting room. From classical music wafting across the sign-in desk to licking peanut butter off the wall to act as a distraction from getting a shot, your dog’s typical freak-out […]

Can a dog really be vegan or vegetarian? Does a dog need meat to survive? Here's everything you need to know about feeding your dog meat.

Sue Stejskal was inching along on her belly in a dark crawl space that may have once held the corpse of a murder victim. A headlamp was all she had for light. She was in that tight spot because of Chili Dawg, a sweet 8-pound Dachshund with wiry hair the color of a caramel milkshake. […]

The spotlight shines on a special handler and dog. Braelyn Cross had never heard of agility until she was in college and got involved in a unique program at Iowa State University. The ACE project helps rescue dogs while exposing students to the wonderful world of dog sports. It is run by Dr. Cheryl Morris, […]

An icon of overcoming adversity, Helen Keller had a lifelong love of dogs and owned many. She's credited with bringing the first Akita to America in 1937.

Can dogs detect and prevent fire? What about all the ways dogs have kept humans safe from fire over the years? Meet these types of fire-fighting dogs.

No breed can upstage the Bedlington Terrier: From its sculpted, crispy-linty coat to its tassel-tipped ears, it looks for all the world like a lamb.

The adorable Bichon Frise is among the canine kingdom’s great survivors, relying on charm and intelligence to weather history’s ups and downs.

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce The AKC Agility League recently concluded its seventh season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the eight divisions. The AKC Agility League […]

The Bull Terrier has come a long way since its less-than glamorous origins. There's more to the goofy, sweet breed than meets the eye.

AKC Breeder of Merit Gold Kristin Cihos-Williams of Kinderteckel Standard Smooth Dachshunds has been involved in the breed since 1992. When she and her family bought their first home in San Diego, California, they were restricted by their homeowners’ association rules to a 25-pound-dog. Kristin wanted a big dog personality in a small dog body […]

By Jessica Acito, AKC Government Relations The Delaware House of Representatives has unanimously approved a bill to make the Golden Retriever Delaware’s state dog.  Eleven states currently have official state dog breeds, often recognizing those that are indigenous to a state. Pending approval by the Delaware Senate, the Golden Retriever will join the ranks of […]

Order AKC DNA + Health Kit     Activate AKC DNA Kit Use AKC DNA + Health for all your DNA needs for Golden Retrievers. Every test provides results for: AKC DNA Profile - 201 markers for parentage verification purposes, the only AKC-approved profile for parentage verification* 328+ markers for health and traits Sample AKC DNA […]