At the 2022 National Agility Championship (NAC) in Ocala, Florida, hundreds of the nation's top canines compete with hopes of being named one of the best Agility dogs. Of the qualifying contenders, it's typical to see dozens of Border Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs. This year, there was even a Bulldog and a Borzoi! But a […]

When you and your dog reach the Elite Performer level, you'll need not only to perform high-level tricks, but also act out a story together. The same is true for the AKC Virtual Trick Dog Competition. So, is your dog ready to be the star of their own show? As a fiction author turned dog […]

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 […]

After taking a training class three years ago, now 16-year-old Skylar Sowiecki swiftly got involved with dog shows. Sowiecki resides in sunny Florida and owns German Shepherd Dogs—but can also be seen showing Borzois and occasionally Beaucerons and Greyhounds. Sowiecki and her two GSDs compete in a variety of sports including Conformation, Rally, Dock Diving, Fast […]

Cancer is the leading cause of death in adult dogs. Approximately 6 million dogs will be newly diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, with senior dogs at particular risk. It's a diagnosis nobody wants for their beloved pet, but thankfully there are powerful new tools to detect cancer in dogs earlier and […]

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 AKC Veterinary Outreach Program welcomes the veterinary community to the AKC website. Did you know that the AKC is the only registry for purebred dogs that routinely inspects breeders using its registry, and eliminates from the registry those who do not meet AKC standards for humane care and canine welfare? Did you know that […]

There are few things more beautiful than watching a dog running in a full-out sprint without abandon. On September 16, 2022, dogs from across the United States journey to Kannapolis, North Carolina to compete in the 2022 Fastest Dogs USA. Bolting down the field with the fifth fastest time was Salt, the No. 1 ranking […]

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 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 […]

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 winners of the AKC Agility League Season 2. Champion and Reserve Champion Teams were named in three divisions: International (ISC courses), Regulation (Masters courses) and Limited (Shorter courses for smaller spaces). […]

To borrow a popular phrase, Eli isn’t a one-trick Poodle, nor does he hide a thing. Right now, the Miniature Poodle and his 68-year-old owner, Leslie Gelesh, of Akron, Ohio, are at the top of their game after winning the 2021 American Kennel Club Trick Dog Competition with a dazzling six-minute routine called “Batman Furever.” […]

A Texas Senate Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, March 28 on Senate Bill 876 which will require anyone who owns 5 or more intact female dogs over 6 months of age to become a state licensed dog breeder – even if they never breed a litter or sell a single dog. This […]

A Texas Senate Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, March 28 on Senate Bill 876 which will require anyone who owns 5 or more intact female dogs over 6 months of age to become a state licensed dog breeder – even if they never breed a litter or sell a single dog. This […]

A Texas Senate Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday, March 28 on Senate Bill 876 which will require anyone who owns 5 or more intact female dogs over 6 months of age to become a state licensed dog breeder – even if they never breed a litter or sell a single dog. This is […]

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), […]

A typical year for the Towell family means having their kids qualify for Westminster Juniors. Meet this year's participants, Bevin and Fenric Towell.

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

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 […]

Caring for the New Family Dog As the owner of a new puppy, you can expect the loveable little creature to: Chew the leather handle on your guitar case, the plastic lever on your home office chair, and the wooden leg of your walnut veneer coffee table. Whimper at the side of your bed at […]

Some of the fastest dogs in the country dashed after the coveted "bunny" lure in a 100-yard Fast CAT dash, in hopes of being named the fastest dog at the 2023 AKC Fastest Dogs USA competition, which aired on ESPN.

Dru Shepherd of New Jersey may have started her show career with rabbits, but her Afghan Hounds have led her from the conformation ring to the opera stage.

The AKC Museum of the Dog is pleased to announce the opening of their new exhibit “Fashionable Dogs”, which will run from September 7th, 2023, through December 31st, 2023. This exciting exhibition is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor […]

Congratulations 2019 NLCC winners! December 30, 2019 Limestone, TN Best of Breed Winners: FC Kominek's Lucius SC LCX Afghan Hound   M Terry Kel Simoon Ramisi 'N Sambala RN SC CA BCAT CGC Azawakh     M BISBEE Zoiboyz Lolita CGC TKN Borzoi     L Pocurull/K Thompson FC Oquirrh Sunfleet Sapphire SC CA BCAT Greyhound     F Burnham DC Fusion's Jessica Rabbit FDC MC LCX3 TKN Ibizan Hound     K Radke FC Hallam Mia Lucy Lightfoot Al Bakhu SC Pharaoh Hound     T Haig/D Carota GCH DC […]

Congratulations 2021 NLCC winners! October 31, 2021 Muncie, IN Best of Breed Winners: FC Kominek’s Freya MC LCX2 Afghan Hound E Kominek/S Kominek FC Kel Simoon Ramisi ‘N Sambala RN SC CA BCAT CGC Azawakh M Bisbee FC Annandael & Lia Faille’s Dark Matter SC CA Basenji L Frazer/M Hogan/D Johnston NFC FC Oxota Storm […]

Can dogs sense death? Ask any group of dog lovers, and they can give you example after example. But is it just a coincidence, or can they tell?

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, wishes to acknowledge those individuals that have excelled at breeding dogs that have proven to be outstanding in AKC sports. The commitment to preserve, protect and improve a breed represents the very essence of the AKC. […]

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 winners of the AKC Junior Versatility Scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to the top 10 Juniors who competed in a minimum of three different competitive AKC Events. The dates of eligibility were […]

32 AKC recognized breeds make up the hound group. We're taking a closer look at what each of these beauties were bred to do.

A combination of breed and socialization will help determine how your dog will behave. Here's why breed matters when selecting a pet.