Scout is one of five 2022 AKC Awards for Canine Excellence recipients. She won the Exemplary Companion category. This category recognizes dogs without formal training or certification that have nonetheless distinguished themselves in some way and have made a meaningful contribution to their owners or communities. For almost a decade, Scout has been going to […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2022 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “It is our pleasure to honor these knowledgeable and respected breeders,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO. “The individuals have made significant contributions […]

Are you noticing your dog has a runny nose and a sudden, harsh cough that sounds like a goose honking? There's a good chance they're suffering from an upper respiratory infection. You might dismiss a cough as something that will pass in a few days. While this is often the case, these types of infections […]

We all know that the quality of care that a mother provides for her children significantly affects how they will get along in the world as adults. How many times have you heard psychologists attribute criminal behavior to poor upbringing and inattention from the mother? Does it work this way in dogs? Mother dogs do […]

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles and honors in Agility, Coursing Ability, Fast CAT, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! AGILITY Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more MACHs: MACH21 Donaldson's Daisy […]

If you get close enough to your dog's feet, you might have noticed that they smell a bit like corn chips or Fritos. Some dog owners, including yours...

The shortage of bomb-sniffing detection dogs in the U.S. and across the world is increasing, while demand is on the rise. In 2021, global terrorist attacks increased to 5,226. In many of these situations, explosive (bomb-sniffing) detection dogs could serve as a deterrent. The problem is there are not enough dogs to meet the growing […]

Owning a dog is a joy, privilege, and responsibility. If you are considering bringing a dog into your life, think seriously about the commitment that being a responsible dog owner entails. The AKC is committed to protecting the health and well-being of all dogs. In honor of AKC's Responsible Dog Ownership Day, on September 17th, […]

Breeders have a lot to observe when they have a new litter: health, structure, and temperament. And Labrador Retriever breeder Debby Kay keeps close tabs on another factor she considers crucial — how the pups use their noses. Kay has been a pioneer in scent-detection work for more than 40 years. Many of her Chilbrook […]

Training dogs has been a way of life for Roxane Dutson since she was a teen. She taught the family dogs tricks and then became involved in competition through an obedience training group. “My love for working with dogs became stronger as my husband and I got our first Labrador in 1996,” Dutson says. “From […]