When dog lovers hear the phrase “mountain dog,” their thoughts naturally turn to the big guys: Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and other large, immensely powerful breeds created to guard flocks and rescue luckless travelers amid the world’s great mountain ranges. But dogs specially bred to thrive in high altitudes come in all […]

Regular veterinary visits are essential for your pet's health and wellness, but they can be stressful for dogs. And it's no wonder. They usually only go a few times a year, and when they do, they get poked, prodded, and stuck with a needle. But vet visits aren't optional, so try these simple at-home exercises and […]

From the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever, to the German Shepherd Dog and the German Shorthaired Pointer, some of America's most popular dogs are large breeds, achieving an adult weight in the range of roughly 45 to 90 lbs. These large dogs are different from smaller dogs and extra-large breeds in more than just size […]

About, 2,400 years before the founding of the AKC, Plato invented the dog show. Well, not really, but kind of. The great philosopher theorized that all things around us in the natural world—the chair I’m sitting in, the keyboard I’m typing on—are but imperfect versions of the ideal representations of these objects that dwell in a higher realm of consciousness. These […]

A normal litter size can range from 1 to 12 puppies, with 5-6 puppies being average across all dogs. But just as every breed of dog differs by size, function, and personality, they also differ when it comes to litter size, according to AKC registration data. Big dogs tend to have larger litters while small […]

Pet owners should know the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for ringworm in dogs. Here's what to look for in your dog.

Here at the AKC, we never get tired of learning more about dogs, whether it's a new study on canine behavior, a statistic from our database, or even just cool facts about a dog's impressive physical and mental abilities. You may know some of these already, and others may be more of a "wait, really?" […]

How do you find a reputable dog breeder? Once you decide to look for a puppy of your own, AKC Marketplace can connect you with a responsible breeder. But you’re also going to have to do some research, mixed with a dollop of good, old-fashioned gut instinct. Here are some considerations to guide you in […]

Want to know how to teach your dog their name? The best way to do this is to teach them to associate their name with something positive.

We have some big news to report about All-Americans succeeding at earning the top titles in Agility, Coursing Ability, Rally, Obedience, Scent Work, Tracking, and Trick Dog. Many dogs are also having success in AKC’s Virtual Titling programs! AGILITY AGCH (Agility Grand Champion) AGCH MACH2 Rosie La Bella MXC PDS MJC PJS MFG TQX T2B5 […]

Sheryl Bradbury breeds Grand Bassets Griffon Vendéen (GBGV) and Lancashire Heelers, a breed in the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS). "My Lancashire Heeler kennel, Mashury, is devoted first to health, temperament, and conformation and to breeding dogs that can work hard, play hard, and love their shepherd." “I imported my first GBGV in 2012 from […]

When you think of sports dynasties the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, New York Yankees and Alabama Crimson Tide certainly come to mind. But when you’re talking about dominance, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than the Labrador Retriever, America’s top dog for a record 30th consecutive year (2020). In a country where people’s tastes […]

You're getting a new puppy! This is an exciting time, and it's easy to daydream about all the fun things you'll do with a dog in your life. There's a lot you can do in preparation to make sure that your puppy's introduction into the household goes smoothly. It starts by creating some house rules […]

2020 was a year of pain, sadness, and frustration. For our sport, it has meant many months of doing without the weekly dog shows where we compete and socialize. We’re all familiar with the old saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” That phrase was never truer than in 2020, when fanciers found innovative […]

Though it's been around in one form or another for hundreds of years, Mantrailing is still a helpful tool when hunting for missing persons, despite technological advances. Mantrailing dogs continue to prove their worth locating criminals, missing children, and people with Alzheimer's, among others. In fact, these trained dogs' trailing skills are so reliable that […]

In the COVID-19 era, you better be careful when uttering the word fever. But rest assured, Biewer Fever is all about smiles and plenty of engaging inquisitiveness tossed in for good measure. Welcome the Biewer (pronounced Beaver) Terrier to the American Kennel Club’s full-fledged competition family in the Toy Group. As the AKC’s 197th recognized […]

Around the country, dogs and their humans are gearing up for the event of the year: the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. This means rigorous training as dogs nail those jumps, weave poles, and tire jumps—all while following a diet carefully designed for peak performance. We spoke to Dr. Catherine Lenox (DVM, DACVN), […]

Halloween this year may look a little different, but that doesn't have to mean any less fun! It's the perfect time to show off your dog’s adorable looks, and many dog owners choose to dress their dog up for the holiday. Before dressing up your dog in any Halloween costume, keep these dog costume guidelines in mind […]

As a child and young adult, Laura Haas helped her family breed German Shepherd Dogs. But it wasn't until an encounter later in life with a whole new breed that re-ignited Haas's love of producing beautiful purebred dogs. “In 2008 while at an AKC conformation show, I met a Black Russian Terrier for the first time," […]

One day in 1938, soon after Nazi Germany annexed Austria, Adolf Hitler sent a car to his hometown of Linz to pick up Rudolphina and Rudolph Menzel. The Jewish couple – a psychologist and physician, respectively, who were also internationally known dog trainers – knew what their destination would be if they complied. It would […]