They’re certainly great, but did you know they’re not Danish? Dogs resembling Great Danes appear as far back as ancient Egyptian carvings, but the modern Great Dane was actually bred in Germany in the 1800s.

Roberta Hill and her Treeing Walker Coonhound "Toddie" came into each others' lives by accident. But their bond has been nothing short of exceptional since.

Dalmatians are one of the most recognizable dog breeds, known for their distinctive spotted coats and historic role as coach dogs.

The most popular dog breeds of the 1880s were led by sporting and gundog breeds, with the English Setter holding the top spot.

A common question we hear from dog lovers is "Does the AKC like mixed breeds?" The AKC stands for the love of all things dog, including mixed breeds.

Can dogs eat eggs? Learn how to safely incorporate eggs into your dog's diet, usually as an occasional treat.

Has your dog ever come across an animal carcass or a pile of poop, then gleefully rolled in it? Many dogs delight in rolling in dead things, garbage, and other smelly items. It’s not only disgusting, but it’s also confusing. Why do dogs roll in stinky stuff? Is it canine communication, an attempt to disguise […]

Your dog's name reflects their personality and helps you effectively communicate with them. But how do you choose the perfect name? Here are some tips.

It's no wonder we describe dogs as "man's best friend." As the oldest domesticated animals, dogs are smart and social, just like their wolf ancestors. Dogs and wolves are part of the diverse biological family of animals called Canidae. In This Article Understanding the Canid Family Traits Shared by Canids Are Foxes Part of the […]

Why does your dog howl when music plays? Learn what this natural behavior means and how different sounds can calm or excite your dog.

There’s a long-standing belief that dogs and cats simply don’t mix. The idea is so common that it’s almost cliché. In reality, dogs don’t hate cats, though differences in instinct and communication can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. With the right approach, many dogs and cats learn not only to coexist but to form strong, positive […]

Cheza the All-American Dog is a Trick Dog star and search and rescue dog now, but she had a difficult start before owner Laura Jackson.

What are the common causes of dog limping, and when should you take your limping dog to the vet? Learn what to look for and what to do.

When it comes to love, dogs offer devotion without complication. They won’t sign up for a secret dating profile or see another owner behind your back. Even that flirtation with the pet sitter is harmless. In This Article Showing Love Through Food Why Calm Goodbyes Matter Accepting Your Dog as an Individual Letting Dogs Experience […]

A variety of ear muffs designed for dogs are helping to protect canine hearing. Here's why you might consider ear muffs for your dog.

These friendly dog breeds, both common and rare, are lovable and adorable. Learn more about each of the breeds and figure out if one of them might be the right fit for your family.

It is likely the Senate Agriculture Committee will mark up the Agriculture Act of 2026 (“Farm Bill 2.0”) on Thursday, August 6, 2026.  We are asking you to reach out to your senators in support of the positive animal care provisions in Farm Bill 2.0 and ask that they oppose potential amendments pushed by animal […]

The Oregon Secretary of State announced that after the signature verification process, radical animal rights proposal IP 28 officially failed to qualify for the November 2026 ballot. All told, the proponents of IP 28 submitted 104,262 valid signatures against the 117,163 signatures that were needed to qualify the proposal for the November ballot.   This […]

Animal rights activists continue to collect signatures in Oregon in advance of a July 2 deadline to qualify an extreme measure (currently referred to as Oregon Initiative Petition 28) for the November 2026 ballot that would ban hunting, criminalize dog breeding (including artificial insemination), end recognized training practices, and significantly harm agriculture. AKC Government Relations […]

The Senate Agriculture Committee will be marking up draft language pertaining to federal dog laws in the 2026 Senate Farm Bill later this month.  As introduced, the bill supports important priorities for dog enthusiasts and responsible breeders, including canine health, welfare and the rights of responsible dog owners and breeders.  As a constituent of an […]

Benefits of Joining Enrolling in the AKC Canine Partners℠ program makes the most of life with your dog. Once you've taken the step of enrolling, all kinds of fun dog activities become available. AKC Canine Partners Programs℠ Official Certificate An official certificate from the American Kennel Club honoring your dog. Eligibility to participate in Agility, […]

  Want to get involved with AKC sports and events -- but your dog is a mixed breed? No problem! Here at the AKC, we embrace all types of dogs – purebred and mixed breeds alike. Our Canine Partners program is our enrollment program for mixed breeds and other dogs not eligible for AKC Purebred Registration. When […]

Below Are Links To The AKC Rules And Regulations That Are Available. [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Board Policy Manual"] AKC Board Policy Manual [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="Clubs"] Charter and Bylaws of the AKC (PDF) Const and Bylaws: All-Breed; Specialty (PDF) Const and Bylaws: Performance Clubs (PDF) Formation of Dog Clubs (PDF) Working it Out -- AKC® Guidelines for Resolving Dog Club Issues […]

8 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. After passing […]

The following list highlights some of the AKC Government Relations’ (AKC GR) legislative successes through June 30, 2026.  These and other victories have been won in cooperation with AKC federations, clubs, and responsible dog owners and breeders around the country who continue to work tirelessly to promote positive canine legislation in their state and community. […]

DQ by Judges (Jan 2026) Score All Abilities / Master Dog / Awarding Ribbons (Jan 2026) Amateur Handler Limit / Handler and Judge Relation (May 2025) MNRC Entry Size and Resources (Jan 2025) Six Various Clarifications (Oct 2024) Talking to Dog in Junior (Jul 2023) English Springer Spaniels Eligible (Nov 2022) Clarifications -Amateurs / Blind Retrieves (Oct 2022) Wirehaired Vizsla Eligible […]

Event Materials   All the forms and resources your club needs to host an AKC Retriever Hunt Test: After the Event Results must be submitted to AKC Performance Events within 7 days after the event and can be emailed to: performanceresults@akc.org Retriever Hunt Test Forms Other Forms and Publications Retriever HT Event Application Junior Handler Certification […]

If you would like to join the fun of retriever hunt tests, this introduction will help you get started. What does your dog have to do? Retriever hunt tests are offered at three test levels. Junior, Senior and Master. Beginner handlers and dogs should start at the junior test level. Any dog that is an […]

Children and teenagers are the future of the sport of dogs and responsible dog ownership. The more they learn, the more they will grow in dog sports and as a person. The values, attitudes, and responsibility learned while competing as Juniors serve children throughout their entire lives. Junior Showmanship Junior Showmanship offers children between the […]

All the forms and resources your club needs to host AKC Beagle Field Trials: Beagle Field Trial Event Forms Other Forms and Publications Event Application Junior Handler Certification Event Secretary Report Memo: Junior Handler Field Trial or Hunt Test Entry Form Procedural Checklist for Event Committee Beagle Field Trial Judges Book Cover Dealing With Misconduct […]