The Group Winners are chosen to decide who will compete for Best in Show at the 2023 AKC National Championship. See the group winners here.

Shih Tzu "Comet" has won Best in Show at the 2023 AKC National Championship. Meet handler and co-owner Luke Ehrict, who also won Breeder of the Year with his wife for Hallmark Jolei Dogs.

Can dogs with missing tails, ears, or eyes compete in AKC conformations shows? It depends on the missing part and the breed standard.

Leila the Pekingese may not be the most speedy dog competing in 2024 AKC Fastest Dogs USA, but she's defying the odds racing with her limited vision.

From Washington's Foxhounds to Obama's famous Portuguese Water Dogs, presidential dogs are as traditional as baseball and apple pie. Almost all of our presidents have shared the White House with a dog, and often more than one. These presidential dogs became as much a staple of the capitol as the rest of the First Family […]

Toy dogs are more than just small. Learn more about each of the Toy Group breeds and find out what exactly these adorable dogs were bred to do.

Pugs won us over with their adorable faces, loyalty, and easy-going nature. But where did those qualities come from? Learn more with these Pug fun facts.

It's normal for puppies to lose their primary teeth. For an adult dog, a loose or wiggly tooth can be the result of an injury or a sign of dental...

Ever wonder if you can go from watching dog shows on TV to competing at big shows yourself? Well that's exactly what Junior Handler Ashlyn Navis did.

Based on American Kennel Club registration statistics, we rank the most popular dog breeds in America each year. The French Bulldog takes the No. 1 spot!

Since Ancient China, Pekingese have long been revered, even believed by some to be shrunken-down lions. Today, they still retain some leonine qualities.

Some of the fastest dogs in the country dashed after the coveted "bunny" lure in a 100-yard Fast CAT dash at Fastest Dogs USA, held on May 19 in Rock...

The Japanese Chin actually originated in China. Learn more Japanese Chin fun facts to learn about this breed's history and more.

Esophagitis in dogs has many causes, like chewing toys or sticks, or ingesting chemicals (or drugs) that irritate the lining of the esophagus.

When did Fast CAT start? Was it when it when the dog's wolf ancestors chased down their first rabbit? When the Pharaohs unleashed swift hounds in...

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.

If you are reincarnated as a dog, make sure you come back as a Tibetan Spaniel. The region with the highest altitudes on our planet – hence its nickname, “the Roof of the World” – Tibet was forever changed when Buddhism arrived from northern India in the 7th and 8th centuries. Sprawling white monasteries began […]

Wheelchairs help dogs walk, and are good for a variety of injuries and conditions. It's easy to find the right one, considering a few key factors.

The "Little Lion Dog" has a rich history. Learn more about where the royal Pekingese — once owned exclusively by the Chinese imperial family — came from.

Although the exact origin of the breed isn't known, there is much we do know about Chinese Crested History. The hairless dogs have origin stories worldwide.

With their delicate appearance and small size, Shih Tzu now fulfill their ancient role as canine comforters in ways their Imperial breeders never imagined.

If you've gotten started in dog shows and love it, you may be wondering how you can get more involved in conformation and purebred dogs.

Competition/Titles Update Fall 2021 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 Agility Grand Champion (AGCH) AGCH MACH3 Day's Katie […]

In our award-winning Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives dog podcast, now in Season Four, host Bud Boccone tells the tales of breeds, dogs, and personalities who’ve shaped America (and Americans) over generations. Using the American Kennel Club's historical records, archival material, oral histories, interviews, and more, the show brings dog […]

The Pekingese, a compact toy companion of regal bearing and a distinctive rolling gait, is one of several breeds created for the ruling classes of ancient China. These are sophisticated dogs of undying loyalty and many subtle delights.

On October 22, the Ojai City Council voted 4-1 to adopt a first-in-the-nation law that prohibits the breeding of dogs and cats with “congenital anatomical features” that are likely to cause the animal or its offspring to suffer pain, deformity, or difficult expressing natural behaviors, difficulty breathing, difficultly with physical exertion or exercise, or difficulty […]

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 […]

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 […]

Sunquest Hidden Treasure, a Pekingese known as “Digger” triumphed over 1,756 dogs ages six months to 18 months to become the AKC® Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy of the Year, held today in Orlando, Fla in conjunction with the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. “Digger,” owned and bred by Kay Canaan of Gaffney, […]

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, […]