Thanksgiving is the perfect time to identify what makes us grateful. And it should come as no surprise that here at the AKC, our canine companions are at the top of our list. In anticipation of Thanksgiving, we asked our readers to submit their favorite fall photos of their four-legged sidekicks. Here are 15 canines […]

The regal Chow Chow has a fascinating history and many unique features. But did you know that they have blue-black tongues? Read on to learn more about this breed.

Dorothy "Dot" Dobie has spent her life competing in various ways, and she's still going strong as an Agility competitor at 92 years old.

Editor's Note: The American Kennel Club has had a long history of inclusion across our sport for exhibitors and spectators from all walks of life. This month, we are sharing stories and voices of LGBTQ community members. Here is Sassafras Lowrey's: When the AKC went public on social media with a rainbow version of the logo […]

The 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin took place on December 18 and 19 in Orlando, Florida. Thousand of dogs competed for Best of Breed; the winner of each breed then went on to Group competitions. The winners of each of the seven Groups then competed for the coveted title of Best in […]

Why do dogs bury bones? You can thank your pet's ancestors, including wild dogs and the gray wolf, and their feast or famine diet.

In 1977, 14-year-old Maris Sienstecker read about a pregnant blue whale dying a slow death on a whaling dock. The story upset the teenager to such an extent that she and her mother resolved to help other marine mammals avoid a similar fate. Together they founded Save the Whales. The Seaside, California organization dedicated its […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) and Royal Canin are pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2016 National Championship to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2016. The 2016 event will showcase the top national and international dogs and will also […]

In each of the seven groups, one dog from one breed is chosen to represent their group going into Best in Show at the 147th Westminster Kennel Club Show.

  This year’s national specialty for the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America (WSSCA) was held in late April during the Cherry Blossom Cluster in Maryland. We enjoyed four days of competition and camaraderie, and it only rained once! (In 2011 we held our national specialty in Pennsylvania during “The Great Harrisburg Flood.”) Welsh Springer […]

The annual AKC Breeder of the Year award honors exceptional breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicated their lives to improving the health, temperament, and quality of purebred dogs. On December 14 at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, Elizabeth and Daniel Karshner were selected as winners of the 2019 AKC Breeder of […]

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), […]

Kim Berkley and her Border Collies "Zayne" and "Zuko" are household names in obedience. But Berkley actually got her start in horse dressage.

Through the years, many different breeds have won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show, including the 2024 winner, "Sage" the Miniature Poodle.

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!

For most people, Thanksgiving means family gatherings with an abundance of delicious food for everyone. And even though we want to include our dogs in the celebrations, some of our holiday food is not safe for them. At Pet Poison Helpline, we believe that prevention is the best option for keeping our pets healthy — […]

For six years, Tibetan Spaniel 'Tashi' has been a regular at AKC Meet the Breeds NYC. But a sudden injury almost prevented him from returning.

Some breeds at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan® seem destined for stardom — and prove it by winning Best in Show repeatedly. Since the very first Westminster Best in Show in 1907, many of the winners have all come from the same breed groups, if not the same breed. […]

Kathy Clayton lives on 867 acres of wooded land in South West City, MO, at the corners of Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas. She is an AKC Breeder of Merit - Gold and has bred Chitawee French Bulldogs  for 28 years and is a National French Bulldog Club of America nominee  for the AKC Sportsmanship Award. […]

Dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages jumped, weaved, and ran at the 2021 AKC Agility Invitational. The 16th annual event took place December 17-19, 2021 in Orlando, FL in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, demonstrating the highest level of training and teamwork between dog and handler. The top five […]

  Looking at these ragamuffin little dogs, you have to ask yourself, why on earth would anyone consider a Löwchen? They have a funny clip, which certainly defines the breed and which we, as breeders, love—but to the general public who keep them in a typical puppy clip, they really don’t look like what people […]

The working dogs of 9/11 made many important contributions to rescue, recovery, and raising spirits during tragedy. Here are some of their stories.

The highest prize in the world of conformation dog shows is Best in Show at the AKC National Championship, presented by Royal Canin. Out of the 5,500 dogs that competed in the competition's 25th year, only one was crowed Best in Show. After an intense weekend of breed, group, and Best in Show competition on […]

Sage, a three-year-old Miniature Poodle from Houston, has won Best in Show at the 148th Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show.

Veterinarians are diagnosing an increasing number of dogs with a disease known as gallbladder mucocele. Is this because ultrasonography – the tool required for diagnosis - is more commonly available and they are more adept at recognizing the disease? Or is the incidence truly on the rise? What causes a gallbladder mucocele? And how can we better […]

At the 17th annual AKC Agility Invitational Presented by YuMOVE®, 695 dogs and their handlers not only displayed their skills and training, but also the beauty of human-canine teamwork. The event, which took place on December 17 and 18, 2022, in Orlando, Florida, was held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal […]

There is a lot to love about Miniature Pinschers, aka the "King of Toys." Here are a few fun facts about this active and fearless breed.

Alan Kalter and Dr. Chris Lezotte were presented with the 2016 AKC Breeder of the Year award for their HappyLegs Bullmastiffs at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 17, 2016. The annual award honors those breeders who have made an impact on their breed and dedicated their lives to improving […]

For the complete requirements for eligibility, download the Special Registry Services booklet on the Rules and Regulations page. You may also find helpful information by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions. Foreign Dogs may be eligible for registration in the AKC Stud Book, provided: The dog is of a breed eligible for individual registration in the […]

Titles Earned in AKC Activities, Organized by Sport and Title Progression the # symbol behind the title abbreviation indicates that title can be earned multiple times, and will carry a numeric designation [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Agility Titles"] Class Abbrev. Title Name Abbrev. Title Name (Preferred Track) Prefix or Suffix ACT ACT1 Agility Course Test 1 Suffix […]