Responsible dog ownership includes training your dog to be a well-mannered and happy companion. Obedience training is the foundation for all the fun activities and performance sports available to you and your dog. The American Kennel Club Virtual Obedience Test program provides an opportunity for exhibitors to train their dogs, evaluate their skill and teamwork, […]

The AKC Rally® Virtual Program has been made a permanent sport feature with AKC.   AKC Rally® Virtual Program The AKC Companion Events Department is excited to announce the AKC Rally Virtual Program has been approved as a permanent sport feature with AKC. The Rally Novice, Rally Intermediate, Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent classes will […]

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! AGILITY New AGCH (Agility Grand Champion) AGCH MACH4 Gorman's Athena MXB2 PDS MJS2 PJS MFG TQX T2B6 owned by Diane Fairfax Gorman of St. […]

The AKC Breeder of Merit program was introduced in October 2010. Since that time, almost 16,000 breeders have been enrolled. The program was developed to recognize those breeders who are the foundation of our sport through their participation in various AKC events and dedication to selective breeding of healthy purpose-bred purebred dogs. The basic requirements are Minimum […]

  New Test Allows All Dogs the Chance to Experience the Fun and Excitement of Lure Coursing The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the launch of a new titling event – the Coursing Ability Test – on February 24, 2011 in Calhoun, GA.  Open to all dogs, the Coursing Ability Test is […]

In January 1999, the AKC embarked on a journey to recognize Juniors who obtain titles on dogs in the Companion and Performance Events.  We are pleased to announce the continued growth of the program.  AKC will now be awarding points to Juniors who have competed in Junior Showmanship, Companion and Performance Events.  The Juniors number […]

There are several levels of competition available to you and your dog. If you aren't sure which class is best for you, please see our resources: Class Eligibility Chart Click Here for information on transfers. [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Regular Classes - Regular Titling Path"] NOVICE For the dog just getting started in obedience that can work on- […]

To earn an AKC Therapy Dog™ title, you and your dog must meet the following criteria: Certified/registered by an AKC recognized therapy dog organization. Perform the required number of visits for the title for which you are applying. For your convenience in helping you track your visits, you can use the Therapy Dog Record of Visits […]

The Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Friday, January 15, 2021, on House Bill 293, and the Maryland Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on Thursday, January 21, 2021, on Senate Bill 200.  These identical bills seek to prohibit contests where […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="Companion and Performance Event Status for the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Breeds (February 2007 Board meeting)"]  Effective immediately, FSS Breeds meeting the following criteria may compete in AKC Companion and Performance Events: National Breed Club has been established Breed has been established in the AKC/FSS® system Breed Standard exists [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="ILP's (May […]

  Obedience trials demonstrate the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring and emphasize the usefulness of the dog as a companion to humankind. The objective of obedience trials is to recognize dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs […]

OUR TRICK DOG PROGRAM IS OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY AND WE HAVE BEGUN TO PROCESS TITLES. THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN AMAZING! THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE NEW AKC TRICK DOG PROGRAM! FOR ANY INQUIRIES PLEASE CALL 919-816-3819 OR EMAIL: TRICKDOG@AKC.ORG. ***GRANDFATHERING ALLOWED FOR HIGHER DMWYD TITLES***  **Be sure to include both the title application and the […]

Pointing breed field events are some of the oldest sporting dog activities in the country. The recent AKC Pointing Breeds Gun Dog Championship held outside Reno, NV with nearly 200 entries demonstrates that the rich tradition and pleasure of watching dogs work in the field is alive and well. The competitors that just concluded this […]

What is a Therapy Dog? Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. From working with a child who is learning to read to visiting a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the […]

Think of an AKC Rally event as any team sport: You and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you steer him through a course of 10-20 different signs. Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards: Patti L. Strand (Conformation), John Cox (Companion Events) and John Russell (Performance). The Awards, first created and awarded in 1999, are presented in recognition of exceptional participation and achievement within the dog fancy. The finalists and winners, […]

You and your dog are a team. You do almost everything together – take walks, eat, veg out, even sleep together. So think of the fun you’d have showing off what a great team you are at an AKC Rally® event! AKC Rally® is one of the newest AKC sports and participation increases every year. […]

You may search several different ways in order to find the seminars you may be interested in. Please choose the way you wish to see the seminars presented in order to proceed: State Breed Seminar Type Presenter All Seminars Schedule of Future Advanced Judging Institutes (PDF) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Judges Education Webinars"] Judging Operations in collaboration […]

Photo courtesy of Houston PetTalk Magazine/Rebecca Burwell It is rare for even the most experienced competition obedience dog to earn a perfect score of 200. But recently, an All-American Dog achieved a flawless performance in his first time in the Novice class. Super Cooper Trooper CD BN RN and his owner Josh Wiggins of Spring, […]

Originally ran in the "Dogsport 101" column of AKC Family Dog Dog sports aren't only for purebreds. Since 2010, the AKC has awarded thousands of titles to mixed-breeds. Why shouldn’t your clever, athletic mix join the fun? And why shouldn’t you enjoy the bragging rights that come with putting an AKC title on your dog? […]