The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panels for the 2021 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 2020 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2020. The 2020 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2019 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, 2019. The 2019 event will showcase the top national and international canine athletes […]

- Entries Open August 3rd- The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the second AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge. This virtual conformation competition is open to all AKC recognized breeds including Miscellaneous breeds. Entries close on August 10th at 12pm ET. Heading the panel as Best in Show and […]

-Entries Open Today-  The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the third AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge. This virtual conformation competition is open to all AKC recognized breeds including Miscellaneous breeds. Entries close on October 12th at 12pm ET.   Heading the panel as Best in Show and Best […]

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 […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18, 2022. The 2022 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

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 […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 25th AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 2025. The 2025 event will showcase the top canine athletes and will also […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2017 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17, 2017. The 2017 event will showcase the top national and international canine athletes […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to recognize its affiliated dog clubs which have been holding AKC events for over 100 years and are an essential part of the sport of dogs. Founded in 1884, AKC together with its affiliated organizations promote responsible dog ownership, conduct over 23,000 organized dog events per year, breed […]

The Russell Terrier Gains Full AKC Recognition While Three Other Breeds Move into the Miscellaneous Class   The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) expanded its litter of registered breeds on June 27 to welcome the Russell Terrier to the Terrier Group, growing AKC’s family to 175 breeds.  Also moving up the ranks to the Miscellaneous class […]

Dog Experts Say Researching Breeds and Finding a Responsible Breeder Puts Your Pet in a Leading Role in Your Family New York, NY — In anticipation of the April 4, 2007 release of the family comedy Firehouse Dog, the American Kennel Club® reminds moviegoers about the importance of making careful, educated decisions when considering adding […]

-- Tiny Terrier Poised to Overtake the Great Golden Retriever as Second Most Popular Dog in U.S.-- New York, NY — For the 15th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, according to AKC® registration figures released today. The Golden Retriever held onto the number two spot and the […]

  The American Kennel Club has announced that as of January 1, 2003 two new breeds - the Toy Fox Terrier and the German Pinscher - have been granted regular status as AKC-recognized breeds and are eligible for competition in the Toy and the Working Groups, respectively. The Toy Fox Terrier The Toy Fox Terrier […]

  Just like our immigrant ancestors, most of the dog breeds we know and enjoy today originated in other countries and came to the United States later on. However, there are a number of AKC registered breeds which were developed on American soil, and each has its own unique history and heritage: Alaskan Malamute - […]

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 […]

  --AKC Releases Registration Statistics for 2002-- For the 13th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, according to registration figures released today by the American Kennel Club. Nearly three times as many Labs were registered in 2002 as any other breed. Golden Retrievers were a distant second, with […]

While many of the dog breeds we know and enjoy today originated in other countries, there are a number of AKC registered breeds which were developed on American soil, and each has its own unique history and heritage: Alaskan Malamute - The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, was named after the […]

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day on Monday, March 17th, 2003 the American Kennel Club celebrates seven purebred dogs of Irish heritage. Additional information including the full breed standards, links to Parent Club web sites and video clips of each breed, is available on this site.   The Glen of Imaal Terrier - "There is […]

New York, NY — The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today the 2014 AKC Breeder of the Year Award group recipients, recognizing seven breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups that are dedicated to excellence and the advancement of the purebred dog. “Breeders are the heartbeat of the American Kennel […]

The American Kennel Club® Museum of the Dog is thrilled to announce its newest exhibit, “Outfoxed: Fox Terriers and Friends”, which will run January 24th through April 28th, 2024. The exhibition is sponsored in part by the American Fox Terrier Club. Of all the breeds represented in the collection of the AKC Museum of the […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce that effective March 5, 2007, Mrs. Anne Katona, of Morgan Hill, CA will join the Executive Field Staff and cover shows in the Northern California area. For over 35 years, Mrs. Katona has been an active participant in the sport of purebred dogs. She grew up in […]

  The American Kennel Club has announced that effective May 1, 2004, the Black Russian Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff have been granted regular status as AKC-recognized breeds and are eligible for competition in the Working Group, effective July 1, 2004. In addition, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is approved for AKC registration as of […]

  At the AKC Delegate Meeting on March 8, Dr. Thomas M. Davies, Walter F. Goodman and Ronald H. Menaker were re-elected to the AKC Board of Directors, Class of 2008. Ronald H. Menaker was re-elected Chairman of the Board and David C. Merriam was re-elected Vice-Chairman at a meeting of the AKC Board of […]

"As the big hound is, so will the pup be."-- Irish Proverb New York -- It’s no surprise that Ireland has produced many immortal writers, poets and musicians, but did you know there are several dog breeds that hail from the Emerald Isle? In honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, the American Kennel […]

State Issues: News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Visit the 2020 Legislation Tracking page and click on your state to get the latest updates on state bills monitored by the AKC. Alabama – HB 209 seeks to authorize food service establishments to allow pet dogs in […]

The Tupelo City Council and the Baldwyn Board of Aldermen will meet tomorrow, Tuesday October 3rd to discuss possible breed bans. The Mississippi Canine Coalition is organizing fanciers and concerned dog owners to oppose these proposals. For further information on how you can help, please contact the Mississippi Canine Coalition directly at 4aussie@bellsouth.net. Mississippi has […]

The city of Muscatine, Iowa is considering a repeal of its breed ban in effect since 2003. The city council will hold a special meeting for public comment on Thursday, October 28. Dog owners and interested members of the public should attend the meeting and encourage city council to repeal the breed ban. City ordinance […]

A proposed ordinance that would have lifted restrictions on ownership of “pit bull” dogs in Sherwood, Arkansas, has been withdrawn. As a result of this action, Sherwood’s animal ordinance continues to prohibit the ownership of: Pit Bull Terriers Staffordshire Bull Terriers American Pit Bull Terriers American Staffordshire Terriers American Bull Dogs Mixed breed dogs with […]