The AKC works with non-AKC service and sports organizations to recognize the titles that AKC-registered dogs earn in their programs. This includes the AKC Therapy Dog program and the AKC Search & Rescue program. AKC also recognizes titles of the Barn Hunt Association (BHA); North American Diving Dogs (NADD); the North American Flyball Association (NAFA); […]

Competition/Titles Update Winter 2022 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 Up&Running A […]

Natalia Backos, a 14-year-old from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, has never known a time when she didn't spend her weekends at dog shows. A proud third-generation breeder/owner/handler, Backos is following in the footsteps of her grandmother and mother, alongside her sister. Her dogs include her Parson Russell Terriers BISS GCH Panther Creek Stone Cold Sober "Boozer" and […]

According to 2021 registration statistics, the Norwegian Lundehund is the rarest and least popular dog breed, ranking 197 of 197 breeds. But there's still a hole lot to love about this dog. A dozen or so years ago, potty-mouthed TV chef Gordon Ramsay visited Iceland for his first taste of puffin. With its orange beak […]

In 2014, DreamWorks Animation announced that it was putting Lassie on the comeback trail, but not in the way you might think. “We realized that Lassie has an authenticity that makes her a merchandising holy grail,” DreamWorks executive Michael Francis crowed to The New York Times. Francis (the man behind Target’s fabulously successful Bull Terrier […]

What tugs at our hearts more than an adorable Chihuahua peeking out of Reese Witherspoon’s purse in the movie Legally Blonde? Perhaps it is the sight of puppies glee­ fully romping through scenes in 101 Dalmatians, or the exploits of Otis, the endearing Pug, in The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Dogs occupy a treasured […]

It's no secret that every owner thinks that their dog is special — especially those dogs that have qualified for the 2022 AKC National Agility Championship (NAC), which is being held in Ocala, Florida on April 1-3 this year.   But one of these dogs has earned a title that bears no acronym or ribbon: Hero. […]

The bubonic plague, or Black Death, was unleashed in 1348 by the humble rat flea. The plague decimated the people of Europe and before the connection was made between the plague and rats, half of all Europeans — by some estimates 40 or 50 million — suffered an unspeakably gruesome death. In the wake of […]

Two bills that seek to criminalize safely tethering a dog are on the agenda of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee tomorrow, March 16. One of the bills could actually increase the risk of harm to a dog. Dog owners are urged to immediately call and email subcommittee members and respectfully ask them to vote NO […]

On Monday, March 21, 2022, the Maryland Senate will give third and final consideration to the passage of Senate Bill 44 which regulates dogs outdoors and unattended in certain weather conditions and temperatures.  Its companion bill, House Bill 16, had previously passed the House and is now in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. The AKC […]

A radical animal rights ballot proposal in Oregon has been postponed until 2024.  This proposal would outlaw all hunting, criminalize artificial insemination, and have a significant impact on many other animal husbandry practices in the state. Background: In 2021, supporters began advocating for Initiative Petition 13, officially called the “Abuse, Neglect, and Assault Exemption Modification […]

On Monday, March 21, 2022, the Maryland Senate passed Senate Bill 44  which regulates dogs outdoors and unattended in certain weather conditions and temperatures. The bill is schedule for a hearing before the House Environment and Transportation Committee at 1:00pm on Wednesday, March 30,2022.  Written comments will only be accepted on Monday, March 28.  Scroll […]

So far in 2022, responsible Tennessee dog owners have successfully opposed several problematic bills. Next week, more overreaching bills are scheduled for hearings. These bills could actually increase the risk of harm to dogs. Senate Bill 2243 and House Bill 2860 both seek to make it an offense for a person to restrain a dog […]

One of our greatest strengths as an organization has been our ability to hold fast to tradition over the course of one hundred thirty-five years. Not many corporations have been in existence – and flourishing – for as long as the American Kennel Club has. Our success is fueled by one constant: our abiding love […]

Hello, everybody, and thank you for joining us for the second virtual meeting of our Delegate Body. The onset of Autumn is usually a time when we celebrate the return of events in cooler climates when the heat of the summer is replaced by the hint of turning leaves, and yet here we are, with […]

With Retrievers being one of the most popular breeds in America, it’s a safe bet that thousands upon thousands of hours are spent playing fetch each year. While you might think it’s just a form of play (and a fun party trick!), it’s actually much more: It’s a Retriever embracing his natural ability to respond […]

Retrievers are one of the most versatile breeds around. Their natural instinct to retrieve (anything) but specifically birds make up their drive to please. They are not only useful for hunters but for families and professionals in many ways. Retrievers can be hunting dogs, great family dogs, arson dogs, bomb detection dogs, drug detection dogs, […]

This program was formulated due to the overwhelming success of the Retriever Hunting Test program. In 1986 Director of Field Trials and Hunting Tests, A. Hamilton (Ham) Rowan, Manager of Performance Events, John Carroll, and AKC Field Representative, Bob Bartel developed the plans for the fledgling Pointing Breed Hunting Test program. The regulations were approved […]

Field Trial Grounds being Developed in Alabama by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources First Dog to Earn MHA — ‘Battue‘ Growing Up With Field Dogs Get Started Growing Up In A GSP Family Kaitlyn Walsh -- A Young Handler for the Hunt Test Crowd "Miles" -First Junior Hunter Advanced Title Portuguese Pointer: First to […]

News from the State Capitols Here are some highlights of state-level issues AKC GR is currently tracking. Alabama –House Bill 485 as introduced would, among other provisions, allow a dog to be confiscated without court authorization if “suspected” of harassing, harming, or killing livestock. AKC is working with the bill sponsor on additional amendments to […]