At 7 months old, Weimaraner “Gauge,” a Weimaraner, launched herself off the front of a pontoon boat into the water below. She jumped without hesitation, much to the delight of her owners, Anna and Chris Brown. “My husband always wanted a dog so he could jump off the boat and have the dog follow, and she did,” Anna says.   It wasn’t long before they started taking Gauge to dock diving events in […]

If your dog is fearful of thunderstorms or experiences motion sickness, your veterinarian might suggest giving them a mild sedative. One option is a...

Selegiline is a medication that acts on dopamine in a dog's brain. It is used to easy symptoms of cognitive dysfunction syndrome and Cushing's disease.

Teaching your dog to go to a specific place is helpful when you need them to stay in one place for a short period of time. Here's how from training experts.

Regular veterinary visits are essential for your pet's health and wellness, but they can be stressful for dogs. Here's how to make vet visits stress-free.

Cones are necessary for dogs after surgery, but they can cause a lot of distress. Teach your dog to tolerate wearing a cone in case the need arises.

"Shake" is a classic dog trick and for good reason. It's cute, fun for dogs, and simple to teach. Plus, it'll amuse and impress your friends and family and is a very polite way for your dog to meet new people. The goal of teaching shake is for your dog to happily offer the behavior […]

How can we help our dogs eat at a slower pace? With so many options to make your dog eat more slowly, you’re almost certain to find one your dog enjoys.

Whether it's raining, snowing, or just plain dirty out, nothing will stop your dog from wanting to frolic outdoors. This means you need to be prepared to clean off whatever your pup picks up on their paws before it comes back inside with them, or worse, causes them harm. Dog Booties One of the easiest […]

There's no greater joy in life than having a dog. There's also no task more daunting than continuously vacuuming their hair. Still, you don't have to live with fur clinging to your floors, couch, and clothes. Instead, you can purchase a pet vacuum that's designed to suck up those hairballs and reduce indoor allergens. Not […]

If your dog smells like a can of anchovies, you may suspect something fishy with their health — and your suspicions may be right on the nose. While it's possible your dog may have rolled in something foul, a recurring pungent odor could indicate an underlying medical issue. In This Article Why Dogs Develop a […]

Does your dog have an upset stomach? Learn which foods can help soothe your dog’s tummy, plus what to avoid and when to call the vet.

Grapes (and their dehydrated form, raisins) can prove extremely toxic to dogs. Even a single grape could prove life-threatening, with the symptoms of poisoning sometimes not immediately apparent. If you suspect that your dog has eaten a grape or food containing raisins, consult an emergency vet immediately. They can evaluate your dog's health and intervene […]

Shelters have many dogs with sad stories. But Roger was the one of the most heartbreaking cases Vicki Brown had ever seen.

Nashville team the "Dolly Pawtons" of Nashville heads to the AKC Agility League Championship.

Winners have been crowned at the second annual Westminster Flyball competition, held on January 31 at the Jacob K. Javits center.

From rescue pup to two-time MACH titleholder, Vanna enters the 20th Annual AKC Agility Invitational with owner-handler Mary Greenwell.

Do you enjoy teaching your dog obedience skills? Then, the sport of AKC Rally might be for you! Here's how to train for the sport at home.

If you're the owner of an energetic or hyper dog, here are some tips to help calm them down and get to the root of the hyperactive behavior.

Next time there’s inclement weather, don’t let it spoil your fun. Try out these indoor games and activities to keep your dog on their toes.

No one likes picking up poop. But when a veterinarian asks you to bring a sample of your dog's waste for a dog fecal test, you'll want to know how.

Down is one of the most basic and useful behaviors to teach your puppy. Here's how to teach your dog to lie down on command.

Whether you pull out your cell phone or a DSLR camera, it's hard to resist taking photos of your dog. They're cute, cuddly, and entertaining subjects. But dogs aren't always the most cooperative models. Whether it's getting your dog in focus but the background blurry or capturing an action shot, getting the kinds of portraits […]

On Tuesday (March 24), the Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee will consider a bill that would impose extensive new requirements on licensed dog breeders. This bill is identical to SB 2990 considered last week in the Senate and applies “one-size-fits-all” commercial-style standards to all breeders (Under Illinois law, a dog breeder is anyone who […]

On Thursday, March 12, the Illinois Senate Agriculture Committee heard Senate Bill 2990, which would place extensive new requirements on those licensed as dog breeders by the state. SB 2990 passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee by a narrow vote of 7–6. Thank you to the dog owners and club members who contacted the […]

The American Kennel Club has been tracking two bills affecting dog breeders in Arizona and they both have missed legislative deadlines and will not advance this session. SB 1539 would have imposed arbitrary, one-size-fits-all mandates on animal breeders and harm responsible breeding practices without meaningfully addressing animal welfare concerns. The bill defined a "hobby breeder" […]

41 legislatures and the District of Columbia are in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: Arizona – SB 1462 mandates comprehensive, standardized training for Arizona animal control officers, focusing on legal and animal welfare topics. The bill missed legislative deadlines and will not advance this year. AKC monitored this […]

The following are highlights of the numerous bills in Congress that could impact dog owners and the wellbeing of dogs. Visit our 2026 Legislation Tracking map click on the arrow on the Region column to filter for US Federal legislation and get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of issues […]

The French Bulldog continues to warm hearts in the United States! The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, announced this morning that the beloved French Bulldog is America’s most popular breed for the […]

The following breeders have met the requirements for the Breed and Levels recorded at the time of the application. The American Kennel Club is pleased to recognize these breeders for their contribution to the sport and maintaining the tenets of the Breeder of Merit program. (current as of  3/12/26, last updated 3/13/26) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Platinum"] […]