You’ve made the decision to welcome a new dog into your family. Now comes the fun part – finding the perfect dog. There’s a lot to consider. Before you commit, ask yourself these five questions. What’s Your Schedule? Think about your lifestyle. Do you work long hours? Struggle to get out the door in the […]

Around the country, dogs and their humans are gearing up for the event of the year: the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin. This means rigorous training as dogs nail those jumps, weave poles, and tire jumps—all while following a diet carefully designed for peak performance. We spoke to Dr. Catherine Lenox (DVM, DACVN), […]

Over 1000 dogs participated in the 2024 AKC National Agility Championship presented by YuMOVE to show off their skills as America's top Agility dogs.

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 […]

Thousands of dogs compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show. Check out some statistics on the breeds and groups who've taken the trophy.

After two days of steep competition at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Doberman Pinscher 'Penny' has won Best in Show.

On Monday, September 9, we lost a member of our AKC family. Ranny Green had been a Features Writer for the American Kennel Club for almost 10 years.

At just 15 years old, junior handler David Frasca has been competing in dog sports for two-thirds of his life. He works with six dogs in six sports: Agility, Rally, Obedience, CAT, Fast CAT, and Herding. David started in sports at five years old, but ten years later, he still can't choose a favorite between […]

We all know dogs we describe as amusing, entertaining, or downright hilarious. Dogs can make us laugh. But do the dogs, themselves, have a sense of humor? Do they know they’re being funny? Do canines find things amusing? Do dogs laugh, and if so, what makes them laugh? Is playfulness the same as a sense […]

Dogs love to experience the world through their sense of taste. Your dog probably licks their food bowl, their fur, their toys, and of course, your hands and face. But have you ever seen your dog lick the air? Is there something stuck in their mouth or are they tasting the air? In fact, dogs lick the air for all kinds of reasons. Alhough […]

Frantisek Horak, the creator of the Cesky Terrier persevered through World War II and a communist revolution to create the new hunting breed.

The Berger Picard hit the big screen in "Because of Winn-Dixie" but this French herding dog's history goes back way further.

There just seems to be no stopping the Labrador Retriever! For a record 29th year (2019), the versatile sporting breed reigns supreme on the American Kennel Club registry list, a run like no other breed has seen in the record books. Changes in the top ten Little changed in the top ten standings from 2018. Following […]

Roberta Hill and her Treeing Walker Coonhound "Toddie" came into each others' lives by accident. But their bond has been nothing short of exceptional since.

Meet four representatives of the Working Group, blue-collar dogs with strength and smarts, and understand why responsible breeding of working dogs is particularly important.

Meet "Granger" the Rottweiler, 12.5 month-old winner of the 2023 AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes.

There are many types of nose work for dogs, from scent work to various sports like tracking, earthdog, search and rescue, or barn hunt.

Lenore Hedemark, a 14-year-old from North Carolina, is the number-one American Hairless Terrier Junior Handler for the past two years. As an up-and-coming show photographer and active competitor, Lenore began showing dogs at 11 years old. She stepped into the ring for the first time with her aunt's ex-racing Greyhound registered with a Purebred Alternative […]

Seventeen-year-old Isabella Ruffoni from Gilroy, CA is a third-generation dog show handler, but didn't get involved in the sport until she was 15.

There's a reason why the AKC divides its breeds into seven groups. That reason is a mixture of tradition and breed function. But why?

Yeast infections in dogs are common. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing serious complications.

When college students decorate the walls of their dorm rooms, the subjects of the posters they choose may vary. But when Kevin Mason decided to hang an image in his room during his final year at Florida State University in Tallahassee, he chose a Bulldog. However, Mason didn’t own one — at least, not yet. […]

From haunted hounds to laboratory creations, these are the top dogs in horror movies to watch this Halloween.

“What’s the matter, Lassie? Did Timmy fall down the well?” For those old enough to remember the book, film, or television series, Lassie was always on the spot to protect or save her family from danger. But canine heroics are not just the stuff of fiction. In real life, dogs have been to known to […]

The Group Winners are chosen to decide who will compete for Best in Show at the 2023 AKC National Championship. See the group winners here.

One of a dog owner's worst nightmares is having their dog run away, yet it's an all too common and dangerous scenario. So how do you prevent it?

AKC National Agility Championship Champion Teams 2026 - Temecula, CA AKC National Agility Champions 08" - MACH Welly MXB MJS XF T2B CGC, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi known as Welly, handled by Peter Wirth of Longmont, CO 12" - MACH6 Safranne's Have No Fear MXS2 PAD MJG2 PJS NF, a Poodle known as Skye, handled […]

The AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award Program was established in 2006 to provide each AKC Member Club with an embossed AKC medallion to award on a yearly basis as an ongoing effort to celebrate its volunteer club members. This award honors those individuals who deserve special recognition that have made a difference in the Sport of […]

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

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 Master Agility Championships (MACH)  Congratulations to these dogs who have earned more […]