What makes your dog's coat long, short, straight, curly, wiry or silky? Most coat types are determined by genes at just three genetic locations.

National pride, a lush natural landscape, and abundant game helped the German Shorthaired Pointer rise in popularity. Learn about the breed's history.

Based on American Kennel Club registration statistics, we rank the most popular dog breeds in America each year. The French Bulldog takes the No. 1 spot!

Distinctively spotted dogs have been documented across cultures and continents. Here are some facts about the history of the Dalmatian.

Cross-pollinating his customs and canine careers, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann created the breed that today bears his name, the Doberman Pinscher.

Interested in Labrador Retriever history? One of America's most popular breeds traces its earliest origins across our northern border in Canada.

The Pointer is skilled at hunting birds and has adapted with the centuries. Here are some fascinating facts about this historic breed.

Great Pyrenees have been serving as guardians for their flocks for thousands of years. Here are some interesting facts about the breed.

Though we often don’t think about them in this way, dogs are really about people — those long-ago (or, sometimes, not-so-long-ago) figures who developed particular breeds for particular tasks. Some breeds — like the Doberman Pinscher, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, and Cesky Terrier — owe their existence to just one visionary person. Other breeds were brought into being […]

From Atlanta to West Palm Beach, here are the most popular dog breeds in each city based on the 2023 rankings from the American Kennel Club.

From Washington's Foxhounds to Obama's famous Portuguese Water Dogs, presidential dogs are as traditional as baseball and apple pie. Almost all of our presidents have shared the White House with a dog, and often more than one. These presidential dogs became as much a staple of the capitol as the rest of the First Family […]

As the American Kennel Club announced, the Labrador Retriever was the most popular dog breed in the United States in 2021 — for the 31st year in a row, no less! (It usurped the Cocker Spaniel in 1991, and hasn’t let go of the No. 1 spot since.) But when looking at the most popular […]

Vestibular disease in dogs leads to impaired balance, a head tilt, and ataxia among other signs. Learn to recognize vestibular disease and how to treat it.

Small or large, with solidly built, wide bodies, and short coats, Bully breeds share some of the same characteristics. Meet the Bully breeds!

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

The shaggy Old English Sheepdog is a lovable pet, but they're also a hard worker and smart companion. Here are some facts you may not know about the breed.

Owning a rare breed of dog can lead to some unique joys, such as a more casual atmosphere at conformation shows, a small social circle of owners, and more.

The Great Pyrenees is an ancient breed with a fascinating, disputed history. From royal palaces to mountain pastures to your couch, read about how this giant breed you know and love today came to be.

For millennia, humans have relied upon dogs to help them in the fields, on farms, on hunts, and in their homes. One of the most important roles a dog could perform for a farmer or shepherd was that of livestock guardian. Such a dog had to be reliable around livestock like sheep, pigs, goats, and […]

32 AKC recognized breeds make up the hound group. We're taking a closer look at what each of these beauties were bred to do.

Over their lifetime, cancer affects one in three dogs. Understand this high risk and life threatening disease so you know the signs and treatments.

Colitis in dogs is an inflammation of the colon, which is the large bowel or large intestine. If you think your dog has colitis, here's what to know.

In its endless pursuit to recognize outstanding members of the fancy, The American Kennel Club Lifetime Achievement Awards were created and first awarded in 1999 to honor our best. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate those individuals whose many years of dedication have led to significant contributions to our Sport on a national […]

All AKC DNA + Health Kits include the original 201 markers for genetic identity and parentage verification purposes, as well as over 328 genetic variants for health and traits. Download a pdf of all included tests Health Tests Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS, SN) This genetic variant is associated with an inherited neurological disease characterized by […]

GCHP CH Hallmark Jolei Out Of This World, a Shih Tzu known as “Comet” triumphed over more than 5,700 competitors to earn a $50,000 cash prize and the title of Best in Show at the AKC® National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held December 16-17, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. […]

The French Bulldog reigns supreme! The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, announced this morning that the playful and adaptable French Bulldog is America’s most popular breed for the second consecutive year, according to AKC registration statistics. Since overtaking the loveable Labrador Retriever […]

  New York, NY- The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce the winners of the American Kennel Club Agility League’s fall season. The AKC Agility League™ recently concluded its fifth season of competition and honored its top teams and […]

Big congratulations to these All American Dogs who turned in stellar performances at the AKC National Agility Championship! The event was held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, Georgia, March 14-17, 2024. You can watch the fun here. 12-inch Regular 1st Place: NAC MACH2 Quicksilver Cherry On Top MXS PAD MJG PJD […]

Best of luck to the 109 All American Dogs going to the 2024 AKC National Agility Championship to be held March 14-17 in Perry, GA. Watch the live coverage on the AKC TV website and on the AKC TV app (available on smartphones and laptops). MACH A And D's Hobgoblin Gustif MXS MJS T2B owned […]

The most ancient of French dog breeds, the Dogue de Bordeaux (“Mastiff of Bordeaux”) was around even before France was France. These brawny fawn-coated guardians of considerable courage are famously loyal, affectionate, and protective.