Do dogs understand the meaning of words? Recent research on dog cognition has shed light on what dogs comprehend about human language including their understanding of words used as object labels.

Hiking is fantastic exercise and a perfect way to enjoy nature. So, it's understandable that you would want your dog to join you on the trail. Dogs make great companions and watching them revel in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature is invigorating. However, just as you wouldn't head out for a hike in […]

How do you choose the best dog food for your pup? AKC's dog nutrition experts explain how to choose the best dog food diet for your dog or puppy.

Canine massage has many benefits for dogs from puppies to seniors. It can ease pain, increase mobility and circulation, and aid in recovery.

Hunting with dogs is an exciting way to channel your dog's natural instincts. Learn some basics about how to safely hunt with your dog and how to train them to work in the field.

The Akita is a beautiful and distinguished member of the Working Group. Learn about the history and personality of this ancient Japanese dog.

Going camping is a popular family activity, and an increasing number of pet owners are including their dogs in the fun. For those of you who plan to take your dog along for an outdoor adventure this summer or fall, here are some useful canine camping safety tips. Before You Go Check the regulations of […]

Ever wondered why your dog likes to hide under the bed or tables in your home? It can be common behavior, but some reasons are more concerning than others.

Be ready for natural disasters and the possibility of evacuating with your dog. Hurricane preparedness tips for dog owners help you get ready for any storm.

In this era of climate change, you can't take storms too lightly. Hurricanes, in particular, have grown stronger as the oceans have warmed and provided more fuel for them. As Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Helene have demonstrated, dog owners have many reasons to thoroughly prepare for hurricane season. Here's what you need to know. What […]

Food-grade lick mats made of natural rubber or silicone aim to soothe, entertain, and enrich dogs. They're also easy to clean and offer many uses.

Website developer Joan Brown has a long career of service beginning with her time in the Navy. While living in Rhode Island, she developed a passion for...

The first-grade boy didn’t like reading—or even trying to read. He’d fallen behind during the pandemic and felt embarrassed in front of his classmates, so he’d just shut down and refuse to participate, looking at the ceiling or fiddling with a pencil. That changed last fall when a Labrador Retriever named Hudson started visiting classes […]

For Dogtor Loki, comforting people comes naturally. Whenever she sees someone who needs emotional TLC, she goes into “parking mode.” “She’ll walk up and then kind of back herself, like a truck, and sit on your feet and give her back to you,” says Caroline Benzel, 32, a student at the University of Maryland School […]

Chollie was a gift meant to ease grief. That’s one of the first things I learned about my friend Gail Sheehy’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. After losing her Tibetan Spaniel in 2007 and her husband Clay Felker in 2008, Gail welcomed Chollie into her life at just the right moment. After two sad and lonely […]

City dogs need exercise and stimulation, just like their suburban and country counterparts. Sports like rally, treibball, and dog parkour are creative and fun forms of urban fitness. Even mushing through Manhattan can be accomplished with the right equipment and attitude. For a fulfilling life, a dog must have a yard, green grass, and room […]

Recently, a student came to class complaining that she had taken her two-year-old Labrador Retriever for a three-mile run, then left to pick up her son from school, and when she returned home she found that her dog had shredded two couch pillows and was in the middle of chewing the leg off her kitchen […]

With wildfires ravaging regions of the U.S., check out these resources to ensure that both the humans and pets in your life can stay safe.

The American Kennel Club - National Core Professional Dog Grooming Educational Standards aims to establish clear expectations that ensure all professional dog groomers have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the dog grooming industry. The American Kennel Club -CoreNational Professional Dog Grooming Educational Standard allows flexibility in the design and method of instruction and recognizes that the standards reflect an […]

In our award-winning Down and Back: Stories From the American Kennel Club Archives dog podcast, now in Season Four, host Bud Boccone tells the tales of breeds, dogs, and personalities who’ve shaped America (and Americans) over generations. Using the American Kennel Club's historical records, archival material, oral histories, interviews, and more, the show brings dog […]

We have 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! AGILITY Master Agility Champion (MACH) MACH Viking Conqueror Of My Heart FDC MXB MJB owned by Carol Brown of Hailey, ID In December 2019, a […]

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! AGILITY Congratulations to these dogs on earning the Agility Grand Champion title: AGCH MACH3 PACH Resq's Dopamine Rush BN RN MXG PAD MJC PJD […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="K9 Max - San Diego Police Department, CA"] K9 Max, five-year-old Belgian Malinois, served with the San Diego Police Department for two years at the time of his injury. In June of 2017, police officers responded to a radio call of a man acting bizarrely. Upon arrival, the suspect threatened the officers with a […]

Sires must have an AKC Original DNA Profile when they have produced: 7 or more litters in a lifetime OR more than 3 litters in a year  Buy AKC DNA Kit Activate AKC DNA Kit The Board of Directors redefined The American Kennel Club's leadership role in the world of purebred dogs by being the […]

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 Congratulations to these dogs who have added more MACH titles to their […]

Fourteen state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: Arizona – Senate Bill 1047 seeks to regulate dogs outdoors. It provides specific exemptions for police and working dogs, hunting, training, “sporting and competitive functions”, and “lawful competitions”.  As introduced, the bill […]

Eight state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: Arizona – Senate Bill 1047 seeks to regulate dogs outdoors. It provides specific exemptions for police and working dogs, hunting, training, “sporting and competitive functions”, and “lawful competitions”.  As introduced, the bill […]

Five state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: California – AB-2042 is an amended version of AB 742 from 2023 and would have directed the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), on or before January July 1, 2026, […]

Six state legislatures and the District of Columbia are currently in session. The following are highlights of current, active legislation around the country: California – AB-2042 is an amended version of AB 742 from 2023 and would have directed the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), on or before January July 1, 2026, […]

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 […]