Even though we give our dog a name, many times we also give them a nickname, as well. "Sammy" gets shortened to "Sam," for example. Similarly, Labrador Retrievers are often called Labs, just as Golden Retrievers are called "Goldens." But did you know that some breeds have special nicknames? These nicknames were crafted especially for […]

Each year, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the men and women who dedicate their lives to improving the health, temperament, and quality of purebred dogs. These breeders are the heart of our organizations and they deserve to be recognized for their incredible work. One breeder is chosen from each of the seven groups […]

ASK AKC Dear AKC: I have a pet rabbit in my house and I'm thinking of getting a Beagle puppy. Is there a problem keeping them both in the same house? The puppy would only be loose when someone is home. -- Hound & Hare Dear Hound: Before considering adding a dog to your household […]

AKC Gazette breed column, Toy Fox Terriers This talented little dog is a smart, adaptable companion. The Toy Fox Terrier, or TFT, is a truly American breed of dog. We have heard so many stories from people of all ages who lovingly remember growing up with one of these devoted little clowns. Always willing to […]

If your apartment seems to be missing something — such as an adorable furry friend to meet you at the door at night — then maybe a dog is in your future. But is your home truly worthy of a pooch? If your quarters are tight and you lack a yard where your canine could […]

The digging, the barking, the chasing: Welcome to Westie world. Don’t panic. There’s no need to sign him up for couch time with an expensive Park Avenue shrink. All you have to do is take a moment to consider what has been genetically hardwired into the spunky little critter. Once you know what drives your […]

At first glance, Razzberry the Bichon Frise and Henry the Spinone Italiano don’t appear to have much in common: Razzberry is a toaster-sized ball of snowy white hair with an unnatural hostility to leather footwear. Laidback Henry, by contrast, looks like the famous big dog Benji and swoons at the sight of beef jerky or pigeons. But what these […]

At its meeting on Wednesday, February 28, the Rhode Island House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee is scheduled to consider two bills of major concern to the American Kennel Club (AKC).  Part of a multi-state effort by animal rights groups to aimed at ending the purposeful breeding of dogs, House Bill 7477 would mandate that […]

Learning Objectives Students will understand the role of dogs in human history.   Grade Levels 9-12   Standards World History Era 1: Standard 1 A – Interrogate Historical Data; Establish Temporal Order in Constructing Historical Narrative Standard 1B- Evaluate Major Debates Among Historians Standard 2A- Appreciate Historical Perspectives Standard 2A- Evaluate Major Debates Among Historians […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to recognize breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding groups as 2017 AKC Breeder of the Year group honorees. “The breeders honored with this award are truly committed to excellence, consistency, breed standard and type,” said Dennis Sprung, AKC President and CEO.  “They […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC) is proud to announce the winners of the 2017 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards: Patricia W. Laurans (Conformation), Elizabeth (Tibby) Chase (Companion Events) and Jim Campbell (Performance).   The Awards, created by AKC President Dennis Sprung, are presented in recognition of exceptional participation and achievement within the dog fancy. The finalists […]

New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is pleased to announce the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award finalists in the categories of Conformation, Companion Events and Performance Events. The Awards, created and first awarded in 1999, are presented in recognition of exceptional participation and achievement within the dog fancy. The finalists chosen, based on […]

Twenty one exceptional students from 16 states have been awarded the American Kennel Club (AKC®) Junior Scholarship for 2016.  The scholarships are offered to high school, college and graduate school students, and range from $1,000 - $2,000. “These young men and women are dedicated not only to the sport of purebred dogs, but to their […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards: Patti L. Strand (Conformation), John Cox (Companion Events) and John Russell (Performance). The Awards, first created and awarded in 1999, are presented in recognition of exceptional participation and achievement within the dog fancy. The finalists and winners, […]

New York, NY - The Labrador Retriever has done it again. The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced today that the intelligent, family friendly breed holds tight to the number one spot on the most popular list for the 24th consecutive year, continuing the longest reign as the nation’s top dog in AKC history. While the […]

– The Spanish Water Dog, Cirneco dell’Etna, Bergamasco, & Boerboel Gain Full AKC Recognition – New York, NY –The pack has expanded! The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today that the Spanish Water Dog, Cirneco dell’Etna, Bergamasco, and Boerboel gained full AKC recognition. This brings AKC’s roster of recognized breeds to 184. "The AKC is […]

Daily Life Smaller dogs don’t necessarily need to work off loads of energy, so they are quite suitable for apartment life. But not all small dogs live to be lap warmers! Certain breeds like Dachshunds or small terriers would also love country life and the opportunity to run around on a farm. If your family […]

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce! This Labor Day, the American Kennel Club celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now. Dogs do so many important jobs. From hunting to bomb detection to saving lives, dogs […]

The exercise needs of these ten active breeds would keep any owner in shape! Walking, jogging, biking, hiking, swimming and playing Frisbee with your dog are all fun workouts you can take part in together.   American Staffordshire Terrier Courageous and strong, the Am Staff's athletic build and intelligence make him ideally suited to many […]

New York, NY – At the March 2014 meeting of the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) Board of Directors, Alan Kalter, Chairman, appointed Ronald H. Menaker to lead a Real Estate Committee.  The Committee will evaluate all options for AKC’s office or offices well before the New York and North Carolina office leases expire in 2019 […]

The Coton de Tulear and Wirehaired Vizsla Gain Full AKC Recognition New York, NY — The pack has expanded!   The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today the Coton de Tulear and Wirehaired Vizsla will be welcomed to its litter of recognized breeds this year, growing AKC’s family to 180. “The AKC is excited to […]

New York, NY – A Q&A between AKC Chairman of the Board Alan Kalter and Dog News’ Matthew H. Stander originally appeared in the April 11, 2014 issue of Dog News. The contents of the interview about the future direction of the AKC are reprinted here with permission of the publisher.   What steps do […]

To celebrate the dogs that enrich, inspire, or in some meaningful way contribute to the lives of individuals or entire communities, the AKC Humane FundSM is seeking nominations for its AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE).   The submission deadline is July 1, 2014.     Since the creation of the awards program in […]

New York, NY – Highlights from the October 28-29, 2013 meeting of the AKC Board of Directors are as follows.   Full details on these actions, as well as other actions taken, are included in the minutes for the meetings, which will be posted on the AKC website.   The Board voted unanimously to designate […]

Tomorrow (September 18, 2013), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) will publish the final new federal regulations that narrow the “retail pet store” exemption under the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), triggering a 60-day countdown to enactment (November 18, 2013) of those regulations.   The purpose of the new rule is […]

Highlights from the September 10-11, 2013 meetings of the AKC Delegates and AKC Board of Directors are as follows.   Full details on these actions, as well as other actions taken, are included in the minutes for the meetings, which will be posted on the AKC website.   Delegate Meeting An amendment to Chapter 4, […]

New York, NY – The American Kennel Club, leading experts in the breeding, care and well-being of dogs for more than 128 years, is pleased that the sponsors and humane organizations supporting recently introduced North Carolina HB 930 agree that the AKC Care and Conditions of Dogs Policy offers the best standards of care for […]

  New York, NY – Highlights from the December 12, 2012 meeting of the AKC Board of Directors are as follows. Full details on these actions, as well as other actions taken, are included in the minutes for the meeting, which are posted on the AKC website, within one week of the meeting. Effective April […]

The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) is expanding its Pointing Breed Field Trial program with several new offerings: the AKC Walking Gun Dog Championship and two new titles, Grand Field Champion and Grand Amateur Field Champion.   “We’re pleased to add the Walking Gun Dog Championship and the Grand titles to the activities available in AKC’s […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is proud to announce its participation in the 68th Annual Columbus Day Parade, the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture on Monday, October 8th from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM up Fifth Avenue from 44th to 72nd street. “Nearly one million spectators will enjoy more than 20 marchers and 12 […]