For purposes of imposing a consistent format at dog shows, the AKC family of breeds is divided into seven groups. The hounds, terriers, and toy dogs each have their own group. The herding dogs that move livestock are grouped together, and so are the big working dogs that pull, protect, patrol, and do other heavy work. Likewise, sporting dogs, […]

On the day we celebrate all things American, let’s remember that dogs have played a vital role in the formation of our national character. They occupy such a special place in our hearts that some states have designated particular breeds as local treasures. Here are five AKC breeds that are official state dogs. STATE DOG […]

  After a one-year hiatus, the Detroit Kennel Club dog show returns to the Motor City this weekend with events Saturday and Sunday, June 20–21, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in the Detroit suburb of Novi, Michigan. This year’s show features a number of special attractions, including obedience and rally trials, demonstrations, AKC National Owner-Handled […]

Sometimes it can take years to know what judge to show under. You can rely on the knowledge of other experienced competitors, and even that can be wrong. Learn what the breed standard says, and not what you fantasize it to be. The only way to succeed is to look objectively at how to achieve […]

The Tacoma Kennel Club (TKC), founded in 1890, just celebrated its 125th anniversary at its dog show and trial this past weekend. The club marked the milestone with a commemorative gift for each entry and special trophy presenters at Group time. Thanks, TKC, for 125 years dedicated to the betterment of purebred dogs! Let's take a look […]

By Flo Laicher, Putnam Kennel Club Delegate  By Flo Laicher, Putnam Kennel Club Delegate Wanting to serve the pets and pet owners in our community, members of the Putnam Kennel Club, Inc. (PKC) started a project to donate rescue mask kits to the fire departments in Putnam County, New York. This kit gives the fire […]

ASK AKC Dear AKC: My wife and I are having a disagreement about whether to let our new Boston Terrier puppy sleep on the bed with us at night. Is this a good practice or will it create problems for us or the dog down the road? -- Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Dear Sleeping Dogs: […]

When kids go on a campaign to get a dog, they’re in it to win it. They’re not going to let up until they’re zooming around the back yard or curled up on a club chair with a furry four-legged fido. So you may come to realize that it’s time to add a canine to the […]

If you run out of conversation topics with a dog lover, I suggest you ask, “What are your favorite dog books?” If you run out of conversation topics with a dog lover, I suggest you ask, “What are your favorite dog books?” There are of course the wonderful classic dog stories that are familiar to […]

Hailey Has Plenty of Tricks Up Her Paws Baseballs, basketballs, skateboards and Frisbees – most parents invest in plenty of these items for their kids. And in Karen Profenna’s case, that includes her four-legged family member. Hailey – a little black-and-white fireball – can swing a bat, dunk a basketball, ride a skateboard and soar […]

Butch had a tough life. Right up until his last few weeks. The Boston Terrier had been abandoned by his owner over two years ago and lived on the streets of Pinson, Alabama, eating whatever food he could find and withstanding freezing temperatures. It all caught up with him recently when he was found in […]

The country’s top breed of the 1990s, the Labrador Retriever, continues in its popularity to this day. The Rottweiler, accepted by the AKC in 1931, makes its first appearance in the decade’s top ten as the number-two breed, the highest ranking of any first-timer on the list (since the Boston Terrier in the 1900s). The […]

The only breed to rank in the top ten breeds every decade since the founding of the American Kennel Club became the nation’s top breed in the 1950s—the Beagle. Not coincidentally, Charles Schultz’s pet Beagle, Snoopy, made his illustrious first appearance in national newspapers on October 4, 1950, and swiftly became a pop phenomenon. The […]

Here are the AKC's top 10 most popular dog breeds in the 1940s. They range in size, form, function, and groups, among other categories.

The 1930s marked a pivotal turning point for the United States, as the Great Depression reshaped American life. Here is a look back at the top ten dog breeds that captured the heart of a resilient nation.

Accepted in 1908, the German Shepherd Dog overtook the Boston Terrier in 1925 and became the number-one dog of the 1920s. The breed then disappeared from the top ten until after World War II, when it reemerged as the number-six dog of the 1950s and has remained among the most popular breeds to the present […]

The Boston Terrier, a top-ten breed for six decades of the 20th century, has reached the number-one position twice, including in the 1910s. The Airedale Terrier reached the number-two position, the highest the breed would ever claim, appearing in the top ten for three consecutive decades and then never regaining its national popularity. The decade […]

The Collie, on a continual climb since its number-seven position in the 1880s, became the number-one breed of the first decade of the new century. The breed ranked in the top ten breeds for seven decades of the 20th century. The number-two breed of the decade, the Boston Terrier, became the first small companion dog […]

1918-1936 3.0 Cubic ft. AKC 7.1 Prepared by Norma Rosado-Blake, December 2006. 2006 Provenance The files of the Club Relations Department have been transferred to the Archives through a series of collections starting in May 2006. Arrangement The are arranged according to their accession number. Each accession number is further arranged alphabetically by name. The […]

  Welcome to the AKC . We have put together definitions for dog words that you may not be familiar with. If you have additional questions regarding the glossary, please contact our Special Services Department. A Abdomen The belly or under surface between the chest and the hindquarters. Acetabulum The concave lateral portion of the […]