Children and teenagers are the future of the sport of dogs and responsible dog ownership. The more they learn, the more they will grow in dog sports and as a person. The values, attitudes, and responsibility learned while competing as Juniors serve children throughout their entire lives. Junior Showmanship Junior Showmanship offers children between the […]

The spotlight shines on a dog representing a breed not seen in agility often – the Cane Corso, a mastiff breed that originated in Italy. Bjorn defies expectations, effortlessly jumping 24-inches and helping his Regulation Freshman win the Winter Season Reserve Championship! He is athletic and loves to please his owner Destanee, who is a […]

Bergamasco (AKC recognition January 1, 2015) The breed’s traffic-stopping dreadlocks are called flocks. (For the Puli and Komondor, they’re called cords.) The flocks begin to form naturally, but during the first year, owners have to be vigilant about separating the mats. Once grown, they’re easy to maintain. At the AKC’s 2015 Meet The Breeds, the Bergamasco […]

When a pup’s age is still counted in weeks, they'd be lucky to get much farther than the front door. But in 1954, a 6-week-old black-and-tan puppy from the sub­urbs of Sydney made a 7,500-mile journey on Qantas Empire Airways to his new home in La Crescenta, California. His name was "Sir Boomerang," and he […]

Osteoarthritis is a common problem in dogs, particularly in seniors and large breeds. Here are the best ways to manage your dog's osteoarthritis.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a fiercely independent dog that has no problem taking charge. This member of the Working Group is a giant breed, weighing up to 150 pounds. Learn more about the breed with these Anatolian Shepherd Dog fun facts. They Were Bred to Guard Flocks From Predators The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is […]

These Norfolk Terrier facts provide insight into the history and personality of this tiny and determined member of the Terrier Group.

Trazodone is a medication used to treat depression in people, but your veterinarian may suggest Trazodone for dogs to help with behavioral issues.

Why do dogs sniff your crotch? Learn how sniffing crotches is a dog's way of learning about people, as well as how to redirect these this behavior.

Is your dog stealing food off the counter? Learn why dogs counter surf and how to curb the habit with smart training tips.

We often think of concussions as happening to people while they're working or playing competitive sports. But pets are also at risk of brain injury. Concussion in dogs is "a very serious medical problem that can become life-threatening," says Dr. Dottie Hagler, DVM, DACVIM, board-certified veterinary neurologist and medical director at Pet Specialists of Austin. […]

Window barking is annoying for you and frustrating for your dog. Learn why dogs do it, how to manage it, and how to get dogs to stop barking at the window.

The right dog collar isn't just a fashion choice; it should be safe, secure, and comfortable. So what goes into choosing the right dog collar?

Get more information about prevention, symptoms, testing you can have done, and treatment if your dog is infected.

Learn how to calculate dog years into human years with this helpful chart, and find out how researchers came up with the numbers.

Celebrating the diversity of our dog sports community is part of helping our sports to thrive, including the AKC LGBTQ community.

LGBTQIA+ dog owners have always been part of AKC dog sports. For some, the dog world has been a supportive haven, while for others, it has been more challenging.

As a child, Dresden Graff remembers being terrified. First, there was the fear that loomed over him in Baptist school: What if I'm gay? What will my parents think if they find out? Then, there was the scarier question: How would my parents handle me coming out as transgender? Coming into his own identity as a teen was […]

Danish-Swedish Farmdog 'Atreyu' and owner Dae Grodin are flying to the 2026 Diving Dogs Challenge. Learn more about this team!

When you bring that fuzzy ball of puppy energy into your home, you know right away that your new puppy depends on you for, well, everything. It’s up to you to give your new puppy all the care they need every day. It can be a little intimidating — your puppy needs the best puppy […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="Adjunct Approval (April 1994 Board meeting)"] When a new breed becomes eligible for championship competition, there is one six-month window of opportunity for judges to submit applications under the adjunct system. [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="AKC Board Household Judges (July 2000 Board meeting)"] A household member of a Board member may submit a judging application […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="All-Breed/Specialty Conflicts (September 2013 Board meeting; amended January 2016)"] If an All-Breed/Limited Breed Conformation, Performance, or Companion Event club refuses to grant permission to accommodate a Parent Club's National Specialty or a Performance or Companion event (which is limited to the Parent Club breed) when held with the National Specialty, a Parent Club regional specialty […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="American Field Irish Setters (October 1975 Board meeting)"]  Based upon a request from the Irish Setter Club of America, AKC discontinued the registration of Irish Setters based upon pedigrees from the American Field Dog Stud Book. [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="Auction Policy (July 2003 Board meeting)"]  The Board reviewed its policy on Auctions, considering the […]

  The American Kennel Club created the Foundation Stock Service® (FSS®) to answer the needs of today's rare breed fanciers. The Foundation Stock Service® is an optional record-keeping service for all purebred breeds not currently registrable with the American Kennel Club. Originally the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) program was used to bring in breeds such […]

  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="2026"] Inside the Discussion: Comparing Multiple Approaches to Detection Dog Breeding and Training May 19, 2026 The AKC Detection Dog Task Force recently hosted a lively webinar featuring Tim Baird, Bart Rogers, and Stacey West, moderated by Sheila Goffe, on the many approaches to breeding, raising, and training future detection dogs. One […]

  [caption id="attachment_207615" align="aligncenter" width="577"] 2025 National Art Contest Winners[/caption] The AKC National Art Contest encourages young artists to celebrate their love of dogs through creative expression. Youth ages 5-18 are invited to submit unique artwork that adheres to the guidelines below. The 2026 contest opens on May 5, 2026, and closes on September 29, […]

Registration Now Open: 2026 AKC National Detection Dog Conference | August 4–6, 2026, Durham, NC Every day, detection dogs protect our airports, critical infrastructure, and communities. Behind every deployment is a network of professionals working to strengthen America’s detection dog programs. Join us for Unleashing Potential: Building America’s Canine Defense, One Puppy at a Time […]

Experiencing the Death of a Dog The death of a dog can affect people in the same way that losing a family member or close friend would. For those who've experienced the loss of a dog, the American Kennel Club makes the following suggestions: Grief should be expressed freely so the healing process can begin. […]

(updated 6/1/26 ) 5/11/2026 From the May Board Meeting - one new breed was added to the Foundation Stock Service Program – Lucas Terrier. 4/13/2026 From the April Board Meeting - three new breeds was added to the Foundation Stock Service Program – Silken Windhound, Saarloos Wolfhond, Old Danish Pointer. 1/12/26 The Peruvian Inca Orchid […]

Spring/Summer Season Enrollment Has Closed Enrollment for the AKC Agility League Fall 2026 Season will open in mid-August. Check back for dates and more information.   Current Rankings The AKC Agility LeagueTM adds a fun and exciting way for agility enthusiasts to train and compete on teams, giving a new aspect to what is an […]