Meet Hungary’s russet-coated dog-of-all-trades: the Vizsla. While talking with the breed’s American fanciers, it seems the exclamation point and the Vizsla were made for each other. If this breed could talk (one of the few things it can’t do—yet) it would say things like “Yes I can!,” “Go for it!” and other such interjections that […]

No matter what war they serve in, returning soldiers often come home to find the place they left very much changed. There are the sad discoveries of parents who pass. Sweethearts who stray. And, in the case of dog lovers, beloved breeds that are no more. The decimation of dog breeds during wartime comes down […]

Get to Know the four dogs that are setter breeds: the English Setter, Irish Red and White Setter, Irish Setter, and the Gordon Setter.

The signature event held by the AKC is the dog show, also known as a conformation event. During a conformation event, dogs are judged according to their written breed standard. And contrary to what you may think, it's not just a beauty pageant, although the dogs are certainly beautiful. The goal of conformation is to […]

Parvo is every new puppy and dog owner’s worst nightmare. In a matter of days, a perfectly healthy puppy can go from playful and active to fatally ill. Parvo in dogs is a preventable disease, however, all new puppy owners and breeders need to be aware of the risks of parvo, how to prevent it, […]

Avoiding malnourishment of a bitch from the pre-breeding phase to parturition is vital to the health of both the bitch and her pups. We are all aware that good nutrition and proper prenatal care play important roles in ensuring the birth of healthy human children. The same is true in ensuring that our canine friends […]

You’ve made the decision to welcome a new dog into your family. Now comes the fun part – finding the perfect dog. There’s a lot to consider. Before you commit, ask yourself these five questions. What’s Your Schedule? Think about your lifestyle. Do you work long hours? Struggle to get out the door in the […]

AKC Canine Health Foundation study examines how cryopreservation affects sperm quality. Findings show that frozen sperm measured lower than fresh in key categories. Cryopreservation has especially deleterious effects on older dogs' semen. While artificial insemination (AI) is commonly used in canine breeding, there is still much to learn about how sperm characteristics, including cryopreservation, accurately predict dog fertility following […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to announce that Whittier, California has been awarded the AKC’s Dog Friendly City Award in recognition of their support of responsible dog owners and breeders in the city. The California Federation of Dog Clubs was able to formally present this award to Mayor Vinatieri as well as Councilmembers […]

Happy New Year from all of us at the American Kennel Club! A new year means new bills and ordinances introduced at the federal, state, and local level that will affect responsible dog owners, breeders, and exhibitors. Twenty states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, are already in session. This means the AKC […]