After seeing a cartoon of a Bulldog in the funny pages, a kindergarten-age Cody Sickle saved up to buy one of those jut-jawed creatures. He did just that only two years later – at the tender age of 8. Today, after more than a half-century, Sickle and his Cherokee Bulldogs in Oyster Bay Cove, New […]

Advanced Levels of Recognition will require an additional application and will also be recognized on a breed specific basis. Recognition is available to those that meet the following minimum standards: Have qualified and enrolled as a Breeder of Merit Can provide proof of Parent Club required health testing on sires/dams of litters Have met their […]

The AKC Detection Dog Task Force (DDTF) is pleased to introduce a new video that shares AKC’s continued efforts in addressing the shortage of domestically bred, -raised and -trained explosives detection dogs in the United States. The video highlights interviews from terrorism experts, law enforcement officials, academia, and current AKC DDTF Patriotic Puppy Program (PPP) […]

PROGRAM SUMMARY In March 2014, the AKC Board of Directors approved the development of a program for all breeders. The program’s intent is to improve the health and well-being of purebred dogs by challenging breeders to meet health testing standards and participate in continuing education. The program will provide marketing and other support for those […]

Each breed’s health testing requirements originate with a “parent club,” the AKC-recognized national club devoted to a particular breed. To assist breeders in fulfilling these requirements, AKC has compiled the health testing requirements for each breed, organized by group on the left navigation of this page. AKC Breeder Programs that Require Health Testing: Breeders that participate […]

Beth Kirven of West Columbia, South Carolina, has always had Sporting dogs — her first dog as an adult was an English Cocker. But once she married and had children, she decided to ditch the grooming and go for some smooth operators: namely, Pointers, acquiring her first from the late Susan Thompson of Solivia Pointers […]

The first step in finding your perfect puppy is to find a breeder you trust and we make that easy: just look for breeders who are members of our AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program. Breeders that participate in the AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program pledge to uphold the program values of health, education, accountability, responsibility, and […]

Good dogs come from good breeders. Good breeders strive to improve their breeds while considering canine health, temperament, training and promoting responsible dog ownership. Part art, part science, and total devotion, breeding is exciting and challenging. Breeder education is key. The American Kennel Club will be honoring Parent Clubs which provide outstanding breeder education materials […]

Insight into your breed's health Most breeds' health testing requirements originate with an AKC Parent Club, the AKC-recognized national club devoted to that particular breed. AKC Parent Clubs represent experts of a single breed. The AKC approves only one national club per breed. AKC Parent Clubs generate Parent Club Health Statements to provide health testing […]

Here’s everything you’ll need prior to joining the Breeder of Merit program:  Have a history of at least 5 years involvement with AKC events  Can demonstrate a commitment to individually registering 100 percent of the puppies you’ve bred Have earned either AKC Conformation, Performance, or Companion event titles on at least four dogs from AKC […]