Good breeders breed good dogs, and the best breeders know that education is paramount to their success. In 2023, the AKC launched the AKC Eddy Award program to recognize Parent Clubs who go above and beyond in their breeder education efforts. Despite working towards the same goal, each club took their own approach and produced […]

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 […]

As a Breeder of Merit, you’ll play a key role in advancing our mission and setting a strong example for breeders everywhere. We’re excited to honor breeders who prioritize puppy health, temperament, and breed standards by offering a range of exclusive, valuable benefits, including:  Monthly credits for online reports in AKC Breeder Toolkit  Free litter […]

An essential part of the commitment to the Breeder of Merit program is to ensure 100% of the puppies in your litters are individually AKC registered. Your work as a breeder is vital to upholding our mission, and you play a crucial role in preserving the legacy of your beloved breed. This is why, as […]

Mission Statement: The American Kennel Club, the oldest and largest dog registry in the country, will provide assistance to the US Government and AKC breeders to improve the domestic supply of dogs for explosive detection training by raising the awareness of obstacles, exploring multiple solutions, educating key stake holders, and fostering collaboration for continuous improvement. […]

For over a century, The American Kennel Club has been dedicated to responsible breeding practices and to responsible dog ownership. With this experience comes valuable research, articles, and advice for all breeders. President's Reading List – Suggested reading by AKC CEO, Dennis Sprung Vine, Louis L. Breeding, Whelping, and Natal Care of Dogs. New York: Arco, […]

AKC Canine College is dedicated to creating quality online courses for judges, groomers, breeders, trainers and the general dog-owning public. Our goal is to provide a valuable supplemental online educational tool for all breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Judges and breed enthusiasts will be able to access these courses anytime, anywhere! The American […]

Why Purebred? Welcoming a canine companion into your life is a commitment that may last 10 years or more. Finding a pet whose temperament matches your lifestyle and personality is best achieved by researching and selecting a purebred--a dog with predictable characteristics. There are as many breeds as there are lifestyles. Some reasons to consider […]

Legal Notices Linking policy Web material reproduction policy Third party links Quick Links  Cookies Compatible Browsers & Devices Browser Versions & Devices Pop-ups & Javascript Browser Plug-ins and Media Understanding My AKC Account Functions Creating Your AKC Account Two Factor Authentication (TFA, 2FA, Account Verification) Browser & Verification Tips Important Update – Usernames and Email […]

The first AKC Detection Dog Conference revealed a basic dilemma: There was a considerable gap in the supply chain between the person who breeds dogs and the person wanting to train dogs for sale as a detection dog training candidate. That gap was the development period. Breeders like to sell puppies, whereas those training detection […]