A promising puppy from your last litter has gotten off to a smashing start with his owner-handler. He made his debut at your breed’s national specialty by winning Best in Sweepstakes, and shortly thereafter beat impressive adult competition to claim his first major. His owner exhibits him beautifully; they have built a great rapport; and […]

The original American Water Spaniel history is shrouded in a bit of mystery, but these curly hunting dogs were bred with purpose.

Meet 'Haldis,' a Norwegian Lundehund handled by Kristina Maze, who's competing at the 2025 AKC National Championship in Orlando, FL.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder seen in dogs, but with proper diagnosis and drugs therapy, most epileptic dogs can live long happy lives.

In late May, Kristina Steinbach of Grand Rapids, Michigan, debuted in the ring with a female Shiba Inu. A 16-year-old with autism, Kristina appeared in the conformation ring at the four-day Apple Blossom Dog Show Cluster in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with 6-month-old Kuma. The teen's other Shiba, 3-year-old Keiko, is her service dog. Since the breed […]

In 1960, the Poodle dethroned the Beagle as the AKC’s most registered breed and did it by the most decisive margin yet recorded in history. Its ascension could be largely credited to one 9.5-inch tall, 8-pound grey dog, claimed to have the highest appraisal value of any canine in history. This is the story of […]

The top 10 owner-handled dogs from each breed came to compete at the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals on December 15. After intense competition at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canine, the Best in Show honors went to GCHG CH Lamz Strike A Pose RN CAA CGC TKN, a Bedlington Terrier known affectionately as […]

Over 137 dog and handler teams competed in the 2025 AKC National Obedience Championship at Purina Farms in Missouri, but only one was the overall Champion.

What is lymphedema in dogs? Lymphedema refers to a disorder in which fluid accumulates in the space between cells, causing swelling.

The American Kennel Club is the world's largest registry of purebred dogs, and uses these statistics to rank the most popular breeds — and the rarest breeds. The numbers are in: these are the rarest dog breeds according to AKC registration statistics. In 2025, 202 total breeds were counted in the registration statistics. In 2026, […]