On September 29, 2013, I awoke to a cool summer day. I leaned over the bedside and called to my long-coat Chihuahua, “Today is the day we have been training for these past three months. Izzy, are you ready?” She looked at me as if to say, “Are you kidding, mom? I’m ready for anything.” […]

When Christian Stoinev was 10, he was gripped by a yearning that is common among boys of that age. “I wanted a pet, really bad,” he recalls. But Stoinev’s life was not like that of most little boys. He was a child of the circus, the youngest member of a big-top family that stretched back […]

Now holding the title of world's smallest dog, a one-pound chihuahua named Milly has become a celebrity in her hometown of Dorado, Puerto Rico, KING 5 reported. Measuring at less than four inches tall and weighing only one poud, four-year-old Milly has been officially recognized by Guiness World Records as the smallest dog in the […]

Long-coated Chihuahua "Bear" is among the oldest dogs - and only one of his breed - to compete in Rally for the 2025 AKC RACH Invitational.

Two Papillons and a Chihuahua Help Owner Nancy Muller Celebrate Her 10th Year Competing at 2024 AKC National Obedience (NOC) Papillons "Mickey" and...

Breed Rank Retrievers (Labrador) 1 German Shepherd Dogs 2 Retrievers (Golden) 3 Beagles 4 Bulldogs 5 Yorkshire Terriers 6 Boxers 7 Poodles 8 Rottweilers 9 Dachshunds 10 French Bulldogs  11 Doberman Pinschers 12 Pointers (German Shorthaired) 13 Siberian Huskies 14 Shih Tzu 15 Great Danes 16 Miniature Schnauzers 17 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 18 Pomeranians […]

The AKC currently registers 205 dog breeds. The chart below lists all AKC recognized breeds and the year they first became registrable with the AKC.  (last updated 1/1/26) DATE – BREED 1878 – Pointer  1878 – Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)  1878 – Spaniel (Clumber)  1878 – Spaniel (Cocker)  1878 – Setter (English)  1878 – Setter (Gordon)  […]

Each of the AKC registered breeds are assigned to one of seven groups representing characteristics and functions the breeds were originally bred for. Current as of June 17, 2025 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Herding Group"] HERDING GROUP The Herding Group, created in 1983, is the newest AKC classification; its members were formerly members of the Working Group. […]

For the complete requirements for eligibility, download the Special Registry Services booklet on the Rules and Regulations page. You may also find helpful information by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions. Foreign Dogs may be eligible for registration in the AKC Stud Book, provided: The dog is of a breed eligible for individual registration in the […]

The AKC Archives preserves and provides access to historically significant records documenting the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The Archives are organized into four major collecting areas: Clubs (AKC Parent Clubs and select Member Clubs) People (influential individuals in the sport) AKC Administrative Records Visual Materials (photographs and other graphic formats) In […]