Responsible breeders do everything they can to keep their puppies safe and healthy from before they were born until the day they leave their kennel. Around 8 to 12 weeks old, the puppies depart from their breeder, and their new lives begin in their meticulously, hand-picked homes. By discerningly choosing the right family for each […]

Since December 2019, the countdown clock has been ticking on the American Belgian Laekenois Association website for the coming-out party of what its members believe to be America’s best-kept purebred dog secret. Well, the secret’s out of the bag as of July 1, 2020 when the tousled wire-coated newcomer with shade variations from fawn to […]

Responsible breeders work hard to keep their litters safe and happy in the kennel, but puppies are known for their inquisitive natures and ability to find trouble. While choosing the right owner is the first step in ensuring a healthy life, even the best match can't keep all puppies away from unexpected accidents. To help […]

The German Shepherd Dog is always near the top of the most popular breed rankings, and there's good reason for that. However, there's a similar breed you might mistake for a German Shepherd – the Belgian Malinois. The two breeds' close resemblance in appearance and shared herding heritage can lead to some confusion. And similarities […]

The AKC Veterinary Outreach Program welcomes the veterinary community to the AKC website. Did you know that the AKC is the only registry for purebred dogs that routinely inspects breeders using its registry, and eliminates from the registry those who do not meet AKC standards for humane care and canine welfare? Did you know that […]

There are many large, muscular dog breeds. And several have droopy flews (big, hanging upper lips). But can you tell them apart? For those unfamiliar with the breeds, the Mastiff and the Bullmastiff in particular can be tricky to distinguish. Read on to learn about these two formidable protectors. Mastiff Mix-Up When Diane Collings, two-time […]

Puppies are exciting. However, any experienced breeder will tell you they're also a lot of work. A responsible breeder prepares long in advance—to identify the purpose of the breeding; to carefully plan and research the breed, the standard, the health history, and available healthy males of good temperament; to form partnerships with their veterinarians and […]

Every year, the AKC publishes its list of breed rankings by popularity, based on registration statistics. While some breeds stay towards the top of the rankings, like the reigning French Bulldog, there are some rare breeds that maintain their status towards the bottom of the list. But why are some breeds considered "rare" - and […]

BGs: How Deep Is Your Love? Callie is a 1-year-old Brussels Griffon living in Marlow, New Hampshire, with her owner Karin Strickland. Karin had recently lost her 13-year-old Boston Terrier, Sammie, and she knew she needed another dog in her life. After becoming enamored with BGs last year, Karin found a responsible breeder, and soon […]

From Our Nation's Capitol AKC Government Relations team continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2020 Legislation Tracking page and click on “US Fed” on the map to get the latest updates on federal bills currently being monitored by the AKC. Highlights of issues we are currently addressing on the federal […]