Welcome to the AKC . We have put together definitions for dog words that you may not be familiar with. If you have additional questions regarding the glossary, please contact our Special Services Department. A Abdomen The belly or under surface between the chest and the hindquarters. Acetabulum The concave lateral portion of the […]

The American Kennel Club offers breeders the Registered Kennel Name Program to protect the use of their kennel's name in the naming of AKC registered dogs. The use of a registered kennel name allows breeders to name dogs of their breeding in an identifiable manner creating a prominent familial foundation in the breed. Application for […]

No matter where you live, there are some easy ways to practice Obedience indoors from the comfort of your house or apartment.

You may have an incredible canine conditioning secret tucked away in your garage, closet, or kitchen. Its name—cavaletti—sounds like something that should come with marinara sauce and meatballs. In reality, it's an Italian word meaning "little horse." Equine trainers developed cavaletti exercises, such as variations of stepping over poles, for horse conditioning. This tool migrated […]

Available all year-round and loaded with more vitamin C than an orange, kiwi provides an abundance of nutritious benefits. But can dogs eat kiwi?

LGBTQIA+ dog owners have always been part of AKC dog sports. For some, the dog world has been a supportive haven, while for others, it has been more challenging.

Are antlers for dogs safe for pets to chew on? They actually pose potential health risks to your dog. Learn why, as well as safer alternatives to antlers for dogs.

On the morning of September 12, 2001, Susan Cohen was going to her job at New York City’s Animal Medical Center when she saw a search-and-rescue German Shepherd Dog being rushed into the emergency room. The dog had been overcome by toxic fumes at Ground Zero, and needed medical help fast. As AMC’s director of […]

Can dogs eat garlic? Here's why feeding garlic to your dog can actually be very dangerous.

Dogs Have Feelings Too – New Book Strives to Improve Child-Dog Relationships We recently spoke with certified dog trainer and behaviorist Michelle Godlevski of Raleigh, NC, about her new book, Dogs Have Feelings Too. Michelle wrote the children’s book to teach youngsters to recognize dog body language and to promote empathy in children on how […]