Article Complements of Purina Pro Plan Agility competitors who are eager to sprint to the start line to put titles on their dogs are finding that being on an AKC Agility League team eases the journey. The team agility sport, which began its third year in May 2025, offers an amazing transformation in skills and confidence via […]

The AKC Agility League recently concluded its eighth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the 10 divisions, including the League’s new division of Elementary for beginner dogs. The AKC Agility League is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, YuMove and AKC Pet Insurance. The League […]

The official term for dog shows is conformation -- as in, the act of conforming or producing conformity. While a dog show may look like a beauty pageant, it’s not. Dogs are not being compared to each other; they’re being measured by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. Why? Because […]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="Adjunct Approval (April 1994 Board meeting)"] When a new breed becomes eligible for championship competition, there is one six-month window of opportunity for judges to submit applications under the adjunct system. [/accordion_panel] [accordion_panel title="AKC Board Household Judges (July 2000 Board meeting)"] A household member of a Board member may submit a judging application […]

  [accordion] [accordion_panel title="AKC Educational Requirements Policy and Recommendations (April 2024 Board meeting; amended May 2025)"] As an additional step in creating a safe and respectful sport environment for all, the AKC Board of Directors approved the following educational requirements policy and recommendations. Effective April 10, 2024: AKC Board of Directors, Inspectors, Field Staff across […]

Math and science skills, people skills, love for animals (Veterinarian, vet science and research) A compassion for animals, empathy, patience, brain power, people skills, ability to take direction (Veterinary Technician) Love for animals, managing skills, good business sense, people skills (Boarding Kennel Operator) Strong love and knowledge of animals, a desire to be self-employed, access […]

Brittany adopted Sammy from the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa in the summer 2013. “Although sensitive, Sammy has a high drive and passion for learning,” Brittany said. “Her shy nature is always overtaken by her will to learn and compete.” Training helped Sammy gain confidence. Sammy now competes regularly in obedience, rally, agility, and barn […]

Ba Sammy Jo UD PCDX BN GN RAE owned by Brittany J. Allen of Decorah, IA Sammy Jo is a four-year-old All American adopted from the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa in the summer of 2013. Sammy trains in multiple k9 sports and recently finished her RAE and Utility Dog titles. Her next obedience goal […]

Moroughan's Roxy RN CGC and her owner/handler Vicki Moroughan score a perfect 100 in her first run at the 2014 AKC Rally National Championship held in Harrisburg, PA. The judge is Donna Eddins from Tennessee. Nearly 1,600 dogs qualified in Rally Novice with entries limited to 80 exhibitors, Roxy placed 10th. Roxy is a 2 […]

Nicole Carazo of Riverside, CA, wrote this compelling story of a little shelter dog that she rescued with no intention of keeping. The dog had so many issues that no one would adopt her so Nicole started training her and realized that she had something really special. Today, that dog is MACH2 She’s a Keeper […]