Opinion: Nothing is more frustrating to a dedicated breeder-exhibitor than hearing that a wonderful owner with unlimited potential in the sport has purchased a dog from a commercial kennel. After all, your breed parent club works hard to update its website and offer a cornucopia of relevant information. You attend dog shows regularly, breed […]

Most of us can remember a special school teacher who had a profound influence on our lives during those formative years. In our lives breeding and showing dogs, a great mentor can have an equally powerful influence: teaching us, guiding us, and inspiring us. Talk to the iconic figures in our sport and they will […]

Andrew Butkiewicz of Darboy, WI, got started in dog agility when he was only 2 years old. Now, he competes not only in agility, but multiple dog sports.

Color no one surprised: A Border Collie named P!nk won the 2020 Masters Agility Champion at the Westminster Kennel Club's annual agility competition on Saturday, the sixth of her breed to secure that top slot since the competition began seven years ago. Bred to move with lightning speed and respond instantly to the commands of […]

There were 100 of the speediest dogs invited to compete at the 2022 AKC Agility Dogs Premier Cup on July 9, 2022, in Columbus, OH, at Historic Crew Stadium. Only 50 advanced to the finals after two preliminary rounds, with the top 10 winners named in each height class. “This year’s Agility Dog Premier Cup […]

Marsha showed her first obedience dog in 1979 — a Scottish Terrier who went on to earn her Utility title. It didn't take long for her to get hooked on the sport, and she soon started training Shetland Sheepdogs (one of which went on to earn an OTCH.) In 1993, Marsha was showing a Shetland Sheepdog but […]

From the day she came into Sylvia Kidd’s life nine years ago, Cowpoke stole her heart and blossomed into her soulmate. With a seamless blend, the Blanchard, Oklahoma, teammates and recent participants in the AKC National Agility Championship in nearby Tulsa, serve up a feel-good back story of love and commitment. So, first things first. […]

When you compete at a national level in any dog sport, it takes a special kind of passion, but being an emergency vet on top of that is dedication.

Meet "Granger" the Rottweiler, 12.5 month-old winner of the 2023 AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes.

AKC National Detection Dog Conference Returns to Durham, NC August 14, 2026 The American Kennel Club’s National Detection Dog Conference returned to Durham, North Carolina, August 4–6, 2026. The conference brought together researchers, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, law enforcement professionals, and industry experts to discuss advancements and challenges across the detection dog field. Pre-conference activities began […]