AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Hilarie Erb has added several adult dogs to her home, in addition to puppies. She is pictured with her Greyhound, Fire, who is a retired racer that she adopted as an adult, and her Wire-haired Pointing Griffon, Mike, who joined her family as a puppy. Hilarie tell us the benefits of choosing an […]

Beagle Field Trials, a sport found only in the United States and Canada, started with this announcement in the Sunday Boston Herald on October 26, 1890: "A group of Beagle Owners would hold a Beagle field trial in Hyannis, Massachusetts, in a fortnight." This Group called themselves the National Beagle Club of America, and the […]

The American Kennel Club recognizes 184 dog breeds, and each was originally created for a reason whether it was to help put food on the table, guard herds, control vermin, or provide companionship. Most of these breeds are uniquely suited to do their job, and what follows is one such dog: Behold the perfect canine […]

Dr. Klein brings with him over 35 years of experience in the Veterinary field. Currently, he is the Supervising Veterinarian at the Chicago Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center. He is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society, […]

The Super Bowl and World Cup have referees. The World Series has umpires. When it comes to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan®, the second-longest-running sporting event in the United States, there is a different type of officiating crew. Judges are given the difficult task of choosing the crème de […]

December may be months away and, yes, it's currently sweltering outside, but that doesn't mean we can't prepare for the upcoming holiday season. Get a head start on your shopping with these Christmas in July sales on the AKC Shop! Here are some gift ideas for the pup-obsessed people in your inner circle. For Dog-Loving […]

Butters the Beagle is all about fun and friends, and he’s quite the showman, too. No matter the venue — dog show, TV shoot, or film set — the unflappable Grand Champion is right at home. Last February, Butters and his owner, Robert Day, took a whirlwind, two-day, cross-country car trip from their home in […]

Molly and Michael Nye, of M&M Bloodhounds, live just outside of Charlotte, N.C. Bloodhound fanciers for close to 20 years, they are members of the American Bloodhound Club, regional Bloodhound clubs, and local all-breed and obedience clubs. They are AKC Breeders of Merit, American Bloodhound Club Breeders of Merit, and they both hold offices and […]

If you’re interested in learning as much as possible about dog sports and want to participate in a meaningful, hands-on way, joining your regional breed club is an important connection to make. It is a natural complement to membership in your local all-breed kennel club. The all-breed club will afford you the opportunity to learn […]

Education is paramount to the AKC’s mission. Through education, we preserve history, stay relevant to the needs of today’s dog owners and fanciers, and invest in the future health and well-being of dogs, dog sports, and the human-canine relationship. The AKC recognizes and appreciates the enormous contributions that Parent and All-Breed Clubs give to the […]