Although consistency is key when training dogs, naturally there will be training breaks that happen. Work schedules, family commitments, and vacations can all result in even the most serious dog sport competitors needing to take some time off from training or reduce the amount of time they have to train. Similarly, injuries to the dog or handler […]

APPLY TO BE AN AKC APPROVED CGC EVALUATOR Dear Dog Trainer, Thank you for your interest in applying to be an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator. CGC Evaluators administer many exciting AKC Family Dog Programs including AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, Urban CGC, AKC FIT DOG, AKC Trick Dog, and Virtual Home […]

Having a dog door seems like it would make life so much easier. These secured entrances are built into existing doors and allow dogs to let themselves in and out of the house without you needing to do so yourself. It gives those with a fenced-in yard quick access to relieve themselves—but using one is not […]

When it comes to Poodles, there is more to the breed than what meets the eye. Fluffy, show dog looks aside, the Poodle is an active, smart, and proud breed that has been favored for centuries. Initially used as a duck hunting breed in Germany, Poodles are now the national dog of France and wear the title […]

On Oct. 27, 2019, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois military working dog named Conan took part in the Barisha raid, which resulted in the death of the leader of ISIS. Conan joined a long list of heroic military working dogs. Call ‘em what you want — war dogs or military working dogs — they have been around for centuries […]

AKC Government Relations continues to monitor Congress for issues of interest to dog owners. Visit our 2022 Legislation Tracking map and click on “Federal Bills” 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 level include:  U.S. Congress – […]

Loyal, athletic, vocal, and affectionate, the Swedish Vallhund is an ancient spitz breed that dates back over 1,000 years to the time of the Vikings, hence its sobriquet-Vikingarnas Dog-the Viking Dog. A small dog, the Swedish Vallhund measures about 12-13 inches for dogs and 11-12 inches for bitches at the withers. Although they may be […]

Your local AKC dog club should be able to provide you with the information you need to find or join CGC training in your community. Some AKC obedience clubs offer “Canine Good Citizen” classes. Other clubs, while perhaps not having a class specifically named CGC, will cover all of the CGC skills in a basic […]

Fifteen-year-old Reagan Wallace from St. Peters, Missouri got involved with training dogs during the pandemic. Now, she’s an active dog Agility competitor, placing third at the AKC Junior Agility Championship. In addition to Agility, Wallace and her dogs now participate in a variety of AKC sports, including Rally, Fast CAT, and Obedience. Wallace competes with […]

As part of the American Kennel Club’s continual efforts to provide our valuable breeders with the best services for managing their business, the AKC created the Breeder Toolkit.  Since initial release in mid-2020, the platform has been expanded to be more user friendly and include additional features. Litter and Dog Management, Breeding Records, Online Reports, […]