By Stephanie Smith NPR’s recent story With Rescue Dogs In Demand, More Shelters Look Far Afield For Fido covered the growing number of dogs being transported across state lines for resale and rescue in other parts of the country. In areas like New England, the Northeast, the Northwest and the Great Lakes, stringent spay and […]

Organizing a State Federation of Dog Clubs Today, dog owners and breeders are being challenged as never before by the introduction of legislation that could change our way of life. The AKC Government Relations (GR) Department is committed to fighting unreasonable canine legislation wherever it occurs, but our assistance cannot take the place of your […]

The AKC Government Relations Department (GR) is dedicated to protecting the rights of all dog owners, promoting responsible dog ownership and ensuring that laws governing dog ownership and breeding are reasonable, enforceable and non-discriminatory. The Government Relations department leads the AKC's legislative efforts and identifies its goals as "working to protect the rights of all […]

Two Ways to Protect Your Rights The AKC Government Relations team is working hard to protect the rights of dog owners, breeders, and fanciers throughout the country, but we need your help! Why are there two funds, what's the difference? CLSF and PAC Comparison Club Options for Political Involvement The Canine Legislative Support Fund is […]

  Background The Conflict of Interest Committee (CIC) was appointed by the Chairman in November 2003. Its charge was to "evaluate all areas of possible conflict of interest situations within AKC and the sport. It should detail the conflict provisions now in place and make recommendations for possible modifications or further provisions if required. Its […]

Do I need an appointment to view or research collections? Yes, an appointment is necessary.  so that the Archivist can be present and prepared to meet your research needs. At least 48 hours advance notice is required to ensure all desired materials are available for viewing. Please contact the Archives using this form. What are […]

The goal of AKC Education is to educate breeders, judges, groomers, trainers, and the general dog-owning public about purebred dogs and the sport of purebred dogs through AKC Canine College, AKC Public Education and the AKC Education Webinar Series. Follow us on Instagram Learn more about each area of AKC Education below. [accordion] [accordion_panel title="About […]

  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 […]

Our Beginnings On September 17, 1884, a group of twelve dedicated sportsmen, responding to a "meeting call" from Messrs. J. M. Taylor and Elliot Smith, met in the rooms of the Philadelphia Kennel Club in that city. Each member of the group was a representative or "delegate" from a dog club that had, in the […]

– The Spanish Water Dog, Cirneco dell’Etna, Bergamasco, & Boerboel Gain Full AKC Recognition – New York, NY –The pack has expanded! The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) announced today that the Spanish Water Dog, Cirneco dell’Etna, Bergamasco, and Boerboel gained full AKC recognition. This brings AKC’s roster of recognized breeds to 184. "The AKC is […]