It’s not primarily about the ribbons and titles but about forging a closer, more fulfilling bond between dog and owner. But let’s face it: After all that time and effort, adding an official title to your dog’s name can be awfully satisfying. Let’s take a look at the latest ways the AKC has enabled you […]

Talcott Mountain Agility Club offered exhibitors a chance to pay their final respects to the chute at the club’s October 1st & 2nd agility trial held at Star Hill Athletic Center, in Tolland, Connecticut. Club members Kristie Hockaday and Andrea Ruzzo created a space for exhibitors to bid farewell to this former piece of equipment. […]

  Agility is an exciting event that requires conditioning, concentration, training and teamwork. Dog and handlers negotiate an obstacle course racing against the clock, requiring a true bond and very clear communication. We got to witness some fantastic runs at the 2016 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, and caught up with Carrie DeYoung, […]

As a dog trainer, Karissa Solberg had worked with many different breeds and mixes. But she had never seen anything quite like the little dog that walked into her basic obedience class one night in 2008. The cute prick-eared canine looked like a miniature husky. “I was enthralled with the dog, and her owner was […]

Despite our best efforts, accidents happen, and our dogs are likely to eat something they shouldn’t at some point in their lives. Usually, our dogs will steal a yummy piece of people food off the counter or off of the plate of an unsuspecting guest, even if we’re doing the best we can to prevent […]

THE NEW AKC MUSEUM OF THE DOG We celebrate our passion for purebred dogs every day of our lives – at dog shows, matches, club meetings, social gatherings, and certainly at home with our beloved canine companions.  Because we must be the voice for our dogs, we cannot be an echo chamber.  With pet ownership […]

From about six months old to through the rest of her life, a female dog will experience estrus, or heat, roughly every six months. This is the period of time when she’s receptive to mating. Hormonal changes will cause pronounced differences in your dog that will indicate she’s in heat, including a swollen vulva, bleeding, […]

A female dog reaches sexual maturity at around six months old. The stage of the cycle when she’s receptive to mating is called estrus, or heat. During this stage, there’s an increase in estrogen levels, then a sharp decrease and then her ovaries release eggs. Although six months old is the average age of a […]

Not everyone enjoys cleaning up copious amounts of dog hair. If you are looking for a small dog with equally small amounts of shedding hair, you are in luck. From small dogs that don't shed at all, to dogs who shed minimally, here are the dog breeds you need to know about to help you […]

As we near the end of our 133rd year as America’s strongest advocate for purebred dogs, it is a privilege to reflect on how much we have accomplished.  The cornerstone of our mission, AKC Sports and Events are our link to the past, present and future.  In 2017 we challenged ourselves to create a path […]