Press Releases

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Professional Grooming Credential (PGC) from the World Pet Association (WPA). The PGC measures foundational knowledge, safety, and technical skills of groomers, and is the only nationwide grooming industry […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is excited to announce AKC® DNA + Health. This new test combines genetic health and traits testing with AKC DNA identification, creating a powerful tool for breeders. “At the AKC, we’re always looking for tools to […]

The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce the annual election of officers. In accordance with the Charter and Bylaws of The American Kennel Club, the following Executive Officers were re-elected at the April 2024 Board of Directors Meeting: Dennis B. Sprung - President and Chief Executive Officer Gina M. DiNardo - Executive Secretary Theodore […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for all dogs, is honored to recognize K9 Vishu of Kankakee Sheriff’s Department in Kankakee, IL., and K9 Biza of Auburn Massachusetts Police Department in Auburn, MA., with the American Kennel Club’s DOGNY Paw of Courage Award. The AKC DOGNY Paw […]

The top Agility dogs in the nation were crowned from an overall combined entry of 1,330 competitors at the AKC National Agility Championship presented by YuMOVE. The high energy competition was held March 14-17 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, GA. “We had a stellar competition this year,” said Carrie DeYoung, Director […]

The French Bulldog reigns supreme! The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, announced this morning that the playful and adaptable French Bulldog is America’s most popular breed for the second consecutive year, according to AKC registration statistics. Since overtaking the loveable Labrador Retriever […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 AKC® Lifetime Achievement Awards: Michael Canalizo (Conformation), Curt Curtis (Companion Events) and Laurie Soutar (Performance). The Awards, created by AKC President and CEO Dennis Sprung in 1999, are presented in […]

At the annual meeting of the American Kennel Club on March 12, 2024, the Delegates elected members to the AKC Board of Directors. The Directors elected were: Class of 2028 Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia, PhD, Delegate, German Shepherd Dog Club of America Sally Fineburg, Delegate, Hatboro Dog Club, Inc. Dr. Michael Knight, PhD, Delegate, Texas […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization, the world’s largest purebred dog registry and leading advocate for dogs, is pleased to announce that the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) has honored the AKC Family Dog magazine. In the DWAA’s annual writing competition, the magazine earned a total of seven Maxwells and special awards, […]

The AKC Humane FundSM is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2024 Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship, celebrating the human-canine bond. Each year, the AKC Humane Fund awards five full-time students enrolled in courses of study that contribute to the well-being of dogs and the advancement of responsible pet ownership. The […]