Originally published here  at AKC.org  on October 23, 2025 by Melanie Haid Sometimes the first breed that you get doesn’t end up being “your breed.” With an open mind, research, and often, some fate intervening, you can end up with the breed that’s perfect for you and your lifestyle. And sharing that love of the breed with others becomes part of the great joy of being an owner. And, in Betty-Anne Stenmark’s case, a breeder and judge at prestigious dog shows, such as the Westm

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on October 3, 2025 by Melanie Haid Snoopy and Peanuts are turning 75 in 2025! This famous cartoon dog is one of the most iconic members of the Peanuts gang. But there’s some things you may not know about this character. Read on for some Snoopy fun facts! Snoopy was the First Fictional AKC-Registered Dog For Snoopy, the AKC made an exception to its rule that dogs must be real to be registered. The AKC gave him the honorary number of Beagl

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on July 25, 2025 by Melanie Haid For Atlanta, Georgia-based breeding program “Chateau Barbets,” their emphasis isn’t on making this newly recognized breed more popular. In fact, owner Eva Gellert hopes that the Barbet ‘s numbers don’t rise quickly, but not because of a lack of love for the breed. It’s actually her devotion to the breed that drives her and the Barbet community to be selective about breeding and who the puppies eventually

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on October 6, 2025 by Melanie Haid The nation’s most obedient dogs gathered for the 31st year to crown their National Obedience Champion , this year at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri. The 2025 National Obedience Championship took place over the course of two packed days of competition on July 6 and 7. The 2025 obedience competition saw dog-and-handler teams from 32 different states, representing 41 different dog breeds . Golden

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on July 6, 2025 by Melanie Haid The sixth annual AKC Agility Premier Cup has crowned its winners! Some of the fastest agility dogs gathered in Georgia on May 2 as part of the AKC Salutes the Troops event with ESPN to determine who could get the fastest times and cleanest runs. The event aired on ESPN2 on July 5. Winners were declared in each height division: 8″, 12″, 16″, 20″, and 24″. Each height division crowned an overall winner as

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on July 5, 2025 by Melanie Haid The AKC Rally National Championship got more than just a new champion in 2025: the event also got a new location and an extra day. The 12th annual AKC Rally National Championship took place at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri, over the course of three days of competition: July 3, 4, and 5. Over 100 different breeds took place in the 2025 championship, across 683 handler-dog teams from 49 states. All-A

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on July 4, 2025 by Melanie Haid Jupiter Piquet, from Pinellas Park, Florida, is no stranger to the big stages of the dog sport world. At 23 years old, Piquet, who uses they/he pronouns, has already been doing dog sports for over 15 years. Now, Piquet and his Beagle , “Watcher” are taking on the biggest AKC Rally stage in the country: the AKC Rally National Championship . This year, the competition, which is being held in conjunction wi

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on June 17, 2025 by Melanie Haid Ikuko Hisaka, owner of Elfin Bolognese , has loved the breed almost as long as she’s been breeding them. But her introduction to Bolognese didn’t come until later in life. Hisaka grew up in Tokyo, Japan, and moved to the United States in 1987 when her husband’s job transferred them to Portland, Oregon. It would take another two decades for Hisaka to be introduced to the breed. But once she held a Bologne

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on June 16, 2025 by Melanie Haid Some of the fastest dogs in the country dashed after the coveted “bunny” lure in a 100-yard Fast CAT dash at AKC Fastest Dogs USA , part of AKC Salutes the Troops. This multi-event celebration, in partnership with ESPN, celebrated canine athletes and the Army’s 250th anniversary in Georgia at the end of April and early May. AKC Fastest Dogs USA took place on May 1 at Fort Stewart, and was broadcast on ESP

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on May 5, 2025 by Melanie Haid The 2025 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup, presented by Cosequin, was held in collaboration with North American Diving Dogs on April 5 at the Mississippi State University Campus in Starkville, MS. Dogs competed in Distance and Air Retrieve with a winner crowned in each subdivision. The competition aired on ESPN, and champions were announced for each discipline. See the 2025 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup winners b

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on March 27, 2025 by Melanie Haid From March 14 through March 16, dogs and handlers gathered at the Built Ford Tough Lifestock Complex at Expo Square in Tusla, Oklahoma for the 2025 AKC National Agility Championship. Champions were crowned within the Regular and Preferred Class. Dogs competed in the 8″, 12″, 16″, 20″, and 24″ divisions in the Regular Class, and 4″, 8″, 12″, 16″, and 20″ in the Preferred Class. AKC National Agility Champi

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on March 26, 2025 by Melanie Haid Bev Klingensmith of Newton, Iowa, loves her dogs: 7-year-old Great Dane “Bing” and Golden Retriever “Nash.” She’s very involved in the dog world, showing, breeding, training and doing dog sports . She’s the President of the Great Dane Club of Des Moines, and is involved in the Des Moines Obedience Training Club, Central Iowa Kennel Club, and Great Dane Club of America . Now, she’s added “handler to a

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on March 18, 2025 by Melanie Haid As the world’s largest registry of purebred dogs, the AKC uses our registration statistics to rank the most popular breeds of the past year — and the numbers are in! The French Bulldog has secured the No. 1 spot as the most popular dog breed in the United States for the third year in a row. In 2022, the Frenchie took the Most Popular title from the Labrador Retriever, a breed who had previously sat com

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on March 18, 2025 by Melanie Haid Linda Grems didn’t set out to be a dog breeder , and she didn’t always have Miniature Pinschers . The Howell, Michigan already had a career in business in a different realm: automotive design. These business skills are reflected through multiple degrees, including an MBA, all uncommon for a woman especially at that time. One thing gave her a solid foundation in her career: her mentor, her dad. This mento

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on March 18, 2025 by Melanie Haid The American Kennel Club announced 2024’s most popular dog breeds based on AKC registration numbers. For the third year in a row, the French Bulldog is the No. 1 most popular dog in the United States. Before 2022, the  Labrador Retriever  held the No. 1 spot for 31 years. These may be the top breeds overall, but when you look at major cities in the United States, the rankings aren’t always the same. In

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on February 13, 2025 by Melanie Haid Kellie Verrelli, co-breeder of Akekal Mudis and Shepherds Kennel with Beth Bochardt, wasn’t always a Mudi breeder. Verrelli, who lives near Nashville, Tennessee, notes that her breeding journey actually began with Scottish Terriers after she and her husband got their first Scottie in 1995. Currently the owner of four Scottish Terriers and two Mudis, Verrelli typically breeds when she’s ready for a

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on February 12, 2025 by Melanie Haid The 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show , presented by Purina Pro Plan, returned to Madison Square Garden for Group Judging on Monday, February 10 and Tuesday, February 11, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Monday night featured conformation judging for the Hound Group, Toy Group, Non-Sporting Group, and Herding Group, while the Sporting, Working, and Terrier Groups competed for Best

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on February 12, 2025 by Melanie Haid You may recognize “Monty,” the Giant Schnauzer , who won the 2024 AKC National Championship . Out of over 2,500 competitors, he has now joined the ranks of Best in Show winners at Westminster , crowned on Tuesday, February 11 at Madison Square Garden. The 5-year-old Giant Schnauzer has won the Working Group at Westminster for the past three years , finally taking home the coveted Best in Show title a

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on February 10, 2025 by Melanie Haid Over 500 dogs gathered at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for dog sport events on February 8 as part of the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show , sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The action-packed day on Saturday included the 12th Annual Masters Agility Championship, the 10th Annual Masters Obedience Championship, and the inaugural Flyball Tournament. 60

Originally published here  at AKC.org  on February 9, 2025 by Melanie Haid Among the Westminster Kennel Club’s agility and flyball competitions that took place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Saturday, February 8, the 10th Annual Masters Obedience Championship , presented by Purino Pro Plan, crowned its champion. Kathleen Keller of Flemington, NJ, and her 7 year old Australian Shepherd , “Willie” took home the top prize. Keller and Willie also won High In Trial. D