As we reflect on a year filled with progress and collaborative successes at AKC, we’re inspired by initiatives that will close 2025 with celebration and start 2026 confidently, with focus on the many opportunities ahead.
Mark your calendars! AKC® Meet the Breeds® Presented by Purina Pro Plan returns to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Saturday, February 7th, and Sunday, February 8th, 2026.
This beloved two-day event is one of the AKC’s most powerful opportunities to connect the public with our breeds and the people who know them best—you. Clubs play a vital role in bringing the event to life by showcasing their breeds, sharing expertise, and helping attendees discover which dogs best fit their families and lifestyles.
If your club hasn’t yet signed up to represent your breed, I encourage you to do so soon. It’s an unforgettable experience that educates, inspires, and strengthens the bond between breeders, owners, and the dog-loving public.
To request a booth application or for additional details, please contact: meetthebreeds@akc.org.
Guests attending the event will enjoy meeting and playing with over 1,000 dogs from more than 100 breeds, watching demonstrations of AKC sports and working dogs, and exploring activities for kids and families in our interactive fun zone. Whether you’re an exhibitor or attendee, it’s a weekend that celebrates everything we love about dogs—learning, connection, and community.
We are excited to recognize the extraordinary breeding programs from the Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding Groups as 2025 AKC Breeder of the Year Group Honorees. The 2025 AKC Breeder of the Year award will be presented during the evening competition of the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
A canine portrait will be commissioned to commemorate a prominent dog from the Breeder of the Year’s kennel, and their name will be added to the perpetual trophy. All Group recipients will receive a medallion in recognition of their achievements. Visit: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/akc-announces-2025-breeder-year-group-honorees/ to see the full list of honorees.
The AKC Detection Dog Task Force is pleased to welcome Megan Toms, DVM, MPH and Jordan Johnson, PhD, MHS with Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) to share information about the Johns Hopkins University’s Domestic Breeding Initiative (DBI) and discuss their program, evaluations, and findings.
The Domestic Breeding Initiative is a collaborative community facilitated by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). The DBI is currently comprised of four established members across academia and private industry, committed to improving Explosive Detection Canines (EDC), supporting the production of healthy dogs, and enhancing their operational performance. Speakers will introduce their five comprehensive quantitative evaluations through the first year of life, designed to inform early development interventions, training, selection, and longitudinal behavioral demonstration of an EDC.
This virtual event will take place on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM (ET). Please visit: https://www.akcgr.org/blogpostJHUDBIwebinarJan2026/ for more information on the AKC Detection Dog Task Force and how to register for this event.
AKC Trick Dog is a fun training program for both dogs and their trainers! AKC Trick Dog ranges from very simple novice tricks, such as teaching your dog to get in a box on cue, to complex tricks that are several behaviors chained together in one exciting sequence. There are five AKC Trick titles that you and your dog can earn, ranging from AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN) to AKC Trick Dog Elite (TKE). Visit: https://www.akc.org/sports/trick-dog/ to learn more about the titles and lists of tricks for each!
The 7th Annual National Trick Dog competition was a virtual event, open to Elite Performers, AKC’s highest level of Trick Dogs. More than 200 competitors from all over the United States submitted videos of outstanding performances that were evaluated by judges. The overall winners were Elizabeth Berthold-Davis from East Patchogue, New York, and her Russell Terrier, “Cricket.” Their humorous routine, “Fix It, Cricket!” showed how Cricket can get your home in tip-top shape. Visit: https://www.akc.org/press-releases/elizabeth-berthold-davis-cricket-win-2025-akc-national-trick-dog-competition/ to view the full list of winners and semi-finalists and to watch their routines!
This year brought us some amazing developments, competitions, and events! We are continuously astounded by your continued support as we celebrate these advancements together and work toward an even brighter future for dogs and the people who love them. We cannot wait to see what the year 2026 brings us and we’re honored to continue to share it with you. Until next year!
