The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dogs within the United States.

Duties of the AKC includes holding obedience competitions and dog shows, helps in maintaining breed standards, and will register puppies of registered breeds. The American Kennel Club will register dogs in hundreds of different dog breeds.

A dog can be registered in the AKC, once a breeder has received American Kennel Club papers for both of the parents. Each of the litters can be registered as a Group within a short period of the puppies being born. At eight weeks, a breeder receives a registration application of the individual puppies. That form will pass on to the puppies new owners. Once a name is chosen, the new owner completes the registration papers and forwards it on to the AKC.

The dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club include the Hound Group - Sporting Group - Terrier Group - Working Group - Herding Group - Non-Sporting Group, and Miscellaneous Class.

The Sporting Group consists of hard working and active dogs, in need of rigors exercise routines to cope with its nature of being retrieving and spotting dogs. Popular breeds within the category include the Cocker Spaniel and Golden Retriever.

The Hound Group consists of dogs working for hunters to catch prey, although these dogs are all concerned with the chase. A Hound can be methodical and slow, similar to a Bloodhound, or impatient and fast, such as a Greyhound.

The Working Group consists of dogs with a strong will to protect its home and masters. A powerful and big dog with strong instincts for being protective. The Rottweiler’s and Doberman Pinschers are two breeds to feature within this group.

The Terrier Group includes dogs that love to control vermin, such as rats and mice. Dogs in the group include the personable Miniature Schnauzers and the dour Scottish Terriers.

The Toy Group consists of dog’s small in size, but with big hearts to make delightful companion dogs. The Miniature Pinscher and Yorkshire are part of this category.

The Herding Group consists of dogs with a keen instinct for herding. The German shepherd and Collie are two dogs to feature within this category.

The Non-Sporting Group includes dogs that do not quite fit within the other classes. The Standard Poodle and Boston terrier are two members to feature with this group.

The Miscellaneous Class is a stopgap of dogs still waiting to prove themselves. One breed to feature includes the Redbone Coonhound.

While the American Kennel Club is the most popular of kennel clubs within the U.S., it isn’t the only one to feature. If a dog is not registered at the AKC, its still a possibility to register with a different group. Other kennel clubs include the American Canine Association, United Kennel Club, North American Purebred Dog Registry, and the Canine Kennel Club.

Dog registry organizations exist in most countries, a lot of dogs outside of the US must be registered within their own country's kennel club, and than to arrive in America where the AKC can consider registering them within one of the eight groups.

UK dog breeds are registered with the Kennel Club, while a Australian born dog will register with the Victorian Canine Association, a part of the National Kennel Council.

Canada's version of the AKC is the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Dogs registered within the Canadian Kennel Club needn't go to the US to be registered within the American Kennel Club.

Offical Site: www.akc.org