American Kennel Club

What American Kennel Club does

The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a not-for-profit organization and the preeminent purebred dog registry in the United States. Its core function is breed registration, pedigree documentation, and the governance of over 22,000 annual dog sports and conformation events. AKC serves dog breeders, dog owners, dog show exhibitors, judges, rescue groups, and the broader canine enthusiast community through a portfolio of brands and subsidiaries that includes AKC Reunite (North America's largest not-for-profit pet ID and recovery service with microchipping), AKC Canine Health Foundation (canine disease research grants since 1995), AKC Rescue Network (450+ rescue groups), AKC Humane Fund, and the Museum of the Dog.

The underlying technology stack is a diversified digital platform rather than a single product. It comprises the akc.org website for registration, breed information, and event search; AKC Marketplace for puppy listings; AKC Shop for merchandise; AKC TV streaming (Roku, Apple TV, iOS, Amazon Fire); AKC DNA Program operating the world's largest canine DNA database for parentage verification; and AKC Reunite's national recovery database. A new ISO standard 134.2 kHz temperature-sensing microchip launched nationwide in October 2025 extends Reunite into health monitoring. The product portfolio also includes AKC Canine College (online training), AKC GoodDog Helpline (trainer access), AKC PuppyVisor (breed-matching concierge), AKC Breeder Toolkit (recordkeeping), and a broad sports platform spanning Conformation, Agility, Rally, Fast CAT, Scent Work, Obedience, Tracking, Herding, and Lure Coursing.

Revenue is generated across six streams: dog and litter registration transaction fees, event sanctioning and participation fees across 22,000+ events, e-commerce marketplace and shop commissions, AKC Reunite microchipping and recovery service revenue, branded partnership and licensing royalties (e.g., ororo heated apparel, Antinol Plus), and affiliate referral fees from AKC Pet Insurance. Go-to-market is hybrid: product-led through the registration and marketplace flows, community-led through the rescue and club networks, and event-driven through the national championship and sanctioned competitions. The customer base is highly distributed across millions of individual dog owners and breeders rather than concentrated enterprise accounts, with international expansion underway through agreements with the Brazilian Kennel Club (CBKC) and Federación Canófila Mexicana (FCM).

Name

American Kennel Club

Legal name

The American Kennel Club, Inc.

Website

https://akc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1884

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit founded in 1884 that serves as the United States' preeminent purebred dog registry, governing breed registration, over 22,000 annual dog sports events, and a portfolio of pet ID, health research, rescue, and streaming services for dog breeders, owners, and enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pet Services and Canine Registry

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Pet Services (Grooming, Training, Daycare) (CRALAIAJ)

Keywords

• Purebred dog registry
• Canine sports events
• Pet microchipping services
• Dog breed information
• Canine health research

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Dog Registration Services: AKC generates revenue through dog registration fees, litter registration, and transfer of ownership services. This is a core revenue stream supporting the not-for-profit mission of breed registry and documentation.
2. Event Sanctioning and Participation: Revenue from sanctioning over 22,000 annual dog sports events including conformation shows, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, field trials, and coursing events.
3. AKC Marketplace and Shop: E-commerce revenue from AKC Shop selling dog-related merchandise, products, and services. The marketplace also facilitates puppy sales between breeders and buyers.
4. AKC Reunite Microchipping Services: Non-profit pet ID and recovery service providing microchipping and national recovery database, generating revenue through microchip sales and enrollment services.
5. Partnership and Licensing: Revenue from branded partnerships such as ororo heated apparel licensing, Antinol Plus sponsorship, and other co-branded product relationships.
6. AKC Pet Insurance Referrals: Referral revenue from pet insurance partnerships promoted through AKC's website and services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit purebred dog registry that issues official dog and litter registrations, sanctions over 22,000 annual canine sports events (conformation, agility, obedience, herding, field trials, etc.), operates AKC Reunite pet identification and microchipping services including a national recovery database, and supports the canine community through the AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Rescue Network, AKC Marketplace for puppy finder services, and AKC TV streaming.

Product overview

American Kennel Club operates as a not-for-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for dog owners, breeders, and enthusiasts. The core offerings include dog registration services (AKC Registration, Canine Partners, PAL, Foundation Stock Service) and AKC Reunite for pet ID and recovery. The AKC Sports & Events platform encompasses over 22,000 annual events across multiple disciplines including Conformation, Agility, Rally, Fast CAT, Scent Work, Obedience, Tracking, Herding, Lure Coursing, and the Coursing Ability Test. Additional products include AKC TV streaming platform, AKC Marketplace for puppy finder services, AKC Canine College for training, AKC GoodDog Helpline for trainer support, AKC PuppyVisor breed matching service, AKC DNA Program for parentage verification, and AKC Breeder Toolkit for recordkeeping. The organization also supports the canine community through AKC Canine Health Foundation (research grants), AKC Rescue Network (450+ rescue groups), AKC Humane Fund (grants), Museum of the Dog, and Government Relations advocacy. A recent product launch includes the AKC Reunite Temperature-Sensing Microchip (October 2025) supporting pet wellness and breeding processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AKC TV: Streaming platform for dog shows and canine content, available on Roku, Apple TV, iOS, and Amazon Fire
• AKC Canine Health Foundation
• AKC Reunite
• AKC Rescue Network
• AKC Humane Fund
• Museum of the Dog
• AKC Marketplace
• AKC PuppyVisor
• AKC GoodDog Helpline
• AKC Pet Insurance

Products and services

• Dog Registration Services Official registration services for purebred and mixed-breed dogs, including initial registration, litter registration, transfer of ownership, and pedigree certification for dog owners and breeders.
• AKC Sports & Events Portfolio of sanctioned dog sports including Conformation, Agility, Rally, Fast CAT, Scent Work, Obedience, Tracking, Herding, Earth Dog, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Lure Coursing, Coursing Ability Test, and Trick Dog, hosting over 22,000 annual events for dog show exhibitors and enthusiasts.
• AKC Marketplace Online marketplace connecting puppy seekers with breeders, featuring listings from AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program participants and Breeders of Merit, including breeder profiles, puppy listings, and breed matching services.
• AKC Reunite
• AKC Reunite Temperature-Sensing Microchip ISO standard 134.2 kHz temperature-sensing microchip designed to improve pet wellness checks and breeding processes, launched nationwide in October 2025.
• AKC TV
• AKC Canine College
• AKC GoodDog Helpline
• AKC PuppyVisor
• AKC DNA Program
• AKC Breeder Toolkit
• AKC Canine Health Foundation Nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of diseases in all dogs, awarding grants to scientists and professionals to advance canine health research since 1995.
• AKC Rescue Network
• AKC Pet Insurance

Quantifiable outcome

• AKC Rescue Network comprises over 450 dog rescue groups across the U.S.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026AKC Canine Health Foundation, in collaboration with AKC, announced that Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has matched its first resident, Dr. Gabriela Medrano, through the second annual AKC/AKC CHF Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program. The program provides recipients with up to $100,000 annually for three years to support specialized training for veterinarians.
• Antinol PlusminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2026Antinol Plus has partnered with AKC to support AKC Celebrates USA's 250th on ESPN. The partnership aims to promote health and performance in dogs, aligning the company with canine athleticism and patriotic events.
• Brazilian Kennel Club (CBKC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025AKC and CBKC entered into a mutual cooperation agreement to enhance international collaboration in purebred dogs, responsible breeding, and canine welfare. The agreement facilitates mutual recognition of dog registrations and pedigrees, and promotes cooperation on health, research, and education initiatives.
• Federación Canófila Mexicana (FCM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025AKC announced a partnership with FCM to hold an AKC-sanctioned dog show in Mexico City from November 12-15, 2026. This event marks the first time an AKC-sanctioned show is held outside the United States, involving breeds native to Mexico and fostering international cooperation in the canine sport.
• ororominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 October 2025ororo has been named the Official American Kennel Club Heated Apparel Provider and will create co-branded heated apparel for upcoming AKC events through 2026, including the 25th Annual AKC National Championship.
• Woofie'sminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 July 2025Woofie's partnered with AKC to improve dog grooming standards across the United States, leveraging AKC's expertise and brand recognition in the pet care space.
• AKC Canine Health FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAKC Canine Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of diseases in all dogs. Since 1995, it has been awarding grants to scientists and professionals to advance canine health research.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• United Kennel Club (UKC): U.S.-based all-breed performance-oriented registry that competes with AKC for registrations, events, and breeder mindshare, particularly in hunting and performance events.
• The Kennel Club (UK): The UK's primary purebred dog registry and sanctioning body for dog shows and events. The most direct international counterpart to AKC, with overlapping registry, event, and breed-standard functions.
• Canadian Kennel Club: Canada's national kennel club and registry. Operates with a similar registration, conformation, and event-sanctioning model and maintains reciprocal recognition agreements relevant to AKC's North American footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Wisdom Panel (Mars Petcare): Major canine DNA testing brand owned by Mars Petcare. Overlaps with AKC DNA Program on breed identification and parentage, backed by a much larger corporate parent with global pet-care distribution.
• Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI): World governing body for national kennel clubs and breed standards. The broader umbrella organization under which most international registries (including CBKC and FCM) operate, setting the meta-framework AKC engages with via mutual cooperation agreements.
• American Pet Products Association (APPA): Industry trade association for the U.S. pet products and services market. Comparable in non-profit membership-organization structure but broader in scope across all pet categories, not just dogs.

Emerging players

• Embark Veterinary: Direct-to-consumer canine DNA testing and health screening company. Competes with AKC's DNA Program in the breeder and owner DNA-testing market and represents a venture-backed challenger to AKC's parentage-verification database.

Others

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): U.S. professional association for veterinarians. Not a registry peer, but ecosystem-relevant given AKC Canine Health Foundation's research funding and AKC's advocacy around veterinary and animal-welfare policy.

Regional players

• Federación Canófila Mexicana (FCM): Mexico's national kennel club. Partnering with AKC to host the first AKC-sanctioned show outside the U.S. in Nov 2026, making it both a registry peer and the host of AKC's international debut.
• Brazilian Kennel Club (CBKC): Brazil's national kennel club. Signed a mutual cooperation agreement with AKC in December 2025, making it both a peer registry and a strategic partner for cross-border pedigree recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanKennelClub
• Instagraminstagram.com/akc
• Xx.com/akcdoglovers
• Pinterestpinterest.com/akc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/akc
• TikToktiktok.com/@akc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-kennel-club

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Kennel Club