The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the largest kennel club in the United States. It maintains a registry of purebred god pedigrees, as well as sanctions and promotes events for purebred dogs. The AKC was founded in 1884 by a group of American and Canadian breed clubs. However, two years later Canadian clubs withdrew due to a disagreement and formed the Canadian Kennel Club.
Unlike most other kennel clubs, the AKC is not part of the World Canine Organization (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). Nevertheless, it is the most well-known and the most influential registry of purebred gods. As of November 2016, the AKC recognizes 202 breeds, divided into seven groups, one class, and the Foundation Stock Service.
The inaugural AKC National Championship took place in Orlando, Florida in 2001. It is an invitation-only show that features more than 3,000 dogs from around the world, but only seven participants (one from each group) get a chance to compete for the best in show title. To get an invitation, dogs must either finish their championship from the bred-by-exhibitor class or be ranked in the Top 25 of their breed.
As of 2016, none of the breeds has won the best in show title more than once. Past winners have included a Bichon Frise, a Kerry Blue Terrier, a Norfolk Terrier, a Bloodhound, an Alaskan Malamute, an English Springer Spaniel, a Sealyham Terrier, a Pointer, a Scottish Terrier, an Australian Shepherd, a Standard Poodle, a Wire Fox Terrier, a Portuguese Water Dog, a Skye Terrier, a German Shepherd Dog, and a Puli.
Alongside competitions in breed groups and the best in show competition, the AKC National Championship features others events and activities, including the AKC Meet the Breeds educational event, obedience and agility competitions and demonstrations, social functions, and more.
