AKC Directory
Please click here to view the contact information for Staff.
AKC Registered Handlers
Over the years professional handlers have played an important part in the history of the sport of dogs. They have provided the support system for the top show dogs in the history of many breeds. Expertise in the care, conditioning and presentation of show dogs comes through years of dedication, hard work and continuing education.
The American Kennel Club Registered Handlers Program establishes criteria and standards for responsible, knowledgeable professional handlers. All handlers enrolled in the Program have made the commitment to follow the guidelines and Code of Ethics as set forth by the AKC.
AKC Technology Services (ATS)
American Kennel Club Technology Services (ATS) provides technology services to all AKC internal customers, builds and maintains systems which provide products, services, and information to our external customers, and protects the security and integrity of AKC digital assets and data.
Tim Pursell
Director, IT Operations
Torraine Williams
Director, Software Engineering
Canine Good Citizen®
Responsible Owners, Well-Mannered Dogs. The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program is recognized as the gold standard for dog behavior. In CGC, dogs who pass the 10 step CGC test can earn a certificate and/or the official AKC CGC title. Dogs with the CGC title have the suffix, “CGC” after their names.
Club Education/Booth Services
The Club Education Department is responsible for the AKC Information and Education Booth Program.
The booth presents an impressive selection of printed educational and informational materials for both the novice and the seasoned fancier. The materials offered include rule books, regulations, brochures on how to get started in various AKC events and how to be a responsible dog owner, to name a few. The booth is staffed by AKC employees with knowledge of the world of dogs and the AKC. They provide information and recommend materials on everything from how to find a puppy to how to join a club in your local area.
The booth travels to dog shows and educators’, legislators’, and veterinary conferences all across the nation. If your club would like to request the booth’s presence at your show, please send your request to Club Education, located in Raleigh, NC.
Club Relations
No matter what your interest in dogs, the chances are good that there’s a dog club near you where you can meet people who share your interests. AKC recognizes fifteen different types of clubs: Rally, Scent Work, Parent Specialty Clubs, All-breed clubs, Specialty (breed) clubs, Group clubs, Obedience clubs, Tracking clubs, Field Trial clubs, Hunting Test clubs, Herding clubs, Coonhound clubs, Lure Coursing clubs, Agility clubs and Earthdog clubs.
The AKC Booth Mission
- Represent the American Kennel Club in a professional and positive manner at all times.
- Provide accurate information and supply educational material.
- Encourage the promotion of AKC purebred dogs and AKC events at all levels of interest.
Consumer Demand
Department dedicated to showcasing all breeds of dogs and how they fit into our lives.
Contact: Kirsten Bahlke, VP Consumer Demand
212-696-8265
Customer Service
The AKC Customer Service Department is dedicated to providing you with the latest information.
American Kennel Club
8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27617-3390
phone: 919-233-9767
e-mail: info@akc.org
e-mail: orderdesk@akc.org
The AKC’s Customer Service call center receives over 65,000 phone calls monthly. The questions range from registration matters to the ordering of publications. We are dedicated to serving your needs and answering your questions. Please feel free to call us any weekday between 8:30 am and 8:00 pm (ET). For more information, please visit our Contact AKC section.
Development Department
The AKC Development Department is dedicated to developing financial resources in support of AKC’s mission to advance canine health and well-being, working to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership. Our task is to develop a comprehensive fundraising program to raise support from individuals, corporations, foundations and local, state and federal agencies to advance the good works of AKC’s charitable affiliates, The AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Reunite, The Humane Fund and the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog, as well as other programs as they arise.
Contact: Stephanie Piechowiak, Executive Director of Development
donorrelations@akc.org
DNA Operations
The AKC offers a comprehensive set of voluntary and mandatory programs to ensure the integrity of the AKC registry: voluntary DNA Profiling; the Frequently Used Sires requirement; the Fresh-Extended/Frozen Semen requirement; the Multiple-Sired Litter Registration Policy; the Import Breeding Stock requirement; and the Kennel Inspections/Compliance Audit Program. The AKC has built the world’s largest database of canine DNA profiles for parentage verification and genetic identity purposes. AKC DNA testing does not evaluate the breed of dog.
Event Operations
This division processes the applications for and records the results from Conformation and Obedience events and licenses professional dog show superintendents.
Comments or questions regarding the planning or processing of sanctioned and licensed Conformation Shows, Obedience Trials, Matches and Sweepstakes may be directed to eventplans@akc.org.
Comments or questions regarding the processing and recording of the official results of all licensed Conformation and Obedience events as well as confirmation of titles and issuance of certificates may be directed to awards@akc.org.
- Agility
- Conformation
- Coursing Ability Test
- Dock Diving
- Earthdog
- Field Trials
- Herding
- Lure Coursing
- Obedience
- Rally
- Scent Work
- Tracking
Finance Department
The Finance Department reports to the Chief Financial Officer and is responsible for the financial propriety of the AKC and its related entities’ and affiliates’ financial records and reporting thereof.
This includes recording, reviewing and reporting the results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles in practice (GAAP), which comprises the following: general ledger maintenance and reporting, controlled disbursements and accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets management, payroll/time and attendance reporting, travel and expense reporting, contract accounting, cash management and reconciliations, investments and cash flows, internal financial reporting, external financial reporting and audits, federal (990), state and local tax filings, and operating and capital budgets.
Government Relations
The Government Relations Department (GR) is dedicated to protecting the rights of all dog owners, promoting responsible dog ownership and ensuring that laws governing dog ownership and breeding are reasonable, enforceable and non-discriminatory.
Human Resources
Most AKC divisions focus on providing services to our external constituents — the Fancy and others who either own purebred dogs or participate in AKC-sponsored events. The Human Resources Division is uniquely focused on the employees and retirees of the American Kennel Club
Human Resources provides a wide range of internal services to help ensure that AKC:
- is staffed with capable, motivated employees;
- has compensation and benefit programs to attract and retain employees;
- has policies and procedures that foster good employee relations and comply with all applicable employment laws; and
- provides appropriate training and development opportunities for its employees.
Investigations and Inspections
The AKC is the only purebred registry in the United States with an ongoing routine kennel inspection program. The AKC has a dedicated team of field inspectors who visit kennels to help breeders while ensuring the proper care and conditions of AKC-registered dogs and verify that breeders are maintaining accurate records for their dogs. Since 2000, AKC field inspectors have conducted over 45,000 inspections nationwide.
- Routine AKC field inspections involve several steps. Field agents begin every visit with a tour of the overall facility checking that the dogs as well as the condition of their environment are in good order. Field agents also check the dogs for proper identification, microchip, tattoo or collar tag.
- After a thorough look at the dogs the field agent will review the breeder’s records, often advising the breeder with options on how to maintain hard copies in addition to using the convenient AKC online record system. Breeders are expected to maintain records for at least five years.
- AKC randomly selects breeders for inspection yearly. In addition, to the random selection AKC inspects breeders based on written, signed and substantiated complaints.
- Through kennel visits, inspectors seek to work with breeders to help correct any deficiencies, as well as help new breeders develop effective practices and procedures.
- If an inspector finds minor deficiencies, the issues are noted and discussed with the breeder in an effort to help the breeder while at the same time meeting AKC’s requirements in the future. While the AKC does not have penal or regulatory authority, breeders who have major kennel deficiencies may lose AKC privileges (ability to register dogs or compete in events). In some cases, fines will be imposed, AKC privileges may be suspended and appropriate law enforcement authorities contacted.
- The standard penalty for anyone convicted of animal cruelty involving dogs is a 10-year suspension and a $2,000 fine.
- Contact the Compliance dept: AKC Investigations and Inspections, 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100. Raleigh, NC 27617-3390. Phone: (919) 816-3629, Fax: (919) 816-4246
Judges Education Department
The Judges Education Department provides support and educational experiences for current and prospective conformation judges. In addition we also provide guidance and educational tools to those individuals that are administrating seminars or other educational activities. Educational programs such as the AKC Advanced Judges Institutes, Procedural Seminars and Judging Junior Showmanship are developed, coordinated and conducted by this department.
Judging Operations
The Judging Departments are divided into 4 different areas which maintain the judges and activities for AKC competition:
- Conformation Judges
- Performance Events
- Coonhound Events
- Companion Events
Junior Showmanship/National Juniors Organization
Juniors are important to the future of the sport of dogs and responsible dog ownership, and the more they learn, the more valuable they become. The values, attitudes and responsibility learned through Junior Showmanship will serve youngsters well throughout their lives. By putting time and effort into learning about their dog and how to present it, juniors are rewarded with a win. Contact them at juniors@akc.org
Library & Archives
The AKC has one of the largest libraries devoted to dogs in the world, containing approximately 18,000 volumes, and the only national repository dedicated to the sport of the purebred dog.
The AKC Archives began in 1998 as a service to Parent Clubs. Since then, it has grown to include AKC Administrative records and personal collections of prominent men and women in the sport.
The AKC Library & Archives holdings also include a complete run of the AKC Gazette and other bound periodicals, foreign and domestic Stud Books, art, literature, juvenile books, stamps, bookplates, scrapbooks, and vertical files of clippings, ephemera, magazine articles, and photographs. The collection boasts an extensive selection of rare books and the personal libraries of renowned fanciers John Cross, the Shearer sisters, Alva Rosenberg, and more.
Visit the department page to learn more about the AKC collections and/or contact Library & Archives staff.
Marketing
Focused on building the AKC brand and bringing new Dog Owners to the AKC. Provides Marketing support to core AKC business as well as overseeing all websites and Digital Marketing Channels including Social and email. Responsible for AKC Marketplace and AKC Shop.
Public Education
The Public Education department provides programs that engage, facilitate, and convey to the public the ongoing importance of the relationships between people and canines. Programs such as The Canine Ambassador Program, the AKC Patch Program and Educator Resources are managed by this department. Public Education also offers brochures, books, kits and fliers that educate the public about AKC and responsible dog ownership.
Comments or questions regarding Public Education may be directed to publiced@akc.org.
Public Relations
The AKC public relations department works with the print and electronic media to communicate the AKC’s philosophy and convictions concerning purebred dogs. In addition, the Public Relations department executes various initiatives which reinforce the public’s and the fancy’s positive image of purebred dogs and the sport. The topics focused on range from selecting the right breed and seasonal dog care, to advice on travelling with your dog.
- How to reach the AKC Communications Department.
Publications
Russell Bianca, Director AKC Publications
212-696-8271
rpb@akc.org
Mara Bovsun, Managing Editor Family Dog Magazine
212-696-8335
mbb@akc.org
Bud Boccone, Managing Editor AKC Gazette
212-696-8354
bjb@akc.org
Departmental Fax
212-696-8217
Registration
The Registration Department routinely registers thousands of dogs monthly. If you have questions regarding the registration of your dog, please feel free to call 919-233-9767, e-mail info@akc.org, fill out a form online or write to the AKC at:
American Kennel Club
8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27617-3390
Foreign registration inquiries can e-mail foreign@akc.org.
Sport Services
The Sport Services Department was created as a group of “dog-intelligent” staff to provide a premium level of service to the core constituency of AKC — Delegates, active breeders/exhibitors, active club members, cluster chairmen, judges, and AKC staff. The Sport Services staff is thoroughly familiar with the functions of all AKC’s departments so that they know immediately where to go to obtain information or solve a problem. Their service now extends beyond the core constituency.
Veterinary Outreach
In addition to maintaining the registry of over 170 recognized breeds, AKC adopts and enforces rules and regulations governing dog events, fosters and encourages interest and research in the health and welfare of dogs. The AKC’s Veterinary Outreach program is designed to share information regarding the AKC and purebred dogs with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students. A strong relationship between the AKC and the veterinary community is essential to further understanding among veterinary groups and purebred dog fanciers.