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American Kennel Club Library & Archives

Welcome to the American Kennel Club Library & Archives database.

The American Kennel Club Library & Archives collects, preserves, arranges, describes, and makes accessible archival material in four distinct categories: Clubs, People, AKC Administration, and Visual Materials. As the only national repository dedicated to the art, sport, and enjoyment of the purebred dog, it supports all matter of internal and external canine-related research and information needs.

Clubs (AKD) comprises the bulk of the AKC Archives' holdings and contain the records of AKC Parent Clubs, the national organizations devoted to each breed, and select Member Clubs. The collections varyingly consist of meeting minutes, constitutions, by-laws, officer lists and files, original research on breeds, correspondence, brochures, pamphlets, premium lists, show catalogs, club publications, photographs, audiovisual footage, ephemera, and more.

People (AKE) consists of the personal papers of individuals -- judges, breeders, handlers, and owners --who have played a major role in dogdom. Collections may include correspondences, photographs, personal research, pedigrees, scrapbooks, and more.

AKC Administration (AKA) consists of various departmental records dating back to the organization's founding in 1884, including board minutes, constitutions and by-laws, rules and regulations pamphlets, photographs, and club relations files.

Visual Materials (AKV) consists of heavily graphic-based collections, including photographs, slides, negatives, and ephemera. The bulk of these collections are win shots and other dog show imagery taken by leading photographers of the sport.

Additionally, the AKC Vertical Files holds (AKF) materials on various topics and breeds, containing photographs, pedigrees, correspondence, and more. Other special collections materials present in the AKC Vertical Files include pamphlets, stamps, bookplates, and scrapbooks. Comprehensive information and biographical files arranged by subject have been assembled from the AKC Gazette and other publications; these are not exhaustive resources but are supplementary to the existing archival collections.

Contents are gradually being updated to the Archives database; it is recommended that researchers consult Archives & Library staff for assistance with specific information requests.

Finding Aids

The finding aids available in this database are the tools used to navigate the collections within the above categories. They are research guides that describe a collection’s contents, biographical or institutional history of the creators, provenance, and access information, which can include restrictions, guidelines for use and publishing, and more. The finding aid also provides an inventory of the collection.

Searching the Database

You may search or browse finding aids for the archival material in the American Kennel Club Library & Archives. The search engine looks for records containing every term you submit. To filter the results of a keyword search, use the left navigation bar to refine the results.

For general information, including visiting the AKC Library & Archives, visit our website.

To search the 18,000 volume library collection, consult our catalog CAIUS.

Any inquiries may be directed to the e-mail address library@akc.org.