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California
1,678
Texas
1,035
Florida
1,030
Washington
817
Pennsylvania
740
New York
639
Ohio
599
Michigan
576
North Carolina
552
Virginia
539
Colorado
487
Wisconsin
486
Illinois
466
Georgia
436
Oregon
426
Arizona
425
Minnesota
346
Missouri
339
New Jersey
326
Tennessee
308
Massachusetts
305
Connecticut
303
Maryland
303
Indiana
296
South Carolina
254
Oklahoma
214
Kentucky
186
Alabama
177
Iowa
146
New Hampshire
140
Idaho
133
Nevada
127
Kansas
125
New Mexico
116
Louisiana
97
Utah
97
Alaska
96
Arkansas
83
Montana
83
Maine
81
Nebraska
74
Mississippi
64
Rhode Island
63
Wyoming
62
Hawaii
59
West Virginia
55
Vermont
52
Delaware
46
South Dakota
25
North Dakota
18
District of Columbia
2

AKC Breeders by State 2024

AKC Breeders by State 2024

If you are curious about how many breeders you have in your state, the easiest way to figure it out is to go to the AKC Breeder of Merit website. There, you can sort breeders using a variety of factors. For example, if you are looking for a specific type of dog, you can find it there. You might even be able to reach out to a specific breeder in your area through the website.

The states with the most AKC breeders include California (1634), Florida (994), Texas (989), Pennsylvania (708), and New York (621).

State
AKC Breeders Per 100k Residents (2024)
Alaska13.09
Wyoming10.57
Washington10.42
Oregon10.08
New Hampshire9.96
Connecticut8.36
Colorado8.23
Wisconsin8.19
Vermont8.03
Montana7.26

What Is an AKC Breeder of Merit?

If someone has been listed as an AKC Breeder of Merit, they have met strict requirements for breeding purebred dogs. Breeding these types of dogs can be challenging because they come in many shapes and forms, have very specific requirements, and can be challenging to raise. Someone earning an AKC Certificate of Merit has shown that they have the time, talent, and energy to raise specific dogs.

There are several different levels of AKC Breeders of Merit. Someone who is a Bronze-level breeder has raised a minimum of 10 dogs. Someone who is a Silver-level breeder has raised a minimum of 25 dogs. A Gold-level breeder has raised a minimum of 50 dogs, and a Platinum-level breeder has raised a minimum of 100 dogs.

What Are the Requirements to be a Breeder of Merit?

Several requirements must be met before someone can be recognized as an official breeder of merit. First, they need at least five years of involvement with various AKC events. These should be viewed as continuing education requirements. Breeders need to stay up-to-date on the latest information in the field.

They also need to have won titles using a minimum of four dogs from different litters that they have either bred or worked with someone else to raise. Finally, they also need to be a member of an AKC Club. Because there are so many strict requirements, it takes work for someone to earn this title.

Why Should I Adopt a Dog From an AKC Breeder?

First, there is a better chance of getting a healthy dog. You want to know that the dog has a strong foundation to live a long, happy, and healthy life. If you adopt a dog from a breeder, you have a better chance of getting a good one. Furthermore, you also have the opportunity to ask questions. You can figure out exactly what it takes to raise your dog well, as you will be adopting a dog from a breeder with a lot of experience in that area.

AKC Breeders by State 2024

State
AKC Breeders (2024)
AKC Breeders Per 100k Residents (2024)
AKC Breeders (2023)
AKC Breeders Per 100k Residents (2023)
California1,6784.311,6344.2
Texas1,0353.349893.19
Florida1,0304.489944.33
Washington81710.4279310.11
Pennsylvania7405.717085.47
New York6393.286213.19
Ohio5995.075794.9
Michigan5765.745575.55
North Carolina5525.035264.79
Virginia5396.165155.88
Colorado4878.234798.1
Wisconsin4868.194707.92
Illinois4663.724553.64
Georgia4363.914083.66
Oregon42610.084209.94
Arizona4255.674095.46
Minnesota3466.013365.83
Missouri3395.453235.2
New Jersey3263.503233.47
Tennessee3084.282894.01
Massachusetts3054.342954.2
Connecticut3038.363018.3
Maryland3034.892914.7
Indiana2964.292854.14
South Carolina2544.652464.5
Oklahoma2145.232014.92
Kentucky1864.101693.72
Alabama1773.441563.03
Iowa1464.541434.45
New Hampshire1409.961369.68
Idaho1336.681226.13
Nevada1273.961163.61
Kansas1254.251184.01
New Mexico1165.481125.29
Louisiana972.13932.04
Utah972.81922.66
Alaska9613.099913.5
Arkansas832.69802.59
Montana837.26746.48
Maine815.78825.85
Nebraska743.72713.57
Mississippi642.18602.04
Rhode Island635.74595.37
Wyoming6210.57579.72
Hawaii594.12573.98
West Virginia553.11553.11
Vermont528.03517.87
Delaware464.40454.31
South Dakota252.69212.26
North Dakota182.28192.41
District of Columbia20.2920.29
United States16,13215,5364.62
showing: 51 rows

Which state has the most AKC breeders?

The state with the most AKC breeders is Alaska with 13.09 breeders per 100k people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources