The American Kennel Club (or AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Thus, if a dog has AKC papers you can be assured the dog is a purebred and not a mix.

The Labrador Retriever is in the AKC Sporting Group.

The Australian Cattle Dog is in the AKC Herding Group.

Nope.

If you want an AKC dog, you have to buy an AKC

The dog has to be a purebred, from registered parents. When you purchase the dog you will be given papers to fill out and mail to the AKC to register your dog.