Every year, the American Kennel Club honors five of America's top dogs for their achievements in the areas of companionship, search and rescue, law enforcement, therapy and service.

The winners of the Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) are chosen from nominations made by the public.

Last year's winners included Rumor, a 4-year-old Rottweiler adopted by a teenager who had been raised in foster homes in San Francisco -- leading to a relationship in which both flourished.

And Penni, a 10-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi who spends her time comforting others as a therapy dog at local nursing homes, hospitals and a school for the deaf.

And Holly, a Shetland Sheepdog in Utah who grew up a sickly pup, nurtured by a 14-year-old girl. Three years later, when the girl was diagnosed with epilepsy, the family found Holly had the ability to predict seizures, helping her get to a safe place before one happened.

And Ranger, a Labrador Retriever who works as a search and rescue dog for the Shreveport, La., Fire Department and searched 2,800 collapsed homes after Hurricane Katrina.

A fifth ACE went to the members of the Baton Rouge Police Department's K9 Division (Ace, Bandit, Buster, Jake, Philos, Relic, Rosco, Rowdy, Stone, Zain), who helped keep order in Baton Rouge when its population, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, doubled overnight.

To see all winners and complete descriptions of their achievements click here.

The AKC is now accepting nominations for the 2008 awards. Each of the five honorees receives a cash award of $1,000, an engraved sterling-silver collar medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip for dog and owner to Long Beach, Calif., to be honored at the seventh annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in December 2008. Submissions must include a non-returnable, original photograph of the dog, a 500-word-or-less description of how the dog has demonstrated excellence, and the dogs name, breed and sex.

There is one more rule -- and, of course, we at Mutts don't think much of it: To be considered, dogs must be an AKC recognized breed.

(Photos courtesy of American Kennel Club)