There are some new dogs in town - literally.
The American Kennel Club has announced TWO new dog breeds as we ring in the new year.
While obviously the breeds have been dogs for a while, they are not going to be officially recognized as breeds by the American Kennel Club. And those breeds are: the Barbet and the Dogo Argentino.
The Barbet is a French water dog, described in a press release from the AKC as “a smart, even-tempereddog with a happy, friendly nature” that is “loyal and loves to be near its owners.”
The Dogo Argentino (from, you guessed it, Argentina), is a hunting hound. While “Dogos are confident, courageous, loyal and affectionate with their family,” the AKC warns in their press release that “they aren’t for the inexperienced dog owner.”
“They have strong guarding instincts and tend to be very protective and territorial,” adds the AKC. “The breed is a powerful, athletic working dog that needs a great deal of daily exercise and frequent interaction with people.”
Of the two new recognized breeds, AKC Executive Secretary Gina DiNardo said in the press release that "both are unique, offering dog lovers very different choices."
She added: “As always, we encourage people to do their research to find the best breed for their lifestyle when looking to add a dog to their home.”
Now that the two breeds are recognized, they are also able to compete in dog shows. The AKC currently recognizes nearly 200 breeds. According to their website, “once approved by the AKC, a standard becomes both the breeder’s ‘blueprint’ and the instrument used by dog show judges to evaluate a breeder’s work."
So there you have it! Two new dog breeds for the NEW YEAR. Do any of you own any of these breeds already??
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