This year the American Kennel Club has recognized four new breeds for the purpose of eligibility for shows. These are breeds that have long been established in other countries but now have enough individual dogs/fanciers in the States to be shown - and thus bred - here in the U.S..
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www.dogbreedplus.com |
From South Africa we have a member of the Mastiff family, the Boerboel. An impressive dog that has, like most Mastiffs, been used primarily to guard his home and people this is a powerful, large breed, with males getting as large as 28 inches at the shoulder and from 150 - 200 pounds (71 cms, 90.7 kg).
This breed is designed to be loyal to its family and aloof with strangers. Physically many members of the breed were agile enough to also be used hunting; their specialty was to help bring down large game.
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wikipedia commons |
I've noticed that in the States people are docking tails, and sometimes cropping ears, which hopefully will soon fall out of favor; this is a breed that is obviously well balanced with a tail and there should be no excuse that judges will not place a dog with a tail at a bench show. Of course, some people are docking and cropping to add to the fierce looking appearance of the breed - entirely unnecessary when dealing with a dog this big. Anyone who is going to charge past a 200 pound dog isn't going to be stopped by their stub tail.
The next two breeds are both Italian in origin.
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wikipedia commons |
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akc photos |
As with herding/livestock guarding breeds that needed to work at least part of the time independently and part of the time with shepherds, the Bergamasco is trainable but independent. This breed can think for itself even though it also becomes very devoted to both the people and animals it protects and herds. And yes, this breed will herd children just as willingly as it will herd sheep.
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akc photos |
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dogbreedslist.info |
The Cirneco is slighter in build than its cousins the Pharaoh Hound and Ibizan, as well as slightly calmer and more mindful that it often still has a job to do. They are however, gaining in popularity as housepets due to their smaller size and limited grooming requirements, not to mention their relatively calm and affectionate personalities. They do however, have an athletic nature and a need to get out and move.
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akc photos |
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SWD club uk |
Obviously a trainable and energetic breed, it is strongly recommended that the SWD live with people with dog experience. With their intellect and prowess they otherwise will soon be running the family. And yes, this is another breed that is willing to herd children. But it's probably best if you don't let an SWD raise your child.
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akc photos - Cirneco in field trial |
With the addition of these four breeds the AKC now recognizes 184 breeds of dogs.
And I will again remind readers, every single one of these breeds has volunteers working to rehome members of the breed who for a variety of reasons, are not able to stay with their original families.
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Barbet free images - SWD working |
As I also always like to remind people, don't add yourself to the list of people who need to rehome a dog by obtaining a breed that isn't suitable to your lifestyle and expectations.
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Mizpah Butch, an influential Boeborel easily scaling a fence |
While these are all lovely breeds, none of them are particularly suited to first time dog owners. Their exercise needs and/or potentially dominate personalities will do best with people who approach the relationship with experience training, meeting exercise needs, and dog-behavior knowledge.
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A working dog - Silver Pastori Bergamascos |
Each breed will however, certainly be fun to watch in shows and field trials and I look forward to encountering them in increased numbers, in the right homes.
I'm always slightly concerned when they add new breeds, only because those puppy millers start churning out dogs as fast as they can.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the Boerboel,that is a very powerful looking dog and anyone that will attempt to get past that guy, won't care if the tail or ears are docked. I don't understand why people continue that cruel practice anyway.
I get concerned about over breeding when a new dog is added too. Hopefully the breeders will be responsible enough to at least try and use non-breeding contracts and other measures that will keep puppy mills from getting register-able dogs.
DeleteGenerally with newer breeds it is impossible to even get your hands on one. There may be like 15 in all of the US. I would say newer breeds are probably the most safe from puppy millers. It is the popular breeds that they make $ on.
DeleteHaving mastered Poodle grooming, I'm wondering if I should take up cording next. I love the look, but the time needed is quite off putting. I do love the Bergamasco though.
ReplyDeleteJan, i think it's time you added cording to your skill set ;-) You could diversify - not just Bergamasco put Puli too!
DeleteWhat a great post. I loose track of the new breeds since they add them every year. There used to be a blogger with a SWD (oddly enough I think he lived in Portugal) so I learned all about them from him. Sadly I believe he quite blogging.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to keep track. One of the things I like about a very large dog show is the opportunity to see breeds that are otherwise very uncommon.
DeleteThe Boerbul is a good looking dog I hope it gets treated with the proper respect and isn't used by people who just want to look tough
ReplyDeleteretro rover
They are such a handsome breed; it is unfortunate some people think that modifying them by cropping their ears super short and docking tails is somehow an improvement on their looks. Since this typically isn't how they've been kept in South Africa, there is no excuse that people are 'just used to seeing them that way' or that is the way the standard describes them.
DeleteLove your posts about specific dog breeds and this is a great one! Wow, size, hair, ears and more :-) Seriously, so glad you included the cautions to peeps to match their dogs to their lifestyles and capabilities. Essential!
ReplyDeleteI think everyone, even we crazy dog people, have some breeds we do better with. Whether it is Golden/Lab sorts of dogs, or terriers, there are breeds and people who make good matches :-)
DeleteFirst of all to take in consideration are the dont's in dog training. You must keep in mind that dogs are living things and as beings, they've dissimilar attitudes and so training different kinds of breeds might differ somewhat. http://dogsaholic.com/training/why-do-dogs-sleep-so-much.html
ReplyDeleteawesome...
ReplyDeleteHmm these ideas are totally out of my knowledge.Never thought in such way.Thanks a lot for this article and appropriate pics.Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeletewaggybaggy