The AKC Announced Two New Breeds This Year- What Can We Expect?

There are two new dogs on the block! The AKC recently announced two new dog breeds, the friendly Barbet and loyal Dogo Argentino. Eager to learn more about these fresh four-footers? Here’s everything you need to know about these cute canines. 

How Does AKC recognize a breed? 

So, what does it mean when the AKC recognizes a new breed? Contrary to popular belief, many recently recognized breeds have been around for many years, even centuries. AKC recognized breeds must be recognized by a legitimate foreign or domestic registry or have documented history with pedigrees dating back to at least 40 years. 

The final step before achieving breed recognition is having a minimum of 150 dogs with three-generation pedigrees within its pool, a curated breed standard, and a dignified parent club within the United States. 

AKC recognition allows the breed to compete in AKC-recognized shows. It can also help the breed become more well-known on a national level. 

Barbet

The first new addition to the AKC is a friendly Frenchmen. Barbet dogs are wooly cuties with a thirst for adventure, effectively earning their spot in the sporting group. This water-loving dog is a close ancestor to the Poodle and Briard. His name is a derivative of the French word for beard. 

Despite being recognized fairly recently, the Barbet has documented history dating back to 1387. These dogs are famous for their amazing agility skills, especially when it comes to swimming. 

Barbets are medium-sized dogs, weighing anywhere between 35 to 65 pounds. Their wooly, waterproof coat comes in a variety of colors like brown, black, fawn, gray, and white. While the breed requires regular brushing, they’re known to shed very little, making them great pups for owners with allergies. 

These athletic dogs are known for their hunting capabilities and live anywhere from 13 to 15 years. Barbets are also straight-A students: You’ll have no trouble training Barbets all types of tricks. 

Barbet pups are incredibly loyal and very social dogs, so they’ll do well in homes where there’s always something going on. While Barbet dogs can be very affectionate, they’re recommended for experienced dog owners— these dogs are incredibly energetic and need a home where their daily exercise needs are being met. 

Dogo Argentino 

These dignified dogs may be new to the AKC registry, but they were first bred in 1928 and served as athletic hunting dogs focused on large game. The Dogo Argentino, sometimes called the Argentinian Mastiff, is an incredibly loyal, friendly pooch that will be unwavering in their devotion to their families. 

Dogo Argentinos do best with experienced dog owners as they need strict boundaries and active training to grow into their cheerful, caring personalities. In addition, these dogs have a strong prey drive and muscular build, so they’ll certainly need an owner with a diligent, watchful eye. 

These dogs are usually fully white with the occasional black spot near the eye. They are members of the working group and thrive on constant activity. Dogo Argentino owners should be careful to keep their dogs thoroughly entertained; Dogo Argentino’s behavior can turn destructive out of boredom. 

Unfortunately, these cuties were originally bred as fighting dogs, so they may have a mistrust of other dogs and people. Make sure your Dogo Argentino gets plenty of socialization with humans and other dogs early on to build up their confidence. 

With the right owner, Dogo Argentinos are super loving and cheerful. These dogs usually weigh anywhere from 80 to 100 pounds and live around 9 to 15 years. 

Keep in mind that every dog is different. While these breed profiles give you a general idea of the characteristics of the Dogo Argentino and Barbet, some may fit the stereotype more than others. One thing is for sure although— with the right home, these newfound pups are amazing lifelong companions.