New Dog Breeds Added to the American Kennel Club Pack

New Dog Breeds Added to the American Kennel Club Pack

Make room on the couch for these two furry friends

Courtesy of American Kennel Club The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen (left) and the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje (right) are the newest dog breeds. looking for a new fur baby to add to the family have two unique options to consider. The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje (NK) and the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen (GBGV) are the latest breeds to be recognized by the world’s largest purebred dog registry, the American Kennel Club (AKC). Nicknamed the Kooiker and GBGV, respectively, the recognition means the pedigrees of dogs of those breeds are recorded for all time in the organization’s “stud book” and the dogs can compete in the more than 22,000 AKC events held each year. AKC executive secretary Gina DiNardo says a breed’s activity level, grooming, exercise needs and trainability are all things older adults should consider when , and both the Kooiker and GBGV make great companions for different reasons. Known in its previous life to lure ducks for hunters in the Netherlands, the spaniel-like Kooiker’s friendly, energetic nature is great for moderately active families. Similar to the Kooiker, the GBGV was also used for hunting rabbits, which required a lot of speed and stamina. Owners will find that while the GBGV requires multiple trips outside to expend that energy, it’s actually quite mellow and laid back in the home. Both dogs require minimal grooming. And while it’s noted that the GBGV can be a little stubborn, both breeds are easy to train. 2016 was the last time the AKC added new breeds to it's registry; seven made the cut, including the Bergamasco shepherd and the Cirneco dell'Etna. Petitions start with local breeding clubs. The breed has to meet certain criteria, including having 300 to 400 dogs in at least 20 states. To date, there are 192 breeds registered.

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