Unleash the hounds! And terriers and lapdogs. The American Kennel Club adds 3 breeds

New York — They are ready to embark in 2026.

Three more dog breeds joined the American Kennel Club’s list of recognized breeds on Tuesday, making them eligible for several American dog shows and potentially increasing their exposure to the pet-loving public.

One of the new arrivals is a dog named after an American president. Another is a toy dog ​​from Cold War-era Russia. The third is a centuries-old French hound. Here’s a closer look:

Basset Veuve de Brittany

Statistics: 12.5 to 15.5 inches (32 to 40 cm) at base of neck; 23 to 39 lbs (10.5 to 17.5 kg)

Bottom line: A powerful, sociable, compact hunting dog that can hunt all day long – and needs mental and physical activity.

Pronunciation: bah-SAY’ fove deh breh-TAHN’-yeh

Translation: A fawn-coloured, low-slung dog from Brittany

History: Versions of the tawny, rough-coated hound date back to French aristocratic circles at least as far back as the 16th century. The breed has been championed in the United States in recent years by Cindy Hartman, a service dog trainer in South Carolina, who brought a pair of Vauve puppies from France in 2001. She has since trained and designated about 20 of the puppies as medical alert dogs for people with diabetes, she said.

“They are very intelligent, so if you want a dog that will stay up all day, a dog is not for you,” Hartman said. “But still, when they have mental and physical challenges, they are happy to come with you and lie on the couch in the evening.”

Teddy Roosevelt terrier

Statistics: 8 to 14 inches (20 to 36 cm) at base of neck; 8 to 25 lbs (3.5 to 11 kg)

Bottom line: A sturdy, lively little dog that will rid your pen of rodents, alert you to strangers, play dog ​​sports — or entertain you with his antics.

History: Originally viewed as a short-legged type of rat terrier, these dogs were declared their own breed in 1999. The breed was named after President Theodore Roosevelt because of his fondness for dogs, including terriers.

Quote: “They know how to make you laugh,” says Cindy Rickey of Waynesville, North Carolina, secretary of the Teddy Roosevelt Club of America. While many terrier breeds are known for being independent-minded, Teddy competes in obedience. “They’re terriers, there’s no doubt about that, but they also have this tremendous desire to please,” she explains.

Russian Tsvetnaya Polonka

Statistics: Up to 10 inches (26 cm) at base of neck; 7 to 9 pounds (3 to 4 kg)

Main Idea: A cute but smart little companion who wants playful interaction, not just cuddling (although he loves that too).

Pronunciation: zvit-NEYE’-ah boh-LON’-kah

Translation: Russian colored miniature dog

History: The breed was developed in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) in the Soviet era after World War II as a pet for apartment dwellers. American fans have been creating bolonki (correct plural form) in the United States since the early 2000s.

Quote: “Having a polonka is like having a 3-year-old running around your house. … They can enjoy their time lying on the couch with you, but you have to be ready to play with them and keep them entertained,” says Denise Dang of Oklahoma City, secretary of the Tsvetnaya Polonka Russian-American Club. Owners also need to groom with a thick, wavy coat that is low in shedding but can become tangled. Even if it’s fairly short, showering every two weeks is wise, Dang says.

The big picture

The AKC recognizes 205 breeds, including these three newcomers. Fans of many other dogs — though none of the “doodles” or other popular hybrids — have voluntarily entered a pipeline that takes years of breeding, documentation, and consensus building.

The club is not specifying how many breeds it may eventually recognize. The order does not “indiscriminately add dogs,” but rather provides “an established framework for growth, breed standards, competition, and education in the United States,” says Brandi spokesperson Hunter Munden.

Controversy
Animal rights activists have long denounced dog breeding and the AKC’s support for it, and criticism escalated this year into a lawsuit over the health of French bulldogs, pugs, dachshunds and Chinese bulldogs. The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is seeking a court order to prevent the AKC from continuing to publish current “standards” or ideal characteristics for those breeds.

PETA accused the Kennel Club of providing “schemes for breeding deformed and unhealthy dogs.”

The AKC denies the accusations and asked the court to dismiss the case, calling the lawsuit frivolous. The club said that it “was and remains firmly committed to the health, well-being and appropriate treatment of all dogs.”