Meet the American Kennel Club’s newest breeds: the Barbet and the dogo Argentino
South Florida, your search for a new furry friend ends here.
The American Kennel Club announced this week that two new pups — the Barbet and the dogo Argentino — will be added to its list of recognized breeds.
Looking for your family’s next cuddly friend? The Barbet (pronounced “bar-BAY”) might be for you.
A medium-sized water dog with French origins, the Barbet was described by the AKC as a “smart, even-tempered dog with a happy friendly, nature.” Most importantly, its thick coat allows for as much petting and snuggling as you can stand.
“The Barbet is loyal and loves to be near its owners,” the AKC wrote of the “sporting” group’s newest member.
For those wanting a workout partner that doubles as a pet, the dogo Argentino might be more your speed.
Developed in Argentina and classified in the “working” group, dogos are large hunting dogs with beautiful short, white coats. The breed was originally used to hunt bigger animals like mountain lions and boars, according to the AKC.
Dogos, however, aren’t for inexperienced owners, the AKC warned. After characterizing the dog as “powerful and athletic,” the AKC wrote that dogos have “strong guarding instincts and tend to be very protective and territorial.”
This doesn’t mean that dogos are unfriendly. In fact, a dogo was used as a comfort animal at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the first anniversary of the Parkland shooting.
Additionally, they need to be brushed weekly to keep that coat looking pristine, according to the AKC.
The Barbet and dogo took a long route to full AKC recognition.
There had to be at least 300-400 dogs in 20 or more states, the purebred registry writes. Next, there needed to be a National Breed Club comprising both breeders and owners. Finally, the breed must compete in the Miscellaneous Class, which could take one to three years before the AKC’s board of directors grants full recognition.
The addition of the Barbet and dogo Argentino brings the total number of AKC-recognized breeds to 195.
This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 6:30 AM.
