AKC Dog Breeds News and Information

In partnership with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the second annual Meet the Breeds at the Javits Center in New York was once again a big hit with visitors and cat and dog lovers from as far away as Washington State and Texas.  But area Pembroke Welsh Corgi owners and fans got a special treat:  their booth won the award for not only Best Herding Breed Booth but also Best Booth in Show.

The booth not only featured area Pembroke breeders with their cute dogs, but inside the “castle walls” the Queen of England (who owns a number of Pembroke Welsh Corgis herself) made an “appearance”; Pembroke breeder Bobbe Lord put hours of time into the royal costume and, if one didn’t know for sure, it might be challenging to tell if it was the real Queen or not.

Area Pembroke Welsh Corgi breeders put plenty of thought and planning into their booth, and the dogs did the rest.  Debbie Harper from Pound Ridge was there on Saturday with one of her dogs who loves the event (Pems are real kid magnets and love people) — and on Sunday Mary Carroll (who co-bred several litters with Debbie Harper) brought one of her dogs.  There were enough Pembrokes on hand to ensure that none of the dogs got too tired from all the attention, and gave each owner time to chat with everyone who wanted to learn more about the breed.

The Javits Center was packed door to door with cats, dogs, pet vendors, demonstrations by Port Chester Obedience Training Club, cat agility trainer Jill Archibald, and other fun and informative events.  Visitors could get see more than 200 different cat and dog breeds, shop for presents for their animal friends, and learn how to groom, train, and take good care of their pets.  Dogs who won the ACE award for outstanding canine contributions to human welfare were also featured.

If you missed the event this year, you can see pictures online at Meet the Breeds web site — but better yet, plan to be there next year so you don’t miss all the fun..

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By Denise FlaimPosted: October 28, 2010, 2 a.m. EDT

Photographs courtesy
Gilles Mingasson ©AKC

Expecting dogs and cats to act like bosom buddies may be a little unrealistic. But for one high-profile weekend in Manhattan this October, the two species shared the stage in a celebration of purebreds both canine and feline.

The second annual “Meet the Breeds,” held Oct. 16 and 17 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, was presented by the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers’ Association and showcased 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds.

While each species had its own section, there was a little crossover, especially between breeds with related histories or features: This year, we caught a hairless Mexican Xoloitzcuintli hanging out outside the booth of the equally fur-challenged Sphinx cat.

Meet the Breeds was inspired by a similar event that AKC runs in tandem with its high-profile invitational show in Long Beach, Calif., each December – though the show moves to Florida after this year. But unlike its West Coast counterpart, the Manhattan event was an entity all its own, drawing tens of thousands of attendees.

Members of AKC parent clubs were responsible for setting up informational booths, which reflected the breed’s origins or abilities. Pat and Joe Borracci and their grade-school daughters Veronica and Morgan Rose of Dix Hills, N.Y., turned the Mastiff Club of America booth into a medieval castle, inhabited by, not coincidentally, two begowned princesses.

And over at the Pembroke Welsh Corgi booth, which re-created a mini-sized Windsor castle (complete with ivy climbing up stone walls and a scepter-holding Queen Elizabeth impersonator), the to-the-manor-born vibe earned the Best Booth award at weekend’s end.

But no matter what the backdrop or the props or the pop-culture references (the Cairn Terrier booth, in a nod to Toto, included a “Wizard of Oz” cast), in the end the focus came back to the individual dogs. Cell-phone cameras got workouts as Greyhounds greeted and Pugs posed. Fanciers of lesser-known breeds fielded questions as basic as “What the heck is that?”

“Someone asked me today if it comes in a miniature version,” said Denise Loeper of Frederick, Md., who was helping with the Otterhound booth, a breed so rare it is fourth-to-last in AKC registrations, 161st out of 164 breeds recognized.

“Yes,” she jokingly replied. “It’s called a PBGV” – short for Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, a hound that has a similar shaggy coat, but way shorter dwarf legs.

Different breed, different aisle.

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Bedlington Terriers take part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: (L-R) Player, Dice and Nora, Bedlington… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: (L-R) Tylie and Kiera take part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: (L-R) Tylie and Kiera take part in the… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Dharma, a Neapolitan Mastiff rests during the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Dharma, a Neapolitan Mastiff rests during… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Alaric, a Norwegian Forest Cat takes part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Alaric, a Norwegian Forest Cat takes part… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: MG, a Shih Tzu takes part in the “Top Dog” agility and obedience games during the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: MG, a Shih Tzu takes part in the “Top Dog”… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Chipper, a Persian cat takes part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Chipper, a Persian cat takes part in the… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Phaith, a Pharaoh Hound takes part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Phaith, a Pharaoh Hound takes part in the… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Cruzan, a Shih Tzu takes part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Cruzan, a Shih Tzu takes part in the second… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Buttons, a Sphynx Cat takes part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Buttons, a Sphynx Cat takes part in the… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Rufus, a Bull Terrier is honored during the AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence Presentations during the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Rufus, a Bull Terrier is honored during the… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Buttons, a Sphynx Cat (R) is held up next to a poster of a Sphynx Cat during the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Buttons, a Sphynx Cat (R) is held up next… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Moose, a Leonberger, and Dr. Joe embrace during the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Moose, a Leonberger, and Dr. Joe embrace… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Quixote, a Chow Chow takes part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Quixote, a Chow Chow takes part in the… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Chaos, an Irish Water Spaniel (R) poses next to a statue of an Irish Water Spaniel during the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Chaos, an Irish Water Spaniel (R) poses… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: (L-R) Spock and Captain Kirk, Mastiffs, take part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: (L-R) Spock and Captain Kirk, Mastiffs,… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Chloe, a Border Collie takes part in the “Top Dog” agility and obedience games during the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Chloe, a Border Collie takes part in the… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: (L-R) Peter Taft and his German Shepard Cassisu, Vice Chairman of the AKC Board Thomas Davies, Barbara Bishop and her Bull Terrier Rufus, Janice Wolf and her Rhodesian Ridgeback Wyatt, AKC Chairman Ron Menaker, and Sherri Hanley and her Belgian Sheepdog Elia all take part in the AKC Humane Fund Award for Canine Excellence Presentations during the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sherri Hanley;Ron Menaker;Janice Wolf;Barbara Bishop;Thomas Davies;Peter Taft Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: (L-R) Peter Taft and his German Shepard… NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Quincy, a Komondor, takes part in the second annual “Meet the Breeds” showcase of cats and dogs at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2010 in New York City. “Meet the Breeds” is hosted by The American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association, and 160 dog breeds and 41 cat breeds were presented this year. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images, Michael Loccisano / 2010 Getty Images NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Quincy, a Komondor, takes part in the…

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It’s the hottest trend in the pet world today. Hybrid, or designer dogs are not only hot – they’re irresistible. And, genetically, they’re a sound investment. They were designed that way.

It wasn’t that long ago crossbreeds were just plain old mutts. But today those same pups might be prized for their genetically mixed characteristics. They might have a special name – Colliedors or Labracolls. And they certainly would cost a small fortune (anywhere from $1000 to $1500 and up, way up).

The popularity of these dogs is, in part, a response to purebred inbreeding and irresponsible puppy mills. There’s growing demand for healthier, more rugged pets that don’t require costly surgeries two or three years down the road, and whose temperament isn’t in overdrive.

“A ‘designer’ or hybrid dog is a cross between two purebred dogs,” said a representative from For Love of the Breed in Brewster. “And a purebred dog is one that has been bred over many generations so that the lineage is true, which means that each purebred puppy has a predictable DNA and comes from a predictable gene pool in terms of temperament and other characteristics, according to a set of standards.” The American Kennel Club sets those standards for each breed. “But of course no such standards exists for crossbreeds, who are not admitted into the AKC. So there’s no such thing as hybrid predictability.” This is true, but good breeders are working on it.

The primary identifying mark of a hybrid is its made-up “breed” name, consisting of syllables (or sounds) from the breed names of the two purebred parents, such as Schnoodle (Schnauzer and poodle cross), Labradoodle (cross between a poodle and a lab), Goldendoodle (cross between a golden retreiver and a poodle) etc. According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, other purebred breeds are being designed with an endless range of created labels, such as the ShiChi  (shiitzu and Chihuahua cross), the Chiweenie (Chihuahua and Dachshund cross), the Afador (Afghan Hound-Labrador Retriever cross), to name just a few.

Lottie Austin of Paw Prints in Eastham finds that the Cape’s most popular crossbreeds are the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle. “These dogs are in great demand. People want the allergy-friendly, non-shedding coat and overall intelligence of a poodle along with the ruggedness and fun-loving quality of a lab or golden,” she said. “Plus, believe it or not, some men don’t want to walk a poodle without a bit of lab or golden thrown into the mix.” Also, some people want a pet that offers them the same cache as other “designer” goods, with the bonus of a longer and healthier life expectancy.

“The negative effect of adopting these very expensive hybrids is that by breeding two different purebred dogs, you can never be sure which combination of characteristics will come together in your puppy. Unless the breeder can show you how they have consistently bred out undesirable characteristics for each parent in succeeding generations, and how the parents have been thoroughly health-tested for all the genetically inherited conditions of the pure breed, you really take your chances,” said Austin.

“Fortunately there are some highly professional cross breeders out there who are setting demanding standards for hybrids,” said Austin. These breeders strictly document their pups’ ancestries and conduct the necessary health testing that will increase the chances of a disease-free pup.

A helpful website with insight into all hybrids is www.dogbreedinfo.com .

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With French Bulldogs set to take center stage in the release of “Due Date,” the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) and the French Bull Dog Club of America would like to remind moviegoers about the importance of making wise, educated decisions when it comes to adding a dog to the home.

“The French Bull Dog Club of America hopes that anyone who sees this movie and becomes interested in having a “Frenchie” as a family companion does their research to make sure it’s the right breed for their lifestyle,” said Jan Grebe, President of the French Bull Dog Club of America. “While these adorable pets are prized for their affectionate natures and even dispositions, potential owners need to remember just because you see a highly-trained canine actor do something on the silver screen doesn’t mean it is appropriate for pet owners to do the same with their dogs.”

The movie, distributed by Warner Brothers which opens on Nov. 3, follows the story of high-strung father-to-be Peter Highman, who is forced to hitch a ride with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay and his French Bulldog across the country. Often described as “a clown in the cloak of a philosopher,” the French Bulldog originated as, and continues to be used as a companion dog. The breed is small and muscular with heavy bone structure, a smooth coat, a short face and trademark “bat” ears.

French Bulldogs have played an important role in pop culture and our lives throughout the years. Here are a few fun facts from the AKC:

•Some movies staring Frenchies include: “From Hell” with Johnny Depp, “Secondhand Lions” with Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, and “Bringing Down the House” with Steve Martin and Queen Latifah. There is a shot of a French Bulldog in the movie “Titanic”. The dog is portraying the Frenchie that really was on the doomed ship.

•While most people picture “Toto” from “The Wizard of Oz” to be a Cairn Terrier, in literature the dog was illustrated as a French Bulldog. R.A. Neill, who drew the pictures for the books “The Road to Oz” and “The Emerald City”, pictured Toto as a French Bulldog.

•A member of the Non-Sporting Group, the French Bulldog is the 24th most popular breed in the United States, according to the 2009 American Kennel Club registration statistics.

•One of the French Bulldog’s ancestors was the English Bulldog. A large number of toy English Bulldogs were sent to France around 1860 and crossed with various other breeds to create what we now know as the Frenchie.
For more information about French Bulldogs, vist:

French Bull Dog Club of America

French Bulldog Rescue Network    FBRN’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home French Bulldogs in need from commercial breeding kennels, import brokers, public shelters, private rescue groups, owners or Good Samaritans.

Source:  American Kennel Club

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