A hairless terrier and an ancient North African hound are looking to run with the pack of dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.
The association just revealed that both the American Hairless Terrier and the Sloughi have joined 187 other recognized breeds. The newbies can now compete in nearly all AKC exhibits and competitions, though not at the distinguished Westminster Kennel Club show until next season as the protocol requires.
American Hairless Terriers Now Recognized By The AKC
Many American Hairless Terriers are, as presented, bare-skinned, though a few come with short coats but carry the hairless gene. Their growth commenced when a hairless puppy emerged in a litter of rat terriers in the 1970s, wowing a Louisiana husband and wife who determined that they would develop the hairless dogs voluntarily, according to the American Hairless Terrier Club of America’s website.
The lively, curious terriers can do very well at dog activities and as family pets for people with dog-hair allergies.
The North African Sloughi Joins In!
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The Sloughi, pronounced [SLOO-ghee], also known as the Arabian greyhound, was designed to hunt game as tall as gazelles. The slender, leggy dogs have some things in common to salukis, a different hound breed from North Africa (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia mainly.) Sloughis are known for speed, endurance, grace and rather reserved demeanors.
They are very attentive to their family, but they are not the kind of dog that will jump on your lap — they are not after you all the time.
Ermine Moreau-Sipiere, President of the American Sloughi Association and owner for over 40 years.
The dogs require patient education, possibilities to exercise as well as a vast fence if they’re able to be loose in a yard because they may follow their hunting nature all over the place if they spy prey, Ermine Moreau-Sipiere said.
Conditions for AKC acknowledgment include having a few hundred dogs of the breed nationwide, as well as an established breed club of responsible owners and breeders. Breeds working towards full recognition are recorded in AKC’s Foundation Stock Service.
Some animal-rights advocates are critical of dog breeding and highlight that many mixed-breed dogs seek adoption. The AKC says breed traits enable future owners to anticipate a dog’s character and make a long-lasting couple.