Two New Dog Breeds Invited To Westminster Dog Show
There will be two new breeds this year at the Westminster dog show. The American Kennel Club recently announced that the Russell Terrier and the Treeing Walker Coonhound will be eligible for this year’s show.
The AKC adds new breeds almost every year to the annual dog show.
“The American Kennel Club determines the eligibility of breeds to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and at any other shows held by AKC member clubs. Generally, the AKC will consider a breed for recognition if the breed shows sufficient numbers and geograpnhic distribution in this country, and a growing interest is demonstrated by an active parent club.”
The 2013 Westminster Dog Show will be held in Manhattan on February 11 and 12. This year’s show will feature 187 breeds including the Russell Terrier and the Treeing Walker Coonhound.
The Westminster Dog Show has been held since 1877 and is America’s longest running dog show. It is also the second longest running sporting event, next to the Kentucky Derby.
It is unlikely that the Russell Terrier or the Treeing Walker Coonhound will walk away with any prizes this year but here’s a look at Westminster’s newest dog breeds.
The Russell Terrier.
Westminster writes: “The Russell Terrier is considered the ultimate working earth terrier due to their small size (10? to 12? tall) and unique chest .. Their origin dates back to the 1800’s in England where they were utilized for fox hunting and carried horseback in terrier bags … They are athletic, intelligent, and fiercely loyal.”
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Westminster writes: “The energetic Treeing Walker Coonhound is perfectly suited for the task for which it was bred – tracking and treeing wild raccoons … The breed is intelligent, confident and sociable.”
[Image Via Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com]
