The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the leading expert on dog breeds, and it has a list of officially recognized breeds that began in 1878 and gets longer by the year (it currently boasts 195 breeds). However, it’s no mean feat to get added to this list.
First, the breed must already be recognized by a registry in another country. It must also have existed for at least 40 years and have a minimum of 150 dogs in the U.S. that all have three-generation pedigrees.
This means that lots of ancient dog breeds from elsewhere in the world have only recently gained official AKC recognition. Here are the most recent dog breeds that have been recognized by the AKC.
Norwegian Lundehund
Year registered: 2011
The Norwegian Lundehund was added to the non-sporting group in 2011. This breed has some unique features, such as six toes on each paw, and a neck that’s so flexible that the dog can turn around in narrow spaces. It weighs around 20 to 30 pounds and lives for up to 15 years.
Cesky Terrier
Year registered: 2011
You can’t mistake a Cesky terrier for anything else, thanks to its remarkable facial hair. The Cesky is the national dog of the Czech Republic, and makes a great canine companion for older people because it’s a little more chilled-out than the typical terrier. Fully grown, it weighs between 14 and 24 pounds and lives for up to 15 years.
Russell Terrier
Year registered: 2012
You might be surprised to learn that the Russell terrier was only officially registered by the AKC in 2012, as it’s a relatively well-known breed. This tiny terrier, weighing an average of 9 to 15 pounds, needs plenty of exercise to satisfy its energy levels. It typically lives for 12 to 14 years.
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Year registered: 2012
In addition to its distinctive name, the Treeing Walker Coonhound has a lot going for it. In fact, it’s so popular in the U.S., the AKC refers to it as “the people’s choice.” This breed, which was registered in the hound group in 2012, weighs between 50 and 70 pounds and can be expected to live for up to 13 years.
Chinook
Year registered: 2013
An addition to the working group in 2013, the Chinook was once on the verge of extinction and is still one of the rarest breeds on the AKC list. Known for being people-pleasers and having an affinity with children, this breed can weigh up to 90 pounds and usually lives for 12 to 15 years.
Fun fact: Admiral Richard Byrd was accompanied by a Chinook team on his celebrated 1928 expedition to Antarctica.
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno
Year registered: 2013
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, a lively little hound, was registered in 2013. While it’s new to the AKC, however, this is an ancient breed, believed to have been brought to Portugal by generations of Phoenician, Roman and Moorish traders and invaders. The Pequeno rarely weighs more than 13 pounds and lives for up to 15 years.
Rat Terrier
Year registered: 2013
If you can look past its unfortunate name, the rat terrier makes for a friendly, lovable pet. The breed tends to do well in shows and agility tests due to its high intelligence and obedience. The rat terrier may weigh between 10 and 25 pounds and live for up to 18 years.
Wirehaired Vizsla
Year registered: 2014
The wirehaired vizsla was a highly trainable addition to the sporting group in 2014. A close cousin of the vizsla, but distinguished by its dense, wiry coat, this breed loves to hunt on land or in water but is a calm housemate. When fully grown, it weighs up to 65 pounds and may live for up to 14 years.
Coton de Tulear
Year registered: 2014
Another 2014 addition to the official AKC breed list, the Coton de Tulear is as fluffy as its name suggests (“coton” is “cotton” in its native France). This breed is a popular choice for people with allergies, due to its low-shedding coat. These dogs also have a loyal, obedient nature. The Coton weighs between 8 and 15 pounds and lives for up to 18 years.
Boerboel
Year registered: 2015
The strong, muscular Boerboel was added to the AKC’s working group in 2015. Its 200-pound bulk makes it a good guard dog, though its size means that this dog is a serious commitment — possibly too much for the novice dog owner. This South African breed lives for 9 to 11 years.
Cirneco dell’Etna
Year registered: 2015
Best known for its remarkable sense of hearing, the Cirneco dell’Etna was registered in 2015. According to the AKC, the Cirneco resembles a smaller version of the pharaoh hound, the dog always pictured in ancient Egyptian drawings. This breed weighs between 17 and 26 pounds and lives for 12 to 14 years.
Lagotto Romagnolo
Year registered: 2015
The Lagotto Romagnolo, known as Italy’s “truffle dog,” was added to the sporting group in 2015. This breed may look like a fluffy teddy bear, but it’s a strong, determined worker. The Lagotto weighs up to 35 pounds and typically lives between 15 and 17 years.
Spanish Water Dog
Year registered: 2015
Playful yet hardworking, the Spanish water dog is known for its thick, tightly-curled coat. This rustic breed, which originated on the Iberian Peninsula, loves to herd, hunt and — unsurprisingly — spend time in and around water. It weighs up to 49 pounds and lives for 12 to 14 years.
Miniature American Shepherd
Year registered: 2015
Arguably an even sweeter version of the Australian shepherd, the miniature American shepherd was officially registered in 2015. It may be a small addition to the herding group, but it’s a highly motivated worker. It weighs 20 to 40 pounds and lives for up to 13 years.
Berger Picard
Year registered: 2015
The Berger Picard was registered in 2015, but it was well-known long before that thanks to its part in the movie “Because of Winn Dixie.” Due to its classic sheepdog character (i.e. its propensity for stubbornness), it needs consistent training and lots of exercise. The Picard weighs between 50 and 70 pounds and lives for 12 to 13 years.
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Year registered: 2015
The low-maintenance Bergamasco sheepdog and its one-of-a-kind coat was added to the herding group in 2015. This breed has been associated with the Alpine town of Bergamo, near Milan, for many centuries. It weighs up to 84 pounds and typically lives for 13 to 15 years.
Pumi
Year registered: 2016
Always ready to work, the Hungarian Pumi was a new addition to the AKC’s herding group in 2016. Its coat of corkscrew curls ensures that it stands out in the pack — and makes it an ideal cuddle buddy. The Pumi weighs up to 29 pounds and usually lives for 12 to 13 years.
Sloughi
Year registered: 2016
Registered in the AKC hound group in 2016, the graceful Sloughi is known for its long legs, which give it great speed and agility. It was originally bred to hunt animals in Northern Africa, but these days, it is appreciated as a gentle, loving, loyal pet. The Sloughi weighs up to 50 pounds and typically lives for 10 to 15 years.
American Hairless Terrier
Year registered: 2016
The energetic, curious American hairless terrier was registered in 2016 and made history as the first official hairless breed to have originated in the U.S. Rumor has it the first of the breed was born from a litter of rat terriers in Louisiana.
This is another breed that’s good for people who are allergic to dogs (no hair means no shedding). The hairless terrier weighs between 12 and 16 pounds and lives for up to 16 years.
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
Year registered: 2018
Sure to appeal to fans of spaniels, the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje was registered by the AKC in 2018. This Dutch breed is alert, diligent and friendly, and has a super-silky, extra-cuddly coat of fur. The Kooikerhondje weighs 20 to 30 pounds and lives for up to 15 years.
Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
Year registered: 2018
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, which was registered in the AKC hound group in 2018, has a sweet, laid-back nature. Roughly translated, its name means “large, low, shaggy dog of the Vendée.” This breed weighs up to 45 pounds and lives for 13 to 15 years.
Azawakh
Year registered: 2019
Originally bred as a guard dog, the Azawakh was registered in the AKC hound group in 2019. It’s loyal and affectionate, and its long legs will ensure it never tires of activity. The Azawakh weighs between 35 and 55 pounds and lives up to 15 years.
Dogo Argentino
Year registered: 2020
The Dogo Argentino made a friendly, cheerful addition to the AKC working group in 2020. Easily identifiable by its short, entirely white coat, the Dogo was bred to find, chase and catch dangerous game in its native Argentina. It can weigh up to 100 pounds and usually lives for up to 15 years.
Barbet
Year registered: 2020
Another 2020 addition to the official AKC list was the Barbet, a sweet-natured sporting group breed that was bred in France for hunting water game. Today, it makes a loyal, sociable pet. The Barbet weighs up to 65 pounds and has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Belgian Laekenois
Year recognized: 2020
The Belgian Laekenois joined the AKC herding group in 2020. This strong, lively breed is one of four native dogs of Belgium (alongside the Malinois, Shepherd and Tervuren). It weighs up to 65 pounds and typically lives for 10 to 12 years.
