Dogs Around the World: New Dog Breeds from Europe
Dogs Around the World: New Dog Breeds from Europe
The dog world is a diverse one, and there are dog breeds all around the world that have yet to find their way to the United States. Luckily, their national kennel clubs work tirelessly with American breeders and breeding clubs to introduce these fantastic and exciting dogs and make them a permanent part of American cynology.
Our governing cynology body, the American Kennel Club, fully registered 197 dog breeds. The latest one was the adorable Biewer Terrier. This tiny companion breed was accepted at the beginning of 2021, in the middle of the worst pandemic in recent history.
The governing cynology body in Europe and the rest of the World is the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). It is an institution that 98 member countries, including all European countries, to Japan, Brazil, to Vietnam. It currently recognizes around 400 dog breeds, which is about 200 more than we do in the US.
With the help of our friends from World Dog Finder, we have prepared a list of 7 European dog breeds that are already registered in the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service. This is the last step before full recognition. Hopefully, they will soon become a part of our rich American cynology and proud members of one of the world’s most respected cynology institutions – the American Kennel Club.
Check out this list of new dog breeds from Europe;
1.Bolognese
The Bolognese is a part of the Bichon family along with the Maltese, Havanese, and Bichon Frise. This is an adorable, fluffy, white dog breed that is bred to become the perfect family companion. These dogs love being a part of the family, and they love nothing more than being close to their beloved owners.
Bolognese dogs are small, and owners often forget that small dogs need to be socialized and adequately trained. These dogs are somewhat intelligent, so make sure you give them plenty of mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. If you are interested in getting a Bolognese in the US, you can be sure these small dogs will make excellent family additions.
2. Hovawart
The Hovawart is a German dog breed that is regaining much of its earlier popularity. This is a breed that was widely popular for the past 800 years. It is an all-around working breed that is capable of doing different jobs around the farm. Their main job was guarding. They made fantastic property and livestock guardians, which isn’t surprising since they are descendants of the Newfoundland and Leonberger breeds.
Hovawarts are energetic dogs. They love being busy and having a job to do. Even today, these dogs fit best with active individuals and families. They require plenty of daily activities and an active lifestyle. These dogs have amazing coats that come in several varieties. One of these varieties is golden, so these dogs can be mistaken for larger Golden Retrievers.
3. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
If you love dogs that look like wolves but have the intelligence close to a German Shepherd, you will love the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. The Wolfdog part of the name brings negative context, but these dogs are not bred with wolves. This is a breed that was created by breeding various working line German Shepherds with European grey wolf. However, these dogs are far away from their wild relatives.
Modern-day Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs are intelligent and sociable. They have thick, double coats that keep them well-isolated from harsh weather conditions and give them a unique look resembling a wolf. They can be stubborn, so they will need an experienced owner that will know how to handle, socialize, and train them.
4. Bohemian Shepherd
The Bohemian Shepherd is an intelligent working breed that originated in the territory of the modern-day Czech Republic. These dogs look like smaller, harrier German Shepherds. However, this is a breed far older than the modern-day German Shepherd. The Bohemian Shepherd originated around the year 1300, and they were entrusted with different jobs on Chech farms. One of their main jobs was protection.
During the two World Wars happening in Europe, the overall number of these dogs dropped to worrying levels. Luckily, Bohemian Shepherd enthusiasts and lovers organized a conservation committee that helped save this breed from extinction. The demand for these versatile working dogs is now rising as people start noticing their working abilities. They were accepted in the Foundation Stock Service in 2019.
5. Presa Canario
The Presa Canario, or Canary Mastiff, is a large, powerful dog breed with a bloody history. These dogs are the symbol of the Gran Canaria, the biggest of the Canary Islands. They were used as livestock and property protectors due to their size and scary looks. These dogs are strong-willed and can be pretty stubborn at times, especially if they believe they are right and their handler is wrong. These dogs will need knowledgeable, experienced owners.
The bloody history of the Presa Canario is terrifying and impressive at the same time. Dog fighting was widespread in the Canary Islands, and Presa was the breed of choice for most owners that wanted to be a part of those activities. Their strength and fearlessness made these dogs prime candidates for fighting. However, these days, Presas are used for personal and property protection, but some would love to get these dogs and use them for illegal activities.
6. Broholmer
The Broholmer, or Danish Mastiff, is a giant dog breed accepted in the Foundation Stock Service in June 2013. These large Danish dogs were mainly used for stag hunting, and they were rather popular across Denmark since the 17th century. Like many other breeds, World War II nearly wiped these dogs out. They were on the brink of extinction, and luckily, breed lovers organized “The Society for Reconstruction of the Broholmer Breed.” They have managed to save the breed and increase their numbers again.
Such large dogs are usually not the best choice when it comes to families with kids. However, Broholmers are amazing with families. As long as they have plenty of room to play and explore, these dogs will be ideal family companions that will stop at nothing to protect them. They will also act as great property guardians.
7. Central Asian Shepherd Dog
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is an impressive breed. You will feel their presence from the moment you lay eyes on them. These dogs were used as livestock and property protectors, and some researchers claimed they were even a part of Genghis Kahn’s army. These large dogs are descendants of the ancient Molossian dogs. They are closely related to the Turkish Kangal and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. Both breeds make fantastic guard dog breeds.
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog or CAO (Central Asian Ovtcharka) will need a lot of room. These dogs are most at home outside, in the open, where they can have an unobstructed view of their surroundings. They are powerful, intelligent, stubborn, and have a strong protective instinct. This is not a breed for everyone. They should become a part of the family that has experience handling such dogs. Luckily, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog breeding club is working on their full AKC recognition and their integration in American cynology.
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