18 New Dog Breeds Recognized by the AKC: 2024 Update (With Pictures)

While some people may not realize it, the AKC registry is fluid, with new dog breeds being added annually. Before they are accepted as an AKC breed, a breed must be listed in the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service, which tracks breeds as they are developed and as their standards are determined. It can take years, even decades, for a breed to even be accepted into the Foundation Stock Service, and even then, it can take even more years for the breed to be fully accepted into the AKC.

Since 2015, the AKC has added 18 new breeds to its registry. Some have been around for centuries and only recently made their way to the U.S., while some were only created in the last few decades. We rounded up the 18 new breeds registered in the last years to help you get to know them a little better.

New breeds added to the AKC registry are often released at the very end of the year, so the 2023 breeds have not been announced yet. However, in 2022, there were three breeds that the AKC added to their registry. Let’s meet the breeds!

The 18 New Dog Breeds

1. Bracco Italiano

The Bracco Italian was added to the AKC Sporting Group in 2022. This breed is one of the oldest pointing breeds, but it wasn’t brought to the US until the 1990s, so there was quite a delay in getting the breed added to the AKC registry. These versatile dogs are known for their affectionate, gentle temperament within the home, as well as their enthusiasm and stamina while hunting. Their intelligence makes them easy to train, and they are not as willful as many other hunting breeds can be. This breed is also known as the Italian Pointing Dog.

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2. Mudi

The Mudi is a small- to medium-sized dog that was added to the AKC Herding Group in 2022. The name is pronounced like the word “moody.” This dog is extremely loyal and affectionate, as well as courageous and alert, making them excellent farm dogs. They are known for being protective of both people and property, without crossing the line into an aggressive temperament.

Although in existence since the 1800s, the Mudi is a rare breed, but for the people who keep them, they are considered to be excellent dogs for farm jobs.

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3. Russian Toy

The Russian Toy is a small dog breed that was added to the AKC Toy Group in 2022. This breed bears a resemblance to the Chihuahua, but the Chihuahua has a rectangular body that is longer than it is tall, while the Russian Toy has a square body that is equal in length and height. The Russian Toy is a lean, elegant dog, while the Chihuahua tends to be stockier.

This breed has been in existence since the Russian aristocracy ruled, and their good-natured, silly temperament makes them a favorite of people who know them. The Russian Toy may be tiny, but this dog has a big personality.

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4. Barbet Dog

Registered in 2020, this is one of the AKC’s most recent additions. The Barbet has been immortalized in French artwork as far back as the early 16^th century. The breed gets its name from the French word “barbe,” which means “beard,” and one look at this woolly pooch makes it easy to understand why. They are a rare breed, with long, Poodle-like coats consisting of thick fur that falls into tight curls — a prototypical water dog. Indeed, these dogs have long been used in France for hunting waterfowl.

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5. Azawakh Dog

Hailing from West Africa, this tall and slender dog is an ancient hunting hound that was only registered in 2019. They are a rare breed and consequently, one of the most expensive in the U.S.¹, fetching prices as high as $9,500. These dogs are so tall and slender that their bone structure can clearly be seen through their skin, giving them a look similar to a Saluki. They are still commonly used as sighthounds in the region today.

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6. Dogo Argentino

Registered in 2020, the Dogo Argentino is a muscular dog developed in Argentina for hunting large game. They are fierce-looking dogs with a strong will, and assertive leadership qualities are needed to manage these powerful dogs, making them not an ideal choice for first-time owners. That said, they are loyal and protective family dogs that rarely show aggression. They are a new breed and still fairly rare in the U.S., leading them to be one of the most expensive pooches around², fetching up to $8,000 in some cases.

• You might also want to check out: Dogo Argentino vs American Pitbull Terrier: Breed Differences

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7. American Hairless Terrier Dog

Despite their name, American Hairless Terriers come in both coated and hairless varieties. They are descended from a single Rat Terrier that was selectively bred for hairlessness, and the breed was officially recognized in 2016. They are curious, energetic, and intelligent dogs with a long heritage of hunting small rodents. They are the ideal choice for owners with allergy issues due to their low shedding and make ideal family pets with their friendly, active natures.

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8. Nederlandse Kooikerhondje Dog

These dogs were originally bred in the Netherlands as a duck decoy dog, luring the fowls to their doom into “Eendenkooi,” human-made pond trapping cages. Their Dutch name translates to “small cager dog,” and their plumed tail helped entice ducks into these cages. Although they have been popular in the Netherlands for centuries, they were only registered with the AKC in 2018 and have been gaining popularity in the U.S. ever since.

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9. Pumi Dog

These curly-coated sheepherding pooches have their origins in Hungary, with their compact size allowing them to move flocks down the narrow roads to pastures. They were registered with the AKC in 2016 but have origins stretching back as far as 1815. These adorable pooches may look like lapdogs but are hard workers at heart, with an agile, energetic, and vocal work ethic. They have the intellect of a herding dog, the alertness of a Terrier, and the appearance of a quintessential lapdog, making for a unique breed indeed.

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10. Sloughi Dog

Found mainly in Morocco, this North African dog has an appearance similar to the smooth Saluki and was bred for hunting small game in the region. The ancient breed is revered for its speed, agility, intelligence, and endurance. They are highly devoted to their owners, a typical trait in sighthounds, and is a robust yet sensitive dog that needs gentle training. The breed was registered with the AKC in 2016 but is an ancient breed outside of the U.S., existing for centuries in Northern Africa.

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11. Bergamasco Sheepdog

This long and curly-haired pooch has its origins in the Italian Alps as a tough herding dog. These dogs have a characteristically long coat, with three different types of hair that quickly forms into thick mats. This makes them ideal working animals in the cold and harsh climates of the Alps. They are friendly and non-aggressive pooches that make great working dogs, guard dogs, and family companions.

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12. Berger Picard Dog

This unique breed almost went extinct during World War I and II and remains rare, with only around 3,500 animals in their native France and less than 400 in the U.S. While they were registered with the AKC in 2015, they have a lineage going back to the early 9^th century. They originated in Picardy, a region in France where they got their name and were used mainly as herding dogs due to their energetic and hardworking nature.

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13. Boerboel Dog

A long-revered animal in South Africa, this Mastiff-type breed is large and somewhat intimidating, with a ton of power and strength. Indeed, they were bred as guard dogs to protect farmers’ homesteads and to work on the farm. Their name, with its Dutch origins, reflects this history, translating to “farmer dog.” These dogs are highly loyal and protective and will defend their owners to the death if need be. They are commonly known as “Velcro dogs,” never straying too far from their owners.

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14. Lagotto Romagnolo Dog

This Italian breed originated in Italy as a hardworking hunting dog, specifically as a water retriever. Their thick, dense coats keep them protected from cold temperatures, and it is widely believed that most modern water dogs were descended from the breed. They are now more commonly used in their homelands to search for truffles due to their excellent noses. The breed was registered with the AKC in 2015, but their lineage has been traced as far back as the 1400s.

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15. Cirneco dell’Etna Dog

These Italian hunting dogs originated on the island of Sicily, where they were bred to hunt rabbits and other small game. They are sleek, athletic dogs that are known for their speed and agility but make highly loyal and loving family companions too. They have large, upright ears and a short, smooth coat, leading them to be often confused with a Pharaoh Hound. They are an ancient breed that is rare in the U.S. and was only registered with the AKC in 2015, but they have steadily been gaining popularity ever since.

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16. Miniature American Shepherd

This small herding dog originated in the U.S., with an appearance akin to the Australian Shepherd in miniature, and was known as Miniature Australian Shepherds for decades. They have been used mainly to herd small animals like sheep and goats, and their small size makes them perfect as companion animals too. Despite being bred in California since the 1960s, the breed was only registered with the AKC in 2015.

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17. Spanish Water Dog

These curly-haired dogs were traditionally used in Spain as herding dogs and guard dogs. With their long, dense coats, they have also been popular as gundogs and have genetic links to other water retrievers like Poodles and Irish Water Spaniels. They are intelligent and energetic and have powerful hunting instincts, so they need firm and consistent training. They are versatile animals, though, and make great working dogs as much as they do loyal family companions.

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18. Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen Dog

These short-legged pooches originated in France as hunting and sniffing dogs but are more commonly kept as companion animals today. With their hunting heritage, these dogs are natural pack animals, so they should ideally be kept with one or more other dogs. They are active and energetic pooches that do not tend to tire easily and will need a regular workout to stay happy and out of mischief.

The 7 Breeds in Development

Believe it or not, there are dozens of breeds in the Foundation Stock Service at any given time, so there’s no way that we could go over all of them here. Some of the breeds that are in the Foundation Stock Service are likely familiar to you, so it may surprise you to know that they aren’t AKC-recognized breeds (yet). Here are some of the more familiar breeds that haven’t been fully recognized by the AKC yet.

1. Alaskan Klee Kai

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a breed that comes in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. They are a Husky-type dog with a thick coat that insulates them in harsh weather, but they are much smaller than their Husky and Malamute cousins.

These dogs are active but not considered to be hyper with their energy. Their compact size can make them suitable for small living situations, but it is important that they have plenty of one-on-one time with their people every day, as well as a moderate amount of exercise.

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2. American Bulldog

The American Bulldog is a Mastiff-type breed that has been in existence since the 1600s, but it didn’t start to gain popularity in the US until the 1980s. These dogs are large and strong, but very loving and gentle with their people. Their loyalty and protective nature can make them aloof and suspicious of strangers, and early socialization is important for this breed.

Their strength can make them difficult for children to manage, so this is not an ideal breed for homes with small children. This breed should not be confused with another breed that is in the earlier stages of development, the American Bully.

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3. Catahoula Leopard Dog

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a dog that can be versatile in its jobs, from hog hunting to cattle driving to protection. It’s very common for these fearless, energetic dogs to be used for hog hunting. This breed is the state dog of Louisiana, but they are not for beginner dog owners, and they can be very standoffish and suspicious of strangers. This breed requires consistency, appropriate socialization, training, and exercise to help them succeed and grow into well-adjusted dogs.

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4. Jagdterrier

The Jagdterrier may be a cute, small dog, but this breed should not be underestimated. This breed is extremely courageous and intense, and these dogs love to hunt. They have an extremely high prey drive that can make them unsuitable for homes with small pets, and their high energy level and need for a job usually make them unsuitable for being kept like the average house dog. This breed is not suitable for beginner dog owners, and although they are intelligent and highly trainable, consistency and socialization are extremely important.

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5. Mountain Cur

The Mountain Cur is a hunting dog that is known for its high intelligence and trainability. This is a breed that needs a job, and without a job or activity and enrichment, bad behavior is common. They have a high prey drive and are unsuitable for homes with small animals. They may be aloof or nervous with strangers, but you can expect a Mountain Cur to be extremely loving and friendly with its people and in comfortable situations. They are extremely affectionate with children, making them good family dogs.

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6. Perro de Presa Canario

The Perro de Presa Canario is a Mastiff-type dog that can reach up to 140 pounds. Their size combined with their tendency to be extremely willful makes this breed a poor choice for new dog owners and homes with children. They make great guard dogs, including livestock guardians, and are likely to be very suspicious of strangers. Socialization is an important part of bringing up a Perro de Presa Canario, as well as consistency in training and earning the respect of your dog.

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7. Pyrenean Mastiff

The Pyrenean Mastiff is a giant dog breed that can reach up to 200 pounds. Although they’re exceptionally large and strong, this breed is prized for its friendly, calm demeanor. They are also courageous in the face of uncomfortable situations and may be aloof with strangers. They tend to be good with other dogs, often interacting gently, as if they understand their large size. This is an extremely old breed that has been in existence since the Middle Ages, and although popular as livestock guardians, they haven’t quite taken off as house pets due to their size and imposing appearance.

Conclusion

These are the 18 most recent breeds registered with the AKC. With all the beautiful and unique breeds on this list, one can only manage what the future holds and what ancient, unknown breeds are still to come.

Keep an eye out toward the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 to see what breeds are added to the AKC registry. Breeds in the Foundation Stock Service can stay in development for years, so even some of the more familiar dog breeds may continue to not get AKC registration for a few more years.

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Featured Image Credit: TMArt, Shutterstock