The American Kennel Club (AKC) has added two new breeds to its purebred dog registry: the Mudi and the Russian Toy. They have received full recognition and are now eligible to compete in the Herding Group and Toy Group, respectively.
The Mudi is a medium-sized herding dog that is very energetic and likes to have good runs. The breed is an all-purpose farm dog from Hungary and is often used to work with stubborn livestock. Mudis are courageous, loyal, and protective of family members. They’re also relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming: the occasional baths and combing or brushing would be enough for this breed.
The Russian Toy may be tiny dogs, but they have big personalities! Dating back to the Russian aristocracies, the Russian Toy are active, lively and cheerful with a strong desire to please their humans. This breed loves to snuggle and be close to their family, and thrive on human company. Russian Toy comes in two coat types: longhaired, which require regular brushing of two to three times per week and a monthly bath, and the smooth coat which only needs weekly brushing and the occasional bath.
With the addition of the Mudi and the Russian Toy, the official breed recognized by the AKC currently stands at 199.
More information: Meet the Mudi and Meet the Russian Toy
Images: Blue Merle Mudi by Taru T Torpstrom and Russian Toy via Wikimedia
