US dog lovers, say “benvenuto” to the bracco Italiano.
The ancient Italian bird-hunting dog is the 200th member of the American Kennel Club's roster of recognised breeds, the organisation announced on Wednesday.
That means the handsome, powerful but amiable pointers can now go for best in show at many US dog shows, including the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club event next year.
The bracco goes back more than two millennia in Europe, according to the AKC. It is sometimes called the Italian pointer or Italian pointing dog.
The ideal bracco should be “tough and adapted to all types of hunting, reliable, docile and intelligent", while also friendly and neither shy nor aggressive, according to the AKC's standard for the medium-to-large breed.
“They’re very easy to live with and be around, and yet it’s like a light switch — when it’s time to jump in the back of the lorry and go hunting, and they’ve got a job, they just light up like a Christmas tree,” said owner and breeder Lisa Moller of Portage, Wisconsin.
The dogs — the proper plural is “bracchi Italiani” — have a deep bark and readily use it when seeing backyard wildlife, so “they may not be the right dog for everybody", Ms Moller said.
AKC executive secretary Gina DiNardo called the bracco a great companion for active families who can provide “the love and attention it needs".
The AKC opened the nation's oldest dog registry with a mere nine breeds in 1878.
In the past decade the club has added more than 20 breeds, ranging from the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen to the powerful dogo Argentino.
Criteria involve the total number and generations of registered dogs nationwide, their geographical distribution and other factors.
Mr Happy Face takes worst in show at World's Ugliest Dog Contest
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Jeneda Benally reacts to the announcement that her dog, Mr Happy Face, won the World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma, California. AFP -
Mr Happy Face, a 17-year-old Chinese crested saved from a hoarder's house, won the competition, taking home the $1,500 prize. AFP -
Ann Lewis brushes the hair of her dog Wild Thang before the start of the World's Ugliest Dog Competition. AFP -
Wild Thang makes an effort to intimidate the competition. AFP -
Apparently dogs with uncontrollable tongues are a big hit at the contest. AFP -
Judges react as Wild Thang struts his stuff. AFP -
Contestants and their people line the stage at the World's Ugliest Dog competition. AP -
China Su, a pug rescued from China, awaits her turn on the stage. AP -
Judge Mamrie Hart reacts to Monkey, a dog from Pleasant Hill, California. AP -
Tee Tee, a Chinese crested, is shown to judge Brian Sobel. AFP -
Monkey turns to face an adoring public. AP -
Ann Lewis and Wild Thing. AP -
Mandarina pants on her owner's lap while awaiting the start of the World's Ugliest Dog Competition. AFP -
Despite the name of the competition, all dogs are beautiful. AFP -
Canine contestants and their handlers await the competition. AP -
Some of the dogs were not so ugly. AFP -
Mr Happy Face is a whole different story. AFP -
Morita, a Mexican hairless, appears to have plenty of hair. AP -
Mr Happy Face could not be reached for comment regarding his victory. AFP -
Rescued pugs named Jinny Lu and China Su of the Pug Hotel Senior Sanctuary in Sonoma County relax in their stroller. Reuters
