AKC Announces Two New Dog Breeds: Barbet And Dogo Argentino

In a groundbreaking announcement that's sure to change the game, the American Kennel Club announced this week that there are two new dog breeds, the "barbet" and the "dogo Argentino," and that they are definitely not just a pit bull and a poodle.

The dogo Argentino, which is not a pit bull, is a working dog hailing from South America. Dogs of this breed are described by the AKC as "confident, courageous, loyal and affectionate with their family," with the addendum that they should be handled with caution due to their "strong guarding instincts." This makes them distinct from pit bulls, working dogs which the AKC describes as "confident" and "loyal," having "courage," with the caveat that they should be handled with caution due to the possibility of aggression.

The barbet, pronounced bar-BAY, is not a poodle (a French water dog with a hypoallergenic coat growing 18-24 inches with a lifespan of between twelve and fifteen years) but rather a French water dog with a hypoallergenic coat growing 20-26 inches with a lifespan of thirteen to fifteen years. In its press release, the AKC described the barbet as a dog which is "loyal and loves to be near its owners." This makes them a far cry from the standard poodle, which is "quite loyal" and will "typically bond quickly with family members."

The American Kennel Club currently recognizes 195 different dog breeds, with standard poodles, barbets, pit bulls, and the dogo Argentino accounting for four of those rather than two. Per CNN, in order for a breed to be accepted by the group, there must be 300 to 400 individual members of the breed across 20 states. Additionally, there must be a pre-established breeders club, and the breed in question must be a verifiably distinct subsect of the canine community and not just a pit bull or a poodle with a different name.