The New Kids on the Block:

Say bonjour to the Barbet and hola to the Dogo Argentino! These two breeds are the newest to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, gaining full recognition and competition eligibility as of January 1, 2020. 

The Barbet (pronounced Bar-bay) is a French water dog with a rich breed history going back to 16th century France. Originally bred for hunting waterfowl, the Barbet is a true Sporting breed and thrives on regular exercise and training routines. These medium-sized dogs are family-friendly, loyal, spirited, and love working with their humans! Barbet have dense, curly, waterproof coats designed to protect them from cold water and harsh conditions they may encounter when retrieving waterfowl. Their coat comes in a variety of black, grey, brown, and fawn colours with the potential for white markings.

The Dogo Argentino is a large hunting breed from Argentina with roots going back to 1928. While the Dogo Argentino is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners, they are a loyal, strong, courageous, and protective Working breed. Dogo owners need to be prepared to establish a respectful, controlled relationship through regular training and obedience practices so the dog can learn boundaries from the beginning. They are highly trainable, but stubborn. The breed was developed from the Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Great Dane, Dogue de Bordeaux, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Bull Terrier, and the extinct Dog of Cordoba. The Dogo Argentino have short white coats and are known for their striking athletic build.—Yaunna Sommersby