An athletic Hungarian farm dog and a tiny pet of bygone Russian aristocrats are the latest breeds in the American Kennel Club's purebred lineup.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The club announced Tuesday that it's recognizing the Russian toy and the Mudi. That means they're eligible to compete for best in show at many US dog shows, including the AKC's big annual championship and the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show.
The mudi is descended from long lines of Hungarian sheepdogs before a museum director took an interest in the breed and gave it a name around 1930. Fans say the medium-size, shaggy dogs are vigorous, versatile and hardworking, able to herd sheep, hunt boars, snag rats and compete in canine sports such as agility and dock diving.
The Russian toy developed from small English terriers that gained the fancy of Russian elites by the early 1700s. The diminutive dogs, supposed to weigh no more than 6.5 pounds (2.7 kg), have a leggy silhouette, perky expression, and lively demeanor, breeders say.
