The Icelandic Sheepdog and two other breeds have been officially recognized by the AKC. Photo from Flickr's Creative Commons.
As of Wednesday morning, the American Kennel Club has officially recognized the Icelandic Sheepdog, Cane Corso and Leonberger. Being officially AKC recognized means these breeds can compete in AKC events. Is AKC recognition going to end up benefiting the breeds, though?
What AKC recognition means
Now that the Icelandic Sheepdog, Cane Corso and Leonberger have all been recognized by the AKC, there will be changes. The American Kennel Club is a registration club that recognizes purebred dog pedigrees. It is the only non-profit registry company. By adding the Icelandic Sheepdog, Leonberger and Cane Corso, the AKC registry list is up to 166 separate breeds.
About the Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a breed that was brought to Iceland about 1,000 years ago. A part of the spitz family, the Icelandic Sheepdog is a very old breed that has been a working breed for a very long time. These dogs are hard-working and revered for their work ethic.
About the Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is a very rare breed of dog. Nearly extinct in the 1980s, this mastiff-family dog was brought back by dedicated breeders. Intelligent, easily trained and at times very protective, these dogs are highly prized in Italy, where they originated.
About the Leonberger
A German breed of dog named for Leonberg, Germany, the Leonberger has a lion-like mane. They are very large and are often used as water rescue dogs and family pets.
The financial impact of the AKC
The financial and social impact of the AKC is often under heavy debate. The American Kennel Club says that it works in support of canine health. At the same time, by encouraging pedigrees and breed tracking, the AKC has been heavily criticized. Pedigreed puppies can often sell for several hundred or several thousand dollars. The medical problems that are exacerbated by pedigreed breeding can also be very expensive for owners to care for. While pedigreed breeds can be an indication of the personality and features of a breed, it is by no means a guarantee. If you’re looking for a pet for any purpose other than competing in dog shows, it may be better to check out shelter animals first, before spending thousands of dollars on an “AKC registered” animal.
