New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® (AKC®) expanded its litter of registered breeds on June 27 to welcome the Russell Terrier to the Terrier Group, growing AKC’s family to 175 breeds. Also moving up the ranks to the Miscellaneous class on the same day are the Coton de Tulear, Spanish Water Dog, and Miniature American Shepherd.
“The AKC is excited to welcome this adventurous terrier to the registry,” said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Energetic and full of life, the Russell Terrier will make a wonderful companion for active people.”
The Russell Terrier is feisty and playful with an enormous amount of energy and a strong instinct for hunting. Originating in England and developed in Australia, the breed was used for fox hunting as well as finding vermin below ground. They are small, confident, and highly intelligent dogs that are devoted and loving family companions. Because of their energy and intensity, Russell Terriers do bestFiona Cheever/Courtesy Nodie Williams in a family with an active lifestyle. Their weatherproof coat requires minimal grooming beyond brushing and occasional bathing.
To become an AKC recognized breed there needs to be a certain number of dogs geographically distributed throughout the U.S. and an established breed club to watch over them. Breeds waiting to gain full recognition are recorded in AKC’s Foundation Stock Service® (FSS®). More information on the process can be found at the AKC’s Web site.
For more information about this breed, visit the American Russell Terrier Club or meet the Russell Terrier in person at AKC Meet the Breeds at the Javits Center in New York City on October 20th and 21st or at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship December 15th and 16th in Orlando, Florida. Visit www.meetthebreeds.com for more details.
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[EDITOR’S NOTE: High resolution photos are available to members of the press by contacting communications@akc.org]
The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the United States. The AKC is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Along with its nearly 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 20,000 competitions for AKC-registered purebred dogs are held under AKC rules and regulations each year including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests. Affiliate AKC organizations include the AKC Humane Fund, AKC Canine Health Foundation, AKC Companion Animal Recovery and the AKC Museum of the Dog. For more information, visit www.akc.org.