This past Tuesday, the Sloughi and American Hairless Terrier were announced as being the newest breeds to join the #AKC family. The newcomers can now compete in most AKC shows and competitions, but it will be next year before either can make its Westminster Kennel Club show debut.
When a breed becomes recognized by a registry, sometimes there is concern on the part of some that their breed will be compromised in some way. With regards to the Sloughi, for example, some worry that the breed may become particolored, over-sized, marked with too much white, or lose their hunting instincts. As we see it, mere acceptance doesn’t change a breed, but breeders, owners, and show judges can, and it falls to them to stay true to the breed’s roots. Just saying.
Sloughi by Jean-Louis Grunheid
Limited edition prints by this artist are available here:http://www.labrache.com/