Editorial: May 8, 2026

Interesting that the American Kennel Club recognizes far fewer breeds than our English cousins the Royal Kennel Club and the FCI Federation. Cynologique Internationale which recognizes virtually any breed with four legs.

In recent years we have recognized some rather rare breeds to us here in the United States. The Royal Kennel Club will recognize the Miniature American Shepherd into the pastoral group, well known to us, on July 1, 2026 eleven years after American Kennel Club recognition and five years after FCI recognition. But they will also recognize on that same date, the Yakutian Laika. While not eligible for competitions of yet, it will be in the working group. They are an ancient working breed from Northeastern Russia. As of July 1st the Royal Kennel Club will recognize 227 breeds, the FCI recognizes 356 breeds and the American Kennel Club recognizes 205 breeds.

The American Kennel Club recently published the most popular breeds in the United States. Leading the list is the French Bulldog however in England according to their latest figures it is the fastest declining registered breed with a drop of 6,039 registrations. Our second top most popular breed, the Labrador Retriever, is also on the decline in England, according to the Royal Kennel Club with those registrations dropped by 4,222 registrations. While in England the fastest rising breed is the Miniature Long Haired Dachshund with an increase of 244 registrations and second is the Jack Russell Terrier with a gain of 185 registrations. Now the American Kennel Club  is publishing a list of 20 of the rarest breeds in the United States. Their press release calls it “Diamonds In The Ruff” a play on words but the wrong meaning for this list. These twenty breeds include many newer breeds that have gained recognition but it also includes some old-timers. The list from top to bottom are, coming in last the Norwegian Lundehund, Sloughi, Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, Harrier, Chinook, Cesky Terrier, Belgian Laekenois, Azawakh, Finnish Spitz, Canaan Dog, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Lancashire Heeler, Otterhound, American Foxhound, English Foxhound, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Komondor, Cirneco dell’Etna and the Bergamasco Sheepdog. There are other breeds not mentioned on the American Kennel Club  that face major declining registration numbers. Some face breed extinction. Fads of breeds are nothing new to society, our concern is the demise of some of the rarest breeds on earth. It would be a very sad ending to many wonderful breeds.