Westminster 135th Annual All Breed Dog Show Debuts Six New Dog Breeds

Six new dog breeds are scheduled to take the ring at The Westminster Kennel Club 135th Annual All Breed Dog Show on February 14 - 15 , 2011 in New York City's Madison Square Garden .

The following six breeds were entered into the American Kennel Club registry in 2010 and will debut at The 2011 Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show:

Bluetick Coonhound (Hound Group)
Also known as an English Coonhound, the Bluetick Coonhound garners it's name from it's mottled blue colored coat. The breed may have descended from the English Foxhound and the French Staghound based on the dog's coloring.

Although the Bluetick Coonhound will be shown in the Hound Group at the Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show, it is an athletic breed known for agility and hunting abilities.

Boykin Spaniel (Sporting Group)
The Boykin Spaniel -- developed in the United States -- is the official State Dog of South Carolina. The breed excels at waterfowl and game hunting. When kept as a pet, the Boykin Spaniel responds well to children, other dogs and craves companionship.

Cane Corso (Working Group)
The low-shedding Italian Cane Corso has similarities to the protective mastiff breeds. In it's homeland of Italy, the Cane Corso routinely served as a guard dog and hunted wild boar. Today when the athletic breed is kept as a family pet the dog bonds well with children.

Icelandic Sheepdog (Herding Group)
The Vikings introduced the agile and inquisitive Icelandic Sheepdog to Iceland in AD 874-930 to work with horses, sheep and cattle. The sociable breed comes in long and short coat varieties and sheds it's undercoat twice a year. The Icelandic Sheepdog makes an intelligent, loving family pet.

Leonberger (Working Group)
The docile Leonberger hails from Germany where its prime purpose was working as a farm dog. The calm, graceful breed is popular as a family pet and often finds work in therapy settings. The Leonberger's lion-type coat requires daily brushing and frequent grooming.

Redbone Coonhound (Hound Group)
Known for its ability to hunt and swim though a variety of landscapes, the Redbone Coonhound evolved from Red Foxhounds. The smooth-coat breed is swift, enjoys obedience training and seeks to perform for it's owner.

From 1877 through 2010 The Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Shows have showcased 299,024 dogs, according to the Westminster Kennel Club website.

Sources and Suggested Further Reading:
The Westminster Kennel Club: The Westminster Kennel Club 135th Annual Dog Show
The Westminster Kennel Club: Six New Breeds Debut at Westminster 2011
American Kennel Club: AKC Meet the Breeds: Bluetick Coonhound
American Kennel Club: AKC Meet the Breeds: Boykin Spaniel
American Kennel Club: AKC Meet the Breeds: Cane Corso
American Kennel Club: AKC Meet the Breeds: Icelandic Sheepdog
American Kennel Club: AKC Meet the Breeds: Leonberger
American Kennel Club: AKC Meet the Breeds: Redbone Coonhound
The Westminster Kennel Club: Show Information

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