We’ve talked about ways of finding that perfect pet before: shelters, breed rescues, breeders. And now there are even more choices for you! Recently the American Kennel Club has announced 3 more recognized breeds to their list, making 161 total recognized breeds. The new breeds include: The Irish Red and White Setter, Norwegian Buhund and the Pyrenean Shepherd. These 3 followed the other new addition to the AKC, the Dogue de Bordeaux. While these breeds may be new to the AKC they have actually been around for years while breeders have worked to standardize them to a breed standard and preserve their original functions. As with most breeds, each has a specific purpose or niche, so always do your homework before adopting a new companion. And as always forget about mix- breed dogs either, these “all-Americans” often have traits all their own. Here is a little background on these breeds.
According to the breed history provided by the AKC, the Irish Setter probably developed at the end of the 17th century but it was not well known outside of Ireland that there are two breeds of Irish Setters. At this time breeders are certain, that the Red and White Setter is the older of the two breeds. By the end of the 19th century the Red Setter had taken over in popularity compared to the Red and White, which became so rare that they where thought to be extinct. During the 1920s an effort was made to revive the Irish Red and White Setter.” The Rev. Noble Huston’s work in gathering the Red and Whites available and recording pedigrees from as far back as approximately 1790 was compiled and preserved by Mrs. Maureen Cuddy from Midleton, Co. Cork. Mrs. Cuddy’s hard work and dedication to the breed resulted in 1978 in having the breed separately classified and given championship status by the Irish Kennel Club.” The breed was able to re-established itselfl enough to have its own club by 1944 and today it can be seen at Irish shows as well as Field Trials. (Adapted form AKC.org)
Photo from True Blue Acre’s photostream.
The Pyrenean Shepherd was used and developed solely for herding and not for protection of sheep in the Pyrenees Mountains. There small size makes them quick and more sure-footed on the windy crags where they originated. They also need less food compared to their Great Pyrenees counterpart, allowing the shepherd to keep more individual dogs, and thus a larger population of sheep.
There are 2 coat varietyes fo the Pyrenean shepherd 1. The Rough-Faced variety has a long or demi-long coat and some long hairs on the face (though not so profuse as to hide the eyes). 2.The Smooth-Faced variety is less abundantly furnished and has short hair on the face.
“The breed first distinguished itself outside the Pyrenees Mountains by dint of its service during WWI. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of Pyrenean Shepherds gave their lives for the cause. They were used as couriers, as search and rescue dogs finding injured soldiers after battles, and to accompany guards on their rounds. J. Dhers, officer in charge of war dogs remarked the day after final victory that it was his “duty to proclaim” that, the Pyrenean Shepherd was “the most intelligent, the most cunning, the most able, and the fastest” among all the breeds used.” (adapted from AKC.org)
Photo from R4avin’s photostream.
I’m a bit biased with this breed as I own one. I would point out however, that is not the breed for everyone. The DDB is a large powerful dogs which is not the ideal dog for first time dog owners. The Dogue de Bordeaux was once found in 3 varieties, the Parisian, the Toulouse and the Bordeaux, which were bred depending on the region of France and the jobs they had to do. Regardless of type, they had a general type similar to today’s Dogue de Bordeaux.Historically, the Dogue de Bordeaux was used as a guardian, a hunter, and a fighter. They were trained to bait bulls, bears, and jaguars, hunt boars, herd cattle, and protect the homes, butcher shops, and bordeaux vineyards of their masters. The Dogue de Bordeaux was pvalued as protectors and was found in the homes of the wealthy of France. A setback for the breed was noted following World War II, when Adolph Hitler was said to have demanded the execution of all Dogues de Bordeaux because of their devout loyalty to their owners. In the 1989 Americans saw the Dogue de Bordeaux for the first time on the big screen in Touchstone’s movie “Turner and Hooch” about a police man and his canine partner, although many people did not know that the massive slobbering animal was a Dogue de Bordeaux. While the slobbering was a bit exaggerated for the movie, the slobber the breed produces after eating and drinking is very real. If you can’t handle slobber this is NOT the breed for you. I personally love the breed and eagerly await getting another one, even though by household cleaning requirements will exponentially increase.
If you are interested in learning more about the Dogue de Bordeaux, the breed club is holding its national specialty show in April at Purina farms. For more information go to: http://www.ddbs.org/2009/2009National.html




Photo from rondellmckay’s photostream.
–Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State’s Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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