American Kennel Club adding two for the show
NEW YORK— A spirited Dutch duckluring dog and a friendly French rabbit hound are now running with the American Kennel Club’s pack.
The club says it is recognizing the Nederlandse kooikerhondje and the grand basset griffon Vendeen. They’re the first breeds added to the roster since 2016 and can compete in the Westminster Kennel Club show next year.
The Nederlandse kooikerhondje (pronounced NAY’-dehr-lahn-seh KOY’-kehr-hahnd-jeh) goes back hundreds of years in Holland. The smallish, brown-and-white, spanielstyle dogs can be seen in some Dutch Old Master paintings.
“They’re actually like a toddler that never grows up,” breeder D. Ann Knoop-Siderius said. “They’re very playful dogs.”
Kooikerhondjes were trained to help hunters attract ducks into netcovered canals. The dogs neared ex- tinction during the Second World War, before a baroness set out to bring them back. There are about 7,000 worldwide.
The grand basset griffon Vendeen (pronounced grahnd bah-SAY’ grihfFAHN’ vahn-DAY’-ahn) goes by “GBGV” for short.
GBGVs, traditional pack hunters, are known for their speed, stamina and cheerful nature, says AKC spokesperson Brandi Hunter.
“They’re also courageous and passionate workers,” she said.