The Modern Bark | Dog Training Tips

The AKC lists 19 breeds as having hypoallergenic qualities. Do the dog breeds on this list really produce less dander and allergens? A study, based in Detroit, Michigan, sought to find out. Here's what they learned. The Coton De Tulear , a low shed dog and recent addition to the AKC registry.  Image by CVF-pfs The breeds listed below have been touted by the AKC and breeders as being hypoallergenic, mainly because they shed substantially less than other dog breeds.  However, hair itself is not allergenic; it's the dander attached to it that causes the sniffles and asthma attacks. The assumption has been, less hair in the air means less dander floating around. As a result, an industry of mixed breeds claiming hypoallergenic status has flooded the dog market. Americans are prepared to spend big dollars ($1500-$5000) on purportedly low allergy mongrels. The AKC's "Hypoallergenic" Dog Breeds List: Afghan Hound Bedlington Terrier  Bichon Frise  Chinese

Learn more about the Coton De Tulear This year the American Kennel Club has allowed two new breeds to join their roster of pure bred dogs.  The Wirehaired Vizsla has joined the Sporting Group while the darling Coton De Tulear has entered the Non-Sporting Group. The Coton De Tulear This tiny fluffy dog is the national dog of Madagascar, where the breed originated. Named for its cottony white coat, "Coton" and the Port of Madagascar, Tulear, these charming dogs have  graced  Madagascar's national stamps. The breed standard calls for a gay and light-hearted dog that is never demanding. The tail is carried happily over the back and the proportions of the dog are slightly longer that tall.   The expression of the Coton is a smiling one that expresses "joie de vivre." The temperament of the breed is marked by a unique sympathy to the emotions of those around them. They are also known for their unique vocalizations which may include unusual grunts and 

This year the AKC has recognized 3 new dog breeds that will be eligible to compete at the AKC Eukanuba National Championship in 2013 and at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in February 2014.  Another 15 breeds are waiting on deck in the miscellaneous class to become full-fledged AKC recognized dog breeds and eligible to compete in one of the seven groups (working, sporting, non-sporting, hound, terrier, toy and herding). Meet the New Breeds Couretsy of AKC.org http://www.akc.org/breeds/chinook/index.cfm The first of our new AKC recognized breeds is the home grown sled dog, the Chinook .  This breed was developed in 1900 in New Hampshire by the Polar explorer Arthur Treadwell Walden.  The name, Chinook, is derived from an Inuit word which means warm winter wind. Seeking to create a powerful draft dog with intelligence, trainability, speed and agility, the breed was developed by crossing mastiffs (draft dogs) with the Greenland Husky and the Belgian and German shepherds.