Danish-Swedish Farm Dog Joins American Kennel Club Range

NEW YORK –

Say hello to the newest dog in the American Kennel Club’s line of recognized breeds. Or you could say “hej”.

The Danish-Swedish farm dog – yes, that’s the official name – joined the pack on Thursday. This designation makes the breed eligible to compete for many show trophies, and it likely augurs a broader interest in small, spirited dogs. This prospect delights and worries his biggest fans.

“We’re excited. We’re looking forward to it,” said Carey Segebart, one of the people who worked to get Danish-Swedish farm dogs recognized by the AKC. She proudly plans to display one of her own at a dog show this month near her home in Iowa.

Still, she believes increased exposure is “a double-edged sword” for the fleet’s multi-talented pups.

“We don’t want the breed to explode too quickly,” she said.

Called farm dog or DSF for short, the breed dates back centuries in parts of what is now Denmark, southern Sweden and some other European countries, according to the Danish-Swedish Farmdog Club of America.

“They’re interesting, fun little dogs,” said Segebart, who has owned them since 2011 and is the club’s new president. “They are ready for anything. They succeed in almost anything.”

In their homeland, the dogs’ main job was to patrol rodents, but they also did some herding, served as guard dogs, and played with farmers’ children. Some have even performed in circuses, depending on the club.

After Denmark and Sweden became more urban and suburban in the 20th century, farm dog enthusiasts set out to secure the breed’s place in both countries (where “hej” translates to English “hello”). Kennel clubs began registering farm dogs in 1987.

In the United States, many of the nation’s approximately 350 farm dogs compete in agility, obedience or other dog sports open to all dogs, including mixed breeds.

But until now, farm dogs could not participate in the traditional breed-by-breed judging that leads to top show prizes at events such as the major Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York. The entry deadline has passed for the Westminster show in February, so farm dogs there will have to wait until 2026, but they could well appear later this year in two other major TV shows, the National Dog Show and the AKC National Championship.

The Danish-Swedish farm dog is the AKC’s 202nd breed and “a wonderful addition to a family that can provide him with the exercise and mental stimulation he needs,” said Gina DiNardo of the club.

Too popular for its own good?

The AKC is the oldest purebred dog registry in the United States and is essentially a league for many dog ​​competitions. Registration is voluntary and requirements for breed recognition include at least 300 purebred dogs in at least 20 states. Some breeds are found in other kennel clubs, if at all.

Danish-Swedish farm dog enthusiasts deliberated for several years before seeking AKC recognition and the attention that will likely come with it, Segebart said. The number of farm puppy finders has increased significantly over the past decade; Each of the few breeders receives several requests per week, and the typical wait for a puppy is a year or more, she said.

Farm folk fear that their attractive and relatively easy-care breed will quickly become too popular for its own good. They’re not the first to worry: A lot of fur has been flying loose following the rise of the French bulldog, which the AKC now lists as the nation’s most popular breed.

Some animal rights activists echo these concerns to oppose dog breeding in general. They say trends in the popularity of pure breeds are steering people away from adopting shelter animals, fueling puppy mills and emphasizing the appearance of dogs because of their health.

The AKC says it promotes “responsible breeding for type and function” to produce dogs with at least somewhat predictable characteristics, whether as basic as size or as specialized as handling skills. bomb detection. The club claims to have contributed more than $35 million since 1995 to its canine health research charity.