The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, a dark, curly-coated toy breed from Russia; the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, a hound with royal heritage; and the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, named in honor of a U.S. president, are set to earn full American Kennel Club recognition on January 1, 2026.
On that date, the inductees can begin competing in AKC Conformation and other events. The three breeds bring the total number of AKC-recognized breeds to 205.
Each of these breeds offers a unique set of characteristics that make them stand out as first-rate companions. Personable and cheerful in disposition, the new-to-AKC breeds are trustworthy companions who thrive on serving their owners, but they’re not newly developed.
The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka and the Basset Fauve de Bretagne maintain deep roots in their native countries. At the same time, the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a distinctly American breed.
Achieving AKC Recognition
Joining the ranks of AKC-recognized breeds is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of dedication and hard work from breeders and owners who are committed to their breeds.
AKC admission is a lengthy process that begins with meeting specific criteria. The road to acceptance includes a foreign breed registry recognizing the breed and U.S. club members maintaining a reliable record-keeping system, before the breed enters the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS). Breeds developed domestically have seperate criteria.
After the breeds have 150 dogs with three-generation pedigrees, a written breed standard, and one club representing the breed in the U.S., they can move into the Miscellaneous Class. At this point, they’re eligible for their Canine Good Citizen title and compete in AKC companion events such as agility, Barn Hunt, Diving Dogs, Fast CAT, AKC Rally, AKC Scent Work, obedience, AKC Therapy Dog, and tracking.
Before recognition, a breed requires proof of registrations and a minimum number of dogs in different areas of the United States. Achieving full AKC recognition also requires a certain number of parent club members in good standing who own a certain number of dogs and earn Certificate of Merit (CM) titles after showing in AKC’s Miscellaneous class. The clubs must present judging seminars and competitions in two Open shows for Miscellaneous and FSS breeds. A minimum number of dogs must live throughout the U.S., with an established breed club consisting of responsible owners and breeders.
New AKC breeds draw attention as they’re often related to older established breeds but may differ in looks, personality, and purpose. Once people learn about the newcomers, they find their differences appealing, a perfect match for their lifestyle, and wonder how they ever lived without them.
Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
Although the breed’s name may be a challenge to pronounce at first, it’s worth the effort to discover this curly-coated cuddler. The Bolonka offers loyal companionship in a small dog package tailor-made for snuggling on its owner’s lap.
Translating to “Russian Colored Lapdog,” this sweet, loving breed is pronounced “Russian S-vet-naya Bolonka.” As a shortcut, breeders call the breed “Bolonka,” and the plural is “Bolonki.” The dark chocolate-colored charmer from Russia is a member of the Bichon family and belongs to the Toy Group. With a sweet, alert, and intelligent expression, the breed is easygoing, sociable, and gets along well with other dogs. Slightly longer than tall, Bolonki are up to 10.25 inches in height, with males and females weighing 7 to 9 pounds.
According to Candace Mogavero, president of the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka Club of America, the Bolonka is considered the National Breed of Russia.
From 1924 to 1991, the only dogs in Russia were large working breeds and two small, long-coated breeds, which included a solid white breed and the Russian Toy, bred solely for the aristocracy to enjoy.
Bolonki trace their origins to the early 1950s, when few dogs were available to the common Russian population. Still, a group of Russian dog lovers in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) set out to create a new breed with a dark-colored coat. They bred “Zhuzhu,” a coffee-colored dog purchased from a touring circus, and “Trifon,” a white dog from Hungary. Other foreign-bred petite dogs, such as the Maltese, Bolognese, and Shih Tzu, also contributed to the gene pool.
The Bolonka makes an ideal comfort dog for owners in small city apartments, as well as in large country spaces. “The breed’s thick, wavy, or curly double coat helps keep it warm in the Russian cold weather,” says Mogavero. “Another bonus is that the coat usually doesn’t mat and can be any color other than white.”
To raise awareness of the Bolonka and to gain AKC recognition breeders formed the North American Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka Club in 2000. When the AKC approved the breed in the FSS in 2015, the club changed its name to the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka Club of America.
Basset Fauve de Bretagne
A small, short-legged, old French hunting hound also known as the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is one of three newly recognized American Kennel Club breeds and a member of the Hound Group.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne traces its origin to the 1500s, and early depictions of the breed appear in art during the 1300s. Ranging from 12.5 to 15.5 inches tall with a rough, fawn-colored coat in shades of golden wheat to red brick, this scent hound has a sweet expression and an outgoing nature.
As a formidable hunter, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne is intelligent, daring, and fixated on its quarry. The breed takes its hunting duties seriously but is a versatile hunter, adapting well to varied terrain and game. When out on a hunt, it sends out its characteristic hound sound of “aahrooo,” before chasing rabbits across a field. This breed is a fast runner and prized for its ability to scent and pursue game, but is eager to take on new dog sports.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is one of four Basset breeds. These include the familiar Basset Hound, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, nicknamed “GBGV,” and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, or “PBGV.” Of the four Bassets, the Fauve has the shortest back.
In 1789, at the beginning of the French Revolution, peasants were permitted to hunt but lacked horses to aid in the chase. These hunters could only hunt on foot and wanted a smaller, shorter-legged dog, and developed the Basset Fauve de Bretagne by breeding the most petite males to the smallest females.
After a long day in the field, the Basset Fauve still has energy to spare, but is equally happy to settle down at night alongside its people.
Cindy Hartman, president of the Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club of America, helped guide the breed to recognition and was the first person in the U.S. to have a Fauve 25 years ago. “After doing some research about different French breeds, I went to France and visited several kennels,” says Hartman of Central, South Carolina. Accompanying a hunt, Hartman was impressed when, on pursuit, a Fauve pack returned when the owner called the dogs back. “I like when they circle back and stay with you on a hunt rather than running off,” Hartman says.
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne Club of America was established in 2013, was recorded in the FSS since February 2015, and has been a member of the Miscellaneous Class since 2023.
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
An original American breed, the small-sized Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a short-legged variety of the longer-legged Rat Terrier. A newly recognized AKC breed, the Teddy is the latest member to join the Terrier Group. A spirited, happy dog in a variety of colors, the Teddy is 8 to 25 pounds and at least 8 inches but no more than 14 inches tall, with a smooth-coated, rectangular, muscular body.
Contrary to popular belief, Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president, did not create the breed. Roosevelt was committed to wildlife conservation and adored dogs, and the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier was named in his honor. Initially, the Teddy was referred to as the Type B Rat Terrier, and the Rat Terrier was the Type A Rat Terrier. Terriers originated in England, Scotland, and Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries and were specifically bred to control rats, foxes, badgers, and vermin.
“In every litter, long- and short-legged terriers appeared,” says Deb Botruff, president of the American Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Club, and helped usher the breed to AKC recognition. In 1999, breeders wanted a separate breed standard for Teddies. In 2016, the American Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Club of America was formed, and the breed was accepted into the AKC FSS and advanced to the Miscellaneous Class in July 2019.
The breed adapts well to any living situation and is happiest when it sounds the alarm if strangers enter the home or when being beside its owner on a cushy pillow at the end of the day.
As an avid ratter after vermin, the Teddy likes action. It will pursue rabbits if given the opportunity, and it’s also proving to be a formidable competitor in dog sports alongside its owner.
Three new dog breeds have received AKC breed recognition in 2026! Meet the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, the Basset Fauve de Bretagne, and the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier.