New dog breeds to debut in Westminster Kennel Club show

IF you thought the world didn’t have enough pooches — think again. Because three new breeds have made their debut at world’s most prestigious dog show.

Three new breeds of dogs have been introduced to the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, including this pair of elegant Sloughis. Picture: AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews.

THERE are never enough dogs — and now there are three new breeds of pooches to woof over.

Three adorable American hairless terriers, one scrappy Pumi and a pair of elegant Sloughi were trotted out Monday by the Westminster Kennel Club during a “Meet the Breeds” press event at Madison Square Garden.

Club spokesman Gail Miller said the breeds “are newly eligible” to compete in next month’s annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Zsa Zsa, a Pumi breed, is one of the cute new breeds to debut at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Picture: AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews.

“There’s a tendency to call them new breeds — the truth is that many of them are very old, in fact, ancient,” said Miller, who will host the Feb. 13-14 event featuring 3,000 dogs for Fox Sports.

Hypo-allergenic terriers Johnny, Candy and Rodney were the first to take the stage.

Owners Susan Medhurst, 54, and daughter Jodi Kurpeil, 23, of Stratford, Virginia., called them great companion dogs.

These bizarre looking American Hairless Terrier breeds made their debut at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Picture: AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews.

Miller said the American hairless was developed from the rat terrier in the 1970s.

Next up was the wiry-haired Pumi, named ZsaZsa for her pizzazz, said owner Nancy Nelson.

Miller explained the herd dog has its roots in Hungary and is “a quick learner.”

The Sloughi, represented by Izzy and Toby, “date back to 8,000BC,” Miller said, adding the dogs were bred in North Africa to hunt jackals and gazelles.

Owners Julie Tenbensel and Erika Wyatt, both of Maple Park, Il., warned they aren’t for everyone: “Fetching is something they are, not what they do,” joked Wyatt.

This story originally appeared on the New York Post.

Originally published as New dog breeds to debut in Westminster Kennel Club show