Westminster Welcomes 4 New Herding Breeds

GCh. Guess V.D. Bovendijkse Hoeve RN CGCA CM6

by Amy Fernandez

Westminster welcomed seven new breeds this year. Ironically, more than half of them are setting up shop in the Herding Group which was created in 1983 to resolve the Working Group gridlock.  These new additions to that original lineup of 15 breeds bring the group’s total up to 31.

The hardy, rustic Bergamasco is best known for its distinctive corded, triple layered coat. The breed evolved to drive and protect native livestock in the Bergamo region of the Italian Alps. For centuries these dogs worked alongside shepherds guiding herds on their seasonal movements between Alpine pasturelands and the plains of the Po Valley. The Bergamasco was first documented in the Italian Stud Book in 1891. Like many traditional European breeds, its population dwindled drastically after World War II.  A small and dedicated group of fanciers insured its survival in Italy eventually gaining FCI recognition for the breed in 1956.

The Bergamasco was represented by eight entries at Westminster 2016. Best of Breed was the six-year-old dog Ch. Viggo Artos Dell Albera while BOS was the four-year-old bitch Ch. Bergische Bermasker Amira.

The Berger Picard is an equally ancient breed. It was developed in the Picardie region of France, but its versatility made it a popular working dog throughout Western Europe. It debuted at French shows in 1863, and for many decades was exhibited in combined classes with the Beauceron and Briard.  After that situation was sorted in the early 1900s, a definitive breed standard was issued in 1922 and the breed was recognized in France three years later. Its fortunes declined after WWII and it neared extinction by the time efforts got underway to save it. A national club founded in 1955 eventually achieved recognition for the breed in its native country in 1959.

The Berger Picard was represented by 20 entries at Westminster 2016. Best of Breed was awarded to the five-year-old bitch GCh. Guess V.D. Bovendijkse Hoeve RN CGCA CM6

And BOS went to the five-year-old dog Ch. Garcon Du Domaine De Sursaint CM CGCA.

The Spanish Water Dog is known in its native land as the Perro de Agua Espanol where it is considered a water dog rather than a herder. It’s an ancient, rustic breed distantly related to the Barbet, which was the source of its hunting and retrieving skills.  In Andalusia, where the Spanish Water Dog is primarily used as a sheepdog, it is traditionally known as the Turkish dog, which also indicates an eclectic ancestry.  Although some aspects of its heritage are murky, it is a breed of many talents. Originally used as a drover to herd flocks of sheep and goats, it was equally popular throughout the Mediterranean to hunt waterfowl and assist fisherman.  The breed was recognized in Spain in 1985 and accepted by FCI in 1999.

The Spanish Water Dog was represented by 10 entries at Westminster. Best of Breed went to the three-year-old dog Ch. Jango CM2. Winners Bitch and BOS was the one-year-old bitch, Cambia Wavelet.

The Miniature American Shepherd traces its heritage to the Australian Shepherd, a perennially popular breed developed in the American west in the mid-twentieth century as a versatile stock dog. By the time the Aussie was recognized by AKC in 1991, the miniature version was well on its way to becoming a distinct separate breed. Standing 18 inches and weighing approximately 35 pounds, the Miniature American Shepherd has become especially popular as an agility superstar.

It was represented by 14 entries at Westminster this year. Best of Breed went to the four-year-old dog GCh. Dynasty’s Triple Crown and BOS was the five-year-old bitch GCh. Coal Dust Love That Lady in Red CM.

The Working Group has also grown appreciably since 1983.  Its newest addition, the Boerboel, AKC’s 30^th Working breed, makes its Westminster debut today with 11 breed entries.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Feb 16 2016. Filed under Featured, The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.