2026 AKC Low Entry Breeds

The American Kennel Club has released its updated list of “Low Entry Breeds.” This designation plays an important role in the judging approval process and serves as a key reference for judges seeking to expand their breed portfolios or advance from permit to regular status.

Low Entry Breeds are those that consistently draw smaller numbers at AKC conformation events. Because of their limited representation, judges may have fewer opportunities to gain hands-on experience with them in the ring.

To ensure fairness and competency, the AKC has specific educational and experiential requirements tied to these breeds. Judges pursuing approval must demonstrate sufficient exposure, mentoring, and knowledge before being granted regular status.

Low Entry Breed List:

Affenpinscher

Airedale Terrier

American English Coonhound

American Eskimo Dog

American Foxhound

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Australian Terrier

Azawakh

Barbet

Basset Fauve de Bretagne

Bearded Collie

Bedlington Terrier

Belgian Laekenois

Belgian Malinois

Bergamasco Sheepdog

Berger Picard

Black and Tan Coonhound

Black Russian Terrier

Bloodhound

Bluetick Coonhound

Boerboel

Bouvier des Flandres

Bracco Italiano

Briard

Bull Terrier

Canaan Dog

Cesky Terrier

Chinook

Chow Chow

Cirneco dell’Etna

Coton de Tulear

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Danish-Swedish Farmdog

Dogo Argentino

Dogue de Bordeaux

English Foxhound

English Toy Spaniel

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Finnish Lapphund

Finnish Spitz

Fox Terrier (Smooth)

Fox Terrier (Wire)

German Pinscher

Giant Schnauzer

Glen of Imaal Terrier

Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

Great Pyrenees

Greyhound

Harrier

Ibizan Hound

Icelandic Sheepdog

Irish Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier

Komondor

Kuvasz

Lagotto Romagnolo

Lakeland Terrier

Lancashire Heeler

Leonberger

Lhasa Apso

Lowchen

Miniature Bull Terrier

Mudi

Neapolitan Mastiff

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje

Norfolk Terrier

Norwegian Buhund

Norwegian Elkhound

Norwegian Lundehund

Old English Sheepdog

Otterhound

Parson Russell Terrier

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Pharaoh Hound

Plott Hound

Pointer (German Wirehaired)

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Portuguese Podengo Pequeno

Puli

Pumi

Pyrenean Shepherd

Rat Terrier

Redbone Coonhound

Retriever (Curly-Coated)

Russian Toy

Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka

Scottish Deerhound

Sealyham Terrier

Setter (Gordon)

Setter (Irish Red and White)

Silky Terrier

Skye Terrier

Sloughi

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Spaniel (American Water)

Spaniel (Boykin)

Spaniel (Clumber)

Spaniel (Field)

Spaniel (Irish Water)

Spaniel (Sussex)

Spaniel (Welsh Springer)

Spanish Water Dog

Spinone Italiano

St. Bernard

Swedish Vallhund

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Terrier

Toy Fox Terrier

Treeing Walker Coonhound

Welsh Terrier

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Wirehaired Vizsla

Xoloitzcuintli

See the 2025 Low Entry Breed List Here for comparison.

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Posted by Liz on Feb 13 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.