The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is something I have dutifully watched every year, only because it's the easiest way to kill time while waiting for Purina's National Dog Show to come on TV. This year was a particularly brutal wait, however, because there are new dog breeds at the National Dog Show — I repeat new dog breeds — and excuse me while I start squealing but there are a bunch of cute, precious pups parading across my television screen, and I want them all.
The National Dog Show, presented by Purina, has become a Thanksgiving staple since it made its televised debut 14 years ago. Since 2002, more than 40 new dog breeds have been introduced to the competition, which is sort of like fashion week for dog lovers, in that you get to see what's new and trendy in the world of high-fashion pet ownership. This year, seven new American Kennel Club breeds have been added to the National Dog Show lineup, and even if you aren't a huge "dog person," it's still impossible to keep your heart from melting as you see these super sweet canines prove that turkeys be damned — Thanksgiving is for the dogs.
So what are the new breeds competing in this year's show? Meet the Bergamasco, the Spanish Water Dog, the Miniature American Shepherd, the Lagotto Romagnolo, the Berger Picard, the Cirneco dell'Etna, and the Boerboel.
1. Bergamasco
This sheepdog is like the Gretchen Weiners of the American Kennel Club, in that its hair clearly must be full of secrets. Its coat is actually made up of three different kinds of hair, which is permanently tousled into the perfect "I just rolled out of bed" look. I'm honestly a little jealous.
2. Spanish Water Dog
The Spanish Water Dog is described by the American Kennel Club as being "playful, but also work-oriented," which means if this dog was a person, I would totally want to date them. The adorable fluffball is medium-size, has curly hair, and is reportedly a total people pleaser. And also oh my god that face.
3. Miniature American Shepherd
This super small herding dog is ridiculously intelligent and has energy to last for days, making it the perfect companion. The Mini American Shepherd closely resembles the Australian Shepherd, but this breed originated in the United States.
4. Lagotto Romagnolo
This loyal breed hails from Italy, and is particularly lauded for its ability to sniff out truffles (a useful skill to have, if you ask me). The Lagotto Romagnolo is recognizable by its curly brown and white coat, and is exceptionally good with children and other small pets. Basically, it's a little social butterfly.
5. Berger Picard
According to the American Kennel Club, the Berger Picard is actually an ancient breed that dates back to farmers and sheep herders who used to occupy Northern France. It's a hard worker, and a looker to boot.
6. Cirneco dell'Etna
Well hello there, gorgeous. This handsome breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015, but has been around for almost 2,500 years. A natural hunter, this dog can also be extremely affectionate.
7. Boerboel
The Boerboel is a good protective pup to have around, but it's also surprisingly calm, obedient, and confident. In other words, this South African mastiff has it all.
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Images: ccho/Flickr; ccho/Flickr; andreavallejos/Flickr
