Lancashire Heeler: Small Dog with Big Smile
2024-01-04
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1It is a small dog with a big "smile."
2And it is ready to compete with 200 other kinds of dogs, known as breeds.
3Say hello to the Lancashire Heeler.
4The American Kennel Club (AKC) announced Wednesday that the rare dog breed can now compete in thousands of dog shows across the United States.
5That includes the famous Westminster Kennel Club show.
6The AKC describes the breed as "a medium to high energy dog."
7The organization says the dogs are intelligent, friendly and quick to learn new tasks.
8They are happy, talkative and always ready for a walk.
9Lancashire Heelers have long bodies and short coats of hair, or fur, in black and tan.
10The breed stands about 30 centimeters high and weighs up to 7.7 kilograms.
11Historically, they helped to drive farm animals and chase away rats.
12The breed can also perform several dog-related sports and activities.
13"They're gritty little dogs, and they're very intelligent little dogs," says Patricia Blankenship of Flora, Mississippi, who has bred them for many years.
14"It's an enjoyable little breed to be around."
15The breed is often described as "courageous, happy, affectionate to owner."
16And owners say they sometimes pull back their lips into a "smile."
17Lancashire Heeler Club President Sheryl Bradbury says the breed "has to have a job" or stay active with its owners.
18It is also helpful for them to meet different people and dogs.
19Lancashire Heelers have lived in Britain for hundreds of years, but they are now at risk of dying out as a breed.
20Britain's Kennel Club has added an average of just 121 Lancashire heelers yearly to its registry in recent years.
21The AKC says only about 5,000 exist worldwide.
22Founded in 1884, the AKC is the United States' oldest purebred dog registry.
23It also organizes dog shows where 201 recognized breeds compete for the traditional "best in show."
24To get recognized, a breed must have an official breeding standard and there must be at least 300 of the animals in at least 20 states.
25I'm Gena Bennett.
1It is a small dog with a big "smile." And it is ready to compete with 200 other kinds of dogs, known as breeds. 2Say hello to the Lancashire Heeler. 3The American Kennel Club (AKC) announced Wednesday that the rare dog breed can now compete in thousands of dog shows across the United States. That includes the famous Westminster Kennel Club show. 4The AKC describes the breed as "a medium to high energy dog." The organization says the dogs are intelligent, friendly and quick to learn new tasks. They are happy, talkative and always ready for a walk. 5Lancashire Heelers have long bodies and short coats of hair, or fur, in black and tan. The breed stands about 30 centimeters high and weighs up to 7.7 kilograms. Historically, they helped to drive farm animals and chase away rats. The breed can also perform several dog-related sports and activities. 6"They're gritty little dogs, and they're very intelligent little dogs," says Patricia Blankenship of Flora, Mississippi, who has bred them for many years. "It's an enjoyable little breed to be around." 7The breed is often described as "courageous, happy, affectionate to owner." And owners say they sometimes pull back their lips into a "smile." 8Lancashire Heeler Club President Sheryl Bradbury says the breed "has to have a job" or stay active with its owners. It is also helpful for them to meet different people and dogs. 9Lancashire Heelers have lived in Britain for hundreds of years, but they are now at risk of dying out as a breed. Britain's Kennel Club has added an average of just 121 Lancashire heelers yearly to its registry in recent years. The AKC says only about 5,000 exist worldwide. 10Founded in 1884, the AKC is the United States' oldest purebred dog registry. It also organizes dog shows where 201 recognized breeds compete for the traditional "best in show." To get recognized, a breed must have an official breeding standard and there must be at least 300 of the animals in at least 20 states. 11I'm Gena Bennett. 12Jennifer Peltz reported this story for the Associated Press. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English. 13_________________________________________________ 14Words in This Story 15gritty -adj. showing toughness or courage 16courageous -adj. being brave or showing courage 17affectionate -adj. showing love or good feeling 18purebred -adj. having parents of the same breed 19standard -n. a level of quality involving observance of certain rules 20We want to hear from you. 21Our comment policy is here.