By Della Hasselle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN EAST — A few lucky six-toed pups are getting a chance to run with the big dogs.
The American Kennel Club announced the addition of three new breeds Wednesday at a small ceremony in their Midtown headquarters, including the six-toed Norwegian Lundehund, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the hairless Xoloitzcuintli.
"Each lovable breed has a unique and diverse history and is a wonderful addition to the AKC," spokeswoman Gina DiNardo announced at the ceremony. "We are delighted to introduce these three distinct breeds to the public."
All of the breeds have unique characteristics. The six-toed Lundehund has the agility of an acrobat due to a missing vertebrae in the back of their necks, owner Harvey Sanderson said while posing with his seven-year-old dog Eowlyn, 7.
"They're lots of fun," said the upstate resident, explaining that because of the dogs' flexibility, they can arch their heads backward all the way to touch their backs. "But it doesn't hurt," he quickly added.
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog, known for its devotion, was represented by five-year-old Gustav, and the hairless Xoloitzcuintli by two-year-old Namina.
Namina belongs to one of the world's rarest breeds. Xoloitzcuintlis are even considered to be a "healer" in remote Mexican and Central American villages even today, New Jersey resident Joe Patalano said of his dog.
"Plus it makes an excellent guard dog," he added. "It's loud."
The AKC also announced that the Labrador Retriever, represented at the ceremony by a furry pup named Jacob, was the most popular dog in the U.S. for the 20th year in a row.
The next most beloved dog was the German Shepherd, followed by the Yorkshire Terrier. The Beagle, Golden Retriever, Bulldog, Boxer, Dachshund, Poodle and Shih Tzu, respectively, were the next most popular breeds.
While most owners were excited to be accompanying their purebred representatives Wednesday, a few expressed disappointment that their breeds weren't more popular with Americans.
"The Golden Retriever has been popular for a long time," said Connie Foust, owner of an 11-week-old Golden Retriever named Rex. "It's too bad the Lab has really beat them out."
