Meet the Breeds Highlights Hundreds of Dogs in NYC
Two beautiful Newfoundlands at Meet the Breeds.
The American Kennel Club’s annual Meet the Breeds event in New York City brought out a parade of hundreds of pups to highlight over 130 different dog breeds. The event is “the dog world’s answer to speed dating” as the AKC states. I had the pleasure of attending Meet the Breeds at the Javits Center in NYC, and it’s a dog lover’s heaven! The pup-tacular weekend has a wide range of dogs ready to get petted and happy humans who enjoy talking about their breeds. If you’re interested in adopting a pup - or just petting lots of pooches - this is a great way to learn more about different breeds firsthand.
Whether you love Labradors or want to find more rare breeds like the Pumi or Schipperke, this breed bonanza has doggos from so many different breeds around the world. There are currently 200 breeds recognized by the AKC, and over 130 of them have tables at the event.
Some gregarious Bull Terriers at Meet the Breeds.
Meet the Breeds in NYC
A Rhodesian Ridgeback enjoys some love.
Dogs from around the world descended upon Midtown Manhattan for the AKC’s Meet the Breeds event on January 28 and January 29, 2023. The pup bonanza is hosted by the American Kennel Club and has representatives from national breed parent clubs and their pooches to showcase many of the 200 breeds recognized by the AKC.
If you’re trying to decide on a pup, this is a great way to learn more about different dog breeds. There are furry, welcoming representatives from over 130 breeds at the event, and many of the breed tables have more than one pup representative. You can talk to owners and breeders and learn more about the different personalities, grooming, training, and care of each breed.
I had never met a Pumi before. So cute!
Meet the Breeds has popular breeds as well as rare ones. As a longtime dog lover and former dog walker living in NYC, I have met so many breeds of dogs. At the event, I realized there are many types of pups I haven’t met yet. There were several breeds I have never met in person before - including the Scottish Deerhound, Pumi, Leonberger, Lagotto Romagnolo, Skye Terrier, Schipperke, and more.
Finding Your Perfect Pup Match
When you’re looking for a dog, some considerations can help you find your perfect purebred or mixed breed match. Here is a checklist to help you find a dog that suits your lifestyle:
Bulldogs are ideal for people who have a lower activity level.
A Siberian Husky getting groomed.
Personality: Do you have many people in your life and enjoy socializing? Would a sociable, easygoing pooch fit your lifestyle or a reserved, quiet pup? Do you want a dog who is friendly and welcoming to everyone - like a Poodle, Golden Retriever, or Bichon Frise - or do you want a guard dog who is reserved with strangers, like an Akita or Doberman?
Activity Level: What is your daily activity level like? Do you want a pup to explore even in cold weather like a snow dog or a hiking or running buddy? An active dog from the Working Breeds - such as a German Shepherd or Siberian Husky - would be perfect for lots of physical activity. If you prefer to cozy up inside and chill with a book or movie, then a more low-key dog like a Mastiff or a smaller breed like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or French Bulldog would be a great cuddle buddy.
Grooming: Do you have time for grooming a pup or the time and money for trips to a grooming salon? Do you have allergies or an aversion to pet hair? The good news is there are so many varieties of dogs and you can find a pup who suits your grooming abilities. Some short-haired, low-maintenance dogs at Meet the Breeds include the Rottweiler, Bull Terrier, American Bully, and Mastiff, and these pups are perfect for owners with little time or desire for grooming. As the woman at the Husky booth explained at the event, there are generally three types of dogs - short-haired, which have low grooming requirements but often leave short fur around the house that needs to be vacuumed, double-coated pups like Akitas and Huskies, who require an intense effort twice a year as they blow their coats, and dogs that may require extra grooming and cutting but have hypoallergenic fur like Poodles and Portuguese Water Dogs. If you have allergies, a hypoallergenic pooch is a perfect choice. As an owner of a double-coated dog, I can attest to the extra brushing and bathing that can go into caring for their coats, but overall, I do not find fur everywhere in my house throughout the year.
Training: Another consideration is training. Every pup needs some socialization and basic obedience. Whether you adopt a puppy or a senior dog, it’s important to socialize your dog and bring them around other dogs, people, and situations to give them plenty of positive experiences in a variety of settings. Basic obedience is also important for every pup’s safety. You may be interested in more than basic obedience and want to train your dog in tracking, agility, protection work, or advanced obedience. Consider which breeds do well in the areas you’d like to train. When considering training requirements, also take into account your daily life. Do you have a lifestyle that will require lots of interaction with other people and dogs, travel, and activities? You will most likely want a breed that is quick to learn and adapt to different situations. Also, factor your personality into the equation - do you have the patience to train an independent or strong-willed breed or do you prefer a fast, easy training process? Some dogs that tend to be eager to please and learn quickly include herding breeds like German Shepherds and Border Collies. Some that are more independent-minded include northern breeds like Akitas and Huskies, hound dogs like Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Black and Tan Coonhounds, bulldogs, and terriers.
A laid back Rottweiler enjoys pats.
Ultimately, it takes some research to decide which dog breed -or mixes - are best for you. Events like Meet the Breeds are a great way to talk to owners and breeders and meet pooches from different breeds so you can make an educated decision.
Meet More Breeds
We have more detailed information on each breed in our Breeds section so you can learn more about different kinds of dogs and find one that suits your lifestyle. If you’re ready to adopt, get our top 10 Tips to Prepare for Adopting a Dog.
