Entlebucher Mountain Dog: Meet the New American Kennel Club Breed [VIDEOS]

The name might not be as snappy as "golden doodle," but there's a new dog in town: the Entlebucher mountain dog.

The American Kennel Club announced this week that it is welcoming the Entlebucher into its exclusive membership.

The Entlebucher originated in Switzerland, where it worked as cattle herder in the Alps. According to the AKC, it is characterized by:

Intelligence
Agility
A mostly black, short, smooth coat with a white chest and "fawn"-colored markings
Loyalty
Medium size, usually about 47 to 62 pounds

As a dog bred for work, the Entlebucher requires a great deal of exercise -- and attention -- so it's not a good match for, say, a single person who works long hours. It's a good family dog, particularly with older kids who will play with it. They are extremely loyal to the family and can be used as a watchdog.

Because they come from the Swiss mountains, they aren't really meant for hot climates -- cooler temperatures are better. They also love snow!

They are also, incidentally, quite cute. Just watch these Entlebucher puppies at play.

The Entlebucher may be getting most of the attention today, but the AKC also inducted two other breeds this month, the Norwegian lundehund and the Xoloitzcuintli. The AKC now recognizes 170 breeds of dog.

The Norwegian lundehund is an interesting fellow, with six toes on each paw and a unique flexibility. See this demonstration:

And if you can find a Xoloitzcuintli, consider yourself lucky. Not only is it quite rare, but in parts of Mexico and Central America, where the breed originated, the dog is rumored to have healing powers.

Watch a Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced "show-low-eats-queen-tlee") in action.

The AKC has also released its annual list of the U.S.'s most popular dog breeds. Coming in first place again is that perennial favorite, the loyal Labrador.

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