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  The American Kennel Club has officially recognized the Lancashire heeler breed, a small, herding dog known for its smile.
  
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  These dogs are similar in size to a corgi but with a shorter coat. They stand about 1 foot tall at the shoulders and have a long body.
  
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  Formerly used as farm workers, Lancashire heels are now active in canine sports and other activities.
  

It is small, but it’s active and has a smile. It can compete with over 200 breeds of dog.

The American Kennel Club has recognized the Lancashire Heeler as the newest breed. The organization announced on Wednesday that the rare breed of herding dog is now eligible to compete in thousands of U.S. Westminster Kennel Club, the prestigious dog show, is one of many.

The solidly built dogs have a long body and short coats, which are usually black and tan. They stand around 1 foot tall at the shoulders and weigh up to 17 pounds. They were once farm workers who could drive cattle or rout rodents. Today, they are involved in a variety of dog sports.

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Patricia Blankenship, a breeder in Flora, Mississippi who has been breeding them for more than a decade, says, “They are gritty, intelligent, little dogs.” It’s a fun little breed.

In dog world, their official description, or breed standard, calls them “courageous and happy dogs who are affectionate towards the owner.” Owners say that contented heels sometimes smile.

Sheryl Bradbury, President of the United States Lancashire Heeler Club, describes them as “extremely flexible”, participating in anything from dock diving competitions to scent work. Sheryl Bradbury says that a Lancashire Heeler “has to be a job”, whether it is an organized dog sport, or just walks and fetching with its owner.

Bradbury, a breeder of dogs in Plattsmouth Nebraska, said that the dogs are able to benefit from different canines and people.

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Lancashire heels date back hundreds of years in the United Kingdom. They are now considered a “vulnerable indigenous breed” that is at risk of extinction in their native land. In recent years, Britain’s Kennel Club added an average 121 Lancashire heels per year to its registry. The American Kennel Club estimates that only 5,000 Lancashire heelers exist in the world.

The AKC was founded in 1884 and is the oldest purebred registry in the United States. It functions as a league that hosts many dog competitions including those open to both purebreds and mixed breeds. Only 201 breeds are recognized and compete for “best in show” awards at Westminster, among other places.

For a breed to be recognized, it must have at least 300 pedigreed dog breeds, spread across at least 20 states. Breeders must also agree on a standard. It is voluntary and some breeds have their aficionados contact other kennel club or none.

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Animal rights activists are concerned about adding breeds or perpetuating existing ones. Animal rights activists claim that dog breeding is responsible for puppy mills and reduces adoptions of pets. It also exacerbates canine health issues by compressing the genetic diversity.

The AKC promotes responsible “breeding to type and function”, which produces dogs with special abilities, such as finding lost people. It also encourages owners to prepare and predict the characteristics of their pets. Since 1995, the club has donated over $32 millions to a foundation which supports canine research.