VOA慢速英语--比耶犬成为最新的狗种

The American Kennel¹ Club, or AKC, has welcomed a new member breed: The Biewer terrier. The recognition² means the breed can now take part in special competitions like the famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. It also can increase the market value of the pet animal.

The Biewer terrier is little, weighing around 1.8 to 3.6 kilograms. It is part of the "toy" dog group. The Biewer has long, flowing hair that adds to its toylike quality.

Dog breed experts say it looks a lot like the Yorkshire terrier from which it came. Biewer is the name of the German family who started breeding the dogs from Yorkshire terriers that had rare white markings.

Dog breeder Adrianne Dering of Morgantown, West Virginia, said Americans began importing the dogs in the early 2000s. "They're just very loving and easygoing. For a small dog, they're not a high-strung dog," Dering said.

Dering said the dogs are active, playful and travel easily. However, they do need companionship, so they are not the best for people who leave their animals alone during long workdays.

The AKC is the nation's oldest purebred dog registry. The AKC does not consider recognition of a breed unless there are at least 300 of the dogs spread across at least 20 states.

Some animal rights supporters say working to increase interest in purebreds is wrong. They say it leads to cruel breeding operations. Activists³ also argue that too many dogs are in public shelters already and need owners.

The AKC says responsible breeding permits people to choose pets with somewhat predictable characteristics. The club also notes that mixed-breed dogs compete in many events it supports, such as agility⁴ and obedience⁵ competitions.

Words in This Story

breed –n. a particular kind of dog, cat or other domesticated⁶ animal; a kind of animal that has been produced by breeding

high-strung –adj. very nervous, easily upset

companionship –n. a good feeling that comes from being with someone else

characteristic –n. typical of a person, thing, or group

1 kennel   

n.狗舍，狗窝

参考例句：

• Sporting dogs should be kept out of doors in a kennel.猎狗应该养在户外的狗窝中。
• Rescued dogs are housed in a standard kennel block.获救的狗被装在一个标准的犬舍里。

2 recognition   

n.承认，认可，认出，认识

参考例句：

• The place has changed beyond recognition.这地方变得认不出来了。
• A sudden smile of recognition flashed across his face.他脸上掠过一丝笑意，表示认识对方。

3 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 agility   

n.敏捷，活泼

参考例句：

• The boy came upstairs with agility.那男孩敏捷地走上楼来。
• His intellect and mental agility have never been in doubt.他的才智和机敏从未受到怀疑。

5 obedience   

n.服从，顺从

参考例句：

• Society has a right to expect obedience of the law.社会有权要求人人遵守法律。
• Soldiers act in obedience to the orders of their superior officers.士兵们遵照上级军官的命令行动。

6 domesticated   

adj.喜欢家庭生活的；（指动物）被驯养了的v.驯化( domesticate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He is thoroughly domesticated and cooks a delicious chicken casserole. 他精于家务，烹制的砂锅炖小鸡非常可口。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The donkey is a domesticated form of the African wild ass. 驴是非洲野驴的一种已驯化的品种。 来自《简明英汉词典》