LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The Westminster Dog Show 2012 new breeds announced today prompted a Mexican hairless dog addition. Xoloitzcuintli is among the Westminster Dog Show 2012 six new breeds introduced into competition today. The other five new breeds are Entlebucher mountain dog, the Norwegian Lundehund, the American English coonhound, the Finnish Lapphund, and the Cesky terrier.

The Xoloitzcuintli was previously known as Mexican Hairless. It has long dominated history and news as the national dog of Mexico. Sponsored by the Xoloitzcuintli Club of America, the recognition today reportedly qualifies all three sizes of Xoloitzcuintli  for competition. The breed is descended from  Aztec times where it was dedicated as a guardian of the dead.

Also making news today is the puffin dog, the Norwegian Lundehund. It has six toes to maneuver through areas where puffins reside.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show next month will feature these six new breeds. Hosted February 13-14 at Madison Square Garden, the show will feature now one hundred eight-five total breeds, David Frei, the club’s director of communications confirms in a news statement today.