Lancashire Heeler: Small Dog with Big Smile

Lancashire Heeler: Small Dog with Big Smile

兰开夏牧羊犬：小巧的狗狗，却有着大大的笑容

【听力音频】

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

　　By Hai Do

　　03 January 2024

　　It is a small dog with a big "smile." And it is ready to compete with 200 other kinds of dogs, known as breeds.

　　Say hello to the Lancashire Heeler.

　　The American Kennel Club (AKC) announced Wednesday that the rare dog breed can now compete in thousands of dog shows across the United States. That includes the famous Westminster Kennel Club show.

　　The AKC describes the breed as "a medium to high energy dog." The organization says the dogs are intelligent, friendly and quick to learn new tasks. They are happy, talkative and always ready for a walk.

　　Lancashire Heelers have long bodies and short coats of hair, or fur, in black and tan. The breed stands about 30 centimeters high and weighs up to 7.7 kilograms. Historically, they helped to drive farm animals and chase away rats. The breed can also perform several dog-related sports and activities.

　　"They're gritty little dogs, and they're very intelligent little dogs," says Patricia Blankenship of Flora, Mississippi, who has bred them for many years. "It's an enjoyable little breed to be around."

　　The breed is often described as "courageous, happy, affectionate to owner." And owners say they sometimes pull back their lips into a "smile."

　　Lancashire Heeler Club President Sheryl Bradbury says the breed "has to have a job" or stay active with its owners. It is also helpful for them to meet different people and dogs.

　　Lancashire Heelers have lived in Britain for hundreds of years, but they are now at risk of dying out as a breed. Britain's Kennel Club has added an average of just 121 Lancashire heelers yearly to its registry in recent years. The AKC says only about 5,000 exist worldwide.

　　Founded in 1884, the AKC is the United States' oldest purebred dog registry. It also organizes dog shows where 201 recognized breeds compete for the traditional "best in show." To get recognized, a breed must have an official breeding standard and there must be at least 300 of the animals in at least 20 states.

　　I'm Gena Bennett.

　　Jennifer Peltz reported this story for the Associated Press. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

　　作者：Hai Do

　　日期：2024年1月3日

　　这是一只小狗，却有着大大的“笑容”。它已经准备好与其他200种被称为品种的狗竞争了。

　　让我们向兰开夏牧羊犬说声你好。

　　美国犬业俱乐部（AKC）周三宣布，这种罕见的狗品种现在可以在美国各地的数千个狗展中参赛。这包括著名的西敏寺犬业俱乐部展。

　　AKC将这个品种描述为“中等到高能量的狗”。该组织表示，这些狗聪明、友好，学习新任务反应迅速。它们快乐、健谈，总是准备好散步。

　　兰开夏牧羊犬有着长身体和短毛皮，颜色为黑色和棕色。这个品种的高度大约为30厘米，重量可达7.7公斤。历史上，它们帮助驱赶农场动物和赶走老鼠。这个品种也可以参与几种狗类运动和活动。

　　“它们是坚韧的小狗，也是非常聪明的小狗，”来自密西西比州弗洛拉的Patricia Blankenship说，她已经繁育这个品种多年。“这是一个令人愉快的小品种。”

　　这个品种经常被描述为“勇敢、快乐、对主人充满深情”。主人们说，它们有时会拉回嘴唇，露出一个“微笑”。

　　兰开夏牧羊犬俱乐部主席Sheryl Bradbury表示，这个品种“必须有工作做”，或者与主人保持活跃。它们也有助于接触不同的人和狗。

　　兰开夏牧羊犬在英国已经生活了数百年，但现在作为一个品种，它们面临着灭绝的风险。近年来，英国犬业俱乐部每年平均只在其注册册上增加了大约121只兰开夏牧羊犬。AKC表示，全球只有大约5000只。

　　AKC成立于1884年，是美国最古老的纯种狗注册机构。它还组织狗展，其中201个公认的品种竞争传统的“最佳展示”。要获得认可，一个品种必须有官方的繁育标准，并且至少有300只这种动物分布在至少20个州。

　　我是Gena Bennett。

　　这个故事是由美联社的Jennifer Peltz报道的。Hai Do为VOA学习英语改编了这篇报道。

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

　　这个故事中的词汇：

　　gritty –adj.表现出坚韧或勇气

　　courageous –adj. 表现出勇气或勇敢

　　affectionate –adj. 表现出爱或好感

　　purebred –adj. 父母都是同一品种的

　　standard –n. 某种质量水平，涉及遵守某些规则