The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the CanidaeCarnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The domestic dog has been one of the most widely kept working, hunting family of the order and companion animals in human history.
The word "dog" may also mean the male of a canine species, as opposed to the word "bitch" for the female of the species.
The dog quickly became ubiquitous across world cultures, and was extremely valuable to early human settlements. For instance, it is believed that the successful emigration across the Bering Strait might not have been possible without sled dogs. Dogs perform many roles for people, such as hunting, herding, protection, assisting police and military, companionship, and, more recently, aiding handicapped individuals. This versatility, more than almost any other known animal, has given them the nickname "Man's best friend" in the western world. Currently, there are estimated to be 400 million dogs in the world.
Over the 15,000 year span that the dog had been domesticated, it diverged into only a handful of landraces, groups of similar animals whose morphology and behavior have been shaped by environmental factors and functional roles. As the modern understanding of genetics developed, humans began to intentionally breed dogs for a wide range of specific traits. Through this process, the dog has developed into hundreds of varied breeds, and shows more behavioral and morphological variation than any other land mammal. For example, height measured to the withers ranges from a few inches in the Chihuahua to a few feet in the Irish Wolfhound; color varies from white through grays (usually called "blue'") to black, and browns from light (tan) to dark ("red" or "chocolate") in a wide variation of patterns; coats can be short or long, coarse-haired to wool-like, straight, curly, or smooth. It is common for most breeds to shed this coat.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Dog Breeds :
Aberdeen-Terrier or Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier (also known as the Aberdeen Terrier),
popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog. Initially one of the highland breeds of Terrier that were grouped under the name of Skye Terrier,
it is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland, the other four
being the modern Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and West Highland White Terrier. They are an independent and rugged breed with a wiry outer coat and a soft dense undercoat. The Fourth Earl of Dumbarton nicknamed the breed "the iehard." The modern breed is said to be able to trace its lineage back to a single female, named Splinter II.
They are a small breed of Terrier with a distinctive shape and have had many
roles in popular culture. They have been owned by a variety of celebrities,
including the 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush, and are well known for being a playing piece in the board game Monopoly. Described as a territorial, feisty dog, they can make a good watchdog and tend to be very loyal to their family. In health issues, Scottish Terriers can be more prone to bleeding disorders, joint disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, and cancer than some other breeds of dog and there is a condition named after the breed called
Scotty cramp.
Nicknames Scottie
Country of origin
: Scotland
Weight
Male : 8.5–10 kg (19–22 lb)Female : 8–9.5 kg (18–21 lb)
Height
Male : 25 cm (9.8 in)Female : 25 cm (9.8 in)
Coat double (hard wiry & soft under coat)
Color
:
Black, Brindle, Wheaten
Litter size :
1-6
Life span :
11 to 13 years
Affenpinscher
The affenpinscher is a
terrier-like
toy breed of
dog.
Weighing 7 to 9 pounds (3-4 kg) and not exceeding 11 inches (24-30 cm) in
height at the
withers,
the affenpinscher has harsh rough coat and a monkey-like expression (Affe
means monkey in German). Its coat is shaggier over the head and shoulders forming a mane, with shorter coat over the back and hind quarters. It is harsh and wiry in
texture. The FCI and UK breed standards specifies that the coat must be black,
but the AKC also allows gray, silver, red,and tan, and belge (not beige; belge is a
mixture of red, black and white hairs);
other clubs have their own lists of acceptable colours, with black being the
preference. The affenpinscher is a dog with a shaggy, wiry-type coat.
Nicknames Monkey
Dog Country of origin
: Germany,
France
Coat Wire
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest, if not the first,
sighthound dog breed.
Distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at
the end, the breed acquired its unique features in the cold mountains of Afghanistan, where it was originally used to hunt hares and
gazelles by coursing them. Its local name is Sag-e Tāzī (Persian:
سگ تازی) or Tāžī Spai (Pashto:
تاژي سپی). Other alternate names for this breed are
Kuchi Hound, Tāzī, Balkh Hound, Baluchi Hound,
Barutzy Hound, Shalgar Hound, Kabul Hound, Galanday
Hound, or sometimes incorrectly African Hound.
Other names Sage Baluchi, Tazhi Spai, De Kochyano Spai, Tazi,
Ogar Afgan
Country of origin
Afghanistan
Weight
Male : 20-27 kg(45-60
lb)
Height
Male :61–73 cm (24–29 in)Coat :
Long and fine
Color :
Any
Litter size :6-8 puppies
Life span :
11-13 years
Boerboel
The Boerboel is a large,
mastiff breed of
dog which is
originally from
South
Africa. The word "Boerboel" derives from "boer",
the Afrikaans/Dutch
word for "farmer.” Boerboel, therefore, translates as either "farmer's dog" or
"Boer's dog."
There is a lengthy history of the Boerboel in South Africa, where the dog was
bred for the purpose of
guarding
the homestead. These dogs were often a first line of defense against predators
and were valuable in tracking and holding down wounded game. Old farmers told
many tales of the strength, agility, and courage of the Boerboel.
While it is uncertain from which breeds the dog originated, it is thought
that the dog was derived from interbreeding indigenous African species with
breeds brought into South Africa from
Dutch,
French, and
British settlers.
The protective character of the Boerboel is today still evident and is much
sought after, as is the calm, stable, and confident composure of the breed. The
Boerboel is the most protective dog breed that is not aggressive. The dogs are
obedient and intelligent and have strong territorial instincts. The Boerboel
remains the guarding breed of choice amongst current day farmers and is very
popular for the same reason in urban communities.
Other names : South African Boerboel, South African Mastiff
Country of origin : South
Africa
Weight :
50 to 80 kg (110 to 175 lbs)
Height :
60 to 70 cm (23 to 27 in)
Coat :
short, dense, smooth, and shiny
Color :
sand color with black mask
Airedale
Terrier
The Airedale Terrier (often shortened to "Airedale") is a
breed of
the terrier type, originating in Airedale, a geographic area in Yorkshire,
England. It is traditionally called the "King of Terriers" because it is the largest of the terrier breeds. Having been bred from a Welsh
Terrier and an Otter Hound, the breed has also been called the Waterside Terrier,
because it was bred originally to hunt otters in and around the valleys of the
River Aire which runs through Airedale. In England this breed has also been used as a police dog.
Other names : Waterside Terrier,
Bingley Terrier
Nicknames Airedale :
King of Terriers
Country of origin
: England
Akbash dog
The Akbash dog (from
Turkish: Akbaş, literally "white
head" ) is
native to western
Turkey in the region known as the Akbaş, and it is primarily used as a
livestock guardian dog.
Other names : Akbaş Çoban Köpeği
Country of origin
: Turkey
Akita Inu
The Akita Inu
is a Japanese breed of large
dog. Named for
Akita Prefecture, where it is thought to have originated, it is sometimes called the Akita-ken based on the Sino-Japanese reading of the same kanji. In most
countries (with the exception of the American and Canadian Kennel Clubs), it is
considered a separate breed from the American Akita, as requested by the Japanese Kennel Club. "Inu" means "dog."
Japanese Akita
Country of origin : Japan
Weight
Male : 34–54 kg (75–119 lb)Female : 34-50 kg (75–110 lb)
Height
Male : 61–66 cm (24–26 in)Coat :
Coarse, straight, with soft undercoat
Color :
Red, fawn, sesame, brindle, pure white or black
Litter size
:
3–12 puppies, avg. 7–8
Life span :
11–15 years
Alapha Blue Blood Bulldog
The origin of the Alapaha Blue Blood dates to the
1800s. Developed in the Alapaha River region of southern Georgia by PaPa Buck
Lane, the breed was initially used as a plantation watchdog and cattle dog. Like
the American Bulldog, the Alapaha is a descendent of the original Bulldogs that came to the U.S. from England in the 1700s. The breed was established in 1986 by the American Research Foundation, in the working dog category. From 1986 to 2001, ARF has registered or pedigreed just under 700 Alapahas.
12-15 years
4-8
puppies per litter
Working, Mastiff
All colors and pattern acceptable with red and blue
merle with white, chocolate or liver and white or any parti-color
acceptable.
Short
Large, Extra Large
Moderate Shed
24 inches (61 cm)
100 pounds (47 kg)
22 inches (61 cm)
often less than 60 pounds
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is an inactive
dog indoors so can adjust to both apartment and house life. They do need
regular outside exercise and a large, securely fenced yard is the best
possible option for the breed.
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a northern
breed of dog
of spitz type.
The term "Klee Kai" was derived from Alaskan Athabaskan words meaning "small dog".The breed was developed to create a companion sized
version of the Alaskan Husky (a mixed breed of dog used for sled racing), resulting in an energetic, intelligent, apartment-sized dog with an appearance that reflects its northern heritage.
Other names : Klee Kai
Nicknames : AKK
Country of origin
:
United States
The Alaskan Malamute is a generally large breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) originally bred for use as an Alaskan sled dog. It is sometimes mistaken for a Siberian Husky, but in fact is quite different in many ways.
Country of origin : United States (Alaska)
Coat :
Thick, a double coat, with plush undercoat
Color :
Gray, sable, black, or red, always with white, as well as all white
Litter
size :
4-10 puppies
Life span :
up to 14 years
The American bulldog is a breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Though larger in size, they are the closest surviving relative of the Old English bulldog, because American breeders did not change their appearance as much as their European breeders. There are generally considered to be two types of American bulldog, the Johnson type and the Scott type. These types are named after the breeders who were influential in developing them, John D. Johnson and Allen Scott. These are more commonly known as Classic, or Bully type, and Standard, or Performance type.
Weight
Male : 27-75 kg(70-140
lb)
Height
Male : 50-71 cm (20-27 in)Coat :
Short, harsh
Color :
Combinations of solid or degrees of white; all shades of brindle, brown, red, or
tan
Litter size :
7-14 puppies
Life span :
10-12 years
The American Eskimo is a small to medium-size Nordic-type dog, which looks like a miniature Samoyed. There are three varieties: the toy, miniature, and standard. The
American Eskimo has a wedge-shaped head with muzzle and skull about the same
length. It has erect triangular-shaped ears, and a heavily plumed tail curled
over the back. The coat is always white, or white with biscuit or cream markings. Their skin is pink or gray. The coat is heavy around the neck, creating a ruff or mane, especially in males. The breed is slightly longer than it is tall. It is sometimes mistaken for the Japanese Spitz and the Samoyed Dog.
Other names : American Eskimo, American Spitz, German Spitz
Nicknames : Eskie
Country of origin
: U.S.
(from Germany)
The American Foxhound is a
breed of dog
that is cousin to the
English Foxhound. They are
scent
hounds, bred to hunt foxes by scent.
Country of origin :
United States
Weight
Male : 65-75 pounds (29-34kg)Height
Male : 22-25 inches (53-64cm)
Coat :
Short, hard
Color :
red, tri, black n tan, blue
Litter size :
1-12 puppies
Life span :
10-12 years
The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a medium-sized, solidly
built, short coated dog
whose early ancestors came from
England.
Nicknames : Pit Bull
Country of origin :
United States
Weight
Male : 35 to 60 lb (16 to 27 kg)Female : 30 to 50 lb (14 to 23 kg)
Height
Male : 18 to 24 in (46 to 61 cm)Female : 18 to 24 in (46 to 61 cm)
Litter size :
5–10
Life span :
~12 years
American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire terrier is a
breed of
medium-sized, short-coated
dog whose early
ancestors came from England. In the early part of the twentieth century, the
breed gained respectability, and it was accepted by the
American Kennel Club as Staffordshire Terrier.
Nicknames : AmStaff
Country of origin :
United States
American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel is a
gundog
breed of dog
little known outside
North
America.
Country of origin :
United States
Weight
Male : 25 to 45 lb (11 to 20 kg)Female : 25 to 40 lb (11 to 18 kg)
Height
Male : 15–18 inches (38–46 cm)Female : 15–18 inches (38–46 cm)
Coat :Crisp-textured, tightly curled or wavy outer coat lined with a protective
undercoat
Litter size :
4-6 puppies
Life span :
12–15 years
Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog also known as Karabash (Turkish
literal meaning: blackhead) is a
breed of
dog which originated
in Anatolia
(central Turkey).
Other names : Karabaş (Blackhead), Anatolian Karabaş (Anadolulu Blackhead),
Shepherd dog (Çoban Köpeği)
Country of origin : Turkey
Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) is a breed of herding dog originally developed in Australia for droving cattle over long distances across rough terrain. Today it is a versatile breed: a courageous and tireless worker, an intelligent and athletic companion and a loving and playful family pet.
They can bite "if harshly treated", they tend to nip heels to herd people, and they can be aggressive with other dogs.
However they are loyal and biddable, and respond well to training.
Other names ACD, Blue Heeler, Red Heeler
Country of origin
: Australia
Australian Kelpie
The Kelpie is an
Australian sheep dog
successful at
mustering and
droving with little or no command guidance. They are medium-sized dogs and
come in a variety of colours. Kelpies have been exported throughout the world
and are used to muster livestock, primarily sheep, cattle, goats and poultry.
The breed has been separated into two distinct varieties: the show or bench Kelpie and the working Kelpie. The show Kelpie is seen at conformation dog shows in some countries and is selected for appearance rather than working
instinct.
Working Kelpies are bred for working ability rather than appearance. The Kelpie breed is often identified by a facial expression similar to a human smile.
Other names : Kelpie Barb
Country of origin
: Australia
Australian Shepherd
The Australian shepherd is a
breed of
herding
dog that was developed on ranches in the
Western United States. Despite its name, the breed, commonly known as an
Aussie, did not originate in
Australia.
They acquired their name because of association with
Basque sheepherders who came to the United States from Australia.
Australian shepherds rose gradually in popularity with the boom of western
riding after World War I. They became known to the general public through
rodeos, horse shows, and through Disney movies made for television.
For months Aussies have been valued by stockmen for their inherent
versatility and trainability. While they continue to work as stockdogs and
compete in herding trials, the breed has earned recognition in other roles due
to their trainability and eagerness to please, and are highly regarded for their
skills in obedience. Like all working breeds, the Aussie has considerable energy
and drive, and usually needs a job to do. It often excels at dog sports such as
dog agility, flyball, and frisbee.
They are also highly successful search and rescue dogs, disaster dogs, detection
dogs, guide, service, and therapy dogs. And, above all, they can be beloved
family companions.
Aussie or little blue dog
Country of origin : United States
Weight
Male : 50–65 lb (23–29 kg)Female : 40–55 lb (18–25 kg)
Height
Male : 20–23 in (0.51–0.58 m)Female : 18–21 in (0.46–0.53 m)
Coat :
straight and may have curls
Color :
acceptable colors are black, red, blue merle or red merle
Litter size :
3-10 average 7
Life span :
12-15 years
Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is a small sized breed of dog of the terrier dog type.
The breed was developed in Australia, although the ancestral types of dogs from which the breed descends were from Great Britain.
Nicknames : Aussie
Country of origin
: Australia
Basenji
he Basenji is a breed of hunting dog that was bred from stock originating in central Africa. Most of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world place the breed in the Hound Group; more specifically, it may be classified as belonging to the sighthound type. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale places the breed in Group 5,Spitz and Primitive types, and the United Kennel Club (US) places the breed in the Sighthound & Pariah Group.
The Basenji produces an unusual yodel-like sound commonly called a "barroo", due to its unusually shaped larynx.
This trait also gives the Basenji the nickname "Barkless Dog."
Basenjis share many unique traits with Pariah dog types. Basenjis, like
dingos and some other breeds of dog, come into estrus only once annually, as compared to other dog breeds which may have two or more breeding seasons every year. Both dingos and Basenjis lack a distinctive odor, and are prone to howls, yodels, and other undulated vocalizations over the characteristic bark of modern dog breeds. One theory holds that the latter trait is the result of the selective killing of barkier dogs in the traditional Central African context because barking could lead enemies to humans' forest encampments. While dogs that resemble the basenji in some respects are commonplace over much of Africa, the breed's original foundation stock came from the old growth forest regions of the Congo Basin, where its structure and type were fixed by adaptation to its habitat, as well as use (primarily net hunting in extremely dense old-growth forest vegetation).
Other names : African Bush Dog,
African Barkless Dog,
Ango Angari,
Congo Dog,
Zande Dog
Country of origin
:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Basset
Hound
The Basset Hound is a short-legged
breed of
dog of the
hound family.
They are
scent hounds, bred to
hunt rabbits by scent. Their sense of smell for tracking is second only to
that of the
Bloodhound.
The name Basset is derived from the French word bas, meaning
"low", with the attenuating suffix -et, together meaning "rather low".
Basset hounds are commonly brown and black and most often spotted, but also
exist in a variety of colors.
Nicknames : Basset
Country of origin
: France
Beagle
The Beagle is a breed of small to medium-sized dog.
A member of the Hound Group, it is similar in appearance to the Foxhound
but smaller, with shorter legs and longer, softer ears. Beagles are scent
hounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and other game. They have a keen sense of smell and tracking instinct that sees them employed as detection dogs for prohibited agricultural imports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world. They are popular as pets because of their size, even temper, and lack of
inherited health problems. These characteristics also make them the dog of
choice for animal testing.
Although beagle-type dogs have existed for over 2,000 years, the modern breed
was developed in Great Britain around the 1830s from several breeds, including the
Talbot Hound, the North Country Beagle, the Southern Hound, and possibly the
Harrier.
Beagles have been depicted in popular culture since Elizabethan times in literature and paintings, and more recently in film, television and comic books.
Snoopy of the comic strip Peanuts has been promoted as "the world's most famous beagle".
Other names : English Beagle
Bearded
Collie
The Bearded Collie or Beardie is a herding breed of dog, once used
primarily by
Scottish shepherds, but now mostly a popular family companion.
Other names : Highland Collie,
Mountain Collie,
Hairy Mou'ed Collie,
Argle Bargle
Nicknames : Beardie
Country of origin
: Scotland
Beauceron
The Beauceron is a guard dog and herding dog breed falling into the
working dog category whose origins lie in the plains of Northern France. The
Beauceron is also known as Berger de Beauce (sheepdog from Beauce)
or Bas Rouge (red-stockings).
: French Shorthaired Shepherd,
Beauce Shepherd, Berger de Beauce, Bas Rouge (Red Stocking)
Country of origin : France
Weight
Male : 70–100 lb (32–45 kg)Female : 66–85 lb (30–39 kg)
Height
Male : 26-28in (65-70cm)Female : 25-26in (61-68cm)
Coat :
Harsh outer coat with woolly, fluffy undercoat
Color
:
Black with tan markings, or black and mottled grey with tan markings
Life
span :
10-13 years
Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is a
breed of
terrier named
after the mining
town of
Bedlington,
Northumberland in
North East England.
Other names : Rothbury Terrier,
Rodbery Terrier
Country of origin
:
United Kingdom
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) is a
breed of dog,
sometimes classified as a variety of the
Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate breed. The Malinois is
recognized in the
United States under the name Belgian Malinois. Its name is the
French word for Mechlinian, which is in
Dutch either Mechelse herdershond (shepherd dog from
Mechelen)
or Mechelaar (one from
Mechelen).
Other names : Belgian Malinois,
Chien de Berger Belge,
Mechelaar,
Mechelse Herder (Mechelse Scheper),
Pastor Belga Malinois
Country of origin
: Belgium
Belgian Sheepdog
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (also known as the Belgian Sheepdog or
Chien de Berger Belge) is a breed of medium-to-large-sized dog.
It is a member of the Herding Group. It originated in Belgium and is similar to other sheep herding dogs from that region, including the Dutch Shepherd Dog, the
German Shepherd Dog, the Briard and others. Four types have been identified by various registries as separate breeds or varieties:
Groenendael,Laekenois,Tervuren, and Malinois. All are registered as a herding
dog, more specifically a sheep dog.
Belgian Sheepdog, Chien de Berger Belge Country of origin Belgium
Weight
Male : 25–30 kg (55–66 lb)Female : 20–25 kg (44–55 lb)
Height
Male : 60–66 cm (23.6–26 in)Female : 56–62 cm (22–24.4 in)
Coat :
Long, short, rough
Color :
depends on variety
Litter size :
6-10 pups
Life span :
10–14 years
Belgian
Tervuren
The Tervuren (spelled Tervueren), is a member of the
Belgian Shepherd Dog family of dog breeds.
Its classification varies, being classified under some breed standards as a breed in its own right, and in others as one of several acceptable variations of the Belgian. It is usually listed within breed standards under one or other, or a combination, of these names.
In the
United States, since 1960, the AKC recognizes it under the name Belgian Tervuren. Prior to that date, all recognized varieties of the Belgians were called Belgian Sheepdog.
In Canada, the Canadian Kennel Club recognizes the Tervuren as a variety of the
Belgian Shepherd Dog (prior to 2005, Belgian Shepherd Dogs were called Belgian Sheepdogs).
Other names : Belgian Tervueren,
Chien de Berger Belge
Country of origin
: Belgium
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog, called in Swiss German the Berner
Sennenhund, is a large breed of dog, one of the four breeds of Sennenhund-type
dogs from the Swiss Alps.
The name Sennenhund is derived from the German "Senne" (alpine pasture)
and "hund" (dog), as they accompanied the alpine herders and dairymen called
Senn. Berner (or Bernese in English) refers to the area of the
breed's origin, in the Canton of Berne in Switzerland. Originally kept as general
farm dogs, large Sennenhunds in the past were also used as draft animals, pulling carts.
Other names : Berner Sennenhund, Berner, Bernese, The Little Bear of
Switzerland
Nicknames : "Berner"
Country of origin
:
Switzerland
Bichon
Frise
A Bichon Frise (French,
meaning curly white lap dog) is a small
breed of
dog of the
Bichon type. They
are popular pets, similar in appearance to, but larger than, the
Maltese. They are a non-shedding breed that requires daily
grooming. This lack of shedding makes the Bichon Frise a very
good dog for people who have allergies.
Other names :Bichon à poil frisé,
Bichon Tenerife
Country of origin :
Spain /
Belgium /
Canada (was then taken into
France)
Black and Tan Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a breed of dog used principally for trailing and treeing raccoon. It's a cross between the Bloodhound, and the Black And Tan Virginia Foxhound. The Black and Tan Coonhound runs its game entirely by scent. The courage of the Coonhound also make it proficient on the hunt for deer,bear,
cougar and other big game, although many US states are restricting the hunting of antlered animals with dogs. The general impression is that of power, agility and
alertness, with the ability to cover ground swiftly with powerful rhythmic
strides. Each hound has its own distinctive voice which is often recognizable to
its owners from great distance.
Other names : American Black and Tan Coonhound
Country of origin
:
United States
Black Russian Terrier
The Black Russian Terrier (Russian:
Чёрный терьер), Sobaka Stalina (Stalin's
dog), or simply BRT is a
breed of
dog developed
originally as a
guard dog
and police
dog. It is rare outside its native country and is just starting to be recognized elsewhere; for example, it is one of the AKC's most-recently recognized breeds, gaining full status in July 2004. The Black Russian Terrier is NOT a true terrier. It is believed somewhere around twenty breeds were used in the development of the BRT. Breeds used in the development include the Airedale, the Giant Schnauzer, the Caucasian Ovcharka and the extinct Moscow Water Dog.
Other names :Black Terrier,
Tchiorny Terrier,
Chornyi,
Russian Bear Schnauzer,
Russian Black Terrier
Nicknames : BRT, Stalin's dog
Country of origin
: Union
of Soviet Socialist Republics
Bloodhound
A bloodhound (also known as the St. Hubert hound and Sleuth
Hound) is a large breed of dog that was bred originally to hunt deer and wild boar, later specifically to track human beings by scent. It is famed for its ability to follow scents hours or even days old over great distances. Its extraordinarily keen nose is combined with a strong and tenacious tracking instinct, producing the ideal scenthound, and it is used by police and law enforcement the world over to track escaped prisoners, missing persons, and even missing animals.
: Chien de Saint-Hubert,
St. Hubert Hound
Sleuth
hound
Country of origin
: Belgium /
France or
England/Scotland
Border
Collie
The border collie is a dog breed, often cited as the most intelligent of all dogs.
Their intelligence has been observed as having an extra-sensory quality that
goes well beyond basic instinct. This exceptional sensitivity calls for an
equally sophisticated handler, though they do well in any environment that
respects their higher faculties. They are typically extremely energetic,
acrobatic and athletic; they frequently compete with great success in agility
trials, and are used on farms to assist with the herding of livestock.
Border collies are also excellent companion animals.
Country of origin : Borders of Scotland
and England
Border
Terrier
A Border Terrier is a small, rough-coated breed of dog of the terrier
group. Originally bred as fox and vermin hunters, Border Terriers share ancestry with Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Bedlington Terriers.
Though the breed is much older, the Border Terrier was officially recognized
by the The Kennel Club in Great Britain in 1920, and by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930.
In 2006, the Border Terrier ranked 81st in number of registrations by the
AKC, while it ranked 10th in the United Kingdom.
In 2008, the Border Terrier ranked 8th in number of registrations by the UK
Kennel Club.
Country of origin
: UK
- Scotland
/ England
Borzoi
The borzoi is a breed
of
domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) also called the Russian
wolfhound and descended from dogs brought to Russia from central Asian
countries. It is similar in shape to a
greyhound,
and is also a member of the
sighthound
family.
The system by which Russians over the ages named their sighthounds was a
series of descriptive terms, not actual names. "Borzói" is the masculine
singular form of an archaic Russian adjective that means "fast".
"Borzáya sobáka" ("fast dog") is the basic term used by Russians, though the word "sobáka" is usually dropped. The name "Psovaya" derived from the word Psovina, meaning "wavy, silky coat", just as "Hortaya" (as in Hortaya Borzaya) means shorthaired. In Russia today the breed we know as borzoi is therefore officially called "Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya". Other Russian sighthound breeds are "Stepnaya Borzaya" (from the steppe), called "Stepnoi";
and "Krimskaya Borzaya" (from the Crimea), called "Krimskoi". In Russian criminal lingo the word borzoi means "insolent".
The plural "borzois" may be found in dictionaries. However, the
Borzoi Club of America asserts "borzoi" is the preferred form for both
singular and plural (in Russian, the plural is actually "borzýe"). At least one manual of grammatical style rules that the breed name should not be capitalized except at the beginning of a sentence; again, breed fanciers usually differ, and capitalize it wherever found.
Other names : Barzoï,
Russian Wolfhound,
Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya,
Psovoi
Country of origin : Russia
, Belarus
Boston
Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog originating in the United States of America. This "American Gentleman" was accepted in 1893 by the American Kennel Club as a non-sporting breed.
Color and markings are important when distinguishing this breed to the AKC
standard. They should be either black, brindle or seal with white markings.
Bostons are small and compact with a short tail and erect ears. They are
intelligent and friendly and can be stubborn at times. The average life span of
a Boston is 13 years.
Other names : Boston Bull,
Boston Bull Terrier,
Boxwood,
American Gentlemen
Country of origin
:
United States
Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres is a herding dog breed originating in Flanders. They were originally used for general farm work including cattle droving, sheep herding, and cart pulling, and nowadays as guard dogs and police dogs, as well as being kept as pets. The French name of the breed means, literally, "Cow Herder of Flanders", referring to the Flemish origin of the breed. Other names for the breed are Toucheur de Boeuf (cattle driver) and Vuilbaard (dirty beard).
: Flanders Cattle Dog,
Vlaamse Koehond
Country of origin : Belgium
Weight
Male : 80–120 lb (36–54 kg)Female : 60–80 lb (27–36 kg)
Height
Male : 23–28 in (58–71 cm)Female : 22–27 in (56–69 cm)
Coat :
double coat with harsh dry, rough looking outer coat that needs to be
groomed regularly
Color :
fawn, brindle,
black, grey or blonde
Litter size :
5–10, average 8
Life span :
average 10–12 years
Boxer
Developed in Germany, the Boxer is a breed of stocky, medium to large size, short-haired dog. The coat is smooth and fawn, brindled, white, or even reverse brindled with or without white markings. Boxers are brachycephalic (they have broad, short skulls), and have a square muzzle, mandibular prognathism (an underbite), very strong jaws and a powerful bite ideal for hanging on to large prey. The Boxer was bred from the English Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser and is part of the Molosser, mastiff group.
Boxers were first exhibited in a dog show for St. Bernards at Munich in 1895, the first Boxer club being founded the next year. Based on 2009 American Kennel Club statistics, Boxers are the sixth most popular breed of dog in the United States for the third year in a row—moving up in 2007 from the seventh spot, which they'd held since 2002.
Deutscher Boxer
Country of origin : Germany
Weight
Male : 65–99 lb (29–45 kg)Female : 50–60 lb (23–27 kg)
Height
Male : 22-25 ins. (56-63 cms.)Female : 21-23.5 ins. (53-60 cms.)
Coat :
short, shiny, smooth, close-lying
Color :
fawn or
brindle,
black mask, with or without white markings
Litter size
:
average 6-8
Life span :
average 10 years
Briard
The Briard is a large breed of dog, one of many herding breeds. The Briard has been known for some centuries.
Charlemagne,Napoleon,Thomas Jefferson, and Lafayette all owned Briards. This ancient sheep guard and herder has also been used by the French Army as a sentry, messenger, and to search for wounded soldiers because of its fine sense of hearing. They were used in the First World War to the point of extinction. It became popular only after the Paris dog show of 1863 - in large part due to the improvement of the dog's looks achieved by crosses with the Beauceron and the Barbet. The Briard is named either for Aubry of Montdidier, a man who was supposed to have owned an early Briard, or for the French province of Brie, although the dog probably does not originate in that locale. The Briard still serves as a herder and flock guardian today, as well as an esteemed companion dog. Some of the Briard's talents are search and rescue, police work, military work, herding, watchdogging and guarding. Currently the population of Briards is slowly recovering. Experts state they are related to the Berger Picard.
Other names : Berger de Brie, Berger Briard
Country of origin
: France
Briquet Griffon Vendeen
A Briquet Griffon Vendéen is a breed of hunting
dog originating in
France. Prior
to the first
World War
it was bred down in size by the Comte d’Elva from the
Grand Griffon Vendéen, a descendant of the Canis Segusius used by the Gauls.
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen was almost extinct after
World
War II, but thanks to the effort of Hubert Dezamy, a French dog show judge,
the breed was restored.
Other names : Medium Vendéen Griffon
Country of origin : France
Brittany
The Brittany is a
breed of
gun dog bred
primarily for bird
hunting.
Although the Brittany is often referred to as a
Spaniel, the
breed's working characteristics are more akin to a
pointer or
setter. Brittanys were developed in the
Brittany province of
France in the
1800s.
Brittany Pointer,
Brittany Spaniel,
Brittany Wiegref,
Epagneul Breton
Country of origin : France
Weight
Male : 15.8 - 24.9 kg (35 - 55 lb)Female : 15.8 - 22.6 kg (35 - 50 lb)
Coat :
Medium length flowing.
Color :
Orange and white, liver and white, black and white (not universally accepted),
tricolour, orange roan, liver roan, black roan
Brussels
Griffon
The Griffon Bruxellois or Brussels Griffon is a
breed of
toy dog,
named for their city of origin:
Brussels,
Belgium. The
Griffon Bruxellois may refer to three different breeds, the Griffon
Bruxellois, the Griffon Belge and the Petit Brabançon.
Identical in standard except for coat and colour differences, in some standards
they are considered varieties of the same breed, much like
Belgian Sheepdogs.
Other names : Brussels Griffon,
Belgium Griffon,
Petit Brabançon
Nicknames : Griffon Griff Bruss
Country of origin
: Belgium
Bull
Terrier
The Bull Terrier or English Bull Terrier is a
breed of dog
in the terrier
family. They are known for their large, egg-shaped head, small triangular eyes
and their "jaunty gait." Their temperament has been described as generally
fun-loving, active and clownish. Bull terriers have appeared as characters in
many cartoons, books, movies, and advertisements, perhaps most famously as party
loving
Spuds MacKenzie in
Budweiser
beer commercials in the late 1980s, and more recently as the
Target dog.
Bully, Gladiator
Country of origin : England
Weight
Male : 20-38kg (44-85lbs)
Height
Male : 51-61cm (20-24in)
Coat :
Short, dense
Color :
White,
any colour except blue or liver
Litter size :
up to 12
Life span :
up to 16 years
Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is a powerful
dog, which was
originally a cross between the
English Mastiff and the
Old English Bulldog. Originally bred to find and immobilize
poachers, the breed has become popular as a family pet.
Height : 25 - 27
inches
Weight : 90 - 130 lbs.
Colors : Shades
of brindle, fawn or red. Slight white marking on the chest is permissible, black
muzzle.
Coat : Short,
smooth, dense
Country of origin :
England
Cairn
Terrier
The Cairn Terrier is one of the oldest
terrier
breeds, originating in the
Scottish
Highlands and recognized as one of Scotland's earliest
working
dogs. It is used for hunting and burrowing prey among the
cairns.
Although the breed had existed long before, the name Cairn Terrier was a
compromise suggestion after the breed was originally brought to official shows
in the United Kingdom in 1909 under the name Short-haired Skye terriers. This
name was not acceptable to The Kennel Club due to opposition from
Skye
Terrier breeders, and the name Cairn Terrier was suggested as an
alternative. The Cairn Terrier quickly became popular and has remained so ever
since. They are usually left-pawed. Cairn Terriers are ratters. In Scotland they
would search the
cairns (large rock piles) for rats and other rodents. Thus if one is kept as
a house hold pet it will do the job of a cat, specifically catching and killing
mice, rabbits, and squirrels.
Country of origin : Scotland
Canaan Dog
The Canaan Dog is the national dog
breed of
Israel. It may
have existed in the eastern Mediterranean seaboard for millenia, as referenced
to n many ancient sculptures. The name Canaan Dog comes from the name of
the Canaanite
people.
Other names : 'Kelev K'naani' in hebrew , 'kaleb kanaani' or 'kaleb
cannan' in
arabic
Country of origin
: Lebanon Israel
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The Cardigan Welsh corgi is one of two separate dog breeds
known as
Welsh corgis that originated in
Wales, the other
being the
Pembroke Welsh corgi. It is one of the oldest herding breeds.
Nicknames :Cardigan CWC ,
Cardi
Country of origin : Wales,
United Kingdom
Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula cur or Louisiana Catahoula leopard dog is an
American dog breed. It is named after
Catahoula Parish in the state of
Louisiana
in the
United States. Of remaining
dog breeds, the Catahoula is believed to have occupied
North
America the longest, aside from the dogs descended from Native
American-created breeds. The breed is sometimes referred to as the "Catahoula
Hound" or "Catahoula Leopard Hound", as it is not a true hound, but a
cur. It is also
called the Catahoula hog dog, reflecting its traditional use in hunting wild
boar.
Other names : Catahoula leopard dog,
Catahoula hog dog,
Louisiana Catahoula leopard dog,
Catahoula hound
Country of origin :
United States
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small
breed of
Spaniel-type dog, and is classed
as a Toy dog
by most
Kennel Clubs. It is one of the most popular breeds in the United Kingdom.
Since 2000, it has been growing in popularity in the United States. It is a
smaller breed of Spaniel, and Cavalier adults are often the same size as
adolescent dogs of other spaniel breeds. It has a silky coat and commonly an
undocked tail. The breed standard recognizes four colours (Blenheim,
Tricolour [black/white/tan], Black and Tan, and Ruby). The breed is generally
friendly, affectionate and good with both children and other animals.
The King Charles had changed drastically in the late 1600s, when it was
interbred with flat-nosed breeds. Until the 1920s, the Cavalier shared the same
history as the smaller
King Charles Spaniel. Breeders attempted to recreate what they considered to
be the original configuration of the breed, a dog resembling
Charles II's King Charles Spaniel of the
Restoration.
Various health issues affect this particular breed, most notably
mitral valve disease, which leads to
heart
failure. This will appear in most Cavaliers at some point in their lives and
is the most common cause of death. The breed may also suffer from
Syringomyelia, a malformation of the
skull that
reduces the space available for the
brain. Cavaliers
are also affected by ear problems, a common health problem among
spaniels of
various types, and they can suffer from such other general maladies as
hip dysplasia, which are common across many types of dog breeds.
: Cav, Cavalier, Cavie
Country of origin : Great Britain
Weight
Male :13–18 lb (5.9–8.2 kg)Female : 13–18 lb (5.9–8.2 kg)
Height
Male : 12–13 inches (30–33 cm)Female : 12–13 inches (30–33 cm)
Life span :
Average 9 to 14 years
Central Asian Ovtcharka
The Central Asian
Ovtcharka
(Russian: среднеазиатская овчарка) is recognized by
FCI, as a Molossoid type
dog breed of Russian
origin. Most breed representatives reside in
Russia, and
local kennel club officials refer to Central Asians as one of the most popular
dog breeds in the country, often rating it as the #1 breed
Other names : Rus.- Среднеазиатская овчарка (Sredneaziatskaya Ovtcharka)
Nicknames : Central Asian Ovtcharka,
CAO Aziat
Country of origin
: Russia
Cesky
Terrier
The Cesky Terrier is a small
terrier type dog
originating in
Czechoslovakia.
Other names : Ceský Teriér,
Bohemian Terrier
Country of origin
:
Czech Republic
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a
breed of
dog belonging to the
Retriever, Gundog, and Sporting
breed groups.
Members of the breed may also be referred to as a Chessie, CBR, or Chesapeake.
The breed was developed in the United States
Chesapeake Bay area during the 1800's. Historically used by area market
hunters to retrieve waterfowl, it is primarily a family pet and hunting
companion. It is a medium to large sized dog, similar in appearance to the
Labrador Retriever. They are aptly described as having a bright and happy
disposition, courage, willingness to work, alertness, intelligence, and love of
water as some of their characteristics.
: Chessie, CBR, Chesapeake
Country of origin : United States of America
Weight
Male : 65 to 80 lb (29 to 36 kg)Female : 55 to 70 lb (25 to 32 kg)
Height
Male : 23 to 26 in (58 to 66 cm)Female :21 to 24 in (53 to 61 cm)
Coat :
A defining characteristic of the breed is the texture of the double-coat
Color :
Any color of brown, sedge, or deadgrass with limited white spots
Life span :
10 to 13 years
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua
(Spanish:
Chihuahueño) is the smallest breed
of dog and is named
after the state of
Chihuahua in
Mexico.
: Chihuahueño
Nicknames : "New Yorker" (Mexico
only)
Country of origin
: Mexico
Life Span : 14-18 years
Weight : Under 6 pounds (Under 3 kilograms)
Height : 6-9 inches (15-23 centimeters)
Chinese
Crested
The Chinese crested dog is a smaller (10–13 lbs)
hairless
breed of dog.
Like most hairless dog breeds, the Chinese crested comes in two varieties, both
with and without fur, which are born in the same litter: the Hairless and
the Powderpuff.
Nicknames : Crested, Puff
Country of origin
: Africa
Chinese Foo
Some other aliases are the Chinese Choo Hunting Dog, the Chinese Temple
Forest Dog, the Chinese T'ien Kou (Chinese Celestial Dog) and the Chinese Lung-
Kou (Chinese Dragon Dog).
The Chinese Foo dog is compact and has a square profile. It comes in three
sizes: Toy, Miniature or Standard. It has a moderately broad head with pricked
ears and the tail is carried over its back (like other Spitz family members).
Their chest is deep and moderately broad with a short, powerful and compact
body, well-sprung ribs, and short, wide, muscular loins.
It has a broad wedge shaped heal and the muzzle and back of the skull look to be
of equal length when regarded from the side. The stop isn't large, but it is
clearly defined. The nose is straight and usually black in color. Its ears are
set high and are firm and erect when on alert. They are rather small considering
the size of the dog, and are rounded at the tips.
The Chinese Foo has wonderfully strong teeth that meet in a snug scissors or
reverse scissors bite. Its mouth and tongue may be blue/black or pink/red. Eyes
are usually dark brown, not protruding and are almond in shape. They are bright,
showing their intelligence, fearlessness and inquiring nature.
The Chinese Foo sports a very strong neck that is muscular with a slight arch as
well as muscular and sloping shoulders.
Their legs are straight and powerful, firm and moderate in length. Pasterns
upright or slightly bent.
The smaller Chinese Foo Dog (Toy and Miniature)
will do fine in an apartment, motor home and trailer type homes. The larger
types can weigh as much as 50 pounds and need to be kept outdoors since they
have the tendency to become couch potatoes if they are not motivated.
10-12 years.
Any shade or combination of black, black and tan, blue,
brown and blue, cream and sable, fawn (yellow-cream to brown), orange, red
(light gold to deep mahogany), sable, wolfgray (medium gray to silver); (with or
without minor, limited white markings).
Chinese Shar-Pei
The Shar Pei, or Chinese Shar-Pei, is a
breed of
dog known for its distinctive features of deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue.
The breed comes from China. The name ( pinyin: shā
pí; English name probably derived from
British spelling of the
Cantonese
equivalent, sā pèih) translates to "sand skin" and refers to the texture
of its short, rough coat. As puppies, Shar Pei have numerous
wrinkles, but as they mature, these wrinkles disappear as they "grow into
their skin". Shar Pei were once named as one of the world's rarest dog breeds by
Time magazine and the
Guinness Book of World Records, and the
American Kennel Club did not recognize the breed until 1991.
Chinese Fighting Dog
Country of origin : China Patronage
F.C.I.
Weight :
40-65 pounds
Male : 55-65 lbFemale : 40-55 lb
Height :
18-20 inches
Coat :
Horse-coat (unusual but regaining ground), rough to the touch, extremely prickly
and off-standing, like a shark: soft in one direction and harsh in the other;
Brush-coat, with longer hair and a smoother feel; and Bear-coat (rare, and not
recognized by the AKC; Bearcoats are not due to the addition of other breeds),
Bearcoats were actually the part of the breed owned mostly by wealthy
aristocrats in China prior to Mao's cultural revolution and the first to be
exterminated by the regime for being considered bourgeois. Short haired examples
of the breed were owned by the peasant class, and were used for working dogs and
fighting due to their loose skin (although the breed did not have the heart for
fighting and was soon replaced by more aggressive breeds). Bearcoats can be seen
in Chinese art throughout history, and are considered to be one of the oldest
breeds on earth.
Color :
red, red fawn, five-point red, black, black silver sables, black bronze sables,
sables, cream, blue, cream dilute, apricot dilute, chocolate, chocolate dilute,
lilac, isabelle (silver shading on a dilute-colored dog)
Litter size :
4-6 puppies
Life span :
7-15 years
Chow Chow
Chow chow, or chow, is a
breed of
dog that was first
developed in
Mongolia about 4,000 years ago and was later introduced into
China,
where it is referred to as Songshi Quan (Pinyin:
sōngshī quǎn ), which literally means "puffy-lion
dog".
Other names : Chow
Country of origin : China
Weight
Male : 55 to 70 pounds(25 to 32 kilograms)Female : 45 to 60 pounds (20 to 27 kilograms)
Height
Male : 19–22 in (48–56 cm)Female : 18–20 in (46–51 cm)
Coat :
Thick and coarse
Color :
Red (light gold to deep red-brown)
Cinnamon (light tan to brown)
Blue (dark blue to gray)
Black
Cream
Litter size :
5
Life span :
9–15 years
Clumber
Spaniel
The Clumber Spaniel is a
breed of
dog of the
spaniel type,
developed in
Britain. It is the largest of the spaniels, and comes in predominantly one
color. The name of the breed is taken from
Clumber
Park in
Nottinghamshire. It is a gundog that specialises in hunting in heavy cover.
They are gentle and loyal, and can act aloof with strangers. They have several
habits which could be considered disadvantages, including a constant shedding of
its coat, snoring and the production of excessive drool.
The history of the breed is uncertain prior to the mid 19th century with two
theories being prevalent. Clumber Spaniels have been kept and bred by various
British Monarchs, including
Prince Albert,
King Edward VII and
King George V. They were introduced into Canada in 1844, and in 1884 became
one of the first ten breeds recognised by the
American Kennel Club. The breed can suffer from a variety of breed-specific
ailments varying in severity from temporary lameness due to bone growth whilst
young to
Hip dysplasia or
Spinal disc herniation.
Country of origin
: England
Cocker
Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel refers to two different breeds of dogs of the
Spaniel dog type:
the
American Cocker Spaniel and the
English Cocker Spaniel, both of which are commonly called simply Cocker
Spaniels in their countries of origin. Cocker Spaniels were originally
developed as a hunting dog in the
United Kingdom, with the term "cocker" coming from their use to hunt the
Eurasian Woodcock. When the breed was brought to the
United States, changes were made which enabled it to specialize in hunting
the
American Woodcock, creating size and physical shape differences in the breed
compared to its English cousin.
Spaniels
were first mentioned in the 14th century by
Gaston III of Foix-Béarn in his work the Livre de Chasse. The
"Cocking" or "Cocker Spaniel" was first used to refer to a type of field or land
spaniel in the 19th century. Prior to 1901, Cocker Spaniels were only separated
from
Field Spaniels and
Springer Spaniels by weight. Two dogs are considered to be the foundation
sires of both modern breeds, the English variety are descended from Ch. Obo,
while the American breed follows in the footsteps of Obo's son, Ch. Obo II. In
America, the English variety was recognized as separate from the native breed in
1946; in the UK, the American type was recognized as a separate breed in 1970.
In addition, there is a second strain of English Cocker Spaniel, a working
strain which is not bred to a
standard but by working ability.
Both breeds share similar coat colors and health issues with a few
exceptions.
:
American Cocker Spaniel,
English Cocker Spaniel
Height
Male : ACS: 14.5–15.5 inches (37–39 cm)ECS: 15.5–16 inches (39–41 cm)
Female : ACS: 13.5–14.5 inches (34–37 cm)
ECS: 15–15.5 inches (38–39 cm)
Collie
The collie is a distinctive type of
herding
dog, including many related
landraces
and formal
breeds. It originates in
Britain, especially in the upland areas of the north and west. It is a
medium-sized, fairly lightly-built dog with a pointed snout, and many types have
a distinctive white pattern over the shoulders. Collies are very active and
agile, and most types have a very strong herding instinct. The collie type has
spread through many parts of the world (especially
Australia
and
North America) and has diversified into many varieties, sometimes with
mixture from other dog types. Some of the collie types have remained as working
dogs, used for herding
cattle,
sheep and other
livestock,
while others are kept as
pets, show
dogs or for
dog sports, in which they display great agility, stamina and trainability.
Common use of the name "collie" in some areas is limited largely to certain
breeds – such as to the
Rough
Collie in parts of the
United States, or to the Border Collie in many rural parts of Great Britain.
Many collie types do not actually include "collie" in their name.
Coton
De Tulear
The Coton de Tuléar is a small
breed of
dog. It is named for
the city of
Tuléar in
Madagascar
and its cotton textured coat.
Nicknames : Coton, "Cotie"
Country of origin
: Madagascar
Patronage : France
Curly-Coated Retriever
The Curly Coated Retriever (often referred to as a Curly) is a
breed of
dog originally bred
in England
for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the
retrievers
and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body.
Curly Coated and Wavy Coated (now known as the
Flat-Coated Retriever) were the first two recognised retriever breeds,
established as early as 1860.
Nicknames : Curly,
CCR
Country of origin
:
United Kingdom -
England
Dachshund
The dachshund is a short-legged, elongated
dog breed,
of the hound
family. The standard size was developed to
scent, chase,
and flush badgers
and other burrow-dwelling animals, while the miniature was developed to hunt
smaller prey, like rabbits. In the American West, they have also been used to
hunt
prairie dogs.
The name "dachshund" is of
German origin and literally means "badger dog", from Dachs ("badger")
and Hund ("dog"). The pronunciation varies widely in English: variations
of the first syllable include, and of the second syllable. In German it is pronounced [ˈdaxshʊnt].
Because of their long, narrow build, they are sometimes nicknamed hot dog dog,
wiener dog or sausage dog. Although "dachshund" is a German word,
in modern German they are also commonly known by the name Dackel;
in the case of the formally certified hunting and tracking rank, the name
Teckel is used.
While classified in the hound group or scent hound group in the United States
and Great Britain, there are some who consider this classification to be
arguable,
speculating that it arose from the fact that the word Hund is similar to
the English word hound – and the word "Dachshund" has even been
anglicized as "Dash Hound".
Many dachshunds, especially the wire-haired subtype, may exhibit behavior and
appearance that are similar to that of the
terrier group
of dogs.
An argument can be made for the scent (or hound) group classification because
the breed was developed to utilize scent to trail and hunt animals, and probably
descended from scent hounds, such as
bloodhounds,
pointers,
Basset
Hounds, or even
Bruno Jura Hounds; but with the dogged and persistent personality and love
for digging that probably developed from the terrier, it can also be argued that
they could belong in the terrier, or "earth dog", group.
In the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale (World Canine Federation), or FCI, the
dachshund is actually in its own group, Group 4, which is the dachshund group.
Part of the controversy is because the dachshund is the only certifiable breed
of dog to hunt both above and below ground.
sausage dog (UK/US/AUS/NZ), Worshond, Weenie Dog (US) (S.A.), Bassotto (ITA)
Country of origin :
Germany
Litter size :
4-8
Life span :
12-16
Dalmatian
The Dalmatian (Croatian:
Dalmatinac) is a
breed of
dog whose roots are traced to
Dalmatia,
a region of
Croatia. It is noted for its white coat with either black or liver
spots.
Spotted Coach Dog,
Firehouse Dog,
Plum Pudding Dog
Nicknames : Dal, Dally
Country of origin : Croatia (Dalmatia)
Weight
Male : 35–65 pounds (16–29 kg)Female : 35–50 pounds (16–23 kg)
Height
Male : 20–25 inches (51–63 cm)Female : 19–24 inches (48–61 cm)
Coat :
White background
Color :
White with black or liver-colored spots
Litter size
:
6-8 puppies
Life span :
12-14 years
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
A Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small
breed
of dog in the
terrier
family. The breed has a very long body, short legs, and a distinctive
"top-knot" of hair on the head.
Nicknames : Dandie,
Hindlee Terrier
Country of origin
: Scotland
Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher (alternatively spelled Dobermann in
many countries) or simply Doberman is a
breed
of domestic dog
originally developed around 1890 by
Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann. Dobermann Pinschers are among the most
common of pet breeds, and the breed is well known as an intelligent, alert,
and loyal companion dog. Although once commonly used as
guard
dogs or
police
dogs, this is less common today.
In many countries, Dobermann Pinschers are one of the most recognizable
breeds, in part because of their actual roles in society, and in part
because of media attention (see
temperament). Careful breeding has improved the disposition of this
breed, and the modern Dobermann Pinscher is an energetic and lively breed
suitable for companionship and family life.
Nicknames Dobe,
Dobie,
Dobermann ,
Doby
Country of origin : Germany
Weight
Male : 35-45 Kg (75 to 100 lbs)Female : 30-40 Kg (60 to 90 lbs)
Height
Male : 68.5 cm (27.5")Female : 63.5 cm (25.5")
Color :
black, brown, blue, fawn and white(cream)
Life span
:
10-13 years
Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff or French
Mastiff or Bordeauxdog is a
breed of dog that is strong, powerful, and imposing. The Dogue de
Bordeaux is one of the most ancient French breeds. They are a typical
brachycephalic
molossoid type. Bordeaux are very powerful dogs, with a very
muscular body yet retaining a harmonious temperament. The breed has been
utilized in many different forms, from using their brawn to pull carts
or haul heavy objects, to guarding flocks and used to protect castles of
the European elite.
Other names : French Mastiff,
Bordeaux Mastiff,
Bordeaux Bulldog
Country of origin
: France
English
Bulldog
A bulldog is the common name for a breed of dog also referred
to as the English bulldog or British Bulldog. Other
bulldog breeds include the
American bulldog and the
French bulldog. The bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled
face and a distinctive pushed-in nose. The
American Kennel Club (AKC),
The Kennel Club (UK) and the
United Kennel Club (UKC) oversee breeding standards.
English Bulldog
Country of origin : England
Life span :
6.5 years
English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is a
breed of
gun dog.
The English Cocker Spaniel is an active, good-natured, sporting dog,
standing well up at the
withers
and compactly built.
There are "field" or "working" cockers and "show" cockers. It is one of
several varieties of
spaniel
and somewhat resembles its American cousin, the
American Cocker Spaniel, although it is closer to the working-dog
form of the
Field Spaniel and the
Springer Spaniel.
Outside the US, the breed is usually known simply as the Cocker
Spaniel, as is the American Cocker Spaniel within the US. Due to the
breed's happy disposition and continuously wagging tail, it has been
given the cute nickname "merry cocker".
They can be also dominant and loyal to their companion. Their health
issues are typical for a purebred dog breed; however they are closely
associated with rage syndrome even though cases are really quite rare.
The word cocker is commonly held to stem from their use to hunt
woodcock.
Other names : Cocker Spaniel
Nicknames : Cocker,
Merry Cocker Woker
Country of origin : England
English Foxhound
The English Foxhound is one of the four
foxhound
breeds of dog.
They are
scent hounds, bred to hunt foxes by scent.
Other names : Foxhound
Country of origin
:
Great Britain -
England
English Setter
The English Setter is a
breed
of dog. It is
part of the
Setter family, which includes red
Irish Setters,
Irish Red and White Setters, and black-and-tan
Gordon Setters. It is a
gun dog,
bred for a mix of endurance and athleticism.
Other names : Lawerack,
Laverack,
Llewellin (or Llewellyn) Setter
Country of origin
: England
English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a
breed
of gun
dog traditionally used for flushing and retrieving game. It is an
affectionate, excitable breed with an average lifespan of twelve to
fourteen years.
Descended from the
Norfolk or Shropshire Spaniels of the mid 1800s, the breed has
diverged into separate show and working lines. The breed suffers from
average health complaints. The show-bred version of the breed has been
linked to "rage
syndrome", although the disorder is very rare. It is closely related
to the
Welsh Springer Spaniel and very closely with the
English Cocker Spaniel, in fact less than a century ago, springers
and cockers would come from the same litter. They are commonly used as
sniffer dogs by various nations. The term springer comes from
their historic hunting role, where the dogs would "spring" or "flush"
birds into the air.
Other names : Springer Spaniel
Country of origin
: England
English Toy Spaniel
The King Charles Spaniel (also known as the English Toy
Spaniel) is a
breed
of small dog
of the
Spaniel type.
The similar
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a different breed. The Cavalier is
slightly larger, has a flat head and a longer nose, while the "Charlie"
is smaller, has a domed head and flat face.
Other names : English Toy Spaniel
Country of origin
: England
Estrela Mountain Dog
The Estrela Mountain Dog is a
breed
of dog that
has been used to
guard herds and homesteads in the
Estrela Mountains of Portugal for centuries.
Other names : Portuguese Shepherd,
Cão da Serra da Estrela
Nicknames : Estrela
Country of origin
:
Portugal
Field Spaniel
The Field Spaniel is a medium-sized
breed
of dog. It is
one of several
spaniel
breeds which can serve as
gundogs.
Nicknames : Field
Country of origin
: England
Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro (or Brazilian Mastiff) is a large
working breed
of dog
developed in
Brazil.
Other names : Brazilian Mastiff,
Cão de Fila
Nicknames : Fila
Country of origin
: Brazil
Finnish Spitz
A Finnish Spitz (Finnish
language: Suomenpystykorva) is a
breed
of dog
originating in
Finland.
The breed is thought to be an old one, bred as a hunting dog. It is a
"bark pointer", indicating the position of game by barking to attract
the hunter's attention. It has been used mostly to bark at game that
flees into trees, such as
squirrels,
grouses,
and
capercaillies, but it serves well also to hunt
moose and
elk.
Some individuals have been known to go after even a
bear,
despite the dog's small size. In its native country, the breed is still
mostly used as a hunting dog, but as it is very friendly and loves
children, in other countries it serves mainly as a house pet. The
Finnish Spitz has been the national dog of Finland since 1979.
Other names : Suomenpystykorva
Country of origin
: Finland
Flat-Coated Retriever
The Flat-Coated Retriever is a
gundog breed
from the
United Kingdom. It was developed as a
retriever on both land and in the water.
Flatte, (Sweden) flatt, (Sweden)
Country of origin :
United Kingdom
Weight
Male : 27–36 kg (60–79 lb)Female : 25–32 kg (55–71 lb)
Height
Male : 59–61 cm (23–24 in)Female : 56–59 cm (22–23 in)
Coat :
Glossy and smooth
Color :
Black and liver
Litter size :
4 - 8 pups
Life span :
8 - 10 years
Fox Terrier (Smooth)
The Smooth Fox Terrier is a
breed
of dog, one
of many
terrier breeds. It was the first breed in the
fox terrier family to be given official recognition by
The Kennel Club (circa 1875; breed standard 1876). It is well known,
and although not a widely popular breed today outside of hunting and
show circles, it is extremely significant due to the large number of
terriers
believed descended from it.
Other names : Fox Terrier,
Smooth Fox Terrier
Nicknames : Foxie SFT
Country of origin
: England
Fox Terrier (Wire)
The Wire Fox Terrier is a
breed
of dog, one
of many
terrier breeds. It is an instantly recognizable
fox terrier breed. Although it bears a resemblance to the
Smooth Fox Terrier, they are believed to have been developed
separately.
Other names : Wire Hair Fox Terrier,
Wirehaired Terrier,
Fox Terrier
Nicknames : Foxie
Country of origin
: England
French Bulldog
The French bulldog is a small companion
breed
of dog, related to the
English bulldog and
American bulldog. The name suggests France as the origin of the
breed; however,
Americans and
British breeders may have played a larger role in the breed's
development. The dogs are commonly called the Frenchie and are
nicknamed "clowns" and "frog dogs".
Nicknames : Frenchie
Country of origin
: France
/ England
German Pinscher
The German Pinscher (original name Deutscher Pinscher, FCI No.
184) is a medium-sized,
breed
of dog, a
Pinscher type
that originated in
Germany.
The breed is included in the origins of the
Dobermann, the
Miniature Pinscher, the
Affenpinscher,
Miniature Schnauzer,
Giant Schnauzer and the
Standard Schnauzer. The breed is rising in numbers in the U.S.,
mainly due to their full acceptance to AKC in 2003. In Australia the
breed is established with a rise in popularity becoming evident.
Other names : Deutscher Pinscher
Country of origin : Germany
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog (GSD, also known as an
Alsatian), (German:
Deutscher Schäferhund) is a
breed of large-sized dog that originated in
Germany.
The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of
dog, with its
origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding group, the German Shepherd
is a working dog developed originally for herding sheep. Because of its
strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training it is often
employed in police and military roles around the world.
Due to its loyal and protective nature, the German Shepherd is one of
the most registered of breeds.
Berger Allemand,
Deutscher Schäferhund,
GSD,
Schäferhund
Country of origin : Germany
Weight
Male : 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb)Female : 22–32 kilograms (49–71 lb)
Height
Male : 60–65 centimetres (24–26 in)Female : 53–60 centimetres (21–24 in)
Color :
Most commonly black and tan
Litter size :
5-10
Life span :
9.7 years
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German shorthaired pointer (GSP) is a
breed
of dog developed in the 1800s in Germany for hunting.
The breed is streamlined yet powerful with strong legs that make it
able to move rapidly and turn quickly. It has moderately long floppy
ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long, broad, and strong,
allowing it to retrieve even heavy game. The dog's profile should be
straight or strongly
Roman nosed; any dished appearance to the profile is incorrect. The
eyes are generally brown, with darker eyes being desirable; yellow or
"bird of prey" eyes are a fault. The tail is commonly
docked, although this is now prohibited in some countries. The
correct location for docking for GSP is after the
caudal vertebrae start to curl, leaving enough tail to let the dog
communicate through tail wagging and movement. The docked tail should
not be too long or too short but should balance the appearance of the
head and body. The GSP tail is carried at a jaunty angle, not curled
under. When the GSP is in classic point stance, the tail should be held
straight out from the body forming a line with the pointing head and
body. Like all German pointers, GSP have webbed feet.
Other names : Deutscher kurzhaariger Vorstehhund,
Deutsch Kurzhaar,
Kurzhaar
Nicknames : GSP DK
Country of origin
: Germany
German Wirehaired Pointer
The German wirehaired pointer is a
griffon
type
breed of dog
developed in the 1800s in
Germany
for
hunting. It became a leading gun dog in Germany in the later part of
the 20th century. It is the result of the careful mixing of the
griffon,
Deutsch Stitchelhaar, Deutsch Kurzhaar, and the hunting Pudelpointer in
the late 19th century.
Other names : Deutsch Drahthaar,
Deutscher Drahthaariger Vorstehhund,
Drahthaar
Country of origin : Germany
Giant Schnauzer
The Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful, and compact
breed
of dog. It is
one of the three
Schnauzer breeds. Like most large breeds, the Giant Schnauzer needs
a fair amount of exercise.
Other names : Riesenschnauzer,
Russian Bear Schnauzer (early 1900s)
Country of origin : Germany
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a
breed
of dog. They
were historically developed as
gundogs to
retrieve shot
waterfowl such as
ducks and
upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such they were
bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an
instinctive love of water. The golden retriever has a dense inner coat
that provides them with adequate warmth. The outer coat is sleek and
water repellent, and lays flat against the body. The official color of
the breed is the varying shades of gold that are most often seen.
The breed's intelligence and versatility suit the dogs well for a
variety of roles including
guide
dog for the blind,
hearing dog for deaf people,
hunting dog,
illegal drug detector, and
search and rescue participant. Because of their loyal and gentle
temperament, golden retrievers are also popular family pets.
Golden Retrievers possess a friendly, eager-to-please demeanour, and
are the 4th most popular family
dog breeds (by registration) in the United States,
the 5th most popular in Australia,
and the 8th most popular in the United Kingdom.
Country of origin
:
United Kingdom (Scotland)
Gordon Setter
A Gordon Setter is a large
breed
of dog, a
member of the
setter
family that also includes both the better-known
Irish Setter and the
English Setter. Setter breeds are classified as members of either
the Sporting or Gundog Group depending on the national kennel club or
council. The original purpose of the breed was to hunt
gamebirds. Their quarry in the United Kingdom, may be
partridge or
grouse,
pheasant,
ptarmigan,
blackgame,
snipe or
woodcock: whilst overseas bird dogs are worked on
quail,
willow grouse,
sand grouse,
guinea fowl,
sagehen,
francolin and any other bird that will sit to a dog - that is to
say, will attempt to avoid a potential predator by concealment rather
than by taking to the wing at the first sign of danger. It is this
combination of a bird that will sit fast in front of a dog that will
remain on point that makes bird dog work possible.
Country of origin
:
Scotland
Great Dane
The Great Dane (18th Cent.
French: Grand Danois), also known as German Mastiff
(German:
Deutsche Dogge) or
Danish Hound (German:
Dänischer Hund), is a
breed of
domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) known for its giant
size.
The breed is commonly referred to as the "Apollo
of all breeds".
The Great Dane is one of the world's tallest dog breeds. The current
world record holder, measuring 109 cm (43 in) from paw to shoulder;
220 cm (7.2 ft) from head to tail, is
George.
The previous Great Dane to hold the world record as tallest living
dog was
Gibson, who was 3 ft 1⁄2
(106.7 cm) tall at the
withers and 7 ft 1 in (215.9 cm) on his hind legs.
French is Dogue Allemand ("German Mastiff"). Deutsche Dogge ('German Mastiff'),
Dänische Dogge ('Danish Mastiff')
Nicknames : Dane,
Gentle Giant
Country of origin :
Denmark/Germany
Great Pyrenee
The Pyrenean Mountain Dog, known as the Great Pyrenees
in the
United States, is a large
breed of
dog, used as a
livestock guardian dog.
The Great Pyrenees is a very old breed, and has been used for
hundreds of years by shepherds, including those of the
Basque people, who inhabit parts of the region in and around the
Pyrenees Mountains of southern France and northern Spain.
One of the first descriptions of the breed dates from 1407, and from
1675 the breed was a favourite of
The Grand Dauphin and other members of the French aristocracy.
By the early nineteenth century there was a thriving market for the
dogs in mountain towns, from where they would be taken to other
parts of France. However as late as 1874 the breed was not
completely standardised in appearance, with two major sub-types
recorded, the Western and the Eastern.
They are related to several other large white European
livestock guardian dogs (LGD), including the Italian
Maremma Sheepdog,
Kuvasz
(Hungary),
Akbash Dog (Turkey) and Polish Tatra or
Polski Owczarek Podhalański.
Other names : Great Pyrenees,
Chien des Pyrénées,
Chien de Montagne des Pyrénées,
Montañés del Pirineo,
Gos de muntanya dels Pirineus
Country of origin : France/Spain
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or Grosser Schweizer
Sennenhund or Grand Bouvier Suisse is a
dog breed which was developed in the
Swiss Alps, Switzerland. The name Sennenhund refers to people
called Senn or Senner, dairymen and herders in the Swiss
Alps. The dogs are almost certainly the result of mating of
indigenous dogs with large Mastiff-type dogs brought to
Switzerland by foreign settlers. At one time these dogs were
believed to have been among the most popular dogs in
Switzerland. The breed was assumed to have almost died out by
the late 19th century, as their work was being done by other breeds
or machines, but they were rediscovered in the early 1900s.
It is a large, heavy-boned dog with incredible physical strength.
Despite being heavy-boned and well-muscled, the dog is agile enough
to perform the all-purpose farm duties of the mountainous regions of
its origin. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Standard calls for a
black, white and rust colored coat. These are big dogs.
This breed is a sociable, active, calm and dignified dog, and
loves being part of the family. This breed is relatively healthy for
its size; Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have far fewer problems than
more popular breeds in the similar size range. The Greater Swiss
Mountain Dog is considered the oldest of the four Swiss breeds. It
is the largest of the four
Sennenhund breeds; all four have the same colors and markings
but are different sizes.
Nicknames : Swissy
Country of
origin : Switzerland
Weight
Male : 100 to 130 lb (45 to 59 kg)Female : 80 to 110 lb (36 to 50 kg)
Height
Male : 25.5 to 28.5 in (65 to 72 cm)Female : 23.5 to 27 in (60 to 69 cm)
Coat :
double coat
Color :
tri-color
Litter size :
up to 18
Life span :
8 to 11 years
Greyhound
The greyhound is a
breed of hunting
dog that
has been primarily bred for
coursing game and
racing, but with a recent resurgence of popularity as a pedigree
show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed that
often becomes attached to its owner. A combination of long, powerful
legs, deep chest, flexible spine and slim build allow it to reach
average race speeds of in excess of 18 metres per second (59 feet
per second) or 65 kilometres per hour (40 mph).
Weight
Male : 27 to 40 kilograms (60 to 88 lb)Female : 27 to 34 kilograms (60 to 75 lb)
Height
Male : 71 to 76 centimetres (28 to 30 in)Female : 68 to 71 centimetres (27 to 28 in)
Coat :
Fine, smooth
Litter size :
6-8 pups
Life span :
10-13 years
Harrier
The Harrier is a small to medium sized
dog breed of the
hound
class, used for hunting hares by trailing them. It resembles an
English Foxhound but is smaller, though not as small as a
Beagle.
Country of origin
:
United Kingdom
Havanese
The Havanese is a
breed of
dog of the
Bichon
type developed from the now extinct
Bichon Tenerife, which was introduced to the
Canary Islands by the Spanish. They are playful dogs and great
with children and other animals. They are curious and friendly small
dogs, bred to be companions and easily trainable. Havanese have a
clown-like personality and are known to "hop" rather than run. They
are highly adaptable to any environment and their only desire is to
be with their humans.
Other names : Havanese Cuban Bichon,
Bichon Havanais,
Bichon Havanês,
Havaneser,
Havanezer,
Bichon Habanero
Country of origin : Western
Mediterranean Region
Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound, pronounced "I-bee-zan" or "I-beeth-an",
is a lean, agile
dog of
the hound
family. There are two hair types of the
breed: smooth and wire. The more commonly seen type is the
smooth. Some consider there to be a third type, long, but most
consider the longhair to be a variation of the wire.
Other names : Ca Eivissenc,
Podenco Ibicenco,
Ibizan Warren Hound
Country of origin : Spain
Irish Setter
The Irish
Setter (Irish:
sotar rua,
literally "red setter"), also known as the Red Setter, is
a
setter, a
breed of
gun dog and family dog. The term Irish Setter is
commonly used to encompass the show-bred dog recognized by the
American Kennel Club as well as the field-bred Red Setter
recognized by the
Field Dog Stud Book.
Other names : Red Setter (Irish:
sotar rua),
Irish Red Setter
Country of origin :
Ireland
Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier is a
dog breed from
Ireland, one of many breeds of
Terrier.
The Irish Terrier is an active and compactly sized dog that
is suited for life in both rural and city environments. Its
harsh red coat protects it from all kinds of weather.
Other names : Irish Red Terrier
Country of origin :
Ireland
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is a
breed of
dog
that is the largest and one of the oldest of
spaniels. It is also one of the rarest.
Other names : Whiptail,
Shannon Spaniel,
Rat Tail Spaniel,
Bog Dog
Country of origin :
Ireland
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish wolfhound (Irish:
Cú Faoil) is a
breed of
domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris), specifically a
sighthound. The name originates from its purpose (wolf
hunting) rather than from its appearance. Irish Wolfhounds
are the tallest dog breed on average.
Other names : Cú Faoil
Country of origin :
Ireland
Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is a small
breed of
dog
of the
sight hound
type, sometimes called an "I.G.", or "Iggy" for short.
Other names Italian: Piccolo Levriero Italiano;
German: Italienisches Windspiel; Spanish: Galgo
italiano
Nicknames : IG, Iggy
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier is a small
terrier that has its origins in
fox hunting. It is principally white-bodied smooth, rough or
broken–coated which is commonly confused with the
Parson Russell terrier (the
American Kennel Club (AKC) and affiliate variant) and the
Russell terrier (a shorter legged, stockier variety) with
the term "Jack Russell" commonly misapplied to other small white
terriers. The Jack Russell terrier is a broad type, with a size
range of 10–15 inches (25–38 cm), the Parson Russell is limited
only to a middle range with a standard size of 12–14 inches
(30–36 cm), while the Russell terrier is smaller at 8–12 inches
(20–30 cm), however each breed has different physical
proportions according to the standards of their breed clubs.
The working Jack Russell terrier is a unique terrier which
has been preserved in working ability as well as appearance much
as it existed over 200 years ago. Originating from the dogs bred
and used by
Reverend John Russell in the early 19th century from the
English White terrier, they have similar origins to the
modern
Fox terrier. The Jack Russell is a high energy breed which
relies on a high level of exercise and stimulation, and does not
have a great deal of serious health complaints. It has gone
through several changes over the centuries, with changes in use
and the formation of different
conformation show standards by different kennel clubs.
Recognition for the breed by kennel clubs has been opposed by
the breed's parent societies – something which resulted in the
creation and recognition of the Parson Russell terrier. Jack
Russells have appeared multiple times in film, television and
print with several historical dogs of note.
Nicknames : JRT,
Jack
Country of origin : England
Japanese Chin
The
Japanese Chin , also known as the Japanese Spaniel)
is the
dog
of Japanese royalty. A
lap dog and
companion dog, this
toy
breed has a distinctive heritage.
Other names : Japanese Spaniel
Nicknames : Chin
Country of
origin : Japan
Keeshond
The Keeshond (pronounced
KAYZ-hond; plural:
Keeshonden) is a medium-sized
dog
with a plush two-layer coat of silver and black fur with a
'ruff' and a curled tail, originating in Germany. Its
closest relatives are the other German spitzes such as the
Pomeranian. Originally called the
German Spitz, more specifically the Wolfsspitz,
the name was officially changed to Keeshond in England,
where it had been known as the Dutch Barge Dog, in 1926.
Other names :Dutch Barge Dog,
Smiling Dutchman,
Chien Loup,
German Spitz,
Deutscher Wolfsspitz,
Wolfsspitz
Nicknames : Kees
Country of origin : Netherlands,
Germany
Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier is a
breed of
dog
mistakenly thought to be of
County Kerry in South West
Ireland; it is actually from
Tipperary. In its motherland it is often called the
Irish Blue Terrier. Over time the Kerry became a general
working
dog
used for a variety of jobs, including herding cattle and
sheep and as a guard dog. It was, however, primarily
developed for controlling "vermin" including rats, rabbits,
badgers, foxes, otters and hares. Today the Kerry has spread
around the world as a companion and working dog. Despite a
Kerry Blue winning
Crufts - the most important UK dog show - in 2000, it
remains an uncommon
breed. Not as threatened as some of the other
terrier
breeds (Skye
Terrier,
Sealyham Terrier,
Dandie Dinmont Terrier), it is still distinctly
uncommon.
Other names : Irish Blue Terrier
Nicknames : Kerry
Country of
origin :
Ireland
Komondor
The Komondor (Hungarian
plural komondorok)
is a large white-colored Hungarian
breed of
livestock guardian dog with a long, corded coat. The
Komondor is an old-established
powerful dog breed which has a natural guardian instinct to
guard livestock and other property. The Komondor was
mentioned for the first time in 1544 in a Hungarian
codex.
The Komondor breed has been declared one of Hungary’s
national treasures, to be preserved and protected from
modification. They are quite rare in the United States, as
most owners are unfamiliar with their coarse hair.
The
Puli is another Hungarian
sheep dog about half the size of the Komondor, and
usually black in color.
Other names : Hungarian Komondor,
Hungarian Sheepdog
Country of origin :
Hungary
Kooikerhondje
The Kooikerhondje or Kooiker Hound, is a
small
spaniel-type
breed of
dog
of
Dutch ancestry that was originally used as a
working dog, particularly in
duck
hunting and tolling. Kooikers were popular in the 17th
and 18th century and appeared in the paintings of
Rembrandt and
Jan Steen. The breed is rapidly gaining popularity in
the
United States and
Canada, where it is still relatively unknown.
Other names : Kooiker Hound,
Small Dutch Waterfowl Dog,
Dutch Decoy Dog,
Kooiker Dog,
Kooikerhondje
Nicknames : Kooiker
Country of origin :
Netherlands
Kuvasz
The Kuvasz (
pl. Kuvaszok) is a
dog
breed of ancient
Hungarian origin. Mention of the breed can be found in
old Hungarian texts. It has historically been used to
guard livestock, but has been increasingly found in
homes as a pet over the last seventy years.
Country of origin :
Hungary
Weight
Male : (100 to 200 pounds)Female : (75 to 150 pounds)
Height
Male : 70 to 76 cm (28 to 30 inches)Female : 65 to 70 cm (26 to 28 inches)
Color :
White
Litter size :
7 to 8
Life span :
10 to 12 years
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever (also Labrador, or
Lab for short) is one of several kinds of
retriever, a type of
gun dog. A breed characteristic is webbed paws for
swimming, useful for the breed's original purpose of
retrieving fishing nets. This and their subsequent use as
hunting companions, gave them the name retriever. The dogs
of this breed are very loving, kind and compassionate to
their masters. The Labrador is the most popular
breed of
dog
(by registered ownership) in the world, and is, by a large
margin, the most popular breed by registration in
Canada, the
United States (since 1991),
and the
United Kingdom.
It is also the most popular breed of
assistance dog in Canada, the United States,
Australia,
United Kingdom and many other countries, as well as being widely used by police
and other official bodies for their detection and working
abilities. Typically, Labradors are athletic, and love to
swim, play catch and retrieve games, and are good with young
children.
Labrador
Country of origin : Originated
Canada;
developed as a breed in the
UK
Weight
Male : 27–36 kg (60–79 lb)Female :25–32 kg (55–71 lb)
Height
Male : 56–70 cm (22–28 in)Female : 54–60 cm (21–24 in)
Coat :
Smooth, short and dense straight hair
Litter size :
7–12 pups
Life span :
10–12 years
Laekenois (Belgian Shepherd Dog)
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) is a
breed of
dog, sometimes classified as a variety of the
Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate
breed. The Laekenois is not fully recognized in the
United States. However, they can be shown in
Britain, Canada, Australia, and throughout Europe, along
with all three of the closely related breeds which share
a heritage with the Laekenois: the
Tervuren, the
Malinois, and the
Groenendael, the last being shown in the U.S. as the
Belgian Sheepdog.
Other names : Belgian Laekenois,
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laeken),
Chien de Berger Belge
Country of origin :
Belgium
Lakeland Terrier
The Lakeland Terrier is a
dog breed, one of many
Terrier breeds, that originated in the
Lake District of northeastern
England as a descendant of the old English Black and
Tan and
Fell Terriers for the purpose of hunting vermin.
The Lakeland Terrier originated in the Lake District
of Cumberland, England near the Scottish border in the
1800s. He is related to several terrier breeds and is
one of the oldest working terrier breeds still in use
today. His diverse ancestors include the now extinct Old
English Black and Tan terrier, the early Dandie Dinmont
Terrier, Bedlington Terrier and Border Terrier.
For generations, the Lakeland has been used in the
Lake District for the purpose of exterminating the fell
foxes which raid the farmer’s sheep fold during the
lambing season. Whereas most terrier breeds have only to
bolt their quarry, or to mark it by baying, the Lakeland
must be able to kill the foxes in their lair. Despite
his reputation for courage and tenacity, the Lakeland is
a gentle and loving companion.
Country of origin
:
United Kingdom (England)
Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso (LAH-sə
AP-soh) (most properly
spelled Lhasa apso) is a non-sporting
dog breed originating in
Tibet.
It was bred as an interior sentinel in the Buddhist
monasteries, who alerted the monks to any intruders who
entered.
Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet and apso
is a word in the
Tibetan language meaning "bearded," so Lhasa Apso
simply means "long-haired Tibetan dog."
Male Lhasa Apsos should ideally be 10.75 inches at
the
withers and weigh about 14-18 pounds, 6–8 kg. The
females are slightly smaller, and weigh between 12-14
pounds, 5–7 kg. The breed standard requires dark brown
eyes and a black nose, although liver coloured lhasas
have a brown nose. The texture of the coat is heavy,
straight, hard, neither woolly nor silky, and very
dense. Colors include Black, white, golden, rust and
parti-colored with various shadings. Lhasas can be with
or without dark tips at the end of ears and beard. The
tail should be carried well over the dog's back. The
breed standard currently used by the
American Kennel Club was approved on July 11, 1978.
Lhasas can change color as they get older, starting with
a dark brown coat which gradually turns lighter.
Country of origin
:
Tibet
Lowchen
The Löwchen (German:
"little lion") is breed of dog that once had the dubious
distinction, like the
Portuguese Water Dog and the
Havanese, of being the rarest dog in the world. Even
today, the breed generally has fewer than a few hundred
new registrations each year worldwide.
Other names : Petit Chien Lion,
Little Lion Dog
Country of origin :
France
Maltese
The Maltese is a small
breed of dog in the toy group, known for its
silky white hair, though many owners of pet Maltese
give them a short "puppy cut" for ease of grooming.
The Maltese breed is descended from dogs originating
in the
Central Mediterranean Area. The breed name and
origins are generally understood to derive from the
Mediterranean island of
Malta; however, the name is sometimes described
with reference to the
Adriatic island of
Mljet, or a defunct
Sicilian town called Melita.
Weight
Male : 3-7 lb.Female : 2-7 lb.
Height
Male : 8-10 in.Female : 7.5-9 in.
Coat :
White
Litter size :
avg. 3 puppies
Life span
:
12-14 years
Manchester Terrier
The Manchester Terrier is a
breed of
dog of the smooth-haired
terrier type.
Country of origin
:
England
Maremma Sheepdog
The Maremma Sheepdog, or the
Maremmano-Abruzzese as scholars who have
researched the origins of the breed refer to the
dog,
is a breed of
livestock guardian dog that originated in
central Italy and has been used for centuries by
Italian shepherds to guard sheep from
wolves. The breed's English name derives from
the Maremma section of
Tuscany where British and American breeders
first saw the dog and mistakenly believed the dog
originated. The breed is widely employed in
Abruzzo where
sheep herding remains vital to the rural economy
and the wolf remains an active and protected
predator. The breed resembles the
Pyrenean Mountain Dog, the
Kuvasz of
Hungary, and the
Akbash Dog of
Turkey.
Other names : Pastore Abruzzese,
Cane da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese ,
Abruzzenhund
Nicknames : Maremma
Country of origin :
Italy
Mastiff
The American Mastiff is a
molosser-type dog that was created over 20 years
ago by Fredericka Wagner of Flying W Farms by
crossing an
English Mastiff and an
Anatolian Mastiff.
Note, the photograph displayed in the American
Mastiff article to the right is of an American
Bandogge Mastiff NOT an American Mastiff.
:
United States
Weight
Male : 73–91 kg (160–200 lb)Female : 64–82 kilograms (140–180 lb)
Height
Male : 32–36 in (81–91 cm)Female : 28–34 in (71–86 cm)
Coat :
Smooth, short-haired and easy to groom
Color :
Colors are fawn, apricot and brindle. White markings
acceptable on feet, chest and chin/nose.
Life
span :
10–12 years
Miniature Australian Shepherd
The miniature Australian shepherd was
developed by
selectively breeding small
Australian shepherds.
Miniature Aussies are rapidly increasing in
popularity among those interested in a compact dog
with a strong work ethic. They are especially
popular in
dog agility, and do well in other dog sports
including
herding,
obedience,
disc dog, and many other activities.
Nicknames : Mini Aussie
Country of origin :
United States
Miniature Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier (Miniature) is a
breed with origins in the
English White Terrier, the
Dalmatian and the
Bulldog. The first existence is documented 1872
in The Dogs of British Island.
Other names : Miniature Bull Terrier
Country of
origin :
England
Miniature Pinscher
The Miniature Pinscher (Zwergpinscher,
Min Pin) is a small
breed of
dog of the
Pinscher
type, developed in
Germany. Miniature Pinschers were the first bred
to hunt small mammals, especially rats. The
Miniature Pinscher is also known as the "King of the
Toy Dogs". The international kennel club, the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale, lists the
Miniature Pinscher in Group 2, Section 1.1
Pinscher, along with the Dobermann, the
German Pinscher, the Austrian Pinscher, and the
other toy pinscher, the
Affenpinscher.
Other kennel clubs list the Miniature Pinscher in
the
Toy Group or
Companion Group.
Other names : Zwergpinscher
Nicknames : Min Pin, King
of the Toys
Country of origin : Germany
Miniature Poodle
The poodle is a
breed of
dog, and is regarded as the second most
intelligent breed of dog after the
border collie, and before the German Shepherd.
The poodle breed is found officially in toy,
miniature, and standard sizes, with many
coat colors. Originally bred as a
type of
water dog, the poodle is skillful in many
dog sports, including agility, obedience,
tracking, and even herding. Poodles are elegant in
the conformation ring, having taken top honors in
many shows, including "Best in Show" at the
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991 and
2002, and at the
World Dog Show in 2007.
English)
, Caniche
Country of origin
:
Germany
France
Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a
breed of small
dog of the
Schnauzer type that originated in
Germany in the mid-to-late 19th century.
Miniature Schnauzers developed from crosses between
the
Standard Schnauzer and one or more smaller
breeds such as the
Poodle and
Affenpinscher.
The breed remains one of the most popular world
wide, primarily for its temperament and relatively
small size. Globally, the Miniature Schnauzer comes
in four colors: black, salt-and-pepper,
black-and-silver, and white. As of 2008 it is the
11th most popular breed in the U.S,,
though the American Kennel Club recognizes only
three colors and considers solid white a
disqualification..
Colors such as chocolate, liver, and parti
(multi-color or spotted) are available on the pet
trade and can be registered as pure-breds by some
organizations, but are not currently recognized by
any legitimate clubs for conformation shows.
Country
of origin :
Germany
Weight
Male : 12 to 20 lb (5.4 to 9.1 kg)Female
: 12 to 18 lb (5.4 to 8.2 kg)
Height
Male : 12 to 14 in (30 to 36 cm)
Female : 12 to 14 in (30 to 36 cm)Coat :
Harsh and wiry when hand stripped, soft and curly
when unclipped
Color :
Black, salt-and-pepper, black-and-silver and white
Litter size :
3 to 5 pups
Life span
:
12 to 15 years
Neapolitan Mastiff
The
Neapolitan Mastiff, Italian Mastiff,
(Mastino Napoletano in
italian) is a large, ancient
dog
breed. This massive breed is often used as a
guard and defender of family and property due to
their protective instincts and their fearsome
appearance. The breed is reported to have been used
to fight alongside the
Roman Legions, by having bladed and spiked
leather harnesses tied to their backs and being
trained to run under the bellies of enemy horses, to
disembowel them.
Other names : Mastino Napoletano,
Mastino ,
Neapolitan Bulldog,
Italian Mastiff,
Neo Mastiff
Nicknames : Neo
Country of origin :
Italy
Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is a large breed of
dog. Newfoundlands can be black, brown, grey, or
black and white (Landseer). They were originally
bred and used as a working dog for fishermen in
Newfoundland,
Canada. They are famously known for their giant
size and tremendous strength, sweet dispositions,
and loyalty. Newfoundland dogs excel at water
rescue, due to their great muscles and their webbed
feet and acute swimming abilities. Newfoundland dogs
require daily (possibly every 2 days) brushing with
a hard brush. Newfoundland puppies are laid-back and
considered easy to housebreak. The breed is thought
to be the strongest of any dog breed—even beating
some characteristics of the
Great Dane,
Mastiff, or
Irish Wolfhound.
Country of origin :
Canada /
England
Weight
Male : 75–80 kg (157–176 lb)Female : 50–70 kg (110–154 lb)
Height
Male : 75 cm (30 in)Female : 68 cm (27 in)
Coat :
Thick and straight
Color
:
Black, brown or black-and-white patches ("Landseer")
Litter size :
4–12 pups
Life span :
8–13 years
Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk Terrier is the smallest of the
working Terriers. Prior to 1960, when it gained
recognition as an independent breed, it was a
variety of the
Norwich Terrier, distinguished from the Norwich
by its "drop", or folded ears.
Country of origin
:
Great Britain
Norwegian Buhund
The Norwegian Buhund is a
breed of
dog of the
spitz type. It is closely related to the
Icelandic Sheepdog and the
Jämthund. In Norwegian, hund means dog
and bu refers to both homestead and
livestock.
Other names : Norsk Buhund,
Norwegian Sheepdog
Country of origin :
Norway
Norwegian Elkhound
The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the
ancient Northern
Spitz-type
breed of
dog and is the National Dog of
Norway. The Elkhound has served as a hunter,
guardian, herder, and defender. In a land of subzero
temperatures, deep snow, thick forests, and rugged
mountains, only the hardiest of the breeds could
evolve to perform the variety of jobs at which the
Elkhound excels. Its Spitz courage is probably a
by-product or residue of the fact that a significant
number of them were used to track and hunt moose and
other large game, like bear or wolf. The Norwegian
Elkhound was first presented at a
dog exhibition in Norway in 1877.
The
AKC breed name "Norwegian Elkhound" is a direct
translation from its original
Norwegian name "Norsk Elghund," meaning
"Norwegian moose dog." (European settlers mistakenly
called the North American cousin of the red deer an
elk, when in fact in the Norwegian language the term
elk or elg means moose.) Despite its name in
America, it is not a hound dog; the Elkhound does
not hunt like a hound dog nor is it directly related
to hounds, however in Britain it is classed as a
hound and in shows is grouped in the Hound group.
The breed's goal in the hunt is to independently
track down and hold the moose at bay — jumping in
and out toward the moose, while signaling to the
hunters by barking very loudly — until the hunter
who follows the sound can arrive to shoot it.
Another way of hunting with the dog is to let one of
the hunters follow the dog, then chase the moose
towards a row of hunters, so they can shoot it.
Other names : Norsk Elghund,
Grå Norsk Elghund,
Gray Norwegian Elkhound,
Small Grey Elk Dog,
Norwegian Moose Dog
Country of origin :
Norway
Norwich Terrier
The Norwich Terrier is a
breed of
dog. It originates in the United Kingdom and was
bred to hunt small
vermin or rodents.
:
United Kingdom
Weight :
5.0–5.5 kg (11–12 lb)
Height
:
24–25.5 cm (9.4–10.0 in)
Coat :
Double (hard wiry & soft under coat)
Color :
Red, Black and Tan, Wheaten, Grizzle
Litter size :
1-3
Life span :
12 to 16 years
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or
Toller for short, is one of the most unusual
breeds of
gundog in how the dog works. The hunter stays
hidden in a
blind and sends the dog out to romp and play
near the water, usually by tossing a ball or stick
to be retrieved. Just like the fox, the dog's
activity and white markings pique the curiosity of
waterfowl, who swim over to investigate. The act
of enticing or luring
game to approach is known as "tolling". When the
birds are close, the hunter calls the dog back to
the blind, then rises, putting the birds to flight,
allowing him a shot. The Toller then retrieves any
downed birds.
Tolling Retriever,
Little Red Duck Dog,
Little River Duck Dog
Nicknames : Toller, Scotty,
Novie
Country of origin :
Canada (Nova
Scotia)
Weight
Male : 17–23 kg (37–51 lb)Female : 17–23 kg (37–51 lb)
Height
Male : 43–53 cm (17–21 in)Female : 43–53 cm (17–21 in)
Coat :
Medium-length coat with a softer, dense undercoat
Litter size :
6-10 pups
Life span :
12–14 years
Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog (OES) is a large
breed of
dog which was developed in
England from very old
herding
types of dog. The Old English Sheepdog has very
long
fur covering the face and eyes.
The Old English Sheepdog is nicknamed the
Bobtail, since tail
docking was traditional in the old sheepdogs.
The breed is well known as the
Dulux dog, as a result of their long-running use
in advertising Dulux paint.
:
England
Weight
Male : 36–46 kilograms (79–100 lb)Female
: 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb)
Height
Male : 61 centimetres (24 in) and upwardsFemale : 56 centimetres (22 in) and upwards
Otterhound
The Otterhound is an old
British
dog breed, with
Bloodhound ancestors, and one of the ancestors
of the
Airedale Terrier.
Country of origin
:
Great Britain -
England
Papillon
The papillon (from the
French word for butterfly),
also called the Continental Toy Spaniel, is a
breed of
dog of the
Spaniel
type. One of the oldest of the
toy Spaniels, it derives its name from its
characteristic butterfly-like look of the long and
fringed hair on the ears. A papillon with dropped
ears is called a
phalène (French for moth). The small head
is slightly rounded between the ears with a well
defined stop. The muzzle is somewhat short, thin
tapering to the nose. The dark, medium sized, round
eyes have thin black rims, often extending at the
junction of the eyelids towards the ears. The large
ears can either be erect or dropped with rounded
tips. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The long
tail is set high carried over the body, and covered
with long, fine hair. Dewclaws are sometimes
removed. The straight, long, fine, single coat has
extra frill on the chest, ears, back of the and the
tail. Coat color is white with patches of any color.
A mask of a color other than white covers both ears
and eyes from back to front.
Other names
:
Phalène (drop ear type),
Continental Toy Spaniel,
Epagneul Nain Continental
Nicknames : Butterfly Dog,
Squirrel Dog (due to tail carriage)
Country of
origin :
France
Pekingese
The Pekingese, Pekinese or “Peke”
(also commonly referred to as a "Lion Dog", or
"Pelchie Dog" due to their resemblance to
Chinese guardian lions) is an ancient
breed of
toy dog, originating in
China. They were the favored pet of the
Chinese Imperial court, and the name relates to
the city of
Beijing where the
Forbidden City resides. The breed has several
characteristics and health issues related to its
unique appearance. Because of its desirable
characteristics, the Pekingese has been part of the
development of other breeds, such as the
Pekeatese.
Other names : Lion Dog,
Chinese Spaniel,
Pelchie Dog,
Peking Palasthund
Nicknames : Peke
Country of origin :
China
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh corgi is a
herding dog
breed which originated in
Pembrokeshire,
Wales. It is one of two breeds known as
Welsh corgis: the other is the
Cardigan Welsh corgi. The corgi is the smallest
dog in the
Herding Group. Pembroke Welsh corgis are famed
for being the preferred breed of
Queen Elizabeth II, who owns several. These dogs
have been a dog favoured by British royalty for more
than seventy years.
The Pembroke Welsh corgi has been ranked at #11
in
Stanley Coren's
The Intelligence of Dogs, and is thus
considered an excellent working dog.
Nicknames : Pembroke, PWC, Pem, corgi
Country of
origin :
Wales,
United Kingdom
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
(pronounced
"peh-TEE bas-SAY grih-FON vahn-day-AHN"), or "PBGV," is a
breed of
dog of the
scent hound type, bred to trail hares in
bramble filled
terrain of the
Vendée district of
France.
Nicknames : PBGV
Country of origin :
France
Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hound is a
breed of
dog and the national hound of the
Mediterranean nation of
Malta. Its native name is Kelb tal-Fenek
(plural: Klieb tal-Fenek) in
Maltese, which means "rabbit
hound". The dog is the traditional hunting
companion of Maltese outdoorsmen.
The breed has no conclusive links with
Ancient Egypt and its name in
English is a 20th century fabrication.
It has variously been classified as a member of the
sighthound group, yet its fieldwork description
clearly determines it as a hound. It is
indigenous to the
islands and remains rare outside of Malta.
Other names : Kelb tal-Fenek (in country of origin)
Nicknames : Pharaoh
Country of origin :
Malta Patronage
Great Britain
Pointer
The Pointer, often called the English
Pointer, is a
breed of
dog developed as a
gun dog. It is one of several
pointing breeds.
Other names : English Pointer
Country of origin :
England
Polish Owczarek Nizinny
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog (Polish:
Polski Owczarek
Nizinny, also PON), is a medium sized,
shaggy-coated,
sheep dog
breed native to
Poland.
Other names : Polski Owczarek Nizinny (Polish),
Valee Sheepdog Nicknames PON,
Nizinny,
PLS
Country of origin :
Poland
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian (often known as a Pom,
or more humorously, Pom Pom) is a
breed of
dog of the
Spitz type, named for the
Pomerania region in
Central Europe (today part of eastern
Germany and northern
Poland). Classed as a
toy dog breed because of its small size, the
pomerianian is descended from the larger Spitz type
dogs, specifically the German Spitz. It has been
determined by the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale to be part
of the
German Spitz breed, and in many countries, they
are known as the Zwergspitz (Dwarf Spitz),
or Toy German Spitz.
The breed was made popular by a number of royal
owners during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Queen Victoria owned a particularly small
Pomeranian at the time, and consequently the smaller
variety became universally popular. During Queen
Victoria's lifetime alone, the size of the breed
decreased by 50%. Pomeranians respond well to firm,
consistent obedience training, but otherwise will do
what they please.
They are known to bark defensively in response to
any outside noise. Overall the pomeranian is a
sturdy, healthy dog. The most common health issue is
Luxating patella.
Tracheal collapse can also be an issue. More
rarely, they can suffer from a skin condition
colloquially known as "black skin disease", or
alopecia ex. This is a genetic disease which causes
the dogs skin to turn black and lose all or most of
its hair. The breed is currently among the top 15
most popular in the USA, and the current fashion for
small dogs has increased their popularity worldwide.
While they are very small dogs, they are sometimes
protective of their owners. Their size can also make
them nip if surprised.
Other names : Deutsche Spitze; Zwergspitz; Spitz
nain; Spitz enano; Pom; Zwers
Nicknames : Pom
Country
of origin :
German,
(Modern-day North-Western
Poland)
Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is a breed of
working dog as classified by the American Kennel
Club. Portuguese Water Dogs are originally from the
Portuguese region of the
Algarve, from where the breed expanded to all
around
Portugal's coast, where they were taught to herd
fish into fishermen's nets, to retrieve lost tackle
or broken nets, and to act as couriers from ship to
ship, or ship to shore. Portuguese Water Dogs rode
in bobbing
fishing trawlers as they worked their way from
the warm
Atlantic waters of Portugal to the frigid
fishing waters off the coast of
Iceland where the fleets caught
cod to bring home.
Portuguese Water Dogs were often taken with sailors
during the
Portuguese discoveries.
In Portugal, the breed is called Cão de Água
(pronounced Kow-dee-Ah-gwa; literally "water
dog"). In its native land, the dog is also known as
the Algarvian Water Dog ("Cão de Água Algarvio"), or
Portuguese Fishing Dog (Cão Pescador Português).
Cão de Água de Pêlo Ondulado is the name
given the wavy-haired variety, and Cão de Água de
Pêlo Encaracolado is the name for the
curly-coated variety.
The Portuguese Water Dog is a fairly rare breed;
only 15 entrants for Portuguese Water Dogs were made
to
England's
Crufts competition in 2002. Though some breeders
claim they are a
hypoallergenic dog breed, there is no scientific
evidence to support the claim that hypoallergenic
dog breeds exist.
However, their non-shedding qualities have made them
more popular in recent years.
Other names : Cão de Água Português
Nicknames
: Portie, PWD, Water Dog
Country of origin :
Portugal
Pug
The pug is a "toy"
(very small)
breed of
dog with a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and
curled tail. Pug puppies are often called puglets.
The breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a
variety of colors, and a compact square body with
well-developed muscle. They have been described as
multum in parvo ("much in little"), referring
to the pug's personality and small size. Known in
ancient China as lo-sze, they may have been
responsible for both the modern
Pekinese and
King Charles spaniel. They have
Chinese origins, but were popularised in
Western Europe by the
House of Orange of the
Netherlands and the
House of Stuart of England, Ireland and
Scotland.
They can suffer from a variety of health issues,
including
overheating,
obesity,
pharyngeal reflex and two fatal conditions which
are
necrotizing meningoencephalitis and
hemivertebrae. In addition, care must be taken
by their owner to clean the folds of skin on their
face.
Other names : Chinese pug,
Dutch bulldog,
Dutch mastiff,
Mini mastiff
Country of origin :
China
Puli
The Puli is a medium-small
breed of Hungarian herding and livestock
guarding
dog known for its long,
corded coat. The tight curls of the coat,
similar to
dreadlocks, make it virtually waterproof. A
similar looking, but much larger Hungarian dog breed
is called
Komondor.
Other names : Hungarian Puli,
Pulik (plural)
Country of origin :
Hungary
Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is an
American
dog breed with a rich and varied background as
an all-around hunting dog. Traditionally more of a
type than a
breed they share much ancestry with the tough
little mixed breed dogs known as "feists".
Several private associations have maintained Rat
Terriers registries for some decades, but more
recently there have been movements to obtain breed
recognition by the major canine organizations.
Common throughout America on
family farms in the 1920s and 30s, they are
generally considered a rare breed.
Today's Rat Terrier is an intelligent, active little
dog that is equally cherished as a house helper,
vermin hunter and a family pet. If your family ever
desides to get a Rat Terrier, it is a good child
friendly breed.
Other names : American Rat Terrier,
Ratting Terrier,
Feist,
Decker Giant
Country of origin :
United States
Red and White Setter
The Irish Red and White Setter is a
breed of
dog, more specifically a
setter. It is virtually identical in use and
temperament to its cousin, the
Irish Setter, but is more often found as a
working
gundog.
Nicknames : Irish R&W Setter,
IRWS
Country of origin :
Ireland
Redbone Coonhound
The Redbone Coonhound is a
breed of dog. They are widely used for hunting
bear,
raccoon, and
cougar. Their agility allows them to be used for
hunting from swamplands to mountains, and some can
be used as water dogs. The Redbone Coonhound is the
only
solid colored
coonhound. The
AKC standard says, "The Redbone mingles
handsome looks and an even temperament with a
confident air and fine hunting talents." This breed has been registered with the
UKC since 1904. This is the type of hound that
was used in the novel,
Where the Red Fern Grows.
Nicknames : Reds
Country of origin : Southern
United States
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a
dog breed developed in
Southern Africa where it was used (amongst
other things) to hunt lions. This is most likely
why this dog is known for its bravery. Its
European forebears can be traced to the early
pioneers of the Cape Colony of southern Africa,
who crossed their dogs with the
semi-domesticated, ridged hunting dogs of the
Khoikhoi.
In the earlier parts of its history, the
Rhodesian Ridgeback has also been known as
Van Rooyen's Lion Dogs, the African Lion
Hound or African Lion Dog—Simba Inja
in
Ndebele, Shumba Imbwa in
Shona—because of their ability to distract a
lion while awaiting their master to make the
kill.
The original breed standard was drafted by
F.R. Barnes, in
Bulawayo,
Rhodesia (today known as
Zimbabwe), in 1922. Based on that of the
Dalmatian, the standard was approved by the
South African Kennel Union in 1926.This dog is
now used to help athletes train.
Other names : African Lion Dog,
African Lion Hound
Country of origin :
Rhodesia
Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a medium to large
size
breed of
domestic dog that originated in
Rottweil, Germany. The dogs were known as
"Rottweil butchers' dogs" (German:
Rottweiler
Metzgerhund) because they were used
to
herd livestock and pull
carts laden with butchered meat and other
products to market.
Some records indicate that earlier Rottweilers
may have also been used for hunting, although
the modern Rottweiler has a relatively low
hunting instinct. It is a hardy and very
intelligent breed.
The Rottweiler was employed in its
traditional roles until the mid-19th century
when
railroads replaced
droving for getting livestock to market.
While still used in herding, Rottweilers are now
also used in search and rescue, as guide dogs
for the blind, as guard or police dogs, and in
other roles.
Rott
Country of origin : Germany
Weight
Male : 50-60 Kg (140-160 lbs) weight relative toheight
Female : 40-48 Kg (90-105 lbs) weight relative
to height
Height
Male: 61 to 69 cm (24"-27")Female :56 to 63 cm (22"-25")
Coat :
Double coated, Short, hard and thick
Color :Black and tan or black and mahogany
Litter
size :
average 8 to 12 although larger litters are
known
Life span :
9-12
Saint Bernard
The St. Bernard is a very large
breed of
working
dog from the
Swiss Alps, originally bred for
rescue. The breed has become famous through
tales of alpine rescues, as well as for its
large size.
Other names : St. Bernhardshund,
Bernhardiner
Nicknames : Saint
Country of origin :
Italy /
Switzerland
Saluki
The Saluki (Arabic: سلوقي) is perhaps
the oldest known breed of domesticated
dog. A study published in the May 21, 2004,
issue of
Science confirms the Saluki's antiquity
through
DNA analysis identifying it as one of the
earliest breeds to diverge from
wolves.
Like elsewhere in the
Fertile Crescent region, Saluki-like animals
appear on the ancient
ceramics from
Susa and
Sialk of 3500 B.C.E. in
Iran, as well as on
Egyptian tombs of 2100 B.C.E.
The breed had been occasionally imported to
England before 1840, however there was no
serious interest until the Hon. Florence Amherst
imported a breeding pair of Salukis from Lower
Egypt in 1895 and began working to popularize
the breed.
The Kennel Club recognized Salukis in 1923.
Widely admired for its beauty, speed
and endurance, the Saluki is a
sighthound and historically travelled
throughout the Middle East with nomadic desert
tribes over an area stretching from the
Sahara to the
Caspian Sea. As a result, different Saluki
subtypes, varying mostly in colour and
coat, can be found across this widely
scattered area.
Although the
greyhound is the fastest
dog breed with a top speed of around 45 mph
(72 km/h), the Saluki's strength lies in its
great endurance and stamina. They are not the
fastest sighthounds, but they can run for much
longer than the sprinting breeds.
Other names : Gazelle Hound,
Royal Dog of Egypt,
Persian Greyhound
Country of origin : Middle
Eastern Region
Samoyed
The Samoyed
dog (Russian:
Самоедская собака) takes its name from
the
Samoyedic peoples of
Siberia. An alternate name for the breed,
especially in
Europe, is Bjelkier. These
nomadic
reindeer
herders bred the fluffy, white dogs to help
with the herding, to pull
sleds when they moved.
Other names : Bjelkier, Samoiedskaya Sobaka,
Nenetskaya Laika
Nicknames : Smiley,
Smiling Sammy,
Sammy,
Sam
Country of origin : Northwest
Russia and Western
Siberia Patronage Nordic Kennel Union
Schipperke
A Schipperke
is a small
Belgian
breed of
dog that originated in the early 16th
century. There has been a long informal debate
over whether this type of dog is a
spitz or miniature
sheepdog.
Other names : Spitzke (until 1888),
Spits(until 1888),
Spitske(until 1888)
Country of origin :
Belgium
Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish deerhound, or simply the
deerhound, is a
breed of
hound (a
sighthound), bred to hunt the
Red Deer by
coursing.
Other names : Deerhound
Country of origin :
Scotland
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier (also known as
the Aberdeen Terrier), popularly called
the Scottie, is a
breed of
dog. Initially one of the highland breeds of
Terrier that were grouped under the name of
Skye Terrier, it is one of five breeds of
terrier that originated in
Scotland, the other four being the modern
Skye,
Cairn,
Dandie Dinmont, and
West Highland White Terrier. They are an
independent and rugged breed with a wiry outer
coat and a soft dense undercoat. The Fourth
Earl of Dumbarton nicknamed the breed "the
diehard." The modern breed is said to be able to
trace its lineage back to a single female, named
Splinter II.
They are a small breed of Terrier with a
distinctive shape and have had many roles in
popular culture. They have been owned by a
variety of celebrities, including the 43rd
President of the United States
George W. Bush, and are well known for being
a playing piece in the board game
Monopoly. Described as a territorial, feisty
dog, they can make a good watchdog and tend to
be very loyal to their family. In health issues,
Scottish Terriers can be more prone to bleeding
disorders, joint disorders, autoimmune diseases,
allergies, and cancer than some other breeds of
dog and there is a condition named after the
breed called
Scotty cramp. They are also one of the more
successful dog breeds at the
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show with a
recent best in show in 2010.
Country of origin :
Scotland
Weight
Male : 8.5–10 kg (19–22 lb)Female : 8–9.5 kg (18–21 lb)
Height
Male : 25 cm (9.8 in)Female : 25 cm (9.8 in)
Coat :
double (hard wiry & soft under coat)
Color :
Black, Brindle, Wheaten
Litter size :
1-6
Life span :
11 to 13 years
Sealyham Terrier
The Sealyham Terrier is a
dog breed, of the
terrier
type. The Sealyham Terrier was originally
developed in
Wales.
Country of origin
:
Wales
Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland sheepdog, often known as
the Sheltie and sometimes as the
Shetland collie, is a breed of dog in the
herding dog group.
Shelties have the herding dog temperament.
They are vocal, excitable, energetic dogs who
are always willing to please and hard workers.
They were used in the
Shetland Islands for herding and protecting
sheep.
They are small dogs, 13–16 inches (33–41 cm)
at the withers by
AKC
Conformation standards, and they come in a
variety of colors, such as Sable/White,
Tri-color, Blue Merle, and so forth.
Their early history is not well-known. They
originally were a small
mixed breed dog, often 8-10 inches in
height. It is thought that they were a cross of
a
Spitz type dog from
Scandinavia with the local
sheepdog. In the early 1900's, James Loggie
added a small show
Rough Collie to the stock, and the modern
Shetland sheepdog was born. The original name of
the breed was Shetland Collie, but this caused
controversy among Rough Collie breeders, and the
breed's official name was changed to Shetland
sheepdog.
The breed was recognized by the
English Kennel Club in 1909.
Other names : Shetland Collie (obsolete),
Dwarf Scotch shepherd (obsolete),
Toonie dog (obsolete),
Miniature Collie,
Sheltie
Country of origin :
Scotland
Shiba-Inu
The Shiba Inu
is the smallest of the six original and distinct
breeds of
dog from
Japan.
A small, agile dog that copes very well with
mountainous terrain, the Shiba Inu was
originally bred for hunting.
It is similar in appearance to the
Akita, though much smaller in stature. It is
one of the few ancient dog breeds still in
existence in the world today.
Other names : Japanese Shiba Inu,
Japanese Small Size Dog,
Shiba Ken
Nicknames : Shiba
Country of origin :
Japan
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu (pronounced
SHEE-tsoo) is a
breed of small but very ancient
dog type, with long silky fur. The breed
originated in
China. The name is both singular and plural.
Chrysanthemum Dog
Country of origin :
China and USA
Weight
Male : 4–7.25 kilograms (8.8–16.0 lb)Female : 4–7.25 kilograms (8.8–16.0 lb)
Height
Male : 20–28 centimetres (7.9–11 in)Female : 20–28 centimetres (7.9–11 in)
Color :
Gold,
Dark/Light Brown,
White,
Black,
Brindle
Litter size
:
2-5
Life span :
10-16 years
Siberian Husky
The Siberian Husky (Russian:
Сибирский хаски,
Sibirskiy haski, "Siberian husky") is a
medium-size, dense-coat
working
dog breed that originated in eastern
Siberia. The breed belongs to the
Spitz genetic family. It is recognizable by
its thickly furred
double coat,
sickle tail, erect triangular ears, and
distinctive markings
Huskies are an active, energetic, and
resilient breed whose ancestors came from the
extremely cold and harsh environment of the
Siberian Arctic. Siberian Huskies were bred by
the
Chukchi of Northeastern Asia to pull heavy
loads long distances through difficult
conditions. The dogs were imported into
Alaska during the
Nome
Gold Rush and later spread into the
United States and
Canada. They were initially sent to Alaska
and Canada as
sled dogs but rapidly acquired the status of
family pets and show dogs.
Nicknames : Sibe,
Husky
Country of origin :
Siberia, Russia
Weight
Male : 45–60 pounds (20–27 kg)Female
: 35–50 pounds (16–23 kg)
Height
Male : 21–23.5 inches (53–60 cm)Female
: 20–22 inches (51–56 cm)
Coat :
Thick double coat - thick undercoat and soft
outer coat.
Color
:
All colors from black to white
Litter size :
6–8 puppies
Life span :
12–19 years
Silky Terrier
The Australian Silky Terrier is a
small
breed of
dog of the
terrier
dog type. The breed was developed in
Australia, although the ancestral types and
breeds were from
Great Britain. It is closely related to the
Australian Terrier and the
Yorkshire Terrier. The breed is called the
Silky Terrier in North America, but is
called the Australian Silky Terrier in
its country of origin and in the rest of the
world.
Other names : Silky
Country of origin :
Australia
Skye Terrier
The Skye Terrier is a
breed of
dog that is a long, low
terrier and hardy.
Country of origin
:
Scotland
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a
breed of
dog originating in
Ireland. There are four coat varieties:
Traditional Irish, Heavy Irish, English, and
American. These dogs have a single coat which
sheds very little hair, so they can be more
easily tolerated by people
allergic to other breeds.
and variant spellings: "Soft Coated" and
"Softcoated"
Nicknames : Wheaten or Wheatie
Country of origin : Ireland
Weight
Male : 35 to 45 lbsHeight
Male : 17 to 20 inchesCoat
:
Soft and silky, loosely waved or curly
Color :
Wheaten or rust color
Litter size :
up to 8
Life span
:
12 to 15 years
Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano (plural
Spinoni Italiani) is an
Italian
dog
breed. However, it should be recognized that
the Spinone is a unique, indivisible breed and
the correct reference is Spinone (Spinoni
plural). Its original purpose was as a
versatile gun dog, which the breed is still
a master of today. The Spinone is a loyal,
friendly and alert dog with a close lying, wiry
coat. It is an ancient breed that can be traced
back to approximately
500 BC.
It is often used for hunting, pointing, and
retrieving game (HPR), but the intelligent and
strong Spinone can be used for practically
anything ranging from
companions to
assistance dogs. The name of the breed is
pronounced spee-NO-neh (singular) and
spee-NO-nee for plural.
Other names : Spinone,
Italian Spinone,
Italian Griffon,
Italian Wire-haired Pointer,
Italian Coarsehaired Pointer
Nicknames : Spinone
Country of origin :
Italy
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
(informally: Staffie, Stafford,
Staffross, Staffy or Staff) is
a medium-sized, short-coated, old-time
breed of
dog, originally bred for
dog fighting after bull baiting became
illegal. With dogfighting then also being made
illegal, the breed evolved into one with a
temperament suitable for a pet and companion,
gaining respectability and becoming a dog worthy
to show. It was accepted by
The Kennel Club of the
United Kingdom as the Staffordshire bull
terrier in
1935.
It is an English breed of dog related to the
bull terrier and similar in appearance to
the much larger
American Staffordshire terrier and
American pit bull terrier.
Nicknames : Staffy, Staff, SBT, Stafford,
Staffy Bull, Staffross, Nanny Dog.
Country of origin
:
England
Standard Poodle
The poodle is a
breed of
dog, and is regarded as the second most
intelligent breed of dog after the
border collie, and before the German
Shepherd.
The poodle breed is found officially in toy,
miniature, and standard sizes, with many
coat colors. Originally bred as a
type of
water dog, the poodle is skillful in many
dog sports, including agility, obedience,
tracking, and even herding. Poodles are elegant
in the conformation ring, having taken top
honors in many shows, including "Best in Show"
at the
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991 and
2002, and at the
World Dog Show in 2007 and 2010.
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Country of origin
:
Germany
France
Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer is the
original
breed of the three breeds of
Schnauzer, and despite its wiry coat and
general appearance, is not related to the
British terriers. Rather, its origins are in
old herding and guard breeds of
Europe. Generally classified as a
working or utility dog, this versatile breed
is a robust, squarely built, medium-sized
dog with aristocratic bearing. It was a
popular subject of painters
Sir Joshua Reynolds,
Albrecht Dürer and
Rembrandt.
Standard Schnauzers are either
pepper-and-salt or black in color, and are
known for exhibiting many of the "ideal"
traits of any
breed. These include high intelligence,
agility, alertness, reliability, strength,
endurance, and affection. Standard
Schnauzers are one of the oldest
breeds with over 500 years of history.
This breed of dog has been very popular in
Europe, specifically
Germany where it originated. The breed
was first exhibited at a show in Hanover in
1879. They are majestic and regal in the
show ring, and have taken top honors in many
shows including the prestigious "Best in
Show at
Westminster Kennel Club" in 1997.
Schnauzer,
Wirehair Pinscher (obsolete)
Country of
origin :
Germany
Weight
Male : 35 to 50 lb (16 to 23 kg)Female : 30 to 45 lb (14 to 20 kg)
Height
Male : 18 to 20 in (46 to 51 cm)Female : 17 to 19 in (43 to 48 cm)
Coat :
Harsh and wiry when hand stripped, soft when
clippered/scissored
Color :
Pepper-and-salt, black
Litter size :
4 to 8 pups (2 or 13 is not uncommon)
Life span :
13 to 16 years
Sussex Spaniel
The Sussex Spaniel is a
breed of
dog developed in
Sussex in southern
England. It is a low, compact
spaniel and is similar in appearance to
the
Clumber Spaniel. They can be slow paced,
but can have a clownish and energetic
temperament. They suffer from health
conditions common to spaniels and some large
dogs, as well as a specific range of heart
conditions and
spinal disc herniation.
First bred in 1795 in
Hastings,
East Sussex for specific hunting
conditions, they nearly became extinct
during the
Second World War. They are now more
popular in the
United States than any other country and
are recognised by all major kennel clubs.
Notably, a Sussex Spaniel won the best in
show in 2009 at the 133rd
Westminster Kennel Club.
Nicknames : Sussex
Country of origin : England
Tibetan Spaniel
The Tibetan Spaniel is a
breed of assertive, small, intelligent
dogs originating in the
Himalayan mountains of
Tibet. They share ancestry with the
Pekingese,
Japanese Chin,
Shih Tzu,
Lhasa Apso, and
Pug. This breed is not a true
Spaniel; its breeding and role differs
quite a bit (Spaniels are
gun dogs.) The name Spaniel may have
been given due to its resemblance to the
bred-down
lapdog versions of the hunting Spaniels,
such as the
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Nicknames : Tibbie
Country of origin :
Tibet
Tibetan Terrier
The Tibetan Terrier is not a
member of the
terrier group, the name being given to
it by European travelers to
Tibet who were reminded of terriers from
back home when they first encountered the
breed. Its origins are uncertain: Some
sources
claim them to be lucky
temple dogs, whereas others
place them as
farm dogs.
The Tibetan Terrier is a dog with many
uses, able to
guard,
herd, and also be a suitable
companion dog. Their utility in Tibet
meant that the first examples of the breed
available in the west were generally given
as gifts, as the Tibetan Terrier, along with
other Tibetan breeds, were too valuable to
the people who owned them to casually sell.
As such, the early history of the breed is
linked to only a handful of foundation dogs.
The Tibetan name for the breed, Tsang
Apso, roughly translates to "shaggy or
bearded (apso) dog, from the province of
Tsang". Some old travelers' accounts give
the name "Dokhi Apso," or "outdoor" Apso,
indicating a working dog which lives
outdoors. Other "Apso" dogs from
Tibet include the smaller and more
familiar
Lhasa Apso (called the Lhasa Terrier in
the early 1900s) and the very
rare Do Khyi Apso (bearded
Tibetan Mastiff, sometimes considered as
a TT/TM
cross.)
Recent
DNA analysis has concluded that the
Tibetan Terrier is descended from the most
ancient dog breeds.
Other names : Tsang Apso
Country of origin :
Tibet
Toy Fox Terrier
The Toy Fox Terrier is a small
terrier
breed of
dog, directly descended from the larger
Fox Terrier but considered a separate
breed.
Other names : American Toy Terrier,
Amertoy
Country of origin :
United States
Toy Manchester Terrier
The Toy Manchester Terrier is a
breed of
dog, categorized as a
terrier. The breed was bred down in size
in
North America from the
Manchester Terrier, and is placed in the
Toy Group by the
American Kennel Club and the
Canadian Kennel Club (the Manchester
Terrier is placed in the
Terrier Group.) Neither the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
nor the
Kennel Club (UK) recognize a
Toy variety of the Manchester Terrier.
Other names : Toy Manchester Terrier
Country of origin :
England,
United Kingdom
Toy Poodle
The poodle is a
breed of
dog, and is regarded as the second most
intelligent breed of dog after the
border collie, and before the German
Shepherd.
The poodle breed is found officially in toy,
miniature, and standard sizes, with many
coat colors. Originally bred as a
type of
water dog, the poodle is skillful in
many
dog sports, including agility,
obedience, tracking, and even herding.
Poodles are elegant in the conformation
ring, having taken top honors in many shows,
including "Best in Show" at the
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991
and 2002, and at the
World Dog Show in 2007 and 2010.
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Country of origin
:
Germany
France
Vizsla
The Vizsla (English
pronunciation: VEESH-lə,
English plural: Vizslas Hungarian
plural: vizslák) is a
dog breed originating in
Hungary. The Hungarian or Magyar Vizsla
are elite sporting dogs and loyal
companions, in addition to being the
smallest of the all-round pointer-retriever
breeds. The Vizsla's medium size is one of
the breed's most appealing characteristics
as a hunter of fowl and upland game, and
through the centuries the Vizsla has held a
unique position for a sporting dog – that of
household companion and family dog.
The Vizsla is a natural hunter endowed
with an excellent nose and an outstanding
trainability. Although they are lively,
gentle mannered, demonstrably affectionate
and sensitive, they are also fearless and
possessed of a well-developed protective
instinct.
Other names : Hungarian Vizsla,
Hungarian Pointer,
Magyar Vizsla
Country of origin :
Hungary
Weimaraner
The Weimaraner (VYE-ma-rah-ner) is
a
dog that was originally
bred for
hunting in the early 19th century. Early
Weimaraners were used by royalty for hunting
large game such as boar, bears, deer. As the
popularity of large game hunting began to
decline, Weimaraners were used for hunting
smaller animals like fowl, rabbits, and
foxes.
The Weimaraner is an all purpose gun dog.
The name comes from the Grand Duke of
Weimar,
Karl August, whose court enjoyed
hunting.
Other names : Weimaraner Vorstehhund
Nicknames : Weim,
Grey Ghost
Country of origin
:
Germany
Welsh Springer Spaniel
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a
breed of
dog and a member of the
spaniel family. Thought to be comparable
to the old Land Spaniel, they are similar to
the
English Springer Spaniel and
historically have been referred to as both
the Welsh Spaniel and the Welsh
Cocker Spaniel. They were relatively
unknown until a succession of victories in
dog trials by the breed increased its
popularity. Following recognition by
The Kennel Club in 1902, the breed
gained the modern name of Welsh Springer
Spaniel. The breed's coat only comes in a
single colour combination of white with red
markings. Loyal and affectionate, they can
become very attached to family members and
are wary of strangers. Health conditions are
limited to those common among many breeds of
dog, although they are affected more than
average by
hip dysplasia and some eye conditions.
They are a working dog, bred for hunting,
and while not as rare as some varieties of
spaniel, they are rarer than the more widely
known English Springer Spaniel with which
they are sometimes confused.
Other names : Welsh Springer,
Welsh Cocker Spaniel,
Welsh Starter
Nicknames : Welshie
Country of
origin :
Wales
Welsh Terrier
The Welsh Terrier is a
breed of
dog, one of many British
terrier breeds. It was originally bred
for hunting
fox,
rodents and
badger, but during the last century it
has mainly been bred for showing. Despite
this, it has retained its terrier strength
of character and so requires firm,
non-aggressive handling. The Welsh Terrier
originates from
Wales and has been claimed to be the
oldest existing dog breed in the UK
according to the research of Julian Calder
and Alastair Bruce for their book, 'The
Oldest - in celebration of Britain's living
history'. The Welsh Terrier was a latecomer
to the British show-ring (being primarily a
working dog) and was not officially
registered until the 1800s. It is currently
on the UK Kennel Clubs list of breeds that
are in danger of dying out, having as few as
300 or so pups registered annually, compared
to the nations most popular breeds that are
registered in their tens of thousands each
year.
Nicknames : Welshie,
WT
Country of origin :
Wales,
United Kingdom
West Highland White Terrier
West Highland White Terriers,
commonly known as Westies, are a
breed of
dog known for their distinctive white
coat. Originating in Scotland, the breed was
used to seek and dig out foxes and badgers.
This breed is commonly recognized through
its use as a
mascot for
Black & White (a brand of
Scotch whisky), Cesar brand dog food,
and various other logos.
Other names : Poltalloch Terrier,
Roseneath Terrier,
White Roseneath Terrier
Nicknames : Westie (or
Westy)
Country of origin :
Scotland
Whippet
The Whippet is a
breed of
dog in the
sighthound family. They are active and
playful and are physically similar to a
small
greyhound. Their popularity has led to
the reuse of the Whippet name on a large
number of things,
from cars to cookies.
:
England
Weight :
15–30 pounds (6.8–14 kg).)
Height
Male : 18.5 to 22.5 inches (47 to 57 cm)Female : 17.5 to 21.5 inches (44 to 55 cm)
Coat :
Fine, dense
Litter size
:
6-8 pups
Life span
:
12-15 years
Wire Fox Terrier
The Wire Fox Terrier is a
breed of
dog, one of many
terrier breeds. It is an instantly
recognizable
fox terrier breed. Although it bears a
resemblance to the
Smooth Fox Terrier, they are believed to
have been developed separately.
Other names : Wire Hair Fox Terrier,
Wirehaired Terrier,
Fox Terrier
Nicknames : Foxie
Country of
origin :
England
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
(FCI No. 107) (an English translation of the
original name, Griffon d'arrêt à poil dur
Korthals, also called Korthals
Griffon in the UK) is a
breed of
dog used in hunting as a
gundog. It is
Dutch in ancestry, but is regarded as a
French breed because the breed's
development took place in France. The breed
is still relatively rare in
the United States,
Canada, and
the United Kingdom with recognition from
their respective kennel clubs, as well as
the
FCI (Federation Cynologique
Internationale). The Wirehaired Pointing
Griffon is particularly adapted for swampy
country, where its harsh coat is excellent
protection.
Country of
origin :
Netherlands /
France
Height
Male : 22–24 in (56–61 cm)Female
: 20–22 in (51–56 cm)
Coat :
Dense, wiry double coat. Undercoat is thick
and provides as insulation.
Xoloitzcuintli
The Mexican Hairless Dog is a
rare, hairless
breed of
dog whose size varies greatly. It is
also known as Xoloitzcuintli or
Xoloitzcuintle (English
pronunciation:
SHOH-loh-eets-KWEENT-lee);
pronounced by some
Spanish speakers as sho-lo-skwink-le.
Xoloitzcuintle,
Xoloitzquintle Nicknames Xolo
, AKCgroup - Miscellaneous
Country of origin
:
Mexico
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire terrier is a small
dog breed of
Terrier
type, developed in the 1800s in the
historical area of
Yorkshire in England. The defining
features of the breed are its small size,
less than 7 pounds, and its silky blue and
tan coat. The breed is nicknamed Yorkie
and is placed in the Toy Terrier section of
the Terrier Group by the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
and in the Toy Group or
Companion Group by other kennel clubs,
although all agree that the breed is a
terrier. A winning
showdog and a popular
companion dog, the Yorkshire terrier has
also been part of the development of other
breeds, such as the
Australian Silky Terrier.
Terror
Country of origin : England
Life span :
13 to 16 years