Weimaraner

The blue eyes of newborn weimaraner begin to turn amber at about 3 months. The dogs are very active from a young age and are particularly avid about gnawing.

Once cherished in and around Weimar by German aristocrats who used dogs of this breed to hunt large game such as deer and wild boars, they long prohibited from leaving the country. They are also adept at hunting birds and smaller animals. Because of the subtle shift in coat color that occurs with changes in lighting conditions, and their swift, quiet movement, they have a mysterious air and were nicknamed “gray ghost.”

Weimaraners are sensitive to noise, and though they seldom bark, they have a loud, strong call. Also, this breed is not particularly friendly, and they should be socialized while they are still young and should receive thorough obedience training.

This breed is known for its strength and stamina, and weimaraners need a lot of exercise. However, they gain weight easily, so their food intake should be monitored, and they have a tendency to develop calluses, so avoid keeping them on hard floors.

Though weimaraners shed much, their short coats do not require much care, they droopy ears require occasional cleaning.

Origin : Germany
Size : (male) Height 24-28 inches ; weight 58-78 pounds
(female) Height 22-26 inches ; weight 56-71 pounds
Coat : Short and glossy. Color ranges from steel gray to silver gray; head and ears are slightly lighter.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Puppies coat grow a darker red with age. This breed’s name derives from the Canadian province and an unusual hunting technique used there. The hunter throws a “tolling stick” for his dog to go after and play with at the water’s edge, prompting ducks to respond to the commotion, at which point the hunter shoots them and the dog retrieves them.

The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is one of the newest dog breed in the world; it was recognized by the KC in the 1980’s but the AKC did not acknowledge it until 2003, it is a bright, good-natured, capable dog that is becoming increasingly popular as a household pet. Although they have a relatively high-pitched bark, duck tolling retrievers are generally quiet.

They are also faithful and love to be pampered. An owner says, “If you own this dog along with other dogs or animal, it is difficult to love them equally. But if you want to keep only one dog, this breed may be the best.” Duck tolling retrievers, naturally love to frolic in water, and their need for plenty of exercise should be accommodated.

Occasional brushing is sufficient, though they lose a lot of hair when they shed each year.

Origin : Canada
Size : (male) Height about 20 inches ; weight about 51 pounds
(female) Height about 20 inches ; weight about 51 pounds
Coat : Straight and soft, undercoat is dense and softer. Colors include red and variations of orange, white markings on blaze, chest, tip of tail, and paws are permissible.

Labrador Retriever

Dogs of this breed settle into their mature characters much earlier than others, and they can be trained to do almost anything. Labrador retrievers love water from puppyhood; their aptitude is matched by their development of short, waterproof coats, otter like tails, and paddle-shaped paws.

The ancestor of the Labrador retriever were smaller dogs that assisted Newfoundland island fishermen in picking up their fish that had fallen out of nets and retrieving nets that had drifted away from the shore. Eventually, they were brought to England, where their retrieving talent was put to use in hunting waterfowl and the breed was further developed especially in its size.

Gentle, intelligent, and tenacious. Labrador retriever are loyal and diligent; they are widely used as police dogs, drug sniffing dogs, service dogs and seeing eye dogs. Though they’re active and need lots of exercise, they make good household pets; clip their nails often, though, to reduce wear and tear indoors.

Like golden retrievers, this breed a prone to genetic hip problems, so they should be kept off of slippery floors. Also, some Labrador retrievers are epileptic. In addition, they gain weight easily and their food intake should be monitored.

Dirt on their coats can be easily removed with a brush, and a cloth, and extra brushing will help keep their coat glossy.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size (male) Height 22-25 inches ; weight 60-76 pounds
(female) Height 21-24 inches ; weight 56-71 pounds
Coat : Short and dense. Colors include black, yellow, and chocolate.

Golden Retriever

Though young golden retrievers resemble Labrador puppies, after 4-5 months their light golden fur will grown into long, glossy, water resistant coats characteristic of the breed. They learn quickly, and training can begin as early as 2 months.

Bred as hound dog that located and retrieved fallen quarry, golden retrievers are cheerful but rugged water-loving dogs that are popular as household pets, and as seeing eye dogs and service dogs.

Because genetic hip problems are common in this breed, running on slippery floors, especially with puppies, should be avoided, and owners should take care that their hip joints are not overburdened. They are also more prone to cancer than most other breeds.

To keep their beautiful coats clean and shinny, they should be shampooed after every dirty romp, and brushed often.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 22-24 inches ; weight 64-75 pounds
(female) Height 22-23 inches ; weight 56-64 pounds
Coat : Glossy, Feathering on chest, legs, and tail. Color is golden.

Flat-Coated Retriever

Although flat-coated retriever puppies are adorable little balls of fur, they are especially frolicsome and can often be a handful to care for.

This breed’s exact origin is uncertain, though it is believed to be a crossbreed of the Labrador retriever and the Newfoundland. When it first appeared in a dog show in 1859, it was called the wavy-coated retriever because its coat was much more similar to the Labrador’s than it is now. Within a few years, however, it had developed the characteristic coat of soft, jet-black fur lying flat against its body. Its other distinguishing feature is its powerful, compact body (it’s the smallest retriever).

Flat coated retrieves, cheerful and gentle, are excellent swimmers (their waterproof coats serve as natural thermal swimsuits), and they continue to love to play in water throughout their lives. They make excellent hunting dogs on land and in wet areas, and they require much space and time for exercise.

Occasional brushing will keep this dog’s coat clean and shinny, extra care is important during shedding, and their droopy ears need to be cleaned regularly.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 23-24 inches ; weight 56-78 pounds
(female) Height 22-23 inches ; weight 49-71 pounds
Coat : Black or liver

English Springer Spaniel

In the 19th century, this breed was differentiated from the English cocker spaniel only by its size, but early in in the 1900s, it was recognized by the KC as an independent breed. The name derives from the breed’s characteristic springing motion when flushing birds, its large paws give this dog great launching power.

Loyal and gentle by nature, these dogs, like all spaniels, wave their docked tails wildly. They get along well with other dogs and are not territorial, and one owner says of his dog, “He loves to be around children. He lets them do whatever they want.”

They also have great stamina, and need to have the run of large yard and to be taken on long walks. However, because of their thick coats, owners should avoid exercising them in hot weather. Also some English springer spaniels have skin allergies that require a stringent diet and special shampoo.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height about 20 inches ; weight about 49 pounds
(female) Height about 20 inches ; weight about 49 pounds
Coat : Straight and silky. Colors include black and white, liver and white, black plus tan and white, liver plus tan and white, and roan.

English Setter

Newborn English setter puppies are generally white, but coat coloring appears gradually, and the colors become more intense at 2-3 months. Even as puppies, these dogs instinctively react quickly to moving objects. The English setter has long had an important role as a bird dog, their popularity coincided with the introduction of hunting guns. This breed which appeared with English setters in the first dog show in the United Kingdom in 1895, is said to be derived from spaniel stock.

English setters are known for their stamina and hunting ability, so their natural inclination to track quarry should be controlled early on. They can be good household dogs, but they need lots of training and exercise.

Their elegantly wavy hair requires daily brushing to avoid matting.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size (male) Height 26-27 inches ; weight about 71 pounds
(female) Height 24-26 inches ; weight about 64 pounds
Coat : Long, straight, and silky. Feathering on ears, chest, legs, and tail. Colors include belton (white with black or brown markings) and tricolor (blue belton- white with black, plus tan)

English Pointer

Pointer puppies display their innate hunting ability even while they are still very young, some mimic hunting movements at 2 months.

Along with the English setter, the English pointer, best known of the many pointer breeds, has the longest history of participation in dog shows in the United Kingdom. It is a relatively young breed, however, and gained popularity as a hunting dog only at the beginning of the 18th century.

This dog’s pendant ears and thin, straight tails, as well as its exception ally lean body, make it look refined and beautiful. Excellent in tracking, intuition, concentration, endurance, and competitiveness. English pointers are archetypal gundogs, built for strength, speed, and endurance.

Because of the English pointer’s instinct to chase its quarry, it is important to train this breed to return to you at your command. Some dogs can be impulsive, stubborn, or rough, but early conditioning and thorough obedience training will help them become good household pets. Also because of their thin coat, they are sensitive to cold.
Their short, stiff coats are very easy to take care of. Dirt can be rubbed off with a cloth.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 25-28 inches ; weight 50-56 pounds
(female) Height 24-26 inches ; weight 44-50 pounds
Coat : Short, straight, and smooth. Colors include white with reddish-brown, orange or liver patches, plus solid coats.

English Cocker Spaniel

Named in the 17th century, when they were used to hunt woodcocks and moorcocks, they are slightly larger than their American counterparts (which are descended from this breed) and have longer nose bridges. And, although their coats vary less in color than those of American cocker spaniels, they are very silky and elegant. Once known as the land spaniel because it hunted on land rather than in lakes or marshy areas. The breed is closely related to the springer spaniel. It used to be considered merely a smaller variety of that breed.

English cocker spaniel small but strong and energetic, are quick learners and ideal household dogs, but they need lots of attention. One owner says, “When they are happy, they wag their docked tails as much as they can, or even their entire hips. Their innocent gestures and facial expressions are too cute to explain.” Despite their sophisticated appearance, however, they are reliable workers. Many are still used as hunting dogs, and others are employed to sniff out drugs and bombs.

Because of their enormous appetites, their food intake should be monitored carefully.
Daily brushing, especially after a walk, is required to keep their silky coats in good condition, and their ears should be cleaned often.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height about 16 inches ; weight 24-33 pounds
(female) Height 15-16 inches ; weight 24-33 pounds
Coat : Silky, short on head and soft and dense on body. Acceptable colors vary widely.

Clumber Spaniel

These puppies may seem dull and clumsy, but they’re actually quirky and quick. One owner says, “It seems these puppies would rather be chased than give chase.”

Dogs of this gentle and cheerful breed, not particularly speedy but agile enough, were bred as stocky but sharp-nosed bird dogs. Named after Clumber Park in Newcastle in the United Kingdom and popular with the British royal family, they are believed to be related to the alpine spaniel and the basset hound. Their voice is low, and they seldom bark, but adults may snore.

Owners should monitor the dogs food intake, they are gluttonous and gain weight easily. Also, because of their thick coat, they are sensitive to heat.

Good coat care is required for this breed, which sheds heavily year-round.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height about 18 inches ; weight about 76 pounds
(female) Height about 16 inches ; weight about 66 pounds
Coat : Silky, straight, and dense. Colors include white and lemon and white and orange, lemon or orange markings are on head, muzzle, and legs.

Brittany Spaniel

The Brittany spaniel, the only pointing dog among the spaniels, is much smaller than pointers and setters, but it sense of smell is excellent, and it is second to none of the hunt, hence its popularity among hunters in the United States. Its history as a hunting dog dates back to at least the 17th century, when it was depicted in paintings by French and Dutch artists, including Rembrandt.

Dogs of this expressive, lively, and fast breed are quick learners. They resemble the springer spaniel but have the most slender legs of any spaniel breed. Unlike most spaniels, however, this breed comes not from the United Kingdom but from France. It is also singular in that, unlike other spaniels, its coat is not silky.

Occasional brushing is sufficient, and shampooing is seldom necessary.

Origin : France
Size : (male) Height 19-20 inches ; weight about 33 pounds
(female) Height 18-19 inches ; weight about 29 pounds
Coat : Flat or wavy. Color include dark orange and white, brown and white, black and white and tricolor.

American Cocker Spaniel

The Walt Disney film Lady and the Tramp catapulted this breed to fame half a century ago, but it is enjoying a renewed surge in popularity today. The American Cocker Spaniel was originally a hunting dog, but very few are used for that purpose today. Modified from its British counterpart, the American version is smaller, with a shorter muzzle, a more rounded head, and pronounced forehead. The coat is more lavish too, and comes in a wider range of colors.

In the United States, “Cocker Spaniel” alone refers to the American breed, while that designation is used for the English cocker spaniel in the United Kingdom, causing some confusion. For clarity, other international kennel clubs add the respective country names.

Members of this attractive, sweet natured breed are jovial, obedient, and bright. They are also gluttons, though, so, to achieve a balance of glossy coat and healthy skin on the one hand and healthy weight on the other hand, carefully monitor their food intake.

American cocker spaniels look cute in clipped coats but gorgeous in full coats. Their droopy ears also require frequent care, elevate food or restrain their ears during feeding, and consider using a water bottle like those for rodents and rabbits.

Origin : United States
Size : (male) Height about 15 inches ; weight about 29 pounds
(female) Height about 14 inches ; weight about 27 pounds
Coat : Short on head, medium on body. Feathering on ears, chest, abdomen and legs. Colors include black and parti-color (two or more colors with markings)

Shetland Sheepdog

The floppy ears of newborn Shetland sheepdog puppies eventually prick up. (A weight is sometimes used to break the tips of the ears forward.)

The United Kingdom’s northern most islands-the original home of their nameshake dogs, located beyond the Orkney islands, north of Scotland-are known for their harsh natural environment, which has produce unusually small but sturdy flora and fauna, including the famous Shetland ponies.

Shelties, which need lots of exercise, resemble miniature collies, but they have a very long and markedly different heritage. Undersized like the sheep they traditionally herded, they were once called dwarf Scotch shepherds or Shetland collies. Despite their diminutive size, they are excellent sheepdogs, tough and hardworking; they herd sheep by nipping the tips of their charges’legs. One owner says, “They are sensitive to what the owner feels and thinks. They try to read my mind, to pick up what I feel.”

The Sheltie’s long coat requires a good brushing, especially during the shedding season.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male/female) Height 13-16 inches ; weight 20 pounds
Coat : Long and harsh; undercoat is short, soft, and dense. Fur is feathered around neck, chest, legs, and tail. Colors include sable and white, tricolor (black,white, and tan), and bicolor (black and white).

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy’s drooping ears prick up whitin its first 6 months. One owner says, “Most of the puppies are cheerful, but as they grow, they begin to show different characthers. Some become gloomy, and shyness and aggressiveness or bitting can be corrected by 7 months if they owner deals with them propely.”

The Pembroke is distinguished from the Cardigan primarily by its almost nonexistent tail; it must balance with its high end, producting an endearing wiggling walk. They are slightly smaller than the Cardigan and have a shorter coat, and their triangular ears are slightly sharper looking.

These dogs were originally cattle herders on the farm of Pembrokeshire. Like the Cardigan, the breed gained popularity after the British royal family acquired one during the early 20th century.

This small breed is rather quiet, but its voice is unexpectedly deep and loud. Very intelligent and independent. It is a natural guard dog. Pembroke needs to be trained strictly and given structure and lots of exercise; they enjoy running and are surprisingly fast. Their coat needs to be brushed only occasionally.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 10-12 inches ; weight 24-30 pounds
(female) Height 10-12 inches ; weight 22-28 pounds
Coat : Harsh; undercoat is soft and dense. Colors include red, sable, fawn, and black and tan, with white markings on legs, chest, and neck.

Old English Sheepdog

At birth, Old English sheepdogs tip the scale at 13-14 ounces-typical for puppies- but their weight will increase 100-fold within a year. Within 6 months, the typical shaggy old English sheepdog hair will hide their lovely round eyes, and, after about 1 year, the fluffy puppy coat gives way to the mature dog’s longer, stronger double coat. Even as puppies, they are intelligent and intuitive. One owner says, “When I am busy, he stays quiet. But when he sees I have time to play, he comes to me joyously.” As the name implies, Old English sheepdogs have long worked as herding dogs in the United Kingdom, although they were originally cattle-herding dogs. The characteristic bob-tail (docked tail) is said to have distinguished tax-exempt cattle dogs.

Cheerful and affectionate, Old English sheepdogs are instinctively protective and take good care of their owners, as well as their own puppies and even other dogs. This breed is gentle and quiet but can also be very expressive. When they’re happy, for example, they violently wag their hips, and, to show affection, they may lean on you, oblivious of the force of their weight. Also, although their bark is low and forceful (dogs with protruding muzzles, however, tend to bark at a higher pitch), they do not bark unnecessarily.

Very careful an frequent brushing is required so that the hair does not become entangled or felted, and the coat should be clipped in the summer.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 24-25 inches ; weight 66-91 pounds
(female) Height 21-23 inches ; weight 66-91 pounds
Coat : Harsh and shaggy; undercoat is waterproof. Color include blue, gray, and blue merle, with white markings, or in reverse.

German Shepherd

Most German shepherd pups, born with black coats, become primarily tan in 2-3 weeks, but their coat color continues to change throughout their mature, except for those of dogs with black coats. Their floppy puppy ears will stand erect at 1-2 month.

German shepherd dogs were originally used to herd sheep in mountainous regions of their place of origin, where they were bred from wolflike sheepdogs. During World War I, They gained recognition for their outstanding performances in delivering medicine and military supplies, watching prisoners, finding wounded soldiers, and delivering messages for the German army.

These brave, calm, active, and very loyal dogs rise to all kinds of challenges and given the right training, can excel in a variety of tasks. Intelligent and amenable to various types of training, they work as police dogs, military dogs, drug-sniffing dogs, disaster-relief dogs, and seeing eye dogs, and in other helpful capacities.

Though they have good qualities, German shepherd dogs can be difficult. It is especially important to subject them to obedience training and to socialize them. The dogs also have a sensitive side, however. According to one owner, “The German shepherd dog may be more delicate than the Labrador retriever and the golden retriever. When he is taken to a place that is new to him, he burns out for half a day.” German shepherd dogs require much exercise, needing a large space in which to run freely, or lots of running on a leash.

Because these dogs shed a lot of hair, they require frequent and thorough brushing to maintain their coats.

Origin : German
Size : (male) Height 24-26 inches ; weight 75-90 pounds
(female) Height 22-24 inches ; weight 60-70 pounds
Coat : Straight and smooth; undercoat is soft and dense. Color include black and tan, wolf, black, other solid colors, and black-tipped colors.

Collie

As collie puppies mature, their muzzles grow longer, giving them the distinct collie look, and the coat color gradually become more intense.

Collie were long renowned as sheepdogs in Scotland, but their origin and lineage are a bit of a mystery. According to one theory, the sheepdogs that herded “collie” sheep, those with black faces and black legs, themselves came to be called “colly dogs,” after a word meaning “black with soot.” At the time, many of the sheepdogs were also black. Later, their coat color was primarily tricolor, and blue merle also became more common. There are now two varieties, the rough (long-haired) and the smooth (short-haired).

In 1860, when Queen Victoria returned from a visit to Scotland, a collie she brought back attracted much attention. Soon after, the sable and white coat color caught on, and the collie gained popularity. The breed later became world famous after publication of the book Lassie, Come Home, and subsequent film adaptations and television series. With their slender grace and elegant, long-haired coats, these dogs are loved world-wide. They are intelligent and cheerful and make good household pets as well as excellent guard dogs.

These dogs, rather shy and nervous toward strangers but obedient to their families, make good playmates for children as well as ideal house-hold pets if they are trained properly. As they are talented dogs, it is a good idea to challenge them with agility and obedience sports, and they should be kept calm and trained to refrain from barking. Ideally, these dogs should have a big yard where they can run to their heart’s content. Otherwise, running and long-distance walking is necessary.

The rough collie loses a lot of hair during the shedding period, thus requiring frequent and thorough brushing.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 24-26 inches ; weight 60-76 pounds
(female) Height 22-24 inches ; weight 51-67 pounds
Coat : Long (rough) or short (smooth). Colors include sable and white, tricolor (in which black is dominant), blue merle, or white (white sable or blue merle markings).

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

In the small corgi family, the one with the distinctive tail, which sways as it walks, and the flowing coat is the Cardigan. (This breed and its cousin, the Pembroke, otherwise look alike, though their ancestral breeds are different). Otherwise, another unusual feature is the “corgi carpet,” in which they lie flat on their stomachs with their short legs and tail spayed.

This breed is said to have come to the Welsh country of Cardiganshire from central Europe with the Celts more than 3,000 years ago. The Welsh found their short stature, courage, and alertness to be advantageous for working amid cattle. They were also useful as guard dogs and for keeping rodents and small animals under control.

This highly intelligent dogs love to be around people and to be kept busy, a bored corgi will be a stressed corgi, and they should be allowed to run around as much as they like. Occasional brushing is enough to keep the coat beautiful.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 11-13 inches ; Weight 30-39 pounds
(female) Height 11-13 inches ; Weight 24-34 pounds
Coat : Long and harsh, undercoat is soft and dense. Colors include red, sable, fawn, black and tan, and blue merle, with white marking on legs, chest, and neck.

Bouvier des Flandres

Bouvier des Flandres puppies may take more than 2 years to mature. And, as one owner says, “They are very independent. Even if the mother is not nearby, they sleep at ease. They are low maintenance.”

The gentle, peaceful, and graceful Bouvier des Flandres originally lived and worked as cattle dogs and pack dogs. Brave and highly trainable, they were used as military and spy dogs and for smuggling. Today, after rebounding from near extinction after World War 1, they work as police dogs and Seeing Eye dogs. The large-boned, solid, reliable Bouvier des Flandres are calm and very faithful to their owners, but they are wary of other people, though they don’t bark without reason. “They don’t flirt with people,” one owner says. “They never come running to you and lick your face. They behave like big cats.” This breed is also intelligent and athletic.

Despite its rough appereance, the coat of the Bouvier des Flanders tangles easily and requires thorough grooming with a metal brush and comb. Also their ears should be cleaned regularly.

Origin : France, Belgium, and Netherlands
Size : (male) Height 25-28 inches ; Weight 76-96 pounds
(female) Height 24-27 inches ; Weight 76-96 pounds
Coat : Coarse, harsh, and dense, with eyebrows, a beard, and whiskers. Color ranges from black to fawn, plus salt and paper.

Border Collie

By 1-2 months, border collie puppies will have both distinct characters and the typical coat of their breed. Dogs of this breed tend to push themselves to meet their owners’ expectations, so people should take care not to demand excessive exercise during their growing years. Also, border collies are highly sensitive to moving objects and will pursue them, so they must be carefully trained while they are still very young.

This breed,, once called the Scottish collie,or simply the collie, was develop in the area bordering England and Scotland, hence its name. It is considered the most capable of all sheepdogs, with a natural ability to control sheep, and ranchers rave about it and claim one dog can do the work of several ranch hands.

Restless and best kept occupied, border collies have remarkable long attention spans, are highly motivated, and take pleasure in accomplishing tasks, thus their reputations as workaholics. Because of their natural ability, border collie do not differentiate between playing and accomplishing tasks, which makes them ideal for people who need canine companions that can accomplish specific goals. One owner says that training them is like playing a game of wits.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 20-22 inches; Weight 40-51 pounds
(female) Height 19-21 inches; Weight 36-44 pounds
Coat : Long, thick, and wavy or slightly curly, undercoat is soft and dense. Colors include black, tan and white, and blue merle.

Belgian Sheepdog

The dogs of the long-haired Groenendael breed, named after a castle near Brussels are alert and agile, with a marked wariness.

The masked, short-coated Malinois breed, very similar to a German shepherd dog, derives from the Malines area in Belgium. The Tervuren breed, resembling a long-haired German shepherd and named for a Brussels suburb, is derived from crossbreeding the others. Its beautiful coat, much softer to the touch than it appears, take a few years to grow fully.

Belgian shepherd dogs handle vigorous training well and work actively as sheepdogs, sled dogs, and police and rescue dogs. All require a lot of exercise.

The long-haired types must be brushed very carefully during the shedding period.

Origin : Belgium
Size : (male) Height 24-26 inches; Weight 71-80 pounds
(female) Height 22-24 inches; Weight 71-80 pounds
Coat : Long (Groenendael), short (Malinos), long and straight, with dense undercoat (Tervuren). Colors are black (Groenendael), fawn with black mask (Malinos), varying from fawn to mahogany with black tipped overcoat, a black mask and black ears (Tervuren)

Bearded Collie

Bearded collie puppies have distinct coat colors that lighten at about 6 month and set about 1 year later, except for those with solid black coats, and their hair eventually covers their large eyes.

These natives of the Scottish Highlands, a vast, cold wilderness often rainy and thick with fog, are named for their long, beardlike muzzle hair. Bardies-also called highland collies and hairy mountain dogs-though of uncertain origin and lineage, have worked at sheepdogs for about 2000 years.

The sheepherding instinct of the gentle, friendly and increasingly popular beardie is still at work. “When my family goes for a walk with our dogs and someone drops behind,” says one owner, “the beardie becomes nervous and frustrated.” Another owner comments, “I’ve seen a beardie trying to herd others dogs in the dog run.”

“They are very sensitive to the owner’s feelings and express tenderness in a casual manner. They are dogs that are never in your way.

Until they are 12-18 months old, their “puppy coat” is still very soft and tends to tangle easily, requiring careful brushing, their coat acquires its distinct roughness only at about 3 years.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 21-22 inches; Weight about 49 pounds
(female) Height 20-21 inches; Weight about 49 pounds
Coat : Harsh; undercoat is soft and dense. Long muzzle fur resembles a beard. Colors include slate, grey, brownish fawn and white with black or orange markings. Some have a blaze or a collar

Australian Shepherd

Australian shepherds love to move, but, as one owner points out, when they are puppies, they seem to hop rather than run. At 1-2 months, their ears stand up, with the ends lopping forward, forming the so-called Aussie ears, and their eyes, dark violet at first, gradually lighten to blue or amber. Despite its name, the Australian shepherd, which resembles the border collie, was first bred in the United States. However, its lineage is not clear. It may be the offspring of a dog. European immigrants crossed with a sheepdog from Australia, or it may be descended directly from a dog from Down Under, and some people believe it carries the blood of the Australian wild dog, the dingo.

Aussies are herding dogs, and very skilled ones. Even today, they work in the United States as cattle dogs. Tough, energetic, and highly trainable, they require a lot of physical activity.

These observant dogs have a knack for being in tune with their owners’ thoughts, and they are deeply affectionate toward their owners and those they perceive as being part of the owners’ families. And, although they are highly territorial, Australian shepherd bark sparingly, though many of them like to “chat.”

Use a hard brush for grooming, and note that their coats tend to form clumps of hair (which they may try to eat when they shed, so clean up carefully).

Origin : United Stated
Size : (male) Height 20-23 inches; Weight 50-65 pounds
(female) Height 18-21 inches; Weight 35-50 pounds
Coat : Straight or wavy, undercoat seasonally change density. Feathering on neck, chest, and forelegs prominent in males. Color include red merle, blue merle, red and black, all of which may include white markings or tan points.

Australian Kelpie

The breed’s origin and lineage are uncertain, though some people believe its name is derived from legendary Scottish water sprite, alternatively, it hearkens back to a dog by that name.

Active, intelligent, and hardworking, these natrives of their namesake country have great stamina. “They are bustling about all day, and seem to sleep very little,” says one owner. “They are very serious, and they will never fail to respond to your call.” Appropriately for dogs bred to hard sheep. Australian kelpies are quick to size up situations, and they know when to be aggressive and when to withdraw.

On the job, these tough, high spirited, and zealous sheepdogs can easily run 30 miles a day, so they must be walked long distance or allowed to run freely to satisfy their need for exercise, and it is important to provide them with tasks that engage them both physically and mentally. This highly social breed is easy to train and to teach various games-and fun to play with. The Australian kelpie’s all weather coat requires little maintenance.

Origin : Australia
Size : (male) Height 18-20 inches; Weight 24-31 pounds
(female) Height 17-29 inches; Weight 20-24 pounds
Coat: Short, smooth, and derise. Colors include black, tan, red, chocolate, and bluish grey.

Breeds by group : Non-Sporting Group

These breeds, also called utility dogs, come in a variety of sizes and appearances, indeed, the group consists of breeds that do not fit neatly into the other existing categories. Nevertheless, each breed has characteristic appropriate to another group, the poodle, the lhasa apso and the Frech bulldog, for example, could be classified under the toy group. Some breeds, too, have features that are found in more than one group.

Breeds in this group:

Bichon Frise
Boston Terrier
Bulldog
Chow Chow
Dalmatian
French Bulldog
Lhasa Apso
Poodle
Schipperke
Shar-Pei
Shiba Inu
Tibetan Spaniel

Breeds by group : Working Group

Many of the breeds in this group, large, powerful animals, often used as working dogs, guard dogs, police dogs, or rescue dogs, were group together from other categories such as the herding group and the sporting groups. Although they are fundamentally faithful to their owners subjecting them to rigorous training from the time they are puppies is vital.

Breeds in this group:

Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxer
Bullmastiff
Doberman Pinscher
Dogo Argentino
Giant Schnauzer
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Leonberger
Newfoundland
Rottweiler
Saint Bernard
Samoyed
Siberian Husky
Standard Schnauzer

Breeds by group : Toy Group

These small, adorable breeds, culled from the hounds group, the sporting group, and the terrier group to form a new category, generally maintain the temperament and appearance characteristic of the group to which they originally belonged. The breeds of this group, though gentle and faithful, are relatively strong for their size but need human protection. Their company is comforting and delightful, and few require much exercise.

Breeds in this group:

Brussels Griffon
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Chihuahua
Chinese Crested
Italian Greyhound
Japanese Chin
Maltese
Manchester Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Papilon
Pekingese
Pomerian
Pug
Shih Tzu
Yorkshire Terrier

Breeds by group : Terrier Group

The breeds of this group, which possess a peculiar trait known as “terrier fire,” are hunting dogs bred to ferret out small animals such as foxes, rabbits, and badgers from their lairs. To maintain their characteristic appearance, a special grooming technique known as stripping-pulling out dead hair- is necessary. They are agile and alert, and in spite of their small size, these breeds tend to be aggressive and daring. They also display a unique ability to think independently while tracking and hunting, and they are bright enough to outsmart small animals that threaten crops and livestock. The more you get to know these dogs, the more their fiery dispositions and intelligence will enchant you.

Breeds in this group:

Airedale Terrier
Bedlington Terrier
Border Terrier
Bull Terrier
Cairn Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Lakeland Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
Norfolk Terrier
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Welsh Terrier
West Highland Terrier
Wire Fox Terrier

Breeds by group : Hound Group

Dogs in the hound group, as opposed to those of the bird-hunting sporting group, track larger animals, they are further subdivided into sight hounds and scent hounds. As indicated by their subgroup names, sight hounds are able to spot animals from long distance, and scent hounds have a keen sense of smell, which make them adept at sniffing animal out. Specialists at tracking animals, the breeds of this group are quick, persistent hunters.

Breeds in this group:

Afghan Hound
Basenji
Basset Hound
Beagle
Borzoi
Dachshund (Miniature)
Irish Wolfhound
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Saluki
Whippet

Breeds by group : Sporting Group

The breed of this group are often used to hunt birds such as snipes and ducks; each breed has its own speciality. Some are fit for hills and dales, While others are at home in the wetlands and alongside bodies of water. Some are good at tracking and chasing prey, and others excel at retrieving their sharp senses enable them to react quickly to the presence of game. However, the custom of using a team of several dogs for hunting has also helped these breeds develop temperate disposition that make them compatible with other dogs and sensitive to human feelings.

Breeds in this group:

American Cocker Spaniel
Brittany Spaniel
Clumber Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel
English Pointer
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
Flat-Coated Retriever
Golden Retriever
Irish Setter
Labrador Retriever
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Weimaraner

Breeds by group : Herding Group

Dogs in this group-herding dogs, cattle dogs, and sheep dogs- were bred for agility, robustness and intelligence to aid them in protecting cattle from wild animals. Many breeds in this group are sociable and intelligent enough to work alongside humans, and they respond well to structure and order and are at their best when kept busy. Simply speaking, they are workaholic.

Breeds in this group:

Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Bearded Collie
Belgian Sheepdog
Border Collie
Bouvier des Flandres
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Collie
German Shepherd
Old English Sheepdog
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Shetland Sheepdog