Beagle

Beagle puppies have flapping ears and expressive tails that spin like propellers when they’re happy. They look like little black furry balls when they’re born, but within a few weeks their color will change to the classic hound colors.

The origin of this breed’s name is uncertain; it may be a variant of the Gaelic word beag (“small”), or it may have French roots. Beagles, the smallest pack hounds, rely on their acute sense of smell to chase their quarry, and they alert hunters with their high-pitched barks. This trait is likely to be troublesome if a beagle is selected as a household pet, so they must be trained not to bark excessively.

Also, they are independent dogs, and, although they are cheerful and like attention, they aren’t especially friendly. In addition, this breed tends to overeat, so their food intake must be monitored so that they avoid acquiring a Snoopy-ish gut.

Their short coats don’t shed much and are easy to take care of, but their pendant ears require regular cleaning.

Origin : United Kingdom
Size : (male) Height 13-15 inches ; weight 18-20 pounds
(female) Height 12-14 inches ; weight 13-16 pounds
Coat : Short and smooth, though hard and dens. Colors include white and black and tan; white and lemon are acceptable.

Basset Hound

Big-boned basset hound puppies, with short legs, baggy coats, pendant ears (which they sometimes trip over), and drowsy eyes, may look awkward, but they’re impossible to dislike. Also, though they may look precocious, they grow more slowly than most other breeds and should not be prematurely separated from their mother.

The basset hound (its name derives from bas, French for “short” or “low”), built to follow a scent and chase and track down small animals, lack momentum but has superb endurance.

Despite their sad, reluctant appearance, they are affectionate, gentle, and even tempered, and they are social and don’t like to be alone. They are a bit stubborn, though, so careful training is essential.

The basset hound’s ears are not well ventilated and need to be cleaned inside; because they droop, they need to be cleaned on the outside after walks. Also an elevated feeding bowl and a water bottle are recommended.

Origin : France
Size : (male) Height about 14 inches ; weight about 62 pounds
(female) Height about 13 inches ; weight about 58 pounds
Coat : Short and smooth. Colors include white and black and tan, tan and white, and black and tan, with silver-gray markings.

Basenji

At birth, basenjis are more deeply wrinkled than adults of this breed.

Best known for virtually lacking a bark (some occasionally mimic other dogs but never howl or bark idly), these dogs are one of the most primitive of breeds, dating back to ancient Egypt. The name is Swahili for “a small creature in the bush,” and the local name in their birthplace is m’bwa m’kubwa m’bwa wanwitu (“the dog that leaps”). Known as “dogs of the forest,” basenjis were first brought back to Europe in the late 1800s, but not until decades later did any survive distemper, for which they had no natural immunity, or attempts at experimental vaccination.

In their homeland, equipped with wooden bells so they could be tracked, they hunted as retrievers and pointers; they have acute smell and sight. And, although they rarely bark, they communicate eloquently through facial expressions, body language, and noises.

Basenjis puppies are very playful and adult dogs relish frequent exercise, but they are not especially friendly and are not ideal household pets; on walks, they tend to follow their owners at a distance. “This is a breed with both the qualities of a cat and those of a dog,” one owner points out.

These dogs groom themselves meticulously. One owner says, “He stays away from other dogs’ droppings, or steps over them reluctantly. If he accidentally steps in it he shakes his paw and tries to scrape it off, and he remains disturbed for a long time.” Basenjis are also averse to getting wet.

Origin : Congo
Size : (male) Height about 17 inches ; weight about 24 pounds
(female) Height about 16 inches ; weight about 22 pounds
Coat : Short and smooth. Colors include reddish brown and blackish brown; white markings on throat, chest, leg, and tail are permitted.

Afghan Hound

Afghan hound puppies take their time maturing, but, by 3-4 years, they resemble gallant princes and elegant princesses.

Afghan hounds, or affies, date back to at least 400 BC, on Sinai Peninsula, and they served the royal families of ancient Egypt and Afghanistan (they were even said to have been on Noah’s ark).

Originally, Afghan hounds, swift, sharp eyed, and built for quick turns on rough ground, hunted agile animals such as gazelles through deserts and hilly areas. These intuitive hunters love to run and chase, and they tend to be less responsive when called than most other breeds are, so they need to be trained especially thoroughly.

However, they do not depend on doting attention. One owner says, “After he does what is expected of him, he will go wherever he likes and do whatever he wants. He’s never in your way.”

The long, silky coats of Afghan hounds require extensive care. Also, their poorly ventilated feathered ears need frequent and careful cleaning.

Origin : Afghanistan

Size : (male) Height about 28 inches ; weight about 60 pounds
(female) Height about 26 inches ; weight about 51 pounds
Coat : Long and silky. Colors include fawn, golden, cream, red, blue, white, gray, brindle (dark streaks or flecks), and tricolor

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.