Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog

The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog (ABBB) or Otto is an American rare dog breed, with a population of living dogs probably around two hundred, developed in the Alapaha River region of Southern Georgia.

Displaying an unexaggerated and natural bulldog type, the Alapaha is nevertheless a sturdy, well-developed, and muscular breed. Ears and tail are natural, with no cropping or docking.

The ABBB is described as trainable, dutiful, and responsible, with impressive capabilities as a guardian of family and property. It is very protective, but can be loving in the home.

Origin: United States
Size: (Male) Weight 75-95 pounds; Height 26 inches
(Female) Weight 60-70 pounds
Coat: Colors of the Alapaha are varied, typically white or different shades of black, grey, red,white, fawn, brindle, brown, buckskin, or mahogany, always Trimmed with white markings; some dogs are piebald spotted.

Alano Español

Etching by Francisco de Goya portraying the dogs in the bullfighting ring as they were used in 1816. Note that the dog's ears are uncropped, indicating they were only used for bull baiting and not dog fighting.

Bull baiting done in the bullfighting ring with dogs of this type was recorded by Francisco de Goya in his series on La Tauromaquia in 1816. Besides their us as war dogs and use in the bullring, the large dogs were also used for hunting big game such as wild boar, and, as with bulldogs in other countries, as a butcher's dog.

The large dogs began to disappear as the work they did began to change. Big game became rare, stockyards were modernized and no longer used dogs to hold the cattle, use in bullfights was outlawed, and by 1963 Alanos were thought to be extinct. In the 1970s a group of fanciers and veterinary students made house-to house surveys in western and northern Spain, and found a few examples of the dogs in the Basque areas of Enkarterri and Cantabria, being used to herd semi-wild cattle and hunt wild boar. A standard was written and the dogs were documented and bred, and the Alano Español was recognised as a separate breed by the Spanish Kennel Club in 2004. The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación) recognises the Alano Español as an indigenous Spanish breed.

Although the breed in Spain is still small in number and the breed has not yet been recognised internationally by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, examples of the Alano Español have been exported to North America, where a few breeders are promoting it for the rare breed pet market.

The muzzle is short with the lower jaw slightly concave, and has a very large, broad, black nose. The ears are set high and may be drop or cut short. The skin is very thick, with neck folds and some wrinkles on the face.

Origin: Spain

Size: Weight 85-101 pounds; Height 24 inches

Coat: short and thick, and is most often a brindle of any color, including red, bayo (a yellow bay), blue or grey. White patches are not typical. The face may or may not have a black mask.

Alangu Mastiff

The Indian Mastiff originated in and around the desert area of Kachchh, the Rajasthan area and Bhawalpur area of Punjab. A part of the Kutch area in Rajasthan was under the Sindh District and so the other name of this breed is Sindh Mastiff. Alongside the Kumaon Mastiff, the Indian Mastiff were used for hunting large games. A sudden change in the hunting practises saw the Indian Royal families to use cheetahs for hunting instead. This changed the Indian Mastiffs job to guard dogs and dogs used for fighting instead. With time most people forgot the breeds and the Indian Mastiff became rare. The people who used the Indian Mastiffs to fight dropped its height a couple of inches for performance sake. Its height was originally, 30-34 inches (76,2 - 86,3 cm), but as 150 years has passed the height of the breed has dwindled to 29-30 inches (73,6 - 76,2 cm).

The Indian Mastiff are used as fighting dogs in Pakistan, where they then are called Bully Kutta, alongside the proper Bully Kutta, since most Pakistani dog fighters are accustomed to calling all Mastiff breeds used for fighting Bully Kutta. The Indian Mastiff are still used in Pakistan as excellent Fighting Dogs and also as one of the most dangerous guard dogs, known to excel the true Bully Kutta.

This is a tall breed with a noble carriage. The muzzle is black and the skin around their neck and mouth is loose. The brisket is deep, and the limbs are well muscled. The back is long with the tail tapering to a fine point. The ears are set high on the skull and pricked. It has a long and graceful stride. These dogs are known to be aggressive and protective, having a strong guarding instinct.

Origin: India

Size: 29-30 inches

Coat: short. Color are red, fawn or brindle, marking vary

Akbash Dog

The Akbash Dog (Turkish: Akbaş) is native to western Turkey in the region known as the Akbaş, and it is primarily used as a livestock guardian dog. The name comes from the Turkish word meaning white head.

The Akbash Dog is thought to be the Turkish equivalent of other white guardian breeds found in and around the northern Mediterranean Basin. The Akbash Dog has its unique combination of molossre and sighthound qualities. This breed was developed at least 3,000 years ago; their white color distinguishes them from predators.

Archeological evidence suggests that the earliest civilizations arose in the parts of the world currently occupied by Syria, Iran, and Turkey 10,000 years ago and began to domesticate animals and cultivate (or domesticate) plants. In short order there would have been a need for livestock protection dogs to care for the livestock. The white breeds of livestock protection dogs include the Great Pyrenees of the Pyrenees Mountain area in France and Spain and the Maremma of the Maremma Mountains of Italy. A reasonable but not in any way proven hypothesis is that white (Akbash) dogs were developed in Turkey and spread.

It is a large dog, but it is leaner than other Turkish guard dog breeds, and has a distinct white coat, long legs, and feathered curved tail. It possesses characteristics of both mastiffs and sight hounds. The breed is often referred to as a sheep dog, but it does not herd its charges. Instead, it is designed to live with the flock and act as a guardian.
The supposition of fact is that the Akbash and the Kangal were originally distinct, natural and pure breeds and that they were combined to create the Anatolian Shepherd Dog.

The Akbash is not shy. When used as a guard dog, it is not personable with humans, although the breed is not hostile by nature. The Akbash can be used as a companion dog, and if trained appropriately can be personable with any creature. The Akbash has been bred to be independent and dogs of this breed might think that they know better than their owners during training. The Akbash is a relatively low-energy breed. Because it is in their nature to lie with the flocks they guard most of the day, they do not possess tremendous endurance or energy. That does not mean that they can be confined to small spaces. It is still very much a working breed and is happiest when given a task to complete. These dogs are known for their intelligence, bravery, independence and loyalty

Origin: Turkey
Size: Weight 90-130 pounds
Coat: color white

Aidi

The Aidi or Chien de l'Atlas is a Moroccan dog breed used as a flock guard, protecting herds of sheep and goats. It also possesses hunting capabilities and good scenting ability. In its native Morocco it is often paired in hunting with the Sloughi, which chases down prey that the Aidi has located by scent.

The Aidi is recognized as coming from Morocco, probably originating in the Sahara. The dog has never worked as a sheepdog even though the 1963 standard was published under the name Atlas Sheepdog; this was corrected in 1969. A courageous dog, the Aidi lived and worked in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Libya, and Algeria protecting his owner and property from wildcats, other predators, and strangers. This breed has also been called the Berber, after the Berber tribes who utilized it, and bears some resemblence to the Pariah dog who is believed to share its ancestry. As a protector of the desert nomad tribes, the most alert and aggressive dogs were staked around the perimeter of the camp at night. The Aidi has not been highly regarded by the tribes historically , called "El Kilb", or filth, as are most dogs other than the Sloughi and other breeds regarded as noble. However, Moroccans have recently formed a club to protect the purity of the breed which has contributed so much in so many roles, as protector, hunter, police dog, and pet. Although the Aidi has been used primarily as a working dog, he has become more common as a house dog in the country. This breed also makes a good urban pet if he is given tasks and exercise enough to keep him satisfied and happy.

The head is bear-like and in proportion to the rest of the body. The breed has a tapered muzzle with a black or brown nose that usually matches the coat. Their jaws are strong with tight black or brown lips. The medium-sized ears are tipped forward and drop slightly. The eyes are medium, with a dark colour and dark rims.

The Aidi is energetic and highly protective and is said to make an outstanding watchdog. It is a powerful dog that is also agile, alert, and ready for action. As a sensitive breed, the dog should receive kind yet firm training.

Origin: Morocco

Size: Weight 55 pounds; Height 21-25 inches

Coat: the Aidi's lean, muscular body is protected by a coarse, thick, weather-resistant coat with a heavy plumed tail. Colours are white, black, black and white, pale red, and tawny.

Africanis

There is ample evidence that no canine domestication took place in Africa and that the traditional African dog is a descendant of dogs that had been domesticated in the East and came to Africa. Their earliest presence has been established in Egypt and dated at 4700 BC. Archaeological records show that, from then on, the dog spread rapidly along the Nile into Sudan and even beyond. At the same time, migrations, trade, and transhumance took it deep into the Sahara. By 2000 BC, this moving frontier stopped for a long period. Meanwhile, throughout the Egyptian dynasties, the breeding of swift and slender hounds together with a variety of common dogs became very popular.

For thousands of years, the aboriginal Stone Age San (Bushman) populations in Southern Africa hunted without the help of dogs. Although the Khoikho brought domestic sheep along a western migratory route to the Cape of Good Hope just before the Christian era, there is no conclusive evidence that dogs were part of their party.

The domestic dog first arrived in Southern Africa with the migration of the Early Iron Age Bantu speaking people. Dogs of Nilotic origin consecutively joined the Early and also Later Iron Age migrations. It is generally accepted that these migrations travelled along the Central Rift and the Lacustrine region. They followed tsetse-free corridors through Zambia and Zimbabwe to reach Botswana and finally South Africa. The earliest evidence for the presence of a domestic dog in South Africa has been established by Dr. Ina Plug, deputy director of the Transvaal Museum. The remains were found near the Botswana border and dated at 570 AD. By 650 AD the presence of the house dog is established in the Lower Thukela valley. By 800 AD it is part of a Khoisan settlement in Cape St. Francis, indicating that contact and trade between Bantu and Khoisan had been established.

For hundreds of years this exclusive primitive canine gene pool adapted to various conditions of the Southern African landscape and, through natural selection, evolved into ecotypes all belonging to the same landrace. It is sometimes argued that dogs brought by the Arab trade, Eastern seafarers, and Portuguese explorers might, over the years, have "contaminated" the traditional African dog. In other opinions, these chances are scant. Exotic canine influences became more likely after the colonisation of Transkei and Zululand during the 19th century.

The true Africanis is still found today in tribal areas where people maintain their traditional lifestyle. The fast-changing South Africa and the impact that this causes on rural societies, together with a certain disdain for the traditional dog and the status that the ownership of an exotic breed provides, poses an increasing threat to the continuation of the aboriginal Africanis. The Africanis Society of Southern Africa was founded to conserve this ancient gene pool. Conserving the Africanis as a land race stands for conserving biodiversity.Today, the Africanis is recognized by the Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA) as an emerging breed.

The Africanis is a, , well-muscled and slightly longer than tall. It can be of any colour and occasionally come with a ridgeback. The Africanis has over the years been shaped by Africa for Africa. Its beauty is embodied in the simplicity and functionality of its body. It is slenderly built, agile, supple, and capable of great speed.

The Africanis is well disposed without being obtrusive: a friendly dog showing watchful territorial behaviour. The breed is independent and territorial, but highly trainable.
It is my experience that the Africanis is a marvellous pet and house dog. Guided by its instinct of subservience it will steal your heart before you realise it.

The Africanis needs neither pampering nor special food. It is consistently healthy and has, over the years, developed a natural resistance against internal and external parasites.

Origin: South Africa
Size: medium-sized dog
Coat: short-coated

Aaffenpinscher

The breed is German in origin and dates back to the seventeenth century. Its name is derived from the German Affe (ape, monkey). The breed predates and is ancestral to the Griffon Bruxellois (Brussels Griffon) and Miniature Schnauzer.

Dogs of the Affenpinscher type have been known since about 1600 but these were somewhat larger, about 12 to 13 inches, and came in colors of gray, fawn, black and tan, gray and tan, and also red. White feet and chest were also common. The breed was created to be a ratter, working to remove rodents from kitchens, granaries, and stables.

Affenpinschers have a distinct appearance that some associate with terriers. They are different from terriers, however, in that they are actually part of the pinscher-schnauzer of group 2 in the FCI classification and so often get along with other dogs and pets. They are active, adventurous, curious, and stubborn, but they are also fun-loving and playful. The breed is confident, lively, affectionate towards family members and is also very protective of them. This loyal little dog enjoys being with its family. It needs consistent, firm training because some can be quite difficult to housebreak. The training should be varied because the dog can easily become bored.

Affenpinschers are somewhat territorial when it comes to their toys and food, so they are not recommended for very small children. This dog is mostly quiet but can become very excited if attacked or threatened and shows no fear toward any aggressor. It is best suited for a family who likes a show and has a sense of humor.

Affenpinschers need to be groomed two to three times a week Affenpinschers often appears on lists of dogs that allegedly do not shed. However, every hair in the dog coat grows from a hair follicle, which has a cycle of growing, then dying and being replaced by another follicle. When the follicle dies, the hair is shed. The length of time of the growing and shedding cycle varies by breed, age, and by whether the dog is an inside or outside dog. "There is no such thing as a nonshedding breed."

Frequent grooming reduces the amount of loose fur in the environment.

Origin: Germany

Size: Weight 7-9 pounds; Height 11 inches

Coat: harsh rough coat. 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.