D4DOG

Dog - Affenpinscher

2008-01-13T01:13:00.000-08:00

The Affenpinscher is a terrier-like toy breed of dog.

Affenpinscher quick facts
Weight: 3.1-3.6 kg 7-8 lb
Height: 25 cm 10 inches
Coat: Rough & thick
Activity level: Very high
Learning rate: Medium to high
Temperament: Alert, quiet
Temperament: inquisitive
Guard dog ability: Very low
Watch-dog ability: Very high
Litter size: 2-3
Life span: 11-12 years

Appearance
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, black 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.

Temperament
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 subgroup of group 2 in the FCI classification 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 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.

Health
Mortality
A small sample (N=21) of Affenpinschers in a UK survey had a median lifespan of 11.4 years, which is a typical lifespan for a purebred dog, but a bit lower than most breeds of their size. The most common causes of death were old age (24%), urologic (19%), and "combinations" (14%).

Morbidity
The Affenpinscher can get hip dysplasia. As with many small breeds of dog they are prone to collapsed trachea, which is best avoided by walking the dog with a harness instead of a collar. Cataracts are occasionally reported.

History
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.

Dog - Afghan Hound

2008-01-13T01:11:00.000-08:00

The Afghan Hound is a very old 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 wolves, foxes, and gazelles. Its local name is Tāzī (Persian: تازی). Other alternate names for this breed are Balkh Hound, Baluchi Hound, Barutzy Hound and Kabul Hound.

Quick Facts
Afghan Hound Quick Facts
Weight: 20-27 kg (45-60 lb)
Height: 61-73 cm (24-29 in)
Coat: Long and fine
Activity level: Very high
Learning rate: Very quick
Temperament: Reserved, lively, active
Guard dog ability: Low
Watch-dog ability: High
Litter size: 6-8
Life span: 11-13 years

Appearance
The Afghan Hound is tall, standing 24 to 29 inches (63-74 cm) in height and weighing 45 to 60 pounds (20-30 kg). The coat may be any colour, but white markings, particularly on the head, are discouraged; many individuals have a black facial mask. Some are almost white, but particolour hounds (white with islands of red or black) are not acceptable and may indicate impure breeding. The long, fine-textured coat requires considerable care and grooming. The long topknot and the shorter-haired saddle on the back in the mature dog are distinctive features of the Afghan Hound coat. The high hipbones and unique small ring on the end of the tail are also characteristics of the breed.

Temperament
The temperament of the typical Afghan Hound can be aloof and dignified, but happy and clownish when playing. The breed has a reputation among dog trainers of having a relatively low "obedience intelligence" as defined by author Stanley Coren. The Afghan Hound has many cat-like tendencies and is not slavish in its obedience as are some other breeds. The Afghan hound has a leaning towards independence. Owners should not be surprised if their Afghan hounds sometimes choose to ignore commands. Although seldom used today for hunting in Europe and America where they are popular, Afghan hounds are frequent participants in lure coursing events and are also popular as show dogs.

Health
Mortality
Afghan Hounds in UK surveys had a median lifespan of about 12 years, which is similar to other breeds of their size.
In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (31%), old age (20%), cardiac (10.5%), and urologic (5%).

Morbidity
Major health issues are allergies, and cancer. Sensitivity to anesthesia is an issue the Afghan hound shares with the rest of the sighthound group, as sighthounds have relatively low levels of body fat.

History
The breed was always thought to date back at least to the pre-Christian era, and recent discoveries by researchers studying ancient DNA have revealed that the Afghan Hound is in fact one of the most ancient dog breeds, dating back for many thousands of years.[citation needed] Its original native name, Tazi, betrays its connection to the very similar Tasy breed of Russia. The proximity of southern Russia and Afghanistan argues for a common origin for both breeds.
Initially, Afghan people refused to sell their national dog to outsiders; the breed was not seen in Europe and America until after the turn of the 20th century. The AKC and CKC did not recognize the Afghan Hound until the 1930s.
In 1983, Chris Terrell was the last breeder-owner-handler to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, with his Afghan Hound Ch. Kabik's The Challenger, also the last time a dog from the Hound group has been awarded Best in Show. An Afghan Hound has taken the top honor at just one other WKC Dog Show, in 1957.
On August 3, 2005, Korean scientist Hwang Woo-Suk announced that his team of researchers had become the first team to successfully clone a dog. The dog, an Afghan Hound, was named Snuppy. Later that year, a pattern of lies and fraud by Hwang Woo-Suk came to light, throwing in doubt all his claims. Snuppy, nonetheless, was a genuine clone, and thus the first cloned dog in history.

Dog - Airedale terrier

2008-01-13T01:05:00.000-08:00

The Airedale Terrier (often shortened to "Airedale") is a terrier dog breed originating from Airedale in Yorkshire, England. It is sometimes called the "King of Terriers" because it is the largest of the terrier breeds, 50 to 100 pounds (23-45 kg). 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 from whence it gets its name.

Quick Facts
Airedale Terrier Quick Facts
Weight: 20-33 kg 45-70 lb (with so-called Oorang Airedales, or "large type", from 60 to 100 lb)
Height: The Kennel Club (UK) cites: height at shoulder: Dogs should measure approximately 58 - 61 cm, bitches, 56 - 59 cm; American Kennel Club cites: Dogs should measure approximately 23-24 inches at the shoulder; bitches, slightly less
Coat: Outer coat hard, wiry and stiff, not so long as to appear ragged, undercoat shorter and softer; hardest coats are crinkling or just slightly waved; curly or soft coat highly undesirable.
Activity level: Very High
Learning rate: High
Temperament: Intelligent, responsive, mischievous. Outgoing and confident, friendly, courageous and intelligent. Alert at all times, not aggressive but fearless.
Guard dog ability: High
Watch-dog ability: High
Litter size: 5-12
Life span: 10-13 years

Appearance
Coat
Like many terriers, the breed has a 'broken' coat. The coat is hard, dense and wiry, not so long as to appear ragged, and lies straight and close, covering body and legs. The outer coat is hard, wiry and stiff, while the undercoat shorter and softer. Hardest coats are crinkling or just slightly waved. Curly or soft coats are highly undesirable. Because of this coat, Airedales do not significantly shed. Airedales being shown are generally groomed by stripping: a small serrated edged knife is used to pull out loose hair from the dog's coat.
The correct coat color is a black saddle, with a tan head, ears and legs; or a dark grizzle saddle (black mixed with gray and white). Both are acceptable in the AKC breed standard.

Tail
The Airedale's tail is usually docked (surgically shortened) within five days of birth, but this is not a requirement of breed standard authorities. To show an Airedale in the United States, the tail is expected to be docked, while in the UK it is illegal to dock dogs' tails unless it's for the dog's benefit (e.g., the tail is broken, if clipped). Traditionally the fluffy tail was left long enough that the owner of the dog could grasp it with both hands and pull the animal back out of a hole.
Tail-docking was prohibited by law in Denmark in 1996.

Eyes
The Airedale's eyes should be dark in colour, small, not prominent, full of terrier expression, keeness and intelligence. Light or bold eyes are considered highly undesirable.[citation needed]
Some Airedales do suffer from eye diseases, such as congenital retina condition.

Mouth
Airedales have a normal 'scissors bite', where the top teeth close over the bottom. Airedales' teeth are the largest among terriers, and can inflict a strong bite.

Size
According to the American Kennel Club, Airedale terrier males should measure approximately 23 inches in height at the shoulder; bitches, slightly less. There is no mention of a specific weight, although the standard states that Both sexes should be sturdy, well muscled and boned.At 23 to 24 inches, a dog should weigh approximatelt 50 - 70 pounds, being active, agile enough to perform well, while not too small to function as a physical deterrent, retriever or hunter. But some breeders have produced larger Airedale Terriers, such as as the 'Oorang Airedale', developed in the 1920s.
"In Oorang comments #25, page 81, it states unequivocally that "When full grown your Airedale dog will weigh from forty to fifty-five pounds and if a female will weigh slightly less. This is the standard weight, but when required, we can furnish over-sized Airedales whose weight will be from sixty to one hundred pounds."
Because ex-Army captain, Walter H. Lingo tried to fill orders for everyone the Oorang strain size was never standardized. Airedales weighing from 40 to 100 pounds were produced, but for the most part they ran to 50 pounds and 22 to 23 inches at the shoulder.

Temperament
The Airedale can be used as a working dog and also as a hunter. Airedales exhibit some herding characteristics as well, and have a propensity to chase animals. They have no problem working with cattle and livestock. However, an Airedale that is not well trained will agitate and annoy the animals. Strong-willed, with the tenacity commonly seen in terriers, the Airedale is a formidable opponent.
The Airedale Terrier, like most Terriers, has been bred to hunt independently. As a result, the dog is very intelligent, independent, strong-minded, stoic, and can be stubborn. The Airedale is a dog with a great sense of humour. For those who can laugh along with their Airedale, the dog can provide a unique and entertaining company. For those who don't appreciate being outsmarted by their dog, owning an Airedale can be a trying experience. Patience and consistency in training will be rewarded as the Airedales have been known to reach great heights in competitive obedience, dog agility, and Schutzhund. Airedales can often be difficult to train. Being smart, Airedales pick up what is wanted from them very quickly; being smart, they do not want to keep repeating what they learned and can try to terminate a training session at the point when they "got it". Changing the routine at this point or taking a play-break is much more productive than trying to force the Airedale to continue as they are a stubborn bunch. Airedales require constant reinforcement, or they may decide to start ignoring commands. When training is resumed, they can quickly recover their acceptance of the command. Airedales are a stoic and intrepid breed and as a result, young Airedales exhibit a general lack of common sense and require training. For the same reasons, they need socializing with other dogs early.
Albert Payson Terhune wrote of the Airedale: ”Among the mine-pits of the Aire, the various groups of miners each sought to develop a dog which could outfight and outhunt and outthink the other miner’s dogs. Tests of the first-named virtues were made in inter-mine dog fights. Bit by bit, thus, an active, strong, heroic, compactly graceful and clever dog was evolved – the earliest true form of the Airedale."
He is swift, formidable, graceful, big of brain, an ideal chum and guard. ....To his master he is an adoring pal. To marauders he is a destructive lightning bolt."
They are also very loving, always in the middle of the family activities. Airedales are also known for expressing exactly what they are thinking, unlike more aloof breeds. The Airedale is also a reliable and protective family pet. Airedales are exceedingly loyal and strong dogs; there is one story of an Airedale taking down a bear to protect its master. They are very energetic, and need plenty of exercise.
The Airedale is also a stoic, able to withstand pain and injury, the Airedale’s hurts and illnesses often go unnoticed until they become severe and require veterinary attention.

Health
Mortality
Airedale Terriers in UK, USA, and Canadian surveys had a median lifespan of about 11.5 years, which is similar to other breeds of their size.
In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (39.5%), old age (14%), urologic (9%), and cardiac (7%). In a 2000-2001 USA/Canada Health Survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (38%), urologic (17%), old age (12%), and cardiac (6%).

Morbidity
Airedales can be affected by hip dysplasia.
Like most terriers, they have a propensity towards dermatitis. Skin disorders may go unnoticed in Airedales, because their hard, dense, wiry coats. Itchy skin may be manifest as acral lick dermatitis (caused by licking one area excessively) or acute moist dermatitis or "hot spots" (an oppressively itchy, inflamed and oozing patch of skin, made worse by intense licking and chewing). Allergies, dietary imbalances, and under/over-productive thyroid glands are main causes for skin conditions.
An Airedales coat was originally designed to protect the dog from it's predators. So, it was designed to come out in the claws of the predator it was designed to hunt, leaving the dog unharmed. Because of this, some forms of skin dermatitis can respond to hand stripping the coat. Clipping the coat cuts the dead hair, leaving dead roots within the hair follicles. It is these dead roots which can cause skin irritations. However,hand stripping removes these dead roots of the coat and stimulates new growth. Hence this process can assist with some forms of skin irritations.
Gastric torsion, or bloat, affects Airedales. Bloat can turn and block the stomach, causing a buildup of gas. Bloat can be fatal, it can lead to cardiovascular collapse. Signs of bloat are gastric distress (stomach pain), futile attempts at vomiting, and increased salivation. Bloat usually occurs when the dog is exercised too soon after eating.

History
Airedale, a valley (dale) in the West Riding of Yorkshire, between the Aire and the Warfe Rivers, was the birthplace of the breed. In the mid-19th Century, working class people created the Airedale Terrier by crossing the old English rough-coated Black and Tan Terrier with the Otterhound. In 1886, the Kennel Club of England formally recognised the Airedale Terrier breed.
In 1864 they were exhibited for the first time at a championship dog show sponsored by the Airedale Agricultural Society. They were classified under different names, including Rough Coated, Bingley and Waterside Terrier. In 1879 breed fanciers decided to call the breed the Airedale Terrier, a name accepted by the Kennel Club (England) in 1886.
Well-to-do hunters of the era were typically accompanied by pack of hounds and several terriers, often running them both together. The hounds would scent and pursue the quarry and the terriers would "go to ground" or enter into the quarry's burrow and make the kill. Terriers were often the sporting dog of choice for the common man. Early sporting terriers needed to be big enough to tackle the quarry, but not so big as to prevent them from maneuvering through the quarry's underground lair. Obviously these terriers had to have a very high degree of courage and pluck to face the foe in a tight, dark underground den without the help of human handlers.
During the middle of the nineteenth century, regular sporting events took place along the Aire River in which terriers pursued the large river rats that inhabited the area. A terrier was judged on its ability to locate a "live" hole in the riverbank and then, after the rat was driven from its hole by a ferret brought along for that purpose, the terrier would pursue the rat through water until it could make a kill. As these events became more popular, demand arose for a terrier that could excel in this activity. One such terrier was developed through judicious crossings of the Black-and-Tan Terrier and Bull-and-Terrier dog popular at the time with the Otter Hound. The result was a long-legged fellow that would soon develop into the dog we recognize today as the Airedale Terrier. This character was too big to "go to ground" in the manner of the smaller working terriers; however, it was good at everything else expected of a sporting terrier, and it was particularly adept at water work. This big terrier had other talents in addition to its skill as a ratter. Because of an infusion of hound blood it was blessed with the ability to scent game and the size to be able to tackle larger animals. It became more of a multipurpose terrier that could pursue game by powerful scenting ability, be broken to gun, and taught to retrieve. Its size and temperament made it an able guardian of farm and home. One of the colorful, but less-than legal, uses of the early Airedale Terrier was to assist its master in poaching game on the large estates that were off-limits to commoners. Rabbits, hare, and fowl were plentiful, and the Airedale could be taught to retrieve game killed by its master, or to pursue, kill, and bring it back itself.
The first imports of Airedale Terriers to North America were in 1880s. The first Airedale to come to American shores was named Bruce. After his 1881 arrival, Bruce won the terrier class in a New York dog show.
The patriarch of the breed is considered to be CH Master Briar (1897-1906). Two of his sons, Crompton Marvel and Monarch, also made important contributions to the breed.
First Canadian registrations are recorded in the Stud Book of 1888-1889.
In 1910, the ATCA (Airedale Terrier Club of America) offered the Airedale Bowl as a perpetual trophy, and continues to this day. It is now mounted on hardwood pedestal bases, holding the engraved plates with the names of hundreds of dogs that have been awarded Best of Breed at the National Specialties.
The Airedale was extensively used in World War I to carry messages to soldiers behind enemy lines and transport mail. They were also used by the Red Cross to find wounded soldiers on the battlefield. There are numerous tales of Airedales delivering their messages despite terrible injury. An Airedale named 'Jack' ran through half a mile of enemy fire, with a message attached within his collar. He arrived at headquarters with his jaw broken and one leg badly splintered, and right after he delivered the message, he dropped dead in front of its recipient.
Lt.-Colonel Edwin Hautenville Richardson was responsible for the development of messenger and guard dogs in the British Army. He, along with his wife, established a War Dog Training School at Shoeburyness in Essex, England. In 1916, they provided two Airedales ( Wolf & Prince )for use as message carriers. After both dogs proved themselves in battel, Airedales were given more duties, such as locating injured soldiers on the battlefield, an idea taken from the Red Cross.
Before the adoption of the German Shepherd as the dog of choice for law enforcement and search and rescue work, the Airedale terrier often filled this role.
In 1906, a dog trainer named "Lt. Colonel Edwin Hautenville Richardson" tried to interest the British Police in using dogs to accompany officers, for protection on patrol at night. When Mr.Geddes, Chief Goods Manager for Hull Docks in Yorkshire, was convinced after he went saw the impressive work of police dogs in Belgium. Geddes convince Superintendent Dobie, of the North Eastern Railway Police, arrange a plan for policing the docks. Airedale Terriers were selected for duty as police dogs because of intelligence, good scenting abilities and their hard, wiry coats that were easy to maintain from mud and grime.
At the beginning of the Russo-Japanese war in 1904, the Russian embassy in London contacted Lt. Colonel Richardson for help acquiring dogs for the Russian Army, trained to take the wounded away from the battlefields. He sent terriers, mostly Airedale Terriers, for communication and sanitary services. Although these original imports perished, Airedale Terriers were reintroduced in Russia in the early 1920s for use by the Red Army. Special service dog units were created in 1923, and Airedale Terriers were used as demolition dogs, guard dogs, police tracking dogs and casualty dogs.
Two Airedales were among the dogs lost with the sinking of the Titanic.
The Airedale, Kitty, belonged to Colonel John Jacob Astor IV, the real-estate mogul.
The second Airedale belonged to William E. Carter of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Mr. Carter was the owner of the Renault cautomobile in which Jack and Rose trysted in the movie "Titanic". Carter, his wife and two children survived the sinking.
During the 1930s, when airedales were farmed like livestock, American breeders developed the Oorang airedale.
Capt. Walter Lingo, of LaRue, Ohio, developed the Oorang Airedale strain. The name came from a line of bench champions, headed by King Oorang 11, a dog which was said to have been the finest utility dog. King could retrieve waterfowl and upland game, tree raccoons, drive cattle and sheep, and bay mountain lions, bears, and wolves. King even fought one of the best fighting bull terriers, and killed his opponent. He also trained in Red Cross work, and served the American Expeditionary Force at the front in France.
Lingo simply wasn't satisfied with the average strain of Airedale, and after an incredible series of breedings, for which he brought in great Airedales from all over the world, he created the "King Oorang." At the time, Field and Stream magazine called it, "the greatest utility dog in the history of the world." The Oorang Kennel Company continued until Walter Lingo’s death in 1969. Jerry Siebert, an Airedale breeder in Buckeye Lake, Ohio, followed in Lingo's footsteps, and bred "Jerang Airedales." There is a kennel in Tennessee that claims to have original Oorang Airedale.
Dogs of close to 100 pounds and upwards, carry the medical and behavioral problems associated with the 1930's airedale.
After the First World War, the Airedales' popularity rapidly increased thanks to stories of their bravery on the battlefield and also because Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren Harding owned Airedales. President Harding's Airedale was named Laddie Boy.
President Roosevelt claimed that "An Airedale can do anything any other dog can do and then lick the other dog, if he has to."
1949 marked the peak of the Airedales' popularity in the USA, ranked 20th out of 110 breeds by the American Kennel Club. The breed has since slipped to 50th out of 146.
Marion Robert Morrison, otherwise known as John Wayne, grew up in Glendale, California. His neighbors called him "Big Duke," because he never went anywhere without his Airedale Terrier, "Little Duke". He preferred "Duke" to "Marion," and the name stuck for the rest of his life.
The Airedale Terrier was recognized by United Kennel Club in 1914.
The Airedale Terrier, because of its joyful disposition and energy, was one of the first breeds, along with the [Giant Schnauzer] and the [Rottweiler], used to create the Black [Russian Terrier].

Akita Inu

2008-01-13T01:01:00.000-08:00

The Akita-秋田 or Akita Ken-秋田犬(kanji)・アキタケン(katakana) is a Breed of large dog originating in Japan, named for Akita Prefecture, where it is thought to have originated. "Inu"-犬 means "dog" in Japanese, although in practice this animal is nearly always referred as "Akita-ken," based on the Sino-Japanese reading of the same kanji.

Quick Facts
Akita Inu Quick Facts
Weight: 35-40 kg
Height: 64-70 cm
Coat: Coarse, straight, with soft undercoat
Activity level: Low
Learning rate: High
Temperament: Moderately active, independent
Guard dog ability: High
Watch-dog ability: Very high
Litter size: 5-7
Life span: 11-15 years

Appearance
The breed stands 64 to 70 cm at the shoulders. Females weigh anywhere from 34-38kg. Males are 33-40kg. The Akita Inu come in only five colours: Red, Fawn, Sesame, Brindle, and Pure White. All except white must have whitish hair on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, the neck, chest, body and tail.
All colors are accepted in the American Akita. The Pinto color is not accepted as a Japanese Akita color, but is as an American Akita color. In the U.S., some breeders interbreed the original Japanese type with the heavier American type, which is larger, and allows more colors. It is felt by some that combining the two types leads to improved appearance and genetic health by increasing genetic diversity. In the United States, there is only a single Akita breed registered by the American Kennel Club, whereas they are separated into two breeds in every other country in the world except Canada. In other countries the breed has been separated into two breeds: the Akita Inu and the American Akita. However, the American Akita is seen by some American breeders as being a different breed than the Japanese and these breeders advocate a splitting of the one breed into two.[citation needed]
Akitas possess a double coat, with a dense straight undercoat, and a thick outer coat. This coat makes the dog waterproof, as well as being well-equipped for the fierce winters in Northern Japan. Due to the thickness of their coat, the breed requires daily grooming, and also an awareness of the dog's heavy shedding, especially during warm weather.

Temperament
Akitas are a large breed. They are not considered to be a dog for novice owners, as the dog's master should be assertive in showing the dog its place in the pack, and to have some experience of dog behaviour. They are naturally wary of unknown people and animals and should be well socialised to avoid undesirable aggression. Left unattended in the backyard or in a kennel, they can develop "personality" problems, and may become destructive to the yard due to boredom. They are highly pack oriented, thus, isolating them from a social environment (i.e., the owner) causes them great stress. The Akita is a dominant dog which may expect other dogs to be submissive. Akitas should never be taken to off-leash dog parks due to this dominant behavior, as well as the fact that the dogs are large and strong, and would be difficult to restrain physically if the dog is not properly trained.
Akitas are devoted protectors of children in its pack, and it is said that Japanese mothers often left their children with only the Akitas to watch over and protect them. This devotion will not necessarily extend to other children, especially if teased, and can be aloof with strangers. Common sense should prevail, and adequate supervision of pets and children is generally a good idea. Having said this, a well socialized Akita will be more comfortable with this.
They are excellent house dogs. They require moderate, but regular exercise. Akitas are known to be very quiet dogs, only barking "when there is something to bark about".
Akitas may take a while to train because they are easily bored and can be stubborn. Akitas are highly intelligent, and will only obey a task if they see the point of it. They are not trick dogs. They are also a dominant species, and will not take orders from a weak or abusive leader, requiring a firm but loving education where "no" always means "no" and never "whatever".
An Akita is not likely to shower affection on someone that is not a member of his family or a close friend that he sees frequently, and can be extremely aloof. The dogs are known for their loyalty, and a pet Akita will patiently follow its master from room to room, without ever getting underfoot. This trait is evident in the tale of Hachikō, a dog remembered in Japan for his loyalty, who daily met his master at the train station. After his master's death, Hachikō returned to the train station every day for the rest of his life to wait for him.

Health
Mortality
Akitas in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10 years, which is similar to other breeds of their size.
In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (32%), cardiac (14%), and gastrointestinal, including bloat/torsion (14 In a 2000-2001 USA/Canada Health Survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (21%), GDV (=bloat/torsion, 21%), musculoskeletal (15.5%), and autoimmune (7%).
Morbidity
Some of the health conditions known to affect this breed include:
Canine herpesvirus, a strain of the Herpes virus that happens to affect canines
Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), a condition associated with bloat
Pemphigus, which causes the autoimmune system to attack the dog's skin (leading to pustules)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an adult-onset condition which gradual degeneration in the eye cells (i.e. rods & cones)
UveoDermatological Syndrome (UDS)
Sebaceous adenitis, an autoimmune condition which attacks and destroys the dog's sebaceous glands
Canine Hip Dysplasia
Hypothyroidism

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV = "Bloat" or "Torsion")
Akita owners should take special note of the high incidence of GDV (Gastric dilatation volvulus) in this breed. Excess gas trapped in the dog's stomach causes "bloat." Twisting of the stomach (volvulus or "torsion") causes or is caused by excess gas. GDV is an emergency condition requiring immediate veterinary treatment. Akita owners should be alert to the symptoms of GDV and know the location of the nearest emergency veterinary facility.

History
The Akita's ancestors were dogs used by matagi for hunting. These dogs, usually called matagi inu, were not as large as modern Akita dogs. Many of these dogs were used as guard dogs. They were also used in the sport of hunting bears. Many were used to guard the emperor and his children. Akitas would sometimes be used instead of babysitters.
Recent DNA analysis found that the Akita was among the most ancient dog breeds.

Edo Period
In the Edo Period, Dewa Province (present-day Akita prefecture) was ruled by the Satake clan. Since the Satake were tozama daimyo (considered potentially rebellious), they received severe restrictions by the Tokugawa Shogunate in all military areas. The clan decided to encourage dog fighting around 1630 in order to make it possible for the samurai to retain their aggressive edge in a way that would not offend the shogunate. Dog fighting became especially popular in the Odate area. Dog fighting enthusiasts in the area began to interbreed matagi inu with dogs indigenous to the area. These dogs, which later turned into the Akita, were called Odate inu at that time.

Before World War II
After the Meiji Restoration, people began to breed Akita with many dogs from other regions in Japan, such as the Tosa. The Meiji Restoration also ended Japan's closed door policy, and large, western dogs began to enter Japan. As a result, Akita were also bred with German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Mastiffs. This resulted in the breed losing many of its spitz-like characteristics. Akita were later bred with Hokkaido and Karafuto dogs (also known as the Sakhalin Husky), which were introduced to mainland Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War.
In the Taisho Period, people such as the mayor of Odate Town began a movement to preserve the Akita breed. By this time, the Akita had begun to turn into a mixed breed as a result of excessive breeding with other dogs. Watase Shozaburo, a Japanese zoologist that successfully proposed the Law for Protection of Natural Monuments (天然記念物保護法) also worked towards preserving the Akita breed. As a result, the Akitainu Introduction Foundation (秋田犬保存会) was created in May 1927 by the mayor of Odate, and nine Akita dogs were designated as natural monuments in 1931. In 1932, the faithful Akita dog Hachikō was featured in an article in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, which contributed to the popularity of the breed. When Helen Keller visited Akita prefecture in 1937, she expressed that she would like to have an Akita dog. An Akita called Kamikaze-go was given to her within a month. When Kamikaze-go later died because of canine distemper, his brother, Kenzan-go, was promptly sent to her. By 1938 a breed standard had been established and dog shows had been held, but such activities stopped after World War II began.

The War and its aftermath
During World War II, the number of Akita dogs greatly diminished because of the lack of food. There were also orders to capture all dogs except German shepherds, in order to use their fur for warm army uniforms. Many people bred Akitas with shepherds to avoid capture. When the war ended in 1945, there were fewer than twenty purebred Akita dogs in Japan.
However, the Akita became quite popular during the postwar period. Many occupation soldiers liked the Akita, because it was by far the largest Japanese dog. The fact that Helen Keller had an Akita also became well-known when she came to Japan in 1948 and thanked people in Akita for the dogs she was given. Most of the Akita dogs at this time had many German Shepherd-like characteristics. These dogs are currently known as Dewa line, or Dewa type Akitas.

Akita Inu in Popular Culture
Many manga titles by Takahashi Yoshihiro feature Akita dogs as the main character. These include Gin of Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin and Weed of Ginga Densetsu Weed. This is said to be because Takahashi Yoshihiro was born in Akita Prefecture.
The title character in the anime and manga animated series InuYasha, along with his brother, Sesshomaru and father, Inu no Taisho are said to be Akita yōkai (half youkai half human in InuYasha's case). A yōkai is a legendary Japanese creature that is said to take human form.
In the musical Rent, Angel gets paid $1,000 to get rid of a wealthy woman's neighbor's Akita named Evita. Later on, it becomes clear that Evita's owner was the wife of Benny, the despised landlord of the group of friends. Benny later confides that he hated the dog anyway.
In the anime Kino's Journey, the character Riku appears to be an Akita.
In the manga Nana (manga), one of the title characters is given the nickname Hachiko in reference to her dog-like loyalty being similar to that of the famous dog Hachiko.
Nicole Brown Simpson's dog in the O.J. Simpson case was an Akita.
It has been suggested that Kirby (a character from the movie Balto III: Wings of Change) is an Akita Inu.
Gaomon, a Digimon character, is a young Akita Inu (As you can see, the drop-ears characteristic of young Akitas, and the curly tail.)

Alano Español

2008-01-13T00:58:00.000-08:00

Alano Español or Spanish Bulldog this Spanish breed of dog that derives its name from the Alans. Received recognition from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and the RSCE in 2004. Recognition with the FCI is rumoured to be in planning.

Quick Facts
Alano Español Quick Facts
Weight: 32-40 kg (70-88 lb)
Height: 58-64 cm (23-25 inches)
Coat: Glossy, coarse. 1.5-3.0 cm (1/2-1 1/4 inches)
Activity level: Very High as required; otherwise in repose.
Learning rate: High
Temperament: Dominant, serious, fearless, reliable, stable, affectionate, patient, loyal
Guard dog ability: High
Watch-dog ability: Very high
Life span: approx. 11-14 years

Description
The Alano Español has an elastic, athletic appearance that fits him especially for running long distances at high speeds, herding cattle and holding large animals. This dog has a well proportioned body structure, the rib cage is arched, but not cylindrical, the chest stretches to the elbow level. It also has strong and solid shoulders and withers. The back legs are slightly less massive than the front legs which are straight if you view them from the front or the side. The paws are big compared to the size and weight of the dog. The muscles in the hindquarters are toned and the back legs show very well defined anglulation with strong feet at the base. The tail is thickest at the base and gets thinner, eventually to a point and is carried in an arc below the backline. The stomach retracts inward in order to give him a more athletic appearance than other heavier breeds. The neck is strong, powerful and wide, showing two double chins that should never hang to low. The Alano has extremely powerful jaws. The teeth are wide, and spaced out from each other with a very strong and firm reverse-scissors bite. When running at full speed, they are fast and flexible, fully stretching all limbs in graceful bounds. They can clear almost any obstacle without looking tired at all. Coat colors include, Brindle, Fawns and 'Reds', Black and Brindle and Sable Wolf.

History
The Spanish Alano which we know today is part of a legacy left by the Alan tribe which entered the Iberian Peninsula with the Vandal hordes during the early part of the 5th Century. The Alani were of Scythian and perhaps Amazonian extraction and were one of the predominant Sarmatian peoples which inhabited the plains along the River Don to the North East of the Sea of Azov in modern-day Russia. Formidable horsemen and skilled bowmen, these warring nomads were also famous for their dogs. The Alani were regarded a scourge of the Roman Empire and of neighbouring Caucasian Kingdoms during the 1st and 2nd Centuries AD. Their numbers and efficiency meant many of their forays went unchallenged, more so since they were known to sack and lay to waste great kingdoms in the face of resistance. Their localised supremacy, though underpinned by a strong confederation of Sarmatian tribes, was challenged in the latter part of the 4th Century by the prevailing Huns and so the Alani were ultimately displaced around the turn of the 5th Century. The westbound contingent formed an alliance with those Germanic peoples forging further west through an invasion of Gaul, crossing the Rhine around 407 AD. Though some of the Alani were to settle in Southern ‘France’ and indeed, invade ‘England’, the majority went on with the Vandals to Spain and eventually North Africa where they settled a Kingdom centred upon Carthage from as early as 409 AD. The formal dissolution of the Alani as an independent tribe in the West came after a battle with Visigoths in which their King, Attaces, died in 418 AD. The Alan Crown was then unified with the Vandal Crown under, Gunderic who died in 428 AD, his brother Geiseric succeeded him until his own death in 477 AD as King of the Vandals and Alans. The Spanish Alano is a derivative of those dogs maintained by the Alani throughout that period. 'Alanos' subsequently found great favour both as revered hunters and guardians. Their courage, prowess, agility, strength and enviable stamina were broadly celebrated. A detailed description of the 'Alano' exists within Edmond de Langley's 15th Century text, "Mayster of Game" (essentially a translation of a Gaston Phoebus' work), as well as in Chaucer's "The Knight's Tale". A black-masked 'leonado' Alano is featured holding a wild boar by the ear in a painting by A. Hondius of 1585. There are also many accounts of the roles of such dogs during the Spanish Conquests of the Americas, giving limelight to great canine protagonists such as Becerrillo and Leoncillo. On a cultural level, up until 1883 when their 'turn' was outlawed, Alanos were used in the ‘Corridas’ of The Bull Ring. The popularity of the dogs waned somewhat at the turn of the 20th Century when fashion and favour befell 'foreign' breeds and as pastoral methods and livestock management changed. The breed was considered to be extinct soon after the last formal exhibition of a pair of Alanos at Madrid's 'Parque del Buen Retiro' in 1963.
Recuperation
A band of veterinary medicine students and die-hard Alano enthusiasts intent on a recuperation of this marvellous and mythical breed, set to work in the late 1970's and early 80's. After scouring Western and Northern Spain, literally conducting house-to-house enquiries with old photographs and stout hearts, their labours were rewarded with a situation much better than originally anticipated. Few examples could be traced in Estremadura or in Castille but the situation in the North of the country was much better; a thriving population of dogs were located in Las Encartaciones ,Cantabria. Those dogs were still carrying out those tasks which they had been exercising for almost two millennia, hunting wild boar and in the management of the Monchina, a semi-wild breed of Iberian Red cattle.

Yorkshire Terrier

2008-01-13T00:48:00.000-08:00

The Yorkshire Terrier, (often called simply the Yorkie), is a breed of small dog in the toy category. The long-haired terrier is known for its playful demeanor and distinctive blue and tan coat. Yorkies can be very small, usually weighing not more than 7 pounds (3.18 kg); the standard of this breed does not mention the minimum weight accepted nor does it specify a height. Based on registrations of the American Kennel Club, Yorkshire Terriers became the second most popular dog breed in the United States in 2006, trailing only the Labrador Retriever.

Yorkshire Terrier Quick Facts
Weight: 7 pounds (3.2kg)
Height: 6-7 inches (15-17½cm)
Coat: Ultra-long, fine, silky
Activity level: High
Learning rate: Average to High
Temperament: Highly energetic, brave, loyal, clever, affectionate, aggressive
Guard dog ability: Low
Watch-dog ability: High
Litter size: -
Life span: 12-15 years

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

2008-01-13T00:46:00.000-08:00

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a gundog developed by Eduard Karel Korthals in 1873. It is Dutch in origin, but is regarded as a French breed because a major portion of the breed's development took place in France.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is particularly adapted for swampy country, where its harsh coat is excellent protection.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a superb swimmer and retriever and it loves to play in the water.
Griffons are known as intelligent, extremely eager to please, friendly dogs. They are also known for their slightly less excitable temperament when not in the field.

White Shepherd Dog

2008-01-13T00:45:00.000-08:00

The White Shepherd Dog emerged from white coat lines of the German Shepherd Dog. Currently, it is only separately recognized as a breed by the United Kennel Club in the United States.

Appearance
The White Shepherd is a direct descendant of the German Shepherd Dog and the two breeds share common roots and are similar in appearance. However, the White Shepherd evolved from a continuous selection for a working companion dog with that exclusive color, beauty and elegance as seen both standing and in motion. His high degree of intelligence and sense of loyalty have allowed him to become one of the most versatile working dogs serving mankind.
White Shepherd Dog breed lines, recognized by the UKC, is a medium-sized, well-balanced, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a medium length, pure white coat, erect ears, and a low-set natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried in a slight curve like a saber. The White Shepherd is solid without bulkiness and should be shown in lean, hard physical condition. The outline of the White Shepherd is made up of smooth curves rather than angles. When trotting, the White Shepherd moves with a long, efficient stride that is driven by a powerful forward thrust from the hindquarters. The rear leg, moving forward, swings under the foreleg and touches down in the place where the forefoot left an imprint. Gender differences are readily apparent.
The White Shepherd should be evaluated as an all-around working dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they deviate from breed type; and how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work.
The head is proportional to the size of the dog. Males appear masculine without coarseness, and females feminine without being overly fine. The skull and muzzle are of equal length, parallel to one another, and joined at a moderate stop. There is little or no median furrow.
The White Shepherd has a weather-resistant double coat. The outer coat is medium length, dense, straight, harsh, and close lying. The undercoat is short, thick, and fine in texture. The body coat is never longer than 2½ inches. At the neck, the coat may be slightly longer and heavier, particularly in males. Ideal coat color is a pure white. Colors ranging from a very light cream to a light biscuit tan are acceptable but not preferred.
Dogs with noses not predominantly black is a disqualification.
The tail is set on low in a natural extension of the sloping croup. The tail extends at least to the hock joint and usually below.
It must be noted that appearance standard for United Kennel Club registered dogs is not the same as for other separate breed lines such as the American White Shepherd Dog, Canadian White Shepherd Dog, White German Shepherd Dog, or the FCI Internationally recognized Berger Blanc Suisse (White Swiss Shepherd) Dog. While all of these breed lines have a common genetic heritage with the white members of the German Shepherd Dog breed, they are each considered separate breeds which can not be cross registered between kennel clubs or interchangeably identified as the same breed. Each has its own breed appearance standard.

Whippet

2008-01-13T00:43:00.000-08:00

The Whippet is a breed of dog, specifically a member of 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.

Appearance
Whippets are a medium-size dog averaging in weight from 25 to 40 lb (11–18 kg), with height (under the FCI standard) of 18.5 inches (47 cm) for dogs and 17.5 inches (44 cm) for bitches. Whippets tend to be somewhat larger in the United States with show, coursing and some race Whippets required to be within the AKC standard of 18.5 to 22.5 inches (48–56 cm) for dogs, and 17.5 to 21.5 inches (46–53 cm) for bitches. Because color is considered immaterial in judging whippets, they come in a wide variety of colors and marking patterns, everything from solid black to solid white, with red, fawn, brindle, blue, or cream. All manner of spots and blazes and patches are seen, sometimes all in the same litter.

Wetterhoun

2008-01-13T00:42:00.000-08:00

The Wetterhoun (plural: Wetterhounen) is a breed of dog also called the Otterhoun or Frisian Water Dog. They originate from the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. The name of the dog comes from the West Frisian Wetterhûn meaning "water dog."

Appearance
The Wetterhoun is a medium sized dog and is ideally between 55 and 59 centimeters (21.6-23 inches). They weigh between 15 and 20 kilograms (33-44 pounds). Their coat is thick and curly except for the ears and legs, where the coat is smoother. The coat should be black and white, liver and white, solid black or solid liver. The tail curls tightly over their back.

West Siberian Laika

2008-01-13T00:41:00.000-08:00

The West Siberian Laika- WSL- is a hunting breed developed by the indigenous people of Northern Ural and West Siberia. They used Laikas mostly for treeing squirrels and hunting small predators with valuable fur.

Physical Description
The Russian Standards for West Siberian Laikas changed several times/1947-1966 -1979-etc./. Usually Males stand 19 to 20 inches at the shoulder, females 18 to 19 inches. Most of the modern dogs today are bigger and heavier than their original ancestors. Typical for all Laikas are, erect, triangular ears and a tail that is carried high curving over the back . The coat is a so called double type observed in wolves and most of the polar dogs. Hair that is too long, too soft, curly or growing in all directions is a sure sign of mixed blood. Standard colors are gray, rusty, and white. The gray coat can vary from almost white to very dark. Brown or shades of browns are absolutely unacceptable. Many dogs imported from Asia /Kazakhstan/ have such a fault as a result of crossbreeding with German Shepherds and other breeds. Black, or black and white WS Laikas, frequently appear in litters and are considered by old descrptions of indigenous Laikas as pure bred. This color is unwanted today, because of its associations with the other Russian Laika-the so called Russo Europeans-that have exactly the same color. The real difference between those two breeds is in the shape of the body and head and most of all in the character of the West Siberians.They are COOL! Pure bred West Siberians are not so nervous or easily excited as other breeds of Hunting Laikas. They display such a brave, cool, and calculating type of behavior even in the most dangerous situations. It comes as a package along with the ability to work on big game and to track very old, "cold" tracks.

West Highland White Terrier

2008-01-13T00:39:00.000-08:00

West Highland White Terriers, commonly known as Westies, are a breed of dog known for their spirited personality and distinctive white coat. This breed is commonly recognised through its use as a mascot for Black & White (a brand of Scotch whisky), and on the packaging of Cesar brand dog food.

Appearance
They have bright, deep-set eyes, as dark as possible, with a piercing look. The ears are small, pointed and erect.
They typically weigh about 15 to 20 lb (7.5–10 kg) and their average height is 11 in. (28 cm) at the withers. Their tails, typically naturally "carrot-shaped", should never be docked and are held upright. The tail should be between 5-6 inches.
They also have deep chests, muscular limbs, a slightly convex skull, a short and a closely fitted jaw with scissors bite (lower canines locked in front of upper canines, upper incisors locked over lower incisors). Their teeth generally appear quite large for the size of the dog. Westies have a very strong bone structure for their size. They have a soft, dense undercoat and a rough outer coat, about 2 in. long, that requires regular grooming. Some Westies have "wheaten tippings" on their backs, but this is undesirable in show/breeding specimens. Their paws are slightly webbed and thickly padded.

Welsh Terrier

2008-01-13T00:35:00.000-08:00

The Welsh Terrier is a breed of dog, one of many terrier breeds. It is suited for hunting fox, birds, and badgers and for being kept as a pet. The Welsh Terrier originates from Wales and has existed since the 1800s. Its origins lie in the Old English Black and Tan Terrier that existed in England as early as the 13th century. It also existed in Wales and it was that sort that finally was registered by The Kennel Club under the name Welsh Terrier. Until 1900, it was called the "Old English Terrier" or "Black and Tan Rough Haired Terrier". The breed has been recognised since 1886 and is more common than the Airedale Terrier or the Fox Terrier.

Appearance
This breed is coloured black and tan. They can grow up to 39cm (15 in.) with a weight of 9-10 kg (20-22 lb).
The hair contains two layers, an undercoat that insulates and an abrasive fur on top that protects against dirt, rain, and wind. The colour is tan with a black "jacket". "Tan" can vary in color hue from golden to reddish. White is allowed only as small marks on the front of the breast. Welshies are born all black and during the first year they change the color to standard black and tan.
The body shape is square, with elongated, "brick-like" face. This shape is formed by the whiskers and beard.
The tail is docked and is positioned pointing up.

Welsh Springer Spaniel

2008-01-13T00:33:00.000-08:00

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a breed of dog and a member of the spaniel family.

Appearance
The build of the Welsh Springer Spaniel should be slightly off square, meaning that the length of the dog should be slightly greater than the height at the withers. However, some dogs may be square, and this is not penalised in the show ring as long as the height is never greater than the length. In some countries the tail is generally docked and the dew claws are removed.
Eyes should be brown in colour; yellow eyes do sometimes occur but are not acceptable for the show ring. Ears are pendulous and lightly feathered. Nostrils are well developed and are black or any shade of brown; a pink nose is to be severely penalised in the AKC standard for the show ring, in Britain it is a recognised (and probably the original) type. A scissors bite is preferred.
Height at withers:
Dog: 18–19 inch (46–48 cm
Bitch: 17–18 inch (43–46 cm)
Weight: 35–45 lb (16–20 kg)
The coat is naturally straight, flat, and soft to the touch; it should never be wiry or wavy. It is weatherproof and gives protection from all kinds of thorn and brush. The back of the legs, chest, and underside of the body are feathered, and the ears and tail are lightly feathered. The only colour is rich red-and-white. Any pattern is acceptable and any white area may be flecked with red ticking.

Welsh Sheepdog

2008-01-13T00:32:00.000-08:00

The Welsh Sheepdog (sometimes known as the Welsh Collie) is a breed or landrace of herding dog from Wales, known in Welsh as Ci Defaid Cymreig ("kee devide kumrayg"). Over many decades it has been widely replaced in Wales for working sheep by the Border Collie, but in more recent years efforts have been made to maintain the indigenous Welsh Sheepdog as a distinct type.
Like other types of working dog, Welsh Sheepdogs are normally bred for their herding abilities rather than appearance, and so they are generally somewhat variable in build, colour, and size. Welsh Sheepdogs are usually black-and-white, red-and-white, or tricolour, but merle markings are also frequent over any of these. The coat may be short or fairly long, and the ears are pricked, but usually folded at the tip. They are extremely active, and are unsuited to being kept as pets.
Welsh Sheepdogs are usually of loose-eyed action, not fixing the stock with their gaze like the strong-eyed Border Collie. They are able to work independently without necessarily being under direct human control. Welsh Sheepdogs are most often used for herding sheep, but also readily work cattle, goats, and even horses and pigs.

Welsh Corgi

2008-01-13T00:28:00.000-08:00

The Welsh Corgi is a small breed of dog that originated in Wales. Cor gi means "dwarf dog" in Welsh (and the OED gives corgwn as an alternative to corgis, from the Welsh plural cor gŵn.
An average Welsh Corgi is around 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) tall at the tallest point in the shoulders and weighs approximately 24-30 lb (12-15 kg). Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, Corgis are active dogs, and considered very intelligent. They have proven themselves excellent companion animals and are outstanding competitors in sheepdog trials and agility trials.
Welsh Corgis are generally recognized as two distinct breeds: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. Beginning in 1934, the American Kennel Club recognized them as separate breeds. The Cardigan is the larger of the two, with larger rounded ears and a foxy, flowing tail. The Pembroke features rounded, pointed ears and is somewhat smaller in stature. Historically, the Pembroke was a breed with a natural bob tail (very short tail). Due to the advent of docking, the trait was not aggressively pursued, with breeders focusing instead on other characteristics, and the tail artificially shortened if need be. Given that some countries are now banning docking, breeders are again attempting to select for dogs with the genes for natural bob tails. The coats of both breeds come in a variety of colors, although there are some differences between the breeds.
The Pembroke remains the more common variety. Outside Wales, the breed has been made popular by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who keeps at least four at all times.

Welsh Corgi Quick Facts
Weight: 25-30 pounds (11-14kg)
Height: Dogs 10-12 inches (25-30cm)
Coat: Soft, water-resistant
Activity level: Very high
Learning rate: High
Temperament: Hardy, highly intelligent, obedient, protective, devoted, extremely active (Some Pembrokes are more outgoing, restless and excitable than the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.)
Guard dog ability: Low
Watch-dog ability: Very high
Litter size: -
Life span: 12-15 years

Weimaraner

2008-01-13T00:24:00.000-08:00

The Weimaraner is a silver-grey breed of dog developed originally in early 19th century for hunting. Early Weimaraners were used by royalty for hunting large game, such as boar, bears, and deer. As the popularity of large game hunting began to decline, Weimaraners were used for hunting smaller animals, like fowl, rabbits, and foxes. Rather than having a specific purpose such as pointing or flushing, the Weimaraner is an all purpose gun dog. The Weimaraner is loyal and loving to his family, an incredible hunter, and a fearless guardian of his family and territory. The name comes from the Grand Duke of Weimar, Karl August, whose court enjoyed hunting.

Weimaraner Quick Facts
Weight: 55-70 pounds (25-32kg)
Height: 24-27 inches (61-69cm)
Coat: Short, fine, smooth gray (or a rarer long-haired variety)
Activity level: Very high
Learning rate: Moderate
Temperament: Happy, loving, cheerful, affectionate, very rambunctious, intelligent, opinionated, willful, territorial, brave, loyal, quick to learn but resistant to repetitive training, reserved with strangers, sometimes combative with other dogs
Guard dog ability: High
Watch-dog ability: High
Litter size: -
Life span: 10-12 years

Appearance
The Weimaraner is elegant, noble, and athletic in appearance. All parts of the dog should be in balance with each other, creating a form that is pleasing to the eye. It must be capable of working in the field, regardless of whether it is from show stock or hunting stock, and faults that will interfere with working ability are heavily penalized.
The tails, which may be amber or gray, are kept short. In some cases, tails are docked and dewclaws are removed, the tail usually docked at birth to a third of its natural length.
Coat and colour
This breed's short, smooth gray coat and its unusual eyes give it a regal appearance different from any other breed. However, the breed has been deemed very similar to the Vizsla. The eyes may be light amber, gray, or blue-gray. The coat may range from mouse-gray (grayish beige or tan) to silver-gray. Where the fur is thin or non-existent, inside the ears or on the lips, for example, the skin should be a pinkish "flesh" tone rather than white or black.
The silvery-gray colour is rare in dogs and is the result of breeding for a recessive gene. It has also lent the breed the nickname 'silver ghost' or 'gray ghost.' The coat is extremely low maintenance; it is short, hard, and smooth to the touch.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) standard, a distinctly blue or black coat is an automatic disqualification, though a small white marking in the chest area only is permitted.
There is a long-haired variety that is recognised by most kennel clubs around the world except in North America. The long-haired Weimaraner has a silky coat, with -contrary to the short coated variety- an undocked feathered tail. Because the gene is recessive, breeding two long-haired Weimaraners only produces long-haired puppies. Breeding of a long-haired Weimaraner to a short-haired Weimaraner will produce some long-haired puppies only if the short-haired parent carries the recessive longhair gene. Otherwise, the offspring will all be short-haired.
Size
According to the AKC standard, the male Weimaraner stands between 25 and 27 inches (63-68 cm) at the withers.
Females are between 23 and 25 inches (58-63 cm). Of course, there are many dogs taller or shorter than the breed standard. The breed is not heavy for its height, and males normally weigh roughly 70-85 pounds. Females are generally between 55-70 lbs(25-32kgs). A Weimaraner carries its weight proudly and gives the appearance of a muscular,athletic dog.

Volpino Italiano

2008-01-13T00:12:00.000-08:00

A Volpino Italiano is a white, spitz-type breed of dog originally from Italy, and modern Switzerland.

History
Spitz-type dogs were found throughout the ancient world. Specimens from this group have been found preserved in European peat bogs which anthropologists trace to 4000 BC. The remains—with curly tails, foxy heads, and small erect ears—have been found dating back over 5,000 years. These little pets wore decorative ivory bracelets and collars. Engravings of similar dogs were found in Greece, and these have been determined to date to about 400 BC.
The Volpino has been known and loved by Italian royalty for centuries, being a special favorite of the ladies. Although bearing a strong resemblance to the Pomeranian, the breed is much older and thus has a different background. The northern dogs found their way south very early in the history of domesticated dogs. The Italian word for wolf is lupo, and the Keeshond is called both Lupino and Volpino in Italian. Volpe is Italian for "fox", hence volpino means little fox in Italian. Despite his long history, the Volpino is unknown outside of Italy and is now quite rare even in his homeland.
Despite its small size, this dog was originally kept as a guard dog. Its job was to alert the large mastiffs to an intruder. However, due to their lovely temperament and intelligence they also became popular as pets. For unknown reasons the breed's popularity dropped and in 1965 the last dogs were registered. In 1984 an attempt was made to revive the breed. The dogs still living as guard dogs on farms became the new breeding stock. Volpinos remain rare with about 2000 dogs world wide. Most are in Italy but some people are now breeding them in Scandinavia, the UK and the USA. A 2006 survey of kennel clubs found an average of 120 puppies registered each year in Italy (with ENCI) and a total of 200-300 registered each in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Fewer than one dozen were registered in the USA with UKC and CKC.

Valley Bulldog

2008-01-13T00:10:00.000-08:00

The Valley Bulldog is rare breed of dog found most commonly in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada. It is a common conception that Valley Bulldog originated in the Annapolis Valley, giving the breed the name "Valley Bulldog".

History
The Valley Bulldog breed can be traced back to the mid 1900s, although it is possible that it may have existed much earlier. Research has shown that several of today's breeders have produced ten to fifteen generations of pure Valley Bulldogs in their breeding programs.
The genetic origin and foundation of the Valley Bulldog was established on and incorporated the Bulldog and the Boxer. These two breeds were used to incorporate the Boxer's athletic ability and exceptional temperament and the Bulldog's courageous and unwavering spirit. Over the years type has been set and the Valley Bulldog is now a pure bred in both form and type.
The Valley Bulldog was bred as a durable, athletic, working utility dog that was used primarily for farm and ranch work. Valley Bulldogs were used to work cattle and other unruly livestock as well as protect and guard the farm or ranch and its occupants from natural predators.

Utonagan

2008-01-13T00:07:00.000-08:00

The Utonagan is a dog breed (Canis lupus familiaris) that is under development using a procedure called breeding back. The Utonagan strongly resembles a wolf.

Appearance
The Utonagan is large and well-muscled but with a slender build so as to resemble a wolf as closely as possible. The official breed standard of the Utonagan is held by *The Utonagan Society
The breed has a thick double coat that appears quite different in winter and summer. The guard hair is straight and slightly coarse to the touch. The pelage can be silver grey, cream, or brown with black overlay and a characteristic wolf mask. It also comes in all white and all black.
Health
They do not eat as much as many other large breeds but are prone to obesity and bloating if overfed.
Some have thick coats that keep them warm in cool conditions but they have great difficulty staying cool in summer. This becomes a problem when walking the dog during hot weather, so owners must be careful not to overexercise the dog and to keep water available when playing.
Utonagan can live up to 10-15 years of age.
Breeding stock has to be KC/BVA hip scored and eye tested clear.
A good breeder will always supply you with legible copies of their certificates before you purchase a puppy.
History
The name Utonagan was taken from a Chinook tale and interpreted as "Spirit of the Wolf".
The Utonagan and Northern Inuit were created from 5 rescue dogs of unknown origin, imported to the UK from America in 1987. Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd were then added.
The original dogs were bred by Edwina Harrison, who would often advertise them as wolf dogs. See link to article in external links. Buck, the founding father, looked like a Malamute. His more wolf-like pups were prized for breeding.
The breed now known as The Utonagan and the breed known as the Northern Inuit originally came from the same stock. A split in the breed society saw the forming of The Utonagan Society. The Utonagan Society developed its lines by returning to stock from the conceptual breeder, as such the Utonagan and Northern Inuit are therefore now two separate breeds. The breed consists of only three breeds of domestic dog: Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, and Siberian Husky.
The development of the Utonagan is well under way in Britain with registration and records being held by The Utonagan Society. All breeding stock must be KC/BVA eye tested and Hip Scored
These dogs have been bred in Britain for approximately fifteen years, but only recently has the breed been known as the Utonagan. Although initially record keeping was poor (the breed being at an experimental stage) This has now been rectified over recent years by The Utonagan Society.

Tyrolean Hound

2008-01-13T00:06:00.000-08:00

History
The Tyrolean Hound is supposedly descendant from the Celtic Hounds. Emperor Maximilian I used this hound for hunting hare and fox and for tracking wounded game. Selectve breeding began in 1860 which led to the breed being officially recognized in 1908. These dogs often hunted alone (not in a pack) and had a fine scenting ability.

Appearance
This medium sized hound has broad flat ears set high on the head. They have a thick double coat including a coarse undercoat and the rear legs are well feathered. There are two main colours, red, black and tan, both of which may have white markings.

Treeing Walker Coonhound

2008-01-13T00:04:00.000-08:00

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a breed of dog descended from the English Foxhound, first recognized as a separate breed in 1945. The breed began when a stolen dog of unknown origin, known as "Tennessee Lead", was crossed into the Walker Hound in the 1800s. Thomas Walker had imported the English Foxhound to Virginia in 1742.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are extremely fast, agile, and tireless in the pursuit of game. They are extremely vocal with a distinctive bay that allows their owners to easily identify their dogs from great distances. hi hi hi hi
While very affectionate, they are best suited to a life of action outdoors, and will suffer from being cooped up.

Appearance
Walker hounds stand between 20 and 27 inches at the withers, weighing between 50 and 70 pounds and their markings are bicolor or tricolor with smooth short haired coats. They are extremely powerful, especially throughout the shoulder region, and have large ears compared to head size. Their legs are straight and lean, not well muscled. Some people mistake them as being very large Beagles.

Toy Mi-Ki

2008-01-13T00:02:00.000-08:00

The Toy Mi-Ki is a developing breed of toy dog. It still lacks a set breed standard. As with many controversial breeds, this issue might or might not ever be resolved; see the continuing controversy over the pomchi and other "designer" breeds of dog.

Appearance
The Toy Mi-Ki stands about 10 inches at the withers. The eyes are large, dark, and expressive.
Whether the Mi-Ki has one coat type or two varies with the different groups. One states that the original Mi-Ki standard has only one coat type, long, straight silky hair with little to no shedding.
Another group states that the Mi-Ki comes in two coat varieties.[citation needed] The long-coated variety does not shed. Any hair that comes out of the dog is retained by the long coat. It is suggested that a fine toothed "wire hound comb" be used to remove the dead hair. The short-coated Mi-Ki does shed but moderately. Neither coat type is preferred over the other. Both coat types are shown in the same ring together; they are not separated into varieties. The Mi-Ki comes in a variety of colours.
There are two ear types, the folded ear and the prick ear, which means that the ear stands straight up. Both types of ears are currently acceptable. When the Mi-Ki becomes excited, the ears "wing", meaning that the folded ear becomes erect, "winging" out to the side of the dog's head.
Temperament
It is a small, devoted companion, who is outgoing, fun loving, and intelligent. It is quick to learn tricks, and even quicker to make friends with people and dogs alike, playful with other dogs love to snuggle.
History
In North America, at least two breeders began working with the Mi-Ki in 1991 and 1992. The Imperial Toy Mi-Ki Club started in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1991, and a different breeder, started stud books for the breed from a different line of Mi-Kis in 1992. The Greater American Toy Mi-Ki Club started around this time, and in 1994 was incorporated in the state of Wisconsin. That club is no longer active, but a new club, The Mi-Ki Club of America, was immediately formed. The Mi-Ki Club of America claims to have received recognition for the dogs in their stud books in 17 countries around the world. The first Multi-International Mi-Ki Champion was exported to Germany in 2004 and was the first Mi-Ki to be registered there. The Imperial Toy Mi-Ki Club is also still active.
Various clubs have formed, with different ideas about the breed's status, appearance, and requirements. Some breeders, still viewing the Mi-Ki as a type rather than a breed because there is not sufficient breeding stock to work from and insufficient generations of breeding-true lines, have added additional breeds to the Mi-Ki, including the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shih Tzu, among others. Their dogs have been accepted by the Mi-Ki Club of America as puremutt Mi-Kis, which believes that the breed is pure and is working to establish multiple generations of Mi-Ki-only breedings.
The Mi-Ki is not currently recognized by any of the major international kennel clubs due to its disputed purebred status.
Miscellaneous
Some Mi-Ki dogs are being used as therapy dogs.

Toy Manchester Terrier

2008-01-12T23:59:00.000-08:00

A Toy Manchester Terrier is a small breed of terrier in the toy dog group. While the name is sometimes used synonymously with that of the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan), these are actually separate breeds.
They normally weigh about 8-10 lbs.

Toy Fox Terrier

2008-01-12T23:57:00.000-08:00

The Toy Fox Terrier is a small terrier breed of dog, directly descended from the larger Fox Terrier but considered a separate breed.

About
Toy Fox Terriers adapt well to apartment life. They are active indoors and will do without a yard, as they can usually take care of their own exercise needs. They often have trouble tolerating cold weather without careful acclimation. Their life expectancy is about fifteen years (since the breed has only been officially recognized by groups like the UKC and the AKC since 2000, there is little official documentation). Toy Fox Terriers are significantly healthful and resilient, however, as with many toy breeds, some are prone to patellar luxation (slipped stifle). Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome and von Willebrand's disease are uncommon. Some dogs are allergic to beet pulp, corn, and wheat. The Toy Fox Terrier is easy to groom, although grooming is generally seen as unneeded due to how short the hairs are (under a centimetre in length most of the time). Sometimes, it is necessary to comb and brush the coat. It is a light shedder.

Appearance
It is a small dog with a muscular and athletic appearance. The breed has been deemed elegant and graceful with V-shaped ears and large eyes. The tail can be short and straight, and breeders often shorten the tail a few days after birth by clipping it about three-fifth of the way from the tip (at the third or fourth joint). The coat is short, fine, and glossy in white with black; there are two other variants, one with 'chocolate' replacing the black in areas (the UKC doesn't allow this variant to be shown), and another which is all white and tan with no black at all. These variants are often known as 'Tri-Color', 'Chocolate', and 'Tan and White', respectively. The height ranges from 8.5–11.5 inches (21.5–29.2 cm) and weight from 3.5-7 pounds (1.5-3 kg).

Toy Bulldog

2008-01-12T23:56:00.000-08:00

The Toy Bulldog, also known as the Miniature Bulldog, is an extinct breed of small Bulldog that averaged 8 pounds in weight. These Bulldogs are bred with the Pug. Many of them were pushed out of Britain during the mid to late 19th century, seen as a threat to the Bulldog breed.
In France, they were bred with the Bulldog to produce the French Bulldog. Efforts are now underway to reinvent this breed, as it slowly disappeared during the early part of the 20th century.

Tosa

2008-01-12T23:54:00.000-08:00

The Tosa is a breed of dog of Japanese origin that is considered rare. It was originally bred in Tosa (present day Kochi ) as a fighting dog.

Appearance
The Tosa varies considerably in size, with the Japanese-bred dogs tending to be about half the size of those bred outside the country. The Japanese breed generally weighs between 80 and 120 lb, while the non-Japanese breeders have focused on dogs that weigh from 200 to 225 lb (89.5 to 100 kg) and stand 24.5 to 32 inches (62 to 82 cm) at the withers. (Citation needed, as many heavyweight Japanese fighting dogs are recorded around 200lb) The coat is characterized by its short and smooth appearance and is often red, brindle, or fawn. Occasionally it can be a dull black, but this is somewhat rare. Maintenance of the coat is usually minimal.
The Tosa also bears many facial similarities with the Rhodesian Ridgeback among other dogs.

Tornjak

2008-01-12T23:52:00.000-08:00

The Tornjak ("tor" is Bosnian and Croatian for pen) is a mountain sheep dog native to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.

History
Tornjaks belong to the rare livestock protection breeds. The Tornjak is one of the very old breeds from ancient times, and it was mentioned in handwritten papers for the first time in the 9th century, in a Catholic Church's document. The breed was later mentioned in the 11th and 14th century. Tornjaks from these documents is the very same as they are today, except for the name of the breed, which was Hrvatski pas planinac, meaning Croatian dog from the mountain. The dogs in these documents was described entirely equal (function and exterior) as they are today: a protective guarding dog which keep and watch all what their humans ask from them, but highly intelligent and selected without sufficient aggression, and they are pleasant against strangers that they meet outside of their own property. It is considered that dogs of the Tornjak's type have existed in Dinaridi (region around Mountain Dinara, Croatia),as well as in the region around Vlasic (region close to the city of Bugojno, Bosnia), from the Roman times . The Romans used their dogs as war and guardian dogs, as well as for fighting in the arena. Although the Tornjak is a very old breed, with the vanishing of nomadic sheep-breeding also the Tornjak vanished gradually. In the early 70's, a group of cinologs began to collect the remained dogs which best corresponded to the old writings about their race.
The first written tracks about the existence of Tornjaks date back to the 9th century. Description given to the Tornjak were found in the writings of Peter Horvat bishop of Đakovo, Croatia, which date back to the year 1374, those descriptions were also found in the writings of Peter Lukić canon of the Đakovo diocese, which were written in 1752. The term Tornjak evolves from the Bosnian/Croatian word "tor", which means an enclosed area where sheep live in. Still today, these dogs are called Torashi in the surroundings of the city of Sinj and on the Kamešnica- mountains, whereas the shepherds of the Dinara-mountains call them Dinarci.
According to research, Tornjak is most likely the descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff, or from where the today's Iran is. The environment has created a healthy and strong dog, with modest needs for food and shelter, and a great watchdog.

Appearance
Tornjak is a large and powerful dog, well proportioned and agile. The shape of the body is almost square. The bone is not light, but nevertheless not heavy nor coarse. His coat is long and thick. The body of this dog is strong and well built, with harmonious and dignified movements. The hair is long and thick and adequately protects the body against bad weather conditions. The tail is shaggy, kept high like a flag. Tornjak has a clear, self-confident, serious and calm look to it. In general, Tornjak is a long coated dog with short hair over the face and legs. The topcoat is long, thick, coarse and straight. It is specially long on the upper part of the croup, over the shoulders and the back it can be slightly wavy. On the muzzle and the forehead, up to the imaginary line connecting the ears, over the ears and on the front parts of legs and feet it is short. It is especially abundant around the neck (mane), dense and long over the upper thighs (breeches). It forms feathers along the forearms. With well coated dogs it is also especially abundant on the rear of hind pasterns. The tail is richly coated with very long hair. Winter undercoat is long, very thick and of nice woolly texture. Hair is thick and dense and should not part along the back.
As a rule Tornjak is parti-colored with markings of various solid colors. The colour of Tornjaks is in fact unrestricted. It ranges from nearly completely white to almost black, with yellow, red, brown and not-quite-desired gray in between. There are two main types: piebald and Irish spotting. The goal is multicolourdness and distinction regarding towards other breeds. Usually the dominant ground color is white. There may be dogs with a black mantle and with white markings most often found around the neck, over the head and along the legs. There may also be almost white dogs with only small markings.
Head
Lupine, wedge-shaped and elongated. Due to the heavy coat it could look too small sometimes. Powerful and long jaws, teeth complete, scissor bite. The back of the muzzle is straight. The zygomatic arches above the eyes may be slightly noticeable. Back of skull elongated but not narrow, straight from zygomatic arches to occiput. Top of the muzzle straight, proportional, never pointed or excessively fleshy, lips fitted tightly to the jaws. Almond shaped eyes, eyelids close to the skull. Large ears, that are single turn down, set high up, nearer to the vertex than in other sheepdogs breeds.
Neck
Long1, carried low, set at 45 degree when alert. Neck muscles firm and taut. Skin quite thick especially at the nape of the neck and adheres to the inner tissue not only on the upper but also on the lower side of the neck. Covered with a rich crop of long hair (ruff).
Back
Relatively short, firm, moderately wide and level.
Tail
Long, can be saber-shaped, annular or hooked (slight upward turn at the tip), set medium high. Highly mobile, at rest hanging downwards. When in motion - trotting - or when alert or excited, always carried above the back.
Chest
Very broad, conically deep, wide and rounded, but ribs not heavy. The breast is well-proportioned and forms a firmly connected unit between shoulder joint and chest. As a rule, the sternum (breast bone) tip is a little below the shoulder joint.
Belly
Firm muscles, continuous lower line, moderately tucked-up from the back end of sternum to the inside of loins.
Coat
As a rule, long coated with short hair on face and front part of legs. Top coat is long, hard textured (similar to goats) and straight. On the front part of shoulders and backside of rump it can be slightly wavy. Particularly well developed on the neck also below the tail very rich and long, forming trousers. Feathering on the forearm and very rich feathering on the tail. Upper hair is especially long on the upper rump just before tail set. Firmly closed and not able to be opened in parting.

Tibetan Terrier

2008-01-12T23:50:00.000-08:00

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 mongrel).

Appearance
The appearance of the Tibetan Terrier is that of a powerful, medium sized dog of square proportions, with a shaggy coat. Overall, there should be a feel of balance. Fully grown, he or she should look like a miniaturized Old English Sheepdog.
The head is moderate, with a strong muzzle of medium length, and a skull neither rounded nor flat. The eyes are large, dark, and set fairly far apart. The V-shaped drop ears are well feathered, and should be set high on the sides of the skull. The nose is always black, regardless of coat colour.
The body is well muscled and compact. The length of the back should be equal to the height at the withers, giving the breed its typical square look. Height for either sex is 14-16 in (35-41 cm) and weight is 18-30 lb (8-14 kg), with 20-24 lb (9.5-11 kg) preferred, but all weights acceptable if in proportion to the size.
The tail is set high, well feathered, and carried in a curl over the back.
One of the more unusual features of the Tibetan Terrier is the broad, flat feet, not found in any other dog breed. They are ideal for climbing mountains and act as natural snow shoes.
Coat
The double coat is profuse, with a warm undercoat and a topcoat which has the texture of human hair. It should not be silky or curled, but wavy is acceptable. Long and thick, it is shown natural, but should not be so long as to touch the floor, as is typical in breeds such as the Lhasa Apso or Maltese. A fall of hair covers the face and eyes, but long eyelashes generally prevent hair from getting in the Tibetan Terrier's eyes, and the breed has very good eyesight.
Colour
All colours are permissible, barring liver and chocolate, and none are preferred. Tibetan Terriers are available in any combination of solid, particolour, tricolour, brindle or piebald, as long as the nose leather is black and the eyes and eye rims are dark.

Tibetan Spaniel

2008-01-12T23:48:00.000-08:00

The Tibetan Spaniel is a breed of assertive, sweet, 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.)

General Appearance
The Tibetan Spaniel standard allows all colors, but with brown eyes and a black nose. Their temperament should be confident, active, and alert. The outline should give a well balanced appearance, slightly longer in body than the height at withers. Size Height about 10 inches. Their head should be slightly domed with a medium length, strong muzzle. Weight 9-15 pounds being ideal. They carry a medium length double coat with flarings, and a high set plumed tail, carried over their back.
Temperament
Happy and assertive, highly intelligent, aloof with strangers. "Tibbies", as they are often called, make excellent housepets for many people, including families with small children. Tibetan Spaniels enjoy attention and involvement with their owners, but have an independent nature and can be wilful. They will bark to warn of strangers and strange occurrences, but generally reserve barking. A fondness for sitting in high places is another feature of the breed.
History
Small monastery dogs, thought to be early representatives of the Tibetan Spaniel, loyally trailed behind their Lama masters and came to be regarded as "little Lions", thus giving them great value and prestige. The practice of sending the dogs as gifts to the palaces of China and other Buddhist countries grew significantly, and in reciprocity more "lion dogs" were presented back to Tibet, continuing until as late as 1908. Through exchange of Tibetan Spaniels between palaces and monasteries, the breed is likely to have common ancestors with a number of the Oriental breeds, including the Japanese Chin and the Pekingese.
Professor Ludvic von Schulmuth studied canine origins by studying the skeletal remains of dogs found in human settlements as long as ten thousand years ago. The Professor created a genealogical tree of Tibetan dogs. It shows that the "Gobi Desert Kitchen Midden Dog", a small scavenger, evolved into the "Small Soft-Coated Drop-Eared Hunting Dog" which then evolved into the Tibetan Spaniel, Pekingese, and Japanese Chin. Intermixing of Tibetan breeds then involved the Tibetan Spaniel with the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu, resulting in both the latter breeds birthing the occasional "Prapso" in their litters - a pup with a shedding coat greatly resembling the Tibetan Spaniel.
Although legend has it that Tibbies were trained to turn the monks' prayer wheels, it is more likely that their keen sight made them excellent monastery watchdogs, barking to warning of intruders and alert the monks.
Village-bred Tibetan Spaniels varied greatly in size and type, and the smaller puppies were usually given as gifts to the monasteries. In turn, these smaller dogs used in the monastery breeding programs were probably combined with the more elegant Tibetan Spaniel-type dogs brought from China. Those bred closer to the Chinese borders were characterized by shorter muzzles.
Not only was the Tibetan Spaniel prized as a pet and companion, it was considered a very useful animal by all classes of Tibetans. During the day, the dogs would sit on top of the monastery walls keeping a steady watch over the countryside below. Their keen eye and ability to see great distances, as well as their persistent barking, made them exceptionally good watchdogs. Modern-day Tibbies retain their ancestors' love of heights.
Tibetan Spaniels were being bred in the United Kingdom by the 1890s. The first authenticated reference we find to Tibetan Spaniels in the United States is a litter born out of two imported dogs from a Tibetan monastery in 1965. In January 1971, the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America was formed with 14 charter members. After a period in the Miscellaneous classes, the Tibetan Spaniel was accepted for AKC registration and became eligible to compete as a Non-Sporting breed effective January 1, 1984.

Tibetan Mastiff

2008-01-12T23:47:00.000-08:00

The Tibetan Mastiff (藏獒 Zang'Ao in Mandarin, Do-khyi in Tibetan, meaning 'tied dog' or 'Bhote Kukur' in Nepali which means Tibetan Dog) is a rare breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) originating in Tibet and neighboring countries with similar nomadic cultures (e.g. Mongolia).

Appearance
The Tibetan Mastiff is among the largest breeds. It is found in a heavier mastiff type and a more moderately sized mountain type. Its sturdy bone structure and large, wide head makes it appear considerably more massive than other dogs of a similar height. It can reach heights up to 31+ inches (80+cm) at the withers, although the standard for the breed is typically in the 25 to 28 inch (61 to 72 cm) range. History records the largest of the breed weighing over 110kg[citation needed] but dogs in America are more typically between 100lb (45kg) to 160lb (72kg).
Its double coat is long, and found in a wide variety of colors from solid black, to tri-color. Like other types of mastiffs, the larger variety can have greater size, a heavier head and more pronounced wrinkling, while the mountain type has a smoother rather than wrinkled brow with less jowling, giving them a drier mouth than other mastiff breeds. They are also hypoallergenic with a thick double coat that only sheds once per year.
Tibetan Mastiffs are separated by Chinese breed-standard into two categories- Lion Head (relatively smaller in size, exceptionally long hair from forehead to withers, in which creates a lion mane alike head) and Tiger Head (relatively larger in size, shorter hair)

Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

2008-01-12T23:45:00.000-08:00

The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a North American dog breed recognized by the United Kennel Club. It is a terrier formerly known as a Type B or Short Legged Rat Terrier. Several independent organizations maintain Type B Rat Terrier registries and it is common to see the terms Type B Rat Terrier and Teddy Roosevelt Terrier applied to the same general dog type.
When the types were separated, the new breed was named in honor of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt as it is believed that he owned this type of ratting terrier.

Appearance
The Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is a sturdy dog in the preferred length-to-height ratio of 10:7 or 10:8 with a height of roughly 8 to 15 inches. It comes in a variety of colors and markings including bicolors (any combination of black, tan, chocolate, red, orange, lemon, or blue with white)and tricolors (black, tan, and white) but must have some white; a solid white dog is acceptable. Merles and any solid coloured coat other than white are disqualified. A square or long-legged dog is disqualified. The dog has a broad wedge-shaped head, v-shaped ears button or erect, slightly oval feet, and a docked tail is preferred (though some are naturally bobbed). The tail is long and curved when it is not docked or bobbed. A scissor bite is preferred but a level bite is acceptable.
The breed standard specifies that the dog is to be evaluated as a working terrier and hence ‘honorable scars’ (those received in the field) are not to be penalized.
Temperament
The Teddy has a temperament very similar to that of the rat terrier and many other terriers. It is a lively, feisty, and active dog that is friendly and affectionate towards its family and friends including children but may be aloof or reserved towards strangers. Like many other terriers, the breed can be quite fearless, challenging dogs more than twice its size; many of them do not hestiate about digging or barking either.
However like the rat terrier, they are not as active or aggressive as the Jack Russell Terrier. While they have a definite terrier personality, they also have an "off switch" and love lounging on the sofa in a lap as much as tearing about the yard. They are normally cheerful dogs but they tend to be more sensitive than Jack Russells to changes in their environment, owner's moods, or to unexpected noises, people, and activities. This "social sensitivity" makes them very trainable and easier to live with for the average pet owner. Like most active and intelligent breeds, they enjoy receiving a great deal of mental stimulation and exercise. [2]
Many of the breed retain their hunting abilities, so it essential for it to recievce early socialization with other pets such as cats, small animals, and birds if it is to live with one. Some may also need socialization with children.
While the dog can adapt to urban life, it has a fairly moderate to high energy level and as a result should receive ample exercise and plenty of activity. Unlike Jack Russel terriers though, the dog is happy to sit in person's lap for some down time, making them better candidates for city life.
Health Problems
Luxating patellas are fairly common in the breed. Sensitivity to the mites that can lead to demodectic mange may run in some lines.
Less common problems may include allergies, bite problems (malocclusions), hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia as these are problems that appear in the dog's cousin, the rat terrier.

Thai Ridgeback

2008-01-12T23:39:00.000-08:00

The Thai Ridgeback is an ancient breed of dog. The breed was formerly unknown outside of Thailand, but is gaining notice in the western world. The breed is still very rare outside of Thailand. The Thai Ridgeback is one of only three breeds that has a ridge of hair that runs along its back in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. They are also known as a TRD or Mah Thai Lang Ahn.

Appearance
The Thai Ridgeback is a muscular, medium-sized pariah-type dog with a wedge-shaped head, triangular-shaped prick ears, and a short, smooth coat. It has a pronounced ridge on its back from behind the withers to the hips. Thai Ridgebacks have muscular thighs and a streamlined body, making them extremely agile. The sickle tail is carried upward. It's forehead wrinkles with enormous expression. The tongue can be black or have black marks. Eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The ears are set low and point slightly outward, and have never been cropped. The back is straight and level. The coat is short, hard, and straight and must be solid colors of blue, black, red/flawn,or beige for show ring. However, brindle and white are also natural found. For international show and competition, shoulder height should be 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) in males and 20-22 inches (51-56 cm) in females. The weight should be 51-75 pounds in both genders.
Eight distinctive ridge patterns have been identified: needle, feather, arrow, lute, violin, bowling pin, leaf, and saddleback. All patterns are acceptable, but must be clearly defined and symmetrical. The broader the ridge, the higher is the value.
History
The origin of the Thai Ridgeback is undocumented, but the breed was developed in eastern Thailand. The history of the breed is the subject of numerous hypotheses. It is generally considered a Pariah-type dating back to ancient times. The Thai Ridgeback may have mutated from another form of Thai dog which has similar appearance but with no ridge on the back. Rock art indicated that Thai dogs had accompanied a hunter since the new stone age of the country (over 2,000 years ago). Due to the isolation of Thai villages in the past, the breed had been inbred within the village for centuries. As a result, the appearance of the breed is quite uniform. Most lethal traits had been discarded through several generations of natural selection. The breed has a low level of inbreeding depression. The relationship between the Thai Ridgeback and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is uncertain, but possibly through Hottentot Dog or Ari Dog. There is no scientific proof that they are related.
The third existing breed of ridgeback dogs is the Phu Quoc Dog of Vietnam, which is somewhat smaller than the Thai Ridgeback. Based on genetic-based hypothesis, both Thai Ridgeback Dog and Phu Quoc Dog are likely to be descended from Funan Ridgeback Dog which originated over 1,000 years ago in Funan Era of the region. The Hottentot Dog or Ari Dog (as called by the tribe), a known African ridgeback ancestor of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, is now extinct. Its link to the Funan Ridgeback Dog is very likely in a historian opinion. The possible genetic connection among the three remaining breeds is being investigated through DNA studies.
Genetics
The ridgeback is under a control of two groups of epistatic genes. The first determines the existence of the ridge. The other determines the size of the ridge, from none to very large (down to the side). For the latter, the more the genes in the dog,the broader is the ridge. The ridge will appear only if there are at less one dominant alleles in both groups.
Coat color is also under a control of two groups of epistatic genes. The first determines the color of the coat if it should be black, brindle, red/flawn or white. The series of dominance is black to brindle to red/flawn to white. The intensity of the coat color is under control; of a set of modifying genes. The other group control the dilution of the colors. Black can be dilute to gray/silver/blue, and Red/frawn will turn beige. The normal color is dominance over the diluted.
Temperament
Thai Ridgebacks are an intelligent breed. Due to isolation and lack of human contact, the Thai Ridgeback remains an independent and largely undomesticated breed. They are naturally protective of their home and family and can be aggressive with other dogs, as well as people. They are best kept by dominant owners who have a thorough understanding of dog behavior and aggression. Due to its largely undomesticated nature, the Thai Ridgeback is not recommended for the novice dog handler. They have an excellent jumping ability.
Health
Inbreeding depression has not observed in the breed due to its small domesticated population for several generations in the past. Thai Ridgeback Dogs are prone to dermoid sinus. Modern line of Thai Ridgeback, resulting from interpopulation crosses, may also be prone to hip dysplasia and other genetic disorders. Thai Ridgebacks are very loyal to their master. They love attention. If they are treated well and trained well they are not aggressive towards people.

Thai Bangkaew Dog

2008-01-12T23:34:00.000-08:00

The Thai Bangkaew Dog is an Asian dog breed. It is a medium-sized Spitz-type dog.

Appearance
The Thai Bangkaew Dog is compactly built and square in profile. It is well proportioned, with a smooth gait. The double coat consists of a short undercoat, with longer guard hairs growing through it forming the outer coat. The coat is thicker and longer around the neck, chest, and back forming a lion-like ruff, which is more noticeable on dogs than on bitches. The plumed tail is carried with moderate upward curve over the back. The TBD comes in white with shades of red, gray, brown, and black in a wide variety of patterns. The breed has the cutest puppies!
Temperament
Thai Bangkaew Dogs are alert and watchful, protective of home and family. Bangkaew are devoted to their masters but can be aloof with strangers. Agile and active, they are strong swimmers and voracious diggers. They are highly intelligent but can be stubborn and benefit from training. Positive reinforcement methods work best with this breed. It has been said that these dogs are mixed from a wolf, a fox and a normal house dog or a lab.
History
Bangkaew is a village located in the Bang Rakam District, Phitsanulok Province in the central region of Thailand. In this district, near the Yom River, there is a monastery called Wat Bangkaew where it is believed that Thai Bangkaew Dogs originated.
Legend has it that the third abbot of Wat Bangkaew Temple, the respected Luang Puh Maak Metharee, was known for mercy and care given to all living things. An old Bangkaew villager named Tah Nim gave the abbot a native bitch. Because she was pregnant, her mating was though to be a jackal; the resulting litter produced longhaired puppies of black and dark brown coloration. Luang Puh Maak Metharee raised the resulting puppies, four females.
Since the hybrid between dog and jackal has been reported to be sterile[verification needed], it is more likely that the abbot's dogs mated with a long coat herding dog belonging to the Mong hilltribe from the neighbouring village of Huay Chan. The Mong's dog is the only local breed that carries a hair fur. Local residents of the houseboats along the Yom River took these dogs as their pets.
Seasonal rain produced flooding, a natural barrier that excluded other dogs from contributing to the gene pool. The inbreedings that took place led to the creation of the purebred Thai Bangkaew Dogs. From then on the breed has been selectively bred and has become one of the most favored varieties of Thai dogs.

Tenterfield Terrier

2008-01-12T23:33:00.000-08:00

The Tenterfield Terrier is a small, lightweight terrier akin to Miniature Fox Terriers, and Rat Terriers. The Tenterfield Terrier has English origins but, like dog breeds such as the Miniature Fox Terrier, the Australian Terrier, the Silky Terrier, and the Australian Cattle Dog, was developed uniquely in Australia.

History
Breed Origin
As is so often the case, the origins of the breed are somewhat obscure. It is generally believed that smaller puppies from the litters of Fox Terriers were crossed with the progeny of other small breeds. Certainly, by the late 1800s a dog type known as the Little Foxie or the Miniature Fox Terrier (known colloquially as ‘Mini Foxies’) was well established in rural Australia. By the 1920s the dog was a fixture in urban households as well.
The name ‘Tenterfield’ is sometimes incorrectly stated to denote the terrier’s place of origin as Tenterfield, New South Wales. Rather, Tenterfield is only one of many Australian towns and villages in which small dogs of this type were known to exist. The town of Tenterfield is significant in Australian history, and the best-known owner of its saddlery was a man named George Woolnough, who was immortalized by his grandson, entertainer Peter Allen, as the “Tenterfield Saddler”. Mr. Woolnough owned a number of small dogs; however, photographs of these dogs are not available.
The name Tenterfield Terrier was suggested in the 1990s by Don Burke, a television personality of the era, and was adopted by the South Australian Miniature Fox Terrier club.
Breed Development
In 1991 a group of enthusiasts from the state of South Australia formed the autonomous Miniature Fox Terrier Club of South Australia, separate to the Miniature Fox Terrier Club of Australia, which had been operating for some time. In 1992 they met with owners from other states to discuss the future of the Clubs. At that time, it became evident that there were differences as to the preferred type of dog that would represent the Miniature Fox Terrier breed. Further, challenges to the name “Miniature Fox Terrier” were being mounted, and threatened to preclude recognition by an All-Breed club, which was a priority among some breeders. In 1993 fanciers from South Australia and other states formed the Tenterfield Terrier Club of Australia. The breed standard of the Tenterfield Terrier differs from that of the Miniature Fox Terrier, and although they are sometimes confused, the two dogs have been developing along divergent lines for over twenty years and are now separate breeds.
The tireless efforts of Tenterfield Terrier owners were rewarded in 2002 when the Tenterfield Terrier was recognized by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) and placed in Group 2, Terriers.
The Tenterfield Terrier Today
As of 2004, the Tenterfield Terrier is a breed under development. There is still variation in the types of dog seen in the show ring from state to state. These differences are small and of little interest to the average dog owner. For breeders and fanciers, however, foot shape, ear shape, colour, and other conformation points have the capacity to change the future look of a breed, and are of the utmost importance. Like the breeders of all other dogs, Tenterfield Terrier breeders work to improve their breeding lines and to assure standardization of type.

Tamaskan dog

2008-01-12T23:30:00.000-08:00

Appearance
The Tamaskan Dog, sometimes referred to as The Finnish Tamaskan Dog or the Tamaskan Husky, is probably the closest you will come to the "look" of the wolf in a breed without wolf content, and the standard for an acceptable look is high. The Tamaskan is large dog with males standing up to 71cm at the shoulder and females up to 66cm. Colours range from pale grey to a dark grey overlay but still with a pale undercoat, Tamaskan also come (quite rarely) in shades of red but always with a characteristic wolf mask. Eye colour ranges from a dark brown to a pale yellow, but should never be blue.

Formosan Mountain Dog

2008-01-12T23:28:00.000-08:00

The Formosan Mountain Dog, commonly referred to as simply Formosan, and also known as Taiwan Dog (traditional Chinese: 臺灣犬) or Taiwan Native Dog (traditional Chinese: 臺灣土狗) is a breed of dog indigenous to Taiwan. Formosans are further classified into Taiya, Bunon, and Plain based on various physical characteristics. Originally kept by aboriginal Taiwanese as hunting dogs, purebred Formosans are extremely rare, so much so that one dog breeder in Taiwan named Chen Ming-nan spent 10 years to find four dogs suitable for breeding.
Chen owned a Formosan as a child, and in the 1980s he established a business dedicated to creating a pure-bred Formosan, beginning with a single puppy that he purchased for NT$30,000 (about US$1,000) from an aborigine man. Characteristics include medium size, firm jaw strength, and triangular face, with upright or semi-folded ears. The tail is upright or curved with a thick coat, but the belly is hairless; the tail is used to warm the belly, and may even be long enough to protect the snout from insects. According to Chen, there is no shortage of stray dogs in Taiwan that could be mistaken for a pureblood Formosan, but purebloods tend to have a strong sense of direction, smell, sight, and hearing.
Of the purebloods that Chen found, blood tests showed that they were related to dogs found in Southern Japan and that they were descendants of the South Asian Hunting Dog. Little known outside of Taiwan, Formosans are recognized with a pedigree from the Taiwan Kennel Club and the International Canine Organization. They are well adapted to the uneven and thickly forested terrain of Taiwan, having become a semi-wild breed prior to the arrival of human Dutch settlers. Notwithstanding these adaptations, Formosans retained the potential to be trained, and are now used as hunting dogs, as guard dogs, as stunt dogs, or simply as companions.

Taigan

2008-01-12T23:25:00.000-08:00

The Taigan (Тайган) is a sighthound breed from Kyrgyzstan, which is not yet recognized by the FCI or any other major kennel club.

Origin and History
Same as Azawakh, Sloughi, Saluki, Afghan Hound and Mid-Asiatic Tazi, the Taigan is a member of the family of Eastern Sighthounds, which can be found from Northern Africa to Central Asia.
During most periods of their history, the Kyrgyz have been a predominantly nomadic people, which has migrated through vast parts of Siberia and Central Asia. Therefore it is very unlikely that the origins of the Taigan can be traced back to one single ancestor. However, the Taigan in its present form is a pronounced mountain breed, perfectly adapted to its work in the alpine regions of the Tian Shan mountain range.
In the 1930s, Soviet cynologists began to register the existing specimens in the Kyrgyz SSR, but this work had to be stopped after the German invasion of the USSR in 1941. In the year 1964, the USSR laid down the first standard for the breed. Different from many western countries, life coursing has always been legal in the Soviet Union; hunters were organised in kolkhozy and had to deliver certain amounts of fur to the collective farms.
After Kyrgyzstan became independent in 1991, the role of the breed underwent a change. The collapse of the collective farms forced many people in the rural areas of Kyrgyzstan to return to the nomadic life of their ancestors. For some of them, hunting with the Taigan became again an occupation which helps them to earn their living. On the other hand, parts of the new urban upper class have discovered the Taigan as a prestigious symbol of national heritage during the past few years. In 1995, the Cinologist Council of the Kyrgyz Republic (a body connected with the Ministry of Agriculture) adopted a new breed standard, which was later approved by the hunting commission at the Ministry of Environmental Protection. A number of breed shows were held in Bishkek, but with only small attendance by hunters from the countryside.
During a state visit to Norway in November 2003, the former Kyrgyz president Askar Akayev gave two Taigan puppies as a present to King Harald V and prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik. This caused a small diplomatic turmoil, since the Norwegian import regulations require a quarantine of four months for dogs entering Norway from a non-European country, and neither the king nor the prime minister were willing to keep the dogs. To avoid hurting the feelings of the Kyrgyz delegation, the mayor of the city of Trondheim, Rita Ottervik, decided to take care of the two puppies, which were later given to experienced dog owners after they had passed quarantine.
Since 2005, a national kennel club called Kirghizcynology exists in Kyrgyzstan. The club has stated that it intends to join the FCI. This would enable Kyrgyzstan to apply for international recognition of the Taigan. However, it seems so that no further steps have been taken until now. The FCI member clubs in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Usbekistan, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary and Poland, have recognized the Taigan on national level.
Appearance
The Taigan is a sighthound, which is a bit larger than medium height. The minimal height for male specimens is 65 cm and for females 60 cm. The colours are black, black with white (most common), grey, brown and yellow (or other shades and variations of this color) and white. Areas of dark colored coat may have white marks. The coat is soft, long, and thick. In the winter, undercoat is developed. The ears are drooping, thick and covered with long, soft, wavy fur. A distinguishing mark of the Taigan is the ring on the end of the tail - the base vertebras of the ring are jointed, so that the ring cannot be unrolled.
The large volume of the lungs, the (in comparison to other sighthounds) strong bone structure and the thick coat enable the Taigan to work in rugged terrain, and at elevations up to 4000 m above sea level.
Use and activity
The Taigan is a sighthound adapted to the extreme mountainous conditions in the Tian Shan. Typical prey are Ibex, Roe Deer, Wolf, Fox and Marmot. Some hunters also use the Taigan in conjunction with a trained bird of prey, especially with the Golden Eagle. The hunt for the Tolai Hare (Lepus tolai), is, however, an exception.
Due to the rugged surface of its native environment, the Taigan hunts with all senses, i.e. unlike other sighthounds not only by sight, but also by scent and hearing, which gives its hunting style some similarities with breeds like Ibizan Hound or Pharaoh Hound.

Tahltan Bear Dog

2008-01-12T23:23:00.000-08:00

The Tahltan Bear Dog was a breed of dog that was indigenous to Canada. It is thought to be extinct by most authorities.

Appearance
The Tahltan was built somewhere between the lines of the spitz and pariah types. The ideal dog was, above all else, athletic and agile
As they were always bred solely for hunting value, appearance could vary significantly between dogs.
Coat and colour
Its coat was short, thick, and hard in texture. The colours varied greatly, but the most common colour was black with white markings (pictured).
Like others of their group, they had a peculiar yodel. Foxy in appearance, their main distinction among dogs is their novel tail. Short, bushy and carried erect, it has been described variously as a shaving brush or a whisk broom.

Swedish Vallhund

2008-01-12T23:09:00.000-08:00

The Swedish Vallhund is a breed of dog. It is believed that the Swedish Vallhund distinguished itself during the age of Vikings, more than 1,000 years ago. Known as the "Viking dog", the Vallhund were bred to herd cattle, catch vermin (such as rats), and guard the home.
The Vallhund were also referred to as "the little cattle dog of the Vikings".

Revival
The Skye Terrier and both variants of the Welsh Corgi are believed to be descended from the Vallhund[citation needed]. By 1942 the Vallhund was almost extinct, until Mr. Björn von Rosen and Mr. Karl-Gustaf Zettersten, both from Sweden, began looking for dogs to keep the breed alive. As a result of their work, the Swedish Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1948 and the Vallhund was given its name[clarify], which in Swedish means "herding dog". In terms of ownership, the breed remains quite rare.
Appearance
The Vallhund are a powerful, fearless, watchful, energetic, alert, intelligent, friendly, and healthy small breed of dog that have a tendency to bark. It is suitable for many kinds of activities, including herding and dog agility.
Size and Weight
Height for these little dogs ranges from 12.5 - 13.5 inches for males and 11.5 - 12.5 inches for Females. The proportion is more important though for these dogs. The AKC states: "The relationship of height to length of body, as measured from the prosternum to the rearmost portion of the buttocks, should be 2:3." They should be strong for their size and have a muscular body. They can weigh anywhere from 20 to 35 pounds.
Color and Coat
The dog's coat should be of medium length, and harsh. The topcoat close and tight and undercoat is soft and dense. The hair on the head is short and on the foreparts of the legs. Hair is a little bit longer on the neck, chest and back parts of the hind legs.
Temperament
This breed makes a great companion and can also be used for herding and ratting. They love human attention and are very devoted to their owners. They are a clownish type dog and can be a show-off at times. The Swedish Vallhund is responsive and even-tempered with most people. But they can be wary of strangers and should be properly socialized and trained as a puppy as to avoid over-protective behavior as an adult. They will try to guard your home even if they are 3 sizes too small, so to say, for the job at hand.

Swedish Lapphund

2008-01-12T23:08:00.000-08:00

The "Swedish Lapphund" is the Swedish counterpart of the Finnish Lapphund, a reindeer-herding dog, today more often found as a great companion dog. **The Swedish lapphund is a long-coated, medium dog, they are loyal and protective.The "Swedish Lapphund" is found today more often found as a great companion dog. History: Swedish Lapphunds are a very old breed. In fact a 7,000 year old skeleton found in Norway closely resemble todays Lapphunds. Originally bred to guard and herd the Sami people's reindeer herds, they are mostly used today as a companion dog although in some, the herding instinct is very strong. The breed is not common outside its home country of Sweden. However if you do get a Lapp, they can be a very independent but loyal companion and lover of the family. Intelligence: As all spitz type dogs, Lapphunds like to please but also like to do things their own way! Gentle training is needed and once the penny has dropped training is easy. As with all puppies it is important to socialise at the right point in their lives to have a well balanced and loving friend. This breed can be very noisy, as when originally trained as reindeer herders they were taught to bark all the time whilst working. This way the reindeer knew that a silent dog like creature was an enemy. Not much fun around town though so this needs to be curtailed through gentle training. Show Characteristics: The head should be wedge-shaped with no hint of snipiness and with a well-defined stop. The eyes should be set well apart, round and dark brown with well pigmented rims. The ears should be set well apart, short, erect and pointed. The jaws should be strong with a perfect scissor bite. The lips and palate should be strongly pigmented. The neck should be powerful and of medium length. The body should be slightly longer than the height at the withers with a straight and muscular back. The forelegs should be straight with close fitting elbows and sloping shoulders. The hindlegs should be strong with a moderate turn of stifle and low set hocks. Dewclaws are highly undesirable. The feet should be strong and oval with black nails and pads. The tail should be high set and reach to the hock when extended, with bushy, long dense hair, and carried curled over the back when moving. Country Of Origin: Sweden They have a very high level of energy and need more than two hours of exercise, they worry greatly when the family leaves, and may tear up the house if you do. Personal Protection: Medium Suitability As Guard Dog: Medium Risk of Sheep Worrying: High Tendency to Bark: High Ease of Transportation: Low Level of Aggression: Low Compatibility With Other Animals: High Suitable For Children: High General character And Temperament: In general the Lapphund is a friendly, outgoing and devoted dog. They are protective of their homes; no intruder will ever go unheard. Lapphunds get along extremely well with children, make good family pets and like to be included in all family activities. However if they are left to there own devices they can be very vocal, and if their minds are not exercised (similar to border collie) then they can be destructive and are known to enjoy digging. Sympathetic training is a must. They are very tolerant of children, but as with all pets, children should NEVER be left alone, however trustworthy your friend may be. Please note that you should not intend to get one of these delightful dogs if there is not someone or another to be a constant companion. THESE DOGS DO NOT LIKE BEING KEPT AWAY FROM THE FAMILY and doing so risks the dog getting so desperate to be with you that it may get destructive.

Sussex Spaniel

2008-01-12T23:07:00.000-08:00

The Sussex Spaniel is a breed of dog developed in England. It played a part in the foundations of the Field Spaniel and is very similar in appearance to the Clumber Spaniel. It is used as a Gundog, and in Dog Shows.

Appearance
The breed is long-bodied, muscular and heavily built. Its head is broader in the skull than the English Cocker Spaniel and its wrinkled brow gives it a kind, gentle, and sometimes slightly sad expression. The tail is usually docked except in countries where docking is not permitted. Its bones are quite large for a short-legged dog.
Coat and colour
The only acceptable colour is golden liver with hazel eyes. The coat is thick, either straight or slightly wavy, and does not curl. The nose and eye-rims must be of the same colour as the coat.
Size
The Sussex Spaniel is short and should be no taller than 13 to 15 inches at the withers. The acceptable weight range is between 35 and 45 pounds.

Sulimov dog

2008-01-12T23:06:00.000-08:00

The Sulimov Dog is a Russian canid hybrid originating from an initial hybrid between a Siberian Husky and a Golden Jackal. The breed was introduced by Klim Sulimov, the chief breeder for Aeroflot airline security. The primary use of this breed has been to aid airport security as sniffer dogs. Quoting Sulimov, "My dogs combine the qualities of Arctic reindeer herding dogs, which can work in temperatures as low as -70C, and jackals which enjoy the heat up to +40C. They're perfect for our country."
During the breeding process male Jackal pups had to be fostered on a Husky bitch in order to imprint the Jackals on dogs. Female Jackals accepted male Huskies more easily. The half-bred Jackal-Dogs were hard to train and were bred back to Huskies to produce quarter-bred hybrids (quadroons). These hybrids were small, agile, trainable and had excellent noses. They were then called Sulimov Dogs after their creator and may one day be registered as a working breed of dog. Twenty-five Sulimov dogs are used by Aeroflot at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow, for functions which include bomb-sniffing. Their breeding program dates back to 1975, but was not applied to bomb detection until 2002.

Styrian Coarse Haired Hound

2008-01-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

The Styrian Coarse Haired Hound is a breed of dog of the hound type.

Appearance
This medium to large hound has a harsh, rough coat (although not shaggy) that comes in colours of red and fawn; a white mark on the chest may be present. Height is between 45-53cm (17.5-21 in) at the shoulder and they may weigh between 15-18kg (33-40lbs). They are a strong muscled, tough dog with a serious expression. They are not generally kept as a companion dog as they do not make good pets; they require a lot of exercise and can be dominant and destructive.
History
The Styrian Coarse Haired Hound dates back to the 18th century when Karl Peintinger, the founder of the breed, crossed a Hanoverian Scent Hound with an Istrian Hound. Selective breeding continued until it produced a rough-coated, hardy hunting dog used by Austrians and Slovenians to hunt wild boar. It can also be used to track wounded animals through rough terrain and in high altitudes.

Standard Schnauzer

2008-01-12T23:03:00.000-08:00

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. The breed is a robust, squarely built, medium-sized dog with aristocratic bearing, making it a popular subject of painters Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt.

Appearance
The Standard Schnauzer has a harsh, wiry outer coat with minimal shedding that is salt and pepper or, less often, solid black in color. White (and other "off colours" frequently advertised on the internet) are not accepted under the breed standard in Canada or the US. More importantly, the practice of breeding for disqualified colours is almost always associated with breeders who are profit driven. Some go so far as to claim their rarity makes them more valuable. The hair on the face lengthens to form a beard and eyebrows. The breed is robust and sturdy, and should be "heavy" for its height with lots of muscle and bone. Ideal weight and height ranges vary considerably from one breed club's standard to the next. Males range between 18 and 20 inches (45cm–50cm) high at the withers and generally weigh between 35 and 50 pounds (15.5 kg–22.5 kg). Females are ideally between 17 and 19 inches (42.5 cm–47.5 cm) high at the withers and generally weigh between 30 and 45 pounds (13.5kg–20.2kg). Traditionally the ears were cropped and the tail docked. However, in many European countries and in Australia, ear-cropping and tail-docking are now prohibited and the dogs are shown with natural ears and tail (see illustration). In the United States, many Schnauzers have cropped ears and almost all have docked tails.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

2008-01-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

The Staffordshire Terrier is a medium sized, short coated, old time breed of dog, originally bred for fighting. In the early part of the twentieth century they gained respectability and were accepted into the Kennel Club of England as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier - not to be confused with the Bull Terrier. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is an English breed of dog and should not be confused with its larger cousin the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Pit Bull Terrier, though it is often placed in the category of 'pit bulls'.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Quick Facts
Weight: 29-48 pounds (13–22 kg)
Height: 14-16 inches (35–40 cm)
Coat: Smooth, short and close to the skin
Activity level: High
Learning rate: Average
Temperament: Courageous, obedient, affectionate, humorous, friendly, adoring
Guard dog ability: High
Watch-dog ability: High
Litter size: 4
Life span: 10-15 years

Appearance
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a stocky, muscular dog with great strength and athletic ability.
They have a broad head, defined occipital muscles, a relatively short foreface, half prick ears, dark round eyes and a wide mouth with a clean scissor-like bite. The ears are small and either rose or half-prick. The cheek muscles are usually pronounced. Their lips show no looseness, and they rarely drool.
The head tapers down to a strong well muscled neck and shoulders placed on squarely spaced forelimbs. Their rib cage is well sprung and is topped by a level top line. They are tucked up in their loins and the last rib of their cage should be visible. Their tail is carried like an old fashioned pump handle and should be neither too long nor too short. Their hind quarters are well muscled and are the drive in the Staffordshire's gait, being well let down in the hock.
They may be coloured black, brindle, red, blue, white, or any blending of these colours with white. White with any colour over an eye is known as piebald or pied. Skewbald is white with red patches. Liver-coloured and black and tan dogs sometimes occur but these are considered an unacceptable colour for the show ring or any reputable breeding program. The coat is smooth and short.
The dogs stand 35–40 cm (14–16 in) at the withers and weigh 13–22 kg (29–48 lb) with male dogs heavier. The jaw type has about 220 to 255 pounds of force (0.98 to 1.13 kN).
As with many breeds with show determined characteristics, the 'Staffordshire' can suffer from several health problems including cataracts and breathing problems.

Stabyhoun

2008-01-12T22:58:00.000-08:00

The Stabyhoun or Stabij is a rare dog breed that originates from Friesland, a province in the North of the Netherlands. The first part of the name is probably from the Dutch: "sta me bij" (stand by me). The last part is simply Friesian, meaning dog, which is pronounced "hoon". There are only approximately 3500 Stabyhouns in existence today.

Appearance
A sturdily built long-coated breed, greater in length than height, which should be neither too coarse not too refined in build. Acceptable colors are black, brown, and orange with white markings. Spotting and/or roan in the white are acceptable but tricolour is objectionable. Dogs are 53 cm and bitches 50 cm, measured at the withers. Ideal weight is 45 pounds (20 kg) for bitches and 50 to 55 lb (23 to 25 kg) for dogs.
Head
The head should show more length than width, with the skull and foreface equally long. The coat on the head is short. The skull should be slightly domed but not narrow and may never give the impression of being wide, it is carried low on a strong, slightly arched neck. The stop is only slightly indicated. The foreface is powerful, tapering to the nose without getting pointed. The expression of the face should always be gentle and intelligent. The bridge is straight and the muzzle is broad with a nose that is well developed and has wide nostrils. Lips are tight and cover the teeth, which are strong and have a scissor bite. The neck should be free of throatiness or dewlap.
The ears are set fairly low and are strongly developed, which cause the fold in the ear not to take place directly at the root but further on, so that the ear is not carried against the head but stand away from it. They are moderately long and have the form of a mason's trowel. The feathering of the ear is a typical characteristic of the breed, they are rather long at the base of the ear, decreasing in length down to the point where the lowest 1/3 part of the ear is covered with short hair. Their tall is never docked but you can if you want. Also their tall is a nice size
The eyes should lie level in the head, and be of medium in size with round with tight lids, without showing haw or third eyelid. The colour dark brown for dogs with black ground color, brown for dogs with a brown or orange ground color.
Body
The coat on the body is long and sleek, only over the croup may there be a slight wave and should never be curly. The back of both the front and hind legs should be bushy, as it is on the tail, but should never be feathering. A somewhat curly coat shows that a cross has been made, and that is why the dogs with that sort of coat cannot be recognized as Stabyhoun.
The body should be powerful with well-rounded ribs. The back is straight with the croup only slightly sloping. The loin is powerful, the belly is only moderately tucked up. The tail is long, reaching to the hock. It is set low and carried downwards to the last third part, which is bend upwards in a gentle curve. In action, the tail is lifted, but never so as to curl. The tail is covered with longer hair on all sides to the end, without curls or waves, not feathered, but bushy.
The shoulder is well laid against the chest and the blade well laid back and angulated. Lower arm powerful and straight, forelegs straight, with no weak pasterns. The hindquarters are powerful and well angulated with a low placed hock. The feet should be round and rather big with toes that are well developed and arched, the Stabyhoun should have thick pads.

St. Bernard

2008-01-12T22:55:00.000-08:00

The St. Bernard Dog is a very large breed of dog originally bred for rescue and as a working dog. A full-grown male can weigh between 100 and 300+ lb (45.35 / 136 kg) and the approximate height is 27½ inches to 35½ inches (70 to 90 cm).
According to several resources they are one of the largest dog breeds. There are two varieties of the breed: the short-haired or smooth-coat variety and the long-haired or fluffy-coat variety.

Saint Bernard Quick Facts
Weight: 100-315+ lb (that's normal weight)
Height: 27.5-35.5 in
Coat: Smooth coat or Rough coat
Activity level: Medium
Learning rate: High
Temperament: friendly, loyal, loving
Guard dog ability: Medium
Watch-dog ability: Very High
Litter size: 2-14
Life span: 9-12 years

Spinone Italiano

2008-01-12T22:53:00.000-08:00

The Spinone Italiano (plural Spinoni Italiani) is an Italian dog breed. 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 spin-own-ay (singular) and spin-own-ee for plural.

Appearance
The Spinone has a square build (the length of the body is approximately equal to the height at the withers). It is a strong-boned, solidly built dog with a well-muscled body and limbs that are suited to almost any kind of terrain. Brown and white Spinone can sometimes be confused with a German Wirehaired Pointer by someone not familiar with the breeds. However, the long head and pronounced occipital are unique to the breed. He has an expression that shows intelligence and understanding and is often described as having human-like eyes. The tail of the Spinone is customarily docked at half its length (approx 5.5 to 8 inches or 140 to 200 mm from the base of the tail), and it sports dewclaws on all four feet, giving its hind legs a substantial appearance. Even as adults, Spinoni retain disproportionate, puppy-like, webbed paws which make them powerful swimmers.
Coat
The coat is tough, slightly wiry, and close fitting. The preferred length is 1½–2½ inches (4–6 cm) on the body; however, the ears, muzzle, head, and parts of the legs and feet are covered with shorter hair. Eyebrows have longer and stiffer hair; longer but softer hair covers cheeks and muzzle, creating a profuse moustache and beard.
The Spinone should not have an undercoat. A long, soft or silky coat is undesired and is a sign of excessive grooming.
Colour
Acceptable variants (UK and US) are solid white, white with orange markings, orange roan with or without orange markings, white with brown markings, and brown roan with or without brown markings. Pigment of skin, nose, lips, and the pads on their feet should be a fleshy red-orange in white dogs, slightly darker in orange and brown roan dogs. The white and orange coloration is unique amongst the wirehaired gun dogs.
Height and weight
Height at withers:
Dogs: 60–70 cm (23.5–27.5 in)
Bitches: 59–65 cm (22.5–25.5 in)
Weight should be in the correct proportion to size and structure:
Dogs: 34–39 kg (75–86 lb);
Bitches: 29–34 kg (64–75 lb).

Spanish Water Dog

2008-01-12T22:50:00.000-08:00

The Spanish Water Dog or Perro de Agua Español is a breed of dog developed by the shepherds in Spain as a multi-purpose herder who was also used sometimes as a gundog, as well as an assistant to fishermen.

Appearance
The SWD is a medium size, athletic, robust dog that is slightly longer than tall. Their tails are usually docked in the US, but undocked tails are not a fault in show dogs if the dog was bred in a non-docking country.
The head should be strong and carried with elegance. The skull is flat and the top is parallel with the top of the muzzle. The nose, eye-rims and paw pads are the same colour as the darkest part of the coat or darker. The eyes are expressive and set fairly wide apart. They should be hazel, chestnut or dark brown in color, depending on the coat colour. The ears are set at medium height on the skull, and are triangular.

Coat and colour
It has a distinctive curly coat which is woolly in texture and may form cords when long. The coat should not be clipped or groomed for aesthetic purposes. Instead, it should look entirely natural, as though it is not groomed at all. It should never be trimmed, but sheared down at least once a year. SWD puppies are always born with curly hair.
The SWD can be seen in a variety of colours. It may be black, beige, brown, white or bicolour where the second colour is white (brown and white or black and white). Tri-coloured dogs are strictly prohibited by the currently held (world-wide) standards for the breed as are black and tan or brown and tan colour combinations.
Size
The Spanish Water Dog is a medium-sized dog. The approximate measurements are:
Males
Height (at the withers): 44 to 50 cm (17 to 20 in)
Weight: 18 to 22 kg (40 to 49 lb)
Females
Height (at the withers): 40 to 36 cm (16 to 18 in)
Weight: 14 to 18 kg (31 to 40 lb)

Spanish Mastiff

2008-01-12T22:49:00.000-08:00

The Spanish Mastiff is a large breed of dog, originating in Spain, originally bred to be a sheep dog and a guard dog whose purpose is to defend livestock from wolves and other predators.

Appearance
The Spanish Mastiff is a very large and powerful dog, similar in appearance to the other Mastiff breeds. They have a large powerful head, with loose folds of skin and a double dewlap on the neck.
Males in this breed are at least 77 cm (30 in) tall at the withers, and range from 50–65 kg (110-140 lbs). Females are at least 72 cm (28 in), and weigh 50–60 kg (110-130 lbs).
This dog has a long muzzle compared to many other mastiffs. It has small eyes and drop ears resembling triangles. This dog's coat is most often reddish or fawn-colored, but can also be brindle, black or 'wolf' colored.

South Russian Ovcharka

2008-01-12T22:47:00.000-08:00

A South Russian Ovcharka, also known as a South Russian Sheepdog, is a large, long-haired (12 centimeters), white sheepdog. Breeders have not yet developed a precise theory of the dog's origins. However, it is agreed that its ancestors lived in the Crimea region between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. About 26 inches tall it has a long head, with dangling, small, triangular ears. Its coat constists of long, usually white (although sometimes white with yellow, or with shades of grey), thick coarse hair, that is bushy and slightly wavy. An undemanding dog, it can adapt to any weather conditions.

Appearance
The South Russian Ovcharka is Robust, lean, with massive bone structure and strongly developed musculature. The Coat is long 4-6 inches (10-15 cm), coarse, thick, dense of equal length on head, chest, legs and tail, with a well developed undercoat. The coat colors are most often white but also white and yellow, straw color, grayish (ashen gray) and other shades of gray; white lightly marked with gray, gray speckled. The head is longated shape with a moderately broad forehead; the occipital crest and the zeugmatic arches are strongly pronounced. The stop is barely visible. The nose is big and black. The ears are relatively small, of triangular shape, hanging. The eyes are oval shape, set horizontally, dark; the eyelids lean, tight. The teeth are white, big, fitting closely. The incisors are set regularly and close in scissor bite. The neck is lean, muscular, of moderate length, set high. The chest is reasonably broad, slightly flattened, deep. The belly is moderately tucked up. The Loin is short, broad, rounded. The withers are apparent but not high. Back straight and strong. The tail is falling at rest, reaching the hock, with the end curved upward. The front legs are straight, parallel, relatively long. The angle formed by the shoulder bone and upper arm bone is about 100 degrees. Pasterns are strong, wide and long, with a slight slant. Hindquarters are powerful, wide set, parallel. Well-angulated. The upper thighs are well-muscled. Stifle bones are long, inclined. Hock joint is clean-cut, angular. The hock is strong, long, slightly inclined. The feet are oval shaped, strong, well arched, covered with long hair.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

2008-01-12T22:42:00.000-08:00

The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family that originated in Ireland. The name may be hyphenated or unhyphenated. Alternatively, the words "soft" and "coated" are occasionally combined into one to make "softcoated".
There are four coat varieties: Traditional Irish, Heavy Irish, English, and American. They are considered to be hypoallergenic, a trait which makes them popular with allergic or asthmatic dog owners.

Appearance
Puppies have a dark coat of either red, brown, [(Mahogany (color)mahogany]] or white. The muzzle and ears of Wheaten puppies may be black or dark brown. The dark puppy coat gradually grows out into a wheat-colored white brownish coat as they get older. The color can range from wheat to white, but white coats are not considered desirable by breeders and show enthusiasts. The adult coat may contain black, white, or darker brown "guard" hairs in addition to the lighter wheaten-coloured hair.
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog, which ranges on average anywhere from 17 to 19 inches and weighs about 30 to 40 pounds. The breed seems to have a square structure and is well built. Its hair does not shed like most dogs; like human hair and Poodle hair, it keeps growing, needs regular trimming, and drops just a few hairs daily.
The English coat variety tends to be thicker than the other varieties and tends to be kept a bit longer than the American variety. For this reason, American coats need to be regularly cared for and maintained.
A curiosity of the breed is that whenever an adult wheaten incurs an injury to the skin the resulting coat will grow out in the puppy brown color and then return to Wheat over time.

Smooth Collie

2008-01-12T22:39:00.000-08:00

The Smooth Collie is a breed of dog developed originally for herding.
It is a short-coated version of the Rough Collie of Lassie fame. Some breed organizations consider the smooth-coat and rough-coat dogs to be variations of the same breed.

Appearance
The Smooth Collie is a large dog, ranging in size from 22-24 inches (females) and 24-26 inches (males) at the shoulder; weights vary from 45 pounds (females) up to 75 pounds (males). Standard size for the breed is on the larger end of the range in the United States and Canada, smaller elsewhere; for example, for the AKC, the range is 22 to 26 inches (56-66 cm) and 50 to 75 pounds (22.5-34 kg).
The Smooth Collie is slightly longer than it is tall, with a level back and a deep chest. The features of the head, particularly the "sweet" expression, are considered very important in the show ring. The breed has a long muzzle, flat skull, and semi-erect ears (although, in practice, the ears typically must be folded over and taped in puppyhood, or they will be fully upright in the adult dog).
Coat
The coat consists of a soft, extremely dense undercoat and straight, harsh outer guard hairs. The guard hairs are one to two inches long, with the longer hair mainly in a ruff around the neck and on the backs of the thighs. The coat requires a thorough weekly brushing. Shedding is moderate most of the year, heavy during the twice-yearly shedding season.
Color
Smooth Collies come in five colors: 1)sable (Lassie's color; can be light gold to deep mahogany), 2) tricolor (black, with tan and white markings), and 3) blue merle (silvery gray marbled with black, and tan markings), all marked with white areas on the chest, neck, feet/legs, and tail tip. An additional color is white (these Collies are predominantly white, with heads and usually a body spot of sable, tri, or blue color). The fifth color is sable merle, which is a light stippled version of sable, sometimes (as with blue merle) accompanied by blue or merled (parti-colored) eyes. Blue eyes or merled eyes in a non-blue merle collie are not disqualifications in the AKC standard although they are heavily penalized. There are, however, plenty of blue-eyed or merled-eyed sable merle collies who are AKC breed champions.

Small Münsterländer

2008-01-12T22:37:00.000-08:00

The Small Munsterlander (SM) is a hunting-pointing-retrieving dog breed that reached its current form in the area around Münster, Germany. The Large Munsterlander is from the same area, but was developed from different breeding stock and is not as closely related as the names would suggest. Small Munsterlanders bear a resemblance to both spaniels and setters but are rather more versatile.

Appearance
The breed is often described as about 35 pounds (16 kg) and 18-20 inches (0.45 to 0.5 m) at the shoulder, but the average is somewhat larger, around 45 pounds (20 kg) with some males reaching or slightly exceeding 60 pounds (27 kg) and up to 22 inches (0.55 m). The body is lean yet powerful and not prone to becoming overweight due to an active nature and natural athleticism. Coloration is large patches of brown on a ticked or solid white background. The soft coat is medium length, requiring grooming after hunting in heavy cover or weekly otherwise. The breed is not registered with the American Kennel Club, which emphasizes appearance over working ability. In the US Small Munsterlanders may be registered with the United Kennel Club or the Small Munsterlander Club of North America.

Smålandsstövare

2008-01-12T22:36:00.000-08:00

The Smålandsstövare (also known as Smalands Hound) is a breed of dog that originated in Sweden in the 1500s. Thought to be the oldest scent hound breed in Sweden, it was first recognized by the Swedish Kennel Club in 1921.

Appearance
The Smalandsstovare typically weighs between 33 and 40 pounds (15 to 18 kg), and stands 17–20 inches (43–51 cm) tall. The coat is typically black with tan markings, similar to those of a Rottweiler. It has been thought that perhaps the Smalandsstovare's naturally short tail(never docked) was a trait created by a very early breeder named Baron von Essen.

Sloughi

2008-01-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

The Sloughi (pronounced) is a breed of dog, specifically a member of the sighthound family. Sloughis are likely closely related to the Azawakh, but not to the Saluki.

Appearance
The Sloughi belongs to the Sighthound family. In appearance, it is a short-haired, middle-sized, strong sighthound with drooping ears. Its expression is often described to be melancholy. Its muscular system is "dry", that is, the Sloughi has flat and long muscles, which must not be as brawny as those of Greyhounds or Whippets, even when in excellent physical condition. Its back is nearly horizontal (the lumbar region must be slightly vaulted). It has a moderate angulation and a tucked up underline.
The Sloughi's eyes are ideally dark brown, though sometimes of amber colour. Its coat colour varies from light-sand, to red-sand, red- or mahogany with or without brindling, black mantle, black mask, black ears. According to the standard, a Sloughi may only have a small white patch on its chest. Extensive white markings and parti-colored coats are not allowed. The Sloughi's gait is feather-light.
The Sloughi's general view is compact and strong; it may not be too dainty.

Skye Terrier

2008-01-12T22:31:00.000-08:00

The Skye Terrier is a breed of dog that is a long, low terrier that is both hardy and dignified.

Coat
The Skye is double coated, with a short, soft undercoat and a hard, straight topcoat, which must be flat against the body and free of curl. The ideal coat length is 5 1/2 inches (14 cm), with no extra credit for a longer coat. The shorter hair of the head veils the forehead and eyes, forming a moderate beard. The ears should be well feathered and, in prick-eared examples, the hair should fall like a fringe, accenting the form, and blending with the side locks.
Colour
Fawn, blue, dark or light grey, blonde, and black with black points (ears and muzzle) all occur. They may have any self colour, allowing for some shading of same colour on the body and a lighter undercoat, so long as the nose and ears are black. There should be no further patterning on the body, but a small white spot on the chest is permissible.
Types
Except for the shape and size of the ears, there is no significant difference nor preference given between the prick- and drop-eared types. When prick, they are medium sized, carried high on the skull and angled slightly outwards. In the drop type, the ears are set lower, are larger, and should hang flat against the head, with little or no muscle movement forwards and backwards.
Grooming
The Skye Terrier coat is resistant to tangling, and needs to be brushed at least once a week. The Skye should be generally kept natural and untrimmed; however, minor trimming of the coat between and around the toes and pads can help avoid problems due to trapped dampness or twigs, pebbles, mud, etc.

Silken Windhound

2008-01-12T22:20:00.000-08:00

The Silken Windhound is a rare American breed of dog, a member of the sighthound family.

Appearance
The Silken Windhound is a graceful, small to medium-sized sighthound with a moderately long silky coat. This breed owes its unique appearance, elegant build, and the athleticism of a true coursing dog to champion Borzoi and Whippet ancestors. The Silken Windhound can be any combination of coat colors and markings, from spotted to solid, black and tan, saddled, brindle and sable, pure white and reds to deep black and blues, and a rainbow of colors in between.

Shiloh Shepherd Dog

2008-01-12T22:17:00.000-08:00

The Shiloh Shepherd is a breed of dog. Developed in the 1970s, they are meant to resemble an older variety of German Shepherd. Shilohs are not recognized by any major breed organization, but may be shown in some rare breed organizations such as RBCSWO or ARBA.
Shilohs are generally larger and have a straighter back than most modern Shepherds; they are also bred for intelligence. Shilohs come in many colors, including black, white, tan, sable and cream. They also appear in bi-color or multi-color.
Shilohs compete in herding, obedience, protection and agility. They are also used as therapy dogs, search and rescue, livestock guardian, seizure alert and service assistance. Like many other Shepherds, Shilohs may have problems with bloat and hip dysplasia.

General appearance
According to the breed standard, the Shiloh Shepherd should have a regal bearing that shows intelligence and strength. The balance between elegance and strength is the key to their distinct appearance and fluid movement. Their larger size should not impede their movement or grace.
The head should be broad and slightly domed with a gradually tapering muzzle; bite alignment is important since either an over or undershot bite is considered a disqualifying fault. Muzzles and lips should be black, though pink has been seen, it is considered a fault. Ears should be firm, triangular and well cupped; they are carried erect when at attention. Their eyes are always a shade of dark to light brown; no other eye colors are bred.
Their broad and muscular backs should be straight with a gradual slope from the withers that complements their full chest. Tails should be long, plush and slightly curved; they may show a more pronounced curve when the dog is excited or exercising but should never be a ring or a hook shape.
Size standards
The Shiloh Shepherd is powerfully built and well-balanced and should have a proud carriage and smooth, effortless gait. The male Shiloh stands 30 inches (76 cm) or more in height with a minimum of 28 inches (71 cm); he weighs 140 to 160 pounds (72.5-82kg kg) with a minimum of 120 pounds (63.5 kg). The female is smaller, standing 28 inches (71 cm) or more in height with a minimum of 26 inches (66 cm) and weighing 100 to 120 pounds (45-54.5 kg) with a minimum of 80 pounds (36 kg). With their even proportions, Shilohs should appear longer than they are tall.
Coat Types
Shilohs come in two distinct coat varieties: the smooth or double coat and the plush coat. The smooth coat should be of medium length and lie close to the body; the hair at the neck and on the back of the fore and hind legs may be longer and thicker than other areas. The outer coat will be dense, straight, and harsh. The plush coat is longer, with a soft undercoat and a distinctive "mane" which extends to the chest. The body coat should not be over 5 inches (12.5 cm) long but will have some feathering inside the ears and behind the legs which should not be over 3 inches (7.5 cm) long.
The smooth coat is easier to groom, though the plush coat seems to shed less. For show purposes, plush coats require trimming of tufts that grow between the toes and pads. Coats that are open, wooly or curly are serious faults.
Variant Colors
Shilohs come in many different colors. They may be bi or duals with shades of black with tan, golden tan, reddish tan, silver, or cream. They also can be various shades of rich golden, silver, red, dark brown, dark grey, or black sable. Solid black and solid white are also acceptable, but for show purposes, the nose, lips, and eye rims must be solid black. Blue and liver colors are not bred as they are considered disqualifying faults.
Shilohs of any color may have a small white blaze on the chest or some white on the toes, which should blend in with the lighter color of their coat. White in any other area is considered a fault. Whatever the coat color, a Shiloh is always vibrant since pale, washed-out colours are discouraged.
Movement and Gait
The Shiloh's gait is smooth and rhythmic. Their long strides and flowing motion require good muscular development. Even while in a flying trot, the straightness of their back should be maintained. The full trot is very steady and level, without any swaying or rolling. To help keep their balance, their feet are brought in toward their middle line when running. Any faults in movement or carriage are considered serious.

Shikoku

2008-01-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

The Shikoku ( 四国犬; alternative names: Kochi-ken, Mikawa Inu, Japanese Wolfdog) is a native, primitive Japanese breed of dog from Shikoku island that is similar to a Shiba Inu. The Shikoku is not a recognized breed of the American Kennel Club, but it is recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club, an organization recognized by AKC as an official foreign registry (AKC recognizes the Shiba Inu, however). The shikoku is also in the Canadian Kennel Club miscellaneous class awaiting full recognition. In 1937 the Japanese Crown recognized the Shikoku dog as a living "natural monument" of Japan.

Shih Tzu

2008-01-12T22:10:00.000-08:00

The Shih Tzu (traditional Chinese: 獅子狗; simplified Chinese: 狮子狗; pinyin: Shīzi Gǒu; Wade-Giles: Shih-tzu Kou; literally "Lion Dog"), in English pronounced [tsu] "shee tsoo"), is a dog breed which originated in China. The name is both singular and plural. The spelling "Shih Tzu", most commonly used for the breed, is according to the Wade-Giles system of romanization. The Shih Tzu is reported to be the oldest and smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs,[citation needed] its vaguely lion-like look being associated with the Snowlion.[citation needed] It is also often known as the "Xi Shi quan" (西施犬), based on the name of Xi Shi, regarded as the most beautiful woman of ancient China.

Shih Tzu Quick Facts
Weight: 9-16 pounds (4-7kg.)
Height: Up to 11 inches (28cm.)
Coat: Abundant double coat of long hair lined with a woolly undercoat
Activity level: Fairly active
Learning rate: Average
Temperament: Alert, spunky, happy, hardy, dignified, courageous, sometimes arrogant, gentle, loyal, obstinate, stubborn, clever, playful, lively, affectionate
Guard dog ability: Very low
Watch-dog ability: Very high
Litter size: -
Life span: ~15 years

Appearance
The Shih Tzu is characterized by its long, flowing double coat; sturdy build; intelligence; and a friendly, energetic, lively attitude. In breeding all coat colors are allowed. The Shih Tzu's fur can be styled either in a short summer cut, or kept long as is compulsory for conformation shows.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) Shih Tzu breed standard calls for the dog to have a short snout, large eyes, and a palm-like tail that waves above its torso. The ideal Shih Tzu's height at 9 to 10 1/2 inches. The dog should stand no less than 8 inches and not more than 11 inches tall. The Shih Tzu should never be so high stationed as to appear leggy, nor so low stationed as to appear dumpy or squatty. Regardless of size or gender, the Shih Tzu should always be solid and compact, and carry good weight and substance for its size range.

Shiba Inu

2008-01-12T02:59:00.000-08:00

The Shiba Inu (柴犬, shiba inu or shiba ken) 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.
Inu is the Japanese word for dog, but the "Shiba" prefix's origin are less clear. The word shiba usually refers to a type of red shrub. This leads some to believe that the Shiba was named with this in mind, either because the dogs were used to hunt in wild shrubs, or because the most common color of the Shiba Inu is a red color similar to that of the shrubs. However, in old Japanese, the word shiba also had the meaning of "small", thus this might be a reference to the dog's small size. Therefore, the Shiba Inu is sometimes translated as "Little Brushwood Dog".

Appearance
Shibas range in height from 14.5 to 16.5 inches (37 to 42 cm) at the withers for males, and 13.5 to 15.5 inches (34 to 39 cm) for females, with males weighing approximately 23 lb (10 kg), and females approximately 17 lb (8 kg). Height or weight outside of this range is a disqualifier in the show ring.
In Japan, some animals bred for miniature size are referred to as Mame-Shiba (豆柴, Mame-Shiba). The prefix "mame," meaning "bean" in Japanese, is similar to "teacup" prefix used to refer to other miniature breeds.
Coat and color
Shiba Inu have double coats, with a straight outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat that is blown generally two times a year, producing a relatively large amount of fur given the size of the dog. Shedding normally occurs at the beginning or end of each season. However, between seasonal sheddings Shibas generally shed in smaller quantities and require regular brushing.
Shiba may be red, black and tan, or sesame (red with black-tipped hairs), with a cream, buff, or grey undercoat. They may also be creamy white or pinto, though this color is not allowed in the show ring as the markings known as "urajiro" (裏白, "urajiro")are unable to be seen. The urajiro markings are defined as a pattern of white in contrast to the dog's primary coat color that exists on the underside of the Shiba.

Shetland Sheepdog

2008-01-12T02:56:00.000-08:00

The Shetland Sheepdog (also known as the Sheltie) is a breed of dog, bred to be small sheep dogs ideally suited for the terrain of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. While they resemble a rough Collie in miniature, they are not a true miniature Collie, as there are many differences in appearance.

Shetland Sheepdog Quick Facts
Weight: 14-27 pounds (6.4-12.3 kg.)
Height: 13-16 inches (33-40.6 cm.)
Coat: Long double coat, with the rough outer coat lined with a dense, soft, woolly undercoat
Activity level: Fairly active indoors
Learning rate: Very high
Temperament: Gentle, sensitive, loyal, very lively, intelligent, trainable, very willing to please and obey, loving, loyal, affectionate
Guard dog ability: Low to Medium (wary of strangers)
Watch-dog ability: High
Litter size: 2-5
Life span: 12-15 years

Appearance
Several coat colors exist. There are three main acceptable show colors: sable, ranging from golden through mahogany; tricolour, made up of black, white and tan; and blue merle, made up of grey, white, black and tan. Bi-Blues (grey, black, and some white) and bi-blacks (white and black) are less common but still acceptable. The best-known color is the sable, which is dominant over other colors. Shaded, or mahogany, sables can sometimes be mistaken for tricolored Shelties due to the large amount of dark shading on their coats. Another name for a shaded sable is a tri-factored sable and white. This name comes from the breeding of a shaded sable, which is a tri-color to a sable and white, or a tri-factored sable to another tri-factored sable. Another acceptable color in the show ring, but much less seen, is the sable merle, which can often be hard to distinguish from regular sables after puppyhood. Double merles, the product of breeding two merle Shelties together, can be bred but have a higher incidence of deafness or blindness or retardation than the other coat colors.
There are few additional coat colors that are quite rare because they are unacceptable in the breed ring, such as color-headed white (majority of fur white, with the head 'normally' marked). There have been reports of a brindle Sheltie but many Sheltie enthusiasts agree that a cross sometime in the ancestry of that specific Sheltie could have produced a brindle coat.
Height and Weight
The size of a Sheltie (at the withers) can range from being undersized (under 13 inches) to being oversize (over 16 inches.) The average height of a Sheltie is 14-15 inches, with AKC standards listing a bottom height of 13 inches and a top height of 16 inches. To be measure either higher or lower than the standards will result in being dismissed from the conformation ring. Being dismissed three times will result in the dog being banned from any more conformation classes. Some of the smaller Shelties are incorrectly called "teacup" Shelties, while some of the larger Shelties may incorrectly be identified as small Rough Collies.
There is no agreed-upon weight range for a Sheltie. Many websites range from 14 to 17 lbs, to a range of 12 to 18 lbs. Since the Sheltie is a descendent of both small and large breeds, the weight can range from under 10 pounds for very undersized Shelties to over 40 pounds for Shelties that are over 20 inches. The Blue Ridge Shetland Sheepdog Club gives the weight as being "proportionate to height", which means a small Sheltie will weigh much less than a large Sheltie.

Shar Pei

2008-01-12T02:54:00.000-08:00

The Shar Pei is a breed of dog that originated in China and has the distinctive features of deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue. The name (沙皮, pinyin: shā pí; English name probably derived from British spelling of Cantonese equivalent sā pèih) translates to "sand skin," and refers to the texture of its short, rough coat. As puppies, Shar Pei have lots of wrinkles, but as they mature, the wrinkles disappear as they "grow into their skin". Shar pei's 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.

Appearance
Shar Pei come in many colors: red (rose), sand, cream, black, and blue, and have the same characteristic blue-black tongue of the Chow Chow. Loose skin and wrinkles cover the head, neck, and body of puppies, but adult Shar Pei most often grow into their skin so that these features are limited to the head, neck and whithers.
Shar Pei usually come in two varieties: one is covered in large folds of wrinkles, even into adulthood (the Western type), and the other variation's skin seems tighter on its body, with wrinkles just on the face and at the whithers (the original type).
Small, triangular ears, a muzzle shaped like that of a hippopotamus, and a high set tail also give the Shar Pei a unique look. For show standard, "the tail is thick and round at the base, tapering to a fine point" (AKC standard February 28, 1998).
The Shar Pei also comes in three coat types, Horse, Brush and Bear Coat.
The Horse Coat has short bristly hair and is closer to the original Shar Pei breed in looks and coat type than the Brush or Bear Coat. The Horse Coat is generally thought to be more active than the Brush Coat.
Brush Coats have a slightly longer coat and are softer to the touch than the Horse Coat. The Brush Coat is generally thought to be more of a 'couch potato' than the Horse Coat.
Unlike the two coat types above, the Bear Coat does not meet breed standards and therefore cannot be shown. The coat is much longer than the Brush and Horse Coat, so much so, in most cases you can't see the famous wrinkles. A Bear Coat can occur in any litter.
The plural of Shar Pei is actually Shar Pei.

Serbian Tricolour Hound

2008-01-12T02:52:00.002-08:00

The Serbian Tricolour Hound is a very rare dog breed from Serbia. Black and tan with a white front (the white distinguishes him from the Serbian Mountain Hound, a similar breed), he stands 18 to 22 inches (46-56 cm) high and weighs 44 to 55 pounds (20 to 25 kg). Used to hunt fox, hare and other small game, occasionally hunting larger animals such as deer or even wild boar, the Serbian Tricolour is affectionate, gentle and a devoted hunter.

Serbian Mountain Hound

2008-01-12T02:52:00.001-08:00

The Serbian Mountain Hound is a rare dog breed from the Planina region of Serbia. Black and tan, smooth-coated, he is distinguished from the very similar Serbian Tricolour Hound by his lack of that breed's white front. He stands 18 to 22 inches (46-56 cm) high and weighs 44 to 55 pounds (20 to 25 kg). Like the Tricolour he is used to hunt fox, hare, and small game, occasionally hunting larger animals such as deer or even wild boar.
Perhaps the most memorable popular depiction of a Serbian Mountain Hound (then called Yugoslavian Mountain Hound) has been as the hand puppet "Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog," regularly appearing on the NBC television show Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Although the puppet displays physical characteristics of the breed, and was identified as such during many appearances, the caption identifying Triumph as a Yugoslavian Mountain Hound was promptly removed after NATO military action ensued against Yugoslavia, perhaps to avoid awkwardness during sequences in which Triumph ridiculed former Yugoslavian strongman Slobodan Milošević.

Serbian Hound

2008-01-12T02:50:00.000-08:00

The Serbian Hound, previously known as the Balkan Hound, is a pack hunting dog breed used in Serbia. It is red or tan with a black saddle, neck and cranium and red or tan face. Its head is flat and sloping, its muzzle pointed, with drop ears of the usual scent hound type. The Balkan Hound stands 17 to 21 inches (43-53 cm) in height and weighs about 44 pounds (20 kg). It is smooth-coated and coarse-haired. Described as pleasant natured and obedient, the breed is thought to descend from dogs left in the Balkan region by the Phoenicians in ancient times.

Seppala Siberian Sleddog

2008-01-12T02:48:00.002-08:00

A rare working dog breed, the Seppala Siberian Sleddog is developed for the purpose of pulling a sled in cold country. It is a moderate-sized dog averaging 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kg) weight and 22 or 23 inches (56 to 58 cm) height. Colours and markings are considered of little importance; eyes may be brown, blue or any combination of the two colours. Seppalas are active and energetic but very docile and trainable.
Seppalas show a primitive canine type, never having been bred or selected for beauty or for the show ring. The breed shares its ancestral base with the Siberian Husky and for half a century shared the same registry with that breed, but was bred always exclusively as a working sleddog breed in its own right and kept apart from show bloodlines. In the late 1990s, it was recognised by Canadian agricultural authorities as a new “evolving breed” and in 2002 a similar separate breed initiative was started in the USA.

History
Bred by the legendary dog driver Leonhard Seppala from dogs imported into Alaska from eastern Siberia, the Seppala Siberians became famous in Alaska for their domination of the All-Alaska Sweepstakes distance race in the period from 1914 to 1917. Later they became popular in New England when Seppala raced there and ran a kennel in Poland Spring, Maine.
In 1939 the last Siberia imports, along with several of Seppala’s dogs, became the breed foundation for the “Siberian Huskie” in Canada. The Canadian Seppala Kennels of Harry R. Wheeler in St. Jovite Station, Quebec, developed and bred Seppala Siberians until 1950 in genetic isolation from the developing Siberian Husky breed in the USA, which gradually became oriented more and more toward conformation dog shows. A succession of Seppala breeders kept the strain alive through the 1950s and 1960s.
In 1963, the third Seppala Kennels, run by C. S. MacLean and J. D. McFaul in Maniwaki, Quebec, closed without a successor kennel and by 1969 the unique Leonhard Seppala strain faced extinction. It was primarily saved by the timely action of two breeders: Markovo Kennels in Canada and Seppineau Kennels in the USA. The bloodline was then carried forward and developed as a serious mid-distance racing sleddog by Douglas W. Willett of Sepp-Alta Kennels in the state of Utah. The pure, original Seppala bloodlines are rare but found in small numbers in several Canadian provinces, the main population occurring in the Yukon Territory.
The Seppala Siberian Sleddog Project that was started in 1993 by the protagonists of the Markovo rescue effort won Agriculture Canada’s recognition for Seppalas in July of 1997. The fourth historic Seppala Kennels in the Yukon Territory carried the breeding forward. In July of 2002, Doug Willett undertook a similar breed initiative through the Continental Kennel Club’s registry in the USA. At present two disparate populations use the same breed name: the original Agriculture Canada recognised population in Canada, identified by the Working Canine Association of Canada and its descendants elsewhere, registered by the International Seppala Association; and the Continental Kennel Club population, which is not descended from the Canadian original. A third group of "Seppalas" is distinguished simply as an A.K.C.Siberian Husky bloodline.

Segugio Italiano

2008-01-12T02:48:00.001-08:00

The Segugio Italiano is an Italian breed of dog of the scenthound family. It comes in both short-haired and wire-haired varieties. It is thought to be an ancient breed, descended in pre-Roman eras from progenitor scenthounds in ancient Egypt.
The Segugio is a square dog, whose length should be equal to its height at the withers. It is fawn-coloured or black and tan. The dogs are 20–23 inches tall at the withers and roughly 20–23 kg in weight. Its determination to complete a scent is similar to that of a Bloodhound but unlike the Bloodhound the segugio is also interested in the capture and kill of its victim.

Sealyham Terrier

2008-01-12T02:46:00.000-08:00

The Sealyham Terrier is a dog breed, one of many Terrier breeds. The Sealyham Terrier originates from Wales and was bred by crossing Basset Hounds, Bull Terriers, the Fox Terrier, the West Highland White Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
The Sealyham Terrier derives its name from Sealyham, Haverfordwest, Wales, the estate of Captain John Edwards, who developed a strain of dogs noted for their prowess in quarrying small game. He crossed the various breeds and tested the offspring, culling those who did not prove game.

History
The first Sealyham Terrier's club was created in 1908 and the breed was officially recognised in 1910. The Sealyham Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1919. Sealyham Terriers are today found mainly in the UK and South Africa. The Sealyham was once one of the more popular terriers and one of the best known Welsh breeds. Today, however, it is distinctly rare considered by the (British) Kennel Club as amongst the most endangered native breeds. The Corgi is without doubt the best known Welsh dog breed today.

Scottish Terrier

2008-01-12T02:44:00.000-08:00

The Scottish Terrier (also known as the Aberdeen Terrier), popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog best known for its distinctive profile.
The Scottish Terrier is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland. The other four are Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and West Highland White Terriers. Its nickname is "little diehard", given to it in the 19th century by George, the fourth Earl of Dumbarton.[1] The Earl had a famous pack of Scottish Terriers, so brave that they were named “Diehards”. They were supposed to have inspired the name of his Regiment, The Royal Scots, "Dumbarton’s Diehards".

Appearance
A Scottish Terrier is a small but resilient terrier. Scotties are fast and have a muscular body and neck (a typical neck diameter is 14 inches), often appearing to be barrel chested. They are short-legged, compact and sturdily built, with a long head in proportion to their size.
The Scottie should have large paws adapted for digging. Erect ears and tail are salient features of the breed. Their eyes are small, bright and almond-shaped and dark brown or nearly black in colour.
Height at withers for both sexes should be roughly ten inches, and the length of back from withers to tail is roughly eleven inches. Generally a well-balanced Scottie dog should weigh from 19-22 pounds and a female from 18-21 pounds.
The Scottie typically has a hard, wiry, long, weather-resistant outer coat and a soft dense under coat. The coat is typically trimmed and blended, with a longer coat on the beard, eyebrows, legs and lower body — traditionally shaggy-to-the-ground. The head, ears, tail and back are traditionally trimmed short.
The usual coat color ranges from dark gray to jet black. Scotties with 'Wheaten' (straw to nearly white) or 'Brindle' coats sometimes occur, but should not be confused with the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier or West Highland White Terrier.

Schweizer Laufhund

2008-01-12T02:43:00.000-08:00

Appearance
The Schweizer Laufhund is of medium size; it has good conformation indicating strength and endurance; it has a lean head and long muzzle with long leathers giving an air of nobility. There are 4 varieties of the Swiss Hound :
Bernese Hound,
Jura Hound, (no longer seen)
Lucerne Hound,
Schwyz Hound.

Schnauzer

2008-01-12T02:41:00.000-08:00

A Schnauzer is a German breed of dog. The name comes from the German word for snout because of the dogs' distinctively furry muzzles. Kennel clubs generally subdivide these dogs into three breeds by size:
Miniature Schnauzer: Less than 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Standard Schnauzer: Females 17-19 Inches, Males 18-20 inches
Giant Schnauzer 23.5- 25.5 Inches
Distinct breeds today, originating from the Standard of the past, the three share some common features such as intelligence, alertness, strong sense of smell, and loyalty to family.

Schipperke

2008-01-12T02:39:00.000-08:00

A Schipperke (pronounced skipper-kee) is a small Belgian breed of dog that originated in the early 16th century. There has been a long debate over whether this type of dog is a terrier, spitz or miniature sheepdog.

Appearance
Schipperkes are most commonly all black, which is the only accepted color for show dogs in the United States and members of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. However, other colors are accepted in some countries. They have small and pointed ears that sit atop the head. Schipperkes are also double coated with a soft, fluffy undercoat that is covered by a harsher-feeling outer coat. One of the breed characteristics is a long ruff that surrounds the neck and then trails down towards the rear of the dog. They usually do not weigh more than 18 lbs. Schipperkes are NOT born without tails. In Canada and the United States they are docked shortly after birth. Other countries that have docking bans are finding their undocked Schipperkes have tails that curve over the back of the dog in a spitz-like fashion.

Šarplaninac

2008-01-12T02:36:00.000-08:00

The Šarplaninac (pronounced shar-pla-NEE-natz), Sharplaninec, formerly known as Illyrian Shepherd currently known as Macedonian-Yugoslav Shepherd Dog, is a large-sized shepherd dog breed of the Balkan region, from the Šar mountains (Šar Planina in Serbian and Macedonian).
Albanian: Qen i Sharrit
Macedonian: Šarplaninec or in Cyrillic alphabet
Serbian: Šarplaninac

Appearance
General appearance
The Šarplaninac is a large, muscular, strongly-built dog. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers, and the front legs account for approximately 55% of the height. The head is large but proportional to the body, with dark eyes and a kind expression.
Size
The Šarplaninac is a large, strong long-haired dog. It is compactly built, with a massive head, and strong and muscular legs. It has fiery eyes which show its brave and intelligent nature.
Body
Muscular dog the index of height is 65cm.
Height in Male Dogs: 66-82cm
Height in Female Dogs: 64-78cm
Weight in Male Dogs: 45-70kg
Weight in Female Dogs: 40-65kg
Coat and colour
The coat is dense and medium in length; it can be rough or smooth. The coat is also about four inches (10 cm) long. The coat will benefit from occasional brushing. All Šarplaninac types are always solid in colour: tan, iron grey, white or almost black. The solid colour need not be completely uniform, and most Sars have several different shades of the same colour fading gradually into one another. There are no bicolours and no uniformly black-coated dogs among purebreds, but oddly-coloured specimens do exist.
Color
There are several varieties of colors where in relation to percentage dominate: Tiger Color with 30%, grey color with all the varieties 20%, Yellow color with black muzzle 20%, white color 20% and counter mask (muzzle).

Sapsali

2008-01-12T02:34:00.000-08:00

The Sapsal is a shaggy Korean breed of dog. The word is followed in Korean by either gae (meaning "dog") or the suffix ee/i, but is most commonly romanized as "Sapsaree". Traditionally, these dogs were believed to dispel ghosts and evil spirits.

Appearance
Sapsalis are medium sized and slightly longer than tall. Their adult coat is long and abundant, and comes in various colors including solid and/or mixed shades of black, golden yellowish-blonde, reddish-orange, browns, and salt-and-pepper greys. Their hair falls over the eyes in the same manner as that of the Old English Sheepdog. Although Sapsalis resemble herding dogs, they appear to have been bred exclusively as house dogs; their 'work' is spiritual rather than physical.
The Sapsali has been identified and recognized by both leading Korean dog societies, the Korean Canine Club (FCI affiliate) and the Korean Kennel Club, but the only Korean dog that has official international recognition is the Jindo.

Samoyed (dog)

2008-01-12T02:30:00.000-08:00

The Samoyed dog 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, smiling dogs to help with the herding, to pull sleds when they moved, and to keep their owners warm at night by sleeping on top of them.

Appearance
Males typically weigh 20-32.5 kg (44-65 lb), while females typically weigh 17-25 kg (37-55 lb).
Eyes
Samoyed eyes are usually black or brown, and are almond in shape. Blue or other color eyes can occur but are not allowed in the show ring.
New Zealand Standard: Eyes: Almond shaped, medium to dark brown in colour, set well apart with alert and intelligent expression. Eyerims should be black and unbroken.
Ears
Samoyed ears are thick and covered with fur, triangular in shape, and erect. They are almost always white but can occasionally have a light brown tint.
NZKC Standard: Ears: Thick, not too long and slightly rounded at the tips, set well apart and well covered inside with hair. The ears should be fully erect in the grown Samoyed.
Tail
The Samoyed tail is one of the breed's more distinguishing features. Like their Alaskan Malamute, their tail is carried curled over their backs; however, unlike the Malamute, the Samoyed tail is held actually touching the back it should not be a tight curl or held "flag" like, it should be carried laying over the back and to one side. In cold weather, Samoyeds may sleep with their tails over their noses to provide additional warmth. Almost all Samoyeds will allow their tails to fall when they are relaxed and at ease, as when being stroked, but will return their tails to a curl when more alert.
NZKC Standard: Tail: Long and profuse, carried over the back when alert; sometimes dropped when at rest.
UKKC Standard : Tail : Long and Profusely coated, carried over the back and to side when alart, sometimes dropped when at rest.
Coat
Samoyeds have a dense, double layer coat. The topcoat contains long, coarse, and straight guard hairs, which appear white but have a hint of silver coloring. This top layer keeps the undercoat relatively clean and free of debris. The under layer, or undercoat, consists of a dense, soft, and short fur that keeps the dog warm. The undercoat is typically shed heavily once or twice a year, and this seasonal process is sometimes referred to as "blowing coat". This does not mean the Samoyed will only shed during that time however; fine hairs (versus the dense clumps shed during seasonal shedding) will be shed all year round, and have a tendency to stick to cloth and float in the air. The standard Samoyed may come in a mixture of biscuit and white coloring, although pure white and all biscuit dogs aren't uncommon. Males typically have larger ruffs than females.
Samoyeds are typically very good about grooming themselves, and upkeep as far as bathing is minimal. Dirt typically falls from the outer layer of fur with little work, making the dog deceptively easy to keep very clean looking. Puppy fur is more porous and will tend to take on the color of grass or mud if the dog spends a lot of time in outdoor environments. Upkeep in terms of brushing is more extensive, as the dense coat, and particularly the silkier regions such as behind the ears, will tend to mat if not combed out (ideally) weekly. Samoyeds may occasionally need the fur between the pads of their paws trimmed, but otherwise their coat does not need to be clipped. Except for medical reasons or in the case of severe matting it is not recommended to shave a Samoyed's fur, as the coat acts as an insulator against both cold and moderate heat, and protects the dog's light colored skin from burning in the sun.
An interesting characteristic of the breed is that these dogs have virtually no smell or "doggy odor" about them, making them especially well-suited to living indoors. The lack of dander also makes them hypoallergenic. The dense coat can make summer temperatures uncomfortable for them in very warm climates, and they prefer to be indoors where the air is cooled. The coat also acts as a natural

Saluki

2008-01-12T02:27:00.000-08:00

The saluki is perhaps the oldest known breed of domesticated dog. As a purebreed type, its history can be traced back almost 5000 years. 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.
Widely admired for its beauty, speed, and endurance, the Saluki historically traveled 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 color and coat, can be found across this widely scattered area.
The Saluki is a sighthound bred especially for grace and speed. A NOVA episode titled "Dogs and More Dogs", asserts that the Saluki is able to outrun any other land mammal over a three-mile course. Although the greyhound is widely viewed as being the fastest dog breed with a top speed of around 45 mph, the Saluki is said to be faster, with top speeds of 48 mph. Testing this has proved difficult as Salukis show no interest in electric hares and won't race Greyhounds on a track. However, in as much as their original use was for hunting desert gazelles with top speeds of over 43 mph, the speed claim could be true.

Sakhalin Husky

2008-01-12T02:25:00.000-08:00

The Sakhalin Husky, also known as the Karafuto-Ken, is a breed of dog used as a sled dog.

Appearance
This breed is a spitz type, related to the Japanese Spitz and Akita Inu. The size varies between 56 cm and 66 cm at the withers with a weight range from 30 kg to 40 kg.
The ears are small, pointed, sometimes slightly tilted forwards or sometimes falling. This breed comes in many colours, including but not limited to russet-red and black. The hair is fine and thick, with an undercoat of very dense hair, similar to the hair of the Greenland Dog.

Sage Koochee

2008-01-12T02:23:00.000-08:00

Sage Koochee - also known as the Koochee dog - is an Afghan breed of dog.
The Sage Koochee (in Dari this means "Dog of the Nomad") describes a unique breed of dogs found around the northern parts of Afghanistan and the surrounding areas in Central Asia, and anywhere else that these dogs might have travelled with the Koochees (the Nomad people of Afghanistan).
They are very closely related to Central Asian Ovtcharkas (CAO) in that they come from a similar genetic backgroung that the CAO emerged from, before they became the CAO show breed.
Throughout Central Asia, there are many dogs that have a mixture of genes which preserves the common characteristics of ancient working dogs. With time, they acquired different names in different geographical regions.

Breed description
The Sage Koochee have a very rich gene pool which enables this breed to show incredible potential for adaptating to their environment. That also means that the way these genes are expressed can vary greatly from one individual to another.
For that reason, it is often difficult for an unaccustomed observer to see what makes a dog a Koochee dog or what type of a Koochee dog it is.
In general, the Sage Koochee are large, often giant dogs with short-medium to long coat and thick under wool.
They vary in height, from 27 to 32 inches (69 to 82 cm) for the females, and from 28 to 35 inches (71 to 89 cm) and more for the males.
The weight ranges from about 84 to 120 lb (38 to 55 kg) for the female dogs, and from 88 to 176 lb (40 to 80 kg) and more for the male dogs.
The build is molosser-like with lighter and heavier variants, all of them exhibiting a perfect scissor-bite and being free from most genetic defects that plague the contemporary dog world, such as hip dysplasia, especially common among the larger breeds.
The head shape of the Koochee dog can vary from a wedge-type head, to brick-type, or bear-type skull, the last one associated mainly with the dogs of the mountain variety. Their tails are usually docked by about one-third length and point straight up or at an angle. Their ears are traditionally cropped almost to the base.
The Sage Koochee are tall dogs, with a straight backline. The front and hind legs and the corpus usually make up a square profile. The neck is usually long and thick, with large skin excess hanging from the base of the jaw to the chest, with the head held horizontally or at a downward angle with eyes looking straight ahead. The muzzle is dry and muscular.
Their body is often covered in darker spots which don't show in the coat, including the inside of the mouth, the bridge of the nose and the belly. The color of the coat is of no consequence and neither is the length or structure of it. Usually, the back is covered by a strip of longer, more wiry hair, while the neck area is packed with thick and slippery underwool and hair slightly longer than the rest of the body.
Teeth can be small in females to very large in males, with the fangs exceeding 1¼". The fangs are either hooking towards the back with a thicker base or can be straighter and tusk-like, much like a wolves.
There are three main regional types recognized that can belong to two body types of dogs, the lion type and the tiger type, depending on the built and the way the animal moves.

Sub-variants and types
The Koochee dogs can be roughly divided into three sub-types: the Mountain-type, the Steppe-type and the Desert-type.
The mountain-type dogs represent the very large-boned, heavy coated variety that is well adapted to living in mountainous regions of the Pamir range. They are usually found at higher elevations, with greater humidity and more extreme cool temperatures.
The steppe-type dogs are of much lighter built, with medium to long hair. They are faster and more agile on large flats than the mountain variety. They can be characterized as having a mastiff-like built with wind hound habitus.
The desert-type is a variant most often found in the large desert expanses with little vegetation and hotter climate. They are of medium height and short to medium coat with very thick underwool in the cold season. They can possess characteristics of both of the other types, especially when it comes to the head structure.
Another way to divide the Sage Koochee is into the lion-type (Djence Sheri) or the tiger-type (Djence Palangi). These divisions refer mostly to the desert-type dogs, but it is important to keep in mind that each of the regional types can display characteristics found in other types as well.
The lion-type dogs are of heavier built with larger heads and deeper chests. Their coat is usually thicker and they are of medium height with a larger, bear-type head.
The tiger-type dogs are the more athletic looking with long and deep habitus, brick or wedge shaped head and shorter coat. They are often linked with more Steppe-type dogs.
The difference between the two can also be seen in the way they move. The Lion-type are the more majestic in motion, they have a look of pride as they walk with the head most often raised.
The tiger type has more of a sidewinding, catlike motion with the head usually at the level of the body and front paws swinging inwards when walking or running and jumping. Both types are extremely agile and exhibit tremendous speed when running or attacking.

Saarlooswolfhond

2008-01-12T02:19:00.000-08:00

The Saarlooswolfhond (Dutch for "Saarloos Wolfdog") is an established breed of wolf-dog hybrid.

History
In 1921, Dutch breeder Leendert Saarloos started crossbreeding a German Shepherd Dog male to a female Eurasian Wolf (Canis lupus lupus). He aimed for an improved version of the German Shepherd Dog which was immune to distemper, and succeeded insofar that the Saarlooswolfdog we know is a strong imposing dog, but they kept their wolflike characteristics; they are cautious, reserved and lack the ferocity to attack; it is not the dog that Leendert Saarloos hoped to get. His theory was also proven wrong, as nearly all the first generation hybrids succumbed to distemper. Until he died in 1969 Leendert Saarloos was in full control over the breeding of his "European wolfdog". The Dutch Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1975. To honor its creator they changed the name to "Saarlooswolfdog". In 1981 the breed was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). In the past, some Saarlooswolfdogs were trained as guide dogs for the blind and rescue dogs.

Russell Terrier

2008-01-12T02:12:00.000-08:00

The Russell Terrier is a predominantly white working terrier with the insatiable instinct to hunt formidable quarry underground. The breed was derived from the Reverend John Russell's fox working terrier strains that were used in the 1800s for fox hunting. The Reverend's fox working strains were much smaller than the Show Fox Terrier and remained working terriers. The size of the Russell Terrier (10" to 12") combined with a small flexible, spannable chest makes it an ideal size to work efficiently underground. Their unique rectangular body shape with a 50/50 ratio of body to leg makes them distinctly different from the Parson Russell Terrier and the JRTCA Jack Russell Terrier.
The Russell Terrier originated in England with Australia being designated as the country of development.

Appearance
Used with permission and rewritten and pasted from WORD.
A strong, active, lithe working Terrier of great character with flexible body of medium length. His smart movement matches his keen expression. Tail docking is optional and the coat may be smooth, rough or broken.
The overall dog is longer than high.
The depth of the body from the withers to the brisket should equal the length of foreleg from elbows to the ground.
The girth behind the elbows should be about 40 to 43 cm.
Temperament
A lively, alert and active Terrier with a keen, intelligent expression. Bold and fearless, friendly but quietly confident.
Head
Cranial Region
Skull: The skull should be flat and of moderate width gradually decreasing in width to the eyes and tapering to a wide muzzle. THIS PORTION OF STANDARD DIFFERS DEPENDING ON THE BREED CLUB.
Stop: Well defined but not over pronounced.
Facial Region
Nose: Black.
Muzzle: The length from the stop to the nose should be slightly shorter than from the stop to the occiput.
Lips: Tight-fitting and pigmented black.
Jaws/Teeth: Very strong, deep, wide and powerful. Strong teeth closing to a scissor bite.
Eyes: Small dark and with keen expression. MUST not be prominent and eyelids should fit closely. The eyelid rims should be pigmented black. Almond shape.
Ears: Button or dropped of good texture and great mobility.
Cheeks: The cheek muscles should be well developed.
Neck: Strong and clean allowing head to be carried with poise.
Body
General: Rectangular.
Back: Level. The length from the withers to the root of tail slightly greater than the height from the withers to the ground.
Loin: The loin should be short, strong and deeply muscled.
Chest: Chest deep rather than wide, with good clearance from the ground, enabling the brisket to be located at the height mid-way between the ground and the withers. Ribs should be well sprung from the spine, flattening on the sides so that the girth behind the elbows can be spanned by two hands - about 40 cm to 43 cm.
Sternum: Point of sternum clearly in front of the point of shoulder.
Tail: May droop at rest. When moving should be erect and if docked the tip should be on the same level as ears.
Limbs
Forequarters
Shoulders: Well sloped back and not heavily loaded with muscle.
Upper arm: Of sufficient length and angulation to ensure elbows are set under the body.
Forelegs: Straight in bone from the elbows to the toes whether viewed from the front or the side.
Hindquarters: Strong and muscular, balanced in proportion to the shoulder.
Stifles: Well angulated.
Hock joints: Low set.
Rear pastern (Metatarsus) : Parallel when viewed from behind while in free standing position.
Feet: Round, hard, padded, not large, toes moderately arched, turned neither in nor out.
Gait / Movement
True, free and springy.
Coat
Hair: May be smooth, broken or rough. Must be weatherproof. Coats should not be altered (stripped out) to appear smooth or broken.
Color: White MUST predominate with black and/or tan markings. The tan markings can be from the lightest tan to the richest tan (chestnut).
Size and Weight
Ideal Height: 25 cm (10 ins) to 30 cm (12 ins).
Weight: Being the equivalent of 1 kg to each 5 cm in height, i.e. a 25 cm high dog should weigh approximately 5 kg and a 30 cm high dog should weigh 6 kg.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree, and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. However, the following weaknesses should be particularly penalized when entering a conformation competition:
Lack of true Terrier characteristics.
Lack of balance, i.e. over exaggeration of any points.
Sluggish or unsound movement.
Faulty mouth.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities should be disqualified when showing.

Russian Spaniel

2008-01-12T02:11:00.000-08:00

Russian Spaniel was created in Soviet Union after the World War II in 1951 as a result of cross-breeding of various European spaniel breeds. It was specially bred to satisfy Russian hunting requirements. As a result, a new breed was formed with dominating cocker-spaniel features, but taller and with longer bodies.

Rough Collie

2008-01-12T02:09:00.000-08:00

The Rough Collie is a breed of dog developed originally for herding in Scotland. It is well known because of the works of author Albert Payson Terhune, and was popularized in later generations by the Lassie novel, movies, and television shows. There is also a smooth-coated variety; some breed organizations consider the smooth-coat and rough-coat dogs to be variations of the same breed.

Appearance
Collies have four basic coat colors: sable and white, where the "Sable" ranges from pale tan to a golden mahogany; white; tricolour, which is primarily black edged in tan; and blue merle, which is a mottled gray. All have white coat areas, in the collar, parts of the leg, and maybe tail tip. Some may have white blazes on their faces. Rough Collies have more pointed faces than their look-alike Sheltie 'cousins'. The downy undercoat is covered by a long, dense, coarse outer coat with a notable ruff around the neck, feathers about the legs, a petticoat on the abdomen, and a frill on the hindquarters.
The desired size and weight varies among breed standards; male collies can stands 55.8 to 66 cm (22 to 26 in) at shoulder; the Female averages 5 cm (2 in) shorter. The male can weigh 20.4 to 34 kg (45 - 75 lb) and the female 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 - 4.5 kg) less. According to the American and UK Kennel clubs Breed standards, UK Rough Collies are slightly smaller than their USA counterparts.

Rottweiler

2008-01-12T02:07:00.000-08:00

A Rottweiler is a large dog breed originating in Germany as herd dogs for their farming animals. The early Rottweilers also were worked as beasts of burden, carrying wood and other products to market. In addition, they were used as draft animals to pull carts filled with various products for their owners. During the first and second World Wars, Rottweilers were put into service as war time guard animals. Currently they are frequently used as guard and police animals. Some people have trained these fine animals to be hostile and many sad stories have resulted from these situations. However, a Rottweiler which has been properly trained, will be as gentle as any other breed of dog. The breed is almost always black with clearly defined tan or mahogany markings on the cheeks, muzzle, chest, legs, and eyebrows. The coat is medium length and consists of a waterproof undercoat and a coarse top coat. Rottweiler coats tend to be low maintenance, although they experience shedding during certain periods of the year. The skull is typically massive, but without excessive jowls. The forehead may be wrinkly when the Rottweiler is alert, but otherwise the skin should be relatively fitted, or "dry." The ears are small drop ears whose inner edges are flush with the head. 'Flying' ears are considered undesirable.
Naturally, Rottweilers are a tailed dog. There are at least two different explanations as to why tails were originally bobbed. One version is that tails were originally removed to prevent breakage and infection that would occur when the tail became covered in mud and other debris collected from pastures and livestock. Another is that as working dogs they were bobbed to avoid a "tail tax" (the method used to count livestock being driven to market was to count tails). Today, many owners in U.S. decide to have the tails removed soon after the puppy's birth for purely cosmetic reasons. The tail is usually docked to the first joint, and in general should give the impression of a lengthened topline. In the past docking was a commonly accepted practice, but it has been banned in many European countries and Australia as well as Mexico.
The chest is deep and should reach the dog's elbows, giving tremendous lung capacity. The back should be straight, never sloping. According to FCI standard, the Rottweiler stands 61 to 68 cm (24-27 inches) at the withers for males, and 56 to 63 cm (22-25 inches) for females. Average weight is 50 kg (110 pounds) for males and 42 kg (95 pounds) for females.

Rottweiler Quick Facts
Weight: 95-130 pounds (43-59 kg.)
Height: 24-27 inches (61-69 cm.)
Coat: Short, hard and thick
Activity level: Medium (relatively inactive indoors)
Learning rate: High
Temperament: Calm, trainable, courageous, devoted, reliable, fiercely protective, strong fighters, serious, steady, confident, mellow, highly intelligent
Guard dog ability: Very high
Watch-dog ability: Very high
Litter size: -
Life span: 10-12 years

Rhodesian Ridgeback

2008-01-12T02:05:00.000-08:00

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed indigenous to Southern Africa. 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 Khoisan people (referred to by the colonists as "Hottentots").
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 harass a lion and keep it at bay while awaiting their master to make the kill.
The original breed standard was drafted by F.R. Barnes, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (modern day Zimbabwe), in 1922. It was based on that of the Dalmatian and was approved by the South African Kennel Union in 1926.

Appearance
The Ridgeback's distinguishing feature is the ridge of hair along its back running in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat. It consists of a fan-like area formed by two whorls of hair (called "crowns") and tapers from immediately behind the shoulders, down to the level of the hips. Some Ridgebacks are born without ridges, and until recently, most ridgeless puppies were culled, at birth. Today, many breeders opt instead to spay and neuter these offspring to ensure they will not be bred.
Male Ridgebacks should be 25-27 inches (63-69 cm) at the withers and weigh approximately 85 lb (36.5 kg FCI Standard), females 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) and approximately 70 lb (32 kg). Ridgebacks are typically muscular and have a light wheaten to red wheaten coat, which should be short, dense, sleek and glossy in appearance and neither woolly nor silky. The presence of black guard hairs or ticking is not addressed in the AKC standard, although the elaboration of the AKC standard notes the amount of black or dark brown in the coat should not be excessive. The FCI Standard states that excessive black hairs throughout the coat are highly undesirable. White is acceptable on the chest and toes.
Ridgebacks have a strong, smooth tail, which is usually carried in a gentle curve backwards. The eyes should be round and should reflect the dog's color—skin pigment, not coat color: dark eyes with a black nose (regardless of coat color), amber eyes with a liver nose. The liver nose is a recessive gene so therefore is not as common as a black nose; some breeders believe the inclusion of livernoses in a breeding program is necessary for maintaining the vibrancy of the coat
The original standard allowed for a variety of coat colors, including brindle and sable. The modern FCI standard calls for light wheaten to red wheaten. The deeper red wheaten is often favored by judges, many of whom do not appreciate the fact that light wheatens, and, for that matter, livernoses, are equally acceptable under all Ridgeback standards. The issue of white in this breed is controversial; in general, American breeders are more tolerant of excess white, provided it is on an otherwise typey, sound and excellent exhibit. The only disqualification in the AKC standard for this breed is ridgelessness.
Other breeds with a ridge of fur along the spine include:
Thai Ridgeback
Africanis of South Africa
Kombai of Tamilnadu, India

Redbone Coonhound

2008-01-12T02:03:00.000-08:00

The Redbone Coonhound is a breed of dog bred to hunt raccoon. They are also widely used for hunting bear, bobcat, 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.

Appearance
The Redbone Coonhound has the lean, muscular, well proportioned build typical to the coonhounds, with long straight legs, a deep chest, and a head and tail held high and proud when hunting or showing. The face has a pleading expression, with sorrowful dark brown eyes and long, drooping ears. The coat is short and smooth against the body, but coarse enough to provide protection to the skin while hunting through brush. The nose is always black and the coat color is always a rich red, though a small amount of white on the chest between the legs or on the feet is permissible, though not preferred.
Boys should be 22-27 inches (56-68.5 cm)at the shoulder, with females slightly shorter at 21-26 inches (53-66 cm). Weight should be proportional to the size and bone structure of the individual dogs, with a preference towards leaner working dogs rather than heavier dogs. Generally, weights will range from 45 to 70 lbs (20.5 to 31.75 kg). Males are typically larger and heavier boned than females and carry a deeper bay.

Rat Terrier

2008-01-12T01:59:00.000-08:00

The Rat Terrier is an American dog breed with a rich and varied background as an all-around farm 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, today they are generally considered a rare breed. Today's Rat Terrier is a handsome, intelligent, active little dog that is equally cherished as a farm helper and as a family pet.

Appearance
The Rat Terrier comes in a variety of coat colors and patterns. The "classic" base is black tanpoint with piebald spotting (known as "black tricolor"), but blue and brown tricolors are also common, along with red, sable, lemon, and other colors set off by varying amounts of white spotting. Ticking is usually visible in the white parts of the coat, or in the underlying skin. Brindle, currently disallowed by the main breed standards, is considered by some to be a "traditional" Rat Terrier pattern, and there is a growing movement to have this pattern accepted into the breed. However, merle is widely considered to be the result of recent outcrosses and, because of associated health problems, is rejected by most Rat Terrier breeders.[1] Ear carriage can be erect, tipped, or button, all of which contribute to an intelligent, alert expression. The tail has been traditionally docked to about 2–3 inches, but the bobtail gene is very common in Rat Terriers and can result in a variety of tail lengths. Today, some breeders prefer a natural, undocked tail, which is accepted in the breed standards.
In the 1970s, a hairless mutation appeared in a single Rat Terrier bitch, and was propagated into a strain of the Rat Terrier. After a period of development by crossing to coated dogs, the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the American Hairless Terrier as a separate breed in 2004.
The Rat Terrier ranges from about 10 to 25 pounds and stands 13 to 18 inches at the shoulder. The miniature size (13 inches and under as defined by the UKC) is becoming increasingly popular as a house pet and companion dog. A larger strain, often in excess of 25 pounds, has been developed. These Deckers or Decker Giants were named after a breeder named Milton Decker to create a larger hunting companion and are recognized by the National Rat Terrier Association (NRTA, see Breed recognition below). The NRTA recognizes a Toy Variety weighing 10 pounds or less, and continues to classify the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier as the Type B Rat Terrier. In any event the Toy and Miniature Rat Terriers display the same hardiness, prey drive, and stamina as their Standard sized counterparts.