Category: Articles
Also known as the Bordeaux Mastiff or French Mastiff, the Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the most ancient French breeds, making identification of their origin nearly impossible. One prevailing theory is that the Dogue de Bordeaux’s ancestors were brought to France by Julius Caesar in the first century B.C. …
The Doberman Pinscher was created around 1890 by Louis Dobermann, a taxman from Apolda, Germany. Louis wanted to create a dog that could accompany him on his rounds collecting taxes to provide protection from the sometimes-hostile reception he received. The tax collector strove to breed an imposing and loyal protector …
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier originated sometime around 1700 in the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland. The breed was created to work on farms as an exterminator of vermin such as otters, badgers, and rodents. In 1815 Sir Walter Scott, a renowned Scottish novelist, wrote Guy Mannering, a novel in …
From 101 Dalmatians to sitting on the Anheuser-Busch wagon, Dalmatians have permeated popular culture. Their origins though remain unsolved. Images of spotted dogs have existed through the ages across parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe. The most commonly-accepted origin of the Dalmatian is Dalmatia, a region of Croatia, where the …
The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized sled dog, bred to work in packs. Prized for their loyal, friendly nature, The Sibe is ranked 14th of 193 breeds by the American Kennel Club. One look at the Siberian Husky and you think cold, northern region. Indeed, the Siberian Husky’s ancestors came …
With a name that means “little lion” in Chinese, you might expect something more fierce. However, the Shih Tzu is more comfortable in your lap looking cute than outside prowling for prey. This adorable little dog was bred solely to be a companion and is ranked 20th out of 193 …
The Shiba Inu is an ancient Japanese breed that has been increasing in popularity since it first arrived in America 60 years ago. Today, it is the 44th ranked breed of 193 by the American Kennel Club. The Shiba Inu is new to America, but it is said to have …
The Shetland Sheepdog, known affectionately as the Sheltie, is an always-smiling, intelligent dog that has long been a family favorite. Known for being an energetic, obedient herder, the Shetland is ranked 25th out of 193 breeds by the American Kennel Club. Shetland Sheepdogs come from the northernmost part of the …
The Irish Setter, sometimes referred to as a Red Setter or Sotar Rua (Irish for Red Setter), is a gorgeous gundog with an active and sweet personality. Irish Setters are ranked 77th out of 193 breeds by the American Kennel Club. Setters were first bred in the 1700s by Irish …
The American Foxhound is the first and most noble American hunting dog. Born of the American Revolution and developed by the gentries of both England and France for hunting foxes, the lineage of the State Dog of Virginia dates back 700 years. Englishman Robert Brooke first brought his ancestral hunting …
The crisply coated Scottish Deerhound, “Royal Dog of Scotland,” is a majestically large coursing hound struck from the ancient Greyhound template. Among the tallest of dog breeds, the Deerhound was bred to stalk the giant wild red deer. The breed is so old, the American Kennel Club can’t separate the …
Schipperkes are small dogs built for hard work. Curious, lively, and intense but mischievous, this little black dog is a robust, long-lived companion for whom there is never a dull moment. Schips were created as ratters and watchdogs in late medieval Belgium. The breed earned its fame as shipboard exterminators …
The name Samoyed comes from the Samoyede, a semi-nomadic people from Asia who migrated to Siberia a thousand years ago. They bred dogs for hard work in the coldest habitable places on earth. In the Siberian town of Oymyakon, for instance, temperatures falling to minus-60 degrees are common. When not …
The Saluki is among the oldest dog breeds. Experts tell us Salukis might go as far back as 7000 b.c. Like other sighthounds, Salukis were special favorites of kings, Egyptian pharaohs, Alexander the Great, and on through history. The breed today is remarkably similar in shape and personality to its …
Upbeat, lively, inquisitive, and friendly, the joyful Russell Terrier (aka Jack Russell Terrier) originated in England, however, Australia has been designated as the country of development for the breed. The Russell Terrier was developed for use in the sport of foxhunting; their handy size, small flexible chest, short legs, strong …
Graceful and regal, the elegant Borzoi looks more suited to laying on the credenza of a Roaring 20s Hollywood mansion than coursing wolves across the Russian steppe, but that is just what he was born to do. At one time, wolf hunting was the favorite sport of the Russian rulers, …
The upbeat Border Terrier is beloved among breed enthusiasts and pet owners alike. Shepherds of the past needed a dog that could defend their flocks against the wily fox. They needed a dog with legs long enough to give chase, but an animal small enough to dig into the fox’s …
Developed along the Scottish borders (hence the name), the Border Collie is easily one of the most recognizable working dogs on the planet. With their intense gaze and athletic body, these affectionate dogs are most happy using their plentiful energy working in some way, whether it be herding sheep or …
Intimidating in appearance, the astute Boerboel was developed in South Africa as a guardian for the homestead. Translated to English, the name means “farmer’s dog”, which correctly defines its use by Dutch and German settlers who began migrating to Africa in the 1600s. Used to protect the home and farm …
Relentless in the pursuit of game, yet sweet and affectionate in the arms of his family, the Bluetick Coonhound is a delightful combination of working hound and devoted pet. This loyal hunter is an American native, some say tracing back to George Washington’s stag hounds. Although originally bred to track …
Norfolk Terriers, otherwise known as Norfolks, live up to the Terrier name. They are feisty and confident little things that are immensely loyal and are always up for adventure. Despite their small size, they are quite sturdy and act as if they were a much larger breed. In the early …
This sweet, patient, devoted, and downright adorable breed has been turning heads since the 1800s. In fact, it was a Newfoundland named Seaman that helped Lewis and Clark during their 8,000-mile journey across the American continent. Today, Seaman is depicted in 10 different Lewis and Clark monuments across the country …
Sweet and loyal to family members yet wary of strangers, the Neapolitan Mastiff is a huge, astounding breed built for guarding. The Neapolitan Mastiff, also known as the “Mastino”, has intimidated intruders since ancient Rome. In fact, Mastinos may have been around since 700 B.C., as depicted in several ancient …
An overall friendly, smart, and obedient breed, the Miniature Schnauzer ranks highly as one of America’s most popular dog breeds. A member of the Terrier group, the Miniature Schnauzer is the smallest of the three Schnauzer breeds, and his adorable personality makes him the ideal family dog. This breed originated …
A member of the Toy dog group, the Miniature Pinscher, or “Min Pin” is known as the “King of Toys” due to his proud and fearless temperament. Many breed historians accept the idea that Miniature Pinschers are a mix of the Dachshund and Italian Greyhound breeds (or possibly the German …
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is an all-purpose hound dog originated in Africa. Considered a “Renaissance Hound,” the Rhodesian Ridgeback is whip-smart and adaptable, leading to them being ranked 41st of 193 breeds by the American Kennel Club. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was created in Southern Africa in the late 1800s to guard …
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, affectionately referred to as a Toller, is the smallest of all the retrievers. Intelligent, affectionate, and possessing boundless energy, the Toller is ranked 83rd out of 193 breeds by the American Kennel Club. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, sometimes called the “Decoy Dog,” …
Often referred to as the Peter Pan of the sporting group of breeds, the Flat-Coated Retriever is a youthful, energetic gundog who is most at home when retrieving game on land or in water. The American Kennel Club ranks the Flat-Coated Retriever 91st out of 193 total breeds. Once Britain’s …
The Curly-Haired Retriever is one of the oldest breeds of retriever today. They are known to be whip-smart, confident, and protective. The Curly-Haired Retriever is the 162nd ranked breed of 193 by the American Kennel Club. Don’t let their lack of popularity fool you, though; this is a versatile, playful …
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a powerful retrieving dog developed in Maryland. They are a great sporting breed, but they make for an excellent family dog as well. Said to be the descendants of two Newfoundlands named Sailor and Canton, found in a shipwreck in the area in 1807, today …
The Wire Fox Terrier is an independent and athletic hunting dog known for their playful personality. Wire Fox Terriers are a nearly identical breed to Smooth Fox Terriers, distinguished only by differences in their coat. The Wire Fox Terrier ranks 101 out of 193 in the AKC’s Breed Popularity ranking. …
The Great Dane is a friendly giant, imposing yet elegant and sure to turn heads. The breed originated in Germany, and it is unknown why they are associated with Denmark. Historically, Great Danes hunted wild boar and other large game alongside German noblemen. Today, they are large and affectionate family …
The Glen of Imaal terrier is a gentle terrier breed, scruffy yet lovable and energetic. The breed originates in Ireland and is named after the remote and mountainous Glen of Imaal. Historically, the breed worked alongside the farmers of the region to hunt badgers, perform odd jobs around the farm …
The powerful Giant Schnauzer is one of three Schnauzer breeds, together with the Standard and Miniature Schnauzers. The Giant Schnauzer ranks 78 out of 193 in the AKC’s Breed Popularity ranking. The Giant Schnauzer was bred in the Bavarian Alps of Germany from the Standard Schnauzer in the mid-1800s. They …
The German Pinscher is a bold and courageous breed best known as fearless watchdogs. They are one of the oldest German dog breeds and the ancestor of other pinschers including the Doberman Pinscher and the Miniature Pinscher. Their name is derived from the Germanic form of the French word pincer, …
The Old English Sheepdog (OES) is a big, agile dog who enjoys exploring. The name Old English Sheepdog is something of a misnomer. As a breed of the late 1700s, the OES is not particularly old by canine standards. By blood, they aren’t fully English; possible OES component breeds include …
The Norwich Terrier is among the seemingly endless variety of terriers bred to control Britain’s rodent population. In addition to being ratters, Norwich were used in packs on fox hunts, and so were bred to be more sociable than the usual independent-minded terrier. The breed’s American history began in 1914, …
For centuries Lundehunds were bred on Vaeroy, a remote and rocky island off the Norwegian coast. Puffins nest in crevices in the island’s cliff walls. Islanders depended on pickled puffin meat to sustain them through long Arctic winters, and the strong, flexible Lundehund was the only way to reach them. …
The Norwegian Elkhound is a robust spitz type known for his lush silver-gray coat and dignified but friendly demeanor. The durable Elkhound is among Europe’s oldest dogs. The name Elkhound acknowledges the breed’s age-old quarry, the giant elk, or moose. Elkhounds specialized in following the scent trail of these magnificent …
The densely coated Norwegian Buhund, a Nordic spitz-type closely associated with the Vikings, is a medium-sized cold-weather worker adept at herding and guarding. As family dogs, Buhunds are smart, affectionate, and steadfastly devoted. There’s truth to the romantic tales of Buhunds who sailed with Nordic invaders, the Vikings, some 1,200 …
Known for their cute, smiling faces and agreeable nature, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is one of the most popular, recognizable dogs in the world today. Bred initially for herding, the Corgi’s popularity has soared in recent years, landing it at spot 13 out of the 193 breeds ranked by the …
One of the most instantly recognizable dog breeds, the Pekingese is an elegant, regal toy-sized dog. In fact, the breed was originally founded as a companion to the imperial family of China. Indeed, the name Pekingese is derived from Peking: the former name for the capital of china. The American …
Often mistaken for the Jack Russell Terrier, the Parson Russell Terrier is actually its own, distinct breed, and has been recognized as such since 2003. First developed in Southern England in the 1800s, the Parson Russell was bred to help foxhounds hunt down foxes. As such, they are smart, independent …
Tiny in size but large in personality, the Papillon is a fun, friendly breed of toy dog. Known for their signature large ears, the Papillon (French for “butterfly”) is the 54th ranked breed of 193 according to the American Kennel Club. If you want a dog that has the brains, …
The Otterhound can best be described as a big, shaggy, affectionate clown. They are friendly, laid-back and have a great sense of humor. Ranked 182nd out of 193 breeds by the American Kennel Club, the Otterhound is among the rarest breeds in the world (rarer than even the giant panda), …
In the 1830s, the Bull Terrier was introduced as an offshoot of the English Terrier and Bulldog. It didn’t take long before someone had the idea to shrink the full-sized Bull Terrier into a miniaturized version ideal for tracking down and exterminating rats. Alert, fun-loving, deceptively strong, and incredibly energetic, …
Bred in the 1960s from a selective group of small Australian Shepherds, the Miniature American Shepherd is essentially a scaled-down Aussie. Though smaller than the Australian Shepherd, the Miniature American Shepherd offers much of the same intelligence, skill, and loving companionship as its larger progenitors. These little herding dogs have …
The Mastiff, or Old English Mastiff, as it is sometimes referred to, is one of the quintessential gentle giant breeds. Revered as a hardened warrior in historic battles, the Mastiff has also served faithfully alongside people as a guard dog and hunter. History even mentions Julius Caesar’s infatuation with this …
A hybrid-like British dog combining the best of the terrier and the hound, the Manchester Terrier is a very interesting and unique dog that comes in both standard and toy sizes. Originally conceived by joining the Black and Tan Terrier with a Whippet, the Manchester Terrier is part coursing hound …
The breed dedicated to the little island south of Italy is adored as a pampered pet across the world, and stakes its claim to the 37th most popular American Kennel Club breed. For thousands of years, people have doted over the tiny Maltese, including the Greeks of the 4th and …
