Category: Articles
The Keeshond (Keeshonden, plural), sometimes called “The Barge Dog”, is a Spitz breed that is a member of the Non-Sporting group, famous for the “spectacles” on his pointed face. Bred to be a hardy and agile guard and companion on Dutch barges, the unpretentious “people’s dog” became a symbol of …
The Japanese Chin, otherwise known as the Japanese Spaniel, is a tiny, cat-like companion dog in both appearance and temperament. The breed’s beginnings have been long debated, but most people agree that the Japanese Chin originated in China and was eventually brought over to Japan as a gift to the …
Pitbull, the American Pitbull Terrier, was a result of a crossbreed between a bulldog and a terrier. The aim was to produce dogs that have strength of bulldogs and feistiness of terriers combined. This aim was achieved as pitbulls are strong, powerful and aggressive dogs. They were bred in 19th …
A mere fraction of the size of a full-blown Greyhound, the Italian Greyhound makes up for its small frame with a big heart and a distinctive personality. The Italian Greyhound is a rare breed in the sense that its sole purpose was to be a companion suited for affection and …
Towering above other dog breeds, the Irish Wolfhound proudly lays claim to the title of the American Kennel Club’s tallest dog breed. The Irish Wolfhound’s long history is filled with fascinating stories of this breed’s grandeur and tremendous size. For well over 1500 years, the Irish Wolfhound has been documented …
The Irish Terrier is a regal dog with a striking red coat and a long history as a purposeful working companion. Admitted to the American Kennel Club in 1885, the Irish Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds. Famed in its home country, the Irish Terrier is not hugely …
The only native dog of the small island country of Iceland, the Icelandic Sheepdog is anything but common. Accompanying Vikings on their trek to Iceland, this beautiful, hardy breed is beloved by its home country, and has even been featured on national postage stamps. Though only recently admitted to the …
Almost as old as history itself, the Ibizan Hound has been around for over 5,400 years. Inducted into the American Kennel Club in 1978, the Ibizan Hound is rather rare, ranking 152nd of a total 193 American Kennel Club breeds. Ibizan Hounds were prized as the skilled hunting companions of …
Sometimes termed Sicilian Greyhounds, the Cirneco dell’Etna breed is known for its roots in Sicily almost 3,000 years ago. However, it is thought that the Cirneco dell’Etna actually did not originate first in Sicily, but rather in Egypt or Libya. In fact, “cirneco” literally means “dog of Cyrene”, otherwise known …
One of the oldest dog breeds in the world, the Chow Chow has been recorded in Chinese history in the form of drawings and statues for more than 2000 years. The distinct, broad head, giant fur, smushed face, and one-of-a-kind black tongue of the Chow Chow make its appearance unmistakable. …
Originally bred in New Hampshire, the Chinook was used as a strong freighting dog and sled racer as part of the Working dog group and was eventually brought to Alaska at the height of the gold rush. The Chinook is named after the Native American word meaning “warm wind”. Once …
At one time the rarest dog breed in the world, The Chinese Shar-Pei has made a popularity comeback in recent years. The breed originated during China’s Han Dynasty as a peasant’s dog- a useful animal to hunt, herd, and guard livestock. Communist China nearly drove the breed to extinction with …
Despite its name, the Chinese Crested breed probably originated in Africa, not China. However, in was likely brought to China and then bred to be smaller for use as a rodent hunter on Chinese ships. Later on, the breed was brought to South America. The “crested” portion of the name …
The Bedlington Terrier has the oldest non-broken pedigree of all the purebred terriers, dating back to 1782 in England. Despite their historic lineage and delicate appearance, these dogs were actually work dogs that were used in coalmines and to kill rats, badgers, and other vermin. While these dogs had many …
The Basenji dog may be the world’s oldest dog breed with evidence of their existence in 300BC and earlier. The breed has been depicted through ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, and Mesopotamian art, and paleontologists believe the dogs were given as gifts for Egyptian pharaohs as they were transported along the Nile …
The Beauceron is a breed that is well known in France as being one of the best and largest sheepdogs that can herd sheep and cattle without frightening them. Also used to guard homes and families, this breed’s protection instinct and ability to follow commands proved to be useful during …
Basset Hounds are often recognized for their gentle, lazy disposition and their big brown eyes and long ears, but these dogs have a lesser-known history as hunting dogs. In 7th century France, hounds were being bred in different strains to produce hunting dogs for various purposes. One of the strains …
Excitable, reliable, and bright, the Bearded Collie is a lovable breed that radiates an upbeat attitude. While the origins of this breed are not known for certain, we know the breed has been around since at least the 1500s. Bearded Collies are best known for their herding ability, with their …
Sharing a striking resemblance to the Yorkshire Terrier, from which it descends in part, the Australian Terrier is a unique and surprisingly tough little dog. Though its unpopular ranking of 140 in a pool of 193 American Kennel Club dogs doesn’t do it justice, these dogs are quite special, and …
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd, or Aussie, actually owes its lineage to Europe and the United States. Today, the Australian Shepherd is the 17th most popular dog in the United States among the American Kennel Club’s 193 recognized breeds. Strikingly beautiful and with seemingly endless quantities of energy, Australian …
The Australian Cattle Dog ranks 55th of 193 American Kennel Club dog breeds. One of the most intelligent and energetic breeds, the Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Blue Heeler, is a relative of the dingo, the wild dog native to Australia. The Australian Cattle Dog has played a …
The Anatolian Shepherd, sometimes referred to as a Kangal, is a unique dog that simply can’t be missed. Large and wild-looking, the Anatolian Shepherd is the 90th most popular dog of 193 American Kennel Club registered breeds. Anatolian Shepherds have one of the longest and most interesting histories of any …
Muscular and full of courage, the American Staffordshire Terrier, colloquially known as the AmStaff, is a wonderful and loyal companion. Originally bred as a fighting and baiting dog in 18th and 19th century Great Britain, the American Staffordshire Terrier has evolved into a loving and social breed, adored by dog …
The Chihuahua is a tiny dog with a huge personality. A national symbol of Mexico, these alert and amusing “purse dogs” stand among the oldest breeds of the Americas, with a lineage going back to the ancient kingdoms of pre-Columbian times. Chihuahua-like dogs decorate the artifacts of lost civilizations around …
The Cesky Terrier, national dog of the Czech Republic, is a clever and adventurous playmate for kids and an eager walking buddy. The originator of the Cesky was a Czech breeder and geneticist Frantisek Horak. After nearly 30 years of research and breeding Scottish Terriers with Sealyham Terriers the Cesky Terrier …
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels combine the gentle attentiveness of a toy breed with the athleticism of a sporting spaniel. Originating from the Renaissance time, they are named after King Charles II. The name Cavalier is a nod to the monarchist party that supported the beheading of Charles I during the …
Cardigans are powerful workers of surprising speed and grace. Cardigan Welsh Corgis were named for the medieval kingdom of Cardiganshire, Wales, and is the oldest of all British breeds. The Cardigan’s original work was to go before his master’s cattle herd and clear the way by chasing off potential predators and …
The Cane Corso is a smart, trainable, assertive and confident breed. The Corso’s lineage begins in ancient Roman times, and the breed’s name roughly translates from Latin as “bodyguard dog.” When the Western Empire ended, Italy’s soldiers and the small population of surviving Corsi were out of work forcing them …
The Coton de Tulear is a charming companion dog best known for its natural long, white coat. The breed derives its name from the port of Tulear in Madagascar, where it originated, and the French word “coton”, meaning cotton. Today, the Coton de Tulear is ranked number 81 out of …
Few herding dog breeds are more recognizable than the loveable Collie, popularized by the canine movie character, Lassie. Friendly and easy to train, the Collie makes a wonderful companion for individuals and families alike. This breed originates from Scotland and Wales, and is sometimes referred to more specifically as the …
The Bloodhound is one of the largest scent hounds and has been sniffing out deer, wild boar, and people since the Middle Ages. Most likely descended from hounds kept at the Abbey of Saint-Hubert in Belgium, the breed is famed for its keen sense of smell and ability to discern …
The Black Russian Terrier, created in the USSR in the late 1940s, is also known as the Chornyi Terrier (chornyi is Russian for black). Despite the name, this breed is not a true terrier; Black Russian Terriers are most likely a combination of more than seventeen breeds including the Airedale, …
The Black and Tan Coonhound was created in the United States, more specifically the mountainous regions of the Ozarks and Smokies, by crossing Bloodhounds and Foxhounds. The original coonhound, Black and Tans were bred to hunt raccoons and opossums but have also been utilized in the pursuance of mountain lions, …
Bichon Frise is a type of Bichon, a group of related dog breeds characterized by large, dark eyes, short snouts, tails curled over the back, and hair that does not readily shed. All Bichons were bred as small, gentle companion animals and are thought to have originated somewhere in the …
The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of four large dog breeds originating from the Swiss Alps. This breed hails from the canton of Bern, an agricultural area vital to Switzerland’s dairy production. Bernese Mountain Dogs worked as farm dogs: accompanying alpine herders and dairymen, herding and protecting cattle, and even …
Originally from Germany, the Affenpinscher name comes from the word Affe, which, in German, means monkey- an ode to the tiny, monkey-like face of the Affenpinscher, which is also sometimes referred to as the Zwergaffenpinscher, meaning dwarf pinscher. In France, the Affenpinscher is known as the Diabletin Moustache, which literally …
The Berger Picard is a leggy herding dog with a strong, sturdy build and wiry, distinguished looking features. From Picardy, France the Berger Picard is believed to be the oldest pasture dog developed by French shepherds. The Picard nearly went extinct during the two world wars because Picardy was the …
Bergamascos are highly intelligent, loving, and trainable. They are a shepherding breed with an origin back thousands of years from Persia (in the area that is now Iran). These hardy shepherding dogs worked with their nomadic masters, tending and herding flocks of sheep in the harsh mountain climates from Persia …
The Belgian Tervuren is a herding dog from Tervuren, Belgium and is traced to the late 19th century. The Tervuren is a strong mix of beauty and grace with intelligence and work ethic. The Terv isn’t just a herding dog anymore. It is used as a guide for the blind …
The Belgian Sheepdog is a highly trainable herder whose history can be traced back to the late 19th century. Although initially a shepherd or sheepdog, the Belgian Sheepdog was a versatile animal. They performed many jobs through the first decade of the Twentieth Century for police forces throughout Belgium, Paris, …
The Belgian Malinois is a herding dog that commonly work as police dogs. They were first bred around the city of Malines in the northwestern region of Belgium. In America, the Malinois has been registered as a separate breed since 1959. He resembles the German Shepherd Dog but his head is …
Strong boned, independent, and protective, the Akita comes from the northern mountain region of Japan known as the Akita Prefecture. Akitas are a mixture of Chow Chows, Japanese Kai and Tosa dogs and were bred to hunt bears. Once known as a bred only for the wealthy, Akitas are now …
The American English Coonhound, also known as the English Coonhound or the Redtick Coonhound, is a classic American dog breed with deep roots in our history. These delightful dogs were developed in the American South and on the frontiers in the early nineteenth century. With lineage tying them back to …
Regal, glamorous, a symbol of elegance-the Afghan Hound has a long-standing reputation as a unique and independent breed. As their name implies, these graceful dogs originated in the harsh climate of the Middle East, among the Afghani mountains. They were originally bred as hunters, earning their keep with help from …
The Airedale Terrier is the largest breed of terrier, earning it the nickname “King of the Terriers.” This medium black-and-tan dog breed was originally created in the valley of the River Aire, located in Yorkshire, England, to catch otters and rats. The breed garnered worldwide recognition during World War I, …
The Alaskan Malamute is a strong, heavy-duty breed classified with working group dogs. They are intelligent and quick to learn, watchful and alert, and bred to haul sleds and other gear through the snow. Alaskan Malamutes were named after an Inuit tribe based in the northern part of Alaska called …
This newly accredited terrier is the first hairless breed to originate from the United States. Known for its intelligence, the American Hairless Terrier is friendly, playful, and is popular amongst allergy sufferers due to its hairless coat. The American Hairless Terrier first originated from Louisiana in 1972 when a single …
One of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world, the short-legged, long-bodied Dachshund was first documented in the 16th century. Today, the dachshund is ranked number 12 of 193 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Also known as the Teckel, Dackel, and Badger Dog, the Dachshund hails …
If you’ve adopted your new four-legged family member from a shelter, you have done a wonderful thing! You’ve saved one of the millions of homeless dogs a fur-ever home. Unfortunately, however, not all dogs are as lucky to get adopted; countless homeless dogs don’t even make it to a shelter …
You love your fur-baby more than anything in the world, and just like any other member of your family, you want to keep him well protected. Unfortunately, however, despite your best efforts to keep your pooch safe, there are some things that seem impossible to control, such as a parasitic …
