Category: Articles
The Bouvier des Flandres is a truly impressive dog. Large, powerful and dark, they are remarkable for their thick dark coats and heavy bearded heads. Founded in Flanders in the middle ages, the Bouvier was bred to herd and guard cattle. In fact, the name Bouvier des Flandres means “the …
The Boston terrier, also known as the American gentleman, is a frisky, kind little dog from the nonworking group. The story goes that the breed can trace their lineage back to a single dog, Judge, born in the late 1860s in Liverpool, England. In 1870, judge was brought to Boston …
It can be difficult to be everything to everyone, but the Boxer dog is able to do this successfully! Bold affectionate friendly and athletic, the Boxer’s a great pet for nearly any family. Modern boxers can be traced back to Germany in the late 1800s. The Boxer’s roots however run …
The Briard is a large French herding breed. Many call this breed “a heart wrapped in fur,” but don’t take the fluffy faces lightly. Briards are dedicated and formidable herding and guard dogs. Dating back to the early Middle Ages, 3 yards were developed as cattle herders and guardians, as …
The Brittany is among the most classic of the hunting dogs. Lithe and graceful with boundless energy and intelligence to match, they are excellent hunting dogs. The Brittany is an antique French breed, with roots in western France in the late Middle Ages. Developed over time to be a versatile, …
The Smooth Fox Terrier is an energetic, curious dog with a spirited nature and a knack for mischief. Despite the stature of this breed, they’re not for the owner who desires a calm lapdog. As the name suggests, the Fox Terrier was developed for foxhunting. When the fox went underground, …
Energetic, amiable, and clever, the Finnish Spitz is a multitalented hunting breed which has made the transition into companion dog. Also known as the “Finkie,” this dog is the national dog of Finland. These dogs were originally bred for hunting birds; as “bark pointers,” they would track a bird into …
Athletic, good-natured, and clever, the Finnish Lapphund is a herding breed once used to hunt reindeer. Over the years, hunting turned to shepherding, and the “Lappie” developed the smarts and agility to keep up with the job. Today, the Finnish Lapphund is well known for its friendly and gregarious demeanor, …
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is not a well-known breed, coming in at a popularity number of 157 of 193. This spunky, active breed has a larger-than-life personality. Fiercely protective, extremely intelligent, and astonishingly active, the Entlebucher can be an overwhelming kind of dog for the owner who isn’t a proper …
Also known as the King Charles Spaniel or the “Charlie,” the English Toy Spaniel is a lovable, gentle dog developed for companionship. Ranked at number 135 of 193 in AKC’s popularity list, this dog isn’t well known among the toy breeds. Though popularized in Europe through King Charles II’s enjoyment …
Smart, playful, and exceedingly fluffy, the American Eskimo Dog (often called “The Dog Beautiful”) is an excellent choice for anyone looking for the perfect family companion dog. It is ranked just 122nd out of 193 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, but don’t let the statistics fool you; …
Havanese, the only dog breed native to Cuba, are cheerful little dogs. These bright and sociable companions are becoming especially popular with American city dwellers. During its approximately 300 years in Cuba, the breed was refined, perhaps with Poodle crosses, into today’s Havanese. The most significant event in the breed’s …
Harriers are a medium sized friendly, outgoing and people-oriented as well as swift and prey-driven. Outgoing and friendly, the Harrier is much larger than the Beagle but smaller than another close relative, the English Foxhound. Among the AKC’s rarest breeds, there are probably more theories about Harrier origins than there …
The Greyhound is gentle, noble, and sweet-tempered with an independent spirit. They are sighthounds and one of the oldest breeds of dogs. Sighthounds are hunting dogs that pursue running game by sight rather than by scent. For thousands of years these graceful hounds with their inverted S-shape has been an …
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, extremely strong worker famous for a dense coat of black, red, and white markings. Swissies descend from war dogs brought over the Alps by Julius Caesar’s troops. The Swiss used these mastiff-types when breeding their Alpine mountain dogs. Of these, Swissies are …
Pyrs were bred centuries ago to work with shepherds and herding dogs in the Pyrenees Mountains, the natural border between France and Spain. The Pyr’s job was to watch the flock and deter predators, whether wolves, bears, or livestock thieves. Their innate patience came in handy when sitting atop a …
The Kuvasz (plural, Kuvaszok) is a profoundly loyal breed with origins in ancient Turkey and Tibet. Part of the Working group of dogs, Kuvaszok were brought to Hungary in the middle ages as majestic guardians of livestock and companions of kings. Kuvaszok are extremely patient- they had to keep a …
The Komondor (Komondorok, plural), also known as the Mop Dog or Hungarian Sheepdog, has for centuries been known as the king of Hungarian livestock guardians. Part of the Working group of dogs, this strong, powerful animal has been declared one of Hungary’s national treasures that should be protected at all …
The Kerry Blue Terrier, otherwise known as the Kerry, owes its name to its Irish origins. During the struggle for Irish independence, the Irish patriots actually used the Kerry Blue Terrier as their people-oriented mascot. A part of the Terrier group, this hard-working farm dog was known for its versatility …
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 …
