Bearded Collie Dog Breed

Other Names: Beardie

Country of Origin: Scotland

Dog Group Kennel Club: Pastoral

General Appearance:
Bearded Collies are lively, active dogs with a lean appearance. They have a double coat with flat, strong, shaggy outer coats and soft furry under coats. These dogs were originally bred to herd stock but, today, are more likely to seen in a family environment. From their cheeks, lower lips and under their chins, their coats increase in length towards their chests giving them their typical beards! The nose is large and should be in tone with the coat colour, lighter or darker depending on the colour of the coat. The neck should be slightly arched and lead into well laid back shoulders. Bearded Collies coats change in colour as they mature. When the puppies are born they tend to be black, brown, blue, or fawn, this will then fade, once they reach maturity they darken again.

Colour:
A variety of colours are acceptable including all shades of grey, brown and sandy as well as reddish fawn, black and blue. Some white markings are also acceptable.

Size:
Bitch 51-53cms

Dog 53-56 cms

Measured to the withers

Weight:
Min Max

Bitch 18kg (40lbs) 28kg (62lbs)

Dog 18kg (40lbs) 28kg (62lbs)

Temperament:
Bearded Collies are known to be intelligent and lively working dogs but do not, in general, have aggressive or nervous tendencies. They thrive on family fun so are good with children and family pets.They are easy going aswell as being bold, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time as they bore easily. They are not known to bark but may bark to the arrival of visitors to show they are excited or that they are bored. Their herding instinct is very high so whilest in the home may try to herd menbers of the family into one room,or whilest on a walk they may herd other dogs and animals.

Movement:
Bearded Collies have a long reaching and athletic gait that is smooth and covers ground easily.

Care and Training:
Bearded Collies need alot of grooming a thorough brushing once a week is ok but daily brushing would make the job easier. When brushing a beardie a spray conditioner will help with the detangling of their long coat. You need to brush all layers of their coat so you may need to get under the top coat get at the under coat , matted notts will form if this is not done correctly.
A Professional clipping can also be done every few months.

Beardies are eger to learn and love to be around people. This breed is highly trainable for various activities. Obedience training is a must as they have a tendency to be headstrong.
They excel in tracking, agility, herding, performing tricks, and competitive obedience.
They respond best to firm, fair, consistent, and loving methods of training.

Overall Exercise: 60 - 80 minutes per day.
This breed need plenty on exercise also to play games in family activity such as football or frisby.

Feeding Requirements:
This is a fast growing breed so good nutrition during the puppy months is important.
It is important to not overfeed as this can cause bone deformities.

Exercise: High

Grooming: High

Noise: High

Personal Protection: Medium

Suitability As Guard Dog: Medium

Level of Aggression: Medium

Compatibility With Other Animals: Medium

Suitablity for Children: High

Often Docked? No

Average Litter size: 6

Life Expectacy (yrs)14

Health issues: Hip dysplasia. Other possible health concerns include allergies, autoimmune disease, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, colonic disease and skin problems.

History: It is believed that in 1514 a Polish Merchant bought six Polish Lowland Sheepdogs in Scotland to herd his sheep, and a man from Scotland was so impressed with the Sheepdogs (also known as Polski Owczarek Nizinny dog from Poland) that he traded some of them for a few of his sheep. The Bearded Collie was developed from the The Polish dogs were mixed with Highland Collies, the native dogs of Scotland, which became known as the Bearded Collie. In the 1940s the breed almost went extinct, but thanks to Mrs. G. Olive Willison and her search for a mate for her female Bearded Collie Jeannie, a litter was produced and thus served to rebuild the Bearded Collie population again. Used as a working companion they would drive cattle and sheep to the market.

Beagle dog breed

Country of Origin: Great Britain


Dog Group Kennel Club: Hound


General Appearance:
Beagles have a sturdy and compact appearance and are part of the hound group. They have a kind expression and are compact and athletic. They are known for their ability to hunt and track.
Due to their breeding, they love exercise and being around people. They also have short, weatherproof coats, making grooming relatively easy.


Colour:
Any recognised hound colour except for liver.


Size:
Bitch 33cm - 40cm


Dog 33cm - 40cm


Weight:
Min Max


Bitch 8kg (18lbs) 14kg (31lbs)


Dog 8kg (18lbs) 14kg (31lbs)


Temperament:
In general, Beagles have a good temperament and are bold, alert and intelligent. They are loyal and do not show aggression, but they can get distracted by smells when training and walking.
Due to the fact that they are pack animals, they can suffer with separation anxiety. Beagles love children and are ok around other dogs but they will need to be exposed to cats at an early age in order to develop good relationships with felines. They can be good guard dogs as they map out there territory, they will check this area and will be aware if something is different and will give voice to alert.


Movement:
Firm, strong and long reaching


Care and Training:
Beagles are easy to groom as they are moderate shedders, so brushing will remove the dead hair, and bathing is just as easy as you can give them a wipe down with a damp cloth. Tooth paste may be required regulary as they have a tendancy to eat foul matter. Ears need to be kept clean as they are prone to infection.


Overall Exercise: 60 - 80 minutes per day
The Beagle is fairly active and loves long and vigorous walks but should be kept on a lead until they are fully trained to return to the owners command because of their hunting instinct. Beagles are best at a home with a yard, fenced or with a wall of 6 ft as when something catches their interest they are bound to run off.


Feeding Requirements:
This breed is not particularly fussy eaters so can be fed normal dog food (tinned or dried) once or twice daily, amounts that are being fed should be watched as they can become over weight easily.


Exercise: Med


Grooming: Low


Noise: Med


Personal Protection: Low


Suitability As Guard Dog: Medium


Level of Aggression: Low


Compatibility With Other Animals: Low


Suitablity for Children: High


often docked? No


Average litter size: 6


Life Expectancy (yrs) 14


Health issues: Congenital heart disease, spinal problems, epilepsy, invertebral disk disease, hip dysplasia and skin conditions. They also have a tendency to become obese. Possible health issues include Cleft palate, luxating patellas, hypothyroidism, and reproductive disorders.


History: The Beagle has existed in Britain at least since the reign of Edward III. It is said that Edward III used a pack of 120 of them on the battlefield during the One Hundred Years' War. The name Beagle may come from the Old English or Welsh word for "small" being "beag", or the French word for "open throat" or more idiomatically, "loudmouth", "begueule." During the Renaissance they were used to hunt hares and wild rabbits in Wales and France, and have also been used to hunt wild pig and even deer in Scandinavia, as well as cottontail rabbit in the United States. In both Canada and the U.S. the Beagle was used as a gundog to both seek out and retrieve. Beagles were known as the best hare dog among small hounds. They are small-medium sized dogs today, but during the reign of King Henry VIII, were said to be so small they could fit in your pocket. Beagles in their day were allegedly about 8 or 9 inches tall. This coined the name "Pocket Beagles", in which King Henry VIII's daughter Elizabeth I owned many. These "Pocket Beagles" are allegedly extinct, although some claim they crop up in litters once in a while.

Bassett Hound dog breed

Other Name: Basset

Country of Origin: France

Dog Group Kennel Club: Hound

General Appearance:
Bassett Hounds have short legs and long bodies and are substantial dogs. They have long ears and dark eyes. They have loose Wrinkly skin and droopy eyes. The coat of the Basset Hound should always be short, never long. Hair should also always be straight and firm in texture. There is usually enough loose skin on the head to wrinkle, noticably when the head is drawn forward or lowered. The neck should be fairly long and muscular the body should be long and deep with a prominent breast bone. Bassett Hounds are also excellent scent hounds with their tracking abilities being very strong.

Colour:

Commonly Bassett Hounds come in two colours, black, white and tan or lemon and white although other colours are acceptable.

Size:
Bitch 33cm - 38cm

Dog 33cm - 38cm

weight:
Min Max

Bitch 18kg (40lbs) 27kg (60lbs)

Dog 18kg (40lbs) 27kg (60lbs)

Temperament:
Bassett Hounds are calm and friendly and always welcome the chance to make new friends. They are often good family dogs but can be difficult to train due to their hound background. Despite their appearance, they do enjoy exercise. This breed loves children, and generally does well with other animals.

Movement:
Smooth, free and not stiff.

Care and Training:
The Bassett Hound sheds constantly so needs grooming daily with a firm bristle brush also regular cleaning between the folds in the skin to prevent skin irritation. Nails should be trimmed regulary as this breed is quite lazy so they will not be kept short, ears should also be kept clean as airflow is restricted.

Bassett Hounds can be difficult to train due to their scenting nature, consistancy and patience works well as when they are sniffing they will loose concentratoin.

Overall Exercise: 60 - 80 minutes per day
Given the chance bassett hounds can be lazy but they do need exercise to ensure they do not put on too much weight. Exercise should be limited at an early age as joint problems may occur. Because of the length of their bodies Bassets should not be allowed to go up and down stairs until they are 18 months old.

Feeding Requirements:
Prospective owners must check with the breeder that the puppy's feeding has been supplemented, especially because of the large size of their litters. Guard against overfeeding and obesity and do not feed supplements as in calcium or bone development nutrients without discussing this with your vet, as skeletal abnormalities may be the result.

Exercise: Med

Grooming: Low

Noise: Med

Personal Protection: Low

Suitability As Guard Dog: Low

Level of Aggression: High

Compatibility With Other Animals: Low

Suitablity for Children: Medium

Often docked? no

Average litter size: 8

Life expectancy (yrs) 12

Health issues: Anaemia, hernias, hip dysplasia, Kidney problems, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), thyroid problems.

History: Basset Hounds appear to have origins that date back to the sixteenth century when French stag hounds were bred to short legged hounds. The Basset Hound can be traced back to the interbreeding of the Basset d'Artois and the Basset Normand. Basset Hounds also largely resembles a dwarfed version of the Saint Hubert Hound of France, and may be a descendent of this breed. In the early development of the Bassets, they were used for hunting small game that was low to the ground, such as rabbits and hares. Bassets were meant to be able to track in thick cover for the scent of an animal, but not to kill it. This proved easy for the cumbersome dog, as they are adept to finding the source of a scent, but slow in retrieving anything. After the French Revolution, hunting was a prominent sport in France and the dogs were bred for that very use by French Monks. In 1866 a pair was sent to Britain to Lord Galway, in which the dogs were named Basset and Belle, and in 1872 produced a litter of puppies. The litter was then adopted by Lord Onslow and added to his pack of other Bassets imported from France. At this time Basset Hounds were mostly held by the aristocracy because of the hunting sport they were bred for. In 1892 they were crossed with a Bloodhound which made slight changes to the appearance of the breed.

Basenji dog breed

Other Names: Lagos Bush Dogs or Congo Terriers


Country of Origin: Zaire and the Congo (Central Africa)


Dog Group Kennel Club: Hound


General appearance:


Basenjis are part of the hound group and are powerful for their size. They are lightly built with a short sleek fine coat and elegant features, they also have fairly long legs and a tightly curled tail. The Basenji should be fairly finely boned and short coupled, creating the image of a graceful, compact creature. These dogs are unique in the fact that they do not bark. They do however make all the other usual doggie sounds. They are known to be clean dogs and as they rarely bark they do have their own special noise.


Colour:
Basenjis come in many colours including: black and white, red and white, black, tan and white and bridle.


Size:
Bitch 40 cms


Dog 43cms


(Both sizes measured to top of shoulder)


Weight:


Min Max


Bitch 9kg (20lbs) 10kg (22lbs)


Dog 11kg (24lbs) 11kg (24lbs)


Temperament:
Basenjis are intelligent, fun loving and learn quickly but do have a very independent streak. This breed has the tendency to become destructive if left along for long periods of time. This breed is known to form strong bonds with their owners but can be aloof with strangers. Basenjis have been likened to cats as they are good climbers, they have been known to climb trees and fences, also they keep themslves very clean which means grooming is minimised.


Movement:
A tireless and swinging stride


Care and Training:
The Basenji is much like a cat being very clean and grooming himself on occasions. An occasional brushing with a firm bristle or wire brush works best to remove dead or loose hair from the coat as they shed a very small amount of hair if any. The smooth coat of the Basenji is very easy to care for.


The Basenji should be socialized early to prevent any destruction problems if he is to be home raised, and to ensure that he will do well around children and other animals. This breed is very intelligent yet independent at the same time making training quite a task. Variety, consistency, and firm handling work best with the Basenji to keep their attention as they tend to bore easily.


Feeding Requirements:
The Basenji can generally be fed a normal dog food diet. However, Basenjis will steal any food that is left lying around, and as a result, can quickly become overweight.


Overall Exercise: 60 - 80 minutes per day
This breed has a high stamina and characteristics of being tierless. The Basenji needs a fair bit of exercise on a daily basis, as well as a great deal of mental stimulation as it has been bred to hunt, however they can also be quite happy to stay at home at the fireside


Exercise: Med


Grooming: Low


Noise: Low


Personal Protection: Low


Suitability As Guard Dog: Low


Level of Aggression: High


Compatibility With Other Animals: Low


Suitablity for Children: Medium


Often docked? no


Average litter size: 6


life expectancy (yrs) 15


Health issues: Anaemia, hernias, hip dysplasia, Kidney problems, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), thyroid problems.


History: The earliest samples of these dogs were given as gifts to Pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Basenji-type dogs are depicted on the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs and date back to early 3600 B.C. Many details of their origins are unclear, but the Basenji is thought to have come from a purebred dog used by the Pygmies for hunting in the Congo. A pair of Basenjis were taken to England by an explorer in 1895, but unfortunately fell ill to distemper and soon died. In 1937 the Basenji was introduced successfully into England, and around the same time Mrs. Byron Rogers of New York City brought a pair of them to America. A litter of puppies was born, but unfortunately all died due to distemper except for Mrs. Rogers' older male, Bois. A female Basenji named Congo was then brought to the United States from Africa in 1941 by Alexander Phemster of Massachusetts, and soon the two Basenjis produced the first litter of Basenjis to be born in America and live. Soon other Basenjis were imported from England and Canada, and the breed grew in size and popularity in America.

Australian Shepherd dog breed

Other Names:  Aussies

Country of origin: USA

Dog Group Kennel Club: Pastoral

General appearance:

The Australian Shepherd has a striking and varied coat. It is of moderate length, straight to wavy, and weather resistant. The under coat is shed twice a year; with moderate shedding between these periods. The coat comes in four accepted colors: black, blue merle, red, and red merle. A variety of white and tan markings may appear on the face, chest, front, and rear legs. These medium sized dogs are slightly longer than they are tall. They are solid and muscular. They are often compared to the Border Collie. Their gait demonstrates the agility and stamina that a sheepdog would need. Each dog's coat and eye color are highly variable, it is not uncommon to have a dog with one blue eye or one that is half blue and half brown. This does not affect their vision or their standings in the show ring.

Colours: blue merle, black, red merle, or red, all with or without white markings and/or tan points

Size:
Bitch         46cm (18") 53cm (21")
Dog           51cm (20") 58cm (23")

Weight:
Bitch         16kg (35lbs) 32kg (71lbs)
Dog            16kg (35lbs) 32kg (71lbs)

Temperament:
Australian Shepherds are intelligent, delightful, and loyal. They are highly energetic and thrive on being given something to do. The Aussie has a high degree of intensity and a "no-quit" attitude. Their herding instinct may be problematic or annoying to their family, as this breed will often attempt to perform this task on everyone or anything that moves. Aussies are reserved and cautious with strangers until the Aussie decides about them. It is also good for them to get used to children, other dogs and pets at an early age if one wants relations to go smoothly. They have high problem solving abilities, and are very obedient when trained. They actually enjoy obedience classes. Australian Shepherds are strong and enthusiastic dogs.

Movement: Agile, smooth, free and easy, with good forward reach. Fore-and hindlegs move straight and parallel but may converge at speed.

Care and training:
The Australian Shepherd requires minimal grooming. An occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush will suffice. It is important to do more in depth grooming when they are going through their seasonal shedding. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary.
Australian Shepherds are easy to train. They benefit from early socialization and very basic obedience. It is important that they know who the master is or they will attempt to take control. The Australian Shepherd requires firm, fair, consistent, and effective direction. Their high intelligence and keen learning ability make repetitive training boring.  It is also a breed that must be trained, as it needs something to occupy its mind. Aussies were bred to work and without a purpose in life they become bored and can develop destructive behaviours.

Overall Exercise: 80 - 100 minutes per day.
Long walks are essential but are still not enough. Roadwork and free running are both needed for the good of the dog. This dog will work well in obedience, agility, fly ball or herding, all areas where he will do himself and his trainer proud.

Feeding requirements: This breed does like its food and can become overweight if it does not get enough exercise.

Exercise: High

Grooming: Med

Noise:  Med

Personal Protection: High

Suitability As Guard Dog: Medium

Level of Aggression: Medium

Compatibility With Other Animals: Low

Suitablity for Children: Medium

Often docked? Yes

Average litter:  5 - 8

Life expectancy (yrs):14 - 16

Health issues:  Hip dysplasia, eye problems such as juvenile cataracts, PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and Collie eye anomaly and deafness.

History: Australian Shepherds are not, in fact, Australian at all! They are believed to have been brought to America by the Basque shepherds in 1875 from  Spain and France who, on their routes, stopped by Australia and picked up good herding dogs on their way to America. The Australian Shepherd arrived in the United States by the late 19th century where the dogs’ qualities became recognized by local ranchers, who used the dogs to work cattle, sheep and other livestock. The breed is well-believed to have come from the Berger des Pyréneés, as well as Smithfield, Collie and Border Collie.

American Cocker Spaniel dog breed

Other Names: American Cocker

Country of Origin: America

Dog Group Kennel Club:  Gundog

General appearance:

The American Cocker Spaniel is a compact and well boned dog with dropped ears. They have  dark and expressive eyes, rounded and feathers on the ears, legs, chest and stomach area.The muzzle should be broad, deep and square. The neck is long and muscular and the body short. They are the smallest breed of dog in their group but are still large enough to be useful.

Colours:A large variety of colours including solid and 'parti-colours' where two or more colours appear on the dog in clearly defined areas.
Size:
Bitch            34-37cms
Dog               37-39cms

Weight:     
                              Min                Max
Bitch             11kg (24lbs)  13kg (29lbs)

Dog               11kg (24lbs)  13kg (29lbs)

Temperament:
American Cocker Spaniels are generally jolly dogs who are eager to please.  They should not be timid. It is reported that due to a few breeders' irresposible breeding there are some dogs whose temperaments do not fit this brief. They are adaptable and suit both town and country dwellers but are demanding of the owners time. They have great personalities and are known to be mischievous.

Movement: Smooth and effortless.

Care and training:
American Cockers need a thorough grooming every day. They require trimming, particularly working cockers, as an untrimmed coat is impractical for these dogs. Their ears require careful attention as airflow is restricted and ear infections often occur, in addition the long ears will trail in food bowls. They also need bathing quite often to clean their skin and minimise odour.
The American Cocker is an intelligent dog. Being eager to please and very adaptable they are easy to train for field work, showing or companionship.

Overall Exercise:  60 - 80 minutes per day
The American Cocker enjoys exercise which they need on a regular basis. They love to swim and retrieve, and will happily play any 'fetch' games with the family. They do not really enjoy too much 'rough and tumble' play, so they should be supervised with young children in case the games become too rough.

Feeding requirements:
American Cockers are relatively easy dogs to feed as they are small dogs and not fussy eaters.
They are not normally greedy but do require a good quality food to keep their coats in good condition.

Exercise: Med

Grooming: High

Noise: Low

Personal Protection: Low

Suitability As Guard Dog: Low

Level of Aggression: Low

Compatibility With Other Animals: High

Suitablity for Children: High

Often Docked? yes

Average litter size: 4

life expectancy (yrs) 12

Health issues: The Cocker Spaniel is quite hardy, but may experience a variety of inherited disorders such as eye and ear infections, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. Other health concerns include PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), hypothyroidism, cataracts, von Willebrand's disease,
and slipping stifles.

History:  The name of the Cocker Spaniel comes from what they were once used for, hunting woodcock. Despite his name, the American Cocker Spaniel is in fact originally a breed of Spanish blood. The Spanish Spaniel is considered to be the oldest of the recognized spaniels. Developed by crossing setters and spaniels, it was during the seventeenth century they were divided into the water and land spaniels. Legend says that the Cocker Spaniel was first brought to America in 1620 aboard the Mayflower, but much speculation is needed on this theory. In 1892 the Cocker Spaniel was recognized as a breed in England. In the late 1870s the breed was brought to the United States and here was developed into quite different lines from the English Cocker. Americans and English Cockers were soon bred for different reasons, the English more for hunting, and the American more for show. Soon, the new version of Cocker Spaniel needed a name, and it was decided on American Cocker Spaniel. In 1946 the American was registered as a separate breed. The breed was still used for hunting, although bred for appearance. The breed would be used to hunt on the weekends and would be used as a playmate and companion during the weekdays. Currently, the American Cocker Spaniel does not exercise its hunting skills nearly as much as before, but is widely used and recognized as a companion all across the world today. Due to its popularity, some lines contain standoffish and untrusting dogs, which are most likely the result of puppy mills. American Cocker Spaniels are among the best breeds for temperament, thus making a shy or suspicious Cocker Spaniel a poor choice.

Anatolian Shepherd dog breed

Other Names: Karabash or Kangal Dog

Country of origin: Turkey/Asia Minor

Dog Group Kennel Club: Pastoral

General appearance:

The Anatolian Shepherd has two basic coat types: short and rough. The short coat is approximately one inch in length; the rough coat is approximately four inches in length. The neck hair is longer and thicker than the hair on the body. This is a double coat breed that has a thick undercoat. The Karabash is a large powerfully built mastiff type dog. They are best known for their distinctive facial markings, cream to fawn with a black mask and ears. The Anatolian Shepherd is known for their large, strong frame and their courage. Steady and bold but never aggressive, they should be loyal, independent and hardy. The Anatolian Shepherd has a large head; broad muzzle; dark nose; and almond shaped, brown eyes. Anatolian Shepherds at one time were used to hunt wolves but today in the United States they are used as hunters, sheepdogs, and in the military. Similar in looks to the Great Pyrenees, the Anatolian Shepherd has tighter frame and are more agile.

Colours: All colors, but most desired is solid cream to fawn with black mask and ears.

Size:
Bitch   71cm (28") 79cm (31") 
Dog    74cm (29") 81cm (32")

Weight:
Bitch 41kg (90lbs) 59kg (130lbs)
Dog  50kg (110lbs) 64kg (141lbs)

Temperament:

A loyal, deeply devoted, and intelligent breed, the Anatolian Shepherd is calm, affectionate, and brave. They are possessive and protective of their family, home, and territory. Due to their large size they are not recommended for homes with small children. They will generally get along with dogs and other household pets they have been raised with. They must be socialised from a very early age as their guarding instinct is very strong. The Anatolian is always on alert. Loyal and trainable, the Anatolian does not like small spaces to live in. They have a natural affinity for keeping themselves clean.

Movement:  Relaxed even gait, with impression of latent power, very supple movement. Noticeable straight line of head, neck and body, giving impression of stalking in some dogs. Great drive when viewed from side.

Care and training:

The Anatolian Shepherd requires brushing once a week with special attention given to the coat during the heavy seasonal shedding. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary. They have a natural tendency to clean themselves. Mental stimulation to prevent boredom is necessary. Puppies need to be trained early or they are very wary of strangers as adults. This breed is highly susceptible to fleas, ticks, and fly bites.

This breed must have early socialization and basic obedience training. They will not respond to harshness or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with respect, firmness, fairness, patience, consistency, and love. The Anatolian Shepherd requires a dominant owner and have been bred to use their initiative, making training quite hard. They require a great deal of patience when training and, even then, success cannot be guaranteed.

Overall Exercise: 2 hours per day.

The Karabash needs a lot of exercise, lots of long walks. This dog is very active and can endure extremes of heat and cold conditions. They need a large, enclosed and safe area for running around off the lead and so do not do well in cities and towns. 

Feeding requirements: As these dogs are so large they do need a lot of feeding, especially as young dogs, and this can be quite expensive. The adult dog will not eat a vast amount of food once it is fully grown.

Exercise: Med 

Grooming: Med

Noise: Low

Personal Protection: High

Suitability As Guard Dog: High

Level of Aggression: High

Compatibility With Other Animals: Medium

Suitablity for Children: Medium

Often docked? No

Average litter: 5 - 10

Life expectancy (yrs): 12 - 15

Health issues: Hip dysplasia, sensitivity to anesthesia, and hypothyroidism.

History: The Anatolian Shepherd is an ancient guardian breed that probably descended from Roman war dogs and came to Turkey more then 4,000 years ago. They have existed on the plateaus of Turkey across from Afghanistan for years. At first they were used as hunters for big game, being lions and horses even. In Turkey they proved to be amazing defenders of livestock against even the toughest of foes, such as wolves and bears. They were used primarily as sheep and livestock guards after this. The Anatolian Shepherd accompanied the nomadic shepherds and became widespread over a large geographical region, accounting for the Anatolian's great variation in size, coat type, and color. Some believe there are different types within the species and assign them names based on their region. The Anatolian would always find a high patch of ground to keep watch from, then strike when they saw a threat. This breed was at first believed to receive a spiked collar after they had killed a wolf, but in fact, the spiked collars were used for protection.

Alaskan Malamute dog breed

Other Names: Malamute

Country Of Origin: United States

Dog Group Kennel Club: Working 

General Appearance:
The Alaskan Malamute was originally bred for use as an Alaskan sled dog and, as such, is powerful, compact and capable of surviving at low temperatures with a thick course outer coat and a dense undercoat. In many ways, the Malamute is visually like his distant cousin the wolf. The head is broad, especially between the ears and there should be a slight furrow between the dark, almond shaped eyes. Bulky in proportion to the skull, the muzzle has an almost uniform width and depth throughout its length.

Colour:
Light grey to black or gold to shades of red or liver. They always have white on the underbody with white parts of legs, feet and face.

Size:
Bitch             58-66 cms
Dog               64-71 cms
(Height measured to top of shoulder)

Weight:
                              Min                 Max 

Bitch            38kg (84lbs)   56kg (123lbs) 

Dog               38kg (84lbs)   56kg (123lbs)

Temperament:
Alaskan Malamutes are affectionate, friendly and loyal.  They are certain to make a good family pet but also have a strong independent streak as a result of the origins of the breed. They are also known for their lacking tolerance of small animals that could be deemed as prey. After maturity the Alaskan Malamute usually settles in to a nice calm and quiet adult.

Movement: Tireless and rhythmical

Care and Training:
The Alaskan Malamute has a very thick and coarse coat and would do well with a good brushing twice a week. They are very heavy shedders and there undercoat comes out in clumps twice a year. Bathes for this breed really aren't necessary as they easily shed dirt.  Dogs will shed heavily once a year and bitches twice a year during their seasons

Overall Exercise:  60 - 80 minutes per day.
Some owners join sledging clubs to compete in races thus giving the dogs plenty of exercise.
It should be noted that Malamutes do have a tendency to run off so they should be well trained to recall before being let off the lead.  A Malamute needs a confident handler who will clearly take on the role of pack leader and train the dog with kind, but firm methods.

Feeding Requirements:
If being used to sled, this dog should be on a 'performance' diet as it will burn off an extraordinary amount of calories. As a housepet a normal maintainence diet should be acceptable.

Exercise: Med

Grooming: Low-med

Noise: Low

Personal Protection: Low

Suitability As Guard Dog: Low

Level of Aggression: Medium

Compatibility With Other Animals: Medium

Suitablity for Children: Medium

Often Docked? no

Average litter size: 5

Life Expectancy (yrs) 14

Health issues: Hip dysplasia, cataracts, chondrodysplasia, skin problems, eye problems and sometimes they suffer from a condition where the growth of their limbs is reduced. They may also suffer from bloat, which is a common health concern to most dogs, being the second largest cause of death in dogs. It is also called gastric torsion or twisted stomach.

History: The Alaskan Malamute was developed by a tribe of nomadic Inuit people called Mahlemuts who lived along Norton Sound of northwestern Alaska. The Malamute's origins may have been the result of mixing wolves with other dogs. The Inuit people had wanted a large, trong, sled-pulling dog that was not a speedster but a heavy hauler so that they could use them as draft animals. They were bred to be able to perform with great endurance even in poor weather. The Mahlemuts hunted polar bears and seals and needed a very strong dog to be able to haul all of the meat. The breed was so widely used and accepted in their tribe that it was considered almost a part of the family. When people outside of Alaska heard about gold in its land in 1896, they began pouring in. During the European settling of Alaska, the dogs were used for hunting and hauling in large numbers. The breed grew in popularity among outsiders, and some of the breed were even chosen for use on Admiral Byrd's trek to the South Pole in 1933. The breed was also used excessively during World War II as a freight hauler, pack animal and a search-and-rescue dog.

Airedale Terrier dog breed

Other Names:  Airedale, King of Terriers

Country Of Origin: England .

Dog Group Kennel Club:  Terrier

General Appearance:
Airedale Terriers are often just referred to as 'Airedales' although they do fall into the Terrier group, of which they are the largest example. They are known as muscular active dogs with dense wiry outer coats and shorter softer undercoats lying close to the body of the dog, and with a distinctive beard around muzzle. Airedales are powerful dogs and have a sturdy, practical appearance .

Colours: Black and tan

Size:
Bitch           56-59 cms
Dog             58-61 cms
(Heights taken from top of shoulder)

Weight:
                             Min                 Max

Bitch           22kg (48lbs) 22kg (48lbs)
Dog             22kg (48lbs) 22kg (48lbs)

Temperament:
Airedales in general have outgoing and friendly temperaments and although not generally aggressive, they are known for their fearless attitude. Proper training is a must. An intelligent breed, the Airedale Terrier should have an experienced owner. They need firm handling as they are naturally dominant and can be stubborn. This dog loves to chase small animals, but can do exceptionally well with cats and other dogs. They are not very aggressive towards other dogs but will stand their ground if challenged. They are fun-loving dogs and good with people. They make excellent family dogs particularly good with children and always ready to join in their games.

Care And Training:
The hair of this breed is a hard wiry coat which is hard to groom. Dead hair should be plucked but, daily grooming can prevent occurrence of skin irritations. The coat is shed twice yearly.The feet and mouth should be checked and cleaned daily. This breed can be very willful and stubborn at times, but with variety can do very well in sporting events. This dog is very lively and requires an experienced handler. Firm but gentle training is required.

Overall Exercise:  100 - 120 minutes per day
The Airedale is an active dog who needs a reasonable amount of exercise daily, preferably with some time spent playing games.

Feeding requirements:
This Breed is easy to feed as they are not particularly when it comes to feeding.
They will however require reasonable amounts of good quality food to fuel their energy levels.

Exercise:  High

Grooming: High

Noise: low

Personal Protection: Medium

Suitability As Guard Dog: Medium

Level of Aggression: Medium

Compatibility With Other Animals: Medium

Suitable For Children: High

Often Docked? Yes

Average Litter Size: 8

Life Expectancy (yrs):12

Health issues: Airedale Terriers may suffer from eye problems, hip dysplasia, skin infections, and bloat (also known as gastric torsion or twisted stomach). Bloat is a common health issue to dogs, being the second largest killer of dogs other than cancer. Deep-chested dogs are more susceptible to it.

History: The Airedale Terrier was originally known as the Waterside Terrier and sometimes the Bingley Terrier. Named after the Valley of Aire in Yorkshire, England, where they derived from crossing the old English black and tan terrier with the Otterhound in the mid-1800s. They hunted otter, fox, weasel,  badger and water rat in England. The breeders of the Airedale wanted a breed that would be a large terrier willing to go to water if needed. The Airedale was used in the 19th century for big game hunting, vermin killing and police and military work. They were used in Africa, India and North America for hunting. When they were shown in classes in the Airedale agricultural Show in 1879, their name was born: Airedale Terrier, due to the immense amount of Waterside Terriers shown. The dogs were previously known as Waterside, Bingley, or Working Terriers, depending on where they lived. The agricultural show unified the breed.

Afghan Hound dog breed

Other Names:  Tazi, Baluchi Hound

Country Of Origin:  Afghanistan

Dog Group Kennel Club: Hound

General Appearance:
Afghans are part of the hound group and are known for their elegant, sleek oriental looks. Their coat is long and flowing a very fine texture to it on the ribs, the legs, and hindquarters. There are many requirements for the coat, one being that it should never be trimmed, and should remain natural. The hair on the ears and feet are feathered and, in general, Afghans have a majestic and proud appearance. Their features are generally fine and functional but don't be fooled, Afghans are also powerful dogs.

Colours:
All colours are acceptable
Size:
Bitch              63-69cms
Dog                68-74cms

Weight :  
                             Min                   Max
Bitch             25kg (55lbs)    28kg (62lbs)
Dog                23kg (51lbs)   25kg (55lbs)

Temperament:
Afghans can be aloof and dignified but are happy when playing and are also good with children. The Afghan is an intelligent, confident dog, however they are not known for their obedience or ease to train. Their sensitive nature means that they need to be involved with family and socialisation, specially between the ages of 7 and 16 months as this is when their personality develops.

Movement:
Afghans have a springy and smooth movement with long, powerful strides.

Care and training:
An Afgan should be groomed weekly as this prevents the coat from getting matted. Brushing the coat can make it more easily matted and can cause problems. Special grooming tools are required for this breed. Baths are needed once a week to keep the coat from matting.

This breed must be trained gently, yet consistently, patience is of the utmost importance due to there sensitive nature as they can become irritable, spooky or shy. Obedience classes are recommended.

Overall Exercise  > 2 hours per day.
Afgans Should have monitored exercise when they are puppies until they grow older, then the exercise can be increased.  Once exercised, they will quite happily curl up and sleep.

Feeding Requirements:
Afghans can easily become fussy eaters and a strict eating regime should be enforced when they are puppies.

Exercise:  High

Grooming:  High

Noise:  Low-med

Personal Protection:  Low

Suitability As Guard Dog:  Low

Level of Aggression:  Low

Compatibility With Other Animals:  High

Suitablity for Children:  High

Often Docked?  No

Average Litter Size:  8

Life Expectancy (yrs):  11.5

Health issues: This is generally a healthy and robust breed. There is potential for juvenile cataracts and possible hip dysplasia. They may also have a sensitivity to drugs, flea powders and tickicides. There have been rare cases of progressive paralysis. Cryptorchidism, monorchidism and heart problems may also pertain to this breed.

History: One of the oldest breeds, the Afghan Hound dates back thousands of years. Some even believe this is the type of dog that accompanied Noah on his Ark! The Afghan Hound is a member of the Greyhound family. Their ancestors were originally from Persia moving to Afghanistan where they worked protecting sheep and cattle. Afghans were once a harsh hunter in their native land where they used to hunt leopard, wolves and jackals. They have now been breed to be an obedient, gentle dog. The Afghan Hound was introduced into Western civilization late in the nineteenth century. Much credit to the breed is given to Major Amps and his wife Mary who, while living in Ghazni, Afghanistan, established their kennel "Ghazni". Mary also did much research and writing on the breed. Their hounds are found in most American Afghan Hound pedigrees. In the 20th century the breed was brought  to England by the British Captain Banff. He brought a hound named "Zardin", and from there the breed spread into England. He was exhibited in the Crystal Palace Show in 1907 and began a strong interest in the breed. Today the breed is not an extremely popular pet due to the intense grooming needs, but they do very well in dog shows.