Cynologist
Cynology: Puppies DogsArchive for the ‘Breeds’ Category
Breed in Brief
Registries: AKC, UKC
Occupation: Herder
Size: 24.5 to 27.5 in tall; 80 to 110 lbs
Longevity: 11 to 13 years
Exercise: Very active
Training: Easy; hard to keep challenged
Grooming: Easy
The Beauceron is a herding dog from France with a documented history going back to the 1500s. The breed was used to herd both sheep and cattle and to protect livestock from predators and thieves. An intelligent, bold, and trainable breed, she has also been used extensively by the military and law enforcement agencies.
The Beauceron stands 24.5 to 27.5 inches tall and weighs 80 to 110 pounds, with females smaller than males. The head is carried proudly, with either natural dropped ears or cropped upright ears. The double coat is short and coarse and is usually black and red, although there is also a harlequin (gray, black, and tan). This breed's coat requires brushing twice a week, except during spring and fall when shedding is heavier.
The Beauceron does not tolerate a quiet, calm lifestyle well. She needs activity, exercise, and a job to do. If she is not living on a farm herding, then she needs vigorous daily exercise. She should also participate in dog sports.
Training should begin early and continue into adulthood, Read more [...]
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Breed in Brief
Registries: AKC, UKC, CKC
Occupation: Herder
Size: 20 to 22 in tall; 40 to 60 lbs
Longevity: 13 to 15 years
Exercise: Active and playful
Training: Easy to train; hard to keep focused
Grooming: Difficult
The Bearded Collie is one of England's oldest breeds. In the past, the breed was also known as the Highland Collie or Mountain Collie; it is said to be an ancestor of the Australian Cattle Dog as well as other hard-working herding breeds.
The Beardie stands 20 and 22 inches tall and weighs between 40 and 60 pounds. She has a broad skull, large dark eyes, and dropped ears. The body is strong but not heavy. The tail is long. The Beardie's coat is her crowning glory; the outer coat is long, flat, and follows the line of the body. The undercoat is soft and close. All Beardies are born black, blue, brown, or fawn, and as the Beardie grows, the coat lightens.
This lovely coat does need some care to keep it looking its best. It needs be brushed and combed at least every other day — daily if the dog runs and plays outside and gets wet or dirty. In the spring and fall when shedding is at its worst, daily brushing is needed. Many pet owners have the coat trimmed to a shorter length for ease of care.
Beardies Read more [...]
(13-inch and 15-inch)
Breed in Brief
Registries: AKC, UKC, CKC
Occupation: Pack hunter
Size: Under 1 3 in tall and between 13 and 15 in; 15 to 30 lbs
Longevity: 14 to 15 years
Exercise: Moderate to vigorous
Training: Challenge
Grooming: Easy
Packs of hunting hounds were being used in England long before the time of the Roman invasion. However, exactly what those hounds were is unknown, although they are thought to be the distant ancestors of the scenthounds that developed later, one of which was the Beagle. When fox hunting became popular in England in the mid-1800s, the Foxhound was developed, and one of its ancestors was said to be the Beagle. At around that same time, Beagles were gaining popularity in the United States, with the National Beagle Club forming in 1888.
Beagles are small dogs, compact and lean, with wonderfully expressive faces, large dropped ears, and dark eyes. The short coat, often tricolored with red or tan, a black saddle, and white on the legs, belly, and muzzle, is soft to the touch. As a hunting scenthound, the Beagle is strong and able to follow a trail for hours at a time. Beagles have two height categories. The smaller ones are under 13 inches at the shoulder, and the larger are over 13 Read more [...]
Breed in Brief
Registries: AKC, UKC, CKC
Occupation: Trailer
Size: No taller than 14 in; 40 to 60 lbs
Longevity: 11 to 13 years
Exercise: Calm; low energy
Training: Challenge
Grooming: Easy
The Basset Hound originated in France (bas in French means low-set) in the mid-1500s. The Basset was developed by friars of the French Abbey of St. Hubert. They wanted a slower-moving hound who could be followed by men on foot. For centuries, the Basset was used to track and hunt rabbits, hare, and deer, as well as any other game that could be trailed on foot.
The Basset Hound is a large dog, of heavy bone, with short legs. She should stand no taller than 14 inches at the shoulder, and most weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. She is powerful and has great stamina, able to work in the field day after day. The head is large, with very long ears and dark, soft eyes. The chest is deep, the body is long, and the tail is carried gaily in hound fashion. The skin is loose, while the coat is short and may be any hound color.
The Basset's coat is not difficult to groom; it may be brushed with a soft bristle brush twice a week to loosen dead hair. The ears should be cleaned at least twice a week also, as the heavy ears can get dirty.
A young, Read more [...]
Mr. George Raper, of Stockton-on-Tees, has kindly supplied us with the following notes on this breed: —
" The properties of the Bulldog have been divided into some eighty or ninety points. To the late Jacob Lamphier, in conclave with friends who, like himself, made the Bulldog an especial study, we are indebted for a most carefully compiled list of properties and points, which are as follows: —
"1. The Ears. — (1) Size: should be small. (2) Thinness. (3) Situation: they should be on the top of the head. (4) Carnage: they should be either "rose," "button," or "tulip " ears. The "rose" ear folds at the back; the tip laps over outwards, exposing part of the inside. The "button" ear only differs from the "rose" in the falling of the tip, which laps over in front, hiding the interior completely. The "tulip" ear is nearly erect; it is the least desirable form.
"2. The Skull (exclusive of property No. 4). — (1) Size: should be large. (2) Height: this should be great. (3) Prominence of the cheeks: they should extend well beyond the eyes. (4) Shortness (ie., breadth in comparison to length). (5) Shape of forehead: it should be well wrinkled, and not prominent, as in the "King Charles" Spaniel.
"3. The Eyes. — (1) Read more [...]
(The Illustrated Book of the Dog (1881) by Vero Shaw, B. A.)
Allusion having been made to the great antiquity of the Bulldog in the chapter on the Mastiff, it will be unnecessary for us to recapitulate in the present instance what we said before concerning the claims of rival breeds to be regarded as the most ancient variety of British dog. Few, however, can be found who refuse to award the Bulldog the honor of being considered our national dog, for no variety of the canine species is so universally identified, both at home and abroad, with Great Britain, as the subject of the present article. Bulldog pluck and endurance are qualifications eagerly cherished by Englishmen of all classes; and it would be manifestly unjust to deprive this dog of the title which has been so universally awarded him.
No breed of dog has provoked more discussion than the subject of this chapter, and in no canine controversy has party feeling run so high, and so many uncomplimentary epistles been exchanged. The result, however, of the angry battle of words has been so far a gain to the breed as to cause a perceptible increase in the number and quality of the exhibits at the principal shows, and, in the year 1875, it was the means of inducing Read more [...]
Country (Region) of Dog Origin
Germany
Group of the Dog
Toy
Function
Pet and watch dog
Dog Life span
12 to 14 years
Appearance of the dog
Also called monkey terrier, has big black eyes, whiskers and a finger on the jaw which gives this dog a monkey like appearance. Also has a short forehead, slightly under short jaws, ears cropped, tail docked and a rough hard and short coat on the loins, head and legs
Color of dog
Black, dark grey and black with grey, red and grey
Coat type
Rough and hard, short and dense
Dog Grooming
To be brushed two to three times a week
Height
Males 10'', Females 10''
Weight
Males 7 lbs, Females 7 lbs
Dog Activity level
Average
Protection of the dog
May be protective
Dog Intelligence
Average
Trainability
Easily trainable
Is the dog good with Children?
Yes
Is the dog good with other pets?
Yes, when trained along with other pets
Good with strangers?
Depends on individual dogs
Character of dog
Playful, loving, intelligent and easy to train a good watch dog
Environment
Suits all weather
Best owner of the dog
Anyone
Potential Behavioral problems
Nothing
Potential Physical problems
Nothing
Recommendations
Exercise must consist of a walk on a lead once or twice a day. Outdoor Read more [...]
The Dalmatian or Coach-Dog.
(The Illustrated Book of the Dog (1881) by Vero Shaw, B. A.)
In spite of the meagreness, in point of numbers, of the entries in the Dalmatian classes at most shows, few breeds attract more attention, simply we believe on account of the peculiarity of the markings, which are indispensable to success on the bench. It is so seldom that a really well-marked dog is seen following a carriage, that those unacquainted with the few really good ones which appear at shows invariably express great surprise and admiration at the regularity and brilliancy of their colouring. Of the antecedents of the Dalmatian it is extremely hard to speak with certainty, but it appears that the breed has altered but little since it was first illustrated in Bewick's book on natural history, for in it appears an engraving of a dog who would be able to hold his own in high-class competition in the present day, and whose markings are sufficiently well developed to satisfy the most exacting of judges. Indeed, the almost geometrical exactness with which the spots are represented by Bewick impresses us with the idea that imagination greatly assisted nature in producing what he thought ought to be; his ideal, however exaggerated, Read more [...]