The Schipperke is a member of the Non-Sporting Group, with an unusual look. All black in color, their body tends to “slope” downwards from the neck to its hind quarters. A small dog breed, they weigh anywhere from 10 to 16 pounds, reaching a height of 11 to 13 inches.

The temperament of the breed is best described as a bold companion, one that is courageous an independent, yet playful and highly affectionate. Schipperke dogs are head-strong and love staying busy. They are easy to train and make great house dogs. They are moderately friendly towards other dogs and pets, with a certain level of weariness towards unknown people.

A Brief History Of The Schipperke

The listed origin of the Schipperke is said to be Belgium, dating back to the 1600s. But the exact details of the true beginnings of the breed is still covered in controversy. One theory suggests that they were boat dogs, used for various tasks for boatmen who traveled between Antwerp and Brussels.

The word schip is a Flemish word for boat, therefore many people considered the name to reference “little boatman”. However, the Belgian people referred to the Schipperke as a spitz. A second theory is that these dogs were used as watchdogs and ratters for the middle class and tradesmen guilds.

Whatever the true history of the creation of the Schipperke, documented evidence of the dogs were not found until 1690. Local shoemakers from Brussels would hold competitions of their Schipperke dogs and by the 19th century the popularity of the breed grew to the point where one could be found in almost every household. By the late 1880s, the United States became home of several Schipperke dogs and its numbers have been slowly on the rise every since.

Upkeep Requirements For The Schipperke

This breed has an active need to stay busy. Mental stimulation as well as physical exertion is a must. The small size of the Schipperke helps keep its exercise needs down to a few brisk walks on the leash plus some playtime indoors or outside in the yard. But even during rest time they enjoy looking for something to do.

The Schipperke can withstand moderately cool temperatures but is not meant to live outdoors. They do not fare well in heat and should sleep inside with the family at night. Access to a fenced-in yard during the say is ideal, as these dogs love to stay occupied. Grooming requirements for the Schipperke calls for a weekly brushing of its double coat.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the Schipperke is between thirteen and fifteen years. The only major health concern in the breed is MPS IIIB. Minor health issues include hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and Legg-Perthes. Rarely seen is PRA, distichiasis, CHD, and entropion. Veterinarians suggest that the Schipperke get specifically tested for DNA for MP IIIB, thyroid, and hip problems.

The Samoyed makes the perfect pet for anyone that lives in a cold climate area and is looking for a protective watch dog, and one that also thrives on love and affection. This breed is the perfect companion for anyone at any age. Samoyed dogs must have human interaction at all times and they connect deeply with their owners.

A Brief History Of The Samoyed

The Samoyed breed goes back as far as the Ancient times. The original area of origin for the bloodline is in Russia, specifically Siberia. The original function of the dogs were to herd reindeer and act as a guard dog. Today’s function of the Samoyed are for herding trials and sled pulling.

The breed is named after the nomadic Samoyed people, who came from central Asia and arrived in the northwestern region of Siberia. Their survival depended on herding groups of reindeer of which they used as food. In order for those reindeer to stay alive they had to always be on the move to feed. The job of the Samoyed was to herd the reindeer and protect them from hungry predators.

In addition to guarding herds of reindeer against attacks from Arctic predators and keeping them on the move, the Samoyed was also an avid hunter, often used to hunt down bear. When needed, these dogs were also great at towing boats and sledges. Another job of the Samoyed was to sleep inside the villagers’ tents at night with the children to help keep them warm.

The Samoyed made its way to England around the late 1800s. But many of these early dogs were not the all-white versions you see today. When Queen Alexandria was given a pure white Samoyed as a gift she immediately took kindly to the dog and promoted its beauty around the country. You can still find descendants of the Queen’s dogs in many of today’s pedigrees.

Samoyed dogs made their way to the United States in the very early years of the 1900s. They quickly became popular as sled pulling dogs because they out-performed most other breeds that were used to pull at the time. In fact, it was the Samoyed that was used in traveling to the discovery of the South Pole.

Upkeep Requirements For The Samoyed

This is one breed that needs plenty of daily exercise. Families that enjoy an active lifestyle will make a happy Samoyed pet. Vigorous play sessions, plus brisk walks outside will be more than enough to satisfy their energy requirements. These dogs also enjoy pulling and herding.

The ideal climate for the Samoyed is in cold weather. The breed is genetically programmed to thrive in the Arctic region so it does not tolerate heat well at all. They should be able to run outside during the day but sleep indoors with the family at night. Grooming requirements consist of a thorough brushing of the dog’s thick coat about two to three times per week.

Health Concerns

The average life span of the Samoyed is between ten and twelve years. The only major health concern that runs common in the breed is CHD. Minor issues include hypothyroidism, cataracts, and gastric torsion. Veterinarians suggest that all Samoyed dogs get tested for DNA for PRA, hip, eye, and thyroid problems.

The Saluki is considered to be the most ancient of all dog breeds. There is evidence of their existence found in art work on Egyptian tombs that are dated thousands of years B.C. Arab nomads from the ancient civilization of Seleucia (where this breed got its name from) used the Saluki dogs to hunt animals in the desert such as fox, gazelles, and rabbits.

Ironically, most dogs are considered “unclean” in the Muslim world but the Saluki was considered the exception. The people of the land at that time referred to this dog breed as “el hor”, which means noble. These dogs were a precious provider of meat and so they were allowed to sleep inside the house-tents with other people and enjoy the attention and love from its Bedouin master.

The Saluki dog breed has been kept amazingly pure. This is largely due to the fact that Salukis were not allowed to breed with dogs outside of its race. This practice was adhered to for thousands of years. Variation of the breed started to emerge when Saluki dogs were widely distributed throughout the Middle East by many nomadic owners.

Saluki dogs were noticed by the Western world sometime during the year 1900. It did not take long for the breed to catch on with popularity. In fact, the Saluki was officially recognized by the AKC in 1928.

Personality

The personality of the average Saluki dog would be described best as aloof and relaxed. They can be a bit reserved around strangers but are loyal and affectionate towards their owners. These dogs are great with children but may be too quiet and gentle for most kids to be entertained. In fact, many Saluki dogs quite shy.

Taking Care Of Your Saluki

Taking care of your Saluki dog requires daily exercise, preferably running in an open space outdoors. They love to sprint but if the outside is not safe for them to run around in, their physical requirements can be met with a nice brisk walk on the leash several times each day.

Saluki dogs can handle both hot and cold climates, and can even play outside in the snow. However, it’s best to keep this dog indoors at night with access to the outside during the daytime. Saluki dogs must have a warm soft bed to sleep in. They are naturally thin and could develop calluses if forced to sleep on a hard surface.

Health Information

Many people who are not educated about the Saluki dog breed wrongly assume that they are sick or underfed because they look very skinny. Although it looks that way to someone seeing a Saluki for the first time, this assumption is false. They are naturally thin dogs that do not put on weight easily.

The average lifespan of a healthy Saluki dog is between 12 and 15 years. These animals are very healthy because of their pure blood line having been kept intact for centuries. Because of this practice, the only major health concern that tends to come up is hemangiosarcoma. The only minor issue is cardiomyopathy. Rarely seen is hypothyroidism.

The Saint Bernard is one of the highest recognized members of the Working Group. A gentle and affectionate breed, this dog is highly devoted to its family and always willing to please. They are wonderful around children (although may not be playful enough for kids) and are easy to train.

A Brief History Of The Saint Bernard

Researchers estimate that the original roots of the Saint Bernard probably go back to the great Roman Molossian dogs. But it was not until the mid 1600s did the breed make a name for itself as a trusted saver of lives, literally.

Around this time the dogs first made their way to the famous St. Bernard Hospice, which was a refuge camp for individuals traveling between Switzerland and Germany. Originally, the dogs were used for small working tasks like pulling carts and being watchdogs. It didn’t take long for the Monks to discover that the dogs had the gift of tracking down lost people through the icy mountains.

These canines became adept at finding lost travelers quickly. When they would find someone lying in the snow the dog would lick his or her face which would help warm up and revive the individual. This invaluable service was depended on for at least three centuries. In fact, over 2,000 lives have been saved by these St. Bernards.

The most famous of these life savers was a St. Bernard named Barry. Barry is personally credited with saving a total of forty individuals. Before Barry had died the dogs were known as a variety of names. The most common was “Hospice Dogs”. Then when Barry passed away he was so widely known that to honor him people started calling the dogs “Barryhund” dogs.

Unfortunately, the breed’s numbers took a dive during the early 1800s. Inbreeding and disease caused many of the dogs to die, not to mention severe weather causing treacherous conditions for St. Bernards to deal with. A few dogs remained and were crossed with Newfoundlands during the 1830s.

The result of this cross with the Newfoundland dog had created a long-haired version of the St. Bernard. However, the long coat (although was thought may help the dog in the cold) only hindered the animal when the long strands of hair would freeze while traveling through the snow.

By 1810, the first group of St. Bernards made their way to England. The common name referred to them at this time was the “Sacred Dog”. Fifty years later, the dog became common place and was changed to its it current name, the St. Bernard.

Upkeep Requirements For The Saint Bernard

St. Bernards need exercise on a daily basis to stay healthy and fit. Just a few walks on the leash or a romp outside in the yard will be plenty. Many (new) proud owners of the breed make the mistake of keeping their St. Bernard puppies indoors but this living situation has the tendency to make puppies overweight, thus causing hip problems. It’s best to have a fenced-in yard that they can roam around in during the day, even as puppies.

It is not ideal for the breed to live in a hot climate, even if the seasons change to colder weather during the winter. They must have year-round cooler temperatures. Grooming requirements for the St. Bernard (whether you own a long-hair version or a short-hair version) consist of a thorough brushing about once per week, more when shedding. Drooling is also a common habit of these dogs.

Health Concerns

The average life span of the St. Bernard is between eight and ten years. Major health problems that run common in the breed are ectropion, osteosarcoma, CHD, entropion, gastric torsion, and elbow dysplasia. Minor issues include heart conditions, hot spots, CVI, diabetes, OCD, cardiomyopathy, and seizures. Veterinarians suggest that the breed get specifically tested for eye, cardiac, hip, and elbow problems.

The Rottweiler is a physically imposing and intimidating looking dog that ranks at the top of the charts for being an excellent watchdog and a family protector. This dog breed has a history that is said to have stemmed from the Romans, used as drover dogs, herding large stocks of cattle over great distances, and into many countries.

Rottweilers are said to have entered the United States sometime in nearly 1930s which then gained recognition by the AKC. Having become nearly extinct years earlier due to lack of functioning use by people, the Rottweiler has become one of the most popular dog breeds in today’s households, making its mark in the top 10 most popular registered dogs of the American kennel club.

This animal is extremely bold, confident, and alert. In fact, the Rottweiler is a top pick for anyone who is looking for a watchdog that has extensive protection abilities. However, when a dog is as courageous and aggressively confident as the Rottweiler is, sometimes stubbornness comes with the territory in terms of training ability. However, it is worth putting in the extra time and patience when making this dog breed a household pet.

Upkeep And Maintenance

Like most large dogs, the Rottweiler must have physical activity on a daily basis. Mental play and obedience lessons should also be a part of the daily regimen. Vigorous games and long walks on the leash through safe areas would make an ideal day for the Rottweiler.

This dog has a preference for cold weather and enjoys the winter months. It has little ability to handle hot weather and humid temperatures. Rottweilers can become overheated fairly quickly if ran too hard during the summer.

In terms of living arrangements, this dog can live both indoors and outdoors. If chosen to live outdoors, you should ensure that your Rottweiler is equipped with plenty of shade and shelter during the hot weather. However, it is a known fact that this dog prefers to be indoors spending lots of time with its owners.

Health Information

The lifespan of the average healthy Rottweiler can last up to 11 years. Veterinarians suggest that specific tests be done for hip dysplasia, cardiac problems, vWD, and elbow dysplasia. The major health concerns that all Rottweilers may have are elbow dysplasia, SAS, CHD, and osteosarcoma.

Most coonhounds are ancestors of the foxhound and the same holds true for the Redbone Coonhound. During the late 1700s, red foxhounds were brought to America by Scottish immigrants. It is suggested that these are the dogs that formed the base for the Redbone Coonhound breed.

A man named George Birdsong heavily influenced the breed. During the 1840s, Mr. Birdsong, a hunter from Georgia, obtained a pack of coonhounds and began breeding his own dogs. In time, more and more coonhunters became interested in these dogs and began mixing them with Red Irish Foxhounds. The purpose of this mix was to create a dog that was faster and could hunt down coons with a stronger sense of smell.

The resulting litters produced many dogs that were colored red with black saddles. For a while they were referred to as “Saddlebacks. Over several generations, hunters would breed these dogs in an attempt to emphasize a solid-red color. The Black saddle was eventually bred out. It was around this time when the breed became recognized as the “Redbone Coonhound”.

The Redbone Coonhound became the second coonhound dog breed to be recognized by the UKC in 1902. It wasn’t until the year 2001, practically a century later, that the AKC admitted this breed into the miscellaneous class. To this day, the Redbone Coonhound remains a favorite choice for serious hunters that prefer a versatile hunting dog that has a strong treeing ability.

Personality

The Redbone Coonhound Is typically very gentle, relaxed, and easy-going. They have a calm attitude and generally do not let trouble get to them. They enjoy being with their family or hunter owners, but are not starved for attention. This is one dog breed that needs to be kept busy with daily exercise and advanced training for mental stimulation. They are gentle with children and other dogs, but may be a little too rough with smaller house pets.

Taking Care Of Your Redbone Coonhound

As mentioned above, Redbone Coonhound dogs must have plenty of daily exercise. They have an amazing sense of smell and when a scent is picked up, it may have a tendency to dart off as fast as they can towards the target. These dogs also love to swim and can be kept outdoors if necessary. However, they are family-oriented so it makes a better choice to keep them indoors at night with the rest of the family. Grooming requirements are minimal, with a weekly brushing to remove dead hair. Some Redbone Coonhounds also have a tendency to drool a lot.

Health Information

Like many purebred dogs who have kept their bloodline intact, Redbone Coonhounds are amazingly healthy with absolutely no major health issues to worry about and zero minor health concerns. These dogs have an average lifespan of between 12 and 15 years.

The Puli has been a member of the Herding Group since 1936. It’s appearance cannot be mistaken – almost “mop like” due to its long, super curly coat, which is also weatherproof. These dogs are very quick and agile, especially when herding. With a height of between 16 and 17 inches, the weight of the Puli dog ranges from 25 to 35 lbs.

The Temperament of the breed can best be described as curious, defensive, and energetic. They are somewhat headstrong in terms of attitude, and tend to be aggressive towards other dogs and strange people. This is what makes the Puli dependable watchdogs and fearless protectors. These dogs also tend to bark often.

A Brief History Of The Puli

The history of the Puli dates back to the Middle Ages, in the lands of Hungary. The original bloodline was a sheepdog which came from the the people of the Magyar tribes during the 9th century. These tribes occupied the central Danube area and had various types of sheepdog.

It is said that the Tibetan Spaniel was thrown into the mix due to the resemblance of the Puli’s body structure with that of the Tibetan. Whatever the true origin that went into the making, these canines were natural-born sheep herders, devoted to doing the job and would even help sheep turn in a specific direction by jumping on their backs. They were then known as Pulik dogs.

During the 16th century Hungary was invaded and the people were decimated. Once the land started repopulating again, sheep and dogs were brought from western Europe. By interbreeding these dogs with the native Pulik (Puli) breed, the Pumi was created. Both the Puli and the Pumi were interbreed further to the point that the original breed (the Puli) was practically lost.

When the 1900s arrived, dog fanciers set out to bring back the Puli. The first breed standard was created in 1925 and as its numbers grew the Puli became more popular around the world, especially in the United States. The breed received official AKC recognition in 1936.

Upkeep Requirements For The Puli

This is one breed that loves to stay busy and will do anything to expend its high energy levels. With a preference to herd, the Puli needs daily walks on the leash plus lively training sessions for mental stimulation. They are easy to train and will enjoy any vigorous activity you throw at it, especially herding work.

Puli dogs can withstand cold temperatures and may live outdoors if necessary. They also make well-mannered house dogs and prefer to sleep inside at night. Grooming requirements for the breed consists of a daily brushing. Those with the non-shedding coat can be corded. The coat tends to hold small pieced of dirt and debris. You can also completely clip the Puli but of course its unique appearance will be lost.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan for the Puli is between ten and fifteen years. The only major health concern in the breed is CHD. There are no minor health issues to report. Occasionally, PRA and deafness show up. Veterinarians suggest that the Puli get specifically tested for eye, hip, and hearing problems.

The Pug is a member of the toy dog group whose name is derived from the Latin word Pugness, which means “fist”. This perfectly describes their facial features as it can be said to look like a clenched up fist. This dog breed has been recognized by the AKC since the year 1886 and has become an extremely popular house pet and show dog ever since.

The Pug dog breed is extremely amiable, displays a confident personality, and is abundantly playful. It can also be a bit headstrong and stubborn to train, but mostly the Pug is a pleasant dog who enjoys pleasing its owner, especially if given the chance to show off.

Upkeep And Maintenance

As with all toy dog breeds, the Pug needs to have plenty of exercise on a daily basis. A brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes would be ideal, or a fun physical activity which centers around a dog game would do nicely.

The Pug is not the type of dog that should be kept outdoors for an ongoing period of time. This animal is meant to be indoors and cannot stand hot temperatures and humid weather. Of course there is nothing wrong with keeping your Pug in the yard for a few hours each day, but always ensure that he has plenty of shaded areas to retreat to when the weather is hot.

When it comes to grooming, this dog needs regular cleaning due to its heavy wrinkles, especially around the face and neck areas. Should the Pug get wet he will need to be dried off immediately as to prevent infection of the skin, which is sometimes typical of this breed. Lastly, when it comes to physical characteristics, the Pug tends to wheeze and snore often.

Health Information

You can look forward to your Pug living a long and healthy life of up to 15 years, and sometimes longer. The only two major health concerns that all Pug owners should be worried about is CHD and Pug dog encephalitis. Minor health concerns, which rarely pop up with this breed include patellar luxation, KCS, hemivertebra, elongated palate, Legg-Perthes, stenotic nares, and skin infections.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a gregarious breed, always on the lookout for fun and games. They make an outstanding family pet and behaves excellent around children and other dogs. Portuguese Water Dogs absolutely thrive on human interaction and love, so giving lots of attention is a requirement for anyone who owns one. An active lifestyle is also essential as these canines cannot sit still for very long without needing to play or run outside.

A Brief History Of The Portuguese Water Dog

As its name suggests, the area of origin of the Portuguese Water Dog is Portugal. A hard-working and focused water dog, its ancestry probably has some Poodle in the bloodline (as you can judge from its appearance). In its native land, the breed is known as “Cao de Agua”, which translates into “water dog”. They come in two varieties: long-haired and curly-coated.

We do know that its ancestors were herding dogs that came from the central Asian steppes. It is estimated that the dogs arrived in Portugal from either two possibly routes: In the 5th century from the Visigoths or in the 8th century from the Berbers and Moors.

Once the breed had established itself in Portugal, its usefulness as a water dog became increasingly popular. They served couriers from boats to other boats and to the shoreline. They were excellent retrievers when fisherman needed them to swim after nets or other equipment to bring the items back in. The dogs would also work alongside trawler crews when fishing the Iceland waters.

Unfortunately, with the wonderful inventions of technology many old ways of doing things cease to exist. The same was true for the Portuguese Water Dog. During the early part of the 20th century, new fishing methods were born and less use was needed of the dogs. They had all but become extinct until the work of one man saved the breed. His name was Dr. Vasco Bensuade.

Dr. Bensuade was a rich shipping magnate who was so enthusiastic about the breed that he heavily promoted it in various parts of the world. He reorganized the breed club and the Portuguese Water Dog could be seen in show rings as it made its way to the United States during the 1950s, gaining AKC recognition in 1984.

Upkeep Requirements For The Portuguese Water Dog

These dogs are probably one of the most energetic and lively breeds alive today. They have a seemingly endless amount of energy to swim, run, play, and retrieve. Therefore it should be no surprise that daily exercise is an absolute must for a Portuguese Water Dog to be happy. If kept cooped up inside then the dog can become frustrated and destructive.

They have a moderate tolerance for both hot and cold climates but should live inside with the family as they cannot live life to its fullest without constant human contact. Grooming the Portuguese Water Dog calls for a thorough brushing every other day, with professional clipping about once each month.

Health Concerns

The average life span of the Portuguese Water Dog is between ten and fourteen years. The only major health concern that runs common in the breed is PRA. Minor issues that may come up include hair loss, CHD, GM1 storage disease, Addison’s, distichiasis, and juvenile cardiomyopathy. Veterinarians suggest that the breed get tested for DNA for GM1, eye and hip problems.

The Poodle is ranked in the top 10 of the AKC’s most registered dog breed. Originally used to retrieve small game from water surfaces, the Poodle has become a cozy companion in today’s family households. This dog breed has been mistakenly thought of as having roots from France, however, Central Asia is the actual location in which the Poodle made its start.

This breed has also been known to be of service as a military dog, a guide dog, pulled wagons for performers, a guard dog, and eventually became a circus performer. In time, the Poodle found its niche as a fashionable companion for women. It was then favored by the French aristocrats and became the official dog of France. Poodles entered the showroom sometime in the late 1800s and grew in popularity to be one of today’s most popular house pets.

You can find most Poodles to be of the standard type or the miniature version. The miniature Poodle is amiable, smart, obedient, and very eager to please. It can be sensitive and finds satisfaction in loyal devotion to one person, but of course can work great in a family setting. The miniature Poodle is excellent with children and gets along great with other household pets.

The standard Poodle is considered to be one of the most smartest and obedient of dog breeds. This dog combines adventure and playfulness into an irresistible personality that many people find adoring. The Poodle enjoys running, swimming, and retrieving. Like the miniature Poodle, the standard version is excellent with kids and makes a great pet.

Upkeep And Maintenance

Regardless of what type of Poodle you have, they all need lots of human interaction. Physical exercise and mental games should be a part of the daily regimen. Challenging play sessions combined with brisk walks would make an ideal exercise routine for this dog. The standard Poodle will of course need a bit more exercise than the miniature version, but both find great excitement with retrieving games, especially in shallow water.

Living arrangements for the Poodle should be kept to the indoors only. No Poodle should be forced to live outside. They are simply happier when in the company of their family. You will find that the Poodle enjoys snuggling up and being showered with affection by its owner.

Health Information

Both the miniature Poodle and the standard version have an average lifespan of 13 years. However, the miniature Poodle may live a bit longer. Major health concerns for the standard Poodle include Addison’s disease, gastric torsion, and sebaceous adenitis.

Miniature Poodles have potential problems with Legg-Perthes, PRA, patellar luxation, and epilepsy. Both types should be specifically tested for hip dysplasia, DNA for vWD, and potential eye problems.