Bearded Collie
Greta's Kennel |
The history of the Beaded Collie (affectionately known as a "Beardie") goes back many hundreds of years. It has been suggested that around 1514 some Polish Sheep Dogs were brought to Scotland where they were eventually bred with the Highland Collie, and this was the foundation of what we know today as the Bearded Collie. However there are various theories to it's origins. Today, it is considered to be the Scottish Sheep Dog. The Beardie was bred as a working dog.
Beardies should stand 53-56 cm (males) and 51-53 cm (females). A medium sized dog.
They have a long flowing coat. They have a double coat with the overcoat being flat and long.
Colours vary from slate grey, reddish fawn, black, blue and all shades of grey, brown and sandy, mostly with white markings. They have a long tail.
The Beardie is a happy intelligent dog, he is not shy or aggressive and is very affectionate. However he would protect his owners should the need arise. He is often called the 'clown' of the dog world, because they have a very happy nature.
Beardies love to run free and need plenty of exercise. Because of their long coats they need frequent and regular grooming.
Beardies can live between 15 - 18 years.
Submitted by Anne
Originating in England, the Beagle is one of the most popular scenthounds, used for hunting in packs and alone and for customs contraband detection.
Coat: short, in tri-color, red and white, lemon and white or orange and white.
Weight: about 10 - 12 kg.
Height: about 35 - 40 cm.
Beagles are energetic and like lots of exercise, however they can fit into smaller homes if you give them daily walks and exercise. They have a loud baying bark and are strong willed, so careful training will result in a happy environment for everyone.
There are four varieties of Belgian Shepherds, the black long coated Groenendael, long coated Tervueren, short coated Malinois and the wiry coated, and rarest of the four, the Laekenois. Originating in Belgium, they are used for herding sheep and protection. Being a little similar to the German Shepherd, they are also used in some police and armed forces.
Coat: As above.
Weight: about 25 - 35 kg.
Height: about 60 -65 cm at the shoulder.
A strong protective instinct, willing to learn and easy to train. Like most, if not all types of dogs, they don't respond well to harsh training methods. When trained correctly, they make an excellent pet and watchdog. Socialisation is very necessary for this breed, or a shy, easily spooked adult will result. The longer hair of some of the types require a good deal of maintenance. They need a lot of exercise, as they are a working breed.
Description by Terri Moore - Moorehounds
The bloodhound has always been at the base of all scent hounds. Hunting was the main purpose for breeding until it was learned that the bloodhound made excellent trailers of people & at one time, they were used to trail game poachers. Today, they are primarily used for Search & Rescue & Cadaver Search. The bloodhound is a very large dog.
Coat: Short coat, Black & Tan, Liver, Red or Black. Bloodhounds are clean dogs but they do shed just like every other dog about twice a year.
Weight: Females average about 90 or more pounds and the males average about 135 pounds.
Height: Females 24 to 25 inches at the shoulder and males average 29 inches at the shoulder.
Forget the image in your mind that all bloodhounds are like Duke on the Beverly Hillbillies. They require maximum exercise & are a very active dog . A large fenced yard is a requirement. Bloodhounds are pack animals & they are happier not being the only dog in the family. They accept other dogs readily as a rule and even a cat if raised with one from the puppy stage. The temperament of the bloodhound is loving & protective to what they consider as theirs. They love children but because of their size, may not be suited to very small children. Its been said, "rub an ear & give a hug & you have a friend for life." The bloodhound does have special health concerns. Their ears need frequent cleaning as they are very long & pendulous. Also, because of the deep face wrinkles, the eyes can become matted and should be cleaned daily. As with all large breeds, the bloodhound is subject to "Bloat" -- a condition of gas build up & the inability to expel it.. It is readily apparent as the dogs stomach area will swell to huge proportions. The other is Torsion. This condition is where the stomach &/or intestines tears loose & then twist in the dog. Immediate vet care is required.
The American Bloodhound Club is the official organization recognized by the American Kennel Club. Their web page is full of information & has a breeders listing.
The Border Collie originated in Northumberland on the Scottish/English border, descended from British droving breeds with Spaniel added. One of the most intelligent breeds of dog, it needs plenty of excercise and activities to keep it happy. Dogs left on their own or left to lie around the house tend to find their own activities, ie: chewing your shoes and generally causing trouble. Used mainly for it's sheep herding abilities, the Border Collie is a high performer in obedience, agility and sheep dog trials.
Coat: 2 types, long and sleek. black and white, red and white, black and black and gray.
Weight: about 15 - 20 kg.
Height: about 25 - 55 cm.
The coat requires fairly high maintenance to keep it it top condition, the long hair type even more so. As with other herding breeds, this dog is not suited to a small living area or small amounts of excercise. With time and training, it will fit very well into a family environment. Small children or strangers might cause it to be snappy unless you have put a lot of work into it's training regime. Recommended only for people with the time, space and inclination to train it, or you could find yourself with a big problem. If you can deliver all that, this breeds high intelligence, loyalty and agility will truly reward your efforts.
Borzoi
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The Borzoi was bred to run down and hold wolves, and was known for years as the Russian Wolfhound. It was bred and owned solely by the Russian Czars and nobility from the 1500s to the mid 1800s. The first pair to leave Russia were given to Queen Victoria.
Coat: Long, wavy or curly. Silky. Any colour.
Height: Tall, around 80 cm at the shoulder.
This large, graceful dog needs a lot of exercise and space as it loves to run fast. It also needs plenty of room to sleep in. It has a gentle nature with people and children, and is intelligent and sensitive. As it is a large dog, it must be well trained in a gentle, consistent and firm manner. The coat needs to be combed and brushed, with regular baths.
During the 1800's the sport of bull fighting with bull dogs was very popular, a want for a more agile dog produced a Bull Terrier by crossing the Bulldog with the Old English Terrier and Spanish Pointer. They have been used for hunting, herding, as guard dogs and more.
Coat: short and dense, white, black, brindle, red, fawn and tricolored.
Height: about 55cm
Today's Bull Terrier is intelligent, good-natured, friendly, outgoing and
completely loyal. They are extremely affectionate, very active, with a
keen determination, a sweet disposition and are amenable to discipline.
The personality traits that stand out the most are their stubbornness and
their sense of humor. They can be very mischievous and act the clown. If
properly socialized as a puppy and young dog, aggressiveness towards other
dogs is the exception, not the rule. And any aggressiveness toward people
is not inherited, but is the result of poor training by the owner. Bull
Terriers are supremely confident and must be given a set of rules to live
by. Because of their great strength and powerful jaws, it is imperative
that they be taught what is acceptable behavior and what is not. They need
human companionship and are miserable and unhappy if shut away or kept
outside away from the ones they love.
Bull Terriers are not for everyone. They need lots of affection, dicipline
and exercise. If you don't have the time or the inclination to devote a
great deal of time and patience to the training and care of your dog, then
the Bull Terrier is not for you.
The Miniature Bull Terrier is an option for a dog with the same qualities as the large Bull Terrier in a smaller size.
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