Poodle

Pink Poodle by Chris Inside

The Poodle is a breed of dog, and is regarded as one of the most intelligent breeds of dog. The poodle breed is found in small, medium, and large sizes, and in many coat colors. Originally bred as a type of water dog, the poodle is skillful in many dog sports, including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding. Poodles are elegant in the conformation ring, having taken top honors in many shows, including Best in Show (BIS) at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 2002 and BIS at the World Dog Show in 2007.

Poodle by Joseph Robertson

Poodles are retrievers or gun dogs, and can still be seen in that role. The breed's English name has German origins. (The name poodle comes from the German word short for pudelhund or, reflecting the breed's development from a water dog; the word pudel is related to the English word puddle.) However, most sources concur that the French are responsible for developing the modern breed into its current form, and developing the different sizes. The French name for the poodle is caniche, referring to ducks and the poodle's water dog origins.

Rafeiro do Alentejo

Rafeiro do Alentejo by moitas61

The Rafeiro do Alentejo or Alentejo Mastiff, also called the Portuguese Mastiff, is a breed of dog that originated in Portugal. The Rafeiro do Alentejo is of the livestock guardian dog type, and the name refers to its area of origin, Alentejo, in south-central Portugal. The word rafeiro means mongrel in Portuguese.

The Rafeiro is a very large dog, averaging 47.5 kgs (104.5 lbs) and 73 cms (28.7 ins) at the withers. The head is described as bear-like. Eyes should be dark, never yellow. The ears are set medium high and fold downwards. The dog has a deep chest, and should have a general aspect of length (not whippety, the standard says.)

The fur is short to medium, the same length all over, and can be black, yellow, and fawn (a light brown colour) with white markings, or white with other colours. The coat can be streaked or brindled or dappled.

Border Collie

Border Collie by meg price

The Border Collie is a breed of herding dog that originated along the borders of England, Wales and Scotland. They are widely considered to be the most intelligent breed of dog in the world.

These highly energetic dogs are often considered the world's best sheep herding dogs; they can be hyperactive and are frequently used on farms all over the world to assist with the handling of livestock. While originally bred for farm work, they have also become popular as pet and sport dogs.

These dogs can be protective of a human family member and are, most of the time, affectionate to those they know. Because of their highly intelligent natures Border Collies must be carefully trained with a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation included in their daily schedules.

Border Collie by meg price

Basenji

Basenji by drew shoots

The Basenji is a breed of hunting dog that was bred from stock originating in central Africa. Only in North America is the breed considered to be of the sighthound type. Most of the major kennel clubs in the English-speaking world place the breed in the Hound Group, although The American Kennel Club has proposed realigning the dog breed groups, placing the Basenji into a new sighthound group. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale places the breed in Group 5, Spitz and Primitive types, and the United Kennel Club (US) places the breed in the Sighthound & Pariah Group.

Basenji by gretchenbehm

The Basenji produces an unusual yodel-like sound, due to its unusually shaped larynx. This trait also gives the Basenji the nickname "Barkless Dog." In behavior and temperament they have some traits in common with cats.

Sometimes referred to as an Egyptian or African dingo, Basenjis share many unique traits with Pariah dog types. Basenjis, like dingos and some other breeds of dog, come into estrus only once annually, as compared to other dog breeds which may have two or more breeding seasons every year.

Both dingos and Basenjis lack a distinctive odor, and both are considered relatively silent, more prone to howls, yodels, and other undulated vocalizations over the characteristic bark of modern dog breeds. While dogs that resemble the basenji in some respects are commonplace over much of Africa, the breed's original foundation stock came from the old growth forest regions of the Congo Basin, where its structure and type were fixed by adaptation to its habitat, as well as use (primarily net hunting in extremely dense old-growth forest vegetation).

English Mastiff

English Mastiff by Lunchbawkz

The English Mastiff, often called simply Mastiff, is a large breed of dog descended from the ancient Alaunt through the Pugnaces Britanniae.

With a massive body, broad skull and head of generally square appearance. It is one of the largest dog breeds in terms of mass, though the Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane are taller but not nearly as robust.

Their size is very large and gives an impression of power and strength when viewed from any angle. The body is massive with great depth and breadth, especially between the forelegs, causing these to be set wide apart. The AKC standard height (per their website) for this breed is 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulder for males and 27.5 inches (70 cm) (minimum) at the shoulder for females. A typical male can weigh 150–250 pounds (68–110 kg), a typical female can weigh 120–200 pounds (54–91 kg).

The former standard specified the coat should be short and close-lying (though long haired Mastiffs, called "Fluffies", are occasionally seen) and the color is apricot-fawn, silver-fawn, fawn, or dark fawn-brindle, always with black on the muzzle, ears, and nose and around the eyes.

English Mastiff by g0t50nit

Guinness Book of World Records recognizes the heaviest dog of all time as a Mastiff from England named Zorba, at over 343 pounds (156 kg). Zorba stood 37 inches (94 cm) at the shoulder and was 8.25 feet (251 cm) from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Zorba set this record in November 1989, when he was 8 years old, and about the size of a small donkey. There is a widely circulated claim that a St. Bernard named Benedictine weighed 357 lbs.

This figure is based on "successive studies", rather than direct measurement of a living dog. The largest direct measurement of Benedictine's weight was 336 lbs. There is a picture of a Neapolitan Mastiff circulating online being walked next to a small horse and the two animals are the same size. This is a doctored photo and there is no evidence in history of a dog of this magnitude. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the tallest dog is a Great Dane named Gibson. The dog is 42.3 inches (107 cm) tall.

Lagotto Romagnolo

Lagotto Romagnolo by Mark_Allen

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed of dog that comes from the Romagna sub-region of Italy. The name means "water dog from Romagna," coming from the Italian word lago, lake. Its traditional function is a gundog, specifically a water retriever. However, it is often used to hunt for truffles.

Lagotto Prenses have large round eyes in any shade color ranging from dark yellow to dark brown. The wooly coat is very thick and curly. Solid colors include off-white, white, or brown. They can also be found white with brown or orange patches or Roan (color). All in all they are a medium sized dog that is hypoallergenic. Lagotti often display white markings that grow out in adulthood.

Lancashire Heeler

Lancashire Heeler by Päivi Reijonen

The Lancashire Heeler is a small breed of dog developed for use as a drover and herder of cattle. The Lancashire Heeler is listed by the Kennel Club (UK) as a vulnerable breed.

Lancashire Heeler by ­Agonie­­ ٩๏̯͡๏)۶

The coat is harsh and smooth with an undercoat which keeps the dog dry in all weathers.It may have a slight mane round the neck in winter. The dog is usually black and tan, but liver and tan is now recognised by the Kennel Club. Females are preferably about 10 in (25 cm) high, the dogs usually being slightly larger up to a maximum of 12 in (30 cm). It weighs approximately 6 to 13 pounds (2.7-5.9 kg). They are slightly longer than height at withers. Ears can be tipped or erect.

Lancashire Heeler by msbell

Labradoodle

Labradoodle by canined dog pictures

A Labradoodle is a crossbred or hybrid dog created by crossing the Labrador Retriever and the Standard or Miniature Poodle.

Labradoodle by fisssy

The Labradoodle was first deliberately bred in 1989, when Australian breeder Wally Conron first crossed the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle for Guide Dogs Victoria. His aim was to combine the low-shedding coat of the Poodle with the gentleness and trainability of the Labrador, and to provide a guide dog suitable for people with allergies to fur and dander. Guide Dogs Victoria continue to breed Labradoodles and Labradoodles are often used around the world as guide, assistance, and therapy dogs as well as being popular family dogs.

Labradoodle by Missus L

Koolie

Koolie by The Woman in the Woods

The Koolie/Coolie also known as Australian Koolie or German Koolie is an Australian dog breed. Specifically, it is a herding dog, a subcategory of a working dog. Koolies have existed in Australia since the early 1800s, established through old photos owned by elder Koolie breeders and personal records such as diaries.

Like the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, the Koolie Club of Australia defines the breed based on its ability to work rather than on its conformation. Unlike the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, however, most Koolie breeders refer to the Koolie as a breed rather than as a type, and assert that it "breeds true", with various types or strains within the breed.

Many countries will gather their working dogs under the same category like Germany with their herding dog breeds all classed as Altdeutschehuetehunde (heading dogs). New Zealand not only classify their breeds this way, but they also grade them by their working traits. Koolies in New Zealand are registered as a "heading dog": A dog which has a natural instinct to cast out (i.e., circle widely), round sheep and bring them back to their owner. The Koolie is known as a silent working dog. They are used for “heading” sheep and also for quiet careful work at close quarters at lambing time or for “shedding” (cutting out) sheep. It is only through the registrar of the Australian Koolie Club that these bloodlines remain an integral part of the breed and are active contributors to the Koolie gene pool. New Zealand Koolie breeders are working towards having the Koolie recognised under their own breed name as they have been in Australia.

Otterhound

otterhound by Ana -_-

The Otterhound is an old British dog breed, with Bloodhound ancestors, and one of the ancestors of the Airedale Terrier.

The Otterhound is a large, rough-coated hound with an imposing head. Originally bred for hunting, it has great strength and a strong body with long striding steps. This makes it able to perform prolonged hard work. Otterhounds generally weigh between 80 and 120 pounds (36 to 54 kg). They have extremely sensitive noses which make them inquisitive and perseverant in investigating scents. Consequently, they need particular supervision. They are friendly dogs with a unique bass voice which they use frequently.

Old English Sheepdog

Old English Sheepdog by viiifps

The Old English Sheepdog (OES) is a large breed of dog which was developed in England from very old herding types of dog. The Old English Sheepdog has very long fur covering the face and eyes.

The Old English Sheepdog is nicknamed the Bobtail, since tail docking was traditional in the old sheepdogs. The breed is well known as the Dulux dog, as a result of their long-running use in advertising Dulux paint.

Keeshond

Keeshond by greypoint

The Keeshond (pronounced /ˈkeɪzhɒnd/ or KAYZ-hond; plural: Keeshonden) is a medium-sized dog with a plush two-layer coat of silver and black fur with a 'ruff' and a curled tail, originating in Germany. Its closest relatives are the other German spitzes such as the Pomeranian. Originally called the German Spitz, more specifically the Wolfsspitz, the name was officially changed to Keeshond in England, where it had been known as the Dutch Barge Dog, in 1926.

Kerry Blue Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier by greypoint

The Kerry Blue Terrier is a breed of dog mistakenly thought to be of County Kerry in South West Ireland; it is actually from Tipperary. In its motherland it is often called the Irish Blue Terrier. Over time the Kerry became a general working dog used for a variety of jobs, including herding cattle and sheep and as a guard dog.

It was, however, primarily developed for controlling "vermin" including rats, rabbits, badgers, foxes, otters and hares . Today the Kerry has spread around the world as a companion and working dog. Despite a Kerry Blue winning Crufts - the most important UK dog show - in 2000, it remains an uncommon breed. Not as threatened as some of the other terrier breeds (Skye Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier), it is still distinctly uncommon.

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terrier breeds by jagodzik

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small, principally white-bodied, smooth-, broken-, or rough-coated terrier. They were first bred by an English clergyman in the 19th century, as working terriers to flush foxes out of their dens so that the foxes could be hunted. The name "Jack Russell" has been used over the years to describe a wide array of small white terriers, but now after a drawn out legal battle the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America (JRTCA) and its affiliates have won the exclusive rights to use the name Jack Russell Terrier in the USA to describe their particular variant of the dog.

Jack Russell Terrier pictureby jagodzik

Jack Russell Terrier photo by zzupp

Papillon

Papillon by suedeane

The Papillon ['pæp i ,jɑn] (French for "butterfly") is a small, friendly, elegant breed of dog of the Spaniel type, distinguished from other breeds by its large butterfly-like ears. The Papillon is one of the oldest of the toy Spaniels.

Papillons were bred for companionship, and make excellent watch dogs.

Papillon by ­Agonie­­ ٩๏̯͡๏)۶

Yorkiepoo - Yorkie Poo

Yorkie Poo by ~Jane

Poodle hybrid describes a cross between a purebred poodle and a dog of another purebred dog breed. They are often described as a crossbred, mixed breed dog or designer dog. In biological terms, Poodle Hybrids are an intraspecies hybrid, rather than a hybrid between two different species, since all dog breeds belong to the species Canis lupus familiaris.

Yorkiepoo - Yorkie Poo by John Martinez

While some of the crosses may be accidental, popular crosses (such as cockapoos) are intentional and done by design. Hypoallergenic qualities of the poodle are one reason for crosses. Another reason is to create a dog with greater genetic variety, and although this is not a guarantee of better health, the scientific studies that have been done in this area have shown that crossbreds are both healthier and live longer than purebred dogs.

Rottweiler

Rottweiler by Celine...

The Rottweiler, or Rottweil Metzgerhund ("Butchers Dog"), is a "medium to large size, stalwart dog" breed originating in Germany as a herding dog. It is a hardy and very intelligent breed. Rottweilers also worked as draught dogs, pulling carts to carry meat and other products to market. "Rottweiler breeders aim at a dog of abundant strength, black coated with clearly defined rich tan markings, whose powerful appearance does not lack nobility and which is exceptionally well suited to being a companion, service and working dog."

Rottweiler by greypoint

The Rottweiler was kept busy in these traditional roles until the mid-19th century when railroads replaced droving for getting livestock to market. Although there are still Rottweilers working stock all over the world, many other roles have been found for this versatile breed.

During the First and Second World Wars, Rottweilers were put into service in various roles including as messenger, draught and guard dogs. Currently they are often used as search and rescue, assistance, guide dogs for the blind, guard and police dogs in addition to their traditional roles.

Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso by mneshim

The Lhasa Apso (lha-sah ap-so) is a non-sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. It was bred as an interior sentinel in the Buddhist monasteries, who alerted the monks to any intruders who entered. Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet and apso is a word in the Tibetan language meaning "bearded," so Lhasa Apso simply means "long-haired Tibetan dog."

Male Lhasa Apsos should ideally be 10.75 inches at the withers and weigh about 14-18 pounds, 6–8 kg. The females are slightly smaller, and weigh between 12-14 pounds, 5–7 kg. The breed standard requires dark brown eyes and a black nose, although liver coloured lhasas have a brown nose. The texture of the coat is heavy, straight, hard, neither woolly nor silky, and very dense. Colors include white, golden, rust and parti-colored with various shadings. Lhasas can be with or without dark tips at the end of ears and beard. The tail should be carried well over the dog's back. The breed standard currently used by the American Kennel Club was approved on July 11, 1978. Lhasas can change colour as they get older, starting with a dark brown coat which gradually turns lighter.

A movement called the Tibetan Line Breeding Programme exists, to breed preseve the original Tibetan Lhasa Apso. This movement is based on the premise that after 60 years of Western breeding, the breed is losing key characteristics of their original Lhasa ancestors still living in Tibet and Bhutan.

Tibetan Spaniel

Tibetan Spaniel by chimpaction

The Tibetan Spaniel is a breed of assertive, small, intelligent dogs originating in the Himalayan mountains of Tibet. They share ancestry with the Pekingese, Japanese Chin, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, and Pug. This breed is not a true Spaniel; its breeding and role differs quite a bit (Spaniels are gun dogs.) The name Spaniel may have been given due to its resemblance to the bred-down lapdog versions of the hunting Spaniels, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Hovawart

Hovawart by sanneonix

The Hovawart is a German dog breed. The name of the breed means "an estate guard dog," which is the original use for the breed. The breed originated in the Black Forest region and was first described in text and paintings in medieval times.

Hovawart by sanneonix

The Hovawart does exceptionally well in search and rescue, tracking and working dog activities. The females are generally lighter in build and often love agility. In training and especially obedience work the trainer must keep positive reinforcement in mind all the time, as the Hovawart is not as eager to please as many other working dog breeds, it always needs some kind of motivation. It is important to realize that the Hovawart works with you and not for you. They do have the ability to think and act independently. Their guarding instinct for example does not require any real training, it is inherent, its what they were bred for. The Hovawart may easily become reluctant if training is built only on punishments.

The owner of a Hovawart should ideally have previous experience in owning and training a dog and as such the Hovawart is not usually suitable as a first dog.

Biewer Terrier

Biewer Terrier by MKFurtography

The Biewer (pronounced Bee-vair) Terrier, also called the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier and the Biewer Yorkshire a la Pom Pon, is a rare breed of toy dog which originated in Germany.

Biewer Yorkshire a la' Pom Pon, pronounced (Bee-vir) was started by in January 1984. Mr. Werner Biewer and his wife, Mrs. Gertrud Biewer, residents of Germany, founded the first Biewer Yorkshire "Schneeflocken von Friedheck". This occurred when they bred two traditional yorkies, "Darling von Friedheck" and "Fru Fru von Friedheck" (both youth winners at Dortmund in 1981) who both happened to share the same recessive piebald gene.

Mr. Biewer worked on this finding to perfect the coloring which were white across the chest, stomach and legs, This also included the tip of the tail. He began showing the Biewer in 1988. He then worked towards having the dogs recognized as their own breed. His first attempt, with the VDH failed but later found success in the ACH (or so it was called while still in operation) and the breed was finally declared a breed of its own.

In 1997, Mr. Werner Biewer died but his efforts for his treasured breed will grace homes of Biewer owners and will live on through their work.

To date, the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize the Biewer as a breed. In Dec. of 2007 the American Rare Breed Association(ARBA) accepted the Biewer Terrier as a rare breed. For the past 6 years the Biewer has been able to be shown within the North American Kennel Club (NAKC) and the International All Breed Canine Association (IABCA) as a rare breed. The first Biewer Club to show under these venues has been the Biewer Breed Club of America Inc., BBCA. The first registry here in America that accepts only Biewer to Biewer breedings is the BBIR, Biewer Breed International Registry.

Bolognese

Bolognese. by rlbarn

The Bolognese is a small breed of dog of the Bichon type, originating in Italy. The name refers to the northern Italian city of Bologna.

The Bolognese is a small, white, compact dog with a distinctive white single coat, kept as a companion dog. The eyes are large and dark, as is the nose. The Bolognese's height varies between 25 to 30 cm/10 to 12 in at the withers. Weight varies between 4 and 5 kg/9 to 11 lbs.

Bolognese. by rlbarn

Havanese

Havanese by Jodante

The Havanese is a breed of dog of the Bichon type, which do not shed. These dogs were developed from the now extinct Bichon Tenerife, which was introduced to the Canary Islands by the Spanish and later to other islands and colonies of Spain by sailors. They are very playful dogs and good with older, more considerate children. They love to be on furniture and do not shed. It is also a smaller sized dog which is bred to be a companion.

Havanese by the other martin taylor

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier by regardsgerard

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog breed of Terrier type, developed in the 1800s in the historical area of Yorkshire in England. The defining features of the breed are its small size and its silky blue and tan coat. The breed is nicknamed Yorkie and is placed in the Toy Terrier section of the Terrier Group by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and in the Toy Group or Companion Group by other kennel clubs, although all agree that the breed is a terrier. A winning showdog and a popular companion dog, the Yorkshire Terrier has also been part of the development of other breeds, such as the Australian Silky Terrier.

Yorkshire Terrier by allen350d

German Shepherd

German Shepherd by kennels von lotta

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD, also known as an Alsatian), (German: Deutscher Schäferhund) is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. German Shepherds are a relatively new breed of dog, whose origins date to 1899. As part of the Herding group, the German Shepherd is a working dog developed originally for herding sheep. Because of their strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training they are often employed in police and military roles, in forces around the world. Due to their loyal and protective nature the German Shepherd is one of the most registered of breeds.

German Shepherd by ianwrigglesworth

Beagle

Beagle by fibroblast

The Beagle is a breed of small to medium-sized dog. A member of the Hound Group, it is similar in appearance to the Foxhound but smaller, with shorter legs and longer, softer ears. Beagles are scent hounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and other game. They have a keen sense of smell and tracking instinct that sees them employed as detection dogs for prohibited agricultural imports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world. They are popular as pets because of their size, even temper, and lack of inherited health problems. These characteristics also make them the dog of choice for animal testing.

Although beagle-type dogs have existed for over 2,000 years, the modern breed was developed in Great Britain around the 1830s from several breeds, including the Talbot Hound, the North Country Beagle, the Southern Hound, and possibly the Harrier.

Beagles have been depicted in popular culture since Elizabethan times in literature and paintings, and latterly in film, television and comic books. Snoopy of the comic strip Peanuts has been promoted as "the world's most famous beagle".

Beagle by jorr

Akita Inu

Akita Inu by Päivi Reijonen's

The Akita Inu (秋田犬?) is a breed of large dog originating in Japan, named for Akita Prefecture, where it is thought to have originated. It is sometimes called the Akita-ken based on the Sino-Japanese reading of the same kanji. It is a separate breed from the American Akita, and is quite uncommon in many countries.

Afghan Hound

Afghan Hound by zacky8

The Afghan Hound is a very old sighthound dog breed. Distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at the end, the breed acquired its unique features in the cold mountains of Afghanistan, where it was originally used to hunt hares, and gazelles by coursing them. Its local name is Tāzhī Spai (Pashto: تاژي سپی) or Tāzī (Persian: تازی). Other alternate names for this breed are Balkh Hound, Baluchi Hound, Barutzy Hound, Shalgar Hound, Kabul Hound, Galanday Hound, or sometimes incorrectly African Hound.

Neapolitan Mastiff

Neapolitan Mastiff by lscribbly

The Neapolitan Mastiff, Italian Mastiff, Mastino or Mastini (plural) is a large, ancient dog breed. This massive breed is often used as a guard and defender of family and property due to the protective instincts and their fearsome appearance. The breed is reported to have been used to fight alongside the Roman Legions, by having bladed and spiked leather harnesses tied to their backs and being trained to run under the bellies of enemy horses, to disembowel them.

French Bulldog

French Bulldog by onebison

The French Bulldog is a small companion breed of dog. The name indicates that France is the country of origin, but the Americans and British may have played a larger part in development of the breed. The breed is commonly called the Frenchie.

Toy Manchester Terrier

Toy Manchester Terrier by valynda

The Toy Manchester Terrier is a breed of dog, categorized as a terrier. The breed was bred down in size in North America from the Manchester Terrier, and is placed in the Toy Group by the American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club (the Manchester Terrier is placed in the Terrier Group.) Neither the Fédération Cynologique Internationale nor the Kennel Club (UK) recognize a Toy variety of the Manchester Terrier.