CANAAN DOG
Size: Aproximately 19 to 24 inches at the withers and 35 to 60 pounds.
Origin: Israel
Family: Working / Non-sporting
Exercise Moderate amount of exercise daily is needed,
Grooming Brushing once a week is required to keep their coat healthy.
Character: Independent, protective and intelligent. Canaan Dogs make very good guard dogs due to their alertness. They need firm and consistent training by an experienced dog owner to bring out their best. Possible problems include wandering and excessive barking.
CLUMBER SPANIEL
Size: Approximately 17 to 20 inches at the withers and 55 to 85 pounds
Origin: France
Family: Gun Dogs / Spaniels
Exercise Requires plenty of exercise in wide open spaces.
Grooming Requires frequent brushing. Sheds quite often.
Character: Has good stamina and retrieval skills. Gentle and loving in temperament. But may have a tendency to snore and drool.
CHOW CHOW
Size: Aproximately 17 to 20 inches at the withers and 40 to 70 pounds.
Origin: China
Family: Non-sporting breed
Exercise Requires daily exercise preferably in wide open spaces.
Grooming Daily brushing is needed to keep their coats healthy.
Character: Aloof with strangers, independent and has a stubborn streak. Not friendly towards other dogs unless properly socialised as a puppy. However, they are very loyal and make good guard dogs. Not suitable for first time dog owners or families with very young children as the Chow Chow is usually wary of rowdy children.
DALMATIAN
Size: Approximately 19 to 24 inches at the withers and 50 to 65 pounds.
Origin: Croatia
Family: Non-sporting breed
Exercise Needs plenty of exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behaviour as the breed was originally bred as a carraige dog and thus has a very high energy level.
Grooming Occasional brushing is sufficient. Sheds quite often.
Character: Intelligent, energetic and friendly. Enjoys human companionship and could become lonely and restless if left alone too often. May be aggressive towards other dogs. Some puppies are born deaf.
ELKHOUND
See Norwwgian Elkhound.
ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL
Size: Approximately 18 to 20 inches at the withers and 40 to 55 pounds.
Origin: United Kingdom
Family: Gun Dogs / Sporting / Spaniel
Exercise Thrives on exercise and has a moderate energy level.
Grooming Daily brushing and occassional professional grooming is needed.
Character: Intelligent, very affectionate, loyal, good with children and has a good stamina. May be aggessive or fearful with strangers.
FIELD SPANIEL
Size: Approximately 17 to 20 inches at the withers and 40 to 55 pounds.
Origin: United Kingdom
Family: Gun Dogs / Sporting / Spaniel
Exercise Daily exercise is needed, preferably in wide open spaces.
Grooming Daily brushing and occassional professional grooming is needed.
Character: Cheerful, easy-going, intelligent and gets along well with people or other pets. Possible problems include snoring and excessive barking.
FINNISH SPITZ
Size: Approximately 15 to 20 inches at the withers and 25 to 35 pounds.
Origin: Finland
Family: Non-sporting
Exercise Daily exercise is needed, preferably in wide open spaces.
Grooming Weekly brushing is required although the Finnish Spitz, like the Basenji, has the habit of cleaning himself like a cat regularly.
Character: Independent, intelligent and lively dogs that are not suitable for harsh training methods due to their strong personalities. Extra patience and encouragement are needed when training this breed as they tend to get distracted easily. May bark excessively but makes a good watch dog.
GERMAN PINSCHER
See Pinscher, German
GOLDEN RETRIEVER
Size: Approximately 20 to 24 inches at the withers and 60 to 75 pounds.
Origin: Scotland
Family: Gun Dogs / Sporting
Exercise Daily exercise in wide open spaces is needed. Loves to frolic in water.
Grooming Brushing a few times a week is needed. May shed occassionally.
Character: A very popular breed. Patient, affectionate, fun-loving, easily trained and excellent with children and other pets.
HAIRLESS KHALA
Size: Approximately 14 to 20 inches at the withers and 15 to 30 pounds. Two distinct types: Hairless Khala Medio - 14 to 17 inches and 15 to 30 pounds; Hairless Khala Grande - 17 to 20 inches and 18 to 30 pounds.
Origin: Central & South America.
Family: Hound
Exercise Requires moderate daily exercise.
Grooming As the Hairless Khala is hairless except for some fur on the top of the head, minimal grooming is required but an occasional bath (more often during hot weather) is still needed to keep the Khala clean and healthy. The Hairless Khala needs to be kept warm at all times during cold weather with dog sweaters or coats. A mild sunscreen should also be applied on their skin if they go outdoors on hot sunny days.
Character: Aloof and wary with strangers but loving to their own family members. Has an independent streak. More comfortable with dogs that are of the same breed as themselves. Tends to avoid confrontation with other dogs as these dogs have less teeth than other breeds. This breed is not recommended as a dog for inexperienced dog owners as these dogs require a firm yet gentle hand to bring out their best.
HARRIER
Size: Approximately 18 to 21 inches at the withers and 45 to 60 pounds.
Origin: United Kingdom
Family: Hound
Exercise Very active dog that requires daily vigorous exercise.
Grooming Occasional brushing will keep the Harrier's coat healthy.
Character: Lively, intelligent and good with children. May have a stubborn streak and tends to become restless. Likes to explore and could wander off if not kept securely in an enclosed area.
IRISH TERRIER
Size: Approximately 17 to 19 inches at the withers and 25 to 35 pounds.
Origin: United Kingdom
Family: Terrier
Exercise Daily exercise is required.
Grooming Frequent brushing and professional grooming a few times a year is needed.
Character: An excellent guard dog, intelligent and adaptable. However, the breed may show aggression towards other dogs and may even try to dominate their owner unless they are trained firmly and consistently from a young age.
KEESHOND
Size: Approximately 17 to 19 inches at the withers and 35 to 45 pounds.
Origin: Netherlands
Family: Non-sporting breed.
Exercise Moderate exercise is needed.
Grooming Daily brushing is preferred or at the minimum at least twice per week.
Character: Independent, very intelligent, lively and an excellent guard dog. The Keeshond loves attention from their owners. Possible problems may include excessive barking and a stubborn temperament.
KERRY BLUE TERRIER
Size: Approximately 17 to 19 inches at the withers and 33 to 40 pounds.
Origin: Ireland
Family: Terrier
Exercise Plenty of exercise needed as this breed is very active.
Grooming Weekly grooming is required. Professional trimming every six to eight weeks is needed. The Kerry does not shed.
Character: Lively, affectionate and a good guard dog. But may be stubborn, aggressive and have problems getting along with other dogs.
MEXICAN HAIRLESS DOG
See Xoloitzcuintli.
NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND / ELKHOUND
Size: Approximately 19 to 22 inches at the withers and 40 to 55 pounds.
Origin: Norway
Family: Gun Dogs / Hounds
Exercise Daily exercise is required.
Grooming Daily grooming is needed. Shedding occurs a few times a year.
Character: Hardy, good natured, intelligent and independent. Makes a good watchdog as the breed has a loud bark.
NOVA SCOTIA DUCK TOLLING RETRIEVER
Size: Approximately 18 to 20 inches at the withers and 40 to 50 pounds.
Origin: Canada
Family: Gun Dogs / Sporting
Exercise A variety of exercise daily is required, if the exercise includes water activities like swimming, it will make the Toller an even happier dog.
Grooming Weekly grooming is needed. Shedding occurs a few times a year.
Character: Playful, full of energy and easily trained. However, the Toller has a stubborn streak and a short attention span. Although they are friendly, Tollers are not so good with children and should be supervised when in the company of children. Excessive barking could be a problem.
PERUVIAN HAIRLESS DOG
Also know as the Peruvian Inca Orchid.
Size: Varies in size between Pequeno (small), Medio (medium-sized) and Grande (large). Medio (medium-sized) Peruvian Hairless Dogs are approximately 16 inches to 20 inches at the withers and 26 to 45 pounds.
Origin: Peru
Family: Hounds
Exercise Daily moderate exercise is needed to keep boredom or nervousness at bay.
Grooming Occassional bath, more often during warmer weather. Apply sunscreen to their skin during hot and sunny days to prevent sun damage. Sweaters or coats during cold weather is required as this breed does not have natural protection against cold. A gentle moisturizer is also needed to keep their skin soft and moisturized. Take care that the ears especially do not become dry and irritated during cold and dry weather.
Character: Loving with family members but aloof with strangers. Independent, alert and intelligent. However this breed is not recommended as a dog for inexperienced dog owners as these dogs require a firm yet gentle hand to bring out their best. Like other hairless breeds, these dogs have fewer teeth than other breeds.
PERUVIAN INCA ORCHID
PETIT BASSET GRIFFON VENDEEN
Size: Approximately 13 inches to 16 inches at the withers and 35 to 45 pounds.
Origin: France
Family: Hounds
Exercise Plenty of exercise in open spaces is preferred.
Grooming Daily brushing is needed. Special attention should be paid to the cleaning of the ears which may be logged with stray hairs.
Character: Full of energy, lively, friendly and bold. Possible problems include excessive barking and resistance to training due to their stubborn temperament.
PINSCHER, GERMAN
Size: Approximately 17 to 20 inches at the withers and 25 to 40 pounds.
Origin: Germany
Family: Non-sporting / Working Dogs
Exercise Plenty of exercise daily is required.
Grooming Minimal grooming required.
Character: Highly intelligent, playful and courageous. The German Pinscher can also be destructive, wilful and stubborn. Proper and early obedience training is necessary. Should not be left unsupervised with young children.
PLOTT HOUND
Size: Approximately 21 inches to 25 inches at the withers and 40 to 60 pounds.
Origin: Germany
Family: Miscellaneous
Exercise Requires a lot of exercise. Not suited for apartment living.
Grooming Regular brushing is required.
Character: Hardy, fearfless, loyal and has lots of stamina. More suited as a hunting dog rather than in indoor pet. Possible problems include howling and baying.
POLISH LOWLAND SHEEPDOG
Size: Approximately 17 to 20 inches at the withers and 35 to 65 pounds.
Origin: Poland
Family: Working / Herding
Exercise Requires daily exercise.
Grooming Daily brushing is needed to keep his long thick coat in good condition.
Character: Affectionate, sweet, highly intelligent and has a good memory. However the breed is also quite stubborn. They are wary and unfriendly towards strangers.
POODLE (STANDARD POODLE)
Size: Approximately 18 to 25 inches at the withers and 40 to 70 pounds.
Origin: Germany
Family: Non-sporting breed
Exercise Requires moderate amount of exercise.
Grooming Daily brushing and regular clipping required. Additional attention needed if grooming for show purposes.
Character: Very intelligent, lively, easily trained and a good show dog. However, due to their intelligence, Poodles could easily become bored and display mischievious or destructive behaviour.
PORTUGESE WATER DOG
Size: Approximately 18 inches to 25 inches at the withers and 40 to 60 pounds.
Origin: Portugal
Family: Working Breeds
Exercise Requires plenty of exercise and loves water so some form of exercise in water (e.g. swimming) will be very beneficial.
Grooming Daily brushing and professional clipping every few months is required.
Character: Energetic, intelligent and obedient but suspicious of strangers. They are also very affectionate. Possible problems include a tendency to chew household items when bored, display attention seeking behaviour and excessive barking.
PULI
Size: Approximately 15 inches to 20 inches at the withers and 20 to 35 pounds.
Origin: Hungary
Family: Working Dogs / Herding Dogs
Exercise Requires daily exercise in wide open spaces. Not suitable for apartment living.
Grooming Daily extensive grooming required to keep the Puli's long corded fur clean and healthy.
Character: Loyal, active and a very good guard dog. However, the Puli may be stubborn, strong-willed and difficult to train. Not suitable for the new dog owner.