Category: Dog Breeds

History of Maltese Dog The Maltese dog is one of the longest established dog breeds: Charles Darwin dated their breed origin to some 6000 years ago and certainly, there are pictures of them on vases and references to them in literature dating from the Greek and Roman eras over 2000 years ago. Through the centuries Maltese dog has been treasured lap dogs, often carried in the clothing of their wealthy owners, their small size a valued attribute. They have been associated with luxury and aristocracy; used as diplomatic gifts to royalty and been the much-loved pets, lap dogs and companions of the wealthy, from Queens Elizabeth 1 and Victoria to present-day celebrities. They are probably the first dog breed to be kept and bred with no other purpose other than to be a true companion to their owner. The origin of their name is uncertain. They may not have originated in the island of Malta, as once thought,

History of Aghan Hound The origin of the Afghan Hound is steeped in myths and legends. Some believe this is the dog that Noah chose to take into the ark. Ancient rock carvings in Afghanistan are said to depict Afghan-like dogs, but its development is most likely to have been from a similar type of dog to the Saluki or Greyhound, with the coat developing in response to the extreme climatic conditions in Afghanistan. Bred by the natives of Afghanistan for hunting and guarding, he still maintains his chase instincts today. Characteristics Of Afghan Hound The long flowing coat and effortless graceful strides of the Afghan Hound always attract admiration. However, such glamour comes at a price and owners must be prepared for weekly baths to avoid the coat becoming matted and uncomfortable for the dog. A heavily coated male can take as long as five hours to bath and dry. Owners must invest in a decent stand dryer and grooming table.

History The Azawakh dog has lived for thousands of years with the nomadic Tuareg Tribesmen, who probably migrated from the Sahel in the Southern region of the Sahara. The function of the Azawakh dog is that of a guard and a hunting dog. He will protect the camp from intruders and go hunting in a pack working with other Azawakhs in relays to bring down the prey. A versatile Hound that gives protection to his family and also supplies them with food.   The Azawakh dog covers a wide area lying in the Niger Basin which included the Azawakh dog valley. Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Characteristics The Azawakh dog gives the appearance of being a tall sighthound, the height range covers from 25 to 29 inches for dogs and 23.5 to 27.5 for bitches and can weigh anything from 35 to 55 pounds. He is a standing rectangle in shape, almost caricature-like, he has very thin soft skin and under the belly,

Mexican Hairless Dog Temperament Loving, loyal, and intelligent, the Toy Mexican Hairless, also known as the Xoloitzcuintle, is a dedicated and protective animal and is always devoted to its family, binding in particular with the person that plays a major role in its feeding, training, exercise, etc. A quick learner, this is a breed that gets along well with other children but maybe a way of strangers because of its instinct to protect its family. The Toy Mexican Hairless can be headstrong and wilful so owners do need to exercise some degree of dominance. Mexican Hairless Dog Physical features As the name suggests, the Toy Mexican Hairless is, of course, a hairless variety of dog, and may or may not have short tufts of hair on the tail and the head. The skin of the Toy Mexican Hairless is smooth and silky to the touch. The coloring of this breed can vary and includes colors such as gray,

History of Long Coat Chihuahua There are debates about the true origin of the long coat Chihuahua, they are frequently said to have lived wild in Mexico and been domesticated by native Indians as companions and also for edible or sacrificial use. However, other schools of thought suggest the breed may have its origin further back in time in the Far East and that it had made its way across the Asian and European continents and been taken to Mexico by the Spanish Conquistadors. Another theory is that the edible or sacrificial ‘dog’ thought to be early Chihuahuas were rodent-type animals and that poor translation of ambiguous words led to misunderstanding. Whatever their origins, it is generally accepted that the breed as we know it came from Mexico; that specimens of the tiny dogs were taken back to the USA by travelers and were so admired that in time their popularity became widespread as companion dogs.

The Schipperke Dog ranks 82nd on the AKC popularity list for 2006, which is a slight drop from its 2005 position of 80th. Schipperke Dog Temperament Spirited, confident, loyal, and protective, the Schipperke is a dog that makes a wonderful family pet, getting along very well with children and offering love and devotion to his owners and family. This breed is defensive and alert and maybe way with strangers. This is a very smart and curious breed and can be willful and mischievous at times. However, he will get on well with pet cats and with most other dogs too. This is a very intelligent and eager dog but can be a little noisy. They can be difficult to housebreak but training should otherwise prove okay. Schipperke Dog Physical features The tail-less Schipperke has a thick-set body and is sturdy and handsome, with a distinctive ruff framing his neck. This dog has a double coat, which is thick and of medium length.

History of Border Terrier The breed originated in the early 18th century on the borders of Northern England and Scotland. These were bred as dogs that could “go to ground” in the pursuit of its quarry – foxes. In the early days, there were also called the Redwater or Coquetdale Terrier but now they are known only as of the “border terrier”. Characteristics Essentially a working terrier and one of the few breeds that cannot be pigeonholed as a show or working dog just by looking at it. They are a medium-sized terrier that should be capable of being spanned by both hands behind the shoulder. They have a harsh, dense coat with undercoat. They are distinguishable by their head which is like that of an otter. Border terriers should be fun-loving, alert, responsive and game for anything! They are more easygoing and less yappy than other terrier breeds. These are dogs that the breed standard states are capable of following a horse –

The Greyhound Dog is a strong and healthy breed. The only official genetic problem today, for which we have a test, is the Greyhound Neuropathy. It is a characteristic of the show bloodlines, but the gene was isolated two years ago and the test is available in many veterinary clinics in Europe. Some show bloodlines can be affected by bloat, like most of the big breeds with a long body. You can try to avoid this by letting your Greyhound rest after he eats, and also by limiting the food amounts (two meals per day is always better than one meal a day). You also have to be aware of the characteristics of the breed (large amounts of muscles and large heart) when you bring your Greyhound dog at home and discuss the protocol with your vet. History of Greyhound Dogs In order to understand the history of The Greyhound, we have to go so many years back that we could almost say that the history of the breed begins with the history of our own civilization.

As with most breeds of dogs the German Shepherd Dog also once known in the UK as the Alsatian was developed by the melding of various types of dogs towards the end of the 19th century from different regions of Germany, Austria, and France and was developed for herding, guarding & showing. History of German Shepherd Dog It wasn’t until 1899 when the founding club Verein fur Deutsche Schaferhunde was formed that the German Shepherd Dog came into being, the first elected president of this club and probably the most well known was Max von Stephanitz and was the president until the mid-1930s. Von Stephanitz along with his colleagues and fellow breeders went on to develop the breed to a point where a breed standard was necessary to which all pedigree dogs should conform and the standard used today has changed little, though with likes and dislikes in the show ring various points have changed. All four limbs of the German Shepherd should be strong,

The Cairn Terrier is active, playful, and intelligent. A loyal and affectionate breed in general, these dogs also have a very independent streak. Cairn Terrier Temperament Although intelligent and curious, the dog’s stubborn streak can make it difficult to train in some cases. Although these dogs need discipline, owners must be careful not to be harsh with the Cairn, as this breed has a very sensitive streak. Although the Cairn is loyal and loveable, he can also have a very naughty and spirited streak. The Cairn may get on well with other dogs and is known to be patient with children, but has a low tolerance for other pets and strangers. Cairn Terrier Physical features The Cairn Terrier has a double coat, which consists of a downy, soft undercoat, and a shaggy, harsh overcoat. The coloring of the Cairn can vary between red, brindle, black, sand, and one of several shades of grey. The body is compact,