History of Pyrenean Mountain Dogs They are giant dogs used for guarding sheep and have selected pale coats which made them clearly distinguishable from wolves, which is documented by historians as early as the second century A.D.   The Pyrenean Mountain Dog is named after the Mountain Range between France and Spain, where for centuries they have worked both as flock guardians, and to guard the chateaux and homes in that region. credit-hund.ch The geographically isolated purebred Tibetan Mastiff may have significantly influenced the ancestry of the supposedly ancient Pyrenean Mountain Dog. However, a fact which remains less appealing to breed purists is that all the livestock guardian breeds of Europe, as their human shepherds travel great distances, have the opportunity to mate with dogs of a different type in locations. The Pyrenean Mountain dog puppy, Maremma, Kuvasz and Owtcharka maybe cousins not so far removed.   Characteristics Of Pyrenean Mountain Dogs The Pyrenean Mountain dog is tall and elegant,

The basenji is one of the world’s most ancient breeds. Much mystery and debate are surrounding the breed but it is generally thought that they originate from the Congo where the Pygmies used them as a hunting dog, as they still do today. As well as hunting the fearsome reed rat they are used to drive games such as small antelope into the nets of the hunters. History The Pygmies are known to have had contact with the Egyptians throughout various dynasties and Basenjis were probably given to the Egyptians as a tribute. Carvings and paintings of these little dogs have been found in the Great Pyramid of Khufu dating back to 2700 BC but the breed remained undiscovered until around 1870 when they appeared in the writings of explorers to Africa. The first Basenjis to be exhibited were at Crufts in 1895 but the breed was not successfully exported to Britain until 1936. Characteristics A dog of medium size and light build with a short sleek coat.

Jack Russell Terrier Temperament: The Jack Russell Terrier, or JRT, is a breed with almost unlimited energy. This dog is strong-willed and determined. He is confident and fearless. He will take on a dog five times his size, without thinking twice about it. He is, surprisingly, a very gentle dog. He is cheerful but assertive, and can sometimes be a little stubborn. He is an athletic dog with a lot of endurance. These dogs were developed for hunting, specifically to “go to ground” for the hunter to flush out the game (usually a fox) from its den. So he loves to dig. Because digging is in his nature, he is very capable of digging his way under a fence. A 6ft fence and a watchful eye are necessary to keep him in because he will go under or over! The Jack Russell Terrier loves being apart of a family and loves to play. The children will love to play with him too (and they’ll probably run out of energy before he does).

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.