Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)

Origin:

The Shetland Sheepdog is related to the Rough collie, both dogs descended from Border collies that inhabited Scotland. The Border Collies were brought to the Scottish island of Shetland and crossed with the Icelandic Yakkin, a small island dog which is now extinct. By 1700, the Sheltie was completely developed. The dogs were used to herd and guard the sheep flocks of the Shetlands. This willing worker was very gentle when herding the miniature stock. The Shetland Sheepdog was first recognized in England in 1909 and by the AKC in 1911. The Sheltie is one of todays most popular companion dogs. Extremely smart, they excel at obedience competition. Some of the Shelties talents include: tracking, herding, watchdog, guarding, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.

 

The Shetland Sheepdog is extremely bright, sensitive and willing to please. This combination makes for a dog that is very obedient, quick to learn and utterly devoted to his family. He is not only gentle, playful, amiable and companionable, but also excellent with children, although he can nip at heels in play. He barks a lot. The Sheltie will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

 

Basic Coat Colors

-Sable and white--Sable is dominant over other colors. May be pure for sable (two sable genes) or may be tri-factored or bi-factored (carrying one sable gene and one tricolor or bicolor gene). "Tri-factored" sable and "shaded" sable are NOT interchangeable terms. A shaded dog (one with a lot of black overlay on a sable coat) may or may not be tri-factored or bi-factored.

-Tricolor--black, white, and tan. Tricolor is dominant over bi-black. May be pure for tricolor (2 tri genes) or may be bi-factored (carrying one tricolor gene and one bicolor gene).

-Bi-black--black and white. Bi-black is recessive. A bi-black Sheltie carries 2 bi-black genes; thus, any dog of any other color with a bi-black parent is also bi-factored.

-Life time they live from 12- 15 years

German Shorthaired Pointers

General Appearance

The German shorthaired pointer is a versatile hunter, an all-purpose gun dog capable of high performance in field and water. The judgment of Shorthairs in the show ring reflects this basic characteristic. The overall picture which is created in the observer's eye is that of an aristocratic, well balanced, symmetrical animal with conformation indicating power, endurance and agility and a look of intelligence and animation. The dog is neither unduly small nor conspicuously large. It gives the impression of medium size, but is like the proper hunter, "with a short back, but standing over plenty of ground." Symmetry and field quality are most essential. A dog in hard and lean field condition is not to be penalized; however, overly fat or poorly muscled dogs are to be penalized. A dog well balanced in all points is preferable to one with outstanding good qualities and defects. Grace of outline, clean-cut head, sloping shoulders, deep chest, powerful back, strong quarters, good bone composition, adequate muscle, well carried tail and taut coat produce a look of nobility and indicate a heritage of purposefully conducted breeding. Further evidence of this heritage is movement which is balanced, alertly coordinated and without wasted motion.

Size--height of dogs, measured at the withers, 23 to 25 inches. Height of bitches, measured at the withers, 21 to 23 inches. Deviations of one inch above or below the described heights are to be severely penalized. Weight of dogs 55 to 70 pounds. Weight of bitches 45 to 60 pounds. Proportion--measuring from the forechest to the rearmost projection of the rump and from the withers to the ground, the Shorthair is permissibly either square or slightly longer than he is tall. Substance--thin and fine bones are by no means desirable in a dog which must possess strength and be able to work over any type of terrain. The main importance is not laid so much on the size of bone, but rather on the bone being in proper proportion to the body. Bone structure too heavy or too light is a fault. Tall and leggy dogs, dogs which are ponderous because of excess substance, doggy bitches, and bitchy dogs are to be faulted.

Coat Description

The coat on a German Shorthaired Pointer is rough on the hand, short, thick, and flat. On the ears and head, the hair is softer. Hair may be longer under the tail and the back edges of the haunches, but any long hair on the body is a fault and should be severely penalized in the show ring.

A dense undercoat protected by the stiff body hair makes the dog water resistant and better adaptable to cold weather.

Colors such as black, red, orange, lemon, tan, or solid white are not permitted and are disqualified in the American Kennel Club. However, German standards permit colors such as black and a slight sandy color, known as Gelber Brand, which is extremely rare.

Color
The coat may be of solid liver or a combination of liver and white such as liver and white ticked, liver patched and white ticked or liver roan. A dog with any area of black, red, orange, lemon or tan, or a dog solid white will be disqualified.

Golden Retriever

Your Golden Retriever is a relatively modern sporting dog breed. Fortunately for us dog lovers Golden Retrievers were developed in Scotland in the late 1800′s by Dudley Majoribanks. They were initially bred to be superior hunters – to this day they still love to retrieve.

Your Golden Retriever is the perfect pet for anyone who enjoys an overly affectionate and well-mannered dog companion. They have a lovely warm gentle expression, are athletic, muscular and have a smooth fluid gait. Your Golden Retriever will greet you with his head held high and tail wagging furiously. One of the most distinctive features of the “Goldies” is their beautiful coat which is weatherproof and they do shed!

Size

Golden Retrievers are a powerful well proportioned dog, males grow to 22-24 inches tall at the withers and weigh in at between 60-80 pounds. Females are 20-22 inches tall and weigh in at 55-70 pounds.

The easy to handle and very trainable nature of the Golden Retriever has seen them utilized in many “canine jobs”. Their love of human company and patience has made them ideally suited as guide dogs for the blind, service dogs and also as drugs detection dogs.

Temperament

Anyone who has had the pleasure of living with a properly socialized and trained Goldie will agree that their temperament is what makes them so special. Golden Retrievers absolutely crave and thrive on human attention. They are happiest when involved in all family activities – they are not an outside dog. Therefore if you are away from home for long periods a Golden Retriever puppy is probably not the right option for you. Separation anxiety can be a real problem with Goldies who are left alone and bored for hours on end.

Your Golden Retriever will enjoy pleasing you, so obedience training can be very rewarding. They excel in competitions. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the “Goldie” has very little, if any, guarding instincts. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger’s approach. This breed needs to be around people who display leadership to be happy.

Health

Your Golden Retriever breeders play a crucial role in the future of the breed. A concientious and reputable breeder will do all they can to protect the health of the breed going forward. All of their breeding stock will be screened accordingly and all litters will be carefully planned.
It’s an unfortunate fact that there are many unscrupulous and opportunistic Golden Retriever breeders out there cashing in on the vast popularity and money making potential of the breed. They have little or no regard for the mental and physical wellbeing of the Golden Retriever puppies they produce. This has led to a disturbing increase in Golden Retriever puppies with unstable temperaments.

Generally Golden Retriever’s are a pretty sturdy and healthy breed but there are a few main problems to look out for:

1. Hip dysplasia is a common problem in Golden Retrievers – as it is with many of the larger dog breeds. It’s an inherited defect which means that the hip joint is unsound. Your Golden Retriever breeder should be able to show you hip clearance x-rays of all of their breeding stock.

2. Elbow dysplasia is also prevalent in Goldies – similar to hip dysplasia.

3. Eye Disease can be a problem in your Goldie. Hereditary cataracts are fairly common and Central
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA) is also common. Once again checking the parents and grand parents of your puppy is your best guide.

4. Hereditary heart disease and epilepsy are other health problems that Goldies can be susceptible to.

5. Skin alergies are also common in Golden Retrievers, therefore it is very important to choose proper diet and good quality coat care products. When confronted with skin allergies, first, check for flea bites. Dogs are very sensitive to them and often mutilate their bodies by chewing the area, trying to get some relief.

If you want a healthy, well socialized Golden Retriever puppy the best place to start is by locating a good Golden Retriever breeder – they are your valuable ally.

Living Conditions

Your Golden Retriever will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a medium to large yard. I personally walk my Goldie at least 45 minutes a day and if I have time we can easily stay outdoors double the time.

Grooming

Your Golden Retriever smooth, medium-haired double coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, paying particular attention to the dense undercoat. Dry shampoo regularly, but bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.

Basset Hound

Basset Hound

They are friendly, gentle, and well behaved. They are very affectionate and respond well to consistent training. Basset Hounds are prone to hip, knee, and elbow problems, so it is important to consider this when choosing one. Hereditary disorders include Von Willebrand disease and hyperthyroidism.  Basset Hounds can be kept indoors or outdoors. They are inactive when kept inside, but enjoy running when outdoors. This breed makes a good apartment dog, but it needs regular exercise.

Description 

 Basset Hounds are usually white in color, with black and tan, red, honey, or lemon markings. They have long, droopy ears, large heads, long muzzles, and loose skin. Males average 12-15 inches long and 50-60 pounds, while females are 11-14 inches long and 45-60 pounds.

Basset Hounds originated in France, and are a descendent of the St. Hubert's Hound, which was similar to the Bloodhound. They were favored by rabbit hunters because of their short stature and excellent sense of smell. In the early 1900s, efforts were undertaken to develop a hunting line and a companion line of these dogs. Today's standard is a combination of both.

Training a Basset Hound:

Training is a touchy point with the Basset Hound as they are dogmatically resistant to it. However firm and persistent training started at an early age will teach this character some manners. Be gentle with your Basset Hound however, these are sensitive creatures and heavy-handedness will not work.

You should expose the young Basset hound to as many experiences as possible and encourage lots of play. This will build trust between you and your Basset and slowly establish you as the pack leader. They will thrive on a good routine and plenty of rest and supply plenty of toys to chew to save your furniture.

They will be slow to catch on to house training. This is not due to a lack of intelligence however. Keep a close eye on him after meals and give him plenty of praise when he does the ‘businesses in the right spot.

Airedale Terrier

The most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. it is a large and versatile terrier dog breed originating from the Aire valley in Yorkshire, England. It is sometimes known as the "King of Terriers" because it is said to be able to do any job that any other dog can do, only better. Intelligent, fun-loving, hardworking and loyal, Airedale Terriers have a charming nature, a great spirit and a big heart.

The Airedale Terrier is a good family dog. He is sweet of disposition, devoted to his owner but aloof with strangers. Airedale Terriers make excellent companions and are good with children. Considered to be very intelligent and easy to train, the Airedale Terrier is a determined dog so early obedience training will help makes him an excellent family pet. Airedale Terriers are very energetic and should be exercised daily.

The Airedale Terrier is known for his independence, patience, loyalty and courage. Be advised that when keeping your Dale in a fenced in area, he will most likely try to tunnel his way free. Airedale Terriers possess strong working instincts and are favored by many families seeking a devoted and protective family dog.

The Airedale terrier is known for its playfulness and courage, as well as its love and patience with children. It can, however, be stubborn and may challenge its owners for dominance in the "pack." It may also be aggressive with other dogs. The breed originated in the 19th century in Yorkshire, England, along the Ire river, when a black-and-tan terrier (now extinct) was crossed with an otter hound.

He is an intelligent animal, full of charm and ability to perform all kinds of tasks. Given a good trainer, there is nothing he cannot achieve. Not every good dog owner is necessarily the right person to own an Airedale terrier. For starter, he is a medium-to-large dog, about 23 inches tall at the shoulder and usually weighs 45-65 pounds. Then add the ability to cope with the Airedale's exuberant and playful personality.

The Airedale Terrier can be a quick learner, but he is often stubborn and unforgiving of harsh treatment. Hard or abusive training methods will bring failure because the Airedale is truly tougher than any trainer. Airedales make superb watchdogs and would fight to death to protect their owners from bears.

English Springer Spaniel

Description

The English Springer Spaniel's outer coat is of medium length, flat or wavy, and sometimes curly. The undercoat is short, dense, and soft. The ears, chest, legs, and belly are furnished with a moderate length of feathering.

Colors such as lemon, red, orange, or sable, are faults and would be disqualified in a show ring. Such colors come from inbreeding and are not considered genetically healthy

English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel is a gundog which is used for flushing, or springing game in the field. They are the ideal breed for the rough shooter as they will work all day, on land or in the water. These dogs are very popular within a family environment, a good all rounder. It is one of the most versatile of the sporting dogs.

History

All spaniels can trace their origins back to the spaniels of Spain. Up until the 1600's all spaniels were considered as being of the same group of dogs, with various sized dogs in the same litter. The larger of these were the forefathers of today's English Springer Spaniel. In 1892 the Kennel Club of Great Britain recognised Cocker and Springer spaniels as separate breeds even though they sometimes appeared in the same litter. This was soon stopped by the two breed clubs and a standard conformation was made of each breed. The Kennel Club of Great Britain granted breed recognition in 1902; the American Kennel Club granted recognition in 1927. This breed is of the oldest sporting gundogs. Their original purpose was for finding and springing game for the net, falcon or greyhound. Nowadays they are used to find, flush and retrieve game for the gun.

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Brittany Spaniel

The Brittany Spaniel also known as (Brittany, Epagneul Breton, American Brittany)  is a popular hunting dog with a medium build and a leggy, hearty stature. They are active, agile, and love to roam. Their skulls are rounded and medium-length with a comparatively straight muzzle and a pronounced stop. Their noses are dark and vary slightly in color depending on the color of the dog’s coat. Their intelligent eyes are amber or hazel in color and their ears are short, triangular in shape, and hang close to the head. Tails of this breed are docked or naturally short. The fairly short, lightly feathered coat exists in a number of colors including orange and white, liver and white, black and white, liver tri-color, and black tri-color. Some ticking is acceptable in the show ring. Also they are enthusiastic, active bird dogs. Loves to exercise and has great stamina. They need extensive exercise and do best with an active outdoor person or hunter. They need to be taken on daily walks or jogs where the dog is made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human.

History :

Many believe that the Brittany Spaniel is the result of a cross between the Orange and White Setter and an unidentified French dog breed. They are a hearty hunting breed that was first shown in the province of Brittany (located in France) in 1896. The breed’s official recognition dated from 1938. Before receiving a standard, the Brittany Spaniel underwent several changes of fortune. In the United States, the Brittany Spaniel is commonly referred to as the “Brittany”.