The Irish Wolfhound looks like he stepped right out of a Medieval tapestry with his massive size and his commanding appearance. Named for his original purpose, hunting wolves, the Irish Wolfhound is actually surprisingly gentle and makes a wonderful family companion. Early ancestors of the modern Irish Wolfhound date all the way back to 400…
The name Coonhound applies to six breeds including the Black and Tan Coonhound, the Redbone Coonhound, the English Coonhound, and several others. Coonhounds are a large breed of scent hound used for hunting game. They are an American type of hound, specifically bred for hunting raccoons. Early versions of the American breeds were imported into…
Easily one of the smallest dog breeds around, the Yorkshire Terrier is also one of the most beautiful. Known for his long, silky coat and his spunky personality, these dogs are quite entertaining. The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed that stands 8 to 9 inches tall and weighs between 4 and 7 pounds. Though…
The name Mastiff often refers to a type of dog rather than a specific breed, but in this case, it refers to the English Mastiff or the Old English Mastiff. The Mastiff is a massive dog weighing 120 to 230 pounds, but he is the epitome of the gentle giant. Though he can certainly be…
Known as the Dobermann in the German pronunciation, the Doberman Pinscher is a large-breed dog known for its pointed ears and protective instincts. This breed was developed in the late 1800s by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector from Germany. He was bred to be light on his feet with a surprising amount of…
Also known as the Italian Mastiff, the Cane Corso’s name translates to “protector” which is exactly what he is. Prized in Italy as a companion and guard dog, this breed is the definition of a giant breed. The Cane Corso is descendant from the Roman Molosser, developed to guard livestock and property. He has also…
The Great Pyrenees is a giant breed with a thick white coat. Developed as a livestock guardian, these dogs often carry over their protective instincts into family life, making a loving and faithful companion. Developed to protect flocks in the rough terrain of the Pyrenees mountains, the Great Pyrenees is a large, brave, and powerful…
If you know anything about the St. Bernard breed, it is probably that they used to be sent on rescue missions in avalanche zones wearing a barrel of brandy around their neck. While you probably won’t see a St. Bernard doing anything like this today, the modern breed still has a protective nature about him….
The Weimaraner is a large-breed dog known for his athletic build and his blue-grey coat. These dogs were developed in the 19th century for hunting, used by royalty to hunt large game such as deer, boar, and even bear. As big-game hunting declined in popularity, the breed became adapted to hunting smaller game like fox…
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a unique breed of dog developed in Southern Africa, easily identified by his red coat and the ridge of hair running down its back. Originally known as the Rhodesian Lion Dog, the Rhodesian Ridgeback was developed by Boer farmers as a versatile hunting dog that could withstand extreme temperatures and survive…
The Boxer is a muscular breed known for his square muzzle, strong jaws, and powerful build. Though he may look intimidating to some, he is actually a silly, sweet, and people-oriented breed. One of the most popular dog breeds in America, the Boxer was developed during the 19th century but didn’t become popular in the…
The Labrador is consistently ranked the most popular dog in the United States by AKC statistics and it is also one of the most popular breeds in the UK and Canada. As the name suggests, the Labrador Retriever was originally developed for retrieving game and, while he is still a talented hunter, he has also…
