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….
Born and bred in Canada, the Newfoundland is a giant breed known for his gentle temperament and his long, thick coat. Developed as a working dog for fishermen, the Newfoundland is a strong swimmer. Not only do they swim well thanks to their webbed feet, but their muscular build makes them a great choice for…
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…
The Rottweiler is a large-breed dog with a heavy, muscular build and a black-and-tan coat. Due to their size and build, these dogs have a somewhat intimidating appearance. Though they have been used as police dogs and guard dogs, they were actually developed for herding. Rottweilers have excellent stamina but only moderate needs for exercise….
Many people are familiar with the Schnauzer breed, but they often do not realize that it comes in two sizes. The Miniature Schnauzer is the smaller version, standing 12 to 14 inches tall and weighing 11 to 20 pounds at maturity. The Miniature Schnauzer is easy to identify for his salt-and-pepper coat and his friendly…
Originally developed as a sporting breed, the Cocker Spaniel has come to be known as an excellent family companion. These happy little dogs make wonderful pets, particularly if you have kids. The Cocker Spaniel was developed for flushing and retrieving game, similar to the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. In fact, the Cocker Spaniel was…
Easily identified by his black spots and white body, the Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog with a great many talents. Once used as a circus performer, these dogs are full of energy and are easy to train. The Dalmatian is known for his spotted appearance, but what originally made him famous was his speed and…
Easily identified by his massive body and wrinkled skin, the Bulldog is a fun and goofy breed. The Bulldog was originally developed to help butchers by grabbing a bull by its nose and holding it in place. Over the years, they were bred for dog fighting and other blood sports. Once those sports were outlawed…
