Also known as the Australian Cattle Dog, the Blue Heeler is a medium-sized breed developed for herding. As a herding breed, the Blue Heeler is a high-energy dog with significant exercise requirements. In addition to being highly active these dogs are also very intelligent and trainable – they were born to do a job and…
Known for his high energy levels and his friendly personality, the Jack Russell Terrier is a small-breed terrier originally developed for fox hunting. These dogs are easy to identify by their smooth white coats with brown or tan markings. They are a very high-energy breed with significant needs for exercise and a fondness for playtime….
The Pekingese is also known as the Lion Dog and, if you’ve ever seen one of these dogs, it isn’t difficult to tell how it got the name. Pekingese dogs are a toy breed that weighs less than 14 pounds at maturity but looks much larger due to their long, thick coats. These dogs were…
Lovingly nicknamed the “American Gentleman,” the Boston Terrier is a small-breed dog developed in the United States and they have remained popular since their creation. The Boston Terrier is known for his black-and-white coat as well as his big, pointed ears. These dogs are friendly and energetic, and they get along with just about everyone,…
The Pomeranian is the tiniest of the Spitz breeds, identifiable as such for his double coat, his foxlike face, and the fact that he carries his tail curled up over his back. Pomeranians are the epitome of the large dog personality in a small dog’s body. They are spunky and full of life, just as…
The Dachshund is a small-breed dog known for his long body and short legs as well as his friendly personality and floppy ears. Dachshunds are intelligent dogs that were originally bred for hunting, so they still exhibit behaviors related to that purpose. These dogs have a tendency to bark and to dig, though these behaviors…
Known for his long white coat and bubbly personality, the Maltese is the ultimate companion pet. This breed originated in the Mediterranean island nation of Malta over 2,000 years ago which makes it an ancient breed. The Maltese has been known by many names throughout its history, though it has always played the role of…
The Bernese Mountain Dog is the perfect example of a “gentle giant.” These dogs, originally developed for use as farm dogs, grow to well over 100 pounds, but they are all heart. This breed is easy to recognize by his thick tricolor coat and his fluffy tail, as well as his friendly temperament and love…
If you know anything about the Bloodhound breed, it is that he has one of the strongest noses around. A large-breed scent hound, the Bloodhound was originally developed for hunting large game like deer and wild boar. Since the Middle Ages, these dogs have also been used to track people. Though the exact origins of…
The Bichon Frise is a friendly little dog known for his bubbly personality and his fluffy white coat. These dogs belong to the AKC Non-Sporting group because they are typically kept as companion pets, though they can also be used for various dog sports. This breed remains fairly small, standing between 9.5 and 11.5 inches…
When you hear the word “Pitbull,” do you picture an aggressive guard dog? It is unfortunate but true that Pitbulls get a bad rap for being mean when, in fact, aggressive behavior is more often a result of mistreatment than actual temperament. Something else you may not realize is that the word “Pitbull” does not…
The Akita is more than just a Japanese breed – he is a national monument in his home country. Akitas are large, spitz-type dogs originally developed to hunt large game but today they are typically used for guarding or police work in addition to being a family pet. These dogs are classified as a large…
