Dog Breeds

Calling them “man’s best friend” may be a cliche, but no description is more apt to describe the relationship of humans with these fascinating creatures. Loyal, smart, protective, fun and playful, dogs have served as man’s ultimate companion since time immemorial.

But did you know that a dog’s loyalty to his master can reach enormous, fascinating levels? Yes, there are dog breeds which are amazingly loyal to their owners.

What other “mosts” are there when it comes to these canines which man has considered to be his best friend since time immemorial? How about the world’s most expensive dog breed? Or the most dangerous? Or you probably are hoping to own a canine breed which is considered to be one of the most fascinating.

Here, we will take a look at the world’s most amazing dog breeds – and describe what is it exactly that makes them so outstanding.

Counting Down the Top 10 Most Amazing Dog Breeds

If you’re thinking of a breed of dog to take care of, it is good to have an idea about what its temperament is, its characteristic and what makes it unique. [Owning a Dog]

To help you out, we will have a countdown of the top 10 most amazing dog breeds – ranging from the most dangerous, loyal, fascinating, popular and expensive breeds that you can buy.

1. Doberman Pinscher

Distinction: One of the most dangerous dog breeds in the world.

With their tall and compact bodies, dark color and alert ears, it is easy to see why the Doberman Pinscher as a dog breed is considered to be one of the most dangerous dog breeds in the world. Simply referred to as Doberman, this canine breed originated from Germany.

Generally, a domesticated Doberman is loyal, intelligent and alert. If you own this dog breed, they will be particularly loyal to you and aggressive towards strangers. They also do not like rivalry with other dogs.

What makes caring for a Doberman pinscher particularly dangerous is when the owners lack guidance, subject them to abuse or if not enough attention is given to them – upon which they can become destructive, dominant and extremely aggressive. [Dog Behavior]

2. German Shepherd

Distinction: One of the most dangerous dog breeds in the world.

Another German breed of dog which is considered to be one of the most dangerous in the world is the German Shepherd. Unlike the Dobermans, this breed of canine does not have a particularly menacing look because they have a long coat and a generally mild-looking face.

However, they are extremely intelligent, strong and obedient, which is probably the reason why most police and military establishments employ them as guard dogs. Another characteristic of the German Shepherds which makes them particularly dangerous is their aggression towards smaller dog breeds.

3. Rottweiler

Distinction: One of the most dangerous dogs in the world.

Did you know that Rottweiler is also known as Butcher dog? This canine breed ranks third in our list of the most dangerous dog breeds in the world. They are energetic, intelligent and hardy animals.

The thing which makes Rottweiler – and any dog breed for that matter – become dangerous is when they are subject to abuse and neglect. They also become a hazard to the community if they do not have sufficient training when it comes to mingling with humans or other animals.

In addition, Rottweilers are aggressive towards other dogs of the same sex. If you have cats and birds in the house, they might also exhibit aggressive behavior towards them.

4. Dog Breed: Samoyed

Distinction: One of the most expensive dogs in the world.

Next, we will take a look at a few of the most expensive dog breeds in the world. This ‘luxury’ dog breed has a price ranging from around $3,000 to $8,000.

What makes the Samoyed breed particularly expensive is the fact that they are among the ancient dog breeds that have been around for the last three centuries.

There are also a dwindling number of Samoyed dog breeders which is another reason why an owner needs to pay an arm and a leg to call this canine breed his or her best friend.

5. English Bulldog or British Bulldog

Distinction: One of the most expensive dogs in the world.

How would you feel about owning a dog breed which is also owned by the British royals? In the United States in particular, English or British bulldogs are both expensive and popular. This breed of dog is also favored by a lot of men who see the breed as being a symbol of masculinity and tenacity.

If you’re thinking about a breed of dog to buy and you are willing to shell out the money for it, then you might as well go with one of the most popular and expensive dog breeds in the world – the British or English bulldog. A typical English bulldog puppy can cost you anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000.

6. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Distinction: One of the most expensive dogs in the world.

To cap off our list of the most expensive dog breeds, there is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel which can cost anywhere from $800 to about $3,500 for a puppy. What makes the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel expensive and special is that they are the ultimate definition of a man’s best friend.

When you look at their puppy-dog eyes, their rich coats and their small, compact bodies, it is easy to see why anybody would want to spend a significant amount of money just to be able to own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy.

7. Labrador Retriever

Distinction: One of the most popular dogs in the world.

Finally, we’ll move on to some of the most popular dog breeds in the world. First, there’s the Labrador Retriever. They are among the world’s most popular dog breeds according to the American Kennel Club because of their friendly demeanor.

If you would like to purchase a dogs which is great with kids and works as a great solo companion as well, then you can never go wrong by choosing to care for a Labrador Retriever.

8. Golden Retriever

Distinction: One of the most popular dog breeds in the worlds.

Golden Retrievers rank next to the Labrador Retriever as the most popular dogs in the world. This cousin breed is almost synonymous with the dog that almost every average American family has.

What’s so good about this breed of canine is that they are gentle by nature and their temperament is suitable for kids and all members of the family to play with.

Despite their large size, they do have a way with kids which make for the perfect canine friend. Just make sure that you have enough room for them to grow, because they can weigh as much as 90 pounds.

9. Yorkshire Terrier

Distinction: One of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs are small pooches which are also an ideal family dog. Let’s say that you live in an apartment which allows pets – but there isn’t much room for the dogs to move around. Naturally, you would be selecting a breed which is small in nature – and the Yorkshire Terrier is perfect for such a setup.

10. Dachshunds

Distinction: One of the most popular dogs in the world.

This dogs with a unique name, Dachshund, is also known as wiener dogs. They do have a unique body shape and they are known for their playful and sometimes ferocious nature.

There are different kinds of Dachshunds that you can own – including the long-haired, standard Dachshunds which has a calm demeanor, or the wire-haired Dachshund which has a personality more like the terrier’s.

Now that you already have an idea about the world’s most expensive, dangerous and popular dog breeds, which one are you planning to own?

Before anyone gets a dog or a puppy the first thing that they need to think about is what dog breed do I get? The breed of dog that you choose will have a huge effect on how your family operates and runs in the future. Why? Well a dog breed will determine a lot of things. How? A dog breed has specific traits that are common among all dogs of that particular breed. For example, a Rottweiler is a wonderful dog breed in my opinion but they have certain traits that many people cannot handle. Since you can have a wide array of personalities while sticking in the same dog breed we will focus on the general things. In our example of the Rottweiler, they are huge dogs. They are considered a large dog breed and must be recognized as such. Large dog breeds will require more room in a house and yard than smaller dog breeds. When it comes to food, larger dog breeds will require substantially more dog food that the smaller dog breeds. That is just the tip of the iceberg.

When many people by dogs they choose the dog breeds at random and based off of what they think looks nice or sounds fun. Depending on where the dog will be living that may be OK to do, however some people live in areas that certain dog breeds should not be purchased. One example would be a Siberian Husky. A Siberian Husky is a dog breed that has a thick and heavy coat of fur. They have this coat of fur because they are meant to live in extremely cold environments. If you live in south Florida this may not be one of the dog breeds you should be looking into. Granted, you can shave the coat down so that the hair is suitable for that climate but that is not necessarily the point. My opinion is that a dog breed should be able to survive happily in the climate without alterations to their natural state. Many people will disagree with me and that is alright.

In addition to the physical attributes of dog breeds there are the mental attributes. Many dog breeds like to be very active and do require either a large area to run around freely or substantial amounts of walking and exercise on a leash. If you are a person that lives in a small apartment and does not have a yard or a lot of time for walking your dog then the larger and more active of the dog breeds may not be the best for you. This is not a horrible thing and many people fit into this group. The good thing is that there are a ton of dog breeds that will fit just that situation. Many dog breeds do not require a whole lot of exercise or room to run around, mostly the smaller dog breeds. If you have limited room and time consider selecting one of these dog breeds.

In a nutshell, dogs are great and there are huge amount of dog breeds to choose from but do yourself and your dog a favor, choose a dog breed that fits your lifestyle and needs.

Finding the perfect pet is difficult when there are so many different breeds to choose from. Use this guide to learn more about a few of the different breed available.

Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is the oldest Arctic dog breed in the world and was bred as a working dog. They were used to pull sleds as well as hunt. This is a friendly dog that makes a great family pet. They love children, but aren’t fond of the company of other dogs. They are a smart breed that can learn quickly but tend to get bored easily.

To groom this breed you will need to brush their fur out weekly. Some of the health concerns associated with this breed include growth problems, eye problems, and hip dysplasia.

Bloodhound

The Bloodhound, also referred to as the St. Hubert’s Hound or the Chien St. Hubert, is a Belgium breed that was bred tracking and hunting. This is one of the oldest hound breeds in the world. They typically grow to be between 23 and 27 inches tall and they usually weigh between 80 and 90 pounds. They have a short smooth coat that is waterproof. Their coat colors vary between black and tan and red and tan. Red Bloodhounds can also be found. They have folds of skin around their face and neck which help to gather scent and direct it towards their nose.

To care for this breed you will need to rub down their coats with a wet towel a few times a week. Their toenails will also need to be clipped on a weekly basis. Their ears also need to be tended to on a regular basis. For exercise this breed needs daily runs and lots of play time. To keep their minds stimulated you may want to introduce tracking games. This breed has a few health concerns that you should be aware of: hip dysplasia, inverted eyelids, and bloating.

Boxer

The Boxer is a German breed that was created by crossing a Bullenbeisser, an unknown breed, and an English Bulldog. This breed was originally very aggressive and used for fighting and baiting bulls. However, over the years this breed lost their aggressiveness and it has become better suited for family life.

The boxer is a mid-sized dog breed that typically stands between 21 and 25 inches tall. They usually weigh between 66 and 70 pounds. Their coat is short, smooth and shiny. Their coat can come in a variety of colors and have several different marking patterns. Some of the most common colors Boxers have include white, brindle, and fawn.

Brussels Griffon

The Brussels Griffon, also referred to as the Griffon Belge, the Griffon Bruxellois, and the Belgian Griffon, is a small Belgium dog breed that was used to kill vermin in horse stables. This interesting looking little fellow stands between 7 and 8 inches tall and weighs in at a whopping 6 to 12 pounds. They come in two varieties, rough hair and smooth hair. Both versions can be found with black, black and tan, or red colored coats.

To care for this little dog you will want to brush their coat several times a week to prevent matting and to remove debris and dirt. They can usually get enough exercise to stay healthy by playing indoors, however, they also enjoy spending time frolicking outside and going for short walks. This dog will need to be trained and you will need to be consistent with your praise and corrections. If you plan on breeding this dog you should understand that they have a very difficult time whelping and only about 60 percent of puppies make it. In addition to reproductive problems, this breed also has respiratory issues and eye problems.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a Mexican breed that was discovered about 100 years ago. They are a toy dog that stands between 6 and 9 inches tall and they typically weigh less than 6 pounds. Their coats come in two variations, short and long. The long coat is soft and can be either straight or wavy. The short coat is soft and dense. Both coat variations can come in just about any color or color combination.

To care for this breed you will need to groom their hair daily for the long haired version, and as needed for the short hair version. This is an indoor pet that is not suited for extended periods of time outside. However, they do enjoy playing outside and going for short walks. To manage this breed’s temperament you need to socialize it and train it early. Some of the health concerns that are associated with this breed include kneecap problems, eye problems, and tracheal problems.

English Springer Spaniel

The English Springer Spaniel, also referred to as the Norfolk Spaniel, is a British breed that is known for being the oldest spaniel breed in the world. They were originally developed as a hunting dog. Their name derives from the springy steps that they take when on the hunt. Today this breed is still used as a hunting dog, however, they also make a great family pet if trained and socialized properly.

The English Springer Spaniel requires regular grooming to keep its coat shiny and clean. The best type of brush to use on their soft coat is a stiff bristle brush. Bathing should only be done when they need it. This breed also needs a lot of exercise. Long walks and plenty of play time in the yard or in a fenced in park each day will keep them healthy, happy, and out of trouble.

Fox Terrier (Smooth)

The Fox Terrier (Smooth) is a cute little dog that originated in England as a vermin hunter. This breed was grouped with the Wired Fox Terrier until 1984 when it was established as its own unique breed. Today this breed is still used to hunt vermin, however, it is also used as a family pet.

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a playful, energetic breed that loves playing with kids. If you have other pets in your family this breed may chase them, especially if they are small like cats. And they may try to take the dominate role if you have other dogs. To keep them happy and healthy they will need lots of exercise, lots of mental stimulation, and a lot of attention. They are intelligent and respond well to obedience training, however, they have a stubborn streak that may keep them from coming to you when you call them, especially if they are having fun.

Fox Terrier (Wire)

The Fox Terrier (Wire), also called the Wire Fox Terrier, is a British breed that was developed back in the 19th century as a vermin hunter. This breed most likely descends from the Beagle, Shropshire and Cheshire. Today, this very active dog breed is used as both a family pet and a vermin hunter.

This little dog stands about 15.5 inches tall and weighs between 16 and 18 pounds. Their have short wiry hair that gives them a plush look. Their coats should be predominantly white with tan and/or black markings. This dog makes a great playmate for kids. However, you will want to be careful what other pets you pair this dog with as it has a tendency to chase anything that is small than it is.

Greyhound

The Greyhounds is an Egyptian breed that was originally used to hunt wolves, wild boars and deer. This breed was originally associated with aristocracy and high class citizenship. Today this breed is used for racing, hunting and for pets.

The Greyhound is a tall athletic dog that stands between 27 and 30 inches tall and weighs between 60 and 70 pounds. They usually have a short, close coat that comes in a variety of colors including: multi-color, white, blue, fallow brindle, black, and red. This dog is truly a gentle giant that are great with kids. Since they were bred as hunting dogs they have a natural instinct to chase anything smaller then they are so they may not be the best house mates for small pets.

Puli

The Puli, also called the Pulik, the Hungarian Puli and the Hungarian Water Dog, is a herding dog that originated in Hungary. It is a medium sized dog that stands between 14 and 19 inches tall and weighs between 20 and 40 pounds. They have a shaggy and weatherproof outercoat and a soft wooly undercoat. Their coloring is usually pretty dark. The most common colors found in this breed include black, dark rust, gray, and apricot.

Sealyham Terrier

The Sealyham Terrier, is a terrier breed that originated in Wales. This breed most likely developed from crossing the Cheshire Terrier, the Welsh Corgi, the Dandi Dinmont Terrie, the West Highland Terrier and the Fox Terrier. It is a small dog that only stands about 12 inches high and it weigh between 18 and 20 pounds. They have a coat similar to the Scottish Terrier, however, their coat colors are slightly different. The Sealyham Terrier comes in shades of white, lemon, blue, badger pied, black, and brown.

Vizsla

The Vizsla, also called the Hungarian Vizsla, the Magyar Vizsla, the Drotszoru Magyar Vizsla, and the Hungarian Pointer, is a Hungarian sporting dog breed. They are a medium sized dog that stands between 22.5 and 25 inches tall and that weighs between 48.5 and 66 pounds. They have a short straight coat that comes in a brownish red color. White traces on their chest and feet are common. The Vizsla is a sweet nature dog that is gentle and tolerant. They make a great family dog and companion, as well as a great hunting dog.

Whippet

The Whippet is a British breed that was created by crossing the Greyhound with a variety of terrier breeds. This dog was originally used as a mouser and vermin hunter, however, they also made a living at the dog races. Today this dog is used for both hunting and as a companion.

The Whippet is hound dog that stands between 17 and 20 inches tall and weighs about 28 pounds. They have a short, fine coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. When you look at this dog they look just like a miniature Greyhound.

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier, is a toy dog breed that originated in Great Britain. They were originally used as a lap dog and fashion accessory by Victorian aristocracy. Many dog experts believe that this breed was created by crossing the Skye Terrier, Clydesdale Terrier, the Manchester Terrier, the Paisley and the Maltese.

The Yorkshire Terrier is petite and it only stands between 6 and 9 inches tall and it weighs between 3 and 7 pounds. They have a silk long coat that is variegated. Steel blue and tan are common shades found in their coat.

The breeding of purebred dogs today has become very complex and even in many breeds of dogs there are many different breeding lines that produce different type and traits of dogs within the same breed of dog. This has come about due to breeders personel likes and dislikes of a certain types, sizes or colors but every breeder of purebred dogs needs to remember that breed of dog breed standard. Does your dog have its true breed characteristics? Does your dog appear to look like what its breed books say it should look like? Does it compare to picture of of dogs of its breed of old or of famous dogs bred in its breed? Finally does it have the true temperment for the breed you own? Last but not least is your dog of sound healthy breeding lines?

These are all question any breeder or some one thinking of breeding dog should ask themself before they undertake the job of breeding any litter of puppies in any breed of dog. If you can answer all the questions above and you have done at leat some research in your breed of dog and the bloodlines you are working with and do know what traits your bloodline has, what the sire and dam look like, the grandsire and granddam and further back great sires and dams in your dogs pedigree. The next thing on your mind should be what are you trying to improve on and what are you trying to keep in your breed of dog.

There are three main breeding methods of breeding dogs or purebreds, line breeding, out crossing and inbreeding. There are many good books out there on breeding of dogs and I am not trying to rewirte any of them in this writing, rather I am trying to get you as a breeder of dogs to think, read and questions what you doing and wear you going with your breeding program. I will discuss shortly the three ways of breeding purebred dogs as to only lay fourth a guide to breeding better dogs and keeping some type of constant format to produce dogs that closely look like each other, have the same traits, temperments and are sound healthy dogs. Lets us simply discuss them shortly and see if I can get you thinking and looking at the way you are breeding your dogs.

Lets talk out cross breeding – This type of breeding is seen a lot in dog breeding were none related dogs who are bred out none related stock are bred together and in your dogs pedigree. This type of breeding will not produce good dogs of the same type, quality and soundness. Breeding dogs this way only leads to many uncertain factors and can bring in many things a breeder is unaware of or even make it impossiable to pin point were a trait or problem have come from. Out cross breedings should be done by very experienced breeders only looking to correct a fault or make a certain improvement in there dogs and than the breeder must be sure the dog or bitch they are using carries this trait themself and the line they were bred down from does carry this trait or improvement for at least the last three generations in there line or pedigree for it to have any effect on result in making the desire changes, after this these dogs from the out cross are usually bred back into the main breeding line. Out cross breeding should not be done by new breeders or new comers to any breed and out cross breeding is no way to start a breeding program when trying to produce constant type, temperment and soundness in your dogs. Even long time breeders have made mistakes when out crossing and it is the fastest way to change type, temperment and soundness in any breeding program in any breed of dog. I allways recommend you to educate yourself, know your breed of dog, do some generation research and at leat learn basic genetic knowledge or do some reading before you begin to bred any breed of dog. Also seek the help of other sucessful breeders in your breed of dog that have been around awhile, most good breeders are willing to help and give advice to all novice dog breeders and new comers.

Lets talk about Line Breeding – Line breeding is the breeding of related dogs bred down from a certain breeding line of dogs. Many breeders think line breeding is close breeding of related dogs and it should be avoided. Nothing is farther from the truth. Good line breeding will produce your best dogs who will in return produce even better dogs if done right. Line breeding will give you much higher constant results producing dogs of the same type, size, quality, traits and temperments. That is if the breeder is starting out with everything being good and the line there breeding back into is good with all things they want in there breed of dog. Line breeding will quickly show a breeder just how good the line of dogs they are working with is but line breeding will also show the breeder any faults or problems they may have in there breeding program. There are many formulas for line breeding and these are discuss in many good books on dog breeding, there are differnt degree’s of line breeding as well. So it is not my attenion to go inot all these formulas here. However two which have proven very sucessufl to me over the years are when you breed a grand dauther to her dams sire, (i.e. grandsire) this does require some advanced planning and does require both dogs to be of very high quality with all the good traits you want and within there breeds standard. Half borther and half sister breeding with a out cross line in the middle of there pedigree has also proven very good results if the dogs used are of very good quality, sound and have great temperments. Line breeding does require knowledge and research. Its is allways recommended that you due this before any breeding of dogs. Line breeding in most cases will produce you better and higher quality of dogs in any breed as long as you are starting out with very good bred stock of the breed of dog you are trying to breed. Line breeding has been proven by many top breeders and top kennels around the world as one of the best ways to produce better dogs.

Lets talk about Inbreeding – Inbreeding is the very close breeding of line bred stock to each other. Example of this are litter brother to litter sister, Sire to daughter, or mother to son, etc. This type of breeding should never be done by most. Some very expereienced breeders may on occasion pull a inbreeding to set in a trait or type but than the breeding of these dogs down from this point must be used carefully and within the aims for which they were bred for. Inbreeding is only for very knowledgeable long time breeders to even under take as this type of breeding will truely intact the good traits as well as bring out any bad traits or problem to a very high degree. Inbreeding has however produce some very great top quality dogs who have in return produce other very high quality dogs however many inbreedings due results in breeders have to put down many puppies also and it is not for the weak at heart. Inbreeding is not a recommended form of breeding dogs expect in certain very experience breeders programs, usually done one time only for that one purpose.

The breeding of purebred dogs should not be taken lightly, and every breeder should always try to gain as much knowledge as they can on there breed of dog, its type, breed standard, soundness and health not for getting its true temperment. Keeping this in mind and do your reseach as a dog breeder it will insure that you breed better and healthy dogs for many years to come. After all breeding prue bred dogs is a true art form and breeding better dogs should always be you goal. Don’t purchase you next dog from just anyone, seek out a good breeder of that breed of dog you want who has been around and breeding for a while. You will be much happier with your puppy purchase and so will your puppy and dog be happier and healthy for many more years to come. Today most good breeder also offer health guarantee’s on puppies they sell and good breeders stand behind there dogs because they know what has gone into producing them.

Do you reseach, read about your breed, talk to breeders, you will be glad you did!

With all the different types of dog breeds out there, how can you be sure which breed is right the right pet for you? There are so many things to take into consideration when selecting a puppy including size, behavior, health concerns, compatibility with other pets and children, temperament and grooming requirements. Here we have outlined a few common dog breeds to help you find the dog that is best for you.

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier, now called the Parson Russell Terrier, is a British breed that was created in the early 19th century. This breed developed from selective breeding of the fox terrier. The Jack Russell is used today as both a hunting dog and as a pet.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a hyper little dog that is smart and stubborn. They stand between 12 and 14 inches tall and usually weigh between 13 and 17 pounds. Their coat can be either rough or smooth and it is usually broken into two or more colors. You can find this breed in shades of black, white, lemon, and tan. Some of the health concerns you should be aware of when adopting a Jack Russell include eye problems and knee problems.

Border Terrier

The Border Terrier is a small British dog developed to hunt with Foxhounds. They were especially valued for their ability to kill small predators that threatened farm animals in the English countryside. This dog stands about 10 inches tall and it usually weighs between 11.5 and 15.5 pounds. It has a short coarse coat that comes in a variety of colors including blue and tan, red, grizzle and tan, and wheaten.

To care for this breed you will want to brush their coats and bathe them as needed. When debris gets caught in their coat you will want to remove it as soon as possible to prevent matting and skin irritation. They are an active dog so you will need to provide them with a lot of opportunities to get exercise. Going for walks, playing fetch, and offering them secure locations to run free will help to keep your Border Terrier happy, healthy, and out of trouble.

Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a German breed that was originally developed as a livestock controller. During the two World Wars this breed was taken from the fields and trained to be guard dogs for the military. Today this breed is still used as a guard dog, however, they are also used as a family dog.

The Rottweiler is a large working dog that stands between 23 and 27 inches tall and weighs between 90 and 110 pounds. They have a short to medium length coat that is coarse and flat. Their coats are primarily black with tan markings. This is a very protective and loyal dog, however, they really aren’t the type of dog to have if you have small children. They function better with school aged kids. If you have a Rottweiler and small children you should always supervise their interactions. Rottweilers can be paired with other pets, however, they will need proper supervision and socialization as Rottweilers are territorial and may show dog and food aggression.

Canaan Dog

The Canaan Dog, also referred to as the Kalef K’naani, is a medium sized breed that originated in Israel. This is a very old breed that developed from the selected breeding of the Pariah Dogs found in the wilds of the Middle East. This dog breed was originally used as a messenger and a herd protector.

The Canaan Dog stands between 19 and 24 inches tall. It weighs between 35 and 55 pounds. Its coat includes medium length strands of hair and long strands of hair. Its undercoat thickens in the winter to provide it with extra warmth and insulation. It comes in three color combinations: white and black, harlequin, and variegated shades of brown. Solid colored coats of white, black, and brown are also common. This dog makes a good family pet and a great addition to a multi-pet household.

Maltese

The Maltese is a toy breed that originated in Malta. This is an ancient breed that can be traced back to 1500 B.C. Today this is a popular breed for dog shows and families, as well as companions for the elderly.

The Maltese usually stands about 10 inches tall and weighs between 4 and 6 pounds. They have a long, silky white coat that may have faint lemon markings. This is a friendly dog, but they do not get along well with kids or other pets. They are a dog bred for royalty and they know it.

Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound, also called the Elkhound or the Norsk Elghund, is a Norwegian breed that was probably developed by the Vikings. They belong to the hound group and they were originally used as watchdogs and guard dogs. They were also used to hunt large game animals like bears and elk. Today this 6000 year old breed is used as a pet.

The Norwegian Elkhound is a medium sized dog that stands between 19 and 21 inches tall and weighs between 44 and 50 pounds. Their coat sheds year round, but they don’t have the characteristic doggy smell. Their coats should be variegated with gray, white, and black, and they should have black masking on their faces and have black overlays on their backs and near their tails.

Borzoi

The Borzoi, also referred to as the Russian Wolfhound, is a Russian hunting and tracking dog. This breed was developed by the Russian aristocracy. It is suspected that it descends from the crossing of Collies, Greyhounds, and Lapp Sled Dogs.

The Borzoi is a majestic animal that stands between 27 and 31 inches tall. Its slender build still packs a punch with an average weight between 75 and 105 pounds. It has a flat, silky coat with medium length to long hair. It also has fringes of longer hair on the backs of its front legs, on its underbody, on its tail, and on its back legs. The Borzoi comes in a variety of solid colors and color combinations.

Pharaoh Hound

The Pharaoh Hound, also called the Kelb-tal Fenek, is an ancient breed that has been the founder of several other breeds throughout the centuries. Their roots can be traced back to at least 3,000 B.C. in Egypt. They belong to the hound group and are sight hunters. They can still be used for hunting, however, they are also prized as a family dog.