Category: Dog Breeds
Category Archives: Dog Breeds
Bavarian Mountain Hound Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Hound |
Origin: | Germany |
Other Names: | |
Size: | Medium |
Lifespan: | 9-11 years |
Living Area: | Rural |
Exercise: | High |
Grooming: | Low |
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Courtesy of: The Free Dictionary
Beagle Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Hound |
Origin: | Great Britain |
Other Names: | English Beagle |
Size: | Medium |
Lifespan: | 13 years |
Living Area: | Any |
Exercise: | High |
Grooming: | Low |
A Beagle is a medium-sized dog breed and a member of the hound group, similar in appearance to a Foxhound but smaller ù in fact, the smallest of the scent-hunting hounds ù due to its shorter legs, and with longer, softer ears. It has a somewhat domed skull; a medium-length, square-cut muzzle; large, hound-like hazel or brown eyes; long, low-set ears, turning towards the cheeks slightly and rounded at the tips; a medium-length, strong neck without folds in the skin; a short, slightly curved tail; an overall muscular body; and a medium-length, smooth, hard coat in tricolor (white with large black and light brown spots) or any combination of the three. The UK Kennel Club describes it as “a merry hound,” and it is indeed a cheerful, energetic dog.
As well as making excellent (if not very trainable) pets, Beagles are used for hunting. Beagling has been referred to as “the poor person’s foxhunting,” as a Beagle pack (30-40 dogs) is followed on foot, not horseback. The usual quarry is the hare. Beagles are admired by some for the bloodcurdling “Beagle music” they emit when in full pursuit. Beagling, like foxhunting, is still legal in England, but may not remain so for long.
Beagles (or their ancestors) appear to have been used for hare hunting in England as early as the reign of Edward III, who had a pack of up to 120 hare hounds with him on the battlefield during the Hundred Years’ War. The first mention of the beagle in English literature by name dates from 1475. The origin of the word “beagle” is uncertain, although it has been suggested that the word derives from the French begueule (meaning “open throat”) or from an Old English, French, or Welsh term meaning “small.”
Beagles have superb noses and, despite their self-willed temperament, are sometimes used as sniffer dogs for drug detection in luggage. Beagles were chosen because they are small and easy to care for, and because they are not as intimidating for people who are uncomfortable around dogs.
The Peanuts comic strip character Snoopy is a Beagle.
Courtesy of: The Free Dictionary
Bearded Collie Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Pastoral |
Origin: | Great Britain |
Other Names: | Highland Collie, Mountain Collie, Hairy Mou ed Collie |
Size: | Large |
Lifespan: | 12-13 years |
Living Area: | Any |
Exercise: | Medium |
Grooming: | High |
The Bearded Collie or beardie is the traditional dog of the Scottish shepherd, but was used to herd both sheep and cattle. As such it is essentially a working dog, bred to be hardy and reliable, able to stand up to the harshest conditions, and the toughest sheep. The working bearded collie became less common in the last few decades and might have died out, but thanks to the efforts of a relatively few shepherds such as Tom Muirhead and breeders like Brian Plummer the breed has survived and is becoming more popular.
It has been exported to Australia and the United States, and finds favour among those looking for an independent and intelligent sheep dog. The beardie gained its epithet of the ‘bouncing beardie’ because dogs would work in thick undergrowth on the hill, and would bounce to catch sight of the sheep.
It is difficult to distinguish between fact and legend in looking at the history of a breed, but it is believed that in the 17th Century the Lowland Polish Sheepdog was bred into the local Scottish dogs, to give the typical appearance of the working strain of beardie, and that in the 20th Century Old English Sheepdog may have been bred in to produce the longer coat of the typical show beardie.
Courtesy of: The Free Dictionary
Beauceron Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Working |
Origin: | France |
Other Names: | French Shorthaired Shepherd, Beauce Shepherd, Berger de Beauce, Bas Rouge (Red Stocking) |
Size: | Large |
Lifespan: | 11-13 years |
Living Area: | Rural |
Exercise: | High |
Grooming: | Low |
The Beauceron is a herding dog breed from France. He is also known as the Berger de Beauce, the Bas Rouge, or the French Shorthaired Shepherd.
This breed stands 24 to 27.5 inches (61-70 cm) in height and weighs 66 to 85 pounds (30-38.5 kg). His standard colouring is black and tan, black, or harlequin; other colours (tawny, grey, and grey/black) once prevalent are now banned by the breed standard. The coat is short, close and smooth, except on legs, tail and flanks where there is a slight fringe.
The regional names are misleading since the breed really does not come from Beauce but from Brie; however, the Briard claimed that regional name first. Although quite different in appearance, both breeds stem from similar ancestral stock.
A very versatile breed, the Bas Rouge (Red Stocking) was once used to hunt wild boar. It served in both World Wars as a messenger dog, a supply transport dog, and in detection of mines and rescue of the wounded. In addition, the Beauceron has strong herding traits and capability. This muscular and energetic breed is described as intelligent, calm, aloof, and very protective of children.
Courtesy of: The Free Dictionary
Bedlington Terrier Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Terrier |
Origin: | Great Britain |
Other Names: | Rothbury Terrier |
Size: | Medium |
Lifespan: | 14-15 years |
Living Area: | Any |
Exercise: | Medium |
Grooming: | Medium |
Bedlington Terrier is often described as looking like a lamb on a leash, probably because it has non-shedding fur with a woolly texture. These dogs may be blue, sandy, or liver, and can be solid colours or have tan markings. These become paler as the dog grows older.
This breed has a wedge-shaped head with sparkling eyes. Although it looks meek when reclining on the couch, the Bedlington Terrier is argumentative and every inch a terrier when aroused. Its body shape, however, is unusual for a terrier, being somewhat like a Greyhound or Whippet in construction, which enables it to gallop at great speed. However, the front legs are constructed differently from those quick hounds in that the front legs are closer together at the feet than at the elbows. This enables a Bedlington Terrier to turn or pivot quickly when chasing quarry at high speed. At a trot, the Bedlington moves with a ‘mincing’ gait, picking its feet up in what appears to be a dainty manner.
Bedlington Terriers are groomed with patches of fur on their heads and ears. This practice is thought to have originated when the Bedlington was used to hunt rats. The rats, trying to escape, would claw at the dog’s ears or head and become entangled in fur instead. History
The famed progenitor of Bedlington was a dog named “Old Flint”, whelped in 1782 and owned by “Squire Trevelyan.” Originally, the breed was known as the “Rothbury” or “Rodbery Terrier.” This name derived from a famous bitch brought from Staffordshire by a company of nail makers who settled in Rothbury. The Terriers of this section were accustomed to rodent hunting underground, and worked with packs of foxhounds kept there at the time.
It is suggested that the Bedlington may well have made its way to Ireland and played a part in the early development of the Kerry Blue Terrier.
The first Bedlington Terrier club was formed in 1877. The Bedlington Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1948.
Temperament
These do-all dogs were able to do almost anything asked of them, if in classic terrier manner. Bedlingtons would have to be able hold its own when pitted in dog fighting contests and was particularly well known to fight to the death when set upon. In addition, it was fast enough to bay a badger or a fox and was a first-rate water dog. Said to have the face of a lamb and the heart of a lion!
Health
Mortality
Median longevity of Bedlington Terriers, based on two recent UK surveys, is about 13.5 years,[1] which is longer than for purebred dogs in general and longer than most breeds similar in size.[2] The longest-lived of 48 deceased dogs in a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey was 18.4 years. [3] Leading causes of death among Bedlington Terriers in the UK were old age (23%), urologic (15%), and hepatic (12.5%).[3] The leading “hepatic” cause of death was copper toxicosis. Dogs that died of liver diseases usually died at a younger age than dogs dying of most other causes.
Morbidity
Bedlington Terrier owners in the UK reported that the most common health issues among living dogs were reproductive (primarily of concern to breeders), heart murmur, and eye problems such as epiphora and cataracts. [3] Copper toxicosis occurred among about 5% of living dogs.
Courtesy of: The Free Dictionary
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Pastoral |
Origin: | Belgium |
Other Names: | Belgian Sheepdog, Chien de Berger Belge |
Size: | Large |
Lifespan: | 12-13 years |
Living Area: | Any |
Exercise: | High |
Grooming: | Medium |
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is recognized by all major kennel clubs. In the United States it is recognized under the name Belgian Sheepdog.
Like all Belgian Shepherds, the Groenendael is a medium-sized, hard-working, square-proportioned breed of dog in the sheepdog family. The Groenendael is recognized by its distinctive black coat. The Groenendael should be athletic, strong, imposing, rustic, and balanced in appearance. It should look natural, never as though it has been prepared just for the show ring. Its coat should be profuse, but never look as though it would inhibit the dog’s working ability in any way. The colour is always black, with small white markings being allowed on the chest. When being shown, its handler should never have to force it into position; ideally the handler should not have to touch the dog at all.
The Groenendael should be 24-26 in. (60-66 cm) at the withers for males, and 22-24 in (56-62 cm) for females. The weight should be approximately 25 – 30 kg for males, and 20 – 25 kg for females.
The groenendael has a thin, double coat. The texture should be hard and dense, never woolly, silky, frizzy, fine, or wiry. The undercoat should be thick and profuse. In conformation shows, dogs without an undercoat are heavily penalized.
A Groenendael at 4 monthsThe Groenendael is (very) intelligent, active, loyal and quietly affectionate. Groenendaels are not a breed for the faint of heart. However for those who have plenty of time, energy, confidence and love, they are wonderful friends. Training and socializing is essential. They are wary of strangers and protective. They love children as long as they are introduced to them at an early age. The Groenendael bonds deeply to its people and cannot live outdoors or in a kennel. It needs to spend time with its family every day and may experience separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.
Courtesy of: The Free Dictionary
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Pastoral |
Origin: | Belgium |
Other Names: | Belgian Laekenois, Chien de Berger Belge |
Size: | Large |
Lifespan: | 12-13 years |
Living Area: | Any |
Exercise: | High |
Grooming: | Medium |
This breed has a wedge-shaped head with sparkling eyes. Although it looks meek when reclining on the couch, the Bedlington Terrier is argumentative and every inch a terrier when aroused. Its body shape, however, is unusual for a terrier, being somewhat like a Greyhound or Whippet in construction, which enables it to gallop at great speed. However, the front legs are constructed differently from those quick hounds in that the front legs are closer together at the feet than at the elbows. This enables a Bedlington Terrier to turn or pivot quickly when chasing quarry at high speed. At a trot, the Bedlington moves with a ‘mincing’ gait, picking its feet up in what appears to be a dainty manner.
Courtesy of: The Free Dictionary
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Pastoral |
Origin: | Belgium |
Other Names: | Belgian Malinois, Chien de Berger Belge |
Size: | Large |
Lifespan: | 12-13 years |
Living Area: | Any |
Exercise: | High |
Grooming: | Medium |
The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) (pronounced /?mµl?nw??/), sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate breed. The Malinois is recognized in the United States under the name Belgian Malinois. Its name is the French word for Mechlinian, which is in Dutch either Mechelse herdershond (shepherd dog from Mechelen) or Mechelaar (one from Mechelen).
Like all Belgian Shepherds, the Malinois is a medium-sized and square-proportioned dog in the sheepdog family. The Malinois has a short mahogany coat with black overlay. It has black erect ears and a black muzzle. It has a square build in comparison to the German Shepherd.
Due to its history as a working dog (i.e., being bred for function over form), the Malinois can vary greatly in appearance. The acceptable colors of pure-bred Malinois are a base color fawn to mahogany with a black mask and black ears with some degree of black tipping on the hairs, giving an overlay appearance. The color tends to be lighter with less black agouti or overlay on the dog’s underside, breeching, and inner leg. There used to be dogs with grey and black shorthairs but they no longer meet the breed standards.
The other varieties of Belgian Shepherd are distinguished by their coats and colors: the Tervuren is the same color as the Malinois but grey is also possible with long hair, the Laekenois is the same color, only it may lack the black mask and ears, and has wirehair, the Groenendael (registered as Belgian Sheepdog by the American Kennel Club) has long hair and is solid black. There are (occasionally and historically) solid black, black-and-tan (as with Dobermans and German Shepherd Dogs), or other colored short-haired Belgian Shepherds, but these are not technically Malinois.
If a dog represented as a Malinois is brindle (clear stripes of different colored hair) it is probably a Dutch Shepherd Dog or a mixed breed, although the possibility exists that it is a throwback to a common continental shepherd ancestor.
Size Malinois dogs are about 24û26 in (61û66 cm), while bitches are about 22û24 in (56û61 cm) at the withers. Bitches are said to average 25û30 kg (55û65 lb), while sires are heavier at 29û34 kg (65û75 lb). They are squarely built.
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Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervueren) Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Pastoral |
Origin: | Belgium |
Other Names: | Belgian Tervuren, Chien de Berger Belge |
Size: | Large |
Lifespan: | 12-13 years |
Living Area: | Any |
Exercise: | High |
Grooming: | Medium |
Like all Belgian Shepherds, the Tervuren is a medium-sized, square-proportioned dog in the sheepdog family. Males stand between 24 and 26 inches, and weigh approximately 65 lb. Females are finer and smaller. It is recognized by its thick double coat, generally mahogany with varying degrees of black overlay (completely missing overlay on males is a serious fault), including a black mask. A small patch of white on the chest is permissible, as well as white tips on toes. The Tervuren may also be sable or grey, but sadley this may be penalized in the show ring in some countries according to the standard of the registering body.
Tervurens are highly energetic, intelligent dogs who require a job to keep them occupied. This can be herding, obedience, agility, flyball, tracking, or protection work. They are also found working as Search and Rescue (SAR) dogs, finding missing persons and avalanche victims. Tervurens that are not kept sufficiently busy can become hyperactive or even destructive.
As companion animals, Tervurens are loyal and form strong bonds with their family, leading some to be shy around strangers. They are good watch dogs, being very observant and attentive to the slightest change in their environment. Some can be nervous, depending on breeding and early experiences, so care must be taken to adequately socialize Tervuren puppies to a wide variety of people and situations.
Tervuren at 7 monthsAs with all the Belgian Shepherd Dogs, Tervurens are not generally recommended to first-time dog owners due to their high maintenance level.
Adult males are distinctly masculine and females are likewise feminine. Their appearance projects alertness and elegance. The breed is known for its loyalty and versatility. Those who own them, report being charmed by their intelligence, trainability, and, perhaps most of all, their sense of humor. They excel in many kinds of activities. Today the breed is still relatively rare in the United States, but it is well-established.
Courtesy of: The Free Dictionary
Bergamasco Dog Breed
Summary:
Category: | Pastoral |
Origin: | Italy |
Other Names: | Bergamasco Shepherd, Bergermaschi, Cane da pastore Bergamasco |
Size: | Large |
Lifespan: | 12 years |
Living Area: | Rural |
Exercise: | Medium |
Grooming: | High |
The Bergamasco is a breed of dog with its origins in the Italian Alps. They were originally used as herding dogs. The breed’s most distinctive feature is the unusual matted coat which is a normal and healthy characteristic of the breed. Bergamascos are born with short, smooth fur, which slowly develops the characteristic mats as the dog grows. In adulthood the mats may reach as low as the dog’s paws.
Courtesy of: The Free Dictionary