Beagle Dog Breed

Summary:

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

Beauceron Dog Breed

Summary:

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

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) Dog Breed

Summary:

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 (Malinois) Dog Breed

Summary:

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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Bergamasco Dog Breed

Summary:

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