If you’ve ever gotten a chance to play with an Old English Sheepdog, you already know that their fluffy, soft fur matches their sweet demeanor and their intelligent personalities.

Although these dogs are known to be very hard workers, they have adjusted very well to lives as family pets. Sheepdogs are very friendly and when given the proper love and attention, and they provide excellent companionship to their human families. Take a look at some information for this sweet-tempered breed, and you can easily see why they are so popular both in the country and in the cities.

Old English Sheepdog History:

They were developed in western England during the early part of the 1900’s. As the name states, this dog was bred for the herding and protection of sheep. It can be seen that the breeders succeed, having created a dog that intelligent, hardy, and protective of its charges.

Old English Sheepdog Temperament:

Due to their hardy ancestry and their working roots, they need plenty of exercise, both in terms of being able to run around outside as well as being stimulated mentally. When they are in high gear, they are extremely playful and sweet, and they are excellent companions for children and other dogs. Given the fact that they are quite intelligent, you can also expect that they can sometimes be a little bit headstrong and stubborn about things.

Old English Sheepdog Care:

Because they were originally intended to herd and protect sheep, these are dogs that are quite dependent on having something to take care of and be with. They have naturally loving temperaments, but they will suffer if they are neglected. Old English Sheepdogs thrive and do their best when they are surrounded by loving attention, so make sure that you are ready to give it the care it needs

Old English Sheepdog Grooming:

Despite their long, fluffy fur, taking care of this dog breed’s coat is not much more difficult than taking care of a dog with a shorter coat. When they are young, the puppies should be brushed regularly to help them get used to this action. When they are adults, they will need a thorough weekly brushing. Because this can take upwards of an hour, many people simply clip their Sheepdog’s fur down to half an inch and let it grow back in for winter.

Overall, this is a great family dog if you have a large yard or have plenty of time to give this dog the exercise they need.

Golden Retrievers – Friendly, Sociable and Intelligent

The image of a Golden Retriever that is active and friendly is well-known to everyone who has seen a TV commercial or magazine ad. There are good reasons that this breed features significantly in so many of them: it’s all true!

Golden Retrievers are among the most easily trained dog breeds because they are intelligent, sociable and active. Since they enjoy anything that requires activity they love any kind of outdoor recreation that gets them moving.

From the breed’s roots as an off-shoot of mid-1800s Russian circus dogs, they’ve been bred to retrieve. Whether it’s fetching a tennis ball or jumping over low fences or any other similar activity, it is all a natural extension of the game of retrieving.

Among the most intelligent of dog breeds, Golden Retrievers can learn a wide variety of behaviors with minimal effort. They are easy to housebroken and will give clear signs (after the initial training) that they need to go outside. Fetching comes almost automatically. It is also easy to teach them to stay, sit, roll over, and a lot more.

Golden Retrievers are easily socialized and friendly with people and (typically) other animals. Although individuals vary they usually adapt well to children and other pets. However, socialization does take a certain degree of training. They can be territorial and will probably bark at or chase animals and even people who do not belong to the home.

Despite their quick bark they do not make good guard dogs or watch dogs. They will definitely alert you to the advance of the mail carrier, but they also will bark at any movement. Trying to teach them to tell the difference between the two can be a big challenge. They may bark at a car sitting on the street outside the house or at a squirrel darting across the grass in the front yard. With so many false alarms they are completely unsuitable for guard dog duty.

Also, they will almost never attack anyone since they are by nature so friendly, and trying to train them to do so is inconsistent with their nature. Though they bark, they hardly ever bite. Their bark is a greeting rather than a sign of anger or a warning.

Training them to walk on a leash without tugging can be a challenge. But since they are so eager to please you they can be taught to walk patiently at your side. It might take a few weeks, and is best taught while the dog is still young.

It is very important to give them plenty of daily exercise since they are so energetic and active by nature. One word of warning: Their tails are often wagging because they are by nature happy dogs. This can cause trouble unless you prepare your home ahead of time and move all the knick-knacks to a safe spot higher up out of reach of the tail.

They are incredibly social dogs and need to be with the family. Left a lone for long periods of time is not healthy. If there is no person at home during the day, at least have one other dog to be a companion for them.

Golden Retrievers are great dogs, and make a good family dog, but they are not for everyone. They are definitely best for people and families who want an active and friendly dog, and who are willing to devote time and attention to their furry companion.

To learn more about this great breed I recommend this ebook, which you can download and read right now: Golden Retriever Guide eBook. It will tell you everything you need to know about your Golden Retriever.

Gentle Giants

If there was ever a gentle giant, this dog is it. The Mastiff loves everybody and everything, especially his family. They are an especially good dog with children and make an excellent dog breed for a family.

That is a bit surprising since they were originally bred as war dogs. Outfitted with saddles that carried live coal, the dogs were trained to run underneath horses so the enemy knights would fall to the ground. Once a knight was on the ground he was helpless.

At other times the Mastiff was pitted against gladiators, lions, bears and bulls. This is a far cry from the gentle and low-key dog of today who is happiest when with his family.

They are extremely loyal and should be allowed to live indoors where they can fulfill their role of devoted guardian. They only require enough room to stretch out comfortably.

These large dogs are not very active and do not need much exercise. Unlike the sporting dogs that will run and run for miles, the Mastiff is happy to just lie around the house. One walk each day or a good game is enough exercise for them.

An Ancient Dog Breed

The Mastiff originated in Great Brittain. They come from the mastiff family which is one of the oldest and most influential dog breeds. Like the mastiff family, the Mastiff is also an ancient breed that has been around since before the time of Caesar.

In the years leading up to World War II they almost disappeared in Great Brittan. Thankfully, they were a popular dog in the United States and so the breed did not completely die out. Since then their numbers have increased, and today it is the 33rd most popular dog in America.

Special Needs of a Large Dog Breed

The only drawbacks to this dog are the amount of food they require and the space they need indoors. They are not active indoors, but like to stretch out in comfort. They require very little grooming, are generally very healthy, and very easy to train.

When acquiring a Mastiff it is important to gain his respect at an early age. If the dog learns to listen and follow orders when he is a puppy, he will be very happy to obey when he is 230 pounds.

Males can reach up to 230 pounds and females can reach 170 pounds. They are a little shorter than the Irish Wolfhound but heavier. As a result of their large size it is especially important that puppies are bought from reputable breeders that do not feed puppies anything that will speed their growth. This can lead to health problems later on.

How to Choose a Good Puppy

Other things to beware of when looking for a Mastiff for a pet is to make sure the mother is older than 22 months and younger than seven years, and that the prospective owners check the parents’ hip and elbow certificates to verify that they do have hip or elbow dysplasia.

Reputable breeds will be happy to comply with any questions the buyers ask. Remember that people who really care about the breed are not breeding just for the money, but are also breeding for a pure and exceptional line.

Anyone who purchases a Mastiff will have a wonderful companion for as long as nine to eleven years. The Mastiff is definitely an excellent dog for families to consider.

Although not for the faint of heart, Irish Wolfhounds are strong, muscular, beautiful dogs that are usually even tempered and friendly. Originally they were used in Ireland to hunt wolves and Irish elk. But today they are a favorite among dog enthusiasts for their gentle disposition and commanding appearance.

The temperament of this dog breed is soft-natured and easygoing. They are calm around the house and patient. These qualities make them a good dog with children, pets, and other dogs.

History of the Breed

The Irish Wolfhounds in their earliest form were actually dogs that went to war and were trained to kill men and beasts. They were also used as guard dogs and as hunting dogs early on as well.

It is believed that their history has been long, perhaps even reaching all the way back to the first century BC. During the 19th century, when it became popular to give a number of these dogs as gifts to foreign royalty and as the wolf became extinct in Ireland, they almost became extinct.

Thankfully, Captain Graham began to breed Irish Wolfhounds with other breeds, such as Great Danes and Deerhounds, to keep the breed from dying out. This interbreeding led to variations in color and in a mellowing of the temperament as well.

Characteristics of Irish Wolfhounds

Although in history these dogs were used as war dogs and guard dogs, the Irish Wolfhound today does not make a great guard dog. While they do have a penchant to hunt, these dogs love people and require a great deal of interaction with the family.

The Irish Wolfhound is actually the tallest hound in the entire world and they are a stately and proud dog. Their coats feel rather rough to the touch, and they come in a variety of different colors, including brindle, pure white, red, brown, black, gray, and fawn.

They typically live to be about seven, although there are dogs that live to be as old as ten. Increasing numbers of breeders, however, are now selecting for longevity and this will hopefully increase the lifespan of the Irish Wolfhound in the future.
What Irish Wolfhounds Need

If you decide that you want to own an Irish Wolfhound, it is important that you take into consideration the special needs of these dogs and take care of them properly to promote the best health possible. They need plenty of room to stretch out and a daily long walk.

Irish Wolfhounds need to be with people and need plenty of interaction, so before you purchase one, you need to be sure that you have the time to properly take care of your dog.

It is important that you train your Irish Wolfhound well or he may get out of hand. Starting to train from the time your dog is a puppy will help you avoid problems later in the dog’s life.

Having an Irish Wolfhound can bring a great deal of joy and pleasure to your life and these dogs make wonderful companions. If you are ready to invest some time in a dog, take care of a dog properly, and you want a dog that will keep you company, you may want to consider having an Irish Wolfhound as a pet.

Some more facts about this magnificent breed:

Energy level - 1 (out of 5)

Exercise requirement - 3

Watchdog ability - 3

Protection ability - 2

Cold tolerance - 4

Heat tolerance - 1

Affection level - 3

In 2006 Irish Wolfhounds were the 77nd most favorite dog in the United States according to the AKC (up from #83 the year before).

A healthy male will weigh a minimum of 120 pounds (many are much bigger) and a healthy female will weigh a minimum of 105 pounds (again, many are much bigger). The picture at right is of a three-month old puppy. At this young age he is already bigger than many full-grown dogs!
If you can imagine, the male is at least 32 inches tall at the withers! In case you would like a comparison, a Great Dane is 32-35 inches and a Newfoundland is about 28 inches. There are Irish Wolfhounds that are 37 inches at the withers!
The pictures on this page were graciously provided by Anne and Paul Vaudin. If you want to know more about Irish Wolfhounds, or would like to see more pictures, I highly recommend their Web site, Torteval Irish Wolfhounds.