The Plott Hound has an interesting history. Two were brought to North Carolina from Germany around 1750 by a 16-year old boy, Jonathan Plott, and bred to hunt bear, boar, mountain lions, and other large animals.

The Plott Hound will not only tree a bear, but have been known to bring down bears as big as 500 pounds. They will trail an animal over rough terrain and through water in all weather with their incredible endurance and power.

These dogs were bred by the Plott family for generations, and interbred by North Carolina mountain men with their own hounds. Two very famous Plott Hounds were produced from breeding a Plott Hound with a Blevins (another hound).

These two offspring were such excellent hunters that the Plott family bred them with their own dogs so that almost all Plott Hounds of today can trace their line back to one of the two offspring.

Plott Hounds also make exceptional family dogs. They are eager to please and loyal. But as a natural hunter, they might try to tree your family cat.

In 1989 North Carolina designated this breed as the official state dog. You can visit the official state website at: North Carolina State Dog. It wasn't until 1998 that they were registered by the AKC.

Here are some more facts:

Energy level - 3 (out of 5)

Exercise requirement - 3

Affection level - 3

Ease of training - 2

Watchdog ability - 4

Protection ability - 4

Can endure heat and cold tolerably, and does not back down from a challenge. If you don't take your Plott Hound out hunting, be sure to take him for hikes in the woods or for swims, as they enjoy both.

If you suffer from allergies, but want to have a dog, you may want to take a look at the Bichon Frise. This charming little dog's sole function is to provide companionship and it does its job extremely well.

The Bichon Frise is classified as a part of the Non-Sporting Group by the American Kennel Club. The Bichon is a seven to thirteen pound dog that stands only nine to eleven inches tall.

These fluffy little dogs are known for their thick white coats and alert, cheerful eyes. The Bichon's tail is carried proudly over its back.

Bichons are a perfect choice for a family dog, as long as the children are old enough to know how to handle a dog without hurting it. Although your Bichon may tolerate rough treatment, he can easily be injured. These dogs get along well with older children, as well as dogs and other pets.

Since the Bichon Frise loves to spend time with people, this breed is quite content with life in apartments or town homes. Of course, your dog won't object to a home with a fenced yard. If you don't have a fenced yard, you should be prepared to take your dog for a daily stroll around the block so he stays healthy and strong.

Although Bichon Frises are small dogs and do not have stubborn tendencies, it is still a good idea to teach your puppy some basic obedience commands. If your Bichon ever runs out the front door and heads for the street, you will want to be sure that you can call him back to your side.

Of course, you can teach him a few simple commands yourself, but puppy obedience classes can make training easier. In addition, these classes are a good way for you to teach your puppy socialization skills.

Once you begin obedience classes, your little guy's aptitude for obedience may just convince you to keep on learning. These dogs have a reputation for being incredibly intelligent. In fact, Bichons often perform as highly trained circus dogs.

Bichon Frises are not expensive to feed. Since small dogs often have dental problems, you may want to make sure that you use a dry food diet. If you decide to feed your puppy soft food, be sure you brush his teeth frequently.

The one drawback of the Bichon Frise breed is that these dogs need extensive grooming. You will need to brush out your Bichon's fluffy coat frequently or he will look like a ratty mop head instead of a beautiful, elegant little dog. You will also need to have his coat cut and shaped at least once a month. If you can't groom your dog yourself, this can become a major expense.

The good news is that Bichon Frises are a very healthy breed. This breed actually has no common health problems.

If you want a sweet and affectionate pet who doesn't cause you to break out in hives, then a Bichon Frise may just be the perfect dog breed for you and your family.
A few more facts about the Bichon Frise:

Energy level - 4

Exercise requirements - 2

Playfulness - 5

Affection level - 5

Grooming requirements - 5

Friendliness towards other pets - 4

Friendliness towards strangers - 5

The Bichon Frise is not a guard dog, he likes everyone. They are very affectionate, and get along fine with other pets in the household and even with strange dogs. They are also very good with children, which is important if you ever have children in your house.

They make an excellent dog for anyone who wants a lap dog who will be happy to sit and cuddle, and who isn't gone from home very much. They hate to be left alone.

This is really a very fun dog for any family. They deserve the high ranking they get in the 2003 AKC book at spot 26.

Because you can never know too much about your little Bichon Frise, here's an e-book you can download and be reading in a couple of minutes. Click here on the link: Bichon Frise Complete Dog Manual

The Shih Tzu originates from China and was originally developed to be a lap dog and companion to Chinese Royalty. The origins of this breed date back to the 1800's, when it was developed in China during the reign of the Empress Dowager Cixi or Tz'u-shi, which explains the origins of the name. The Shih Tzu is also known as the Chrysanthemum Dog.

This dog is classified as a member of the American Kennel Club's Toy Dog Group. The Shih Tzu was first registered by the AKC in 1969.

The Shih Tzu is a lively dog with a very unique appearance. The dog is small but sturdy, with a long flowing double coat. Underneath the silky topcoat is a woolly undercoat. This proud looking little dog has hair above its nose that grows up toward the top of its head and is often gathered in a topknot.

There are some considerable size variations for this breed. These dogs can have a height of up to 11 inches and the weight ranges from 9-16 pounds.

The Shih Tzu is content to live in an apartment or town home. This dog does not need a lot of space. While the Shih Tzu can be active at times, the breed is usually fairly lazy. A Shih Tzu will find a favorite spot and just lounge all day. It is up to the dog owner to initiate regular exercise to help keep these little guys healthy and fit.

The Shih Tzu is an ideal family dog. The breed is playful and lively. This 'cute-as-a button' charmer is very affectionate and loves being around people. They are generally good with other pets. Children love these little dogs and the feeling is mutual. These dogs respond well to children, as long as they are not mistreated or handled roughly.

Be careful with the amount of food you give this dog breed. Because of their reluctance to exercise, they can become fat quite easily.

Shih Tzus will benefit from early and consistent training, because its small size doesn't mean this breed is a malleable pushover. In fact, these little dogs, can be quite obstinate. Patient, consistent training is best. Yelling or impatient behavior doesn't work with these dogs.

Daily grooming is a top priority for the Shih Tzu. Brush your dog's coat daily with a bristle brush. The topknot is usually taken loose several times a week, brushed out to avoid matting and then retied with a bow so that the dog can see properly.

Check your dog's ear passages and the area around the eyes to keep them clean. Shih Tzu's have sensitive eyes that may water and develop matter frequently. Because of this, your dog's eyes should be kept clean. This breed sheds very little. Because of this, some people claim that it is hypoallergenic. However, no dog is truly allergen free.

Potential health problems of the Shih Tzu can include ear, eye and respiratory problems and spinal disc disease caused by a long back and short legs. This breed's teeth require regular veterinary attention, as they tend to rot. These dogs gain weight easily and should not be overfed.

If you are looking for a happy little dog that loves play and laughter, then this breed with a royal heritage just might be the perfect choice for you and your family.

More information about the Shih Tzu:

Energy level - 3 (out of 5)

Exercise requirements - 1

Playfulness - 4

Affection level - 4

Friendliness towards other pets - 4

Heat tolerance - 1

Cold tolerance - 2

This sweet little dog cannot tolerate heat or cold and should never be left outdoors. They are purely a house dog and love to be with their family. They are very affectionate and very playful. If you get one, he will not require a lot of your time to exercise him but you will be spending a lot of your time brushing your dog.

The Maltese is the oldest breed of all the lap dogs. It was a favorite of royal families and was especially popular with the ladies of the royal courts. The women would carry the Maltese on their sleeves as little ornaments to attest to their station in life.

It is said that the Greek Philosopher Theophrastus and even Aristotle alluded to the Maltese. Today, the glorious Maltese is an adored and pampered pet, as well as a sought after show dog. This dog is classified as a member of the Toy Dog Group. The Maltese was first registered by the AKC in 1888.

Some historical evidence links the Maltese to the genetic make up of the Lhasa Apso, the Tibetan Terrier, the Tibetan Spaniel and even the Pekingese. By all accounts, the Maltese is a truly ancient breed of dog.

Aristotle attributed the origin of the dog to the Island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. The name Maltese is derived from the area of Malta.

The Maltese is a small but a beautifully appointed dog. For its petite size, the Maltese has a hardy build. The breed's luxurious silky white coat hangs straight to the ground.

The appearance of this tiny dog is striking. The most common color for this breed is pure white, but light ivory cream or light lemon ears are also seen in this breed. The adult Maltese will stand up to 10 inches high and weigh from 3 to 10 pounds.

The Maltese is very adaptable and does quite well in an apartment. They are active enough indoors that they will exercise themselves. Of course, the Maltese will still enjoy a regular walk in the park. This breed stays active and playful into its old age.

The Maltese's long, silky, dazzling white hair needs daily combing and brushing. Be gentle with this little creature, because the coat is very soft.

Clean your dog's eyes daily to prevent staining. After eating, the dog needs its beard cleaned. Bathing is also needed on a regular basis.

The ears are of some concern and should be free from any hair in the canal. The Maltese sheds little to no hair.

Some medical concerns for the Maltese include sunburn and skin problems. There are some respiratory and eye and teeth problems, as well. Maltese sometimes have digestive problems and may be difficult to feed. They are more comfortable in mild weather.

Despite its pint sized appearance, the Maltese will benefit from puppy obedience training. This breed is energetic in nature, which can cause a few problems if a dog has no training.

These dogs can be snappish with inconsiderate children and may be difficult to housebreak. However, since the Maltese is intelligent and intuitive, obedience training will be fairly easy.

If you want a small dog that has a big heart and plenty of spunk, then the Maltese may be perfect for you. These dogs offer their owners years of faithful companionship and loving obedience.

Some other facts:

The Maltese in 2003 was the 20th favorite dog according to the AKC. Notice that the heat tolerance for this dog is only two. They have a hard time handling heat and should never be left outside when it's hot.
Energy level - 4 (out of 5)

Exercise requirements - 1

Ease of training - 3

Watchdog ability - 5

Protection ability - 1

Heat tolerance - 2