From remote days the Scottish nobles cherished their strains of Deerhound, seeking glorious sport in the Highland forests. The red deer belonged by inexorable law to the kings of Scotland, and great drives, which often lasted for several days, were made to round up the herds into given neighborhoods for the pleasure of the court, as in the reign of Queen Mary.

Head:-

The head should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose. The muzzle should be pointed, but the teeth and lips level. The head should be long, the skull flat rather than round, with a very slight rise over the eyes, but with nothing approaching a stop.

The skull should be coated with moderately long hair which is softer than the rest of the coat. The nose should be black (though in some blue-fawns the colour is blue) and slightly aquiline. In the lighter-coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a good moustache of rather silky hair, and a fair beard.

Ears:-

The ears should be set on high, and, in repose, folded back like the Greyhound's, though raised above the head in excitement without losing the fold, and even, in some cases, semi-erect.The ear should be soft, glossy, and like a mouse's coat to the touch, and the smaller it is the better.

It should have no long coat or long fringe, but there is often a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and the tip. Whatever the general colour, the ears should be black or dark-coloured.

Neck and shoulders:-

The neck should be long that is, of the length that befits the Greyhound character of the dog. The nape of the neck should be very prominent where the head is set on, and the throat should be clean-cut at the angle and prominent. The shoulders should be well sloped, the blades well back, with not too much width between them.

Stern:-

Stern should be tolerably long, tapering, and reaching to within 1-1/2 inches of the ground, and about 1-1/2 inches below the hocks. When the dog is still, dropped perfectly straight down, or curved. When in motion it should be curved when excited, in no case to be lifted out of the line of the back. It should be well covered with hair, on the inside thick and wiry, underside longer.

Eyes:-

The eyes should be dark: generally they are dark brown or hazel. The eye is moderately full with a soft look in repose, but a keen, far-away gaze when the dog is roused. The rims of the eyelids should be black.

Body: The body and general formation is that of a Greyhound of larger size and bone. Chest deep rather than broad, but not too narrow and flat-sided. The loin well arched and drooping to the tail.

Legs and feet:-

The legs should be broad and flat, a good broad forearm and elbow being desirable. Fore-legs, of course, as straight as possible. Feet close and compact, with well-arched toes. The hind-quarters drooping, and as broad and powerful as possible, the hips being set wide apart. The hind-legs should be well bent at the stifle, with great length from the hip to the hock, which should be broad and flat.

Coat:-

The hair on the body, neck, and quarters should be harsh and wiry, and about 3 inches or 4 inches long; that on the head, breast, and belly is much softer. There should be a slight hairy fringe on the inside of the fore and hind-legs, but nothing approaching to the feathering of a Collie. The Deerhound should be a shaggy dog, but not over coated.

Color:-

Colour is much a matter of fancy. But there is no manner of doubt that the dark blue-grey is the most preferred. Next come the darker and lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being generally preferred. Yellow and sandy-red or red-fawn, especially with black points i.e., ears and muzzle are also in equal estimation.

Height:-

From 28 inches to 30 inches, or even more if there be symmetry without coarseness, which, however, is rare. Height of bitches: From 26 inches upwards. There can be no objection to a bitch being large, unless she is too coarse, as even at her greatest height she does not approach that of the dog, and, therefore, could not well be too big for work, as over-big dogs are.

However, Scotties' nature is not in coherence with their public image or trademark. In fact, Scotties are like the citizens of his native land who are independent, stoic, and fiercely loyal to their masters. They also adhere much to their own privacy.

Scotties, Westies, and Cairns are very similar regarding their appearance. The Westies and the Cairns are, in fact, closely-related.

The Westie can be considered as the white variety of the Cairn who has a coat of any color but white. Westies are hybrids of white dogs crossed with Cairns of western Scotland. Scotties, however, have longer heads and bodies, have generally dark coats and are aloof than the other two.

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The Saluki is the "Persian Greyhound" and widely regarded as the oldest purebred dog in all of history. This dog breed is closely related to the Afghan Hound and Arabian Greyhound. The Saluki has long been coveted by Arabs for its ability in hunting, especially gazelles, and its ability in following horses. It is thought that the Celts have introduced this breed into Europe.

While Salukis were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1929, they have been around since the days of ancient dynastic Egypt and perhaps even farther back in time. Depictions of the Saluki, and their mummified bodies, have been found in Egyptian tombs. And, carvings depicting what seem likely to be Salukis have been found in the ruins of the ancient Sumerian civilization from nearly 6000 years ago.

APPEARANCE

The Saluki resembles the Greyhound–slim and sleek, with a powerful hind-part. The average Saluki will be 23-29 inches in length and 30 to 66 pounds in weight.

In color they range from black to tri-color, and may also be tan, reddish, brownish, tan, or even white. They don't shed overly much and don't have that "dog" smell. These dogs have "feathers" of silky fur on their ears, legs, and tail. Their tail also curls.

TEMPERAMENT AND CHARACTER

While the Saluki is related to the Afghan Hound, it is more graceful and symmetrical. It's explosively powerful rear and hocks are low to the ground, giving it great leaping and turning ability. The Saluki can get to speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. Its carriage is regal and graceful.

Salukis are considered to be gentled with children, especially with well-behaved children. However, because they are extremely responsive to sudden movements, and since children are prone to making rash movements, it is advised that if you own a Saluki you should not leave him alone with young children.

Salukis are obedient, but also independent. If you try to call your Saluki to you it will come…unless it gets distracted by some kind of movement, in which case its hunter instincts kick in and it goes all-out for the pursuit.

Salukis are very loyal and protective, but many say that they are also not overly affectionate. They can be easily trained into certain "dog tricks", but their high intelligence causes them to become bored with them after a short play time. They can be very well trained in dog behavior and don't need to be overly scolded. But they can be stubborn when first being trained to sit, stay, lie down, etc, so patience is required at first.

GROOMING AND HEALTH

The Saluki should be regularly brushed. The dog's fur is not overly fluffy so this is not too difficult, and Salukis enjoy being brushed anyway. This is also a way of emotionally bonding with, and keeping tabs on, the dog.

The toenails should be clipped; and remember, the back toenails grow more quickly than those on the front paws.

Check and clean the dog's ears once per week. However, do not use water or fluids to clean them out. Pick out hairballs, wax, etc from the ears. You should also brush your Saluki's teeth with a special canine toothpaste twice per week.

Salukis are prone to a few congenital diseases: easily sunburned noses; eye degeneration; and cancer. Get your Saluki the usual types of shots and fairly frequent vet check-ups if it is less than one year old. Between age one and six, an annual vet check-up is just fine; after that, semi-annual vet check-ups should be the practice. You can expect your Saluki to live to be 12 to 14 years old with proper care.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Energy level - 2 (out of 5)
Affection level - 3
Friendliness towards other pets - 3
Friendliness towards strangers - 1
Cold tolerance - 2
Heat tolerance - 3

The Rhodesian Ridgeback originates in Zimbabwe, Africa. The South African dog was historically a hunter. They were sent out in pairs or larger groups to hunt down lions. Because of this, they have also been called the African Lion Hound.

In 1922, European settlers who came to Rhodesia cross-bred them with their own dogs to get the characteristics needed for a lion-hunting dog. Some of the possible contributors to the gene pool are collies, greyhounds, Irish terriers, Airedales, bulldogs, pointers, mastiffs, Great Danes, and Deerhounds.

Ridgebacks were first admitted to the American Kennel Club in 1955. In addition to being used as hunting dogs, this breed has also been used for guarding property and children.

Physical Characteristics and Temperament

The Rhodesian Ridgeback gets its name from the long ridge of hair running along its back in the opposite direction of the rest of its coat. The hair is a light reddish brown color with a few traces of black or white. It is a strong, muscular dog known for its endurance and speed.

The male Ridgeback is very combative with other males, but they can be well-trained. They are agile, intelligent, loyal and very independent.

They do not always make great pets, unless they have been well socialized from an early age. They have great protective instincts which can make them good guard dogs. However, they do not naturally show aggression towards people.

Grooming Needs

Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not require much grooming. Some minimal brushing to remove dead hair may be necessary on occasion. The same dental and toenail care that apply to other dogs also apply to the Ridgebacks.

Training and Exercise

Ridgebacks love to run and therefore need lots of daily exercise to keep from becoming frustrated. They will accept correction as long it is justified and coming from someone they know and trust.

They thrive with reward based training and consistency. Ridgebacks have a sensitive side, therefore, harsh training methods are not effective.

They can be very destructive if left unattended, so they should be kept under supervision until training is well intact. Lack of exercise also contributes to their destructive behavior.

Health Problems

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is considered to be a healthy breed. Because of their African heritage they are able to withstand dramatic changes in temperature. They are not sensitive to bug bites and can go for a day without food or water.

However, they are known to have dermoid sinus problems, cysts, and Canine Hip Dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis and eventual lameness. With proper nutrition and medical attention the Ridgeback can live 10-12 years.

The experience I have had with one Rhodesian Ridgeback was that they are playful, energetic, and want to be around people.

This dog was adopted from a shelter, so we do not know what kind of early life he had, or if he had been socialized at a young age. But he was very friendly, and when his owner could not keep him, he was adopted by a couple who had ten acres for him to run around on in Northern California.

I'm so glad that despite a rough start, he is now able to enjoy life.

Overall, Rhodesian Ridgebacks tend to rate:

Energy and exercise requirement level - 3 out of 5

Affection level - 3 out of 5

Watchdog ability - 4 out of 5

Heat tolerance - 3 out of 5

Cold tolerance - 3 out of 5

History-

The Lhasa Apso comes from Tibet. They were originally used as personal guard dogs to the holy men in the temples, as well as to the noblemen, because of their very keen hearing.

The Lhasa Apso is highly intelligent and could often tell whether friend or foe was approaching and alert their master accordingly. In the early days, one could not purchase the Lhasa Apso, it had to be given as a gift by the Tibetan ruler.

Physical Characteristics-

The Lhasa Apso has long, straight fur that cascades to the floor. Their facial fur gives off an appearance of having a mustache and beard and should be darker in color. The color of their fur often changes from puppyhood to adulthood, ranging from gold, cream, honey, smoke, dark-grizzle, slate, and multicolor which includes white, brown and black.

The muzzle of the Lhasa Apso is of medium length, however not squared. Their eyes are deep set and the fur from their head falls over them. Their tail is plumed and curls to fall over their back.

A Lhasa Apso male grows to a height of approximately ten to eleven inches, and they weigh around thirteen to fifteen pounds. The female Lhasa Apso is usually slightly smaller in size.

Temperament-

The Lhasa Apso is very intelligent, active, affectionate, devoted and assertive. They are leery of people that they are not familiar with, but to their family, they are very loyal. A family with children should think carefully about getting a Lhasa Apso because this particular breed does not like to be mishandled, but this can be handled by teaching children to love and respect the Lhasa Apso.

Lhasa Apsos need to be socialized very early so that they will adapt well to children and other pets.

The Lhasa Apso can be stubborn when it comes to training, however they do love treats, so motivational training works best. Do not give up on training your Lhasa Apso, you do not want them to control your household.

Health-

The Lhasa Apso is fairly free of most ailments and genetic defects that plague many dog breeds. Skin conditions can develop if their coat is not brushed regularly to avoid parasite infestations. Other maladies that may affect Lhasa Apsos include hip dysplasia, kidney trouble, problems with eyesight, and very rarely, bleeding ulcers. This breed tends to live a long life, anywhere from twelve to eighteen years of age.

Grooming-

As mentioned above, their long coats need to be brushed regularly to avoid parasites, but also so that their fur does not mat up, or collect debris that can end up causing them pain. Some owners prefer to have their Lhasa Apsos trimmed, keeping the fur short and easier to manage. Particular care should be given around the eyes as they leak tears. You can dry shampoo your Lhasa Apso as needed.

All in all, if you want a loving and loyal furry companion to warm your heart and your lap, you cannot go wrong with bringing a Lhasa Apso into your home. This furry little mop will entertain you and love you for many, many years.

More facts (5 is high)

Energy level - 3

Playfulness - 3

Ease of training - 1

Heat tolerance - 2 (can't handle hot weather)

Affection level - 3

Watchdog ability - 5

This breed, possibly the oldest of the toy breeds in existence, is immediately recognizable by its butterfly-shaped ears. But even if you can recognize the breed on sight, you might not know some of the most interesting aspects of this type of dog.

Papillon Dog Breed History

Like other ancient breeds, the Papillon can be seen in various art throughout the pre-modern world. Toy spaniels that great resemble the Papillon in size and profile can be found as early as the sixteenth century in Italian art, but there is the suspicion that the breed's history goes back much further.

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Like other Poodles, the miniatures are known to be sweet natured and intelligent. However, a dog that is not properly socialized can be a problem. In this article, we'll explain how to choose the right mini Poodle pup for your family.

If you live in an apartment but would still love the companionship of a great dog, then a miniature Poodle may be right for you. These pint sized pups are as fun and intelligent as a standard Poodle, but small enough to be able to live comfortably in a small space. However, the dogs do need a daily walk.

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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.

They are incredibly cute and playful. Although the books say they are not affectionate, we had a dog that was part Pomeranian who was extremely affectionate.

They became popular after Queen Victoria brought one from Italy in the 1800s. Soon after that they were recognized by the AKC and started being shown at dog shows in England and America.

Pomeranians are curious, playful and self-confident. They are always ready for a game or adventure. Some bark a lot. They make great watchdogs except for their size.

This dog breed is not bred for outdoor living. They need to be inside with their family. Given good care, their lifespan is typically 12-16 years.

Here are some basic facts about the Pomeranian based on a five star rating:

Energy level: 4

Affection level: 1

Playfulness: 4

Watchdog ability: 5

Ease of training: 1

Protection ability: 1

Grooming requirements: 3

Here's a video by PomRescue.com. If you would like to adopt a rescued Pomeranian, be sure to check out their site. They can also use donations to continue.

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.