Beagle

Breed of Dog : Beagle

The Beagle rose from the anonymous ranks of 'hound-dom' in the 1500s in England. Packs of dogs were used at the time to hunt small game such as rabbits and pheasants. The Harrier, which is not only taller than the Beagle, but weighs almost twice as much, provided the foundation stock for the Beagle. Originally, Beagles were used by people who would be unable to follow a hunting pack in the usual headlong manner. The infirm or elderly were able to ride at a leisurely pace, and the Beagle provided hunting opportunities for those who had no horses. The dogs could be followed on foot. This is the way Beagles are used today for hunting. The French word "be'guele" is probably the source of the dog's name and referred to the sound of the hunting bay.

Beagles are generally a friendly dog breed. They do well with children. Beagles are inherently curious. When you see a beagle, chances are you will see it with its nose to the ground, tracking something. Because they were originally bred as hunting dogs, beagles track things constantly. This can create a problem for the beagle owner because beagles have a tendency to dig out of yards and run after something that they are tracking. Vets usually recommend beagles be implanted with ID chips because of their tendency to get out.

A hardy, sturdy squarely built small hound, the Beagle has a sleek, easy care, short coat, in tri-color, red and white, orange and white, or lemon and white. The Beagle looks like a small English Foxhound. The skull is broad and slightly rounded, and the muzzle is straight and square. The black nose has full nostrils for scenting. The long, wide ears are pendant. The brown or hazel eyes have a characteristic pleading expression. The tail is carried gaily, but never curled over the back. There are two height classes, 13-15 inches and under 13 inches.  

Height: 13 to 15 inches.
Weight: 20 to 30 pounds.

Basset Hound

Breed of Dog : Basset Hound

Some sources suggest the Basset hound may have originated from genetic dwarf dogs present in litters of other types of French hunting hound. The name comes from the French word "bas", meaning "low". An excellent scent hound, the Basset has been successfully used to hunt deer, fox, rabbit and game birds. The Basset Hound can hunt in packs or alone. The breed's low build is particularly useful in dense cover. His slow pace is convenient for hunters on foot and keeps game from being scared out of reach. The Basset's nose is almost as outstanding as the Bloodhound's. George Washington may have owned Basset Hounds, given to him by Lafayette after the American Revolution. The breed was first registered with the AKC in 1885.

The Basset Hound is a medium-sized dog used for companionship and hunting. This is a heavy boned dog with a long body and short legs. The dog is 12 to 15 inches at the shoulder, and the bitch is 11 to 14 inches. The Basset Hound weighs from 45 to 65 pounds, depending on the dog's sex. The Basset Hound's coat is short and comes in tan, red, black, brown, with white. The coat is hard and protects the dog from injury during the hunt. The Basset is not a fast moving dog, but is determined in the hunt. The Basset will bay once the scent of the game has been found. This dog will live from 10 to 12 years.

Typical of many hounds, the Basset Hound is a friendly breed that loves people. Although they are short they can weight 55 up to even 75 pounds so learning proper manners inside and out is important. They are normally gentle dogs and, again typical of hounds, are social dogs that love their pack. The Basset is generally a healthy breed but does have some serious issues that should be watched for and tested for in breeding stock. Von Willebrand's disease is a clotting disorder. Like all deep chested breeds bloat is a serious concern that is life threatening when it happens. Some are affected by glaucoma.

 

Height: up to 15 inches.
Weight: 55 to 65 pounds.

American Water Spaniel

Breed of Dog : American Water Spaniel

The American Water Spaniel dog was developed in America in the 18th century. It has been an all round hunting and farm dog. It is from the areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin, mainly in the great lake area. The breed comes from the Irish water spaniel and Curly-coated retriever. The American water spaniel was the first to be able to retrieve from the water in America. They make a great bird dog, as they have an incredible nose, and they can collect from most terrains, like lakes, swamps woods and rivers. They are excellent at flushing out game. As the name implies they are great swimmers. While it is true this breed is on the decline, the exact numbers are not known due to the wide use of this dog, and they are not always registered. They are the state dog of Wisconsin.

The American Water Spaniel is a very calm, kind and loving dog, but at the same time also a very lively hunting dog. They are also extremely clever working dogs, and get along very well with children and other animals in the family. These dogs can however be hostile toward strange dogs. If these dogs are socialised well from an early age onwards, it will prevent aggressive behaviour later on. This breed makes wonderful companion dogs and they will also behave well in the house if they have been trained properly. American Water Spaniels tend to bark a lot, but they make excellent watch dogs. They are however not good guard dogs due to their size.

A medium sized dog with a crisp-textured, tightly curled or wavy outer coat lined with a protective undercoat. Comes in liver or chocolate, sometimes with a small white spot on the chest. White on the toes is also acceptable. The well-proportioned head is moderately long. The skull is broad with a moderate stop. The ears are long and covered with curls and the medium length muzzle is square and smooth. The nose is either dark brown or black. The eye color should harmonize with the coat color in shades of brown or hazel. The teeth meet in either a scissors or level bite. The feathered tail tapers, hanging with a slight upward curve. The tail is used as a rudder in swimming.

Height: 15 to 18 inches.
Weight: 28 to 45 pounds (male); 25 to 45 (female).

Australian Shepherds

Breed of Dog : Australian Shepherds

The Australian Shepherd has its origin in North America were it was developed during the nineteenth century. It is not entirely sure where the "Australian" came from. The English Shepherd, Dorset Blue Shag, Cumberland Sheepdog, Scottish Collie, Glenwherry Collie, Bouvier des Flandres, and the Welsh Sheepdog were all breeds that were used to develop the Australian Shepherd. Most of the dogs that used to develop this breed came from Great Britain and Scotland. After the Second World Ward these dogs were often used in Western movies, in rodeos and on television shows. They also became very popular companions on farms and ranches.

The Australian Shepherd is a working sheep and farm dog that might do quite poorly in an apartment. They are vigorous dogs with high intelligence that were bred to think and work. They require at the least, a properly fenced in enclosure and at the best, a farm to run and work. They form strong bonds with their family and demand a great deal of attention and time. They will follow their master from room to room in a house and want to ride in the car, help with chores, etc. If left alone for long periods of time, they may invent their own entertainment which can include destroying the furnishings or garden. They need to be properly socialized with children and pets and may nip at the heels of children. She is a very protective dog of both body and property.

The Australian Shepherd is a medium sized, robust, well-balanced, rustic dog with pendant ears, an abundant, medium length coat and a bob-tail. He should be attentive, lively and agile with a body slightly longer than its height at the withers. The Aussie has a strong, deep chest and stands squarely on all fours. The front legs are straight. Front dewclaw removal is optional, but rear dewclaws are generally removed. The feet are compact and oval, with arched toes. The top of the head is approximately the same length as the slightly tapering muzzle. The head has a moderate stop. The teeth form a scissors bite. 

Height: 20 to 23 inches (male); 18 to 21 inches (female).
Weight: 45 to 55 pounds (male); 30 to 45 (female).

Welsh Springer Spaniel

Breed of Dog : Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a pleasant and intelligent dog that loves humans. She is generally a watchdog. She can do well with other pets and dogs, especially if socialized when young. She also generally loves considerate children that she has been raised with. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

The Welsh Springer is somewhat lighter boned and more refined in appearance than his cousin the English Springer Spaniel. The coat is a rich red and white, no other color being accepted. The correct coat will be somewhat weather resistant and naturally clean. The breed is easy to keep with few genetic conditions, although hip dysplasia may be present and there is a small incidence of dogs of this breed being susceptible to epilepsy. The "rage syndrome" which has been reported in the English Springer Spaniel does not appear to be present in the Welsh Springer. He is a compact dog that should have the appearance of symmetry and balance. Tail is docked as a protection against the brush and thickets. Ears are lop and are smaller than those of the English Springer. The legs are strong and the rear quarters should have a good angle of the stifle for ground covering movement which is necessary for the function of the breed. The expression should be kindly and sweet.

A compact, medium sized dog with a silky dark red and white coat. The hair is straight or slightly wavy, flat and medium length with feathering on chest, underside, legs and tail. The head is slightly rounded and the muzzle is fairly square. The longish pendant ears are fringed with hair, somewhat like a setter's. The eyes are either hazel or dark colored. The Welsh Springer is a bit smaller and lighter than the English Springer, and a bit taller and larger than the English Cocker Spaniel. 

Behavior:

Welsh Springer Spaniel is excellent to leave it with children, reserved with strangers and easy to train. It is not particularly dependent or indendent and general good to let him with the other pets or dogs. Welsh Springer Spaniel is a average barker. 

Height: 18 to 19 inches (male); 17 to 18 inches (female).
Weight: 38 to 48 pounds.

Yorkshire Terrier

Breed of Dog : Yorkshire Terrier

A Yorkshire terrier, or Yorkie, is known as a toy dog, meaning it is very small and lightweight. The breed hails from the town of Yorkshire, from which it got its name. Unfortunately, the Yorkshire terrier population has been in decline. In response to this, the number of people breeding Yorkshire terriers has increased. There are two aspects of Yorkshire terrier breeding: the actual breeding of puppies, and training them to learn new tricks.

Yorkshire Terriers were bred to be specialists in killing rats. They were (and still are) thought to be more reliable at killing mice and rats than cats. They were also bred to bark when they found their prey and to let their masters know where they are. The mining industry thrived in Yorkshire at this time - and the mines were full of rats. They were until the Yorkshire Terriers got to work.

A vigorous small dog with a long, profuse silky, steel blue and gold coat. Puppies are born black with tan points and generally come into their adult coat after about one year. The full adult coat is parted down the middle of the spine and hangs down long enough to touch the ground. The delicate head is flat, with a medium length muzzle topped by a cute black button nose. The eyes are bright and dark with dark rims. The ears are small, erect and triangular. Hair on the ears is dark. The tail is docked at 3 to 5 days to half its original length.

 

Behavior:

 

Yorkshire Terrier is the best to leave it with older children, reserved with strangers and quite difficult to train. It need people a lot and general good to let him with the other dogs. Yorkshire Terrier likes to bark. 

 

Height: averages 7 1/2 inches.
Weight: up to 7 pounds.