Dogs

The Akita is a large and powerful dog breed with a noble and intimidating presence. They were originally used for guarding royalty and nobility in feudal Japan. These dogs also tracked and hunted wild boar, black bear, and sometimes deer. The Akita does not back down from challenges and does not frighten easily. Consequently, they are fearless and loyal guardians of their families. Yet they are also affectionate, respectful, and amusing dogs when properly trained and socialized. The Akita is a big, bold dog with a distinctly powerful appearance: a large head in contrast to small, triangular eyes; and a confident, rugged stance. The mere presence of a powerful Akita serves as a deterrent to most who would cause trouble.

The American Hairless Terrier stands between 12 to 16 inches at the shoulder, and comes in both coated and hairless varieties. The hairless variety might have eyebrows and whiskers, while the coated has a short, shiny coat. The skin of the hairless is smooth and warm to the touch. The broad, wedge-shaped head is a hallmark of both varieties. Erect, V-shaped ears frame the round, expressive eyes that gleam with curiosity.

The Australian Shepherd, the cowboy’s herding dog of choice, is a medium-sized worker with a keen, penetrating gaze in the eye. Aussie coats offer different looks, including merle (a mottled pattern with contrasting shades of blue or red). In all ways, they’re the picture of rugged and agile movers of stock. Aussies exhibit an irresistible impulse to herd, anything: birds, dogs, kids. This strong work drive can make Aussies too much dog for a sedentary pet owner. Aussies are remarkably intelligent, quite capable of hoodwinking an unsuspecting novice owner.

Bassets are very heavy-boned dogs with a large body on fairly short legs. Because they are bulky, bassets are slow maturing dogs, often not reaching full size until two years old. Bassets are immediately recognizable by their short, crooked legs, their long hanging ears and their large heads with hanging lips, sad expressive eyes, and wrinkled foreheads. The tail curves up and is carried somewhat gaily. The body is long and with the short legs gives bassets a rectangular appearance. The basset has a nice short, tight coat, with no long hair on legs or tail. Colors most commonly seen are tricolor or red and white but any hound color is acceptable.

The Bedlington terrier is unmistakable for its striking resemblance to a lamb. Its most distinguishing features are its pear-shaped, tufted head, curly coat, arched back, lithe stature, and graceful, springy gait. The head is narrow, deep and rounded, the jaw longer than the skull. The slender muzzle has a distinctive Roman arch. The triangular ears, which hang flat against the cheeks, have whimsical, 'cotton-puff' tips. The long, tapering neck stands high atop a muscular and flexible body. The chest is deep, the tail set low and tapering, and the front legs straight with hare-like feet. Females measure 15 1/2 inches at the withers, and males measure 16 1/2 (males) inches at the withers, and the dog weighs 17 to 23 pounds (eight to 10 kilograms). The pliant, curly coat is a unique mixture of hard and soft hair that conceals the bone structure on the muzzle and front legs, where it thickens. The coat colors are blue, sandy, liver, tan, blue and tan, and sandy and tan. Today, the blue color is fashionable and more prevalent than the others.

Border collies are medium-sized dogs.Males stand as tall as 22 inches and weigh up to about 45 pounds (20 kilograms). Females stand as tall as 21 inches and weigh up to about 42 pounds (19 kilograms). They look like a lighter-weight Australian shepherd, but instead of the bobtail characteristic of the Aussie, border collies have a feathered tail that reaches to the hocks. The head is like that of a collie, and the body is slightly longer than the dog is tall. The ears stand but the tips drop over, giving them a jaunty appearance. Some border collies have a coarse coat about three inches long, while others have a sleek coat about one inch long. A variety of colors are seen including black and white, red and white, black and gray, all black and tri-color. The longer-haired border collie usually has a lush mane and tail.

The borzoi is best described as a large greyhound robed in a long, silky coat. Like a typical greyhound, it has family traits of long, slender legs, relatively narrow body, deep chest, tucked abdomen, arched loin and long tail. His head is extraordinarily long and narrow. The borzoi's grace is evident in his every move. Although smaller than an Irish wolfhound, borzoi are still very large, and especially tall, dogs. The males are at least 28 inches tall, and females at least 26 inches. Realistically, these would be considered very small borzoi. Today most males are probably 32 to 34 inches tall, with the females somewhat smaller. They are narrow, though, so that they weigh less than other dogs of comparable height. Males average 75 to 105 pounds (34 to 47 kilograms), and females 60 to 85 pounds (27 to 38 kilograms). The coat is rather long and somewhat silky, either curly, wavy or straight. Although all colors are acceptable, white with patches is most often seen.

Boxers are stocky, muscular and powerful. Males grow to about 25 inches and weigh from about 65 to 80 pounds (30 to 36 kilograms); females grow from about 21 to 25 inches and weigh from about 50 to 65 pounds (22 to 30 kilograms). Boxers have regal, distinctly shaped square heads. Their jaw is undershot and the muzzle blunt. They have a broad, deep chest and a relatively short, strong back. Boxer's ears fold over naturally, but traditionally, their ears have been cropped to stand erect. Their tails generally are docked and carried high. Their feet are compact and the toes are arched. The boxer's coat is short and sheds moderately. Some boxers are a rich, fawn color and others are brindle. Their face or mask is usually black, but many have white face markings and white on the chest and paws.

Chihuahuas are the smallest dogs in the world. They weigh as little as two pounds and seldom are more than six pounds (1 to 3 kilograms). They stand only about five inches high. Chihuahuas have a domed skull. In some, there is a soft spot on the top of the head where the bones have not joined. This is called molera. They have large prick ears and short and pointed muzzles. Their eyes are round and large. The dogs are slightly longer than they are tall and have a longish tail that is carried up or over the back. There are two coat varieties. One is smooth and short. The other is long and soft with fringed ear and legs. The Chihuahua coat comes in almost any color and pattern. Chihuahuas are considered long-lived, with a typical life expectancy of up to about 14 years.

All three varieties of dachshunds — the smooth-, wire- and long-coated — are found in two sizes called standard and miniature. Miniatures are not a separate AKC classification but compete in a class division for '11 pounds and under at 12 months of age and older.' Weight of the standard size is usually between 16 and 32 pounds. There is no height standard for the dachshund but they are usually under nine inches in height. All three types are known for their long backs and short muscular legs, which explains the unflattering nicknames 'sausage hound' or 'hot dog.' They also have a long muzzle, long and droopy ears, and a tail carried in line with the back. The dachshund's coat may be shades of red, black, chocolate, white or gray. Some have tan markings or are spotted or dappled. Dachshunds live about 12 to 15 years.

Males are about 27 or 28 inches tall and weigh about 70 pounds (32 kilograms), while females are an inch or two shorter and weigh about 60 to 65 pounds (27 to 29 kilograms). The Doberman pinscher has a long head and a sleek, muscular body. The ears are often cropped to stand erect, and the tail is usually docked short. The Doberman pinscher has a short, sleek and shiny coat that is black, dark red, blue or fawn with rust-colored markings on the face, body and tail. This dog is an average shedder and requires minimal grooming. Dobermans live about 10 to 12 years.

The English springer spaniel is a medium-sized dog, ranging in height from 19 to 20 inches and in weight from 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kilograms). This dog is a sturdy one for his size with quite a bit of bone and large paws. The English springer spaniel has the classic 'spaniel' look to him: large and expressive eyes, a moderate muzzle with a definite stop to the forehead, long-hanging ears with some feathering, and a docked tail. The lips can be long and may lead to drooling in some dogs. The dog is the tallest of the spaniel breeds, with a fair amount of leg for covering rough ground quickly. The English springer spaniel has a medium-length coat, which can be flat or wavy. Extra hair is on the ear fringes, feathering on the rear of all four legs, and on the chest. The colors most commonly seen are liver and white or black and white, but tricolored and ticking are variations.

Built like a small tank, the French bulldog is a mid-sized member of the non-sporting group. The dog shares the non-sporting group with the Boston terrier and the bulldog, two breeds for which the French bulldog is most often mistaken. The French bulldog is not simply a miniature bulldog. The most notable characteristic is the 'bat' ear, which occurs naturally and is never cropped or altered. Also unique to the breed is the skull, which is flat between the ears. The French bulldog is a compact, muscular dog with a flat, short coat. Colors common to the breed include fawn, white and varieties of brindle. The male and female dog weight is 25-27 lbs.

The German shorthaired pointer is a clean-cut dog with a striking outline, every bit the toned athlete. The medium-build body is square or a little longer than tall and well muscled throughout. The muzzle is somewhat squared, but the stop is not as defined as the pointer's, and, as a whole, the German short haired pointer's head is more moderate than the pointer's. The velvety ears are set high, the eyes are almond shaped and the tail is docked to about 40 percent of the dog's length. This is a fairly good-sized dog, standing from 22 to 24 inches tall and weighing 45 to 70 pounds (20 to 32 kilograms). The German shorthaired pointer is the ideal size for a good running companion, but still compact enough to fit well into most households. A hallmark of the breed is the sleek coat that comes in either liver or in liver and white, the latter often profusely ticked.

The Italian greyhound is truly a greyhound in miniature, with supreme elegance and grace. The height at the withers is 13 to 15 inches, and the weight is 7-14 pounds. The slender, muscular body, accentuated by the curved back, deep chest, and lean, well-muscled legs, produces a sinewy outline. The slender tail tapers to a curved end that is carried low. The head is long and narrow, the muzzle fine, and the ears pliant and delicate. The Italian greyhound has supple skin, and the short coat is glossy to the eye and velvety to the touch. Various coat colors and marking patterns are seen in the breed, although blues and grays are prevalent.

The Ibizan (pronounced ee-BEE-than) hound bears an uncanny resemblance to the Egyptian god Anubis. One of the sight hound family, the breed is built on general greyhound lines, with long slender legs, a relatively narrow body, a slightly arched loin, narrow waist and long tail. With the exception of its large ears, the Ibizan hound is a somewhat understated version of the greyhound. Besides its trademark ears, the Ibizan has several somewhat unusual traits for a sight hound: the chest is not extremely deep, and the angles of the shoulder assembly are not particularly acute. The gait is rather high stepping, and the tail is often carried fairly high when the dog is trotting. Although fast, the Ibizan's true strength is its agility and jumping ability. These dogs possess a deer-like elegance that is most evident when they are running and jumping over rough terrain. The Ibizan is a medium to tall dog, ranging from 22 1/2 to 27 1/2 inches in height, and weighing from 45 to 55 pounds. The coat is usually short and close; the breed also comes in a wire variety, in which the coat is harsh and about one to three inches long. The colors are variations of red or fawn with our without white. In fact, some dogs are almost entirely white with a few red spots.

The Jack Russell terrier is a happy, energetic dog with a strong desire to work. This breed is most happy when given companionship and a job to do. Digging is normal for a Jack Russell, especially if he decides it is his job to free your yard from rodents! Hunting ability is bred into them; it is their nature. The desire to hunt combined with a high energy level makes training a must for the Jack Russell. You will never win a battle of wills with a Jack Russell. Because he is a baying terrier, the Jack Russell can be vocal. However, these dogs are alert and make good watchdogs. The breed is naturally assertive and may not tolerate young children or other animals in the home. They especially can be aggressive toward other dogs.

Labrador retrievers are sturdy, solid dogs. They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs. The maximum height for a male is 24 inches, which puts them in the medium-size dog category, but their sturdy build can make them seem much larger. Weights range from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female. Field line bred dogs are often taller and somewhat thinner in build. Labrador retrievers are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes. Two trademarks of the Lab are the thick but fairly short double coat, which is very water repellent, and the well known 'otter tail.' The tail is thick and sturdy and comes off the topline almost straight. The feet are described as 'webbed,' with longer skin between the toes to aid in swimming. Color can range from black through chocolate to a red/yellow or even almost white. The Labrador retriever is a moderately fast maturing breed, reaching adult height from six to 12 months, but possibly still filling out up to 2 years of age. Many Labs reach 12 to 14 years of age.

The Norwich terrier is one of the smallest of the working terriers, weighing 11 to 12 pounds. The height is ideally 10 inches at the shoulder. The body is long and the head is fox-like. A Norwich generally matures at one year, with full size attained between 6 and 8 months. The Norwich coat is short, harsh, wiry and straight. The breed has a definite undercoat. This dog sheds twice a year and requires brushing and combing twice a week. The color can be red, wheaten, black and tan, black and gray, or red and white mixed in a grizzled pattern.

The papillon is a small, dainty-looking dog with ears that flare from its head like the wings of a butterfly. The coat is long and silky, and the tail is a waving plume. Unlike other longhaired breeds, the 'pap' has no undercoat or bi-annual shed, and its long tresses do not mat easily. The coat is generally white with patches of black, red, orange tan, or sable. The average shoulder height of both male and female papillons ranges from eight to 12 inches. Weight ranges from three to 10 pounds (1 to 5 kilograms).

The Pomeranian is a true 'toy' dog, with an ideal height of eight to 11 inches and weight of only three to seven pounds (one to three kilograms). They are often at mature size by seven to 10 months of age. Pomeranians are easily recognized by their luxuriant fluffy double coat and foxy face with alert, prick ears. The body shape is fairly square, and the fluffy tail curls up and over the back. A thick ruff around the neck completes the picture of a dog that could handle the snows of northern Germany. The head is somewhat rounded with a distinct muzzle. Pomeranians come in a wonderful array of colors. A rich red is most commonly associated with the breed, but everything from black to white to sable and shades in between are acceptable, even chocolate.

Pugs are members of the toy group despite their solid appearance. They range in height from 10 to 11 inches and in weight from 14 to 18 pounds (six to eight kilograms). They are square dogs with substantial limbs. Pugs are the sturdiest dogs of the toy group, befitting their mastiff heritage. Pugs are known for their large, round heads, with the shortened muzzles and extensive forehead wrinkles. The vertical wrinkle on the forehead is said to resemble the Chinese character for 'prince' and thus known as the 'prince mark.' The eyes protrude somewhat, making them prone to trauma. The tail curls tightly over the hip. They have a short, but very dense double coat. Colors can range from apricot to fawn, silver and black. All but the black dogs have a dark mask and ears with a trace of darkening down the back. The ears feel like black velvet.

A dog breed that's well-known for herding and protecting abilities, rough collie dogs are described as strong, loyal, affectionate, responsive, and fast. The rough-coated collie has a beautiful long coat that flows as he runs, and his head is a smooth and elegant wedge shape. Rough collies can do well in the country or the city, but they need companionship and daily runs or long walks. Although they are a little less active than border collies, rough collies do need at least forty-five to sixty minutes of outdoor activity every day. Surprisingly, once he is back inside, he is very calm and happy to sit and lounge with his owner. The rough collie breed includes two variations: the long-hair, true rough collie, and the shorter-haired, sometimes called smooth collie. Additionally, Shetland sheepdogs and border collies are completely different breeds and are not part of the rough collie breed, despite their similar coat markings and facial features.

Scottish terriers are only about 10 inches tall and weigh about 18 to 22 pounds (eight to 10 kilograms). They have a distinctive beard that accentuates the muzzle, long eyebrows and a wiry outer coat that brushes the ground like a long skirt if untrimmed. The coat, which sheds little, also provides excellent protection in bad weather. The color is brindle, black, gray or wheaten. The Scottie's ears are thin and stand straight up. The back is short, level and muscular, and the tail is set high. Scotties have a good life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years.

Although loving, shar-peis have a dominant streak and need a confident, assertive pet parent to be their teacher. Medium and compact, shar-peis are distinctive-looking members of the non-sporting group. Identifiable primarily by the loose, wrinkled skin covering their head, neck and shoulders, shar-peis are also recognizable by their broad muzzle and small triangular ears. They tend to have a scowling expression due to the loose folds of skin that hang over their brow. The shar-pei is also unique for its blue-black tongue, a trait shared with only one other breed — the chow chow. Standing about a foot and a half from the neck and shoulders down, shar-peis grow into the heavy folds of skin that cover them as puppies. Their thick neck and broad chest give them a sturdy look without making them overly stout. Their long, thick and tapered tail is set high and tends to curve over one side of the back haunch. Shar-peis are also distinguished by their rough, sandpaper-like coats that can be any solid color or sable mix. Shar-pei literally means 'sand skin' in Mandarin. The American Kennel Club (AKC) identifies two acceptable coat lengths: the extremely short 'horse coat' and the slightly longer 'brush coat,' which is no longer than an inch at the withers. The shar-pei's hair tends to stand up straight along the main trunk but lies flatter along the limbs and tail. Shar-peis are also distinguished by their rough, sandpaper-like coats that can be any solid color or sable mix. Shar-pei literally means 'sand skin' in Mandarin. The American Kennel Club (AKC) identifies two acceptable coat lengths: the extremely short 'horse coat' and the slightly longer 'brush coat,' which is no longer than an inch at the withers. The shar-pei's hair tends to stand up straight along the main trunk but lies flatter along the limbs and tail.

Skye Terriers are sometimes described as 'big small dogs.' One look reveals why. These elegant dogs have a large body and head atop relatively short legs. When standing on his hind limbs, an adult Skye terrier reaches up to a person's thigh or even higher, depending on the individual's height. The breed comes in two varieties: the prick ear and the drop ear. The prick ear Skye's ears are set high on the skull and point upward. The drop ear Skye's ears are somewhat larger, set lower, and point downward. Either way, the ears are well covered with hair, and hair also flops over the eyes. The Skye terrier has a soft undercoat and a long, hard, straight outer coat. Coat colors range from black to platinum, with all shades of gray in between. In addition, some Skye coats are fawn or cream-colored. The ears, muzzle and tail are darker than the rest of the coat, unless the coat is black. The Skye terrier is about 10 inches tall and weighs from 25 to 40 pounds.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a tough-looking character. The dog is relatively wide and slightly longer than tall, giving it a low center of gravity. Most striking of all, however, are the huge muscles and wide jaws. This dog is the picture of power, yet it is surprisingly agile and quick on its feet. These dogs pack a lot of weight on a fairly short body. They range in weight from 30 to 40 pounds (13 to 18 kilograms) and in height from 17 to 19 inches. They give the impression of being much larger than they really are. The tail is of medium length and carried low. The ears are never cropped; they are small and wither rose-shaped or half prick. The short, sleek coat comes in a wide variety of colors.

The Finnish spitz is a medium-sized dog with a pointed muzzle; short, erect ears; and a lush, golden-red or honey-colored coat that makes the dog look much like a fox. Like other dogs of the spitz breeds, the Finnish spitz has an erect tail that curls over on the back, thick fur around the neck, and a sturdy, square stance. The Finnish spitz is about 15 to 20 inches tall and weighs 30 to 35 pounds (14 to 16 kilograms). The breed's life span is an estimated 12 to 15 years.

The 'Westie' is one of the short-legged terriers, running 10 or 11 inches tall and 14 to 20 pounds in weight. They are stocky little dogs but quite fast and agile. West Highland white terriers are immediately identifiable by their dense, harsh white coats. These are fairly short coats but tough enough to push through brambles and harsh enough to shed dirt easily. The coat needs to be clipped or hand stripped to work out the dead undercoat. The white color helped their guardians to see them in the fields and distinguish them from the prey they were hunting. Despite the white coat color, these dogs are not albinos. They should have dark pigment around the eyes, mouth and nose. The ears are prick and the tail moderate in length and sturdy. The sturdy tail is used to haul the dogs back out of underground burrows when they pursue their prey.