Sussex Spaniel

About the Sussex Spaniel

Description
The Sussex Spaniel is a beautiful breed of dog developed in England, which was one of the first breeds to be admitted to the Stud Book and to be recognized by the American Kennel Club at the time in which the club was formed in 1884. The Sussex Spaniel however, was a very distinct breed long before the establishment of the American Kennel Club. The Sussex Spaniel received its name for the county in which it was developed, Sussex, England.

This Spaniel is known for being a medium sized dog, which is heavyset, long and low to the ground with a beautiful brown silky type coat. He has a serious expression and is for the most part calmer than most spaniels. He can be quite calm indoors but does enjoy playing outdoors where he will of course take the show. He can be a good watchdog at least a bit more so than most spaniels, on the other hand, he is friendly to strangers. he usually gets along well with everyone not fearing a hand stretched hand.

The Sussex Spaniel is not the type of dog you leave home alone. he thrives on his family's companionship. If left alone for long period of time he can develop separation anxiety, which can bring on a very unhappy dog that can become destructive. At times, he may be on the stubborn side but can be trained very well with a sturdy hand and voice. You have to let them know that you are in control.

Appearance
The Sussex Spaniel should be 13 to 15 inches and weigh between 35 and 45 pounds for both males and females. He has a long body, which is muscular, and a bit heavy set. The Sussex Spaniel's head is broader than that of the English Cocker Spaniel with a wrinkled brow that many believe give him a sad expression. The muzzle should be around three inches long and square. The lips are pendulous and he should have a scissor bit.

His neck is short, slightly arched and strong. He should carry his head just a tad above the level of his back. The topline should be level with a round chest, which is deep and wide. the tail should be docked at around 5 to 7 inches and set low. He does not carry his tail any higher than the level of his back.

The feet are large and round and have short between the toes on both forelegs and hindquarters. The forelegs are short, heavily boned, and strong whereas the hind legs should be similar.

The Sussex Spaniel has a coat this is full, flat, and can be a bit wavy without any curl. The only color accepted for shows is a rich golden liver. Dark liver or puce is considered to be a major fault and even a tad of white on the chest is a minor fault with white on any other part of the body as a major fault.

The ears are long, lobe shaped, but close to the head which are covered with wavy soft hair. Their eyes are hazel, large, and have a loving expression.

Personality
The Sussex Spaniel seems to be a very calm and quiet dog in the home; they show a very outgoing nature with everyone that walks in the door. However, out in the field they tend to be very enthusiastic almost barking constantly where it excels in wooded areas hunting and retrieving small game. This is the only spaniel that may bay which is only heard while hunting.

They do get along very well with children and even cats, but may be a bit aggressive with other dogs that he is meeting for the first time. He does have a low energy level and may tire quickly when playing with younger children. He may snap if he is pestered for too long of a period.

He does learn quickly but can be stubborn at times. He does enjoy voicing his opinion, so teaching him not to bark at a young age is very necessary.

Care
The Sussex Spaniel can live in an apartment, but he will need adequate exercise to stay healthy, even though just a run in a small yard will do well. Without enough exercise, he can become overweight as he is already on the heavyset side. He adapts well to all temperatures but will need a warm place to lie during cold weather.

When it comes to grooming, the Sussex Spaniel will need to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. The ears will need to be cleaned and excess hair trimmed along with the bottom of his feet and between his toes.

History
The Sussex Spaniel comes from us from Sussex, England where Mr. Fuller of Rosehill Park, Hastings in East Sussex had the desire to develop a gun dog to work in terrain that was rough with lots of overgrowth. He also had the desire to have a gun dog that would alert the hunter while hunting. Since most spaniels around England in 1795, did not possess the barking ability Mr. Fuller began to cross breed such breeds as the white and liver Norfolk that is now extinct, the Field Spaniel, and it is believed a few spring spaniels. The dog of course was developed for hunting, retrieving small game, and to be a companion to the hunter.

During World War II, the Sussex Spaniel was barely saved by an English breeder by the name of Joy Freer. Today, all of the Sussex Spaniels in extinction can be traced back to the eight dogs Joy saved and feed throughout the time of the war.

As stated previously, the Sussex Spaniel was one of the first breed admitted in the American Kennel Clubs stud book in 1884.

The popularity of the Sussex Spaniel declined in the 1940's with only 10 being registered by 1947 in the English Kennel Club. He is registered in the Gun Dog group, and the AKC Sporting Group. The Sussex Spaniel is more popular today in the United States than any other country and is recognized in the Continental Kennel Club, Fédération Cynologique Internationale, American Kennel Club, Kennel Club of Great Britain, Canadian Kennel Club, National Kennel Club, New Zealand Kennel Club, and the American Canine Registry.

American Akita

About the American Akita

Description
The American Akita is a very handsome dog made noticeable by the rich and clearly colored coat that is comparable to the vibrant colors of a painting on a canvas. This is a fairly new breed in United States having gained recognition from the American Kennel Club only in 1973. This breed however is considered to be one of the oldest breed of native dogs in Japan. It is also known as the largest of the Japanese breeds.

The Akitas are hunters. These dogs are called matagi inus- matagi being a recognition given to the well regarded hunters in Japan and inu is for dog. This breed was originally developed to hunt fowl and large game. An elk, boar or antelope is no match for an Akita. Even the Yezo bear, the fiercest bear ever known can be held at bay by a pair of Akitas.

From being a first rate hunter the dog has evolved into excellent guards and home companions. The name was changed from matagi inu to akita inu, Akita being the place where the dog originally came from. The dog's role has changed. They became the baby setters as they are left in charge of the kids while the parents are at work.

The dog has evolved into a loyal companion. This loyalty paved the way for the dog to be recognized as a Natural Monument of Japan. Hachiko, an Akita was owned by Professor Eizaburo Ueno of Tokyo. The dog would accompany the professor to the train station every morning and would return in the afternoon to wait for the master. Unfortunately, the professor suffered a fatal stroke and died at work. For nine years after the death of his master, the dog would return to the station everyday and stand vigil for his master.

Most Akitas are dog and people aggressive. This trait is a carry over from their dog fighting ancestors. This aggression can be lessened by socialization. These dogs are natural guard and they would do everything even stake their life to protect the family they are guarding. Akitas are extremely intelligent. Socialization and obedience training should not be a problem. However, these are self thinking and independent dogs. Training can be a challenge given that they do not have the eager to please attitude most canine have. Aside from having a stubborn streak, the dog seems to have a misplaced sense of humor. These dogs like to act! Uptight owners should learn how to laugh lest they go crazy with the silly antics of the dog.

Appearance
Akitas are known to be silly at times but they do have an impressive and noble appearance that exudes power and strength. These are large dogs, males measuring 26 to 28 inches and female's height ranges from 24 to 26 inches; weight is pegged at 85 to 120 pounds. A very distinct physical characteristic of the dog is the bear head which is large, broad and short. The erect triangular ears have slightly rounded tips and carried forward over the small dark brown triangular shaped eyes.

This breed has a slightly longer than high body. The chest is deep, wide and the ribs are well sprung. Akitas are Spitz type breed and as such it has the typical curly tail that ranges from full curl, double curl or three quarters curl. American Akitas have double coats, a short undercoat that is thick and soft and an outer coat that is harsh straight and stands off the dog's body. Hair on the head, ears and legs are short and longer on the rest of the body except on the tail which is profusely covered with long hair. Coat can be of any color but the most common are white, pinto or brindle. These dogs have very notable brilliantly colored coats. A black mask or a blaze is a common feature.

Personality
In Japan, mothers would leave the children to an Akita while she works the field. This is how the dog is trusted in its native land. These are affectionate dogs that can be depended on to take care, to play with and to guard the kids. These are natural guard dogs and the have a strong protective instinct. Problems often arise when visiting children play rough with the kids the dog considers as his family. Because the dog thinks "his" kid needs protecting he will attack the visiting kid. As with any other breed of dogs, it is never wise to leave the kids alone with a dog.

These dogs have become wonderful home companions but they still retain their strong prey drive. Take care not to let your per off leash in a place where there are smaller pets. Even if your dog has undergone obedience training calling him to return to you can be a challenge once he decides to trail a pet he considers a prey. An American Akita is a one family dog. This breed is aggressive and would show its dominance over other dogs. These are highly energetic large dogs. They would need a large space to exercise. Apartment living is not for this breed.

Care
Did you know that American Akitas are like cats when it comes to keeping themselves clean? These dogs even bury their own feces. Frequent bathing is not necessary for these clean dogs. This breed though has a very thick double coat that shed twice a year. The shedding process last a few weeks. During this time the dog must be brushed daily. This is to accelerate the shedding process and also to avoid dog hair from being scattered all over the house. Brush the Akita weekly once the shedding period is over. Aside from distributing the natural oil to the coat this is an opportunity for the owner and the dog to bond. An active Akita may not need to have the nail trimmed weekly. The dog will use the concrete to "polish" its own nail. But if the pet is old and inactive, you need to cut the nails weekly.

History
The American Akita also known as the Great Japanese Dog was bred in Japan since the 17th century. In Japan, stories about the bravery and loyalty of this breed abounds. This breed is believed to bring happiness and good health. Little statues of the dog are given to an ill person to wish for speedy recovery; the statues are also given at the birth of a child to wish for newborn's happiness. Only the aristocracy and the royalty are allowed to own this breed. These dogs are most prized that provision for care and feeding are explicitly stipulated by the ruling royalty.

At the turn of the 17th century, the development of the dog as a hunter was started. Akitas were trained in the mountains of northern Japan to retrieve waterfowl and to hunt large game. Helen Keller, an American author brought the first Akita to United States in 1937. The popularity of the dog grew in America. Aside from hunting the dog was used as a guard dog and a home companion. After World War 11, service men brought more Akitas to the United States. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973.The development of the breed continued. Presently, there are two distinct types of Akitas - the American Akita and the Japanese Akita.

The Collie

About Collies

Description
The Collie for many years has been known as the "farm dog". You may have had a good chance to get to know the Collie breed by the hit movie and TV series "Lassie". This movie showed how good the Collie breed was with herding and being a good companion for their masters.

The origin of the Collie is Scotland. There are two different varieties of this breed. The first one is the Border collie and the other one is the Rough Collie. There used to be a great deal of similarity of these two collies. Through the years, the two collies have become different from each other. The Rough Collie is larger than the Border and more elegant. A Rough collie is a longhaired collie while there is the blue merle collie with a smooth coat of short fur.

Any breed of Collie is a wonderful companion for adults and is also very wonderful with children. This dog is a working dog, is known to be easily trained, and loves to work for their masters, but at the same time can be a wonderful friend for anyone. They know how to protect their family and still stay on track with working as well. Collies are very smart and love to play around with children and adults as well.

With any type of Collie, once you have one try not to give it another home when they get older. They are the type of breed that if they get a different home at an old age they better be fenced in at their new home or otherwise they will try to run away to get back to their old home. They like to be at their natural home and they do not like to get another home after being with the same family for so many years.

Appearance
The Collie is a beautiful dog. Just by looking at a Collie, you will fall in love with the long fur coat that just hangs down and sways when it runs. The Rough Collie has a double coat that forms a mane around its neck and around its chest. This mane sways when it runs and is long and beautiful. The Smooth Collie has only a 1-inch coat instead of the long coat so many people are use to associating with the collie. With both the Rough and Smooth variety, the hair on its head and legs is short and smooth. The coats on both varieties can come in the colors of sable and white, tri color (black, tan, and white), blue merle, and also white with sable, tri color, or blue merle markings. There are several different varieties of coat colors with the collie.

The Collie has a wedge shaped head and has the impression of lightness to it. The muzzle of the Collie is long, smooth, well rounded, and tapers to a beautiful warm black nose. The ears on a Collie are erect and only � inches, and then the tips fold forward. Their eyes are almond shape and are a dark color. There are also in some cases of blue merles that may have blue or merle eyes. The tail on the dog hangs down and also has long fur. The body of the Collie is longer than the body is tall. Collies are very muscular and trim.

Personality
The personality of the Collie breed is one of the best personalities you can find in a dog. The Collie is one of the most devoted breeds of dogs you can find. They are loyal and give out more love to their family than any other breed. Many breeds give out love and companionship to their family, but Collies are extremely loving.

Collies can live in apartments as long as they get the proper exercise. Make sure to take them out every day at least a few times a day. Collies are not that active indoors, but as soon as they get outside, they are full of energy. A big yard is a good thing to have for this breed of dog.

Collies are very wonderful with children and can give kids the best friend that they always wanted. Collies can also very protective of their families, so this will be a great dog to watch over your kids.

Care
Collies are the type of dog that needs exercise as much as possible. They are known as a working dog, so they are used to running free in big yards or fields. So taken on daily walks or letting them run in a fenced in area is also very good for this breed.

The Rough collie needs to be brushed. They are known to shed dirt regularly so giving the dog a brush daily or a few times a week is a good idea. Bathing the dog as well is also a good thing. With this breed liking to be outside, they tend to get dirty. Therefore, a bath once a week or so should be good enough. Try to make sure mats do not come around in the dog�s coat. If the dog is not being used as a show dog, then it can be cut out. This is good to keep the dog from being in pain when trying to comb it out.

History
The Collie breed comes all the way from Scotland. For centuries, the Collie breed was hardly known outside of Scotland, but as of today, the Collie is the world�s most popular breed. The Collie has been known as the herding dogs back in earlier days. They helped farmers, herd their sheep, and were also left to guard them at night. Because of this, the name probably came from the Scottish black faced sheep called Colley. The Collie was also used for water and rescue dogs as well as herding.

Queen Victoria had Collies at her Balmorals Castle. With her interest in this breed, their popularity began to grow quite rapidly. Members of the upper class including J.P. Morgan owned Collies, which meant this breed was mixed with the Borzoi. This meant a for sure win since all show dogs had to have Borzoi influence for them to win. After awhile, the working dogs became separated from the other breeds and became a class of their own. The beauty of the Collie is what makes it such a delight in dog shows around the world. The Smooth Collie is not very popular in the Untied States, but it is popular in Great Britain. However, the Smooth Collie is getting more recognition and there has been an increase in popularity recently.

The Smooth Collie is just about the same as the Rough Collie, but without the long fur coat. The AKC says that the Rough and Smooth Collies are varieties of the same breed. Both varieties are judged the same except for the coat. In 1860, the first Collie was presented in a dog show. In the AKC, this breed is shown as the herding and working dogs.

Collies are now one of the most popular breeds in the world. This is because of how loyal they are and how much of a great friend they make. They really became famous with the movie, books, and TV series of the hit television show, "Lassie". After that, people learned how devoted Collies were to their owners and wanted one to join their family.

About  Whippets

Description
The Whippet is an unusual looking dog, a member of the "sighthound" family that was originally bred for hunting small game in open fields but is more recognized for its prowess as a fine tuned racing dog. This means that they will pursue cats it is unfamiliar with and other small furry pets as well.

What stands out the most about the Whippet is its lean thin delicate body shape along with its pointed wedge shaped head. The best place to see an actual specimen in action is at your local dog park if you have one in your town or city, because they do need a good run now and then and they are becoming a more popular choice as a house pet by more and more people. The reason for their popularity as a house pet is that as dogs go they make a great animal to keep in and around the home for a variety of reasons.

On top of that they have a magnetic winning "smile" due to their long thin snout and when they are truly happy their smile will be even more pronounced. In spite of the Whippet being a first class athlete that is happiest when it is in hot pursuit of a Frisbee or another dog playing "keep away" with an attractive toy they are gentle and relaxed when they are spending time inside of the home. The are great with kids and snapping is something that just doesn't suit their character unless of course they are bothered at their food bowl during dinnertime. Also they are perfectly behaved when company arrives and are not a dog that has to be put away but rather they tend to be curious and friendly. They are an intelligent breed though and that means that while they train quickly they will test their limits from time to time so they will require refresher courses now and then.

Due to their long list of positive personality traits they do not, for the most part, make a very good watch dog however and are a dog that would view a stranger with curiosity rather than hostility.

Appearance
The Whippet is definitely not your normal looking dog and the first thing that is noticed about it, is that it is unusually long and thin. It also has a very deep chest that makes its retracted stomach seem even more slight than it actually is. It is definitely not an unhealthy looking animal though and in fact, to the contrary, it looks to be the excellent athlete that this breed of "sighthound" is.

They have an elegant almost sculpted overall look to them and due to their very short hair every aspect of their delicate features is plainly visible. The ideal height for the Whippet is between 19-22 inches for males and one inch less in general for the females. They can weigh in anywhere between 25-40 pounds for the males and approximately five pounds less on average for the females.

As for color, there really are no guidelines for the whippet and virtually any color or combination of colors is possible. They can be anything from solid black, white, brown or grey, to a complete random blend of them all as well as brindle in its entirety or mixed. Any description of the Whippet must also include a description of a Whippet that is running, because it is truly a sight to behold.

They take off like a shot and achieve their maximum speed of approximately 35-40 mph in a fraction of a second and are extremely agile when in hot persuit. This makes Whippets expert Frisbee players that are able to give the appearance of actually flying through the air when they make their airborne catches.

Personality
The Whippet in general, is a friendly docile breed that is most content when it is lounging around the home with his family. In spite of their well earned reputation as an athlete and hunter they are surprisingly at ease when they are at home. This combined with their lack of dog odor and extremely tight short hair makes them an excellent choice for an indoor companion in spite of their size.

While other indoor breeds will view your visitors with suspicion and hostility, the Whippet will usually view new arrivals at your door with curiosity and a willingnesses to socialize. Also, the Whippet can be extremely playful if you are willing to play the games that it likes. Any form of "chase" will do, as well as fetch with a well tossed Frisbee being its preferred toy.

Care
The Whippet is truly a low maintenance dog as its hair is very short and it is an average shedder. It is not prone to any of the conditions that frequently plague other dog breeds, such as dry skin, so cleaning this odor free breed of dog is a simple matter of rubbing it down with a damp cloth from time to time.

Also, the Whippet should not be left outdoors for any extended length of time, as it is vulnerable to the cold due to its very thin coat. When training a Whippet, care should be taken not to speak too harshly with it, as it tends to be a very sensitive animal and can be traumatized by loud or rough treatment.

History
The actual name of the Whippet is derived from a "whip" due to its speed and agility and it was developed at the end of the 1800s by crossing the Greyhound with the Terrier and also the Italian Greyhound. However; depictions of a similar looking breed engaged in hunting has been found on Roman art work dating back some two-thousand years.

The breed was developed as the result of tastes in entertainment evolving in England during that early era from dog fighting and other forms of blood sports involving dogs to more milder forms of entertainment. One of these most popular forms of entertainment involving dogs that the Whippet was used for was a sport called "coursing" or "snap-dog-coursing" that involved dogs pursuing a number of rabbits in a confined enclosure, which this breed excelled at.

It was some time later that the Whippet found its way into the sport of dog racing which it also excelled at and was used extensivly for. It is important to note that during that time in England these types of sports that involved dogs were seen as entertainment that was confined to people who occupied lower stations in the English society which may have led to the delay in the Whippet being regognised by the English Kennel Club.

Also, the Whippet was extensively used for hunting, due to its speed and agility that was required for pursuing small game such as rabbit and fox in open fields. In spite of its extreme popularity it was not until 1891 that the Whippet received recognition from the English Kennel Club.

It was in the early 1900s that Whippets first appeared in the U.S. in Massachusetts, having been brought there by businessmen who operated mills who had branched out into the business of running dog racing facilities for the purpose of gambling. As the sport spread in popularity up and down the east coast, so did the popularity of the swift and agile breed of racing dog.

It was only a matter of time until the Whippet made its way into American homes as pets and they have grown in popularity ever since. The whippet is still used to this day for dog racing as well as for hunting and guard dog duties were a dog is preferred that lacks the vicious temperament of other breeds of dog that are more commonly used for watch purposes.

One new sport that has also developed recently and is fast gaining in popularity in the U.S. is Frisbee dog competitions, which the Whippet has emerged as a favorite breed of dog for its competitors. In this sport the dogs owner throw a Frisbee and the dog then pursues it and catches it in mid flight and is subsequently scored on its agility and its ability to jump to extreme heights.

About the Golden Retriever

Description
The Golden Retriever has been a loving and loyal family dog for many years. These dogs are a clown when it comes to training. They want to please their master so much they will do funny antics while being trained. When you think they are not learning a thing they will do exactly what you have asked them to do. They love to surprise you and you actually think they know what they are doing when they are tricking you.

When meeting people they will not be a stranger for long because they warm up to people fast. If they sense danger, they will be your savior as well. They love to be your protector when they know you love them. The Golden retriever hates being left alone and wants to be by your side at all times. They are a people dog so do not leave them in your back yard all alone or kenneled up.

This dog is not only a treasured pet for the family, they are also known as being great Seeing Eye dogs. These dogs are so smart, easily trained, learn fast, and have been a devoted guide for many people.

Their dense water repellent coats come in many golden colors. Weekly brushing is all that is needed to keep their beautiful coats shiny and silky.

Appearance
The Golden Retriever is one of the most beautiful dogs you will ever see. They have a medium length coat that is feathered. Their coat color is ranged from a cream to a golden type color. For showing in dog shows, their coat cannot be red. The under coat is dense and the outer coat is water repellant. Many Golden Retrievers fur changes color becoming either lighter to darker as they age. As they get older, they may also form white markings in their fur from old age.

They have a black nose. Their eyes are brown with darker rims which give the impression of a kind demeanor at all times. They have medium sized ears, which are overhanging. They have a long tail that does not curve and is perfectly straight. Their body type is very muscular and fit. This is one beautiful looking dog that can catch the hearts of everyone with their wagging tails and sweet looking eyes.

The height of the males ranges between 22 inches and 24 inches. The male�s weight is between 60 pounds and 80 pounds. For the females, they are slightly smaller and shorter than the males. The female�s height is 20 inches to 22 inches high and their weight ranges between 55 pounds and 70 pounds. This breed reaches their ideal height at the age of one and their full weight at two years of age.

Personality
The Golden Retriever is one breed that is kind, loyal, loving, sweet, charming, well mannered, and really smart. When training this breed it can be fun because of how pleasing these dogs like to be to their owners.

This breed is good with any age of children and is also good with other pets around. They are not the type of breed to attack, but they can make good watchdogs. With his or her loud and alert bark, you will be sure to know when someone is around. Make sure to keep your Golden Retriever around people and give them attention to keep them happy. This breed loves to track, hunt, retrieve, and perform tricks. This dog also loves to go for swims with the family as well.

This breed does all right in an apartment, but just make sure to get them the exercise they need and deserve if that is where they live. This breed also does well with a large yard if you have one. Now for them acting like a puppy, that might stay that way their entire lives.

Care
This breed with its double coat is fairly easy to keep groomed. Simply use a firm bristle brush to brush the dog. Make sure to brush the undercoat rather well while watching for mats or knots in their fur. Dry shampoo on a regular basis is recommended with only need a bath as needed. The Golden Retriever is your average shedder.

Also for this breed, make sure to get them proper exercise. They are an active breed and love to run outside with their family. This breed is a fun dog to have around as long as you give them the required amount of exercise and playtime.

History
In 1865, the setters and pointers were the only dogs used for hunting because they would find them and flush them out, however, their coats could not go through the thick brush and heavy grasses of the marsh. In addition, with light size they had problems fighting through mud and rough waters to retrieve the birds. Then came the changes in the guns being used such as the multiple shots and they would hunt for more than one bird. Sometimes 10 to 20 birds at a time were shot. They needed a dog to retrieve them and bring them back to them. They also had to be able to go through the thick marshes and waters where the pointers and setters could not.

The first Lord of Tweedmouth, Sir Dudley Majoribanks was concerned about the need for a retrieval dog for the hunters. He went out and bought a puppy that had a yellow coat and the remaining litter had black wavy hair. He named the puppy Nous and bred it to a Tweed Water spaniel named Belle. Lord Tweedmouth kept one female puppy and gave the remaining puppies to his friends and neighbors. He continued to breed only yellow pups from then on from this one female named Cowslip. She became so famous around Great Britain she started to be known as the Golden retriever.

The Golden Retriever was official recognized by the Kennel Club of England in 1903 and came to America just before the beginning of World War I. The Golden retriever became very popular among the American hunters. The companionship for the family was a wonderful side affect of being a brilliant hunting and retrieval dog.

A drought in 1930 made the need for this breed to drop and it was not until the 1950's and 1960's that the interest of the breeds increased again. President Ford had the first family golden retriever named Liberty. Many believe because of this they became one of the top 10 breeds in the American Kennel Club.

The Boerboel

Description
Due to the inhospitable, harsh and often hostile environment pioneers would largely depend on their muskets and dogs for protection. Wild animals like lions, leopards and reptiles not mention hostile raiders pose dangers to the life, livestock and properties of the pioneer farmers. The first line of defense against dangers would be a dog, one that would need to be watchful, alert, strong, agile and one that would possess a high degree of intelligence. A Boerboel fill all these requirements.

The Boerboel is a strong and intelligent dog that has provided people with service and loyal companionship. The dog is also known as the South African mastiff as it is believed that the dog came from the most southern tip of Africa. Boerboel is the African word for "farmer's dog". As the name suggests, this hardworking dog has a long history of serving farmers by being strong guard dogs that posses the instinctive ability to solve domestic situations. These dogs would thrive and be most happy if given the responsibility to protect the family where it can manifest its inherent protective instincts.

Impressive strength coupled with intelligence and a fierce protective instinct for the home and family it is guarding makes this breed popular not only in the land of its origin but also in other part of the world. These dogs that were originally used as herders and guard dogs because of their brute strength, speed and natural fearlessness are now considered to be one of the best dogs used for guard and police works. These dogs are also used as therapy dogs.

Surprisingly, these dogs that are noted for its protective instincts have not developed a strong aggression and destructive behavior. Boerboels are gentle, affectionate and playful. These dogs are known to have a good sense of humor and would love nothing more than to play a game of fetch with the master and the kids. These dogs are fun loving, would love every minute of allowing the kids to ride them like a horse and would relish all the attention it would get. These dogs are also friendly with other smaller pets. They would even tolerate cats and other pets filch food from them.

However, because of the dog's protective and guarding nature they have developed a strong sense of territoriality. They can be very aggressive to strangers and would not let anyone enter the home if the master is not around. Even if they are introduced, it would not be surprising to see them keeping a close watch over the visitors.

Rather than beautiful, the word to describe a Boerboel is impressive! This South African mastiff is powerfully built. The massive head, the muscular smooth coated body is what makes this breed imposing. The fierceness and the physical structure is all for show as this mastiff possess a remarkable eagerness to please. This breed is so gentle (at least with the people he knows) and makes a loyal family dog and an invaluable hunting companion.

Appearance
When you see a Boerboel, the first thing you would certainly notice is the massive head. The alert as well as the highly intelligent expression would give you a hint on the total character and personality of the dog. Being working dogs by nature, this breed of mastiff is big with a well developed muscular body. The muscular rather short head is broad with well filled checks. The prominently muscled flat and broad occipital area and the side of the muzzle give the dog's head an almost square appearance. The color of the wide set eyes ranges from shades of yellow and brown though 90% of the breed would have eyes of lighter color than the pelt. Eye lids are well pigmented. The black muzzle with widely spaced large nostrils slightly tapers to the front. The dog's upper lip that covers the lower lip is loose and fleshy. The strong jaw, like the muzzle also narrows slightly to the front. Boerboel has strong well developed teeth that meet in a scissors bite.

The dog's medium sized V shaped ears are proportionate to the head. Ears are set high against the dog's head and would normally hang against the cheek. The ears form a straight line with the top of the dog's head when it is alert and ready to act. A boerboel's neck just like the rest of the body is also muscular. Of medium length, the neck that show an obvious muscle curve is attached high on the dog's shoulder. The muscular neck is covered with a loose skin under the throat and would tauten between the front legs. Attached high to the body is the straight short tail.

A Boerboel's skin is loose, thick and well pigmented. Wrinkles on the dog's forehead are most noticeable when the dog is watchful and ready to act. The thick and sleek coat comes in creamy white, tawny and in all shades of brown.

Personality
Boerboels first and foremost are guard dogs. These are intelligent and fearless dogs. What sets them apart from any other guard dogs is the fact that they can guard and protect without being aggressive. These dogs seem to posses a 6th sense that enables them to recognize a threat to the family he is guarding. They would know if the master approves or disapproves the presence of a stranger but they would not act unless specifically told to do so.

These dogs make wonderful house pets as they are known to be patient and gentle with children they know. They would tolerate visitors if properly introduced but being born guard dogs, they will always be alert and watchful.

A Boerboel is not recommended for people living in apartment buildings. This breed would need the outdoors. A fenced in yard of reasonable size would be suitable for the dog as they would need a lot of exercise. This dog would love to play with the kids. These dogs can live outdoors but the owner should take care not to leave them alone for long period as they can be destructive. Leaving them unleashed in an unsecured area can be dangerous as these are territorial dogs and can be very aggressive to passersby.

Care
A Boerboel is an average shedder. The short coat would need very minimal care and maintenance. Brushing once in a while and a monthly bath would be sufficient. However, it is advisable to regularly check the ears, nails and teeth.

History
Much have been written about the Boerboel as it is considered to be the only breed of guard dogs in the world that was developed without being aggressive. The breed originated from South Africa however, the breed from where Boerboel was developed was never ascertained.

It was said that when Egypt was conquered by Assurbanipal, Assyian dogs were spread to Africa and to the rest of the world. Alexander the Great also spread the dogs to Europe. From these Assyrian dogs two types were developed, the hound and the mastiff. Hounds were utilized for hunting activities and the mastiffs were primarily used as guard dogs.

The mastiff was brought to South Africa when Jan van Riebeeck brought Bullenbijter, his large mastiff dog to Cape the Cape in 1652. The Cape of South Africa is a wild and unknown strange land. To protect him and his family from unknown dangers, he brought his dog. Settlers from other countries also brought along their dogs. This resulted to a lot of in breeding. A dog would need to be tough to survive the harsh environment and the dangers of the continent. The African Boerboel is the result of the in breeding of these tough mastiff types of dogs. It is also speculated that the Boerboel has the blood of the dogs of the Hottentots.

During the Great Trek that started in 1838, the Voortrekkers scattered their Boer dogs in distant farms all over the land. The Boerboel inbreeding resulted to tougher and stronger dogs. These dogs were developed by the pioneer owners to be loyal, obedient and great protectors that will guard and protect his family. These dogs were also developed to work.

In 1938, the De Beers imported to South Africa a bull mastiff to guard the diamond mines. This mastiff together with a champion obtained from the Hottentots played an important role in the breeding and development of the Boerboel. During the second Boer War in 1902, the Boerboel was cross bred with the bull mastiffs and the long legged bulldogs brought by the Englishmen resulting into a tougher dog with capabilities to withstand the rigorous trials of time. Farmers in Northern Natal, in the North Eastern Free State and ion other parts of the Transvaal can attest to this fact.

Lucas van der Merwe of Kroonstad together with Jannie Bouwer of Bedford has started a search for the original Boer dog in the �80s. From the 5500 kilometers that were covered, 250 dogs were found. Of these, only 72 were selected for registration. Presently, the breed is still relatively unknown and considered to be rare. However, in 2006 Boerboel was included in the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service List.

About the Alaskan Husky

Description
Alaskan Huskies were once prevalent in northern villages. These dogs were utilized as draft and sled dogs. In later years, these dogs are commonly seen in racing events. This type of dogs bagged recognitions and was acclaimed for their sheer racing speed. Because of their performance in world class racing events, an Alaskan Husky lead dog can be priced at $10,000 to 15,000.

These dogs are highly valued for their strength and endurance. These dogs can run for 20 to 30 miles each day at the speed of 19 miles per hour. Alaskan Huskies that somehow do not meet the racing performance standards are still allowed to run as running is what the dog was primarily developed for. These Alaskan Huskies are commonly utilized in dog sledding adventures.

Alaskan Husky is not actually a breed of dog. This is a group of dog that was categorized by the function they perform. Apart from the absence of a distinct type, the ancestry of this dog type is not restricted. Breeders give more importance to the development of a highly efficient sled dog. Type specialization though does exist. The Alaskan Husky can be classified as freight dog, as distance Alaskans where the dog would lead a team of sled dogs and as sprinting Alaskans where the dog participates in running and beauty competitions.

The Siberian Husky form a major part of the Alaskan's genetic mix thus the dog is very similar in appearance to the Siberian Husky. Alaskan Huskies though are leaner and larger than Siberian Huskies.

They also have longer and more muscular legs. The short to medium coat of an Alaskan is not as dense as what other northern breeds have. This is the result of crossing with other breeds. Alaskan Huskies are continuously crossed with other breeds to gain the specific qualities a Musher needs. This is basically one of the reasons why the dog is not considered to be a breed. Breed standard is hard to establish.

Appearance
The Alaskan Husky is a mixed breed. The Siberian Husky and other northern breeds predominate in the gene pool of this dog type. Pointers, foxhounds, greyhounds and many other dog breeds contribute to the genetic make up of an Alaskan Husky. This dog is therefore expected to have a variable appearance.

Basically, these dogs are medium in size. A male could weigh from 46 to 52 pounds. A female's weight is from 38 to 42 pounds. Alaskan Huskies are taller and leggier than Siberian Huskies. They also have a more pronounced tuck up. Breeders or mushers are totally indifferent to the appearance of the dog. What is important is the speed, the stamina and the endurance of the dog.

Thus, any canine coat color and markings would be possible. The eyes can be of any color although brown eyes are most common. Coats are short to medium in length. Coats are less dense that the coats of other purebred northern dogs. Mushers would usually equip the dog with belly protectors or dog coats when competing in long distance races.

Personality
An Alaskan Husky is a cheerful, gentle and playful dog that forms a strong attachment to its family. These dogs have a lot of energy. They retain their puppy-like attitude even when they mature. This is why these dogs make wonderful pets and playmates of the children. These dogs are very friendly to strangers and to other animals thus they make poor guard dogs. An Alaskan Husky makes a wonderful jogging, hiking companion but the dog would need plenty of companionship too. Alaskans are accustomed to working in packs.

The dog would need canine companionship. It is not advisable for single dog households. The dog will be bored and lonely. Bored Alaskan Huskies would be very destructive dogs. The dog would howl and dig tunnels. These dogs are accustomed to working thus they would need opportunities to exercise. The dog would do well in a home with a fair sized well fenced yard. This is an intelligent breed. House breaking will not be a problem. These dogs though are noted to have a mind of their own. In short the dog has a stubborn streak. An owner of this dog must be able to manifest his status as the leader of the pack or else the dog will be a mischievous and willful pet.

Care
The dog sheds heavily twice a year. During the shedding season the dog would need to be brushed with a firm bristled brush everyday. This will accelerated the shedding process and lessen the dog shedding inside the house.

History
Alaskan Huskies run... they are happiest when they are running as running is what these dogs were bred to do. Alaskan Huskies are sled dogs. These dogs pull sleds, they pull freight and people. The Alaskans were considered to be the dog of choice for world class competitions for dog sled racing. Teams of Alaskan Huskies have won in the prestigious speed racing events in Alaska.

This feat was unmatched by purebred northern breeds. So what makes a dog an excellent sled dog? First off, the dog has to have the ideal weight of 45 to 55 pounds. Anything over these figures would require too much effort on the muscles during long distance runs. The dog has to have a thick coat that will allow the dog to sleep comfortably on hard packed snow. The thick coat will also allow the dog to weather the extremely cold temperatures.

The dog has to have durable feet with good pad and webbing to allow maximum mobility in deep snow. The dog has to be able to eat its meal quickly and to be instantly ready for action. Most importantly the dog has to have an inherent desire to run and to be extremely fast, strong and have excellent stamina. These requirements would be a tall order for any particular breed of dog. A breed may have one or two of the desirable qualities but it would be impossible to have all these traits in one breed. Thus the Alaskan Husky was developed... a dog that manifests all the outstanding qualities of its ancestors.

The Alaskan Husky is not a breed of dog. It fails from being considered a breed as there were no restrictions set for its ancestry. The Alaskan Husky was not developed from specific breeds of dogs but rather it resulted from a combination of several breeds of working dogs that includes pointers, hounds and many other breeds. It was even speculated that tamed wolves were included in the list of ancestors of this dog type.

Other ancestors of the Alaskans are military dogs and dogs brought by shipping boats. Unlike other breeding programs that give importance to the bloodlines and to the appearance in order to fit kennel club requirements, the development of the Alaskan Husky was centered on creating a dog with notable speed, strength and endurance. Alaskan can be considered to be technically pedigreed but these dogs are not purebred. This is the reason why this dog type is not registered with AKC or CKC given that up to the present, these dogs are still crossed with northern dogs and other breeds of dogs for the purpose of developing the best working dog.

Nobody was really certain when the development of the Alaskan Husky started. It was speculated that the development started during the Gold Rush in the late 19th century. The miners have used large dogs, obviously with St. Bernard ancestry to pull sleds. After the importation of dogs from the Bering Strait in Siberia in 1908, the Alaskan sled dogs radically changed into smaller and light weight dogs with greater speed. Utilization of these dogs as draft dogs became less common with the introduction of motorized winter transport.

Population of Alaskan Huskies in northern villages dwindled. Interest for the Alaskans was revived in 1970s through the efforts of George Atlla. Many sled racing dogs today can trace their ancestry to the Attla dogs. Although attempts to establish a registry for these dogs were made, the attempts did not receive widespread support from breeders. Breeders are hesitant to place form over the function for fear of losing the dog's working qualities.

Description
The Affenpinscher commonly referred to as the Monkey Dog originated in Germany. Affenpinscher in German means "monkey like terrier" and in France, it is known as the "Diablotin Moustachu" translated to mean the mustached little devil.

The Affenpinscher was orginally bred to help keep rodents out of granaries, stables, of course kitchens throughout Germany. Today, they are seen more often as indoor pets than as mouse catchers.

This dog may be confused with terrier type breeds however, in actuality it is in a pinscher-schnauzer subgroup, which helps this adorable tiny dog get along well with other pets you may have in your home. If you happen to be searching for a good family dog then the Affenpinshcer could be the one you desire as long as you are ready for a slightly hyper little dog. They tend to be energetic, curious, adventurous, and at times quite stubborn, however, they enjoy being part of the family and are proud to be loyal members. The only draw back is the Affenpinscher is a territorial type dog and do not wish to share their toys or foods, because of this families with young children should think twice as toddlers tend to grab everything in sight.

Appearance
The Affenpinscher on average weighs around 10 pounds and is only 11 inches tall from the withers. Now, for the reason they have the nickname of Monkey Dog, which is from their expression that tends to resemble that of a monkey. Along with the monkey like expression, the eyes are round, dazzling, and a medium size, which are not bulging. The ears are high on the head, which come to a point. Their ears can stand erect, semi-erect, or even dropped. Their muzzle is short which narrows just a bit to end up at their blunt nose.

Their fur or coat is a rough coat with a harsh and wiry feel that is similar to that of a terrier, thus the reason for confusion with the terrier. The unkempt mane, which helps to frame their face thus highlighting the monkey expression, tends to be longer than the hair around the hindquarters and back. The hair on the head, chest, stomach, and neck is not has wiry as the rest of their coat.

The AKC standards for the Affenpinscher specifications for the color of the coat include black, gray, silver, red, black and tan, and belge. Belge is a combination of black, red, and white hair. The FCI and UK breed specification is that the coat has to be black; no other colors are accepted. Other dog clubs have a variety of specifications for the color of the coat, which can include various colors with black being the most prominent accepted color throughout the clubs.

Personality
The Affenpinscher is a very loyal dog with a strong protective nature for their family. He has a wonderful mix of charisma along with courage that blend together quite nicely to create a delightful addition to the family. They are known to be energetic, alert, and possess enormous bravery to the extent of going up against much larger dogs to protect their family or their own belongings. Even with this strong brave attitude they are very loving and can tell when their owners needs a bit of loving attention, which will transform the Affenpinscher into a compassionate and tender dog.

The Affenpinscher is an intelligent dog and does not mind change, which makes them great traveling companions. Some of the unique stunts the Affenpinscher likes to perform include tossing his toys in the air for hours on end, walking on their hind legs, and sitting on their spine with their legs extended such as a human.

Care
When you first get your Affenpinscher puppy, you will need to take him to visit your veterinarian. He will need to give him a series of vaccinations to ensure he stays in good health. Your puppy should receive shots for infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis paraintiuenza, distemper, and parvovirus. In many cases, if you plan to have your dog in shows, the vet may recommend vaccines for bordatella and corona. However, recently, veterinarians have ceased to give the bordatella vaccine as it has been discovered to be harmful to your pet's health.

The Affenpinscher is prone to hip dysplasia, which is the ball and socket joint. This condition can occur when the ligaments that help to hold these together are loose. Hip dysplasia is a progressive condition that becomes worse over time. The other health condition that many Affenpinschers tend to have is cataracts. Cataracts affect the vision of the dog and in some cases, a complete cataract can affect both eyes resulting in blindness. The best way to ensure early detection is with regular checkups with your veterinarian.

As for grooming, in order to keep the shaggy 1 inch coat mainly for show dogs your Affenpinscher needs to be groomed two or three times per week.

History
The Affenpinscher can be traced back to around 1600 even though at this time the dogs were mainly used for to keep rodents out of stables and granaries. At this time, the dogs were a bit larger being around 12 to 13 inches tall and varying in colors of black, gray, fawn, gray and tan, black and tan, and red.

This breed of dog has the title of the most ancient of all the toy dogs. The smaller breed was not only found in the stables, but also in the boudoirs of mistresses to keep the mice away.

The Affenpinscher is believed to be the breed that brought about the development of the various smaller wire coated breeds throughout Europe such as the Brussels Griffon and the Miniature Schnauzer.

The record shows the most prominent and first person to breed the Affenpinscher was in Lubeck, Germany. Not long after this time, smaller breeds began to appear which were mainly used for keeping mice out of homes. The Affenpinscher was known around this time to be in a group of ratting terriers, which were normally salt and pepper in color to reddish black or solid black. Other breeders crossbred these small type terriers until they perfected the size intended for house pets. Some of these include the Pug and the German Pinscher. Because of this cross breeding, this is more than likely the result of the variety in the coat colors of the Affenpinscher's we see today.

In 1750, Herr Hans-Jochen Kossman was a breeder working to develop a small house pet, using the mini schnauzer and the German Pinscher. Many other breeders were also working with the same concept but adding other differences from certain other breeds such as the Pug. It is believed these dogs are the direct ancestors of the Affenpinscher's.

The first Affenpinscher Club of America was held in the fall of 1965 in New York State.