The Pyrenean Shepherd is nationally known in France for their great work as couriers, rescue dogs, watch dogs and mascots. The dog breed isn't too well-known outside of France, but everything about the dog makes it very appealing. In 2003, a Pyrenean Shepherd won the World Agility Championship for midsized dogs it gained more recognition … Read more
The Norwegian Buhund is one of the Spitz dog breeds. The skeleton remains of 6 Buhunds were found in an ancient Viking grave excavation in Norway. Vikings often buried their treasured and cherished belongings with them because they would be important in the afterlife. The dogs that traveled alongside the Vikings would also be buried … Read more
The Norwegian Elkhound originated in Norway and are an intelligent breed as they hunt alongside their owners while working as a team. They locate their prey by scent and can target them at several kilometers away. The Elkhound barks and gets the attention of the animal until their owner can get a clear shot. Badgers, … Read more
Tibetan Mastiff dogs belong to an ancient stock, they may have been in existence as early as the stone or bronze age. Also known as Do-Khyi, the Tibetan Mastiff is believed to be the originator of the majority of Molossus and Mastiffs throughout the world. The breed began to disappear in Tibet during the 19th … Read more
The Shetland Sheepdog is probably a descendant from the Rough Collies brought to Shetland (a Scottish island) and mixed with the Icelandic Yakkin, a small dog that is no longer recognized. By 1700, the breed was totally developed and was used to herd and guard sheep. The Sheltie was first recognized in 1909 in England … Read more
The Swedish Vallhund is known as 'the little cattle dog of the vikings'. The dog breed closely resembles the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, but it is currently unknown whether there is any relation between the two breeds. The Vallhund is a canine that can take the role of a watchdog, a cattle herder or even a … Read more
The German Shepherd, also known as the Alsatian, was developed in the late 1800's. It was originally bred to help herd and guard sheep flocks, and characteristics thought best for its line of work were preferred, such as intelligence and keen sense of smell. One breeder, Max von Stephanitz, established a registry that espoused this … Read more
The Finnish Spitz originated in Finland and was bred to hunt small game, elk and even bear! They are notorious for their incredibly fast barking and statistically they can bark up to 160 times in one minute. Despite their small size, this breed has mastered their hunting abilities and are so prized that historically their … Read more
Back to 2200 B.C., drawings of a dog similar to the Canaan Dog were found on graves, but this dog was first bred in the 1930's in Israel from wild dogs. The Canaan dog is well-adapted to the rough conditions of the deserts. This breed is still used by Bedouins to guard and herd sheep, … Read more
For about 70 years, the Pembroke and the Cardigan Welsh Corgis are known as separate breeds. There are many theories concerning the Welsh Corgi. One states that both of the varieties descended from Swedish Vallhunds, brought in the 800's to Wales by the Vikings. Another theory says that the Cardigan variety is older and was … Read more
