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 Saluki originated in the Middle East and was bred to hunt jackal, gazelle, hare and fox. The name itself derives from the Middle Eastern city called Saluki which does not exist anymore. This breed has a sacred sentimentality because people of the Muslim faith thought that they were a present from their God and … Read more
The Scottish Deerhound originated in Scotland and was bred to hunt deer, just as its name suggests. This breed is in close blood relation to the Irish Wolfhound and the Highland Greyhound. These dogs would be brought on hunting trips and would be commanded to 'stalk' a deer and literally run it down. This was … Read more
The Harrier originated in England. They are a mixture of Greyhound, Fox Hound, Fox Terrier, Basset Hound and Blood Hound. Its exact blood lineage is not quite known but a cross of these breeds are what is most commonly agreed upon. The Harrier has the look of a Beagle but with the body of a … Read more
Hungarian Vizslas, sometimes called "Vizslas" or "Magyar Vizsla," are an ancient breed of pointers. Thousand-year old Magyar depictions of hunting include these medium-sized, lean, graceful dogs as hunting companions. Once the prized dogs of Hungarian royalty, the Vizsla's natural ability as hunter, pointer and retriever was protected by careful breeding, until the the line became … 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 German Pinscher comes from a mix of the Miniature Pinscher and the Schnauzer. That's why, at the beginning, it had both smooth and wirehaired puppies. The German Pinscher was used as a vermin hunter, a family pet, a herder and a watchdog. The breed was officially recognized in 1879. The Pinscher-Schnauzer Club was then … Read more
The Giant Schnauzer is also known as the Russian Bear Schnauzer, the Munich Schnauzer and the Riesenschnauzer. It comes from a cross between the Standard Schnauzer, Bouvier des Flandres and the Great Dane. The Giant Schnauzer was first used to drive livestock in Bavaria, but later was used as a guard dog for the police … Read more
The German Mastiff were a gentle giant dogs. Back to 36 B.C., the image of a dog similar to the Great Dane appeared on Greek money. The German Mastiff is considered as the 'Apollo of dogs'. In 407 A.D., Asiatic people (the Alans) invaded part of Italy and Spain and German Gaul. The Alans brought … Read more