Thanks to Chris Morris and Barnaby

An Hachette UK Company
www.hachette.co.uk

First published in Great Britain in 2009 by
Hamlyn, a division of Octopus Publishing Group Ltd
Endeavour House, 189 Shaftesbury Avenue,
London WC2H 8JY
www.octopusbooks.co.uk

Copyright © Octopus Publishing Group Ltd 2009

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN 978-0-600-62632-9

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

The advice in this book is provided as general information only. It is not necessarily specific to any individual case and is not a substitute for the guidance and advice provided by a licensed veterinary practitioner consulted in any particular situation. Octopus Publishing Group accepts no liability or responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information contained herein.

No dogs or puppies were harmed in the making of this book.

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Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and campaigns on dog welfare issues to ensure a safe and happy future for all dogs. The charity has a network of 17 centres across the UK and cares for over 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs each year. The charity is well known for its slogan ‘A Dog Is For Life, Not Just For Christmas’ and is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.

If you are interested in rehoming a dog you can visit the Dogs Trust website at www.dogstrust.org.uk and click on Rehoming, or call 020 7837 0006 to find your nearest centre.

Registered charity numbers 227523 and SC037843

Contents

Introduction
Gundogs
Hounds
Pastoral Dogs
Terriers
Toy Dogs
Utility Dogs
Working Dogs
Choosing the right dog for you
Acknowledgements

Introduction

Dogs have been our close companions for thousands of years. They have guarded, guided, transported, entertained and even fed us, and over time we have bred and refined them to create breeds to fulfil particular roles and to exhibit specific, desirable characteristics.

This guide to all the best-loved breeds will help you understand the canine world. The first section gives an overview of how and why different dog breeds were developed, including an outline of the main categories of dog.

The second section features profiles of more than 100 dog breeds, each blending practical information with quirkier details. You can discover whether Bulldogs are good with children, why Shar Peis frown and which dog was bred to be eaten. Finally, there is a guide to which dogs are best for first-time owners, sedentary owners, city-dwellers, families, and so on.

Whether you are considering buying a dog or whether you simply want to understand more about the one you already own or would just like to know a little more about these endearing and faithful animals, this is the book for you.

The history of dog breeds

Most experts agree that the dogs we know today are descended from the Eurasian wolf. Studies of the physiology of the earliest domesticated dogs reveal creatures that had the head shape and stature of young wolves, and these early dogs were apparently bred to be slightly tamer versions of the wolf. However, this was just the beginning of a remarkable story.

Humans first intervened in the breeding of dogs around 12,000 years ago, when it was found that the animals could be bred specifically for everything from hunting to warfare and from friendship to food. In the process the domestic dog has become the most varied species of animal, and today there is far greater diversity within the species than there is in any other species of domestic animal, including the cat.

The oldest recorded breeds of dog include the Pharaoh Hound, depictions of which have been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, and the Canaan Hound, which guarded flocks and camps in the Middle East in pre-biblical times. The descendants of the Pharaoh Hound are the sighthounds, among the earliest of which were the Sloughi and Saluki, which were originally bred to hunt gazelles in the Arabian deserts. Then came the Afghan Hound, which as well as hunting was also used to guard homes in Afghanistan. Just as dogs were given defensive roles, so too were they given offensive ones, and it was in ancient Rome that Molossians, the forebears of the Mastiff breed, were used as attack dogs in battle.

In colder areas, such as Alaska, Russia and the Arctic regions, dogs were bred for different purposes. The Alaskan Malamute pulled sleds across the snow, while in Finland the Karelian Bear Dog was used for hunting. Dogs bred to guard livestock had to be large and fearless so that they would stand up to predators such as bears, lions, wolves and even fellow dogs. Meanwhile, in Tibet the Pug was bred to guard temples — and a very good job they did. In nearby China and Korea, dogs were bred to be eaten.

Some breeds were developed for quite specific roles. The Lundehund, for example, was bred to capture puffins from their nests in northern Norway, the breed’s flexibility and extra toe on each forepaw making it ideal for reaching into rocks and crevices. The Coonhound, on the other hand, was developed for tracking and treeing raccoons and other forest quarry. The Duck Tolling Retriever was bred with a white tip on its tail to arouse the curiosity of waterfowl, which were then shot by the hunter.

Just as dogs were being bred to work on behalf of humans, they were increasingly refined for their appearance and temperament. The rulers of China, India and Europe began to breed dogs almost as fashion accessories, and it was not long before aristocratic women wanted small, affectionate dogs that could be companions and lap dogs. Not that attractive dogs were necessarily without other roles. The Dalmatian’s spotted coat is fashionable, but one of the dog’s original tasks was to run alongside carriages, clearing the road for ease of passage.

This is a story without end as dogs continue to be bred for new purposes. The Labradoodle, for instance, combines the trainability of the Labrador Retriever with the low-shedding coat of the Poodle, thereby creating a guide dog suitable for blind and partially-sighted people with allergies to fur. In the same way, the Cockerpoo has the outgoing and affectionate nature of the Cocker Spaniel with the low-shedding trait of the Poodle.

Among all this talk of breeds, let us not forget mongrels. The mongrel or mixed-breed dog is often healthier than the pure-breed equivalents because the genes that cause health problems are watered down within a larger gene pool. These dogs often live much longer than pure breeds, and for this reason they make ideal family pets.

Dog breeds

Dogs are divided into seven main groups – Gundogs, Hounds, Pastoral Dogs, Terriers, Toy Dogs, Utility Dogs and Working Dogs – each of which has specific traits and characteristics.

Gundogs

These dogs were bred to help with shooting and hunting. The setting breeds were charged with the task of locating the game, spaniels were employed to move the game and other spaniels would ‘flush’ the game so that hunters could shoot it. The retrievers would do just what their names suggest.

Because they have worked so closely and successfully with humans, these are normally obedient and friendly dogs. Gundogs are generally active, intelligent and reliable, and few of them are noisy. They enjoy life with an active family and are generally good with children.

The sizes of dogs in this group range from the strapping Labrador Retriever to the small Cocker Spaniel. There is also little uniformity in coat type, with the curly-coated Irish Water Spaniel, the straight-haired Irish Setter and the short-coated Pointer providing plenty of contrast and differing grooming demands.

Hounds

One of the oldest groups of dogs, the Hounds were bred to help chase and catch quarry. Some of these breeds, therefore, should not be included in households with small pets, particularly pets that are introduced to the home after the dog.

Although these active and intelligent dogs are usually sociable and amiable, they are not unhappy with owners who are a little detached. Because their original role required a large degree of independence, many of the breeds in the group exhibit a streak of autonomy and even disobedience.

This is a wonderfully diverse group, including not only the sleek sighthounds, such as Greyhounds and Borzois, and the more sturdily built scenthounds, such as Basset Hounds and Beagles, but also the tiny Dachshunds.

Pastoral Dogs

This relatively new group includes some breeds that used to be in the working category. These dogs were bred to work closely with humans, generally herding or protecting livestock, and they are, therefore, usually energetic, hardworking dogs, which tend to form close bonds with their owners.

A common characteristic is the dogs’ tendency to obey their owners’ commands but also to use their own judgement. They are in the main, however, biddable dogs, both affectionate and easily trained.

There are many sizes, colours and coat types in this group, the best known of which are the Collies, Welsh Corgis and German Shepherd Dogs.

Terriers

Terriers were first bred to catch and kill animals, either as nascent pest-controllers or for sport. This means that they are often predatory and energetic, and some like digging. They can make good watchdogs.

Busy and exuberant, these dogs can be aggressive towards other pets, both canine and non-canine, and some of them can be quite stubborn. However, their outgoing and friendly nature makes them popular.

This group shows the least variation among breeds, most Terriers being either in the short-legged or long-legged breeds. Bull Terriers are feisty dogs, while Cesky Terriers and Scottish Terriers are more placid.

Toy Dogs

These dogs were originally bred to be companions, and that continues to be their role. Because their working tendencies have been largely bred out of them, they are generally placid and friendly. However, the selective breeding that made them small also made many of them susceptible to health problems.

Dogs in this group are generally ideal for the first-time owner. They are usually cooperative and even-tempered and tend to be eager to please. However, although they are often small in size, they have plenty of personality and are full of spirit.

This group contains a wide range of breeds, from the energetic, stubborn and noisy Yorkshire Terrier to the calm and collected Pekingese, and from the sleek Italian Greyhound to the bulkier Bolognese.

Utility Dogs

This particularly diverse group includes dogs that were originally developed to carry out a particular task but that in more recent times have been bred solely for companionship. The breeds range from distinctive and eccentric dogs, such as the Chow Chow and Schnauzer, to family favourites like the Dalmatian and the Poodle. In fact, the dogs in this group are those that cannot be included elsewhere, and it is, therefore, best to judge each breed on its individual merits.

Working Dogs

Dogs in this group are keen on activity and require stimulation. Over the years their courage and sturdy build have been used by humans in all manner of ways, including pulling carts and for rescue and protection. They are, therefore, usually intelligent, trainable and robust.

These tend to be fiercely loyal dogs, which do best when they are with owners who not only have previous experience of handling dogs but who are also mentally and physically strong and capable of standing up to their pets. Some of these dogs do not mix well with small children or other pets.

The group ranges from the huge Mastiff and Bernese Mountain Dog to the comparatively small Boxer, Dobermann and Pinschers. Courageous and alert, Working Dogs are formidable in every way.

The pawprints

image missing Each profile contains a summary of the breed’s main characteristics. In addition to its size and weight, the breed’s need for exercise, suitability as a family pet and maintenance requirements are marked out of five. Five pawprints indicate, for example, that a breed needs plenty of exercise, while two pawprints show that the breed would be suitable for a less energetic owner.