Dog Breeds

Each dog breed has been created for a specific purpose. Some have been bred just as companions for royalty. Other breeds have been bred for their intelligence, or athletic ability. Their sense of smell, alertness, coat density, are all characteristics that have been targeted for various breeds of dog.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) lists over 100 recognized dog breeds, and describes each breed by a list of accepted characteristics for the breed. In the show ring, it is often the markings, posture, shape of head, musculature, etc. that determines whether a specific dog conforms to its breed standard, and the working dogs (herders, pointers, retrievers, etc.) have many other characteristics that are consistently seen within the breed.

Dog Breeds Articles

Dog Breed Photos

Every dog lover has a favorite photo of their pet. It might be a photo of a comical situation, dressed in raincoat or sweater, frolicking in the snow, striking a noble pose, or just plain cute.
Photos are shown in alphabetical order of dog breed name, and you can read an informative article about the breed […]

Should You Buy a Chihuahua?

If you watch television, you’ve probably seen celebrities like Paris Hilton toting around tiny dogs with big poppy brown eyes. These dogs, called Chihuahuas, are one of the smallest dog breeds in the world. The Chihuahua first appeared in Mexico and does well in warmer climates.

Bull Terrier - Good Dog with a Bad Rep!

Bull Terrier is a good dog that has developed a bad reputation. This dog was created to fight and when a Bull Terrier is mistreated, it can be made into a dog that is quite aggressive, even vicious. With proper care and training, a Bull Terrier puppy can grow up to be a sweet and loving dog. In fact, at times this breed is even slightly silly. However, an older dog who has been mistreated may never be truly trustworthy and should not be placed in a home where it has access to children.

So You Want a Bichon Frise

If you suffer from allergies, but want to have a dog, you may want to take a look at the Bichon Frise. This charming little dog’s sole function is to provide companionship and it does its job extremely well. Bichons are a perfect choice for a family dog, as long as the children are old enough to know how to handle a dog without hurting it. Although your Bichon may tolerate rough treatment, he can easily be injured. These dogs get along well with older children, as well as dogs and other pets.

Should You Buy a Bloodhound?

The Bloodhound is a familiar sight in movies that feature escaped convicts. Although the sound of these big dogs baying as they find the scent they are searching for may be a chilling sound to an escapee, it can be a comforting sound. After all, Bloodhounds are also used to track people who are lost or disoriented.

Is a Siberian Husky Right for You?

The Siberian Husky is classified as a part of the Working Group by the American Kennel Club. Like most dogs in this group, the Husky must have a job to do to keep him from getting into trouble. These dogs are less domesticated than many other dog breeds and are actually quite wolf like. The Husky is a thirty five to sixty pound dog that stands twenty to twenty four inches tall.

Should You Buy a Miniature Pinscher?

The Miniature Pinscher may look like a miniature Doberman, but these dogs are not actually directly related. In fact, the Miniature Pinscher was developed long before the Doberman. The Miniature Pinscher was created by breeding the German Pinscher to a smaller breed. The American Kennel Club classifies the Miniature Pinscher as a part of the Toy Group, but these dogs are not cute little lapdogs. The Miniature Pinscher was bred to be a tough, aggressive ratter. The Min Pin weighs in at 8 to 10 pounds and stands 10 to 12 inches high.

Should You Buy a Newfoundland?

If you’re looking for a family dog that will devote himself to keeping your children from getting into trouble, you may want to buy a Newfoundland. These massive dogs have an innate desire to rescue people who are in danger and have an incredibly sweet and gentle nature. However, before you buy a Newfoundland puppy, you should consider whether you can care for such a large dog.

So You Want a Standard Poodle

Some people take one look at the fluffy, immaculately groomed Standard Poodles in the show ring and discount them as silly, shallow dogs. However, the Standard Poodle is considered by many people to be the most intelligent breed in the world, with the reasoning ability of a three year old child.

Should You Buy a Jack Russell Terrier?

Jack Russell Terriers are feisty, energetic dogs that gained popularity with the advent of the Wishbone series. However, in real life, these dogs are not exactly like the famous Wishbone. This dog breed is all terrier, and sometimes a Jack Russell’s temperament can be overwhelming for inexperienced dog owners.