The Australian Terrier is a spirited, alert and self-assured dog bred in Australia to control vermin population and guard livestock. Friendly and affectionate with a strong sense of devotion, the Australian Terrier is an excellent family dog. This small, sturdy breed can live comfortably in the city, country or suburbs. His waterproof coat sheds little and is easy to maintain.

DID YOU KNOW? The Australian Terrier was the first breed to be recognised and shown in dog shows in Australia.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A white powder-puff dog known for his merry temperament, the Bichon Frise originated in the Mediterranean region in the 13th century. Gentle-mannered, sensitive and affectionate, the Bichon is an excellent family companion. This playful breed loves activity and requires regular exercise. Though the Bichon’s fluffy coat does not shed, it requires grooming to prevent mats.

DID YOU KNOW? The Bichon Frise is depicted in a number of works by the noted Spanish painter Francisco de Goya.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Bichon à poil frisé, Bichon Tenerife

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

A small but sturdy little dog, the Bolognese has a white coat that is described as ‘flocked’, never curly but distinctly ruffled looking and long. These amazing furballs are known to be affectionate but a bit stubborn at time. Bolognese are very loyal to their human families, but also tend to come with a personality twice their size.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

A persistent worker with great agility and endurance, the Border Terrier was bred in the 18th century to protect farm stock along the border of Scotland and England. An admirable hunter that learns quickly and responds well to obedience training, the breed makes a good-tempered, affectionate family companion. An active dog, the Border Terrier does best with a job and when well-exercised. His water-resistant coat requires regular brushing and biannual stripping.

DID YOU KNOW? Famous Border Terriers in film include “Puffy” from "There's Something About Mary" and “Baxter” from "Anchorman."

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The well-mannered demeanor of the Boston Terrier has earned him the nickname “The American Gentleman.” An affectionate companion, this terrier enjoys being close to his family. The breed was developed in Boston by crossing English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and some terrier breeds. The Boston Terrier is easy to train and requires moderate exercise and minimal grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Boston Terrier was originally called the American Bull Terrier. Following the Civil War, this breed was developed in the stables of Boston as a fighting dog.

ALSO KNOWN AS: American Bull Terrier, Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood, American Gentlemen

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Miniature Bull Terrier is identical to the Bull Terrier in everything but size, with adults standing at under 35.5cm and weighing about 11-15kg. He is a muscular, powerful-looking dog, with an egg-shaped head. The short coat comes in a variety of combinations, including white, black, brindle, red, fawn and tricolour. See the breed standard for full details.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A spirited little dog bred to root small animals, such as fox, rats and otter, from their lairs, the Cairn Terrier is known for his tenacity. A quick learner, the Cairn instinctively likes to dig and chase small animals. This terrier has a compact body and broad head with a bushy topknot and eyebrows. His shaggy, medium-long coat needs weekly brushing and some trimming or stripping, as well as monthly bathing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Cairn Terrier is named for the rock dens that foxes and badgers lived in throughout the Scottish countryside. These terriers would squeeze down the cairns and bark to alert the farmer if they found game. The best-known Cairn Terrier is “Toto” from the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” The dog’s real name was “Terry,” and though this Cairn played a male role, Terry was a female.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Short-haired Skye terriers

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A small spaniel with a short, but definite muzzle, large brown eyes and silky fur, the Cavalier dog's colours are black and tan, ruby, red and white (Blenheim) and tricolour (chestnut markings on a pearl white background). Adults measure 30-33cm and weigh 5.5-8kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

A slender, fine-boned toy breed, the Chinese Crested is believed to have descended from African hairless dogs. For centuries, the breed accompanied Chinese sailors on the high seas, and sailors frequently traded puppies with local merchants at port cities around the world. Elegant and graceful, the Chinese Crested is a lively dog that makes a playful, loving companion. The breed comes in two coat varieties — hairless and powderpuff — both which shed little to no hair.

DID YOU KNOW? Chinese Crested dogs have made appearances in several popular films and television shows. They include: “Krull” from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “Fluffy,” who was Cruella DeVille's dog in “102 Dalmatians,” and “Halston” from the sitcom “Ugly Betty.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Powder Puff, The Hairless

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Coton De Tulear is an attractive, intelligent little dog with a long white cottony coat. They are slightly longer than they are tall with dark pigmentation, giving them sparkling button nose and eyes and a very appealing expression.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

The Dachshund (Long-Haired) is a medium breed dog on short legs, standing around 35cm tall and about 9-12kg when fully grown. The coat should be soft, straight or only slightly waved, forming attractive feathering on the backs of legs, ears and tail.

A wide variety of colours occur but not all are accepted for health reasons – check the breed standard for further details.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A fearless, elongated dog with a superior sense of smell, the Dachshund was bred in the 1600s in Germany to go to ground to rid farms of vermin. This lively breed is lovable, friendly and exceptionally playful, making him an ideal family pet. Dachshunds come in three coat varieties: Smooth, Wirehaired and Longhaired. They also can be standard size or miniature.

DID YOU KNOW? Dachshund means “Badger Dog” in German.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Teckel, Dackel, Tekkel Doxie, Weenie Dog, Wiener Dog/Hotdog, Sausage Dog, Worshond

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids