A true English hunting breed, the Pointer is an agile, athletic dog that is proud and elegant. He has a powerful, muscular body that gives him a noble confidence in the field. He also is a suitable family companion that is affectionate and protective at home. The enthusiastic, intelligent Pointer needs ample exercise and mental stimulation, and his smooth, dense coat requires minimal grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Pointer, which originated in England in 1650, was the first breed used to point game.

ALSO KNOWN AS: English Pointer

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

Bred to herd and guard sheep, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has a sturdy, muscular body and confident demeanor. He is an obedient, loyal companion with an even temperament. A clever, happy breed, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog requires regular moderate physical and mental exercise. His thick, shaggy coat, which hangs over his oval-shaped eyes, should be groomed daily to avoid tangles.

DID YOU KNOW? In Poland, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is referred to as the Polski Owczarek Nizinny, or PON. The breed has been featured on Polish postage stamps.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Polski Owczarek Nizinny, Valee Sheepdog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

A cocky, animated dog of Nordic descent, the Pomeranian originally weighed nearly 13 kilograms and served as a sheep herder. The breed was reduced in size in the historical region of Pomerania, which today is Germany and Poland. An extrovert with great intelligence and a vivacious spirit, the Pomeranian can be an excellent family dog. The breed’s protective demeanor makes him a good watchdog as well. The Pomeranian does not require much exercise, but his thick coat needs regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? The popularity of the Pomeranian dramatically increased when Queen Victoria brought one back to England from Italy in 1888. A Pomeranian named “Turi” lay next to the Queen at her death.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Deutscher Spitz, Zwergspitz, Spitz nain, Spitz enano, Pom, Zwers

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
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

The Miniature Poodle is a noble-looking dog with a slender muzzle and long neck. The coat is profuse and curly and is often styled. They can be seen in many colours.

The need-to-know

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

Dignified, elegant and affectionate, the Poodle originated in Germany as a water retriever. The breed has three size varieties. Besides his beauty, the Poodle is known for his superior intelligence and learning ability. The active Poodle can live in many living situations as long as he receives daily exercise. His hypoallergenic coat requires regular grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? Famous Poodle owners include musician "Weird Al" Yankovic, philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, composer Ludwig van Beethoven, authors John Steinbeck and Gertrude Stein, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Pudle, Caniche, Barbone

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

The Toy Poodle dog is a noble-looking dog with a slender muzzle and long neck. The coat is profuse, curly and is often styled, and comes in a variety of shades, including blues, greys, silvers, browns, apricots and creams – see the breed standard for full details. The adult should be below 28cm in height and weighs no more than 4.5kg.

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

The courageous, lively Portuguese Water Dog was bred to assist fishermen at sea by retrieving, diving and guarding. The breed’s webbed feet, robust body and waterproof coat make him a superior swimmer. Obedient and affectionate, the energetic, athletic Portuguese Water Dog requires daily exercise. His thick, hypoallergenic coat sheds minimally, but regular grooming is recommended.

DID YOU KNOW? The Portuguese Water Dog originated in Portugal, where the breed is called the Cao de Agua, or “dog of water.” He also is commonly referred to as the Portuguese Fishing Dog.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Cão de Água Português

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

One of the oldest breeds, the Pug is a family favorite due to his even temper, playful personality and outgoing, loving disposition. This charming Asian breed originated before 400 B.C. A clownish, mischievous dog, the Pug is sturdy, adaptable and trainable, making him an ideal choice for families with children. The breed needs minimal exercise. Though his short coat sheds, it requires little grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? Napoleon’s wife, Josephine, used her Pug, “Fortune,” to carry secret messages under his collar to her husband while she was imprisoned at Les Carmes.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Chinese pug, Dutch bulldog, Dutch mastiff, Mini mastiff, Mops, Carlin

The need-to-know

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

Possibly the best known of the livestock guardian breeds, the Pyrenean Mountain Dog is an immensely strong, huge, heavy bodied dog with a thick coat. Despite their size they should be elegant and well balanced with a smooth movement driven by powerful hindquarters.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Giant dog
• Heavy drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A medium-sized dog, the Pyrenean Sheepdog is one of the smaller sheepdog breeds. He is lean and athletic, with a long or semi-long coat that has a 'windswept' appearance. The coat comes in various colours, including fawn, grey, blue merle, slate blue or brindle, black, or black and white. Adult dogs are 40-48cm tall, and females 38-46cm. They weigh approximately 7-15kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Some 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

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a large, powerful and muscular dog. Slightly larger and longer in the leg than the Labrador, the Chesapeake has a very dense, thick coat. This should be short and hard, with an oily feel to it, smooth on the face and legs but wavy over the shoulders. Along with the water-resistant coat which protects the Chesapeake from the harshest of weather conditions, they have strong webbed feet, making them excellent swimmers.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

An excellent hunting companion, the Curly-Coated Retriever has a gentle temperament that makes him an ideal family dog. Loving with children and eager to please, this breed is a protective watchdog. The robust, athletic Curly enjoys swimming and needs vigorous daily exercise to keep him from becoming bored and destructive. His short coat requires minimal care and occasional baths.

DID YOU KNOW? The Curly-Coated Retriever descended from the 16th century English Water Spaniel, Retrieving Setter and the Irish Water Spaniel. The Curly became popular in New Zealand and Australia after the breed was imported there from England in 1889. The Curly-Coated Retriever was introduced in the U.S. in 1907.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog