A medium-sized hound, with adult dogs standing at 52-59cm and females 48-56cm, the Segugio Italiano comes in two coat types – rough or smooth – and a range of colours (black/tan and any shade from red to wheaten). He is square-shaped and light in structure – an athletic, rather than heavy, hound. The approximate weight range of the adult Segugio is 20-23kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Shar Pei are easily recognisable by the loose folds of skin on their bodies and their 'frowning' expressions. They are squarely built and short-coupled and look powerful with good bone. Their coat is short and bristly and harsh to the touch. The Shar Pei dog comes in many colours.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet 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

Known as a devoted and docile dog with keen intelligence and understanding, the Shetland Sheepdog is one of the most successful obedience breeds. This rough-coated, longhaired herding dog descended from the Border Collie of Scotland. Intensely loyal, affectionate and responsive, the Sheltie is an excellent family dog. He thrives on farms but adapts to many living situations if provided adequate exercise. His dense double coat requires regular grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Sheltie is one of the most successful obedience breeds.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Shetland Collie, Dwarf Scotch Shepherd, Toonie dog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Small dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The only native breed of Cuba, the Shih Tzu is a happy,outgoing dog with a friendly disposition. Originally, this sturdy toy breed was a pampered lap dog of the aristocracy. Later, his role evolved into that of a family companion, watchdog, child’s playmate, and poultry herder. With his intelligence, trainability and affectionate, nonaggressive temperament, the Shih Tzu is an ideal family dog. The breed’s hypoallergenic coat does not shed but requires regular grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Shih Tzu is the national dog of Cuba.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Chinese Lion Dog, Chrysanthemum Dog

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

Originally bred as a sled dog in northeast Asia, the Siberian Husky is known for his endurance and willingness to work. Eager, outgoing and friendly, the breed makes an agreeable family companion. Though he is a gentle dog, the Siberian Husky has a strong predatory instinct and should be supervised around small animals. This working breed needs daily exercise, and his thick coat requires weekly brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? In 1925, the Alaskan city of Nome was stricken by a diphtheria epidemic, and dog teams of Siberians led heroic "serum runs" from Anchorage to Nome to deliver antitoxins. The story of “Balto,” the lead dog of one of these teams, was made into a Disney movie.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Chukcha, Chuksha

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra 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
• May require training to live with kids

Fiercely loyal and affectionate, the Skye Terrier thrives as a family companion. An elegant medium-sized dog with short legs and a large head, the Skye Terrier was originally bred in the 1600s on the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland. One of the oldest and rarest terrier breeds, the Skye Terrier is friendly with those he knows and cautious around strangers. The breed needs regular exercise, and his soft coat requires brushing several times a week plus regular trimming.

DID YOU KNOW? Fourteen years after his master’s death, a Skye Terrier in Edinburgh, Scotland, named “Bobby,” remained loyal, reportedly spending every night watching over his master's grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard. A statue in memorial of “Greyfriars Bobby” was built near the graveyard in 1873.

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
• 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 Sloughi dog is a medium/large short-coated hound that has a noble, dignified stature. He is elegant and racy but stronh and muscular. The coat comes in various colours (see the breed standard). Adult males stand at 66-72cm and adult females at 61-68cm. The weight range for the breed is 20-27kg.

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
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Happy, steady and confident, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier originated more than 200 years ago in Ireland as an all-purpose farm dog. Known for his soft, silky wheaten-coloured coat, the breed adapts well to city or country life. He is willing to please and relates well to children. An active breed, the Wheaten needs daily exercise. Though his coat sheds little, regular grooming is necessary to prevent matting.

DID YOU KNOW? Lydia Vogel brought the first Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers to the U.S. in the 1940s.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Wheaten Terrier, Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

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 every other day
• 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

Distinctly different to the English Cocker Spaniel, the American Cocker is smaller, with a more rounded skull and a profuse and glamorous coat.

The need-to-know

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

The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent and determined dog with a long, low build and slow, rolling gait. The Clumber originated in 18th-century France where he was coveted for his superb hunting ability. Gentle, loyal and affectionate, the Clumber does well with families and other animals. He is enthusiastic about work and play. Clumbers prefer daily walks to heavy exercise. Their dense coats require daily brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? Though he was one of the first 10 breeds recognised by the American Kennel Club, the Clumber Spaniel is a rare breed in the U.S. today.

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
• Heavy drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breedQuiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

English Cocker Spaniels are medium-sized, well-balanced dogs. Their coats are flat and silky with plenty of feathering on the front legs.

The need-to-know

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

Originally born in the same litters as Cocker Spaniels, the larger English Springer Spaniel was recognised as a distinct breed in 1902. An enthusiastic hunting companion used to flush game, the English Springer Spaniel is a cheerful, affectionate and sociable family dog. The English Springer requires frequent brushing and trimmings. An active breed, he also requires daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? English Springer Spaniels were popular with presidents George Bush Sr. and George Bush Jr. The former owned a female named “Millie” and her puppy “Ranger,” and the latter owned another of Millie’s puppies, called “Spot.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Springer Spaniel

The need-to-know

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