A graceful and aristocratic German breed the Weimaraner was developed for speed, scent ability, courage, and intelligence. Originally used to hunt wolves, deer and bears, the breed adapted to become a bird dog and hunting companion as large game became less prevalent. Friendly, fearless and alert, the Weimaraner loves children and enjoys being part of a family. He is obedient and easily trained, and his short coat requires a little maintenance.

DID YOU KNOW? Brad Pitt has a Weimaraner named “Purty.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Weimaraner Vorstehhund

The need-to-know

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

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a short, sturdy dog, that is set low to the ground. Their straight, medium or short coat is waterproof. They have a fox-like brush for a tail, and their head has the look of a fox also. They are much longer than they are tall. The coat comes in a number of colours – see the breed standard for details. Adult Cardigans stand at about 30cm and weigh 15-18kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• 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

Short, sturdy and low to the ground, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has an attractive foxy face. Their straight, medium length coat has a dense undercoat and is never soft, wavy or wiry.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• 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 spunky, outgoing Welsh Terrier is characterized by his long, rectangular head with a bearded muzzle and bushy eyebrows. An ideal companion and watchdog, he is playful and happy, yet intelligent and attentive. The energetic Welsh Terrier requires a great deal of exercise and is perfect for an active family. His coarse coat should be plucked several times a year, and his facial hair needs to be combed twice weekly.

DID YOU KNOW? Formerly referred to as the Old English Terrier or the Black-and-Tan Wirehaired Terrier, the Welsh Terrier originally was bred to hunt badger, fox and otter in Wales. Caroline Kennedy owned a Welsh Terrier called “Charlie.”

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active 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

Known for his friendly, strong-willed personality and bright white coat, the West Highland White Terrier is an affectionate, happy and faithful family companion. A highly intelligent, speedy and cunning hunter, the Westie originated in 17th century Scotland. This spunky breed needs daily exercise, and his fluffy coat needs daily brushing and regular trimming.

DID YOU KNOW? The West Highland White Terrier also has been known as the Roseneath Terrier and the Poltalloch Terrier.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Poltalloch Terrier, Roseneath Terrier, White Roseneath Terrier

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

An elegant sighthound capable of speeds up to 56 kph, the Whippet developed in England, where he was used for racing and rabbit hunting. Amiable, friendly and gentle, Whippets make excellent indoor companions. Despite their intensity during sporting pursuits, they are quiet and dignified at home. These natural athletes do best with regular exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? A Whippet called Ashley Whippet was the first flying disc dog. In 1974, the dog and his 19-year-old owner, Alex Stein, dashed onto the Dodger Stadium baseball field and began performing flying disc tosses for fans and a television audience, inciting a national flying disc craze.

ALSO KNOWN AS: English Whippet, Snap dog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Small 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

Named for the English city where he originated, the Yorkshire Terrier is brave, determined, energetic and investigative. Originally owned by the middle class, especially weavers, the Yorkie has a long, luxurious blue-and-tan coat. The breed adapts well and travels easily. A protective companion, the Yorkie requires little exercise but needs daily interaction with his family and regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular breeds in the U.S.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• 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 Mexican Hairless Dog or Xoloitzcuintle, called the Xolo for short, is a hairless dog with soft skin. Slightly longer than they are tall, with a slim, elegant build, they come in three size varieties and also a haired version which should have a short, tight, flat and smooth coat with no undercoat.

Hairless varieties should have a smooth, elastic yet close fitting skin. Some tufts of hair are permitted on the forehead, face and back of the neck.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• 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 Groodle or Goldendoodle is a hybrid of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle (toy, miniature or standard). They have become increasingly popular over the last 10 years. The aim of crossbreeding is to minimise the genetic diseases that can be present in purebred dogs. First-cross Goldendoodles will have the maximum genetic benefits associated with a hybrid dog – in other words, a Goldendoodle with one parent purebred Golden Retriever and one parent purebred Poodle will have less genetic diseases than second or third cross Groodle or Goldendoodles.

DID YOU KNOW? Goldendoodles are very intelligent dogs but can be stubborn. They need a lot physical and mental stimulation and would also benefit from early obedience training.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• 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

The Labradoodle is one of the more established crossbreeds, so if you want to add one to the family, you’ll be happy to know it’s fairly easy to find reputable breeders. The breeds that make up the Labradoodle are the Labrador Retriever (show type or working) and the Standard Poodle (or sometimes the Miniature Poodle).

The representatives of this crossbreed can vary in size, shape, coat types and temperaments, depending on how they have been bred. The Labradoodle can be a first cross (with one Labrador and one Poodle parent, they can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Labradoodles bred together.

There are breed clubs set up and run by dedicated people who would like to see the Labradoodle become a recognised breed. So make sure you look out for those breeders that breed them responsibly and ensure all parents are health tested.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• 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

The Cockapoo is one of the more established crossbreeds, consisting of the Cocker Spaniel (show type or working) and the Poodle (Toy or Miniature), in rarer cases the American Cocker Spaniel may be used.

It’s relatively easy to find reputable Cockapoo breeders as there are many breed clubs which are run by dedicated people that care about the breed. These clubs are committed to the responsible breeding and ensuring all puppies and dogs are as healthy and good tempered as possible.

The Cockapoo can be a first cross (with one spaniel and one poodle parent), can be bred back to one of the original breeds, or be two Cockapoos bred together - so there are varieties in size, shape, coat types and temperaments.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Don't mind
• Don't mind
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Maltipoo is one of the smaller designer crossbreeds, and while still not common in the UK, it is growing in popularity. The breeds that make up the Maltipoo are the Maltese and the Poodle (Toy or sometimes Miniature).

Maltipoos can vary in size, shape, coat types and temperaments, depending on how they have been bred, but in all cases this is a small companion dog. The Maltipoo can be a first cross (with one Maltese and one Poodle parent, they can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Maltipoos bred together.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Don't mind
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• May require training to live with kids