Intelligent, energetic and eager to please, the American Water Spaniel is a versatile hunting dog and devoted family companion. One of the few breeds developed in the U.S., this rare breed only has about 3,000 registered dogs. The American Water Spaniel is an active dog that needs regular exercise. His naturally curly coat requires regular grooming and twice weekly brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? The American Water Spaniel is an excellent swimmer, even in rough waters, using his tail as a rudder.

ALSO KNOWN AS: American Brown Spaniel, American Brown Water Spaniel

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
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

With his powerful nose, fierce desire to hunt and great endurance, the Black and Tan Coonhound is used to track raccoons, deer and bear. This breed originated in the late 1700s when hunters in the Southeast crossed Bloodhounds and Foxhounds to create a new hound capable of independently tracking prey and following cold trails for long distances. Outgoing and playful, the breed requires moderate or fenced exercise daily.

DID YOU KNOW? The Black and Tan Coonhound does equally well hunting alone or with a pack and can handle even the most rugged terrain. Like many coonhounds, the Black and Tan is named for his coat colour, which is black with rich tan markings above the eyes and on the chest and legs.

ALSO KNOWN AS: American Black and Tan Coonhound

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

Created after World War II, the Black Russian Terrier is one of the newest breeds in the world. Bred to be a powerful guard dog, this breed has a sharp sense of smell and double coat to protect him from harsh climates. Highly intelligent, the Black Russian Terrier is used by the Russian military. This easily trained breed needs moderate exercise, and his ruffled double coat requires extensive grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Red Star military kennel in Moscow developed the Black Russian Terrier to be part of the Soviet Union’s national security force. Seventeen breeds were used to create the Black Russian Terrier including the Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale Terrier, and Newfoundland.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Black Terrier, Tchiorny Terrier, Russian Black Terrier, Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The muscular, athletic Bluetick Coonhound is an excellent tracker skilled in treeing raccoons and other small animals. Like many coonhounds, the Bluetick is named for his coat colour, which has a dark blue spotted pattern. Highly intelligent, this breed is a loyal, affectionate companion that gets along well with children and other pets. His low-maintenance, glossy coat needs occasional bathing and grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The state dog of Tennessee, the Bluetick Coonhound is also the official mascot of the University of Tennessee. Bluetick puppies are born mostly white except for large, dark patches. Their ticking develops a few weeks later.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Known for his almost human expression, the Brussels Griffon is an affectionate, charming and curious companion and an excellent watchdog. This sturdy Belgian breed is lively, intelligent and sensitive. His coat comes in two varieties — rough and smooth. Both varieties need bi-weekly brushing. Active indoors, the Brussels Griffon is suitable for apartments but still needs daily walks.

DID YOU KNOW? A Brussels Griffon was featured in the 1997 hit film, "As Good As It Gets," starring Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Griffon Bruxellois, Griffon Belge, Brussels Griffon, Belgium Griffon, Petit Brabançon

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 once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Even-tempered, loyal and affectionate, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi originally was used as a drover and farm dog in Cardiganshire in 1200 B.C. Mostly a companion dog today, the Cardigan is small but capable of great power, speed and endurance. This breed can adapt well to city or country life if provided daily exercise. His double coat requires regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgi were regarded officially in England as two types of one breed until 1934, when they were recognised as distinct breeds.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour 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

An ancient breed, the Chinese Shar-Pei has existed in China since 200 B.C. Developed as a multipurpose farm dog, he is noted for his keen intelligence and stubborn nature. He is a quick learner and benefits from early training, socialisation and daily exercise. The Chinese Shar-Pei can be aloof and standoffish with strangers but is a devoted family dog. His short, harsh coat requires little grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? Shar-Pei means “Sand Skin” but translates more loosely as “rough, sandy coat” or “sandpaper-like coat.”

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Some 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

The smallest sporting breed, the Cocker Spaniel is an intelligent, merry dog capable of considerable speed and endurance. Gentle, affectionate and playful, the Cocker Spaniel has a unique capacity to connect with humans, making him an excellent companion. This active breed needs daily exercise. His silky coat requires daily brushing and a trim every few months.

DID YOU KNOW? President Rutherford B. Hayes owned a Cocker Spaniel named "Dot."

ALSO KNOWN AS: American Cocker Spaniel

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
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Prized for his stamina, keen nose and determination, the English Foxhound is a versatile hunter whose roots in Great Britain date before 1800. Like most hounds, the breed is independent and can be stubborn. Bred to run long distances in a pack, the English Foxhound needs adequate exercise, but his short coat requires minimal maintenance.

DID YOU KNOW? The English Foxhound is one of the rarest breeds in the U.S.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Foxhound

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Some 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
• Great family dog

Named after a remote region of Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains where the breed originated, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a powerful dog originally bred to go to ground after foxes and badgers. This spunky terrier is an adoring companion that likes to be near his owner but shouldn’t be trusted with noncanine pets. The Glen of Imaal Terrier’s harsh coat requires stripping, trimming and regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? Among his many jobs, the Glen of Imaal Terrier once was used to turn spits cooking meat over a fire by paddling a large wheel that rotated the spit. With his deep bark, the Glen of Imaal Terrier sounds much bigger than he is

ALSO KNOWN AS: Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier, Wicklow Terrier

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium 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

Named after the famous Pyrenees Mountains in southwestern Europe, the majestic Great Pyrenees is best known as a faithful guardian of livestock. Although affectionate with his family, the breed can be territorial, aggressive toward other dogs and reserved with strangers. The Great Pyrenees requires moderate exercise and a considerable amount of grooming for his thick double coat that sheds year-round.

DID YOU KNOW? Helen Keller is credited with bringing the first Akita to the U.S., having received a puppy from the Ministry of Education during a visit to Japan in 1937.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Akita Inu, Japanese Akita, American Akita

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Large dog
• Some 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

The robust, muscular Harrier is an English pack hound originally bred to hunt hare. An active scenthound, the Harrier requires moderate exercise daily to maintain his strength and stamina. This inquisitive, hunting breed should be kept on a leash or in a fenced area for protection while exercising. His short, thick coat requires minimal grooming. Sociable and loyal, the Harrier thrives on being close to people and other dogs.

DID YOU KNOW? The Harrier was bred down in size from the English Foxhound. Sir Elias de Midhope developed the first pack of Harriers, the Penistone, in England in 1260.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog