A true Nordic spitz, the Icelandic Sheepdog is distinguished by his prick ears and curled tail. This hardy, agile breed was developed to herd livestock in the mountainous regions of Iceland. Highly intelligent and clever, this sheepdog is an enthusiastic and playful companion that can be quite vocal. The breed sheds his undercoat twice a year and requires moderate grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? Iceland’s only native canine, the Icelandic Sheepdog is a popular breed that has been featured on postage stamps. Believed to be the world’s oldest breed, the Icelandic Sheepdog was brought to Iceland by the Vikings from 874 to 930 A.D., earning him the nickname “dog of the Vikings.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Icelandic Spitz, Iceland Dog, Íslenskur fjárhundur, Islandsk Farehond, Friaar Dog, Canis islandicus

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 once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

Bred to go to ground to hunt vermin, the Russell Terrier is a small, robust dog with a confident personality. The breed has three coat varieties: Smooth, Broken and Rough. Energetic, curious and playful, he is a good match for active families. The keen, intelligent Russell Terrier thrives on being outdoors and needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. His dense, weatherproof coat requires minimal grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? Descending from Reverend John Russell’s fox working terriers in the 19th century, the Russell Terrier originated in England but was developed in Australia, where it is called the Jack Russell Terrier.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Russell Terrier

The need-to-know

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

The Jug is a hybrid of a Pug and a Jack Russell Terrier. They are bred to retain the basic features of a Pug with a slightly longer nose in an attempt to reduce the breathing problems that Pugs are notorious for. 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 Jugs will have the maximum genetic benefits associated with a hybrid dog – in other words, a Jug with one parent purebred pug and one parent purebred Jack Russell Terrier will have less genetic dieases than second or third cross Jugs.

DID YOU KNOW? Even though the snout is usually longer than the Pug, the Jug can still be prone to breathing problems, particularly in the warmer weather. The eyes can protrude, which can result in various eye problems.

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
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

A spirited dog of keen intelligence, determination and courage, the Kuvasz served for centuries as a companion and guard dog to European royalty. Well-muscled and agile, this ancient Hungarian breed later was found well-suited for herding livestock. The Kuvasz is a gentle, patient, devoted and protective family companion. An active working dog, he does best with daily exercise. His coat is easily maintained, needing brushing but little bathing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Kuvasz’s name comes from the Turkish word "kawasz," which means "armed guard of the nobility." The plural of Kuvasz is Kuvaszok.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Hungarian Kuvasz

The need-to-know

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

Identical to the Bull Terrier in every way except size, the Miniature Bull Terrier dates to the 19th century when Bull Terriers were bred for dog fighting. The breed has a gentle, clownish and playful personality. He is courageous and full of fire but even-tempered and amenable to discipline. Though a loving companion, he may become too energetic for small children without proper exercise and training. The breed is not recommended for homes with small non-canine pets. He has a low-maintenance coat.

DID YOU KNOW? A Toy Bull Terrier used to exist with the Miniature and Standard types, but the toy size eventually fell out of favour.

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
• Some 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

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a strong, sturdy, low-set herding breed from Pembrokeshire. Loving, obedient and loyal, he makes an agreeable house dog. The Pembroke is bold, intelligent, easily trained and can adapt to many living situations if provided adequate exercise. His thick coat requires regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? Unlike the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, the Pembroke does not have a tail.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Small 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

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a French scent hound developed in the 16th century to hunt small game over difficult terrain. This vivacious, outgoing breed is confident, happy and willing to please. The PBGV is best-suited for experienced dog owners with older children and fenced yards. A pack hound, he gets along well with other dogs and generally is happiest in their company. This breed does best with daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The name of this breed in French reveals much about his characteristics: Petit means small; Basset means low to the ground; Griffon means rough or wire coated; and Vendéen is the area of France where the breed originated.

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 every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

An ancient Hungarian herding dog, the spirited Puli is distinguished by his unique, wooly, corded coat that covers his compact body and requires extensive grooming. The breed is affectionate, alert and protective, making him an ideal family companion and watchdog. Clever and intelligent, the Puli retains his playfulness throughout his life. This active breed needs moderate daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The Puli is born with an uncorded coat. His cords begin to develop at 9 months of age and continue to grow until the Puli is 5 years old.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Hungarian Puli

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 daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

Originally bred to herd sheep in the French Pyrenees Mountains, the Pyrenean Shepherd is a powerful dog with a small, lean body and unique triangular head. The breed has two varieties: Rough-Faced and Smooth-Faced. An ideal companion, the Pyrenean Shepherd is alert, sensitive and intelligent. This energetic, cheerful dog thrives on having a job to do and is a perfect fit for active families.

DID YOU KNOW? An athletic breed with great stamina, the Pyrenean Shepherd is fondly called “Pyr Shep.” This breed can cover up to 25 miles a day working alongside a shepherd or farmer. Two of these vigorous dogs are capable of herding a flock of 1,000 sheep. Pyrenean Shepherd were used as couriers, guards and search-and-rescue dogs during World War I.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Berger des Pyrénées, Petit Berger, Pyrenees Sheepdog

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 every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The bold, spirited Shiba Inu is a Japanese breed originally developed to hunt birds and small game on mountainous terrain. His small, dense body is marked by prick ears and a curled tail on a stunning soft, thick double coat, which should be brushed regularly. Independent, loyal and affectionate, he excels as a watchdog and companion. Moderate exercise from leash walks or in a fenced yard is a must for this active, agile breed.

DID YOU KNOW? In Japanese, the word “shiba” means “brushwood,” describing the breed’s hunting grounds, while “inu” means “dog.” The Shiba Inu is commonly referred to as the “Little Brushwood Dog.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: AJapanese Shiba Inu, Japanese Small Size Dog, Shiba Ken

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
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The friendly, lively Silky Terrier has a true terrier temperament with a zest for life. Originally bred to hunt vermin, this dog is quick and alert with a long, moderately low set body. He is playful, inquisitive and eager to please, making him an exceptional companion. The Silky Terrier requires little exercise but enjoys an occasional game of fetch or an outdoor walk. His fine, smooth coat must be brushed and bathed regularly.

DID YOU KNOW? In the 1800s, Yorkshire Terriers from England were imported to Australia and bred to Australian Terriers to improve the Australian Terrier’s coat colour. The end result was a type of dog known today as the Silky Terrier

ALSO KNOWN AS: Australian Silky Terrier, Silky

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
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

A versatile hunting breed, the Spinone Italiano is a robust, powerful, muscular dog known for his superior nose, soft mouth and thick, wavy coat, which protects him from extreme temperatures. In the field, he is determined and tireless, but at home, this naturally cautious dog is sweet and calm. The affectionate Spinone Italiano is happiest when near his human companions. He requires daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? This ancient breed originated in northern Italy as early as 500 B.C. Throughout history, the Spinone Italiano has also been called the Italian Pointer, Spinone, Italian Spinone, Italian Coarsehaired Pointer, and Italian Griffon. “Bella” and “Tris” were the first-known Spinone Italianos in the U.S. They were imported in 1931 by Dr. Nicola Gigante.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Spinone, Italian Spinone, Italian Griffon, Italian Wire-haired Pointer, Italian Coarsehaired Pointer

The need-to-know

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