The only spotted breed of dog, the Dalmatian has an outgoing disposition and thrives with a loving family. The original coach dog, the Dalmatian is well-known for riding proudly atop a fire engine or running with a carriage. Having great endurance, the Dalmatian competes in long-distance road trials. This highly intelligent breed needs daily exercise, and his fine coat needs regular brushing to minimise shedding.

DID YOU KNOW? Dalmatians are born pure white, with the spots appearing around seven to 10 days.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Carriage Dog, Spotted Coach Dog, Firehouse Dog, Plum Pudding Dog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for 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
• Chatty and 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

Developed on the border of England and Scotland in the 1700s to hunt otter and badger, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is best known today for his companionship. This breed is an excellent guard dog but may be aggressive with other dogs and animals. Gentle, affectionate and loyal, the Dandie is particularly good with children. Professional trimming or stripping is necessary to maintain the rough double coat.

DID YOU KNOW? Once popular with gypsies, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier also was a favorite of Queen Victoria. The breed is named for the character Dandie Dinmont in Sir Walter Scott’s 1814 novel, “Guy Mannering.” In the book, Dandie Dinmont had six terriers.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Dandie, Hindlee Terrier

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small 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

These large-sized, shaggy-coated sighthounds have a very athletic appearance but are elegant despite their size. They are often described as resembling a shaggy-coated greyhound.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large dog
• Minimum 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

The Doberman Pinscher was bred in Germany in the late 19th century as a guard dog and companion. Brave, intelligent and easily trained, he also came into high demand as a police and war dog. This energetic, watchful and obedient breed makes an affectionate and loyal family dog. His short coat requires minimal maintenance, but he does best with regular exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? A statue called “Always Faithful” stands at the dog cemetery at the U.S. Naval Base in Guam honoring the Doberman Pinschers who gave their lives serving as sentries, messengers and scouts during World War II.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Doberman

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active 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 Dogue de Bordeaux is a powerful, muscular French breed with an instinct for guarding. Though the breed’s appearance can be intimidating, he is a gentle companion with a patient, calm temperament. Fiercely loyal and devoted, he is an excellent guard dog. The Dogue de Bordeaux is known for drooling and snoring but is easy to care because he requires minimal grooming and moderate exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? A Dogue de Bordeaux named “Beasley” appeared as the slobbery but loveable “Hooch” in the 1989 film, “Turner and Hooch,” starring Tom Hanks. Throughout history, the Dogue de Bordeaux has been a guardian, hunter and fighter. He was trained to bait bulls, bears and jaguars, hunt boars, herd cattle, and guard homes.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff, French Mastiff, Bordeauxdog

The need-to-know

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

An elegant, graceful gundog, the English Setter developed in England more than 400 years ago. This affectionate, friendly, gentle breed excels as a family companion. Athletic and energetic, the English Setter requires vigorous daily exercise. He loves his family and is not happy when isolated in a yard or kennel for long periods. The English Setter’s beautiful, feathered coat requires regular maintenance.

DID YOU KNOW? Although many people believe English, Gordon and Irish setters are representatives of different colours or varieties of the same breed, they are three separate breeds.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Lawerack, Laverack, Llewellin (or Llewellyn), Setter

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
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

English Toy Terriers are small, smooth-coated black and tan dogs with pointed, erect ears. They are slightly longer than they are tall. Ideally, the adult English Toy Terrier measures 25-30cm and weighs around 2.7-3.6kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• 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

This large, powerful, athletic mastiff-type stands around 65-72cm (dogs) or 62-68cm (females) when fully grown and weighs in at 30-50kg. He comes in two coat types: long or short, which come in fawn, brindle, wolf grey or black.

The need-to-know

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

Developed north of the Arctic Circle to herd reindeer, the Finnish Lapphund has a thick, water-repellant double coat that protects him from extreme cold. Agile and alert, this breed is eager to please and has a calm temperament, making him an ideal family pet. His sweet face is likened to that of a teddy bear. The Finnish Lapphund needs daily exercise to keep him from becoming bored as well as regular grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Finnish Lapphund is the third most popular breed in Finland.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Lapinkoira, Suomenlapinkoira

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
• 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

With his pointed muzzle and prick ears, the Finnish Spitz resembles a fox. Once used to hunt small birds and game, the breed today primarily is a playful, friendly house dog. Known for his barking, the Finnish Spitz long ago summoned hunters by barking. A seasonal heavy shedder with a fluffy, dense double coat, this breed needs weekly brushing as well as moderate exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? In barking contests, the Finnish Spitz has been known to bark up to 160 times a minute. The national dog of Finland, he sometimes is called the barking bird dog. The Finnish Spitz is slow to mature, reaching adulthood at 3 ½ to 4 years of age.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Finnish Hunting Dog, Finnish Spets, Finsk Spets, Loulou Finois, Suomalainen pystykorva, Suomenpystykorva

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• 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

A short-backed terrier with a long face, this dog has a short, smooth coat that is predominantly white, with or without tan, black or black and tan markings. He has smooth, elegant lines and appears strong, compact and ready for action! When fully grown the Smooth Fox Terrier stands at around 39cm or under and weighs approximately 7.5-8kg (males) and 7-7.5kg (females).

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
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• 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

He might be small, but the short-backed, muscular Wire Fox Terrier exudes strength. The thick, wiry coat is predominantly white with black, tan, or black and tan markings. Adult male dogs are 39cm tall or under and weigh about 8kg, and females are slightly smaller.

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
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids