The Foxhound is a large, powerful dog with a short, hard wearing and weatherproof coat. They have drop ears, a deep chest and muscular build with the strong tail held high. This playful dog is extremely affectionate and loyal, making Foxhounds amazing members of the family.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some 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
• Very vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The French Bulldog was developed by English lace makers who bred a toy-sized bulldog to be a lap pet. After the Industrial Revolution, this intelligent, well-behaved, playful breed became popular in France. Prized for his affectionate, even disposition, the French Bulldog is an active, alert watch dog that requires minimal exercise. His fine, smooth coat needs little maintenance.

DID YOU KNOW? The French Bulldog is a popular breed among Hollywood celebrities including Hugh Jackman, David Beckham and Reese Witherspoon.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Bouledogue Français

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

The muscular, powerful German Pinscher is courageous and protective, making him an excellent family watchdog. Originally bred in Germany, the German Pinscher has a strong prey instinct and likes to chase anything that moves. An intelligent, active breed, he needs vigorous daily exercise as well as companionship to avoid becoming bored and destructive. His dense, glossy coat is easy to maintain.

DID YOU KNOW? The German Pinscher nearly became extinct following both World Wars. Werner Jung is credited with reviving the breed in 1958 in West Germany. Despite his name, the German Pincher is more closely related to the Schnauzer than the Doberman or the Miniature Pinscher.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Deutscher Pinscher

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

Hailed as the world’s leading military, police and guard dog, the German Shepherd Dog was first bred in 1899. This German breed is distinguished by his loyalty, courage and easy trainability. He is a loving, loyal, even-tempered family companion and is fond of children. An energetic working breed, the German Shepherd Dog requires regular exercise and grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? President John F. Kennedy owned a German Shepherd Dog called “Clipper.” In 1928, a German Shepherd Dog called “Buddy” was trained as the first guide dog in the U.S. A German Shepherd Dog named “Rin Tin Tin” starred in 26 Warner Bros.’ films during the 1920s and 1930s, gaining worldwide fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Alsatian, Alsatian Wolf Dog, Berger Allemand, Deutscher Schäferhund, German Shepherd, Schäferhund

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than 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

Highly intelligent and willing to please, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a multipurpose hunting dog with a powerful sense of smell and keen enthusiasm for work. A true athlete, the breed thrives with active families who give him regular exercise. A loyal companion and watchdog, the German Shorthaired Pointer has an even and friendly temperament. His coat sheds but requires little grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The German Shorthaired Pointer has webbed feet, which help him to excel at swimming.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Deutscher kurzhaariger Vorstehhund, Deutsch Kurzhaar, Kurzhaar

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large 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 German Spitz Klein is a small, compact, long-coated dog with a typical spitzy head and tail curled over the back. They can be seen in all colours and variations (see the breed standard for details). It should be obvious of the dog's sex – with males being masculine in appearance and females feminine. Adult German Spitz Klein stand at 23-29cm and weigh 8-10kg.

The need-to-know

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

The Mittel is a small, compact, long-coated dog with a typical spitzy head and tail curled over the back. They can be seen in all colours and variations (see the breed standard for details). It should be obvious of the dog's sex – with males being masculine in appearance and females feminine. Adult Mittels stand at 30-38cm and weigh 7-11kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small 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 multipurpose hunting dog, the German Wirehaired Pointer enjoys human companionship and bonds closely with his family. An exceptional pointer and retriever, the breed is eager to please and enthusiastic to learn. Highly energetic, the German Wirehaired Pointer requires vigorous daily exercise. The breed’s coat sheds lightly but is easy to maintain.

DID YOU KNOW? The German Wirehaired Pointer has webbed feet, which help him to excel at swimming.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Deutsch Drahthaar, Deutscher Drahthaariger, Vorstehhund, Drahthaar

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• 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
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

Distinguished by his bearded muzzle, the Giant Schnauzer is a robust, powerful dog originally bred to drive livestock. He loves having a job to do, and this natural guard dog considers his most important task to be protecting his human family. Highly energetic, the Giant Schnauzer should be vigorously exercised daily. His lightly shedding, coarse coat requires weekly brushing and clipping or stripping four to six times a year.

DID YOU KNOW? A descendant of the Great Dane, the Giant Schnauzer was developed in Germany, where the breed is called the Riesenschnauzer, meaning “the giant.” The breed historically has also been referred to as the Russian Bear Schnauzer and the Munich Schnauzer. Highly intelligent and easily trained, the Giant Schnauzer was used as a police and military dog during World War I. The Giant Schnauzer is not actually a giant breed, but rather, the largest of the three Schnauzer breeds. The other two are Miniature and Standard.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Munich Schnauzer, Munchener, Russian Bear Schnauzer

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• 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

Prized by Scottish hunters for his strength and stamina, the Gordon Setter is a dependable, eager-to-work hunter. With an easygoing temperament, he also is an excellent family companion. The heaviest of the three setter breeds and the only one with a black-and-tan coat, the Gordon Setter requires vigorous daily exercise. His slightly wavy coat needs regular grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? A favourite of Duke Alexander the 4th of Gordon, the Gordon Setter was popular in Scotland in the late 1700s, when the breed was known as the black &; tan setter. Although not as fast in the field as other sporting breeds, the Gordon Setter is known for his pointing accuracy.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Irish Setter, English Setter

The need-to-know

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

A large, impressive hound with a long, noble head and pendulous ears, the Grand Bleu dog breed has a distinctive 'blue' coat colour, created from black mottling on a white background. Adult dogs stand at 64-70cm and females at 60-and they weigh 32-35kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A regal and majestic giant breed, the Great Dane was developed by the Germans to hunt boar. Spirited, courageous and dependable, the Great Dane is known for his elegant appearance and friendly, energetic personality. His gentle, loving disposition makes him an ideal family companion. Though their short coats require little attention, Great Danes need daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The popular cartoon character “Scooby Doo” is a Great Dane.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Deutsche Dogge, German Mastiff

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Giant dog
• Minimum 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
• May require training to live with kids