Originally bred to kill vermin on farms, the Irish Terrier is distinguished by his solid red, dense, low-shedding coat and long, tall body. Courageous, loyal and lively, this breed is affectionate with his human companions but aggressive toward other dogs. The athletic Irish Terrier requires regular exercise in a fenced yard and several leashed walks per day.

DID YOU KNOW? One of the oldest terrier breeds, the Irish Terrier is a descendant of the ancient wirehaired black-and-tan terrier of Great Britain and the Irish Wolfhound. The Irish Terrier was recognized as a separate breed in 1875 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Irish Terrier was used as a messenger and sentinel during World War I.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Irish Red Terrier

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training requiredEnjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium 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

A superb athlete, fierce hunter and endurance runner, the Irish Wolfhound is an ancient breed from the Greyhound family. The tallest dog breed, the Irish Wolfhound is alert, courageous and nonaggressive. His affectionate and trusting nature makes him an excellent family companion. This giant breed needs a spacious area for daily exercise, and his harsh coat needs regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? Famous Irish Wolfhound owners include Anne Boleyn, President Herbert Hoover, television host Conan O’Brien, and the musician Sting.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Cú Faoil

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Giant 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
• May require training to live with kids

An ancient breed from the Mediterranean region, the Italian Greyhound excels as a companion and hunter of small game. Friendly with adults and children, this breed has a gentle, playful nature. An intelligent dog that is easy to train, the Italian Greyhound prefers spending time with his family. The smallest of the sighthounds, this active breed requires daily exercise. His smooth, glossy coat needs minimal grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Italian Greyhound was a favorite of royalty including: Anne of Denmark, Mary Beatrice d’Este of Modena, Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Queen Victoria.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Petit Levrier Italiane, Piccolo Levriero Italiano, Italienisches Windspiel

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum 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
• May require training to live with kids

Large, shaggy and friendly, the Italian Spinone is a solid and robust member of the Gundog group. They come in a white coat of medium length, that’s coarse and dense. The Spinone has an attractive, characterful face with expressive eyebrows and a dense beard and moustache.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training requiredEnjoys 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
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

Japanese Akita dogs are large, powerful dogs with much substance and dignity. Their proud head carriage and stance is enhanced by their small ears and dark eyes. They make a striking picture with their thick, plush coats.

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
• Heavy 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
• May require training to live with kids

The Japanese Chin is a dainty, elegant toy dog distinguished by a short face, square body and plumed tail. Bred to be a companion, this sensitive, intelligent and affectionate breed is deeply loyal. The alert, playful Japanese Chin enjoys learning tricks and thrives on showing them off to an audience. His feathered, silky coat requires extensive grooming twice a week.

DID YOU KNOW? A descendant of the lapdogs of Chinese aristocracy, the Japanese Chin, originally called the Japanese Spaniel, was imported to Japan as a royal gift to foreign diplomats. In Japan, the breed was regarded as royalty. The Japanese Chin marked the beginning of Japan’s open trading policy when Commodore Matthew C. Perry gave a pair of Chin to Queen Victoria and President Franklin Pierce in 1853.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Japanese Spaniel

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 every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

The Shiba Inu is a sturdy, medium-sized, Spitz-type dog (i.e. he has prick ears, a thick coat, and a curled tail). A smaller version of the Akita, adult males stand at around 39.5cm and adult females at 36.5cm. The thick, soft undercoat is covered in a hard, straight topcoat that comes in red, red sesame (red with black guard hairs), black and tan, or white.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for 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

The Japanese Spitz is an attractive small to medium sized dog, very typical of the spitz type with a foxy face, pricked ears and tail held curled up over the back. Their plush, stand off coat is pure white, and the contrast between the white of the coat and their dark pigmented eyes and nose lend an attractive expression of laughter and merriment.

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 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

A true Northern breed, the Keeshond has an alert expression on a foxlike face with markings that resemble spectacles. Lively and full of personality, this breed is affectionate and loyal to his human companions. An excellent watchdog, the Keeshond is an energetic dog that should be exercised daily. His big, fluffy coat and plumed tail require grooming twice a week.

DID YOU KNOW? Originally bred to be a barge dog and companion, the Keeshond is a descendant of Arctic breeds, such as the Samoyed, Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound, Finnish Spitz, and Pomeranian. The breed was named for the Dutch Patriot’s leader Kees de Gyselaer, who owned a dog called “Kees.” The Keeshond became a symbol for this political party in the late 1700s.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Dutch Barge Dog, Smiling Dutchman, Chien Loup, German Spitz, Deutscher Wolfspitz, Wolfspitz

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 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 native of County Kerry, Ireland, the Kerry Blue Terrier is an intelligent working and utility terrier bred for hunting, retrieving and herding. Playful, loving and energetic, the Kerry loves being part of the family. This breed requires daily exercise and firm, patient training. As hunters, Kerries may not accept cats or small pets. The breed’s coat is hypoallergenic but needs regular brushing and trimming.

DID YOU KNOW? It is thought that Irish peasants developed the Kerry as an answer to the nobility using Irish Wolfhounds to protect their hunting grounds from poachers. The Kerry was used to help peasants silently hunt the noble hunting grounds.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Irish Blue Terrier

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium 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
• May require training to live with kids

The King Charles Spaniel is an enthusiastic, eager-to-please little dog that thrives on companionship. This breed was a pet to many royals including Charles I and Queen Victoria. A descendant of hunting dogs, the King Charles Spaniel loves to romp outdoors. The breed needs moderate exercise, and his feathered coat requires regular grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The King Charles Spaniel is named for King Charles II, who was particularly fond of the breed. Rarely seen without a Spaniel at his heels, he wrote a decree that the breed should be accepted in any public place, even the Houses of Parliament. The King Charles Spaniel gained notoriety on the television show “Sex and the City” as Charlotte York’s beloved pet.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle 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
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Having a dense, protective white corded coat, the alert, confident Komondor is a large, muscular Hungarian dog bred to guard sheep and cattle. Fiercely loyal to his human companions, this courageous breed is extremely territorial and thrives on having a responsibility. Although somewhat inactive as an adult, the Komondor should be exercised and taken on several leash walks daily.

DID YOU KNOW? Descending from various Tibetan dogs and the Aftscharka, a breed discovered by the Huns while passing through Russia, the Komondor was imported to Hungary in the 14th century by nomadic Magyars. The distinctive corded coat of the Komondor, which begins to cord at 9 to 12 months of age, protects the guard dog from attack and weather extremes.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Hungarian Komondor, Hungarian Sheepdog, Mop Dog

The need-to-know

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