Machine Name
dog
Miniature Bull Terrier

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
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Small/Medium
Height
25.5 to 35.5 centimetres at the withers
Weight
20 to 80 kilograms
Coat
Short
Energy
Medium
Colour
Any colour(s) or all white
Activities
Agility, Obedience, Rally Obedience
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Kuvasz

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
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Giant
Height
Males – 71 to 76 centimetres at the withers, Females – 66 to 71 centimetres at the withers
Weight
Males – 100 to 115 pounds, Females 70 to 90 pounds
Coat
Medium
Energy
Low
Colour
White
Activities
Conformation, Obedience, Guarding
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Jug

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
Living Considerations
Good with older children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Small
Height
25 to 35 centimetres
Weight
6 to 8 kilograms
Coat
Short
Energy
Medium
Colour
Fawn or black, with or without black or fawn markings.
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Jack Russell Terrier

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
Living Considerations
Good with older children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living if adequately exercised
Size
Small
Height
25 to 30 centimetres
Weight
5 to 6 kilograms
Coat
Short
Energy
High
Colour
White with tan and/or black markings
Activities
Conformation, Agility, Obedience, Rally, Hunting, Tracking, Search and Rescue, Lure Coursing, Earthdog Trials
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Icelandic Sheepdog

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
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, not suitable for apartment living
Size
Medium
Height
Males – 46 centimetres, Females – 42 centimetres
Weight
Should be proportionate to height
Coat
Long or Short
Energy
Medium
Colour
Shades of tan from cream to reddish brown, chocolate brown, gray, or black with white markings
Activities
Obedience, Rally, Agility, Therapy, Flyball, Herding, Conformation
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Harrier

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
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Medium
Height
48 to 53 centimetres Weight
Coat
Short
Energy
Medium
Colour
Any color Activities
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Great Pyrenees

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
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, not suitable for apartment living
Size
Large/Giant
Height
Males 69 to 81 centimetres at the withers, Females – 63.5 to 73.5 centimetres at the withers
Weight
Males – 45 to 59 kilograms, Females – 38.5 to 54 kilograms
Coat
Medium-long
Energy
Medium
Colour
White or white with markings that are gray, badger, reddish brown, or tan
Activities
Herding, Guarding, Therapy, Carting, Conformation
Indoor/Outdoor
Outdoor
Glen of Imaal Terrier

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
Living Considerations
Good with older children, not hypoallergenic, not suitable for apartment living if adequately exercised
Size
Medium
Height
32 to 35.5 centimetres at the shoulder blades
Weight
16 kilograms
Coat
Medium
Energy
Medium
Colour
Wheaten, blue or brindle
Activities
Earthdog Trials, Guarding, Agility, Conformation
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
English Foxhound

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
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Medium/Large
Height
Approximately 60 centimetres at the shoulder
Weight
25 to 35 kilograms
Coat
Short
Energy
High
Colour
Any hound colour or combination of hound colours including black, tan and white
Activities
Agility, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Conformation, Running
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Cocker Spaniel

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
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Small
Height
Males - at least 38 centimetres at the withers, Females - at least 35 centimetres at the withers
Coat
Long
Energy
Medium
Colour
Black with Tan Points or any solid colour other than black
Activities
Agility, Conformation, Field Trials, Obedience, Rally Obedience
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Dog