Top Information About Dog Groups

Dog Groups

Dogs are divided into individual dog groups according to the purpose for which they have been bred. This helps classification at shows and enables visitors to know the day and section when and where their favorite breeds can be found. Reading about the groups includes varieties most suitable for their lifestyle – the sportsman, for instance, perhaps scorning the Toy Group, which might hold tremendous appeal for his wife.

Group Classification

Utility Group

There is an exemption to the obvious naming of dog groups: the one that is described as “Utility”. This group is for dogs that are not Toys, and have not been bred for any specific purpose. Many of the traditional pet breeds are to be found in this classification, and so are new breeds and those that may have been newly imported from their country of origin for which no ready classification can be found. Many popular pet dogs fall within Utility category, including the Dalmatian, Chow Chow and Shar Pei, the Schipperke and the charming Japanese Spitz. But bear it in mind that, just because a breed is in the Utility Group today, it may not necessary be there tomorrow! If you are planning to attend a big dog show – one, for example, that is run over a number of days – it is very important to familiarize yourself with the dog groups. Utility and Toy may, for example, be exhibited on one day, and Working and Hound breeds on another.

Breeds within the Utility Group

Boston Terrier.

Bulldog.

Canaan Dog.

Chow Chow.

Dalmatian.

French Bulldog.

German Spitz (Klein).

German Spitz (Mittel).

Japanese Akita.

Japanese Spitz.

Keeshond.

Leonberger.

Lhaso Apso.

Miniature Schnauzer.

Poodle (Miniature).

Poodle (Standard).

Poodle (Toy).

Schipperke.

Schnauzer.

Shar-Pei’

Shih Tzu.

Tibetan Spaniel.

Tibetan Terrier

The Working Dog Group

The working group is the group within the dog groups in which you find breeds originally bred as protectors of sheep and other livestock. Within this Group, as might be expected, are found the Doberman, German Shepherd and Rottweiler, sheepdogs such as the Border Collie and Old English Sheepdog, and many other breeds designed to perform a guarding and protecting role in their native land. Some of these breeds had originally been bred for their ferocity, but has, through careful breeding, now emerged as gentle pets. However, always remember that instincts prevail, and that the majority of dogs in this group are happiest and healthiest when they have access to open spaces and a job to do.

Breeds within the Working Group

Anatolian Shepherd Dog.

Australian Cattle Dog.

Bearded Collie.

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael ).

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois).

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois).

Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervueren).

Bernese Mountain Dog.

Key Facts of the Bernese Mountain Dog.Character: Huge yet lovable, this gentle giant is well suited for the family.Exercise: Needs plenty as it gains weight fast.Grooming: A once a week combing with a brush is adequate. Feeding: 3-3½ cans (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Can live well into their ‘teens, if properly looked after.Faults: Prone to hip deformities and overweight.

This beautiful animal is the best known of the four Swiss mountain dogs. The others are the Great Swiss Sennenhund, the Appenzell Sennenhund and the Entlebuch Sennenhund.

In Switzerland Bernese Mountain Dog are extensively used for draught purposes, and it is not unusual to see a Bernese Mountain Dog pulling milk churns up the mountain side. In most countries it is illegal to use your dog in this way, but owners get great enjoyment from harnessing up their pets for off-highway events, such as local fêtes, where they frequently raise money for charity.

A large dog – 64-70cm (25-27.5in), bitches 58-66cm (23-26in) – the Bernese is not all that dissimilar to a very large Border Collie. In fact its origins lie in ancient Rome.

Two thousand years ago when Roman legions crossed the Alps to get into northern Europe they were accompanied by war and guard dogs. From survivors of the guard dogs, four large Alpine breeds evolved, three as sheep herders, the fourth as a draught dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog. It takes its name from Berne from where the inhabitants would use the dogs to drive their wares to market in a dogcart.

The Outdoor Life.If in the right environment, the Bernese makes an excellent family pet. It needs a lot of space and exercise. It would be inhuman to keep it in an apartment. It also prefers the cold and while many breed members do live indoors they come to no harm being kenneled outside.

The breed tends to devote its time to being helpful and will benefit from obedience training.

Border Collie.

Key Facts of the Border Collie.Character: Tenacious, hardworking sheepdog of great tractability. Not suitable for suburban environment.Exercise: Ample if it is not to become bored and snappy.Grooming: Brush with equine dandy brush. Remove dead fur after grooming.Feeding: 1-1½ cans (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Good average.Faults: Include any tendency to coarseness or sparseness.

The Border Collie (the term “Border” refers to the border country of England, Scotland and Wales) has become almost a folk hero through its television appearances at sheepdog trials and obedience competitors. A hardy, working sheepdog it is also the undoubted favorite of the obedience trainers and has, not wise at all, been increasingly taken into suburban homes in the role of family pet. Being a natural herder (anything from pigs to people), the home is perhaps not the best environment for this worker that, while it has a fondness for children, can become bored and snappy through lack of exercise, freedom and space.

The present day Border Collie is a modern strain descended from collies of the Lowland and Border counties of England and Scotland. They are working sheepdogs of a distinct, recognizable type and gave been exported, often at a great cost, to many countries of the world. The ideal height of the Border Collie is 53cm (21in), bitches slightly less, and a variety of colors are permissible, although white should never be the predominant color.

A young Border Collie will crouch instinctively in the presence of sheep. Farmers generally get an older working Collie to teach them their paces.

Bouvier Des Flandres.

Boxer.

Key Facts of the Boxer.Character: Brave, clownish, marvelous with children. Not averse to a scrap with other dogs.Exercise: Enjoys unleashing its boundless energy.Grooming: Daily brushing.Feeding: 1,5-2,5 cans (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Fairly good.Faults: Include enjoying a scrap.

For the family with young children, the boxer is an excellent choice. It is fairly exuberant, and takes a long time to grow up, but usually fits in well with the average family, especially if there is someone able to take it for long country walks. But remember, in the summer it should not be taken for walks in the heat of the day. The Boxer can also be trained for obedience and have been used by the police, in the armed forces and as Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The Boxer’s ancestry can be traced back to the “holding” dogs of Molossus (mastiff) type, taken into battle against the wild Cambrians by the Romans. The Boxer’s jaw, like that of the Bulldog, is undershot – a common trait in bull baiters. The Braltant bull-baiter, from which the English Bulldog evolved, also had a hand in the creation of the Boxer.

The Boxer stands 57-63cm (22,5-25in), bitches 53-59cm (21-23in) and comes in fawn or brindle. The all-white Boxer, which makes an attractive pet, is completely unacceptable in the show ring. The ears are cropped in many countries.

Briard.

Bullmastiff.

Collie (Rough).

Collie (Smooth).

Doberman.

Eskimo Dog.

Estrela Mountain Dog.

German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian).

Giant Schnauzer.

Great Dane.

Hovawart.

Hungarian Puli.

Komondor.

Lancashire Heeler.

Maremma Sheedog.

Mastiff.

Neapolitan Mastiff.

Newfoundland.

Norwegian Buhund.

Old English Sheepdog.

Pinscher.

Portuguese Water Dog.

Pyrenean Mountain Dog.

Rottweiler.

St Bernard.

Samoyed.

Shetland Sheepdog.

Siberian Husky.

Swedish Vallhund.

Tibetan Mastiff.

Welsh Corgi (Cardigan).

Welsh Corgi (Pembroke).

Toy Group

The Toy Group is composed of those breeds in the dog groups that have been bred solely as diminutive companions, and the traditional lap dogs are to be found in this category. The newcomer will, however, find some surprises. The Toy Poodle, for example, is not on this Group, but is to be found alongside the Miniature and Standard Poodle in the Utility Group, while the perky Yorkshire Terrier has a place in the Toy Group and not with his larger terrier relations. The smallest Toy breed is the Chihuahua, the standard weight for this breed is up to 2,7kg (6lb) with 1-1,8kg (2-4lb) preferred, followed by the Yorkshire Terrier whose weight should be no more than other weights - and indeed heights – mentioned are those desired for exhibition purposes, and there are many happy, healthy examples of their breeds which are bigger, smaller, heavier or lighter than their standard dictates. The largest member of the Toy Group is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the requirement for which is a well-balanced dog within 5,5-8kg (12-18lb). Don’t be misled into thinking that Toy dogs are purely ornamental. They enjoy being exercised and make excellent small guards.

Breeds within the Toy Group

Australian Silky Terrier.

Bichon Frise.

Cavalier King Charles.

The Key Facts of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.Character: Sporting, affectionate and fearless. Ideal pet, good with children.Exercise: Should not be kenneled outdoors, but the Cavalier enjoys a good walk with its owner.Grooming: Daily brushing with bristle brush. Eyes should be kept clear of tear streaks.Feeding: Approximately ¾ can (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Good.Faults: Include possible over-popularity resulting in some poor stock, so remember to choose your breeder with care.

A larger toy breed, the Cavalier is immensely popular because of its good temperament and attractive appearance. It is a faithful and loving companion, reliable with children, and draws enormous entries in dog show classes.

Alas, there are many who set out to get either a Cavalier or a King Charles Spaniel and come home with the other simply because they do not now the difference. In fact, the Cavalier is larger and, unlike the King Charles’s well-domed skull, the Cavalier’s is almost flat between the ears, and its stop is much shallower. It is a matter of choice, for they both share the same characteristics.

The Cavalier and the King Charles both trace back to common stock. The King Charles can trace its ancestry to Japan 2000 years ago and became popular in the Stuart court in 16th-century England. It is often been related how King Charles II of England spent more time playing with his spaniels in council chambers than attending to matters of the state and how he would take his pets into the bedchamber.

In fact, the King Charles was more like the Cavalier, having a longer nose. It was when shorter nosed dogs became fashionable that the King Charles as we know it came about, the old type almost completely disappearing, until the late 1920s a group of devotees determined to bring back the older type – which the wisely prefixed with the word “Cavalier”.

The Cavalier weighs 5.4-8kg (12-18lb) and comes in a number of attractive colors, black and tan, ruby (whole-colored rich red), Blenheim (rich chestnut markings well broken up on pearly white ground) and tricolor (black-and-white well spaced, broken up).

Spaniel.

Chihuahua (Long Coat).

Chihuahua (Smooth Coat).

Key Facts of the Chihuahua: Long-coat and smooth-coat.Character: Devoted, clannish, keenly interested. Splendid miniature guard.Exercise: Don’t be misled into thinking that Chihuahuas are just for carrying. They can be, but you would be surprised how much they enjoy a good walk. Grooming: Brush with a soft brush and rub down with a velvet pad or chamois leather to make the coat gleam. Do not neglect tearstains around eyes.Feeding: 1/3-½ can (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal parts by volume.Longevity: Can live well into the ‘teens, but the particularly tiny specimens rarely do so.Faults: Include tipped or broken-down ears.

The Chihuahua: Long-coat and Short-coat.

The Chihuahua is the smallest dog in the world, its ideal weight being 0.9-2.7kg (2-6lb), but there are many specimens below or above the standard weight that makes good pets. Whatever their weight, Chihuahuas do not consider themselves small dogs. They think they are enormous, and are foolhardy enough to take on all challengers. It is typical of a Chihuahua to race up and growl, for example, at a Doberman that, if it is lucky, will treat it with disdain.

Although it will get on with other pets, the Chihuahua prefers to be with its own kind. It adores its owner, although the pup or newcomer will take a time before it trusts its new owner, and is determined from the outset to become the VIP member of the household. It may be small, but it is supremely intelligent.

The Chihuahua is named after the Mexican state of that name, and is reputed to have been the sacred dog of the Incas. From the evidence it is probable that the hairless dogs that came to South Africa from China had a part in producing the delightful Chihuahua.

Smooth and Long-coats.

Chihuahuas come with both smooth-and long-coats, and which you choose is a matter of sheer preference. Some people like smooth-coated dogs, others like the glamour of a long-coat, or simply enjoy having a luxuriant coat to brush. At one time the two types were allowed to interbreed, so that one might have both smooth- and long-coats in the same litter, but this is no longer permissible and there are separate show classes for the two varieties. The long-coats are generally more popular.

The Chihuahua comes in any colors or mixture of colors, including blue and chocolate. Eyes are dark or, in the case of chocolate, ruby. Light eyes in light colors are allowed.

Chinese Crested Dog.

Key Facts of the Chinese Crested Dog.Character: Happy, never vicious, extremely energetic and affectionate. Exercise: Enjoys a walk but tends to exercise itself running around in the house.Grooming: Bathing about every three weeks, and skin treated with baby cream. Crest and tail plume brushed. Shave off any and stray hairs for show.Feeding: Rapacious appetite but averagely ½-¾ can (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Average.Faults: Include light eyes. They should be dark as to appear black.

The Chinese Crested Dog was almost extinct until, in 1966, Mrs. Ruth Harris of Gloucestershire in England contacted an elderly lady in the United States who owned the only remaining examples of the breed. Mrs. Harris imported several of these. The breed is kept both for the show ring and as household pets.

Powder Puffs.Happy and bouncy, the Chinese Crested is an extremely active little guy that simply cannot resist the temptation to use a room as a racetrack. It is, however, lovable, somewhat intelligent, good-natured and usually fairly easy to train to the leash. Strange but true us that haired examples of the breed, known as Powder Puffs, appear almost in every litter, and are thought to be nature’s way of keeping the other, hairless, pups warm.

The Chinese Crested comes in two distinct body types: the Deer, which is racy and fine-boned, and the Cobby, which is heavier and in body and bone. It stands 28-33cm (11-13in) at the withers, bitches 23-30cm (9-12in). Weight varies considerably but should not be over 5.5kg (12lb).

English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan).

Griffon Bruxellois.

Italian Greyhound.

Japanese Chin.

King Charles Spaniel.

Lowchen (Little Lion Dog).

Maltese.

Miniature Pinscher.

Papillon.

Pekingese.

Pomeranian.

Pug.

Yorkshire Terrier.

The Terrier Group

The terrier group of the dog groups is self-explanatory: it comprises those lively dogs that were predominately bred to hunt small animals, like rats and foxes. They are affectionate and make good pets, but they are extremely lively, bouncy dogs, and not averse to the occasional scrap. The terrier makes a first-class companion for the young, but it is not ideally suitable for a sedate, elderly person, although they can be immensely loving. Terriers come in various sizes, one of the most popular being the West Highland White Terrier, (or also known as “Westie”), a white terrier that stands approximately 28cm (11in) at the withers. The Airedale Terrier is the biggest terrier, 85-61 (23-24in), bitches slightly less, as is usually the case. The Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are the least terrier-like in appearance of this Group’s members, but remember that the Bull Terrier has an extinct white terrier in its make-up, while the “Staffy” descends from Bull Terrier stock. It is a common mistake to mix up the West Highland White Terrier with the Scottish Terrier, the latter being, in fact, an all-black dog, once known as the Aberdeen Terrier.

Breeds within the Terrier Group

Key Facts of the Airedale Terrier.Character: Friendly, courageous and intelligent. Good with children.Exercise: Needs plenty, particularly if it is kept in town.Grooming: Daily brushing with a stiff brush. Professional stripping twice a year.Feeding: Approximately 1-1½ cans (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Good average.Faults: Include pendulous ears, or ears set too high.

The Airedale is the largest of the terrier and what could be described as a “True Brit”, named after its place of origin in the Aire valley (dale) of Yorkshire. Yorkshire gamekeepers kept terriers to control vermin and these were undoubtedly crossed with the Otterland to produce the Airedale. It is an excellent ratter, ducker and can even be trained to the gun and, of course, for obedience.

The Airedale has a steady temperament, likes to be part of the family and makes a splendid playmate for children. However, while some Airedales are docile as lambs there are those that are not averse to a good scrap with other dogs, chasing motorbikes and cars, and making something of a nuisance of themselves of themselves. So it is vitally important to buy a pup from a kennel which breeds for quality and temperament. A good Airedale is a joy and a pleasure to behold. However, the show Airedale does not have to be hand stripped, on art that must be learned by the owner if a certain amount of expense is to be prevented.

Incidentally, the Airedale worked as a police dog before the German Shepherd largely took over that role. It has also been a patrol dog for the dock and railway police and served in the armed forces.

Despite its size, 58-61cm (23-24in), bitches 56-59cm (22-23in), the Airedale is a dog that can live happily in town, provided that it receives sufficient exercise. Colors are body saddle black or grizzle at the top of the neck and top surface of tail. All other body parts are tan.

Australian Terrier.

Bedlington Terrier.

Border Terrier.

Bull Terrier.

Key Facts of the Bull Terrier.Character: Described as the gladiator of the canine race. Super pet for the devotee, but not for beginners.Exercise: Active dog that needs a great deal of exercise.Grooming: Brushing and rub down will keep the coat in good condition.Feeding: Approximately 1½ cans (400g) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Average.Faults: Include obstinacy, and blue and partly blue eyes.

As with most bull breeds, people seem either to love them or hate them. Some people consider the Bull Terrier as the ugliest creature imaginable, others who find them tremendously attractive. They were bred specifically for fighting and the instinct is still strong enough for them to take on all challengers – and win. Therefore they aren’t really a dog for the beginner. However, let it be said that they make devoted and loyal pets, are sound with children (particularly the bitch), and that, provided they are firmly but kindly disciplined, and kept in the right environment – NOT an apartment(unless you want your apartment completely trashed) – the owner should have no problems.

When bull baiting became outlawed by Parliament in 1835, a band of fanciers (including James Hinks of Birmingham, England) were determined to maintain the breed and improve it, while retaining its great strength and tenacity. This was achieved by crossing the White English Terrier with the Bulldog and the Dalmatian, thereby producing a new breed of English Bull Terriers. It was only later that the Brindle Bull Terrier came on the scene.

The Bull Terrier has no official height or weight limit, but its standard calls for maximum substance for size of dog consistent with quality and sex.

Colors are white, black, brindle, red, fawn and tri-color.

Bull Terrier (Miniature).

Cairn Terrier.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

Fox Terrier (Smooth).

Fox Terrier (Wire).

Glen of Imaal Terrier.

Irish Terrier.

Kerry Blue Terrier.

Norfolk Terrier.

Norwich Terrier.

Parson Jack Russell Terrier.

Scottish Terrier.

Sealyham Terrier.

Skye Terrier.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Welsh Terrier.

West Highland White Terrier

Gundog Group

Gundogs, bred to retrieve game birds and waterfowl, are, in the main, gentle, companionable animals in the dog groups that combine admirably the role of sportsman’s dog and household pet – such as the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. Once again there is a great variety of Gundogs to choose from, ranging from the Cocker Spaniel to the bigger setters, retrievers and pointers. The setter has been bred to “sett”, to stand rigid, on scenting game so that its master may detect the presence of prey. The pointer “points” by its stance towards the position of the game. The retriever, obviously, retrieves shot game from land and also from water. The job of the spaniel is to flush birds from their hiding places and to retrieve. The spaniel, however, has undertaken innumerable tasks, and evidence exist that spaniels were being taught to sett as long as the 13th century.

Breeds within the Gundog Group

Brittany.

English Setter.

German Shorthaired Pointer.

German Wirehaired Pointer.

Gordon Setter.

Hungarian Vizsla.

Irish Red and White Setters.

Irish Setter.

Italian Spinone.

Large Munsterlander.

Pointer.

Retriever (Chesapeake Bay).

Retriever (Curly Coated).

Retriever (Flat Coated).

Retriever (Golden).

Retriever (Labrador).

Spaniel (American Cocker).

Spaniel (Clumber).

Spaniel (English Springer).

Spaniel (Field).

Spaniel (Irish Water).

Spaniel (Sussex).

Spaniel (Welsh Springer).

Weirmaraner.

Hound Group

Breeds within the Hound Group

Key Facts of the Afghan Hound.Character: Beautiful, loyal, generally good with children, but can have its off moments, so best not to tease.Exercise: Needs plenty of free running. Afghan racing is becoming a popular sport.Grooming: A Mason Pearson type brush of real bristle is ideal. Daily grooming must not be neglected.Feeding: 1½-2½ cans (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Good average.Faults: Include possible bad temper in adolescence.

The Afghan Hound enjoys immensely popularity and attracts large entries in show classes. A loyal and affectionate animal, it needs gentle but firm handling if it is not to attempt dominance; at the same time it must be understood that this is a dog that does not respond to bullying. In other words, let the dog know you love it, but stay the boss.

The Afghan is an ancient breed and the story is often told that it was one of the animals chosen to be taken into Noah’s Ark.A papyrus discovered in Sinai dated around 300 BC was once thought to describe an early Afghan Hound. In any event, this Greyhound-type dog found its way to Afghanistan where its long, shaggy coat evolved to protect it against the climatic conditions.

The Afghan Hound stands at 68-74cm (27-29in), bitches 63-69cm (25-27in), and may be any color.

Basenji.

Key Facts of the Basenji.Character: Gentle, odorless, good with horses, friendly with children.Exercise: Although a dog that essentially should be kept indoors with its owner – and not in an outside kennel – the Basenji was bred as a hunter, and enjoys the open spaces.Grooming: Use a hound glove. Feeding: 1-1½ of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Can live well into their ‘teens.Faults: They don’t bark, they yodel, and can make a lot of noise if not properly disciplined.

The Basenji is a delightful choice of pet. It is odorless and clean, does not bark, giving only a kind of yodel, it is also loyal, gentle and affectionate. It is good with children.

The Basenji has many appealing features. It washes itself like a cat, for example, and has a forehead full of, what looks like, “concerned” wrinkles.

An ancient breed, dogs of Basenji type are depicted in carvings on tombs of the pharaohs, and it is thought that such dogs were represented as tribute to travelers from the upper reaches of the Nile.

The breed had almost disappeared from existence until the mid-19th century when it was discovered by explorers in the southern Sudan and the Congo. Most of the stock found today has been imported from the Sudan, and also from Liberia in West Africa. Rumor has it that the Basenji is also to be found in the Malayan jungle and north of Katmandu.

The Basenji’s ideal height is 43cm (17in) at the withers, bitches 40cm (16in), and it comes in pure black-and-white, red-and-white, black, tan-and-white and tan-and-white with tan melon pips and mask. The white should be on feet, chest and tail tips. White legs, blaze and a white collar are optional.

Basset Fauve De Bretagne.

Basset Hound.

The Beagle.

Key Facts of the Beagle.Character: Happy, lovable, “naughty” little dog that probably shouldn’t be kept as a pet, but often is.Exercise: Revels in it.Grooming: The Beagle’s weatherproof coat requires little or no grooming.Feeding: 1-1½ cans (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Can live well into the ‘teens.Faults: Include destructiveness, disobedience and slinking off.

The Beagle is an attractive little dog, with a tendency to wander off, true to its hound instincts. It is not the most obedient of dogs. Indeed it can be noisy and a trifle tiresome, but it is nonetheless lovable and while many people will say that the right place for a Beagle is in a Beagle pack, I can think of more than one that has been a devoted household pet for 14 years or more. They are good with children, and usually very healthy – great fun to take for walks!

Beagles are an ancient breed, written about at least since the end of the 15th century. They have hunted hare for centuries, but have been used against various quarries in different countries of the world: wild pig in Ceylon, deer in Scandinavia, and jackal in the Sudan. They will retrieve, and in the USA they hunt by scent in Field Trials.

Standing a minimum of 33cm (13in), and no more than 40cm (16in), at the withers, the smart little Beagle can be any recognized hound color except white, but the top of its stern must be white.

Bloodhound.

Key Facts of the Bloodhound.Character: Superlative tracker, good with children and makes a good pet if you have room to accommodate it.Exercise: Needs a great deal.Grooming: Use a hound glove daily.Feeding: About 2-2½ (400g size) of a branded meaty product, with biscuit added in equal part by volume.Longevity: Average.Faults: Prone to torsion – a build up of stomach gasses. Be aware of this, and contact a veterinarian immediately if hound is in trouble.

Despite its successful career in detective stories and formidable trekking, the Bloodhound is a supremely gentle and affectionate animal that adores children. It makes an excellent pet, provided you have the room to accommodate it and neighbors who won’t be annoyed at the sound of baying, which can be a trifle disconcerting.

Although a good watchdog, the Bloodhound is not a guard, and its instinct is to follow scent and follow its quarry – not to attack. It does of course need a large amount of exercise and owners are recommended to join a Bloodhound Club that organizes events. Apart from trekking, Bloodhounds attract good entries in the show ring.

One of the oldest, purest breeds of hound, the Bloodhound is believed to have originated from the Mediterranean area, possibly Greece to Italy, before the Christian era. It was brought to England by William the Conqueror in 1066 and there the modern type was developed.

The Bloodhound stands 66cm (26in), bitches 61cm (24in), and may be black-and-tan, liver-and-tan (red and tan) and red, sometimes flecked with white. A small amount of white is permissible on chest, feet and tip of tail.

Borzoi.

Dachshund (Long-Haired).

Dachshund. (Miniature Smooth-Haired).

Dachshund (Wire-Haired).

Dachshund (Smooth-Haired).

Dachshund (Miniature Wire-Haired).

Deerhound.

Elkhound.

Finnish Spitz.

Greyhound.

Hamiltonstovare.

Ibizan Hound.

Irish Wolfhound.

Otterhound.

Petit Basset Griffon.

Vendeen.

Pharaoh Hound.

Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Saluki.

Sloughi.

Whippet. Top Information About Dogs and Dog Groups