The Pointer originated in England and was bred to locate game for hunters. They are thought to be a mixture of the Setter, Greyhound, Bulldog, Bloodhound, Newfoundland and Foxhound. Although this amount of purebreds is unlikely to create a physically well balanced dog for hunting, the creation is proof that it can be done!

The Pointer has a lean, athletic body and long, muscular legs. They have a powerful muzzle, and floppy, triangular ears. This breed is deep chested, giving them a speed advantage when on the hunt, as well as large paws and an extremely sensitive nose to sniff out their silent prey. The Pointer’s tail is long and slender which is often the marker for locating the dog in tall grass!

The Pointer is loyal, hardworking and energetic making them perfect for hunters that need a right hand man! This breed will also make a great family pet because they interact well with children and will get along with other dogs as well as smaller animals. Pointers are friendly and outgoing but will need socialization as pups to get them to this state, especially around other people and louder noises.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Males: 22-28 inches high
Females: 21-26 inches high

Weight

Males: 40-75 lbs
Females: 35-65 lbs

Color(s)

The Pointer will come in a variety of colours such as orange, brown, tri-colour, black or lemon. These colours can be a mixture of patches, spots or be completely solid. Most commonly seen is the brown with patches of white throughout their body, but all are permitted in the show ring.

Coat

Pointers have a short, sleek coat that will only need minimal grooming. They have 1 layer of fur which makes them much more susceptible to the cold, resulting in not being able to hunt in temperatures that are too low.

Life Expectancy

About 12-17 years.

Personality

The Pointer is a happy-go-lucky breed with a spirited personality around family and friends. Around people they’ve never met however they tend to be more weary and stand-offish but this will subside once they’ve been introduced. As puppies of a few months old, this breed will start to develop their inherited skills for hunting and will practice for their owners often! Pointers tend to be a bit more independent and will not mind spending some time to themselves so having a person stay with them throughout the day is not necessary.

Breeders and fanciers of this breed alike say that for a companion, potential owners should stick to buying dogs who have show blood lines rather than actual hunting blood lines because they are much less energetic and driven. These dogs have a fantastic sense of smell and will go looking for any food or interesting smell if given the chance, so when walking this breed a leash is always necessary!

Care

Pointers will need a very minimal amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing once every week or 2 and bathing every 2 months will be perfect! This breed is prone to skin allergies, hip dysplasia, and epilepsy. For the most part, Pointers are healthy dogs with very few inheritable diseases.

Training

English Pointers are a highly motivated breed that want to please their owners. They will need firm yet gentle methods to be able to grasp obedience or any type of hunting command. Repetition as well as lessons that are kept short will allow this breed much more practice as well as time for each new trick or command to sink in. Once they learn a specific trick, this stays with them forever and their owners will be able to rely on these dogs as if they were literally partners.

Activity

English Pointers will need at least 1-2 hours of exercise per day which can be done running them at an off-leash park or taking them on multiple walks. If these dogs are not given their needed amount of exercise, they will become quite hyperactive and ill-behaved. This breed will do well in a household environment that has a big backyard or even land because they literally need as much space to live and roam around in as possible.

The Parson Russell Terrier originated in England and was bred to hunt game and most commonly foxes. Originally these dogs were called the Jack Russell Terrier but due to a legal dispute of the name itself, were renamed Parson Russell Terrier. The Jack Russell Terrier and the Parson Russell Terrier are now known as 2 completely different breeds. It is said that this dog was named after its owner and original breeder, John Russell who was a pastor!

The Parson Russell Terrier is an alert, responsive and hard working dog making them excellent hunters as well as great family pets. They have an energetic and loyal disposition that appeals to many owners. These dogs are courageous, hearty, and have a stubborn streak that they will test their master with. The Parson loves affection and will make a good pet if they are raised with children. On the whole these dogs will be ok with other dogs but must be monitored around smaller family pets such as cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. They have a very high prey drive and might chase down these thinking that they are fair game.

This breed is a compact muscular dog that is short yet solid. Most commonly their colouring is more than half white and the remainder being tan, black and red with patches on their tail or head. They have short legs and a slightly longer body compared to their height. Parson Russell Terriers have small triangular shaped ears and their tail is naturally long but will be docked for show purposes. The fur will be either a Short, Wire or Broken variety.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 12-14 inches high
Females: 12-14 inches high

Weight

Males: 14-18 lbs
Females: 14-18 lbs

Color(s)

The Parson Russell Terrier will be white with patches of any combination of black, red or tan. The body must be at least half white and the colour patterns are most commonly on their back end, tail and head.

Coat

This breed has 3 types of coat: the broken, short and the wire. The Short(smooth) coat is sleek and is hard to the touch. The Wire haired coat is rough and brittle to the touch. It is a bit longer than the short coat but is much more harsh to the touch while the Broken coat is a mixture of both. It will have a wiry coat covering the body but shorter smoother fur around their face and legs.

Life Expectancy

About  15 years.

Personality

The Parson Russell Terrier is a happy, caring and free spirited breed. These dogs adore their master and are extremely loyal towards them. Although highly devoted, this dog will need an owner who can be firm with them especially when training. Parson Russell Terriers are not suggested for people that have never owned a dog before as they can be stubborn and a more difficult breed to train. House rules will need to be instilled immediately or this breed will walk all over their owners.

These dogs are curious and love to explore and dig! They can entertain themselves well but prefer to be with the family. Parsons are not only great working dogs, they will also excel in obedience, tracking and hunting trials! Although they are little, they can be taught many different tricks or training methods and will work alongside their owner with pride. It is said that Parson Russell Terriers have a “big dog complex” meaning they think they are a much larger breed that what they actually are!

Care

The Parson Russell Terrier will need minimal grooming as their variety of coats do not require extensive work. The Short coated variety will need to be brushed about once every 2 weeks to remove the dead fur. The Broken and Wire haired coat variety should be brushed a few times per week to prevent tangles in the fur. Bathing should be done once every 2 months or at the owners discretion. This breed is prone to Legg Perthes syndrome, slipped stifles and eye diseases. Deafness may occur in some lines but for the most part, this breed is very healthy.

Training

The Parson Russell Terrier will need a firm hand when being trained. This dog is known well for having a stubborn streak so consistency and repetition are the key elements for this dog to grasp the obedience concept. House rules will need to be taught as soon as this breed is brought home so the dog will know immediately what is ok to do and what is not.

The Parson is not for an owner or family that has never had a dog before. They are great pets but will need owners who have experience raising and training other dogs first. Socialization of this breed with other dogs, animals and people will be needed as puppies so they will grow up to be well adjusted adults.

Activity

This breed will need about an hour of exercise per day to burn off their energy. A trip to an off-leash dog park so they can run around and play with other dogs, or a long walk would be perfect! These dogs are active inside and will play throughout the day. The Parson will do well in an apartment as long as they get their daily exercise. A backyard would be preferable so they can have an outdoor area to run around in.

The Portuguese Water Dog (PWD) originated in Portugal and was bred to chase fish into the fisherman’s netting and to collect the torn nets from the water! They used to be a very valuable asset to fishermen, but today there are more modern machines and devices that can do their job, so the breed itself is prized as a loving companion.

This breed has a solid, athletic body and strong muscular legs, giving them their quick strides in water. They have floppy triangular ears and large expressive eyes. The PWD has a long slender tail, a long muzzle, and a thick coat that protects them from extremely cold water!

The PWD is an energetic, affectionate and caring dog that will be a joy to own. They develop very strong bonds with their owners and will need to have a large amount of attention to be truly happy. Generally a cheerful and sweet breed, the PWD loves to play and will make a fantastic family dog because they adore children and will interact well with smaller animals in the household.

Breed Group

Working

Size

Males: 20-23 inches high

Females: 17-21 inches high

Weight

Males: 42-60 lbs
Females: 35-50 lbs

Color(s)

The PWD will come in a variety of colours, such as gray, white, black & white, brown, parti-coloured, solid black or brown with white spotting. The most commonly seen is the solid black but all are accepted for show standards.

Coat

This breed has 2 variations of coat texture which are the tightly coiled fur, or the loosely coiled, wave-like fur. They have only one layer of fur to protect them from the elements they work in but this is quite sufficient.

Life Expectancy

About 10-14 years.

Personality

The PWD is a breed of dog not suggested for the first time owner because they require a lot of time and exercise to thrive. Training will be needed at a young age to firmly input the house rules so the dog understands what they can and cannot do. They will also need a large amount of exercise whether that be swimming, running, or just trying different types of trials such as agility.

The PWD will be perfect for an owner that has an active lifestyle and ample time to spend with their companion throughout the day. It is recommended that there be a person home during the day or part of the day just to break up the time the dog spends alone.

Care

This breed will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing 3-4 times per week and bathing every 1-2 months will be perfect! The PWD is prone to GM 1 storage disease (a breed specific ailment) and hip dysplasia. Generally they are a healthy breed but the parents medical history should be checked before purchasing a puppy to ensure the potential owners are getting a healthy baby.

Training

The PWD will need to have an owner that is experienced in raising and training because they can be stubborn and have a “my way or the highway” attitude. Gentle yet firm methods will be needed as well as short sessions to ensure they grasp this information. Training that is made to be enjoyable will be much more pleasurable to these dogs which will encourage them to want to learn!

Activity

This breed will need at least 1 hour of exercise per day and this can be done at an off-leash park or on a walk. They will burn off much more energy running or swimming because this comes to them naturally. The PWD will do well in an apartment and access to a backyard would be excellent so they have an outdoor area at home to roam around in!

One of the older breeds, it is believed that this dog originated before 400 BC in China.
It is said that the Pug descended from a shorthaired Pekingese, but some experts think it was the result of crossing a small Bulldog while others believed is a miniature form of the rare French Mastiff called Dogue de Bordeaux.

However, the Pug was popular in China, Japan and in Tibet for almost fifteen hundred years before Dutch traders brought this breed back from Asia in the fifteen hundreds.
Pugs have been bred especially for human companionship and not for physical attributes like many other breeds.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

10 – 14 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

13 – 20 lbs.

Color(s)

The Pugs colors are: apricot-fawn with a black mask and ears, black or silver.

Coat

The Pug has a very fine, sleek and short coat.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 15 years.

Personality

The Pug is a happy and extremely playful little imp that gets along well with other dogs and pets, generally thought a good breed for families they behave perfectly with both children and visitors.
The Pug requires plenty of attention and can become jealous at times if their owner ignores them.
The Pug is a loyal, affectionate and loving dog, highly sociable but stubborn and boisterous, he should be socialized at an early age.

Care

Pugs catch colds easily and dislike hot weather, they should be kept indoors at a comfortable temperature.
They are prone to skin allergies, heart diseases, chronic breathing and eyes problems.
Do not over feed a Pug because they tend to quickly become obese.

The smooth, short-haired coat of the Pug does not require much maintenance, Brush and comb with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary.
The Pug is a seasonally heavy shedder for a short A baby Pughaired dog.

Training

This is one of the harder breeds to train, Pugs are not known for high performance in obedience competitions.
In spite of he can be headstrong at times the Pug is intelligent and eager to please, fun and consistent training methods work best with him as he bore quickly with repetitive training practices.

Activity

Pugs are good for apartment life, they are relatively active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
They are strong and enjoy energetic games, a combination of daily walks and free play time like fetching a ball will keep them fit and healthy.
However, they have the tendency to overheat because of their short noses do not cool them off as easily as those of longer-nosed breeds.

Standard, Miniature, Toy

The Poodles origin is unknown, some believe it originated in France and others think Germany. What is for certain is that they came from Europe and were bred to retrieve waterfowl and game. Their name in German: “pudel” translates to splashing dog, where in this case is a discription of the dog’s purpose. Although many people consider this dog as prissy, they were in face bred to swim and get dirty!

The Poodle has 3 variations, the toy, miniature and standard. All derrived from the Standard variation and were bred to be smaller in the 18th century and all have kept their specific sizes even in modern day. This breed has been known to have more elegant hair cuts that most people would think were for show purposes when in fact the dogs fur was purposely cut everywhere except their ears, chest, and leg joints to keep this dog warm when in cold water!

The Standard Poodle is a large dog with a slender muzzle and long floppy ears. They have muscular legs and an athletic body giving them a noble appearance. Their tail is naturally long but is docked for show purposes.There are 3 variations of coat cut that the Poodle could have: the Continental cut which is their entire lower half shaved and fur left on their ankles, tail, and hips. The Pet cut which is where nothing is shaved but the entire body of fur is about 1 inch in length or the English saddle cut which is similar to the Continental cut except their are rounded areas around the hips that are not shaved.

Breed Group

Standard & Miniature
Non-Sporting

Toy
Toy

Size

Standard
Males: 15 inches high
Females: 15 inches high

Miniature
Males: 11-15 inches high

Females: 11-15 inches high

Toys
Males: under 11 inches
Females: under 11 inches

Weight

Standard

Males: 45-70 lbs
Females: 45-60 lbs
Males: 15-17 lbs
Miniature

Females: 15-17 lbs

Toy
Males: 6-9 lbs

Females: 6-9 lbs

Color(s)

The Standard Poodle will come in all colours as long as it is solid.

Coat

The Poodle has a long, soft, curly coat that will come in any colour. There are 3 different cuts they could have, which are the Continental, the Pet, or the English Saddle cut. These are specific hair cuts the Poodle will need to have if they are to be shown. They have these specific cuts to protect their vital organs and joints from the cold when on a hunt. Although this regal look is desired by many breeders and owners, the cut itself was purely for warmth!

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Poodle is an energetic joyful breed that thrives on attention from their owners. They are a well behaved, calm breed that has a charming character. These dogs are graceful and have a history of not only excellent hunting/retrieval abilities but also in the show ring for their fashionable appearance.

The Poodle is of the utmost intelligent dogs in existence. They are clever, quick and responsive making them easily trained in whatever sport their owner will choose. Hunting, swimming, obedience, agility, and even guarding, the Poodle is a multi-trainable dog that will make a great working companion or pet.

Care

This breed will need either an extensive amount of grooming or very minimal depending on the hair cut their owner would like for them. With the more elegant cuts (Continental or English saddle) they will need daily brushing and monthly trimming to keep their coat in its perfect state. If the owner would prefer the Pet hair cut, then brushing them about once per week will be excellent as they will have about 1 inch of fur covering their bodies and will not need major grooming. The Poodle is prone to bloat, skin allergies, hip dysplasia, eye problems such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and ear infections.

Training

This breed is considered one of the easiest breeds to train! They are highly intelligent and will just need consistency and a firm owner to train them in any type of sport or for any type of trick. The Poodle has been known to not only be a great retriever but also as a guard dog which would seem unlikely as they are such friendly outgoing dogs! They will excel in obedience and agility trials if their owner keeps a repetitive method and positive manner when training.

Activity

The Poodle will need to be taken out on regular walks or to an off-leash dog park for their daily exercise. Running will tire this energetic dog out more then a long walk as they need to stretch their legs and use their muscular body to burn off their energy. These dogs will be great for people that live in apartments as long as they are getting their daily exercise. A back yard would be preferable but this is not a must.

The Pomeranian originated in what is now part of Germany and Poland but in the past was called Pomerania. They were bred purely for companionship and are considered a German Spitz breed of dog. They are tiny little guys that were once of medium size and weighed up to 30 lbs! They were used to herd sheep in the late 18th century and around this time period, English nobility began to own these dogs which boosted their popularity in England. These dogs were prized for their appearance and were bred to be smaller and smaller where today they weigh roughly 7 lbs.

This breed has a fluffy thick coat and a small pointy muzzle resembling a fox! They have a tightly curled tail which wraps around itself to touch their back, and slender legs giving them a jolly gait. The Pomeranian has small triangular ears that are pointed upward and large dark eyes giving them an overall kind expression. These dogs are full of personality and despite their size, will act as though they were a large breed!

Independent , smart, and alert, the Pomeranian is an animated breed that will keep their owners on their toes! These dogs are entertaining and love to receive attention from their owners, but will not be a clingy breed. Their independent nature allows them a chance to spend family time together but can be on their own exploring or playing by themselves. The Pomeranian will make great family pets because they get along well with other dogs and cats, but should not be around young children as they can become intolerant.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 7-12 inches high
Females: 7-12 inches high

Weight

Males: 3-7 lbs
Females: 3-7 lbs

Color(s)

The Pomeranian comes in any colour but the most popular are the black, tan, brown, orange, blue, and white. They can also be a spotted pattern called “parti” and most common will be a gray and tan or a black and tan.

Coat

This breed has a thick, fluffy double layered coat. The outer layer is soft, long and wispy and the inner layer is thick and plush protecting them well from the colder temperatures. They will need to be brushed about two to three times per week as their coat will require more grooming due to its length and texture. Monthly trims will be needed to keep their coat looking immaculate.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Pomeranian is a merry little dog that is playful, confident and loves to explore their surroundings. They are a curious, loyal breed that will be a joy to own. Perfect for families and also for people that live in smaller spaces because they don’t require too much room as they are a tiny dog weighing a maximum of 7 lbs! The Pom is an affectionate breed that has an independent streak and will enjoy time to themselves. These dogs can be quick to learn new tricks and have a high motivation to please their owners.

This breed will make great watchdogs because their bark is loud and distinct. They are notorious for becoming quite barky but with strict training, this can be avoided. The Pom has an infectiously happy personality and will make friends wherever they go.

Care

The Pomeranian will need to be brushed at least 2-3 times per week and should be bathed about every 3 months but this varies on the owners preferences. These dogs are prone to luxating patella’s, heart problems, eye problems such as cataracts, skin allergies and a collapsing trachea. Hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism can also be genetic diseases the Pom can inherit.

Training

The Pomeranian is a breed that despite their small size, can be difficult to train so owners will need to be very consistent and firm. Positive methods will be needed because these dogs already have the desire to please their owners, they just have more important things on their mind than obedience. Poms can pick up little tricks quickly as they are quite intelligent, but housetraining and obedience lessons will need to be repetitive and firm in order for this dog to understand them.

Activity

These dogs will need about half an hour of exercise per day. They burn off most of their energy throughout the day so will not need extensive activity to tire them out. Pomeranians are very small dogs and will do very well in an apartment because they take up such little space. A back yard is not needed as long as they are taken out daily!

The Pekingese originated in China and were bred to be companions as they used to be highly respected in Chinese culture. Bred in Beijing, this little dog was known for its incredible sentimentality to the Chinese. They were thought of as dogs that would rid the world of evil spirits and were considered almighty to the Chinese, so much so that when royalty died, their dogs were killed in a sacrificial ceremony in hopes to protect their master in the next life.

This breed has a pushed in face like that of a pugs, small floppy ears and a body longer than they are tall. Their tail is a loose curl that touches their back and their legs are short but sturdy. The coat is long and thick making the Pekingese resembles a tiny lion, which is prominent in large amounts of Chinese artwork done on these dogs.

This breed is known well for their courage and strong bond with their master. They are stubborn and can be aggressive towards other dogs but have a bold independent attitude that gives them their notoriously popular personality.

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 6-9 inches high

Females: 6-9 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-10 lbs

Females: 8-10 lbs

Dogs of this breed that weigh less than 6 lbs are called “sleeves” and they are the smallest of the Pekingese.

Color(s)

The Pekingese can come in any colour, but most common come in the red, tan, or black.

Coat

The Pekinese has a long, thick coat that is needed for cold climates. The fur on their tail is silky and cascades into the tight curl that touches their back. This breeds fur is straight and is fringed on the legs, ears, tail and underbelly giving them a rugged “lion” look.

Life Expectancy

About 10-15 years.

Personality

The Pekingese is a stubborn little dog that will only have his way. They have been known to stop eating to prove to their owner who the boss is! Despite this trait they are the most affectionate and loving dogs anyone will meet. They have a rare undying love for their owners that only gets stronger with time. They are a small breed but act as if they weigh 100 lbs rather than 10 lbs. The Pekingese love people once they get to know them. They are reserved around strangers but this is only until they create a bond. This dog will make a great family pet if the children are much older because this breed don’t like to be roughhoused with.

For the most part, the Pekingese will get along ok with other dogs but can become aggressive which is due to their stubbornness as a breed. They will do well with other family pets as long as the owner shows equal attention to everyone.

Care

This breed has a long coat that will need daily brushing and monthly trimming. Bathes should be given every couple of months or when the owner finds this necessary. When brushing this dog, special attention should go to the fur on their hind legs as this can tangle very easily. The Pekingese is prone to breathing problems which is due to their pushed in faces, eye ulcers, dislocated kneecaps, and difficult labor. These dogs are small but they have large heads which can pose as a disadvantage when giving birth.

Training

This breed will need to start training the day they are brought home. Their stubborn attitude will pose as a difficulty to completely obedience train them as they will always have a “my way or the highway” attitude. Firm training with small sessions and constant repetitive commands will keep this dog on track.

Activity

This breed will need a brisk walk once per day. They tire themselves out on a daily basis just playing and exploring their space so not to much exercise will be needed. This dog will do well in an apartment as they don’t take up much space due to their tiny size. A backyard is not needed just as long as their owner can commit to about half an hour per day of walking or time spent in an off-leash park.

The Papillon originated in Europe, its exact whereabouts is unknown although Spain, Belgium and Italy have the most historical facts of this dog dating back 700 years! They were bred to be a companion dog and basically entertain their masters. These little dogs were popular back when Marie Antoinette owned them and they still keep their charm to this very day. They are a charming little dog that will excel in agility, obedience, and tricks.

The Papillon is most commonly known for their large “butterfly ears”. They have long wispy fur that is silky and smooth to the touch. The have a slender face, rectangular muzzle and large bright eyes. This breeds body is athletic, their legs delicate and their tail is in a loose curl which touches their back.

This breed is a true companion dog, they love human attention, they’re affectionate and they’re animated. These little dogs can put on an entertaining show just being themselves. The Papillon is a smart dog which will make it easy to train them because they have the intelligence and the motivation to please their owners. This breed can be protective of their family and will make great watch dogs as their bark is very piercing!

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 8-11 inches high

Females: 8-11 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-10 lbs

Females: 7-9 lbs

Color(s)

The Papillon has a white base coat with a mixture of any colour. Most commonly they are a black and white or a red and white.

Coat

This breed has a silky long coat that will need to be brushed regularly. They have cascading fur from their ears, underbelly and tail giving this dog a charming look. The Papillons legs and face have shorter fur but overall the appearance is a thick smooth coat. Like most long haired dogs, monthly trimmings will be needed to keep the coat looking its best and weekly combing will keep tangles from occurring.

Life Expectancy

About 16 years.

Personality

The Papillon is a bright, alert and entertaining dog that lives for their owners. They can be very relaxed when their owner is at rest yet very animated for the owners attention. This dog does not normally bark often and will enjoy learning new little tricks to entertain people. They will make a great pet for families with older children as they are much to delicate for younger children to play with. They get along ok with other dogs but have been known to be a bit combative. Other family pets such as cats will co-exist well with this breed as long as they are raised with them from puppy hood.

This breed is thought to have a “big dog complex” which means they think they are bigger than what they actually are. They are exceptional when it comes to obedience training as they can pick up tricks quickly.

Care

This dogs coat will need moderate grooming maintenance for it to look as best it can. Considering their coat is long, this breed will not need to be brushed more then twice per week. Bathing is up to how often the owner would like it to be done. The Papillon is prone to luxating patella’s, progressive retinal atrophy, mitral valve disease, and a soft spot that is not protected by their skull.

Training

The Papillon will need to be trained in a gentle manner that is consistent and repetitive. They can become very successful in obedience and when practicing little tricks because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. Housetraining this breed is known to be a bit more difficult as they can have a stubborn streak when it does not suit them to do something. Socialization with other dogs, and small pets will be great for this dog as a puppy so they can become well adjusted as adults.

Activity

The Papillion will need regular walks to burn off their energy. They don’t require excessive amounts of exercise because they can be tired out from a long day of entertaining their owners! This breed will do well in an apartment because they are small dogs that don’t require a lot of space. It would be preferable to have a smaller backyard so they can frolic around outside but this is not a necessity.

The Plott Hound is probably one of the least known hounds and has only recently been an AKC registered dog breed. Ancestors of today’s Plott Hound were used to hunt boar in Germany, but were brought over to America to hunt bears. These dogs are known for their courage and for their stamina.

Breed Group

Hound

Size

Male dogs: 24 to 27 inches

Female dogs: 21 to 25 inches

Weight

Male: 50-75 lbs

Female: 40-65 lbs

Color(s)

The Plott has a distinctive “brindle” which is defined by the National Plott Association as a line or stripe effect that is made with two different hair colors. The shades that are acceptable on a Plott are yellow, red, tan, brown, black, grey and Maltese. White markings are accepted on the chest and feet.

Coat

The Plott Hound has smooth short or medium length hair with a glossy appearance.

Life Expectancy

About 12-14 years.

Personality

This is a very fast and active dog breed. They usually accompany hunters and are very vicious with their “game”. The breed is very alert and quick to learn new things. They will be very affectionate with their master and family and they are always very eager to please.

Care

A Plott Hound should get a lot of exercise and moderate care. This dog breed does not require much grooming. Long walks and trail exercise is great for Plotts.

Training

The Plott Hound is very trainable. They are aggressive in the hunt, but they are very obedient with their master and will follow orders. Training these dogs at an early age is always has the best results.

Activity

They need a lot of exercise and it is definitely not recommended to confine a Plott to a small area like an apartment. It is best if the owner has a backyard that the Plott can roam freely; or even in a rural area!

The Pharaoh Hound originated in the small island of Malta which is one of the seven islands in the Mediterranean Sea. On the island, they call this dog the Kelb Tal-Fenek which translates to “rabbit dog”. The Pharaoh Hound was thought to have been linked to ancient Egypt because historians found paintings of similar looking dogs inside pyramids. In reality, this dog is of no relation to any Egyptian breed but is actually a descendant from African hunting dogs.

This breed is a slick sight hound mainly hunting game and rabbit but was cherished as a pet more than it was as a hunter. They are thought to be one of the oldest dogs in the world dating back to 4000 BC! Their excellent sense of hearing and smell are what this dog relies on to hunt its prey.

The Pharaoh hound has a slender noble appearance with a toned body. They are agile and light footed making them accurate sophisticated hunters. They have straight legs, a flat skull, and a sharp thin tail. The Pharaoh Hound is an elegant dog both for show purposes and for accomplishing work objectives.

Breed Group

Hound

Size

Males: 23-25 inches high

Females: 21-24 inches high

Weight

Males: 45-55 lbs

Females: 45-55 lbs

Color(s)

The Pharaoh Hound comes in a red and tan colouring. White markings are allowed on the face, chest, toes and tail, but any other colours or markings are not permitted for purebred show dogs.

Coat

The Pharaoh Hound has a very short coat almost having the appearance of none at all. It is smooth and glossy with a silky feel and an elegant look. This coat will need virtually no grooming effort, just a “hounds glove” which is a brush type object used to make the coat shiny. Bathes every 2-3 months will be perfect as this dog does not have a dog smell to them.

Life Expectancy

About 11-14 years .

Personality

The Pharaoh Hound is mature, calm and happy both enjoying his privacy and affection from their families. They will make great family dogs because they love children but should be monitored around smaller family pets such as cats, mice, guinea pigs etc as they consider these prey. When meeting new people the Pharaoh Hound can be aloof but will warm up quickly. After this breed considers you a friend, they will “blush” when they are excited to see you. Their ears and nose will turn pink!

The Pharaoh Hound will make a very good watch dog because they like to bark. If you are planning on leaving this dog alone often, then this isn’t the dog for you. They like to be included in family events because they thrive on affection.

Care

This breed has an extremely short coat so grooming will only need to be done about once every 2-3 weeks. A hound brush is suggested just to bring out the shine of their coat. Bathing is up to the discretion of how often the owner would like it done. This breed is prone to hip dysplasia, some eye problems, luxating patella’s, and can be overly sensitive to veterinary medications such as anesthetics. When colder seasons are here, the Pharaoh hound will need a doggie coat or extra layers as they have nothing to protect them from the cold.

Training

This breed will need to be trained in a positive manner as they can be sensitive to harsh methods. They should be trained firmly and as always, consistency is the key to succeed in obedience. Pharaoh Hounds will need to be socialized as puppies especially around people to ensure they do not become timid as adults. They also need to be socialized around dogs, in particular those of the same sex because males can become aggressive towards other males and the same with females towards other females.

Activity

The Pharaoh Hound will need at least one long walk per day or at least one hour per day in a dog park so they can burn off their energy. This breed should always be walked on leash because they have been known to chase small animals at a seconds notice. They will do well in an apartment as long as they get their regular exercise. A backyard would be excellent so they have an outside area to run around in.