The Shiba Inu originated in Japan and was bred to hunt birds. They are related to the Akita Inu as both are fierce working dogs but differ greatly in size. These little dogs became very close to extinction in the 1930’s but were specifically bred to become re-populated and are now known and owned all over the world. The Shiba Inu’s name translates to “small dog” or ” shrub dog” which is where they would flush their prey from.

These little dogs have an athletic, muscular body and a sharp muzzle. Their ears are medium sized and pricked upward giving them a constant alert expression. The Shiba Inu has toned, straight legs which give them their speed when on the hunt, and a coiled tail that curls over to touch their lower back. These little dogs are the spitting image of their larger relatives, the Akita Inu and are often mistaken for Akita puppies!

Responsive, spirited and outgoing, the Shiba Inu is a great companion! They bond very strongly with one person but will be friendly to family members or family friends. Around strangers they will be weary and stand off-ish but this will pass once they have a few meetings. These dogs make great family pets because they get along very well with children, but should be the only pet in the household. The Shiba might be aggressive towards other dogs, especially those of the same sex and should not be around small family pets such as cats or hamsters because they have a high prey drive and might attack.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 14-17 inches high
Females:13-16 inches high

Weight

Males: 20-30 lbs
Females: 18-28 lbs

Color(s)

The Shiba Inu comes in any colour combination but most commonly seen is the cream or red.

Coat

These little dogs have a thick coat that has 2 layers. The outer layer is soft, dense and straight while the under coat is thick and plushy giving them extra insulation for colder climates. The Shiba Inu is a generally clean dog but will need weekly grooming to upkeep their coat.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Shiba Inu is an energetic, clever little dog that will make a great companion! They will excel greatly in not just obedience, but agility, tracking, and hunting. They are known to pick up little tricks very quickly and enjoy entertaining their masters with their skills. The Shiba Inu will need to be socialized thouroughly as a puppy, especially around other dogs and people. Cats and smaller animals should be introduced at a young age as well to ensure they can co-exist with them as adults.

This breed will make a fine working dog if their skills are put to use. Hunting game or rodents is what their breed was originally used for and they will still carry on these characteristic hunting abilities even today. Most commonly they are used for companionship and are standard household pets in their birth country! The Shiba is growing in popularity everyday and makes an excellent little dog for people who want an independent yet affectionate pet.

Care

The Shiba Inu will need to be brushed 2-3 times per week and bathed every 1-2 months. They are clean animals but will need to have the dead fur removed from their coat on a weekly basis. This breed is prone to luxating patella’s, hip dysplasia, epilepsy and a few eye ailments such as cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and glaucoma. For the most part they are a very healthy breed but potential owners should have the parents medical history checked before buying a puppy to see if there are any health problems their dog might inherit at an older age.

Training

This little dog will need a persistent and calm owner who will be able to show dominance and firmness when it comes to teaching them basic obedience. They can have a stubborn attitude but with consistency and repetition will grasp obedience quickly. The Shiba Inu is an intelligent breed and it will not take long before they learn what it is their owner is wanting to teach them. These dogs are known to pick up training techniques quickly and are also fairly simple to housetrain.

Activity

The Shiba Inu will need about a half an hour of exercise per day which can be done at an off-leash park or on a long walk. These dogs play during the day so do not need an excessive amount of exercise in the evening. They will be comfortable in an apartment because they don’t require an entire household of room to live in, and a backyard would be preferable just so there is an outdoor area to roam.

The Schipperke originated in Belgium and was bred to guard boats either docked or at sea and to hunt down vermin that live aboard the ships. They are descendants of the Belgium Sheepdog but were bred to become decreased in size until they reached their current weight which tops out at a whopping 18 lbs.

This breed is petite and has a significantly compact body and tiny, fine boned legs. They have a sharp muzzle and ears that are tiny but are pointed upwards giving them a constantly perceptive look. The Schipperkes tail will be docked for show purposes but if left natural will be a tight coil that curls over to touch their lower back.

The Schipperke is a lively little dog that is courageous and strong minded. They love children, and will get along well with other dogs and cats so will make a great family dog. This breed has a very high adoration for their master and will usually give all of their love and loyalty toward that one person. They are not as outgoing or friendly with people they’ve never met or even know because they are devoted to their owner.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 11-13 inches high
Females: 9-12 inches high

Weight

Males: 7-18 lbs
Females: 7-18 lbs

Color(s)

The Schipperke only comes in one colour variation which is the solid black. They can come in tan, a rich brown, or a cream colouring but none of these will be accepted for show rings as black is the only permitted colour.

Coat

This breed has a very thick double layered coat that is a bit more dense and hard feeling to the touch. The top coat is fine yet smooth, while the undercoat is fleecy and insulating giving them protection from colder climates. The Schipperke has a “mane-like” tuft of fur around their necks which gives them a more distinguished look.

Life Expectancy

About 15-18 years.

Personality

The Schipperke is a clever breed that has a mischievous side that needs to explore! They are bright dogs and will not be too difficult to train if their owner is consistent with the techniques. These little guys are notorious for their cleanliness because they have little to no smell and groom themselves as regularly as a cat would.

This breeds purpose was to guard their master’s territory (in this case boats or ships) and this trait has been carried on to the Schipperke of today. Despite their size, these little dogs are not all bark and will defend what belongs to them at will! Strangers are not welcome around this breed unless they are formally introduced.

Care

The Schipperke will need a large amount of grooming maintenance to upkeep their thick fur. One to three times per year times they will lose their coat to re-grow a new one, this is called “blowing their coat”. The entire undercoat of the dog will be shed and during this time they will need to be brushed at least 2-3 times per day! Bathing should be done about every 2 months or at the owners discretion as to how often. The Schipperke is prone to cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, hip dysplasia and a breed specific disease called MPS IIB. They might be inclined to inherit hypothyroidism but this will only be in some lines.

Training

This breed is a very clever little dog and will need firm yet gentle training methods to grasp any concepts. Sessions should be shorter and made to be enjoyable so the dog is motivated to learn! They want to please their masters but can be stubborn so owners must be consistent and patient.

Activity

The Schipperke will need at least an hour per day of exercise which can be time spent in an off-leash park or on a walk. It is suggested they be taken to dog parks because they will burn off their energy much quicker if they are running after a ball or playing with other dogs. This breed will do well in an apartment as long as they have their daily exercise and a backyard is preferred so they have an outdoor area at home to run around in!

The Sussex Spaniel originated in England and was bred to chase game out of hiding and locate/retrieve them for their owner. They are thought to be a mixture of various Springer Spaniels and the Field Spaniel. This breed came very close to extinction and were selectively bred to a safe level but are still a rarity today.

This breed has a long body and shortened muscular legs giving their body a high resemblance to the Basset Hound and the Clumber Spaniel. Their eyes are large and they have long, floppy ears. The Sussex Spaniel will have a long muzzle, wide chest and big paws. Naturally these dogs have a long tail, but will be docked for show purposes.

The Sussex Spaniel is a very docile, sweet breed that has a laid back attitude. They are energetic while working but for the most part are at ease and take life at a slow pace. This breed is not common, but will make a great family pet because they adore children and interact well with other animals. Sussex Spaniels have a stubborn streak, but are generally obedient and want nothing but to please their masters.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Males: 13-16 inches high
Females: 13-16 inches high

Weight

Males: 35-45 lbs
Females: 35-45 lbs

Color(s)

The Sussex Spaniel will come in a golden liver which is a light reddish brown colouring. This is the only colour that is accepted for show standards and it must be solid or the dog will be disqualified.

Coat

This breed has a long, straight coat that cascades from their belly, chest, tail and legs. Their fur is flat but will be loosely wavy at the ends and is fine to the touch. The Sussex Spaniel will only need a moderate amount of grooming for their fur and brushing them 3-4 times per week will be sufficient.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Sussex Spaniel is an intelligent dog but will need an owner who can be gentle and repetitive with their training. These dogs can have a willful attitude at times and will need their owner to be firm when necessary. They love to be the center of attention and will live up every moment of it! The Sussex Spaniel should not be left alone too often because they might take up barking as an extracurricular activity as well as become very lonely.

Despite their working abilities and skills, the Sussex Spaniel makes a fantastic pet. They are renowned for their calm persona and can be owned by elderly, couples, and families. These merry, amiable dogs will make a good house pet and excellent watchdog, prepared to alert the family at a moments notice.

Care

The Sussex Spaniel will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing a few times per week and bathing every 1-2 months will be excellent. This breed is prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease and ear infections but both of these ailments are due to their physical build. They will become overweight if they’re fed too much so their owner will need to monitor the food intake.

Training

The Sussex Spaniel will need a gentle owner who can train them using firm and repetitive methods. They can be stubborn so will need consistency as well as shorter lessons for them to grasp obedience. If the training sessions are made to be fun, this breed will relate commands to positive outcomes and they will want to continue to learn.

Activity

This breed will need about an hour of exercise per day to tire them out. Trips to an off-leash park or longer walks will be perfect. Although they are a more calm breed, when out for exercise, they become quite energetic and will run around excitedly! The Sussex Spaniel will do well in a household environment because they need as much space as they can get to live in. A backyard would be preferable so they can have access to an outdoor area at home.

The Spinone Italiano originated in Italy and was bred to be a hunters right hand man and either retrieve, point out, or hunt down game. It is thought that this breed is a mixture of the German Wirehaired Pointer, Russian Setter or Spanish Pointer (two of which are now extinct) but this is uncertain. These dogs were given their name from the shrub they would find their prey in which was called the “pino”.

This breed has a large resemblance to the German Wirehaired Pointer in the way that both their bodies are lean and muscular and both have long, powerful muzzles. The Spinone Italiano has large floppy ears, and big circular eyes which gives them their sweet expression. They have strong, straight legs giving them their lengthy stride when on the hunt and a thick wiry coat that will protect them from rough terrain and cold weather. Naturally the Spinone’s tail would be long but for show purposes will be docked.

The Spinone Italiano is a sweet, caring breed that is laid back and well-behaved. They are extremely affectionate and adore children, making them great for family pets as well as excellent working companions. This breed has a very high motivation to please their owners and will go the extra mile to do so. Hunting and retrieving are their specialty but if trained correctly in a gentle manner, can be taught many other different ways to help out their master on a hunt!

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Males: 23-28 inches high
Females: 22-26 inches high

Weight

Males: 75-86 lbs
Females: 61-75 lbs

Color(s)

The Spinone Italiano will come in a brown & white, speckled brown, white, orange, speckled orange and brown with white markings. These dogs will have a large variety of coat patterns, markings, and patches but as long as their colours are within these standards, they will be accepted into show rings.

Coat

These dogs have a wiry coat that is very similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer but the Spinone will only have one layer of fur. To the touch, their coat will be dense yet hard giving them much protection from shrubs and other low to the ground plants that could potentially scratch or scrape them when on a hunt.

Life Expectancy

About 8-12 years.

Personality

The Spinone Italiano is a versatile, low-key dog that will be great for people that like to relax and lay back with their pet or for people that like to be outdoors on an adventure. They are moldable dogs that will adapt to the lifestyle of their owners, provided they still get regular exercise. These dogs are very emotional and will tap into their owners moods, so a gentle attitude and manner towards this dog is always a must because it is quite possible for them to have hurt feelings otherwise! The Spinone will always want to please their owner and make them happy, so disciplining will need to be done sensitively.

These dogs have a charming little personality, they are said to be comedians in dog suits! They enjoy playing, performing little tricks, and keeping the mood light with their funny antics! They are definitely a breed that will need to be included in family activities because if left alone too often, will become depressed. Socialization will be needed as puppies around other animals and people to ensure they will not be shy or aggressive as adults.

Care

The Spinone Italiano will need very minimal grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing 1-2 times per week and bathing every 2 months will be perfect for this breed! Their coat is not quite long enough to tangle, but will need to have the dead fur removed weekly. The Spinone is prone to Cerebellar Ataxia, hip dysplasia and bloat. Generally they are a healthy breed but potential owners should have the puppy’s parents medical history checked before buying, just to see what their puppy might be genetically inheriting.

Training

This breed is incredibly smart and will not need a large amount of training to understand basic obedience. However they will need an owner who can stay calm and remain firm but in a gentle manner because these dogs will show guilt if they are disciplined to harshly. Short training lessons that are made to be fun and positive, will make all the difference for this breed’s understanding of any type of training concept so their owner will need to be repetitive and clear with each new command they introduce.

Activity

The Spinone Italiano will need about a half and hour to an hour of exercise per day to tire them out. Long walks or trips to a dog park will be perfect to burn off their energy. They are not as hyperactive as other sporting dogs, but will still be quite energetic! These dogs will do well in an apartment as long as they get their regular exercise and access to a backyard would be preferable so they have an outdoor area at home to roam around in.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier originated in England and was used to fight other dogs for sport. They are a mixture of many different types of terriers and the English Bulldog. Today these dogs are still unfortunately used for fighting but are primarily a loving companion.

This breed has an incredibly muscular body that is strong and agile. They have a large head with small triangular ears that are pricked upwards. These dogs have a powerful jaw and strong, straight athletic legs. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffie) has a long slender tail that comes to a point at the end. These dogs are beautiful specimens of their kind and have an extraordinary physique!

Loyal, affectionate and extremely loving, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is of the utmost devoted dogs known today. They are playful and enjoy being part of the family as this is what makes them truly happy. This breed is a great family pet that cherishes the children and will get along well with other pets if they are raised with them. A variety of toys will be needed for this breed because they love to have little treats to chew on and squeaky trinkets to entertain them!

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 14-16 inches high

Females: 13-15 inches high

Weight

Males: 25-48 lbs
Females: 23-35 lbs

Color(s)

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes in a large variety of colours such as black, red, fawn, brindle, blue, and white. These can be all solid colours or a mixture of solid with patches or small markings of the white.

Coat

This breed has a very short, dense coat that is hard to the touch. It is sleek and well managed making it very easy to groom and upkeep.

Life Expectancy

About 10-16 years.

Personality

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a courageous and outgoing dog that would make a great addition to the family! They have a goofy yet dignified attitude and a well behaved character. These dogs are polite and have a great demeanor. The Staffie can be stubborn but this is to be expected from any breed.

Although these dogs make great family pets, they are not suggested for every family because they need an owner experienced in raising dogs that are a bit more difficult to train. Socialization of the Staffie should be started at a young age and be done around dogs, people and other animals (cats, etc.) to ensure they can live comfortably with these as adults!

Care

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier will need very minimal grooming because they have a short, easy to care for coat. Brushing once per week and bathing every 2 months will be perfect for this dog. They are prone to Hip dysplasia, and cataracts as these are the most commonly inherited diseases of this breed and owners should check the medical background of the puppy’s parents before deciding to buy.

Training

This breed will need a master who is experienced in owning dogs and in training. The Staffie is a lovely breed but will need extensive training and socialization at a young age which should be carried out into adulthood. Training should be done in a gentle manner but consistently and very repetitively so they grasp each concept. Sessions should be short and made to be fun for the dog so they are excited to learn and have the notion that obedience is a treat!

Activity

The Staffie will need at least an hour per day of exercise which could be time spent in an off-leash park or on a long walk. They will do well in an apartment as long as exercise is given daily. A small back yard would be preferable for them to run around in, but isn’t necessary.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier originated in Ireland and were bred to hunt rodents, to herd, and to guard farm animals. These dogs are believed to have blood relativity to the Kerry Blue Terrier and became popular in the mid 1940’s when they were brought over to the United States.

This breed has a shaggy long coat and a tuft of hair covering the entire length of their face. Their muzzle is long and rectangular with their ears being large and pricked upwards. This breed has a muscular agile body and long athletic legs. Although they are a large breed, the Wheaten is precise and quick when it comes to hunting and herding animals making them great working dogs as well as great family pets.

The Wheaten has a goofy sweet temperament that qualifies them as the perfect family pet. They love children and will play for hours on end with them. Although they get along very well with people, smaller pets such as cats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. will not be safe around this breed. The Wheaten has a very high prey drive and any small animal that catches their eye will not be safe. This dog will grow an extremely strong bond with their families and will constantly show affection, loyalty and love.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 18-20 inches high
Females: 17-19 inches high

Weight

Males: 35-45 lbs
Females: 30-40 lbs

Color(s)

The soft coated Wheaten terrier will only come in one colouring, which is the wheat/blonde. Their puppies are completely black at birth and will lighten to their wheat colouring as they age!

Coat

This breed has a long messy looking coat that is thick and fluffy to keep them warm when hunting or herding in cold temperatures. They have a “hypoallergenic” coat meaning they shed a little amount of dander which will be great for people that suffer from animal related allergies. The Wheaten’s fur will continually grow, so they will need constant haircuts to keep their coat short and equal length.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Wheaten is an animated goofy character that has an infectiously happy personality. They love to be in the company of their family and will become depressed if left alone too often. They are known to be young at heart even when they get to be an older age. Charming and clever, the Wheaten will need thorough training in a gentle manner especially when teaching the house rules. Repetition and consistency will be needed so they can really understand their owners commands.

This breed will get along with other dogs well, but should not be around any smaller animals or pets because they consider these to be prey. Socialization as puppies will be needed around dogs and other animals to ensure this breed will be comfortable and aware of his surroundings as an adult.

Care

The soft coated Wheaten terrier will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing about once per week and bathing once every 2 months will be perfect for this dogs coat. They will need to have their fur trimmed quite often but this is up to how the owner would like the dog to look. Some owners prefer a long haired dog, others prefer their Wheaten to have short hair! This breed is prone to protein-losing enteropathy, hip dysplasia, allergies to fleas and kidney dysplasia.

Training

These dogs are incredibly smart and will not require too much training to understand basic obedience. They just need consistency and gentle repetitive methods to grasp the concept their owner is teaching them. Training should be made fun and include short lessons to encourage the dog to want to keep learning. Even as adults, the Wheaten will still act like a puppy so training will need to be an ongoing activity until they mature.

Activity

This breed will need to be taken to off-leash dog parks so they can run around freely or be taken on a long walk every day. They are not extremely hyper dogs, but do require a good amount of exercise every day. The Wheaten will do well in an apartment and would be better off with a backyard to run around in. When walking this breed, the owner should always have a leash on them in case the Wheaten spots a small animal and begins a chase.

The Smooth Fox Terrier originated in England and was bred to hunt down rats and foxes, just as its name suggests. They are determined and ferocious when it comes to hunting but are loyal and affectionate when it comes to their family. These dogs have a lot of energy and love to be around their human pack as much as possible because they are not a breed that should be left alone often due to them becoming bored or lonely.

The Smooth Fox Terrier will make a great watchdog as they have a piercing bark that they love to voice! They will be ok with other dogs but must be monitored around smaller family pets such as cats, hamsters, mice etc. because they might assume these pets are for them to hunt. Like most Terriers, the Smooth Fox will need to be on a leash at all times when outside as their primal instincts to hunt smaller animals might come into effect if they see something that catches their fancy.

This breed has a short smooth coat that is hard to the touch. They have a naturally long tail that is docked for show purposes. Their ears are small, triangular and prick upwards. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a sharp pointed muzzle and strong jaws. Their body is athletic and compact giving them great agility and speed when on the hunt. This breed is perfect for hunting and does an excellent job working alongside their owner.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 14-16 inches high
Females: 13-15 inches high

Weight

Males: 15-20 lbs
Females: 13-18 lbs

Color(s)

The Smooth Fox Terrier comes in a white with multi coloured patches all over their body. Black and brown or a reddish brown are most commonly the colours for the patches and will be found on their head, lower back and tail.

Coat

This breed has a silky short coat that has a sleek appearance to it. The Smooth Fox Terrier only comes in this short type coat, where the Wiry version of this dog, the Wire Fox Terrier is categorized as a different breed.

Life Expectancy

About  12-15 years.

Personality

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a loving, energetic and playful breed that enjoys time spent with the family. They have been known to not do well left alone for long periods of time so should be exercised rigorously daily as well as be given a variety of toys. These dogs are great to work with as they show dedication to the hunt and will impress their owners with their tenacity. Although they are responsive to work, training is a different field that will need firm consistency. The Smooth Fox Terrier has the potential to win obedience, hunting, and even agility trials if their owners put in the time to train them in these sports.

This breed will need an owner who is firm and has some experience in raising dogs. They can be a stubborn breed that will test their owners just to see how far they can go and if the owner is not prepared to handle this, the dog will rule the household. Training will need to begin as soon as the dog enters the house so they grasp the concept of what is ok to do and what is not. They are an intelligent breed that wants to please their owners and will make great pets with the right type of master.

Care

The Smooth Fox Terrier will need very minimal grooming as their coat is short and will not mat. Brushing should be done once every week or two just to remove the dead fur and bathing about once every two months. These dogs are prone to Legg perthes syndrome, deafness in some lines, and cataracts. Luxating Patella’s and luxating eye lens might be genetically inherited diseases as well but generally they are a very healthy breed.

Training

This breed will need firm and consistent training for them to be able to understand basic obedience. They need to be socialized well around other dogs and smaller animals as pups to ensure they become stable around these as adults. They have been known to test their owners and will need to be taught what is acceptable and what is not. The Smooth Fox Terrier is a very clever dog and are known to be trainable in many sports including hunting, all they need is consistency and an owner willing to put in the time and they will succeed.

Activity

This breed will need to be taken out to off-leash dog parks or for long walks daily to burn off their energy. They enjoy running and chasing a ball so this might be a perfect exercise to tire them out! The Smooth Fox Terrier will do well in an apartment as long as they get their daily exercise and wont need a backyard but having access to one is a bonus. They will be much happier having an owner that is at home or is able to be with them during the day as they can get lonely being by themselves to often.

The Skye Terrier originated in Scotland and was bred for human companionship but also to kill rodents. This dog was created by mixing the Maltese with a variety of Scottish Terriers and is now a recognized breed in the AKC. There is a legend about a Skye Terrier who visited his owner’s grave 10 years after he had died, until he too had passed away!

This unique looking dog has a very long body with short legs and large ears that are pricked upwards. This breed proportionately is two times as long as they are tall! They have a long tail and a thick double layered coat.

The Skye Terrier is notorious for their loyalty and faithfulness to their owner. Their upbeat attitude and charming personality make them great pets to own! This breed will be best in a home where there are no other animals because they might be more aggressive around other dogs and have the tendency to chase small animals such as cats, guinea pigs, hamsters etc.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: about 10 inches high
Females: about 10 inches high

Weight

Males: 35-40 lbs
Females: 25-30 lbs

Color(s)

The Skye Terrier will come in black, cream, fawn, light grey, or blue with their ears being black. Patches of white on the chest is permitted for show purposes.

Coat

This breed has a very thick double layered coat that is about 6 inches long. Their under coat is soft and keeps the dog warm, while the outer coat is a hard, wiry texture and will protect them from the colder elements like the rain and snow. The Skye Terriers coat will need daily grooming because it will have a tendency to tangle, but as puppies their fur is shorter but can take up to a year for them to fully grow their adult coat!

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Skye Terrier is a charming, happy, devoted dog that literally thrives on their owner’s attention. This breed is incredibly loyal and wants only to please his owners. They are not the friendliest dog towards other animals or people but when introduced a number of times, they will warm up quickly. This dog loves to bark and will make a good watchdog because they will happily alert their owner of any strangers!

As puppies, this dog will need to be socialized extensively especially around other dogs, strangers and small pets so they will be more relaxed and familiar with these as adults. The Skye Terrier is a rare breed but will be a great pet for people looking for an affectionate dog!

Care

This breed will need extensive grooming because they have thick long coats that mat easily. Daily brushing is a must and constant monitoring of their back end for tangles will be needed. Bathing should be done every 2-3 months and monthly trims will be needed to keep their coat looking great! This breed is prone to degenerative disc disease, hyperthyroidism, cancer and autoimmune disease.

Training

The Skye Terrier will need a gentle training method to grasp the concept of obedience. They have a high motivation to please their owners so short training sessions and repetition will be excellent for this dog to learn! The Skye Terrier will need to be socialized as a puppy to familiarize themselves with other dogs and people because they can be aggressive towards these as adults if socializing is not done.

Activity

The Skye Terrier will need a long walk daily to burn off their energy. They play and entertain themselves throughout the day leaving them less energetic at night, so they will not need extensive exercise. These dogs will do well in an apartment because they don’t take up much room. A back yard is not needed but would be a benefit so they can run around in an outside environment at home.

The Sealyham Terrier originated in Wales and was bred to hunt otters, rodents, skunks, and badgers. They are a mixture of the Welsh Corgi, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Fox Terrier, West Highland White Terrier and the Basset Hound. This breed is named after the land that belonged to their original breeder whose name was John Edwards.

These dogs have a unique appearance. They are a short, small bodied breed with a rectangular face, long muzzle and medium sized floppy ears. These dogs have strong muscular legs which give them their speed and agility. The Sealyham Terrier’s tail is naturally long but will be docked for show purposes and their coat has a messy appearance but this is the desired look for the breeds standard.

The Sealyham Terrier is a stubborn, independent yet devoted breed that thrives on being included with the family. They are well behaved around dogs, cats and people but should be monitored around small family pets such as mice, hamsters, guinea pigs etc, because they consider these prey. This breed will need a load of affection because they are happiest when they are the center of attention. The Sealyham Terrier will show no fear and will make great watchdogs as they love to alert the family with their loud bark.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 10-12 inches high

Females: 10-12 inches high

Weight

Males: 18-25 lbs
Females: 18-25 lbs

Color(s)

The Sealyham Terrier comes in white or off-white, with blue or brown patches. Most commonly seen is the white but the combination of the white and coloured markings are both accepted for show standards.

Coat

This breed has a thick messy coat that looks very disorderly. This is designed to protect them against the elements and to insulate them in cold weather. The Sealyham Terrier has a long coarse textured coat that will need annual stripping to remove the dead fur.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Sealyham Terrier will make a great family pet due to their excellent interaction and affection with both adults and children. When introduced to new people, they can be more aloof but after a few meetings will warm up. This breed is notorious for their barking but are excellent at alerting the family when strangers are near. These dogs love to explore new territory and can entertain themselves well when their owner is not present. Although they can be independent, the Sealyham Terrier should not be left at home alone often as they will become depressed.

Although this breed was known to be a vicious hunter of vermin, today they are primarily for companionship. These dogs have become laid back individuals who enjoy the quiet, relaxed life. The Sealyham Terrier are spirited, courageous dogs that will make a great pet!

Care

This breed will need a moderate amount of grooming because they have a long thick coat. Brushing 3-4 times per week, and bathing every 1-2 months will be perfect for this dog. They will need to have their fur stripped at least once a year to remove the dead coat. The Sealyham Terrier is prone to skin allergies, deafness and potentially eye ailments. They are generally a very healthy breed of dog.

Training

The Sealyham Terrier will need very firm training but in a gentle manner to be able to grasp basic obedience. They are intelligent dogs but must be trained on a strict daily basis because they are a more difficult breed to train. It would be best for this type of dog to have an owner who is already experienced in raising or training dogs because this will be of much help. Short lessons that are made enjoyable will definitely help the Sealyham Terrier learn different commands and tricks as long as their owner is consistent and repetitive.

Activity

The Sealyham Terrier will need a half an hour of exercise per day and this can be done at an off-leash park so they can run around or on a walk. During the day these dogs burn out a lot of their energy just playing around so will not need an extensive amount of exercise at the end of the day. This breed will do well in an apartment and do not need a backyard but having access to one is a bonus so they can run around in an outdoor environment at home.

The Scottish Terrier originated in Scotland and was bred to hunt smaller animals such as rodents, foxes and badgers on farmland. Typically on a hunt this breed would chase after their prey and follow it into their den, from there the owner would pull the dog out by the tail with the prey in the dogs mouth! Although they have a sweet appearance, the Scottie dog is a vicious little hunter that is excellent at their job.

These dogs were first recognized in the late 1800’s and were originally named Aberdeen Terriers as this is the name of the city in Scotland where they were first bred. They are a courageous, animated little dog that can have a very moody temperament. They have a willful attitude but possess an affectionate and caring demeanor. This little dog is not used for their hunting abilities today, but more so a companion to people.

The Scottish Terrier is a stout little dog that is athletic and muscular giving them weight to back up their strength when on a hunt. They have short legs and a long tail that is thick purely for the purpose of being able to lift the dog by it! The Scottie’s ears are medium sized while pricked upward and they have a long powerful muzzle used to crush their prey.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 10-11 inches high

Females: 10-11 inches high

Weight

Males: 19-23 lbs
Females: 18-21 lbs

Color(s)

The Scottish Terrier comes in a variety of coat colours such as brindle, black, white and dark grey. Most commonly seen is the black but all 4 colours are accepted for this breed.

Coat

This breed has a very thick coat that is double layered. Their outer coat is a harsh, rough, dense texture that protects them from the cold while the undercoat is a warm, plush texture to keep their body heat in. This breed has a unique haircut where their underbelly and leg fur are kept long all the way around their body to resemble a skirt!

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Scottish Terrier has a very devoted loving character that develops a strong bond with their masters. These dogs will make great family pets because they interact well with older children and will only show affectionate regard with the family members. These dogs are known to have emotional moods, one moment they will be happy and the next moment they might be grumpy! Despite their moody behavior the Scottie is an animated character that will be a great dog to own.

This breed will be better with an owner that has experience raising or training dogs because they can be stubborn and will test their master to see how far they can go. House rules will need to be implemented immediately so they understand what is ok and what is not ok to do in the house. Training will need to be done in a gentle manner but with a firm hand otherwise they will become quite depressed!

Care

The Scottish Terrier will need a moderate amount of grooming as their coat can get tangled if this is not done. Brushing one to two times per week and bathing about once every two months will be perfect for this dog. They shed a small amount of fur and will be relatively easy to maintain. They are prone to skin allergies, difficult labor, jaw ailments, cancer, Scottie Cramp and luxating patella’s. Bladder cancer and infections may also be genetic in this breed, so when choosing a puppy, the potential owner should check the health background of the pups parents before making any decisions.

Training

This breed needs an owner who has experience in training because these dogs have a stubborn streak and a “my way or the highway” attitude at times. Positive gentle methods are needed or else they can become withdrawn from the training lesson. Sessions should be short and made to be fun as this encourages them to want to learn. The Scottie already has the mind set to please their owners, but this can be overcome by their moods.

Activity

The Scottish Terrier will need regular long walks or trips to an off-leash dog park to run around freely. They play during the day and will use up the majority of their energy so will not need an excessive amount of exercise after their owner comes home. This breed will do well in an apartment as long as they get their exercise. A backyard is not needed but would be a bonus so they could run around in an outdoor environment at home.