The Tibetan Terrier originated in Tibet and were bred to herd animals as well as guard the home or territory from unwanted visitors. These dogs are thought to be a lucky breed because they were originally bred by monks! Today they are used primarily for companion purposes.

The Tibetan Terrier is a breed that needs a full time owner, meaning they should not be left alone throughout the day by themselves. They need affection and love from their masters and will become depressed without it. This breed is responsive, friendly and intelligent which is why they have developed such an adoring fan club of breed fanciers.

These dogs have a rather messy appearance but this is the desired look for their standards! Their coat is long and shaggy with the fur on their face cascading over the medium length muzzle to look like a long beard. The Tibetan Terrier has a medium sized compact body, floppy ears and a long tail with feathering long fur falling from it. Their legs are straight and toned giving them their speed and agility when herding!

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

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

Weight

Males: 18-30 lbs
Females: 18-30 lbs

Color(s)

The Tibetan Terrier comes in any colour except liver or chocolate. A mixture of either solid, solid with patches or markings, tri-coloured or even parti coloured is acceptable within the standards as long as the colours are correct.

Coat

The Tibetan Terrier has a thick double layered coat that protects them from the extreme elements. The outer coat is a bit more dense and coarse to the touch, while the under coat is plushy and smooth. This breed should have a tossed look to their fur which will be straight or slightly wavy.

Life Expectancy

About 12-20 years.

Personality

The Tibetan Terrier is a sensitive, responsive breed that is a great family pet. They adore their masters and get along with children as well as other dogs. This breed is polite and friendly but will be aloof with people they’ve never met. It will just take a few meetings for them to warm up and become their affectionate selves!

This breed is kind and patient with an easy going attitude and are great for people that enjoy a more laid back lifestyle. They need a moderate amount of exercise which should include off-leash running, but are not a breed to constantly crave physical exercise like a Border Collie or Greyhound.

Care

This breed will need a large amount of grooming to upkeep their coat because it is long and thick. They will need to be brushed at least 3 times per week and bathes should be given once per month. The Tibetan Terrier is prone to a few eye ailments such as luxating lens, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and cataracts. Sensitivity to fleas, hip dysplasia, and luxating patella’s may also be genetically inherited diseases of this breed.

Training

The Tibetan Terrier will need gentle training and a patient owner as they can be quite stubborn. Repetition and consistency are the keys but the training sessions should be short and fun so they are more motivated to learn. If the lessons are enjoyable, the dog will be excited to learn and will pick up the commands at a much quicker rate!

Activity

The Tibetan Terrier will need at least an hour of exercise per day and this should include trips to an off-leash dog park so they can run around, or be taken for regular walks. This breed is fairly energetic and will do best with a backyard to run around in. The Tibetan Terrier will do well in an apartment as long as they get their regular exercise!

The Tibetan Spaniel originated in Tibet and was bred purely for companionship to people. They are thought to be a mixture of the Japanese chin, Pug and Pekingese which gives them their pushed in face, coiled tail and compact body.

This breed is a loyal, outgoing and devoted dog that needs a large amount of attention from their owners. They are responsive, clever and will be a bit harder to train as they can be stubborn, so will need an owner who is patient and consistent. The Tibetan Spaniel will make great family pets because they interact very well with children and will get along well with other dogs and family pets.

The Tibetan Spaniel is a short, fine boned little dog that is delicate and dainty. They have a pushed in face with a very short muzzle, giving them a high resemblance to the Pekingese. Their legs are short yet toned and they have a coiled tail that touches their lower back. These dogs have medium sized floppy ears and small rounded paws that are stuffed with fur!

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 10 inches high
Females: 10 inches high

Weight

Males: 9-15 lbs
Females: 9-15 lbs

Color(s)

The Tibetan Spaniel will be a variety of colours and markings such as red, black & tan, fawn, black, light blonde, and white. Most commonly seen is the red or light blonde but all are accepted in the show ring.

Coat

This breed has a fine, silky coat that is soft to the touch. It hangs loosely off the dog and should not be curly or wavy. They will need weekly brushing to remove the dead coat but this will be a very minimal amount to be done.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Tibetan Spaniel is an excellent companion breed and will be very defensive of their territory and owners. They will be more weary around people they’ve never met but will warm up after a few meetings. These dogs are notoriously good with children as they are light hearted and love to play. The Tibetan Spaniel, despite their size will make a great watchdog because they have a loud, shrill bark that will be sure to alert the household!

This breed will need a firm hand when training because they can have a “my way or the highway” attitude at times. They are a joy to own and will just need more repetition and consistency during training to allow them to grasp the concepts of obedience or little tricks.

Care

The Tibetan Spaniel will need a minimal amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing once per week and bathing every 1-2 months will be perfect to keep them looking neat and clean. This breed might be prone to breathing difficulties (due to their pushed inwards face) but they are generally a healthy breed not prone to many inherited diseases.

Training

The Tibetan Spaniel is a stubborn little dog that will need an owner who is patient and can be clear with commands. Training lessons that are kept short and are made to be enjoyable will definitely help this breed out and will enable them to understand the commands much quicker. Consistency and repetition are the keys and as long as the owner is firm, they will pick up obedience in no time!

Activity

The Tibetan Spaniel will need about a half an hour of exercise per day to tire them out. A trip to an off-leash dog park or a walk will be perfect for this breed. Time spent running around chasing a ball or playing with other dogs will be much more efficient because these dogs love to run and will burn their energy much quicker doing so. The Tibetan Spaniel will do well in an apartment and won’t need a backyard but access to one would be a bonus.

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 Lowchen originated in France and is a relative of the Bichon Frise. They are one of the most rare breeds still alive today, but are slowly becoming more popular. This little dog resembles a lion and actually has an alternate name being “little lion dog”.

These dogs have a unique coat trim that is usually bare from the hind legs to the tail. Their front legs and chest are covered in long, fine fur and their face has hair cascading from the ears. The Lowchen has long floppy ears, a short muzzle and large circular eyes. They have a compact body and long fine boned legs with a long tail. These little dogs resemble their cousin breed the Bichon and also the Maltese.

The Lowchen is a friendly, outgoing, and clever little dog that loves attention from their owners. They make great family pets because they get along great with children and smaller animals. For the most part, this breed will interact well with other dogs but might be more aggressive towards other males. The Lowchen thrives on their owners affection and will become depressed if left alone to often.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 10-14 inches high
Females: 10-14 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-18 lbs
Females: 8-18 lbs

Color(s)

The Lowchen will come in any type of colour combination but most commonly seen is the black, lemon or white. All patterns and markings are accepted in the AKC standards.

Coat

This breed has a long loosely wavy coat that is often accompanied by a unique hair cut. Some owners prefer the breed standard haircut which is to shave the dog from the hind quarters down, and some owners prefer to have the dogs fur cut evenly but shortly. Either way they will need to be brushed at least once per week just to remove the dead coat.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Lowchen is an energetic happy dog that is courageous and will make a great family pet. They will need to be trained in a positive yet firm manner but this should not present any problems as they are a smart breed that want to please their owners. Socialization as puppies will be needed, especially around other dogs (preferably of the same sex) and other animals to ensure they can be comfortable in various situations as adults.

These little dogs, despite their size, make great watchdogs! They are constantly on guard and possess a loud bark which could alert the family and the neighbors as well. Lowchens can be a stubborn and sometimes dominant breed so their masters will need to have patience while training them. Owners would also be encouraged to have some experience or knowledge in basic obedience in order to quickly teach this breed.

Care

The Lowchen will need a moderate amount of grooming to keep their coat looking great. Brushing 2-3 times per week and bathing once per month will be great for this breeds coat. Monthly trims will be needed if the owner decides they want a show cut. The Lowchen is prone to a couple of eye ailments, such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy. They might be genetically prone to luxating patella’s, but for the most part they are a healthy breed.

Training

The Lowchen is a bit of a stubborn breed and will need an owner who is more firm in their training techniques, but gentle. They want to please their owner but need to be taught with positive consistency in order to grasp the concept. Training sessions made enjoyable will be more motivating to these dogs as it will seem like a treat rather than a chore.

Activity

The Lowchen will need about a half an hour of exercise per day and this can be done either at an off-leash park or on a long walk. Time spent running off-leash or playing with other dogs will definitely burn their energy much quicker. These dogs will do well in an apartment because they are small and don’t take up too much space. A backyard is not necessary but would be a bonus so they have an outdoor environment at home to roam around in.

The Lhasa Apso originated in Tibet and was bred to protect the churches or religious community their owners would reside in. They were mostly owned by monks or people of the church, which is what they were taught to guard when their master was not present. Today these dogs are quite common but for thousands of years they were only attainable by religious followers or royalty.

This breed has a long, messy coat that will require regular grooming. Their muzzles are short yet powerful and their body is compact and slightly longer than they are tall. The Lhasa Apso has short, toned legs and a medium length tail that loosely curls over to touch their lower back. These dogs are covered in thick, heavy fur literally from head to toe which is why some owners prefer their dogs to have monthly haircuts!

The Lhasa Apso is an alert, clever little dog that will not only be a great family dog but will also defend their territory at will! Despite their small size these dogs have a deep bark giving the illusion to strangers that have not seen them, that they are much bigger! This breed is loving and affectionate but only so with their masters or the family. The Lhasa Apso will get along with other family pets but there might be friction between them and dogs of the same sex.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 10-11 inches high
Females: 9-10 inches high

Weight

Males: 14-18 lbs
Females: 12-14 lbs

Color(s)

The Lhasa Apso will come in a gray, cream, blue, brown, and a white with black markings. Most commonly seen is the cream but all are accepted colours in the show ring.

Coat

This breed has an exceptionally thick double coat with the top layer being long, and dense but smooth to the touch. Their under layer is plushy and soft giving them ample insulation for colder weather. Grooming will need to be done on a regular basis but no extravagant haircuts or excess hair removal is needed.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Lhasa Apso is a breed that will need an owner who is patient and will take charge. They can be a stubborn breed but with the correct master, will make a great pet and fine companion. Although they are known to be independent at times, the Lhasa Apso is not a breed that can be left at home too often because they will become lonely and depressed. This breed is a great pet but should be monitored around younger children because they have a tendency to bite first and ask questions later.

These little dogs are playful and full of energy. They are known to entertain themselves throughout the day but will still need extra outdoor exercise in the evening. Being a great watchdog, the Lhasa Apso is a barky dog that will alert their families of intruders but will also bark when they’re excited or whenever it is they feel necessary!

Care

The Lhasa Apso will need to be brushed 4-5 times per week. They have a long, thick coat that needs regular grooming in order to keep it tangle free. Bathing should be done every 2-3 months and special attention should be brought to their ears and paws as the fur here might become matted or have foreign matter in it. The Lhasa Apso is prone to hip dysplasia, skin allergies, problems concerning their eyes and kidney ailments.

Training

This breed will need to have an owner who is firm and can display dominance when necessary. These dogs are known to be quite stubborn and will need a patient, consistent owner to be able to train them so they obey and understand commands. Training sessions should be kept short and be made enjoyable to the dog so that its not considered a chore to practice basic obedience. Repetition and clarity of the commands are the keys to success for this breed!

Activity

The Lhasa Apso will need at least half an hour of exercise per day to tire them out. Trips to an off-leash dog park or a longer walk will be perfect! These little dogs are known to be quite playful during the day so will not need excessive exercise in the evening. The Lhasa Apso will do well in an apartment because they are small and don’t need the extra room of a household to roam around in. A backyard is not necessary but would be a bonus so they could have access to an outdoor space at home.

The Keeshond originated in the Netherlands and was used as an alarm for danger as well as a companion to people when they took trips over seas. They are a mixture of the Pomeranian, Samoyed and Chow Chow. The Dutch barge dog, the German spitz, or Wolfsspitz are other names for this breed.

The Keeshond is a fluffy, medium sized dog that has a pointed muzzle like that of a fox. Their ears are triangular and pointed upward giving them a constant alert expression. This breed has an athletic body and straight toned legs. These dogs have a tail that is coiled over and touches their lower back with their paws being rounded like a cat.

The Keeshond is a lively, curious dog that has a playful and animated character. They will make great family pets because they are devoted to their masters, great with children and interact well with other pets. These dogs are not a breed that enjoys being left alone often as they can become quite depressed. Although bred to warn their owners of strangers, the Keeshond will generally be quite friendly towards people they’ve never met giving up the “watch-dog” trait they have mastered.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 17-19 inches high
Females: 16-18 inches high

Weight

Males: 35-45 lbs

Females: 35-45 lbs

Color(s)

The Keeshond comes in one colour variety which is the black and gray with accents of tan. The top coat will be a dark gray or black and the undercoat will be a light gray accented with tan. Their coat colouring is complex but the end result is a beautifully marked breed.

Coat

This breed has a very thick, lustrous double layered coat that protects them from the extreme cold. The top coat is wispy, long and plentiful while the undercoat is soft, plushy and insulating giving this breed the ultimate winter jacket! The fur of this breed is not curly or even slightly wavy, it is straight and stands on end giving them the puffy look that is desired among the breed.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Keeshond is a bright, charming breed that will need an owner who has the time they need to spend with them. They are a breed that needs a large amount of affection as they require this to be truly happy. Training these dogs will not be too difficult because they are clever enough to grasp the concepts of different types of training quickly. Although they can be a willful dog, the Keeshond just needs a patient owner and short training lessons to be able to teach them anything!

This breed’s purpose was to keep an eye out for danger or strangers and to this day, this is their job. They can be barky as they get quite excited when something is near their territory so this will need to be controlled or they can become a loud mouthed dog! If strangers are to enter their territory, they become their new best friend and will show off their outgoing, happy personality.

Care

This breed will need a large amount of grooming maintenance to upkeep their coat. They have thick, long fur that will need to be brushed at least 5-6 times per week and bathing should be done every 2-3 months. The Keeshond is prone to heart disease, luxating patella’s, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, skin allergies and bloat. Before purchasing a puppy, the parents medical history should be checked to ensure they have no major inherited diseases that they could pass on to their offspring.

Training

The Keeshond will need firm repetitive training in order for them to grasp the basic obedience concept. They are bright dogs but need to have consistency to truly understand what they are being taught. Lessons that are kept short and made to be fun will have much more effective results.

Activity

This breed will need about an hour of exercise per day to tire them out and this can be done in an off-leash dog park or on a long walk. These dogs will burn their energy better running around chasing a ball or playing with another dog as opposed to going for a walk. The Keeshond will do well in an apartment and a backyard would be preferable so they have an outdoor area at home to sniff around in. Since these dogs have such thick coats they should be monitored outside in the summer as they can become overheated.

The French Bulldog originated in England and was bred to hunt rodents and also to be a companion to people. They are a mixture of the English Bulldog and a variety of French Terriers!

This breed is a goofy little character that needs loads of affection to be happy. They are animated, fun loving and sweet making them uplifting dogs to be around. The French Bulldog (Frenchie) will make an excellent family pet because they like children and get along well with other dogs and smaller pets such as cats.

Solid, sturdy, and stout, the Frenchie is a significant dog for such a small package! They have a pushed in face and large bat like ears. Their legs are muscular and toned giving them the traditional bulldog appearance. Naturally their tails are shaped in a corkscrew, just like that of a pig!

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 12 inches high
Females: 12 inches high

Weight

Males: 20-28 lbs
Females: 16-24 lbs

*Neither male nor female can be over 28 lbs as this is grounds for disqualification in the show ring.

Color(s)

The French Bulldog comes in a wide variety of colours such as cream, brindle, liver, fawn with black, blue and ticked pied. The most commonly seen is cream or brindle but all are accepted within the AKC standards.

Coat

The Frenchie has a silky short coat that will need very minimal grooming to upkeep. They shed an average amount of fur and are generally very easy to keep in perfect condition!

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Personality

This breed is a spirited and active little dog that has an upbeat and charming personality. They can be a stubborn breed especially when it comes to training, but this can be overcome with consistency on the owner’s part! Although these dogs are little, they have been known to excel in weight pulling, agility and obedience trials!

Socialization will be needed at a young age to ensure that the Frenchie is comfortable around dogs and other people. Generally they are affectionate and friendly to everyone but might sometimes have problems with dogs of the same sex.

Care

The French Bulldog is a very low maintenance dog when it comes to grooming their coat. Brushing once per week and bathing every 1-2 months will be perfect! These dogs are prone to breathing difficulties because their face is pushed in, giving them little room for their nasal passage to be fully open. Eye ailments, difficult labor, cleft palates, and not being able to swim are also traits the Frenchie might be inclined to receive!

Most of their inherited diseases or problems occur because of their bodily structure and some of these may be avoided if the dog is kept at a healthy weight and if the owner checks the medical background of the puppy’s parents before deciding to buy so they know that they will be getting a healthy baby.

Training

The French Bulldog is a stubborn dog that will need consistent training but this must be done in a very gentle manner. Frenchies thrive on the love they receive from their master and negative training methods will completely ruin their confidence! Repetition and lessons that are made to be fun will be the key to success for these dogs. If they are having a good time while learning obedience, they will be much more likely to perfect it at a quick rate.

Activity

This breed will need roughly a half an hour of exercise per day. Trips to an off-leash dog park or a long walk will tire them out. Frenchies play during the day and use up most of their energy but will still need daily exercise to keep them in shape. They will do well in an apartment as they are small and don’t need a large amount of space. A backyard would be excellent but is not a necessity.

The Finnish Spitz originated in Finland and was bred to hunt small game, elk and even bear! They are notorious for their incredibly fast barking and statistically they can bark up to 160 times in one minute. Despite their small size, this breed has mastered their hunting abilities and are so prized that historically their masters would feed them the first hunted game of the day.

This little dog has a compact, athletic body and strong, strait legs that give them their quick stride and long gait. They have a sharp muzzle, large triangular ears, and small circular eyes that give them a constant alert look. The Finnish Spitz has a tightly coiled tail with small rounded paws. Their coat is thick and straight with a variety of light red colouring giving them a similar appearance (face and coat colour wise) to a fox.

The Finnish Spitz is a responsive, outgoing and affectionate breed that needs to have their owners acceptance and love in order to thrive. They are loyal and hardworking making them not only great hunters/working dogs, but also excellent companions. They make great family pets because they adore children and will get along with other smaller animals in the household as well as other dogs. Despite their hunting and barking instincts, the Finnish Spitz is not a loud dog nor are they highly prey driven making them easier to raise and train.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 15-19 inches high

Females: 14-17 inches high

Weight

Males: 27-35 lbs
Females: 20-27 lbs

Color(s)

The Finnish Spitz comes in a variety of reds ranging from blonde red to a rich brown red. Most commonly seen is the deep red which is similar in colouring to a fox. All shades of red with tiny white markings is acceptable for the AKC standards.

Coat

This breed has a thick double layered coat with the outer layer being soft and plushy to the touch. The under layer has a light cotton feel and is very warm keeping them insulated when hunting in cold weather. The Finnish Spitz must have a straight coat, wavy or curly is not accepted in shows and must be standing on end.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Finnish Spitz is an energetic, happy dog that will need a family that has the time to spend with them. They are not a dog to be left at home or alone often because they will become very barky and depressed. They have a strong bond with their masters and will work to please them. The Finnish Spitz will be weary of people they’ve never met but will warm up after a few meetings. These dogs are clever and will be more difficult to train but once they have the concept, it will stay with them forever.

This breed is notorious for their cleanliness because they keep themselves quite clean and don’t make messes around the house. They will make a great medium sized pet and just need consistency during training and be considered part of the family to be content! The Finnish Spitz is known for their barking or noises they enjoy making so people that want a quiet dog should not consider one of these.

Care

The Finnish Spitz will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing 2-3 times per week and bathing when the owner feels it necessary is all they need to stay well groomed. This breed is prone to hip dysplasia, epilepsy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and luxating patella’s. They are considered one of the healthiest breeds and do not usually inherit these diseases, but the parents history should be checked just to see what their medical background is and what potentials might be passed onto their offspring.

Training

This breed is incredibly clever but will need a patient and firm owner to be able to teach them. Consistency is the key with these dogs but they also need shorter lessons and the training to be made enjoyable for obedience information to stick. Controlling the barking level of this breed is a must because if they are able, they will bark unnecessarily and will become a nuisance to the family and neighbors.

Activity

The Finnish Spitz will need about an hour of exercise per day and this can be done running at an off-leash park or on a walk. Chasing after a ball or playing with other dogs in a dog park will be much more effective to burn off their energy because these dogs need and love to run! They will do well in an apartment because they don’t need the space of a household to live in and access to a backyard would be preferable but is not needed.

The Dalmatian originated in Croatia (around the area of Dalmatia) and was bred to protect their master’s territory which commonly would have been a horse-drawn carriage. They were also used as hunting or retrieving dogs and were commonly known as the firefighter’s aid. This comes from their original breed purpose which was to lead and make sure nothing was in the way of the trail the fire fighters would take on their way to a fire!

This breed has a very unique coat that has become famous to the general public of today. Their white with black spotted fur and lean, athletic body is needed in their line of work. The Dalmatian has a slender face with a long muzzle and large floppy ears. Their legs are muscular and strong, giving them speed and fortitude while working. These dogs have a long, narrow tail and medium sized boney paws.

The Dalmatian is well known for their tightly bonded relationships with their masters. This breed became very popular when the cartoon movie “101 Dalmatians” premiered but this gave the public false knowledge of their behavior and personality. The Dalmatian is a great pet but can be an anxious breed and should be around adults or older children that will treat the dog with respect and give them their space when it’s needed.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

Males: 22-24 inches high

Females: 20-22 inches high

Weight

Males: around 55 lbs
Females: around 55 lbs

Color(s)

The Dalmatian has a one of a kind coat colouring which is the spotted black with a solid white body colouring. The under layer of colouring must always be white but the spots may be black, liver, lemon, blue, brindle or orange. Only the black and liver are permitted for show rings. Puppies are white when they’re born but will “grow” their spots as they age.

Coat

This breed has a very short yet smooth coat that will need minimal grooming to upkeep. Weekly brushing and monthly bathing is all this dog needs to keep their prim appearance.

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Personality

The Dalmatian is an energetic and devoted breed that is extremely loyal to their owners. They make great pets for people that have the time to spend with them as well as give them the amount of exercise they need.

This breed will need to be socialized thoroughly as puppies especially around children and dogs to ensure they will be comfortable around these as adults. Dalmatians are affectionate and cuddly towards their owners but will be weary of people they’ve never met.

These dogs are very intelligent but will need repetitive and gentle training. They have the ability to compete in obedience trials because they grasp training concepts quickly and they have a fantastic memory. Dalmatians today are used primarily as companions but have the skills to be a hunter, retriever and guard dog as well!

Care

The Dalmatian will need to be brushed once per week and bathed every 1-2 months. They are clean dogs that won’t need too much grooming. This breed will be prone to urinary ailments, such as bladder stones, or urinary infections. Deafness is not uncommon among these dogs as well as skin problems, so the family vet might suggest a special diet for them to prevent some of the urinary or skin ailments.

Training

The Dalmatian will need an owner who is calm and patient when it comes to training. These dogs are clever but will be stubborn at times and using harsh methods will definitely not promote their learning. They are sensitive and should be trained using short sessions and also making obedience fun for them to encourage the actual learning process.

Activity

The Dalmatian will need at least 1-2 hours of exercise per day. They are very energetic and need to run or be taken on a very long walk to tire them out. Off-leash park visits are suggested so they can play with other dogs or run after a ball to burn off their energy. The Dalmatian will do well in a household as they need a lot of room to live in. A back yard will be needed so they have extra outdoor room to roam around in.