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 Bichon Frise originated in Spain and was bred purely for companionship to people. They are a mixture of the Poodle and the Water Spaniel (Barbet). Although these dogs were common in Spain, they quickly became very popular in Belgium and France because they were distributed by Spanish sailors!

The Bichon is a cheerful, upbeat breed that literally lives for human affection. They are cuddly, loving dogs that need to have an owner who has the time to spend with them and who don’t leave them alone often. The Bichon has a happy-go-lucky attitude and will get along with people, dogs, cats, and smaller pets making them a great candidate for any family!

Fluffy, white, and petite, the Bichon Frise is a dainty little dog that has a lightweight body and a graceful presentation. They have large dark eyes and a tiny muzzle. These dogs have a long tail that is coiled over onto their back with the fur cascading down. Their legs are fine boned and their paws are rounded like a cat.

Breed Group

Non-Sporting

Size

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

Weight

Males: 7-12 lbs
Females: 7-12 lbs

Color(s)

The Bichon Frise will only come in white. Off whites, such as grey or apricot are accepted but they are preferred to be completely white.

Coat

This breed has exceptionally soft fur that is curled and fleecy. They have a double layered coat with the outer layer being long wispy hairs, and the under coat being lustrous and fluffy.

Life Expectancy

About  15 years.

Personality

The Bichon is an outgoing, energetic breed that has an uplifting character. They are charismatic, sweet, loveable and affectionate dogs that would make great pets for families, single people or the elderly.

These dogs will get along very well with dogs and small pets because they have a laid back, cheerful attitude. This breed is known for their gentle behavior and calm disposition.

These little dogs are clowns that want to entertain and please their masters. They have the ultimate motivation to learn and will do whatever it takes to make people happy! The Bichon was owned by royalty in the 16th century for the traits that people of today continue to pursue.

Care

This breed will need a large amount of grooming maintenance to upkeep their coat. Brushing 2-3 times per week and bathing monthly will be needed as their fur will tangle quite easily. The Bichon Frise is hypoallergenic and might be prone to skin problems such as allergies, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, epilepsy and cataracts. Most commonly seen are the skin ailments or allergies because they have very sensitive skin.

Training

The Bichon Frise will need a gentle training method and repetition to grasp the basic obedience concept. They are very intelligent little dogs and can be taught many little tricks that will impress any audience! The Bichon will be an easier dog to train because they have such a high motivation to please their masters, although housetraining might take more time.

Activity

This breed will need about a half an hour of exercise per day which could be time spent in an off-leash park or on a walk. They usually play during the day which will tire them out significantly but will still need more exercise to burn off all their energy. The Bichon will do well in an apartment as they are small and don’t need the space of a household to live in. A backyard is not necessary for them but would be a bonus so they can run around in an outside environment 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 Irish Water Spaniel originated in Ireland and was bred to retrieve game from lakes or rivers. It is thought that this breed is a mixture of the Barbet, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog and Curly Coated Retriever but this is not certain. Although they make great working dogs both alone and along side their master, they also make excellent family pets, they are just not as well known as some of the more popular breeds of today.

This breed has a very unique coat being made up of all tightly coiled ringlets. This will help protect them from cold weather, as well as cold water making it much easier for them to hunt/retrieve. The Irish Water Spaniel has a lean, muscular body, a slender long tail, and strong toned legs making the swim to retrieve game faster. They have large floppy ears and a long powerful muzzle to carry birds in, but should be noted that they are quite gentle with their owners catch!

The Irish Water Spaniel is a head strong, willing, and happy dog that will be a great pet as well as a hard working partner. They get along well with children and smaller family pets as long as they both treat the dog with respect. This breed is not for a family or owner that has had no experience raising or training dogs because they have a stubborn attitude at times and will require more exercise and attention than the everyday house pet.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Males: 20-24 inches high
Females: 20-24 inches high

Weight

Males: 45-65 lbs
Females: 45-65 lbs

Color(s)

The Irish Water Spaniel will come in one colour only which is the rich brown. There is to be a purple-ish hue in the light making their coat unique only to them. Some lines will be a darker brown and other lines will be a more rich light brown.

Coat

These dogs have a tightly curled coat that will have the same texture throughout their entire body! Their fur is double layered with the outer layer being the curls which are a soft, clean texture and the under layer being thick and plush. They have this specific coat because they need extra warmth when swimming in extremely cold water.

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Personality

This breed will need a lot of socialization as a puppy, especially around other dogs and people so when in social situations they will not become timid or aggressive. The Irish Water Spaniel is a comical breed that will make a wonderful companion as long as they are raised by an owner who is firm yet fair. Training this breed will need to start as soon as they are brought home to ensure they understand what is acceptable in the household and what is not. The Irish Water Spaniel is a clever breed and will make a great addition to the right owner or family!

These dogs are protective, loyal and independent but still quite affectionate towards their masters. People they have never met before will in a sense, not matter unless they are formally introduced to the dog. Generally they are a goofy dog that has a charming personality and excellent demeanor. This agile and beautiful breed will be a great pet for people that enjoy physical activity or just enjoy the outdoors!

Care

The Irish Water Spaniel will need a moderate amount of grooming to keep their coat looking great. Brushing 4-5 times per week and bathing when the owner finds this necessary will be perfect. These dogs tend to be quite clean so the only real supervision should just be towards tangles developing in their coats. The Irish Water Spaniel is prone to ear infections, and hypothyroidism. Generally this breed is quite healthy but the parents medical history should be checked just for the potential owners awareness of any inheritable diseases.

Training

The Irish Water Spaniel will need an owner with experience to raise and train them in obedience. They have a stubborn side which will sometimes make them more difficult to train but consistency and repetition are always the key. These dogs are incredibly smart and have the motivation to please their owners, but need gentle yet firm guidance in order to follow commands. It is suggested that these dogs be given short training lessons multiple times per day so they have time to think about the commands and have the concepts sink in.

Activity

This breed will need at least an hour per day of exercise and this can be done at an off-leash park where they can run and stretch their legs or just by swimming! They will burn off much more energy being off-leash roaming, or chasing after a ball than on a walk. The Irish Water Spaniel will be better off in a household environment that has a backyard because they need as much indoor and outdoor space as possible to live in.

The German Wirehaired Pointer originated in Germany and was bred to work alongside their hunting master and find or “point” out the game after it was shot. This breed is thought to be a mixture of the Bloodhound, Wirehaired Griffon, Foxhound and Poodle mixes, giving them their excellent hunting skills as well as their fantastic agile and speedy gait.

This breed has a muscular body, strong, toned legs and triangular, floppy ears which give them an innocent look. The GWP (German Wirehaired Pointer) has a long, powerful muzzle and large circular eyes. Naturally their tail is long, but for showing purposes will be docked. Their fur is the most valuable asset to them because this will not only protect them from the bitter cold, but also from rougher terrains where they must retrieve their owner’s game.

The German Wirehaired Pointer is energetic, responsive and very devoted to their families. They will make a great family pet because they interact well with children and will get along with smaller animals in the household. This breed will need a large amount of exercise to remain calm, so if this is not done they might become destructive.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Males: 24-26 inches high

Females: 22-24 inches high

Weight

Males: 60-70 lbs
Females: 60-70 lbs

Color(s)

This breed will come in one colour variation which is the white & liver. They can have many different markings, spottings or patches as long as the colour stays the same.

Coat

The German Wirehaired Pointer has a hard, dense, double layered coat. The top layer is wire-like and straight and the under layer is thickly insulated. It is very important for their fur to meet the standards of any show ring because if not, they will be disqualified no matter how beautiful the dog. The length is to be about an inch long and should have a messy look to it.

Life Expectancy

About 12-14 years.

Personality

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a cheerful, outgoing breed that will need to be socialized as puppies, especially around other dogs and people to ensure they will be comfortable in varying situations as adults. They are affectionate with family and friends but will be weary around people they’ve never met. This will quickly pass once they have been introduced to the new person and a new friendship will have been created!

These dogs have a strong personality and will need an owner who possesses that type of energy. Large amounts of exercise as well as quality time spent with this breed is definitely needed or they will become lonely and depressed dogs.

Care

The German Wirehaired Pointer will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing 3-4 times per week and bathing when the owner finds it necessary will be perfect! These dogs might be prone to skin ailments (allergies and cancers), hip dysplasia, and eye infections. Generally this is a healthy breed which doesn’t inherit many genetic diseases.

Training

This breed will need an owner who has experience in training or has some knowledge in that field as they can be very stubborn dogs. Short training sessions will be needed and firm consistency will be the only way this breed will learn. If obedience is taught in an enjoyable or fun manner, it is much more likely these dogs will pick it up quickly because they won’t see it as a chore, but more of a treat to learn the commands!

Activity

This breed will need at least 1-2 hours of exercise per day to tire them out! Trips to an off-leash park where they can run or chase after a ball will be essential to burn off their energy. These dogs will need a household to roam around in because they are large dogs that cannot live in the space of an apartment. A backyard would be needed so they can have an outdoor area at home to run in.

The Setter was first developed in France in 1500 and comes from the Spanish pointer and the French pointer.

It’s only in the early 1800′s that the English Setter was developed by Sir Edward Laverack. A second strain of English Setters was also created by the English breeder, Llewelling.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Male: 24-27 inches
Female: 23-26 inches

Weight

Male: 55-80 lbs
Female: 45-70 lbs

Color(s)

The English Setter is a white dog with colored markings in a pattern known as the Belton pattern. Its coat has patches of color on the head and ears with flecks all over the coat. There can be blue Belton (black and white), orange Belton, blue Belton with tan markings, lemon Belton or liver Belton.

Coat

The coat of the English Setter is flat, with feathering on chest, abdomen, ears, under the thighs, back of the legs and on the tail.

Life Expectancy

About 10 – 12 years.

Personality

The English Setter is a very calm dog with mild manners. This gentle and friendly breed is excellent with children. Always asking for affection, it needs lots of companionship. The English Setter is a sensitive, enthusiastic and lively dog that enjoys playing with other dogs. They are very good companion dogs and can make adequate guard dogs.

Care

The English Setter is prone to hip dysplasia. This breed must never be overfed as it tends to gain weight easily.

The English Setter needs regular combing and brushing to prevent matting. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. The hair on the feet must be trimmed and the nails, clipped.

Training

The training of the English Setter should start early and must never be done harshly.

Activity

The English Setter is very energetic; it needs plenty of daily exercise, preferably off the leash, to be manageable.

The English Cocker Spaniel or Cocker Spaniel gets its name from the woodcock, a bird that hides in dense thickets and for whom this spaniel was originally bred to hunt.

The different types of English Cocker Spaniels were separated into seven breeds; the Clumber, the Sussex, the Field, the English Springer, the Welsh Springer, the Irish Water Spaniel, and the Cocker.

The English Cocker Spaniel is a hardy, alert and energetic breed, known as a lovable, sweet and affectionate dog.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

14 – 17 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

26 – 34 lbs

Color(s)

The English Cocker Spaniel colors are white appearing in combination with solid black, black and tan, liver or red markings, orange, or lemon.

Coat

The Medium-length coat is silky and smooth. Short on head, medium-long on body.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 15 years.

Personality

English Cocker Spaniels are generally considered affectionate, joyful and as an active friends to all people. This happy little dog loves to play and makes an outstanding companion for kids and enjoys being included in family activities.

This dog gets along very well with other dogs, cats and family pets in the household.

Care

Prone to occasional ear problems his long ears require regular care and attention, especially during the summer. Clean out excess wax and check for ticks and signs of infection. They may also suffer from PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) and rage syndrome. His fine smooth coat required regular grooming and it may be necessary to take the dog to an occasional professional trimming. Regular combing and brushing of the coat is required, as the coat is prone to tangles. Bathe or dry shampoo as necessary.

Training

Naturally willing to learn and with a real desire to please the English Cocker Spaniel breed is widely easy to train and quickly understands what is expected of it. Males tend to be more cooperative than females who are fairly dominant.

Cockers should be handled with gentleness and firmness as they are sensitive but also independent, otherwise it may try to take over your role. The talents of this breed are hunting, tracking, watchdogging, agility, competitive obedience and he was also utilized for retrieving game from the water.

Activity

If it is sufficiently exercised the English Cocker Spaniels will do ok in an apartment life, but they do best when he gets plenty of outdoor exercise in an average-sized fenced yard. He enjoys country walks, swimming, fetching a ball and as much exercise as you can give it.

E

The Curly Coated Retriever originated in England and was bred to retrieve game either on land or in lakes and rivers. They are thought to be a mixture of the Irish Water Spaniel, Old Water Spaniel, Poodle, and Lab but their exact blood lineage is uncertain.

These dogs make fantastic workers as they will go above and beyond to please their masters but along with their natural skills, they make great family dogs. They are friendly and playful with children as well as considerate of other family pets.

This breed has a muscular, athletic body and long toned legs. They have tiny triangular ears, a long powerful muzzle and big friendly eyes. The Curly Coated Retriever has a long slender tail which when swimming is used as a rudder, and webbed paws that increase their speed when in the water! This breed’s body is made for the water and they will naturally be drawn to this from day one.

The Curly Coated Retriever is a sweet tempered, caring and affectionate dog that will make an excellent pet. They are renowned for their hunting/retrieval skills but are sought out today not only for their workability, but for their sociability. Although they make great pets, these dogs are not recommended for the first time owner because they can be quite stubborn at times and will need an owner who can take charge and be dominant when it is needed.

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! They 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 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!

The Komondor is a descendant from the Tibetan dogs. For a long time, people thought it was brought by the nomadic Magyars to herd sheep, however, a newer study shows that it has been brought by the Cumans.

In fact, Komondor bones have been found in Cuman sites. The name “Komondor” comes from the Cuman name Koman-dor which means dog of the Cumans. In 1920, the breed started to be presented in dog shows and became more popular.

Breed Group

Working

Size

Male: 27½ inches
Female: 25½ inches

Weight

Male: Approximately 100 lbs
Female: Approximately 80 lbs

Color(s)

The coat’s color is off-white. It can happen to see puppies with a little bit of cream, but it fades away as they grow up.

Coat

The Komondor has a very special coat; as a puppy, you can see a soft coat with a tendency to fall into curls. As it grows up, the coat tends to fall more into cords near the skin and to be fluffy at the end. When the dog is older, the undercoat stays as dense, soft and wooly as the baby coat. The outer coat is thicker and traps the undercoat to form cords. A fully grown Komondor dog is entirely covered with these heavy cords.

Life Expectancy

About 10 – 12 years

Personality

Bred to think by itself, the Komondor is intelligent, devoted and extremely loyal. They are very affectionate and protective of the people that they know; they always want to be near those they love and always seek attention and physical contact.

If the dog isn’t properly socialized, it can react very aggressively when confronted to a new situation or when meeting a new person.

Care

The coat of the Komondor must never be brushed but it has to be trimmed. It needs a lot of bathing and it is very long to dry. It barely sheds.

Training

The Komondor tends to think for himself so it can be obstinate and difficult to train. They might think that they have no good reason to listen. The Komondor gets easily bored, so the training sessions have to be entertaining. It must constantly be kept under control. It doesn’t need to have rough corrections; it could lead to mistrust.

Training and socialization must start early (at age of 4-8 months). The Komondor is intelligent and will quickly learn what is thought to him.

Activity

The Komondor is a very lazy dog. It can live in the city but he prefers country. If the Komondor is left outside, it will automatically burn the energy it needs to. In contrast, the dog doesn’t need a big amount of exercise and it sleeps a lot.