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 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 English Springer Spaniel is the first of all the English hunting spaniels. During the Renaissance, it was considered as the ideal companion for the European hunter, but it’s only in the 1700′s that the breed began to be popular in America.

This breed hunts on land and water and makes a fine retriever. It can also be used for tracking, watchdogging and agility

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Male: 19-21 inches

Female: 18-20 inches

Weight

Male: 45-55 lbs

Female: 40-50 lbs

Color(s)

The English Springer can come in different combinations of colors.
It can be black or liver with white markings or white with black or liver markings, blue, liver roan or tricolored.
The tricolored dog has a black and white or liver and white coat with tan markings.

Coat

The English Springer is double coated. The outer coat is of medium length, flat or wavy on the body.
On the head, on the front of the legs and below the hocks joints, hair is short and fine. On the ears, the legs, the chest and the abdomen, the English Springer is moderately fringed.
The undercoat is short, soft, dense, waterproof and weatherproof.

Life Expectancy

12-14 years

Personality

The English Springer is very intelligent dog that tends to be willing and very obedient. Calm and gentle, this breed is excellent for children. This dog loves everyone with its affectionate, friendly and sociable temperament. Springers need to be with people as much as they can. If not, they can become trouble makers. This is a very playful breed that demands a lot of exercise. This loyal dog is very brave and cheerful.

Care

The English Springer is prone to hip dysplasia, PRA (eye disorder), PFK (blood disorder), epilepsy and HD. As this breed tends to gain weight easily, it must never be overfed.

The coat of the Springer is very easy to take care of. All it needs is a regular brushing with an extra care for long-haired Springers. The ears must be regularly checked to prevent ear infections.

Training

Springers need a firm handler that will know how to show that he is the boss, but the training must also be done softly.

Activity

Springers are very active dogs and will take as much exercise as you can give it. This breed needs a lot of chances to spend its energy by running, playing, swimming or retrieving.

The Kuvasz is probably one of the oldest of all breeds. Some says that the Kuvasz has been known since 200 B.C., at the age of the Huns. Other says that it was used as a sheepdog and accompanied the Turkish refugees in Hungary when the Mongols invaded them in 1200.In the fifteenth century, the Kuvasz was often given as royal gifts.

The King Matyas is said that he only trusted his Kuvasz dogs and not humans. After the King’s death, the dog returned to being only a sheepdog. Many have been trained to hunt bears and wild boars.

This breed may have contributed to several sheepdog breeds like the Great Pyrenees, the Anatolian Shepherd, the Marema Sheepdog and the Tatra Sheepdog.

After World War II, there was only 30 Kuvasz left in the world, but with the perseverance of many breeders, the Kuvasz has been repopulated in Hungary.

Breed Group

Working

Size

Male: 28-30 inches
Female: 26-28 inches

Weight

Male: 100-115 lbs
Female: 70-90 lbs

Color(s)

white

Coat

The Kuvasz’s coat is very thick and wavy or straight. Short and smooth hairs cover the paws, muzzle, head and ears. The body and side of the thighs are covered with medium length hairs while the neck hairs are very long. Short hairs are found on the thighs and on the front of the forelegs to the elbow. The back of the forelegs have hairs of 2 to 3 inches long and the back of the thighs and the tails are covered with 4 to 6 inches hairs.

Life Expectancy

About 10 – 12 years.

Personality

At first sight, this independent dog seems reserved. However, you need to establish confidence to discover a joyful and playing dog. Brave, loyal and devoted, the Kuvasz would die to protect his family or what’s under its responsibility.

Strong, bold, fearless and very territorial, this dog has a high protective instinct. That’s why it’s used as a herder or guardian of the flock. The Kuvasz is suspicious of strangers and will make his own decisions about who he will accept as a friend.

This is not a god dog for children. It can be gentle and patient with the family children, but you may not leave it alone with children to prevent accidental injury. This breed usually doesn’t accept other pets especially other male dogs.

Care

Before buying a puppy, you should check with the breeder to make sure that the parents have hip clearance because they prone to hip dysplasia. This breed can also have osteochondritis dissecans, a disease that causes an inflammation of the shoulder joints. You should also pay attention to hypertrophic osteodystrophy, skin problems and allergies.

To avoid a matted coat, the Kuvasz should be brushed weekly. This breed doesn’t need bathing. Bathing will remove the natural oils of its coat that normally sheds dirt. The more this dog is bathed, the more he will need to be bathed. Instead, it should be brushed frequently to remove dirt. In cold climates, it sheds twice a year. In warmer climates, it sheds all year!

Training

To calm its high protective instinct, this dog must be socialized at a very young age. This breed needs experienced trainers that know how to be firm and dominant. Suspicious of strangers, they should be taught to accept the family’s friends.

The Kuvasz has been bred to work apart of the men, so it is not easy to obedience train. This dog must never be treated harshly. The family members should all learn how to handle the dog. If you want to train it to livestock guarding, the key is to have an experienced older dog to teach the puppy.

Activity

The Kuvasz needs a lot of exercise to help stop him from digging all over the yard.

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.

The Black Russian Terrier was first developed right after World War II by the Russian Red Army. It was designated as a police dog. It helped to guard military buildings, to patrol with the police etc.

The Black Russian Terrier is a mix between the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Moscow Retriever and the Airedale. It’s a very rare breed but you can sometimes notice them in European dog shows. The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2004.

Breed Group

Working

Size

Male dogs: 25.7 – 28.1 inches
Female dogs: 25.0 – 27.3 inches

Weight

Male: 100-150 lbs
Female: 80-130 lbs

Color(s)

Black or black with grey hairs

Coat

The coat of a black russian terrier is two to four inches, coarse, dense, weatherproof, wiry and bristly but close lying wavy.

Life Expectancy

About 10 – 12 years.

Personality

Black Russian Terriers are very brave and they have a strong protective instinct so they are skeptical about strangers. They are extremely energetic and sturdy. They are alert and have strong defense reactions. They love to play with children (mostly the female but the male too). They always search human’s presence and are always ready to protect the family. It takes a long time to the Black Russian Terrier to mature.

Care

Once a week, the Black Russian Terrier needs to be brushed at least 30 minutes. It does not moult and they only shed a little. The Black Russian Terrier must, several times in the year, be professionally groomed and trimmed. Hairs in the ears should be removed and the hairs from the paws should be cut.

Training

First, the Black Russian Terrier needs high socialization at a very young age because they are very protective. To be manageable, it must have a basic training. The training of this dog can’t be neglected and it will need time and work to train it. It can also be trained for agility, for search and rescue etc.

Activity

Black Russian Terriers love to be entertained and to exercise. They will enjoy it if you bring him for a long walk in the park or if you just play with it. They love snow and water so they will always be happy to take a swim!

The Shetland Sheepdog is probably a descendant from the Rough Collies brought to Shetland (a Scottish island) and mixed with the Icelandic Yakkin, a small dog that is no longer recognized.

By 1700, the breed was totally developed and was used to herd and guard sheep.
The Sheltie was first recognized in 1909 in England and brought in the United States in 1911.

Breed Group

Herding

Size

Male: 13-16 inches
Female: 13-16 inches

Weight

Male: 14-27 lbs
Female: 14-27 lbs

Color(s)

The Shetland can come in many colors like black, blue, merle and different shades of sable marked with white and/or tan.

Coat

The Shetland Sheepdog’s outer coat has long, straight and harsh hair.
The undercoat is short and so dense that it gives a furry appearance to the entire coat.
Mane should be impressive (particularly in males). Short and smooth hairs on the face, the ears and the feet should be seen.
The front legs are well feathered and the back legs heavily feathered.
The tail’s hair is profuse and dense.

Life Expectancy

About 12 to 15 years.

Personality

The Shetland Sheepdog is an excellent companion with a wonderful temperament.
They are perfect for family as they are gentle, very loving and affectionate, delicate and they get along very well with children if they are raised with them.
Intensely loyal and devoted, it makes a great guard dog and watchdog.
In fact, they can be suspicious of strangers, especially children.

The Sheltie is graceful and elegant, that’s why it is so popular now. This breed is extremely intelligent and willing to please and obey which makes it easy to train.
This is a very lively dog that likes to be kept busy with a job. It is a sensitive breed that might not allow strangers to touch them and bark loudly and persistently.
The breed kept a high herding instinct that loves to chase things like cars which can sometimes be dangerous.

Care

The Shetland Sheepdog tends to have a hereditary malformation and disease of the eyes.
Puppies should always be checked for this kind of malformation or disease. Some are prone to hypothyroidism (a deficiency of the thyroid gland and slows down the metabolic rate).
It is also important to take a look for kneecap displacement.

Never over-feed a Sheltie as it will become obese and lazy and this can lead to many other health problems. A regular brushing is important.
The coat must be misted lightly with water and the mats clipped out before you start.
The Sheltie heavily sheds twice a year. As its coat sheds dirt, bathe or dry shampoo this dog only when absolutely necessary.

Training

As the Sheltie is extremely intelligent and entirely devoted to its master, so it tends to be very easy to train.
Harsh training is unnecessary as it is very sensitive and can become uncooperative.
The key to training a Shetland is positive reinforcement.

Activity

The Shetland Sheepdog is very active and needs a lot of daily exercise, preferably off the leash in a secure place.

The Pyrenean Shepherd is nationally known in France for their great work as couriers, rescue dogs, watch dogs and mascots. The dog breed isn’t too well-known outside of France, but everything about the dog makes it very appealing. In 2003, a Pyrenean Shepherd won the World Agility Championship for midsized dogs it gained more recognition as an intelligent sports performance dog.

Breed Group

Herding

Size

Male dogs: 15.5 to 22 inches

Female dogs: 15 to 20 inches

Weight

Male: 15-32 lbs

Female: 15-30 lbs

Color(s)

Usually the dog breed comes in shades of fawn, but it is also typical for some black and grey overlay. There is also less commonly merles (blue merle, fawn merle) and even more rare, black. A hint of white is allowed on the head, legs and chest.

Coat

There is a smooth-faced variety and there is a rough-faced variety. The smooth kind has short fine hairs on the muzzle with rough areas around the head and neck. The other kind has longer, much shaggier kind of hair on the muzzle and face, but doesn’t cover the eyes or create a beard. There is a long, coarse hair over the rest of this dog breed’s body.

Life Expectancy

About 9-15 years.

Personality

Designed to be a sheepdog, they have the great energy of a herding dog, but in a smaller package. The Pyrenean Shepherd wants to work on the field and is a natural herder. Giving the dog a job will be a great way for the dog to use up most of the energy it has and will give him an important role.

Care

Despite the fact that the dog breed has a relatively shaggy coat, they only require a brush every week. The coat’s texture is resistant to tangling and is very manageable compared to other longer-haired dogs.

Training

The Pyrenean Shepherd observes very carefully their master’s mood and emotions and can almost read their mind. This makes the dog easily trainable. They are dedicated to their owners and are considered a very loyal dog breed.

Activity

This is a dog breed that needs a job. They are very active and clever making them great for dog agility and to participate in dog sports like fly ball. The Pyrenean Shepherd is also well suited to compete in obedience competitions.

Several thousand years ago, the Pulik were brought to Hungary by the Magyars and they were used as sheep dogs.

During World War II, this breed almost disappeared, but a breeding program successfully brought the breed back to life. This is a dog breed that loves to please their owners and are determined to make them happy. These dogs should not be taken for granted, they are amazing.

Breed Group

Herder

Size

Male: 17 inches
Female: 16 inches

Weight

Male: 25-35 lbs
Female: 20-30 lbs

Color(s)

The Puli’s colors vary from rusty black, to black, to all shades of gray or white.
On the chest, a white spot, not bigger than 2 inches, is acceptable.
In the black coated Pulik, you can sometimes find white hairs and in the gray Pulik, a mixture of different shades of gray is also acceptable.

Coat

The Puli’s coat is thick and weather resistant.
The outer coat is wavy or curly and with harsh hairs.
A soft, thick and wooly undercoat covers the body.
As an adult, if not brushed, its coat will form cords which will be of different shapes and sizes (flat or round).
The Puli can be shown brushed or corded. The coat can become very long and even reach the ground.

Life Expectancy

About 14-16 years.

Personality

Energetic, lively, playful and loyal, the Puli makes a very good companion.
This dog is extremely intelligent and affectionate.
Suspicious of strangers, it makes a great watch dog, but never aggressive; it will give a vocal warning to intruders.

Pulis are not recommended for small children as they will try to herd them, however, if the dog is raised with the child it may get along well.
This is a very receptive, obedient and agile dog that easily adapts to new situations.

Care

The Puli is a very healthy breed. Although, every owner should test the dog for hip dysplasia or eye problems.

As the corded coat begins to form, the cords should be separated by hand very regularly.
If you want to keep a fully corded Puli, regular coat separation is necessary and, of course, bathing.
Bathing a Puli is very easy, but it takes a long time to dry; if a dryer is used, it can take a couple of hours.
Without a dryer, it can take up to two days.
The nails should always be kept clipped and the eyes and ears regularly cleaned.
This breed does not shed.

Training

Obedience training is important for the Puli. This is an extremely intelligent dog, which makes him easy to train but also gives him the chance to think by itself.
This breed might find some aspects of training boring, so it’s important to train them with creative and playful methods.
They are very good in agility and in obedience.

Activity

The Puli is an energetic dog that needs a lot of exercise.
They will love to join you in your activities or just to romp in a park.
Some of them love water and cam swim very well.