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 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 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (WPG) has an uncertain origin, some historians say France and some say the Netherlands. They are a mixture of the Setter, German Pointer, Barbet, German Griffon and various Spaniels. These dogs are not common but they are fantastic hard working dogs that would be an asset to any hunter.

This breed has a muscular, athletic body and straight, toned legs. They have a long powerful muzzle and large round eyes which give them a friendly look. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has large floppy ears, and a thick rough coat that will protect them colder climates as well as cold water. Naturally this breed has a long slender tail, but for show purposes it will be docked.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a loving, happy and loyal pet that will make an excellent companion as well as an excellent worker. They are great family dogs because they interact well with children and other family pets but tend to be more energetic and will need more exercise per day compared to other breeds. Even though they are considered a more difficult dog to raise, they will do well with an owner who is able to be firm and stay patient with them while training.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Males: 20-24 inches high

Females: 20-24 inches high

Weight

Males: 50-60 lbs
Females: 50-60 lbs

Color(s)

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will only come in 2 coat colours which are a rich brown or gray with patches of brown. Most commonly seen is the gray with brown patches but both colour variations are accepted for show standards.

Coat

This breed has dense, harder textured fur that is wiry to the touch. They have a double layered coat with the outer layer being bristle-like and thick, and the under layer being plushy and insulating. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon definitely needs their type of coat for the conditions in which they hunt because it’s not only the weather they need protection from, it is also the terrain!

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Personality

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will need an owner who has ample time to spend exercising and raising them. These are not the type of dogs who can be left alone too often because they thrive on the affection and attention they get from their owners. This breed is incredibly intelligent and should be more simple to train provided their owners are repetitive and gentle! The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is also protective of their territory and will make a good watchdog as they will gladly alert the family or their owners of intruders!

Despite their outgoing personality, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will be more weary of people they’ve never met, but upon introduction will warm up. These dogs will need to be socialized as much as possible as puppies, especially around people, dogs and busier locations, so they will become adjusted to these as adults.

Care

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will need a minimal amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing once per week and bathing every 1-2 months is all this breed needs! Once per year they should have their fur stripped just to ensure the dead coat is expelled. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is prone to hip dysplasia but is generally a very healthy breed!

Training

This breed will need gentle repetitive training in order for them to be taught obedience or any type of training. They are clever dogs that will be able to pick up the concept quickly, plus they have the motivation to please their owners! Training sessions should be kept short with this breed so they have time in between to let the information sink in.

Activity

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will need at least 1-2 hours of exercise per day to tire them out. They are an energetic breed that will need time spent off leash to run around or swim! These dogs will only be happy once they are exercised thoroughly enough and have had their dose of attention for the day. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will do well in a household environment with a backyard because they need as much space as possible to live in.

The Brittany may be a cross between the Orange and White Setter and some other French dog.

This dog probably comes from Brittany in France, where it was first shown in 1896. The Brittany was recognized in 1938 and is one of the most popular breed for bird hunting.

Breed Group

Sporting

Size

Male: 17-21 inches
Female: 16-20 inches

Weight

Male: 35-40 lbs

Female: 30-35 lbs

Color(s)

The Brittany’s coat can be orange and white or orange and liver. Sometimes the Brittany can be tri-colored.

Coat

The coat of the Brittany is dense, straight or wavy but never curly. A little fringe on the ears and some feathering on the front and hind legs should be seen.

Life Expectancy

About 12 – 13 years.

Personality

The Brittany is a very intelligent dog, easy to handle, obedient and eager to please. This is a loving, affectionate and gentle breed, very good with children. Happy, alert and always energetic, this dog needs a lot of exercise.

It is very easy to train for hunting and has an outstanding instinct for retrieving from water. This dog is very popular as a companion because of its cheerful character.

Care

The Brittany is a very healthy breed but some are prone to hip dysplasia and seizures.A regular brushing of this dog is all that is needed. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. This breed sheds very little.

Training

This dog is very easy to train because of its eagerness to please. It will do great in obedience training and excels in hunting.

Activity

The Brittany is a very energetic dog that needs a lot of exercise as it has a great stamina. They will do best with an active outdoor life.

The Great Pyrenees comes from the Kuvasz and the Maremmano-Abruzzese. This dog is native from France and was used as a guard dog for sheep and cattle. Back in 1800 B.C., a dog similar to the Great Pyrenees had been discovered in Europe.

The breed probably first came from Asia or Siberia, but when established in Europe, it stayed in the mountainous regions until the middle ages. The dog became a noble guard dog as it gained popularity. In the 17 th century, every French noble wanted a Great Pyrenees.

It was used to protect owners from bears and wolves. Later on, this breed was used for rescue operations from avalanches, as a sled dog, as a pack dog, as a cart-puller and as a guardian. It may have been used as a war dog in ancient time when it was less gentle. It was officially recognized by the AKC in 1933.

Breed Group

Working

Size

Male: 27-32 inches
Female: 25-29 inches

Weight

Male: Approximately 100 lbs
Female: Approximately 85 lbs

Color(s)

The Great Pyrenees can be white, white with gray markings, reddish brown or different shades of tan. Markings can appear on the ears, on the tail and on the body and a full face mask can also be seen.

Coat

The Great Pyrenees, suspicious of strangers, is a very imposing guardian, devoted to its family and capable of self-sacrifice if needed. This dog is courageous, loyal and obedient, but it can also be very stubborn. It tends to be gentle and affectionate, somewhat independent, with the family. This is a good breed for children but it does better when it’s raised with them. This dog is also used for livestock guarding. Calm when not provoked, this dog is well-mannered and serious. The Great Pyrenees tends to be dominant with a less strict owner. These dogs usually get along very well with other non-canine pets, especially cats. Their puppyhood lasts only two years.

Life Expectancy

About 10 – 12 years.

Personality

The Great Pyrenees, suspicious of strangers, is a very imposing guardian, devoted to its family and capable of self-sacrifice if needed. This dog is courageous, loyal and obedient, but it can also be very stubborn. It tends to be gentle and affectionate, somewhat independent, with the family.

This is a good breed for children but it does better when it’s raised with them. This dog is also used for livestock guarding. Calm when not provoked, this dog is well-mannered and serious.

The Great Pyrenees tends to be dominant with a less strict owner. These dogs usually get along very well with other non-canine pets, especially cats. Their puppyhood lasts only two years.

Care

The Great Pyrenees is prone to hip dysplasia and may develop skins problem in warmer weathers.

A regular brushing is demanded to keep the coat in a good condition. The Great Pyrenees heavily sheds once a year, an extra care should be taken during this period. Bathe this dog only when necessary.

Training

The Great Pyrenees needs to have leash training, to learn the meaning of “no” and to learn how to act in the family house at an early age by using positive reinforcement. To socialize the dog at a very young age is also very important.

Activity

The Great Pyrenees needs regular exercise to be stay in shape and be healthy.

The Dogue de Bordeaux also known as the French Mastiff or the Bordeaux Bulldog is a part of the Molosser family. It is a rather large sized dog breed with a broad head. The dog breed was named after the French city Bordeaux. An indication of the purity of the dog breed is the fact that the whole facial area does not have a black mask like the English Mastiff and signs of this would mean that the dog was crossbred. The Dogue de Bordeaux eventually crossed over to America and gained it’s fame from television and movie roles.

Breed Group

Working

Size

Male dogs: 23.5 to 27 inches

Female dogs: 22.5 to 25.5 inches

Weight

Male: 110-125 lbs

Female: 100-120 lbs

Color(s)

The Dogue de Bordeaux comes in uniform colors. Shades of fawn from a light fawn to a darker fawn are acceptable. Small white patches are acceptable on the chest and extremities. The black mask isn’t desired, but a very vague mask is sometimes present on this breed.

Coat

The standard coat for this breed is short and soft to touch. White markings are allowed on the tips of the toes and chest, but any discoloration on the body or head is a disqualifying quality.

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

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

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

Breed Group

Toy

Size

Males: 8-11 inches high

Females: 8-11 inches high

Weight

Males: 8-10 lbs

Females: 7-9 lbs

Color(s)

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

Coat

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

Life Expectancy

About 16 years.

Personality

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

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

Care

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

Training

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

Activity

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

The Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen originated in France and were named for the county they hunted their prey within, the La Vendee. They are a mixture of the Italian Hound and the St. Hubert. This breed was specifically bred to hunt rabbit and is most commonly used in France but its popularity is growing in the United States.

The PBGV (Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen) is a short, low-set, shaggy, scent hound. This messy looking dog and has a body that is one and a half times longer that it is high. They were inducted into the AKC’s Hound category in 1991 making them a newcomer to the club.

This little dog is a mischievously clever breed and is often described as being too smart for their own good. When they become bored, they will look for things to do to keep them occupied, whether that be digging or trying to make a getaway from the house. This breed has a short attention span, so a large selection of toys will be a must.

Breed Group

Hound

Size

Males: 13-15 inches high

Females: 13-15 inches high

Weight

Males: 31-40 lbs

Females: 31-40 lbs

Color(s)

This breed is all white but with a mixture of either yellow, tri-colour, black, orange or light brown. These can be patches or just random markings all over the PBGV’s body.

Coat

The PBGV has a messy, wire-like, just rolled out of bed look to their coat. It is double layered, with the under coat being softer and thick. The top coat is a harder texture that feels rough to the touch. This is perfect for the PBGV because they need to be kept warm and dry while they hunt in the colder temperatures.

Life Expectancy

About 14 years.

Personality

The PBGV is a joyous, happy-go-lucky little dog that loves to explore his world. They are known for being curious and independent yet are attention hounds. This breed can not get enough affection from their owners as they love to be the center of attention and enjoy being around their family at all times.

The PBGV likes to hear their own voice and will use it often. Intelligent, perceptive and bright, this dog will be very easy to train as long as their owner is consistent. It was rumored that they were more difficult to teach obedience to but in comparison, the PBGV is actually quite easy.

Care

This breed has a moderately long coat which will need to be brushed about once or twice per week. Their coat is wiry and can mat easily so regular grooming is essential. Special attention should be brought to their paws as the hair can pick up foreign materials which will cause them pain if this is not removed. They are prone to some eye problems such as retinal folds or glaucoma. Epilepsy, seizures, skin allergies, hip dysplasia, and hypothyroidism are also potentials for this breed to genetically inherit.

Training

The PBGV is considered an easier dog to train. Positive and firm training will be needed but consistency is the key. If these dogs are trained every day in short sessions they will understand and be able to act out commands much quicker. They are a motivated breed who want to make their owner happy but can be stubborn at times because as a hound they are easily distracted with various scents to explore!

Activity

The PBGV will need regular walks at least once a day. It is suggested that when walking, to always use a leash as they can catch a scent and want to follow it or see a small animal and chase it. This breed will do well in an apartment as long as they get their daily exercise. A back yard would be great so they can run around outside but beware as they are known to be escape artists!

The Basset Hound comes from French lineage and is name mean “low”. The Basset Hound breed was deliberately bred by the friars at St. Hubert’s Abbey in medieval France for achondroplasia, a genetic disorder that causes dwarfism.

They wanted a dog with short leg and a strong body that could track a prey under the brush in dense forests. Known as the “Hush Puppy” dog, is descended from the St. Hubert’s Hound and is essentially a hunting dog much too gentle to be a guard dog.

Breed Group

Hound

Size

11 – 15 inches tall (at shoulder)

Weight

45 – 65 lbs

Color(s)

Basset Hounds are generally tricolor (black, tan, and white), red and white (red spots on white fur), or lemon and white.

Coat

The weather resistant coat of the Basset Hound is hard, soft, and should always be short.

Life Expectancy

About 8 – 13 years..

Personality

The Basset Hound is extremely strong and heavy for his height and it’s not a little delicate dog. Peaceful and quiet the Basset Hound love being around people and does exceptionally well with families with children and other animals. The Basset Hound is very gentle, obedient and devoted to his master but they are often very stubborn.

Care

Relatively a healthy breed the Basset Hound may suffer from ear canker, glaucoma, genetic epilepsy and bloat. Do not over feed these dogs because to much weight places too great a load on he’s long and heavy spine, also is preferable to give them two or three small meals a day instead of one big large meal. The Basset Hound is a constant shedder (more than most short haired dogs) so brushes its smooth coat with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. Clean he’s ears once a week and trim toenails on a regular basis.

Training

Like other hounds, Basset Hounds are notoriously difficult to housebreak and obedience train since they are “stubborn”. However they do well with consistent, firm but sympathetic handling and positive reinforcement, so fun techniques work best. The Basset likes to do tricks for food, but he’s attention will drop if a reward is not present.

Activity

Normally a lazy breed and very inactive indoors, the Basset will do okay in an apartment. However, outdoors they tend to show great endurance in physical activity and will run and play for hours in a safe, fenced in area.