Behind the Breed: Miniature American Shepherd

The Miniature American Shepherd is, in many ways, a more compact Australian Shepherd and despite its smaller size, still has all the energy and intelligence of a herding dog.

Behind the Breed: French Bulldog

Also known as Frenchies, French Bulldogs are small, affectionate dogs with distinctive 'bat ears' and a playful attitude. While these dogs have their own look, they're descendants of English Bulldogs, terriers, and pugs and were bred to be the toy version of the...

Behind the Breed: American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniels are relatively rare dogs that make great family companions, hiking companions, and/or watch dogs. This breed has a big dog personality in a smaller package, usually weighing 25-45 pounds, and despite the spaniel name, the AWS is more like a...

Behind the Breed: Chow Chows

With a fluffy coat, blue tongue, and rounded triangular ears, Chow Chows are incredibly bright and dignified dogs. These dogs are compact and clean, as they're easy to housetrain and can be as fastidious as cats. Chows are also rather adaptable dogs and can take to...

Behind the Breed: Savannah Cats

As an adventurous, outgoing breed, Savannah cats are not for those wanting a quiet, couch potato feline. These cats can be quite large and in charge compared to other cat breeds and would do well with people who understand their audacious spirits and agile skills....

Behind the Breed: Aidis (Atlas Mountain Dogs)

Also known as Atlas Sheepdogs and Atlas Mountain Dogs, this breed is a muscular, energetic, and protective dog native to Northern Africa (particularly Morocco). They're medium in size, usually weighing 50-55 pounds and standing 20-24 inches tall. Aidis have some...

Behind the Breed: Boxers

Boxers are a popular breed and for good reason, these dogs are goofy, bright, and energetic. Despite their square jaw and muscular statue, boxers are great family dogs and wonderful around children. They're medium in size and have short coats. If you're looking for a...

Behind the Breed: Great Swiss Mountain Dog

The Great Swiss Mountain Dog is a great companion for any active family or home. If you want a hiking partner, consider a Swissy!

Behind the Breed: Scottish Fold Cats.

Scottish Fold Cats are, as you might imagine, cats with unusual folded ears and while their lopped ears make these cats look like owls, these cats are sweet, loving companions for any person or family! The name of this breed also points to the country of origin, as...

Behind the Breed: Bernese Mountain Dogs.

These large dogs are working dogs and built for hard work. But despite their size and strength, Bernese Mountain Dogs are sweet, affectionate, and gentle dogs. They're great family dogs because they love their people and love to be included in any activity! As Jackie...
Behind the Breed: Sealyham Terrier

Behind the Breed: Sealyham Terrier

The Sealyham Terrier is a rare small terrier breed with origins in Wales as a working dog that hunted rats, otters, foxes, and badgers. Today, Sealyhams are rare but at one point, they were popular and adaptable terriers that had fans in the British Monarchy and...

Behind the Breed: Pit Bulls

Behind the Breed: Pit Bulls

This post contains affiliate links that I could make a commission off of. All opinions are my own. For decades, pit bulls have had a bad reputation. They're seen as fighting dogs that are inherently aggressive and are more likely to bite, notions that are based on the...

Behind the Breed: American Water Spaniel

Behind the Breed: American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniels are relatively rare dogs that make great family companions, hiking companions, and/or watch dogs. This breed has a big dog personality in a smaller package, usually weighing 25-45 pounds, and despite the spaniel name, the AWS is more like a...

Behind the Breed: Bearded Collies

Behind the Breed: Bearded Collies

The Bearded Collie is a happy, bouncy breed that looks very similar to the Old English Sheepdog. Both breeds are in the herding group and can be hard to tell apart from a distance. But Beardies, as they’re also known, have a long tail, several different coat colors, a...

Behind the Breed: Savannah Cats

Behind the Breed: Savannah Cats

As an adventurous, outgoing breed, Savannah cats are not for those wanting a quiet, couch potato feline. These cats can be quite large and in charge compared to other cat breeds and would do well with people who understand their audacious spirits and agile skills....

Behind the Breed: Welsh Terriers

Behind the Breed: Welsh Terriers

These black and tan dogs are true to their terrier name and are spunky dogs full of character. Welsh terriers were originally bred to chase and trap small animals for hunters and still remain the active, fun-loving dog that made them so great as hunting companions....

Behind the Breed: Alaskan Klee Kai

Behind the Breed: Alaskan Klee Kai

Alaskan Klee Kais are adorably wonderful dogs that look just like miniature Huskies! The Klee Kai is a relatively new breed, having only been first developed in the early 1970s, and ancestors include Siberian Huskies and American Eskimo dogs. They do come in three...

Behind the Breed: Leonbergers

Behind the Breed: Leonbergers

Affectionately known as Leos (or even gentle lions!), these massive dogs were originally developed not as guardian or working dogs but as companion dogs! Leonbergers are social, friendly dogs that love being around their people and definitely need some room to walk...

Behind the Breed: Norwegian Elkhound

Behind the Breed: Norwegian Elkhound

This confident, friendly breed was bred to withstand cold weather and to hunt or work for days at a time. Norwegian Elkhounds are spitz-type dogs that look and act very similar to Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes. Like these other breeds, Elkhounds have an...

Behind the Breed: Shiba Inu

Behind the Breed: Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is a rather iconic dog, especially in their native Japan where they are still an incredibly popular breed and one of the six native breeds to the country. This breed is intelligent, quiet, clean, rather strong-willed, and generally tends to do better as...