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Behind the Breed

Behind the Breed: Scottish Deerhound

At this year's National Dog Show, the winner was Claire, a lovely Scottish Deerhound. Up until her win, I personally had no idea that Scottish Deerhound was a breed! This large, regal breed is similar to the Irish Wolfhound in...

Behind the Breed: Akitas

Akitas are dignified, brave, loyal dogs that are devoted and affectionate to their family. Almost feline in nature, these dogs are usually clean and tidy in the house and can be rather independent. Their double coats are relatively short (only about two inches long)...

Behind the Breed: Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terriers, also known as Yorkies and even the 'Tomboy Toy', are small but energetic dogs that thrive when given a job to do. Despite their size, these dogs are full of courage, confidence, and spunk in addition to being a bit high maintenance. Their size...

Behind the Breed: Dalmatians.

These iconic dogs, known for their black spots on white fur, are incredibly intelligent, active, and affectionate. Dalmatians have made their way into popular culture many times, including through being circus performers, the Disney classic 101 Dalmatians, and by...

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: Spitz Classification

There are 50-70 different dog breeds, most of whom have origins in some of the coldest parts of the northern hemisphere, that have the spitz classification. These breeds are characterized by their wolf-like appearance, including their pointed ears, almond eyes,...

Behind the Breed: Irish Setters.

Learn more about Irish Setters, a wonderful breed with a brilliant red coat.

Behind the Breed: Salish Wool Dog

In the 'Behind the Breed' for Labrador Retrievers, I mentioned that labs came from a now extinct St. Johns Dog. The St. Johns Dog isn't the first nor is it the only dog breed to go extinct. Over time, breeds of dogs have shifted and changed, which has meant that there...

Behind the Breed: Treeing Walker Coonhound.

Despite the name, this breed is an active breed that can cover quite a bit of ground in a hurry. Like other hounds, the Treeing Walker Coonhound was bred to be hunting dogs and will definitely follow their noses after interesting smells if given the chance. These dogs...

Behind the Breed: Australian Kelpie

Like other herding dogs, the Australian Kelpie is an active, intelligent, and loyal dog with an unlimited source of energy. Kelpies are medium in size, often weighing 30-45 pounds and standing 17-20 inches tall, but what they lack in size, they make up for with...
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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