Behind the Breed: Norwegian Forest Cats

Norwegian Forest Cats are large, semi-longhaired cats that have a long history in their native Norway, where they're called 'skogkatt' (which literally translates to forest cat!). These cats have been recorded in Norway for at least 500 years but have been around for...

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: Black Russian Terriers

Black Russian Terriers are, despite having the name of terrier, large and powerful dogs! They have long, coarse all-black coats that don't shed that much but need weekly brushing. This breed is relatively new and still fairly rare but given the right training and...

Behind the Breed: Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinchers, also known as Dobies, are fearless, loyal working dogs with sleek, muscular appearances. With a history in Germany, Dobermans have worked in a range of fields and even served as the US Marine Corps' official war dog during World War II. Because of...

Behind the Breed: Havanese Dogs

In addition to their expressive eyes and outgoing personalities, these toy dogs have long, silky hair and curly tail, making them fun, beautiful dogs. Havanese dogs are the only breed native to Cuba and named after the island's largest city, Havana. These dogs are...

Behind the Breed: Cairn Terriers

Cairn Terriers are small but mighty dogs with lots of energy and personality!

Behind the Breed: Australian Cattle Dog

These incredibly intelligent, sturdy dogs were, as you might imagine, initially developed in Australia to help herd cattle on large ranches. Their size and energy levels have proven useful for herding livestock and they excel at activities and sports like agility,...

Behind the Breed: Maine Coon Cats.

Maine Coon Cats are large, long hair cats that originated in the northeast United States. They were first recognized as a specific breed in Maine, where they are, unsurprisingly, the state cat! Maine Coons evolved to survive the harsh winters of the northeast and were...

Behind the Breed: Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

As the smallest of retriever breeds, the Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever were bred as hunting dogs and originated in the Little River district of Novia Scotia in Canada. Nicknamed 'tollers' and originally called Littler River Duck Dogs, these dogs helped lure...

Behind the Breed: Corgis

From the So Cal Corgi Beach Day at the Huntington Dog Beach outside Los Angeles to Cheddar the Dog on Brooklyn 99 to Queen Elizabeth II's many corgis, this breed is beloved by many! Hailing from Wales, this breed's name means 'dwarf dog' or 'gathering dog' in Welsh...
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...