Machine Name
dog
Puli

An ancient Hungarian herding dog, the spirited Puli is distinguished by his unique, wooly, corded coat that covers his compact body and requires extensive grooming. The breed is affectionate, alert and protective, making him an ideal family companion and watchdog. Clever and intelligent, the Puli retains his playfulness throughout his life. This active breed needs moderate daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The Puli is born with an uncorded coat. His cords begin to develop at 9 months of age and continue to grow until the Puli is 5 years old.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Hungarian Puli

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
  • Basic training required
  • Enjoys gentle walks
  • Enjoys walking half an hour a day
  • Medium dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming daily
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks and alerts
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Good with children if properly trained, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living if adequately exercised
Size
Medium
Height
Males – 43 centimetres at the withers, Females – 41 centimetres at the withers
Weight
11 to 18 kilograms
Energy
Medium
Colour
Black, silver, white, brown, cream, or rust
Activities
Conformation, Herding, Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Therapy
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a French scent hound developed in the 16th century to hunt small game over difficult terrain. This vivacious, outgoing breed is confident, happy and willing to please. The PBGV is best-suited for experienced dog owners with older children and fenced yards. A pack hound, he gets along well with other dogs and generally is happiest in their company. This breed does best with daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The name of this breed in French reveals much about his characteristics: Petit means small; Basset means low to the ground; Griffon means rough or wire coated; and Vendéen is the area of France where the breed originated.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for owners with some experience
  • Some training required
  • Enjoys gentle walks
  • Enjoys walking half an hour a day
  • Medium dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming every other day
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Not a guard dog
  • Great with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living, good with older children
Size
Medium
Height
33 to 38 centimetres
Weight
14 to 18 kilograms
Coat
Medium
Energy
Medium
Colour
White with any combination of lemon, orange, black, sable, tricolour, or grizzle markings
Activities
Agility, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Obedience, Conformation, Tracking
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a strong, sturdy, low-set herding breed from Pembrokeshire. Loving, obedient and loyal, he makes an agreeable house dog. The Pembroke is bold, intelligent, easily trained and can adapt to many living situations if provided adequate exercise. His thick coat requires regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? Unlike the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, the Pembroke does not have a tail.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for experienced owners
  • Extra training required
  • Enjoys active walks
  • Enjoys walking half an hour a day
  • Small dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks and alerts
  • Great with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Good with older children, suitable for apartment living, not hypoallergenic
Size
Small/Medium
Height
25 to 30.5 centimetres at the withers
Weight
Males – 13.5 kilograms or less, Females – 12.5 kilograms or less
Coat
Short
Energy
Medium
Colour
Shades of red, sable or fawn; or black or tan with or without white markings
Activities
Agility, Conformation, Herding, Obedience, Rally Obedience, Tracking
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Miniature Bull Terrier

Identical to the Bull Terrier in every way except size, the Miniature Bull Terrier dates to the 19th century when Bull Terriers were bred for dog fighting. The breed has a gentle, clownish and playful personality. He is courageous and full of fire but even-tempered and amenable to discipline. Though a loving companion, he may become too energetic for small children without proper exercise and training. The breed is not recommended for homes with small non-canine pets. He has a low-maintenance coat.

DID YOU KNOW? A Toy Bull Terrier used to exist with the Miniature and Standard types, but the toy size eventually fell out of favour.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for owners with some experience
  • Some training required
  • Enjoys active walks
  • Enjoys walking an hour a day
  • Medium dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Quiet dog
  • Not a guard dog
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Small/Medium
Height
25.5 to 35.5 centimetres at the withers
Weight
20 to 80 kilograms
Coat
Short
Energy
Medium
Colour
Any colour(s) or all white
Activities
Agility, Obedience, Rally Obedience
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Kuvasz

A spirited dog of keen intelligence, determination and courage, the Kuvasz served for centuries as a companion and guard dog to European royalty. Well-muscled and agile, this ancient Hungarian breed later was found well-suited for herding livestock. The Kuvasz is a gentle, patient, devoted and protective family companion. An active working dog, he does best with daily exercise. His coat is easily maintained, needing brushing but little bathing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Kuvasz’s name comes from the Turkish word "kawasz," which means "armed guard of the nobility." The plural of Kuvasz is Kuvaszok.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Hungarian Kuvasz

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for owners with some experience
  • Some training required
  • Enjoys gentle walks
  • Enjoys walking half an hour a day
  • Giant dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Giant
Height
Males – 71 to 76 centimetres at the withers, Females – 66 to 71 centimetres at the withers
Weight
Males – 100 to 115 pounds, Females 70 to 90 pounds
Coat
Medium
Energy
Low
Colour
White
Activities
Conformation, Obedience, Guarding
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Jug

The Jug is a hybrid of a Pug and a Jack Russell Terrier. They are bred to retain the basic features of a Pug with a slightly longer nose in an attempt to reduce the breathing problems that Pugs are notorious for. They have become increasingly popular over the last 10 years. The aim of crossbreeding is to minimise the genetic diseases that can be present in purebred dogs. First-cross Jugs will have the maximum genetic benefits associated with a hybrid dog – in other words, a Jug with one parent purebred pug and one parent purebred Jack Russell Terrier will have less genetic dieases than second or third cross Jugs.

DID YOU KNOW? Even though the snout is usually longer than the Pug, the Jug can still be prone to breathing problems, particularly in the warmer weather. The eyes can protrude, which can result in various eye problems.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
  • Basic training required
  • Enjoys gentle walks
  • Enjoys walking half an hour a day
  • Small dog
  • Minimum drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Quiet dog
  • Not a guard dog
  • Great with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Good with older children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Small
Height
25 to 35 centimetres
Weight
6 to 8 kilograms
Coat
Short
Energy
Medium
Colour
Fawn or black, with or without black or fawn markings.
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Jack Russell Terrier

Bred to go to ground to hunt vermin, the Russell Terrier is a small, robust dog with a confident personality. The breed has three coat varieties: Smooth, Broken and Rough. Energetic, curious and playful, he is a good match for active families. The keen, intelligent Russell Terrier thrives on being outdoors and needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. His dense, weatherproof coat requires minimal grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? Descending from Reverend John Russell’s fox working terriers in the 19th century, the Russell Terrier originated in England but was developed in Australia, where it is called the Jack Russell Terrier.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Russell Terrier

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for owners with some experience
  • Basic training required
  • Enjoys active walks
  • Enjoys walking an hour a day
  • Small dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Quiet dog
  • Not a guard dog
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Good with older children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living if adequately exercised
Size
Small
Height
25 to 30 centimetres
Weight
5 to 6 kilograms
Coat
Short
Energy
High
Colour
White with tan and/or black markings
Activities
Conformation, Agility, Obedience, Rally, Hunting, Tracking, Search and Rescue, Lure Coursing, Earthdog Trials
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Icelandic Sheepdog (Icelandic Spitz)

A true Nordic spitz, the Icelandic Sheepdog is distinguished by his prick ears and curled tail. This hardy, agile breed was developed to herd livestock in the mountainous regions of Iceland. Highly intelligent and clever, this sheepdog is an enthusiastic and playful companion that can be quite vocal. The breed sheds his undercoat twice a year and requires moderate grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? Iceland’s only native canine, the Icelandic Sheepdog is a popular breed that has been featured on postage stamps. Believed to be the world’s oldest breed, the Icelandic Sheepdog was brought to Iceland by the Vikings from 874 to 930 A.D., earning him the nickname “dog of the Vikings.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Icelandic Spitz, Iceland Dog, Íslenskur fjárhundur, Islandsk Farehond, Friaar Dog, Canis islandicus

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
  • Basic training required
  • Enjoys gentle walks
  • Enjoys walking half an hour a day
  • Medium dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Not a guard dog
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, not suitable for apartment living
Size
Medium
Height
Males – 46 centimetres, Females – 42 centimetres
Weight
Should be proportionate to height
Coat
Long or Short
Energy
Medium
Colour
Shades of tan from cream to reddish brown, chocolate brown, gray, or black with white markings
Activities
Obedience, Rally, Agility, Therapy, Flyball, Herding, Conformation
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Harrier

The robust, muscular Harrier is an English pack hound originally bred to hunt hare. An active scenthound, the Harrier requires moderate exercise daily to maintain his strength and stamina. This inquisitive, hunting breed should be kept on a leash or in a fenced area for protection while exercising. His short, thick coat requires minimal grooming. Sociable and loyal, the Harrier thrives on being close to people and other dogs.

DID YOU KNOW? The Harrier was bred down in size from the English Foxhound. Sir Elias de Midhope developed the first pack of Harriers, the Penistone, in England in 1260.

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for owners with some experience
  • Some training required
  • Enjoys gentle walks
  • Enjoys walking half an hour a day
  • Medium dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Not a guard dog
  • Great with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, suitable for apartment living
Size
Medium
Height
48 to 53 centimetres Weight
Coat
Short
Energy
Medium
Colour
Any color Activities
Indoor/Outdoor
Both
Great Pyrenees

Named after the famous Pyrenees Mountains in southwestern Europe, the majestic Great Pyrenees is best known as a faithful guardian of livestock. Although affectionate with his family, the breed can be territorial, aggressive toward other dogs and reserved with strangers. The Great Pyrenees requires moderate exercise and a considerable amount of grooming for his thick double coat that sheds year-round.

DID YOU KNOW? Helen Keller is credited with bringing the first Akita to the U.S., having received a puppy from the Ministry of Education during a visit to Japan in 1937.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Akita Inu, Japanese Akita, American Akita

 

The need-to-know

 

  • Dog suitable for owners with some experience
  • Some training required
  • Enjoys gentle walks
  • Enjoys walking half an hour a day
  • Large dog
  • Some drool
  • Requires grooming daily
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks and alerts
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • Great family dog
Living Considerations
Good with children, not hypoallergenic, not suitable for apartment living
Size
Large/Giant
Height
Males 69 to 81 centimetres at the withers, Females – 63.5 to 73.5 centimetres at the withers
Weight
Males – 45 to 59 kilograms, Females – 38.5 to 54 kilograms
Coat
Medium-long
Energy
Medium
Colour
White or white with markings that are gray, badger, reddish brown, or tan
Activities
Herding, Guarding, Therapy, Carting, Conformation
Indoor/Outdoor
Outdoor
Dog