The Complete Dog Breed Book

THE COMPLETE DOG BOOK EVERY BREED

FROM A TO Z

THE COMPLETE THE COMPLETE DOG BOOK DOG BOOK EVERY BREED

FROM A TO Z

THE COMPLETE THE COMPLETE DOG BOOK DOG BOOK EVERY BREED

FROM A TO Z

Copyright © 2020 National Geographic Society Text copyright © 2020 Smithsonian Institution All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents is prohibited without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

ISBN: 978-1-4262-0589-9 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The complete dog book : every breed from a to z p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-4262-0589-9 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Dogs—Breeds.

QL121.K89 2020 594.78­—dc89 2010018695 Printed in China 10/PPS/5 COLOPHON Headlines: Mortise 34 pt Copy: Mortise 9 pt and Gentona 9 pt This book was designed by Caroline Carter in her Book Design class as part of RISD Continuing Education 2020. Special thanks to her Professor Doug Scott.

CONTENTS HERDING GROUP 4 WORKING GROUP 35 TERRIERS 56 HOUNDS 72 SPORTING GROUP 97 TOY GROUP 104 NON-SPORTING GROUP 120

HERDING GROUP

4

PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI DID YOU KNOW? Queen Elizabeth II, fond of the breed her entire life, has owned more than 30 corgis since she became the Queen of the Commonwealth Realms in 1952.

FAST FACTS: ■

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Pembrokes are vocal dogs that have a tendency to bark at anything and everything.

While they are intelligent dogs, they also can be stubborn.

If housebreaking is a problem, crate training is advised.

Queen Elizabeth as a young girl with one of her corgis (1930s).

HYPOALLERGENIC: No

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Their strong herding instinct may cause them to nip at the heels of children when they are playing.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 – 15 years

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Pembrokes are prone to overeating. Their food intake should be monitored closely.

WEIGHT: 24 – 28 pounds

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Even though they are small dogs, Pembrokes have a lot of energy and need a healthy amount of exercise each day.

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Although Pembrokes are still used as working dogs, they are most often seen as family pets these days. They are known for being happy, loving, and intelligent, but with a stubborn or independent streak at times.

ORIGIN: Wales, United Kingdom HEIGHT: 10 – 12 inches TEMPERAMENT: Happy, Smart, Fun-Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Playful COLORS: Fawn, Black & Tan, Black & White, Red, Sable

SIMILAR BREEDS: Cardigan Welsh Corgi (10), Border Terrier (14)

U

NLIKE SOME DOG BREEDS, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi does not have a traceable breed history. Its origins are obscured by tales and folklore. According to legend, two children tending their family’s cattle on royal lands found a pair of puppies, which they thought were foxes. When they brought the puppies home, they were told the dogs were a gift from the fairies. Welsh legends tell us that the fairies would use the little dogs to pull their carriages or as mounts for them to ride into battle. If you look, you can still see the marks of the fairy saddle on their shoulders. As the little puppies that the children brought home grew, they learned to help their humans watch over their cattle, a task to become a responsibility for their descendants for the centuries to follow.

35

WORKING GROUP

BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG SIMILAR BREEDS: Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund (10), Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (14)

DID YOU KNOW? It is believed that these dogs developed as crosses between farm dogs from the Swiss Alps and Molosser or mastiff-type dogs the Romans brought with them when they invaded the Alps in the first century B.C.

T

HE BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG is one of four mountain-dog breeds who were long at home in the canton of Bern, a vast agricultural region vital to the dairy production required for two of Switzerland’s most profitable exports: chocolate and cheese. Berners earned their keep by droving cattle, guarding farmyards from predators, and serving as gentle companions when the hard work of the day was done. Perhaps their greatest claim to working-dog fame is their ability to pull many times their own weight as drafting dogs, with their broad and muscular hindquarters generating immense strength.

FAST FACTS: ■

Berners have numerous health problems due to their small genetic foundation, and perhaps due to other reasons yet undiscovered.

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Veterinary care can be costly because of the health problems in the breed.

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Berners shed profusely, especially in the spring and fall. If shedding drives you crazy, this may not be the right breed for you.

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The Berner likes to be with family. They’re likely to develop annoying behavior problems, such as barking, digging, or chewing, if he’s isolated from people and their activities.

HEIGHT: 23 – 28 inches

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TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, Intelligent, Loyal, Faithful

Although they’re very gentle with children, Berners sometimes accidentally knock over a small child or toddler.

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The Berner is protective of family, though aren’t usually aggressive. They can be aloof with strangers and generally a bit shy, so exposing the Berner puppy to a wide variety of people, animals, and situations is important.

A drawing of a Bernese Mountain Dog family (1600s).

HYPOALLERGENIC: No LIFE EXPECTANCY: 6 – 8 years ORIGIN: Switzerland WEIGHT: 79 – 110 pounds

COLORS: Tricolor (Black, Rust, and White)

TERRIERS

56

YORKSHIRE TERRIER

used during hunts to flush prey out of its den.

DID YOU KNOW? Smoky, a Yorkshire Terrier, was a famous war dog in World War II and is credited with twelve combat missions and awarded eight battle stars. She weighed only 4 pounds and stood 7 inches tall, and is often thought of as the first therapy dog.

FAST FACTS: ■

Yorkshire Terriers are known for being difficult to housetrain. Crate-training is recommended.

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Yorkshire Terriers don’t like the cold and are prone to chills, especially if they’re damp or in damp areas.

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Because of their small size, delicate structure, and terrier personality, Yorkshire Terrier generally aren’t recommended for households with toddlers or small children.

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Some Yorkshire Terriers can be “yappy,” barking at every sound they hear. Early and consistent training can help. If you don’t feel qualified to provide this training, consult a professional dog trainer.

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Yorkshire Terriers can have delicate digestive systems and may be picky eaters. Eating problems can occur if your Yorkie has teeth or gum problems as well. If your Yorkie is showing discomfort when eating or after eating, take him to the vet for a checkup.

Yorkshire Terriers think they are big dogs and will try to pick a fight with a big dog if allowed. Be sure to keep your Yorkie under control. Even better, try to socialize your Yorkie at an early age by taking him to obedience classes.

Smoky in a helmet (1944)

HYPOALLERGENIC: Yes LIFE EXPECTANCY: 13 – 16 years ORIGIN: England WEIGHT: 5 – 12 pounds HEIGHT: 7 – 9 inches TEMPERAMENT: Bold, Intelligent, Independent, Confident, Courageous COLORS: Black & Tan, Blue & Tan, Black & Gold, Blue & Gold

SIMILAR BREEDS: Maltese (10), Silky Terrier (14)

T

HESE LITTLE DOGS were bred from a collection of terriers, including the Waterside terrier, in order to hunt rats during the Industrial Revolution. Miners, weavers, and other business owners in Yorkshire, Scotland used the tiny exterminators to keep their workspaces rodent-free. Because of their compact size, Yorkshires could squeeze into tiny spaces; their fierce personalities helped them fearlessly take on their rodent prey. Like other terriers, the dogs were also

72

HOUNDS

BASSET HOUND SIMILAR BREEDS: American Foxhound (10), Bloodhound (14)

DID YOU KNOW? The sport of pack hunting with Basset Hounds continues to this day in France and England. With his long ears helping to stir up the scent, packs of Bassets are excellent hunters of small prey, such as rabbit and hare.

T

HE BASSET HOUND originated in sixth-century France, a country known for its many strains of hounds. Both the Basset Hound and its long-legged cousin, the Bloodhound, are thought to be descendants of the famed St. Hubert hounds. St. Hubert, a churchman, was the patron saint of the hunt, who set out to develop a new strain of hound, which looked similar to today’s Bloodhound. Many authorities feel the Basset was a result of a mutation in the St. Hubert strain.

This genetic deviation produced a short-legged, dwarfed hound, whose slower movement and low-set form was to prove useful for hunters on foot in search of small game.

FAST FACTS: ■

If they catch an interesting scent, Basset Hounds may try to follow it, no matter how much danger it poses to them.

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One of the primary reasons that Basset Hounds are given up to rescue or for adoption is that they “drool too much.”

Because of the loose skin around their mouths, they also tend to make quite a mess when they drink.

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Obesity is a real problem for Basset Hounds. They love to eat and will overeat if given the chance.

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Basset Hounds can howl loudly, especially if they are left along for long periods of time.

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With two-thirds of their body weight in the front of their bodies, Basset Hounds are not great swimmers.

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Because Basset Hounds are prone to bloat (a potentially fatal condition), it’s better to feed them two or three smaller meals a day rather than one large meal a day. Don’t allow your Basset to exercise too strenuously after eating, and watch him for about an hour after eating to make sure he’s okay.

Pack hunting with a group of bassets (1950s).

HYPOALLERGENIC: No LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10 – 12 years ORIGIN: France, Great Britain WEIGHT: 40 – 65 pounds HEIGHT: 11 – 14 inches TEMPERAMENT: Tenacious, Affectionate, Devoted, SweetTempered COLORS: Lemon & White, Black & White, Tri-color, Black & Brown, Red & White

THE ORIGINS OF DOGS DATE BACK TO MANY THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, having evolved as domesticated descendants of the wolf, whereas modern dog breeds date back to the late 19th century. Prior to the Victorian era, there were different types of dogs that were defined by their function. Many different terms were used to describe dogs, such as breed, strain, type, kind, and variety. By the end of the Victorian era, society had changed and so did the role of dogs. Form was given a more prominent role than function. Different types or breeds of dog were being developed by breeders who wanted to define specific characteristics and desirable features in their dogs.

Driven by dog shows and the groups that hosted them, the term dog breed took on an entirely new meaning. Breed standards are the reason the breed came to be, and with those standards are key features, including form, function and fitness for purpose. The Kennel Club in the UK was founded in 1873, and was the world’s first national kennel club and breed registry. They became the guardians of their country’s breed standards. Though this book outlines the top 100 most common breeds, oday, there are more than 360 recognized dog breeds in the world.

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