Pedigree Breeds

This highly intelligent dog has an inborn instinct to work, and responds readily and eagerly to training. He was originally used for working sheep in the hills and mountains, mainly in the border counties of England, Scotland and Wales, but his prowess as a working sheepdog has now spread countrywide throughout Britain and even farther afield.

Source: The Kennel Club

Added October 7, 201410 yr

Last Updated October 2, 20222 yr

The Leonberger is a giant dog breed. The breed's name derives from the city of Leonberg in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. According to legend, the Leonberger was ostensibly bred as a 'symbolic dog' that would mimic the lion in the town crest.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonberger

Added December 31, 20159 yr

Last Updated January 30, 20223 yr

A breed with a hunting heritage as an upland game and waterfowl dog, the Curly Coated Retriever is an active, quick and agile breed requiring plenty of exercise. Known for possessing a discerning independent nature, the dogs can be aloof with strangers and are protective, affectionate and loyal companions.

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It has been claimed that the Curly Coated Retriever is the oldest of the Retriever breeds. He is also the tallest. The hallmark of the breed, a coat of small tight curls, nods acknowledgement to his ancestor, the English Water Spaniel, now extinct, which was added to a base of Retriever blood probably the Labrador. Poodle blood was also added to the mix to give the tightness of curl. The coat gives the dog a waterproof quality when retrieving ducks from water, the function for which he was originally bred. 

Source: The Kennel Club (UK)

Added October 17, 20195 yr

Last Updated August 17, 20213 yr

The national dog of Finland, the Finnish Spitz, is by far the oldest of all the Finnish breeds. It was bred directly from the native landrace dog population without crossbreeding, and it has followed the Finnish people since ancient times. A dog similar to the Finnish Spitz has been found in prehistoric cave paintings. The Finnish people lived in isolated residential areas in the wilderness in the Northern part of Finland, from Kainuu all the way to Murmansk, and their dogs remained purer in comparison with dogs living more south where they easily got mixed with other dogs.

See More:  From the Finnish Dog Museum (Online)

Added October 8, 201410 yr

Last Updated December 14, 20213 yr

The Beauceron is a guard dog and herding dog breed falling into the working dog category whose origins lie in the plains of Northern France.

Source: Wikipedia

Added June 29, 20159 yr

Last Updated December 2, 20204 yr

The Italian Greyhound (in Italian: Piccolo Levriero Italiano) is a small breed of dog of the sight hound type, sometimes called an "I.G." or an "Iggy".

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Greyhound

Added December 31, 20159 yr

Last Updated August 15, 20231 yr

Historically, the German Spitz was primarily used as a working dog on farms. He is usually stubborn and independent, so you will have to establish yourself as a dominant leader through persistent obedience training. Mittelspitz is often curious and will definitely try to explore the surroundings whenever he gets a chance. This is a very agile breed, kept as companions or family pets, known to be good watchdogs with bold and fiery personalities.

All German Spitz dogs share some common characteristics, such as intelligence, agility, cheerfulness, playfulness, alertness, loyalty, resourcefulness, boldness, independence, and curiosity.

Source: Compiled from Primitive Dogs

Added April 22, 20196 yr

Last Updated April 23, 20223 yr

The Australian Terrier, one of the smallest of the working Terriers, was bred to be both a helper and companion in rough times and terrain. A native dog (known as the "rough-coated terrier") and a close relative of the old Scotch dog of Great Britain (not to be confused with the present-day Scottish Terrier) are believed to have been cross-bred with a number of other breeds of British stock to produce the fast, sturdy, weather-resistant and fearless little dog that the settlers needed as they expanded the frontiers of their country.

Source: Australian Terrier Club

Added August 15, 20177 yr

Last Updated November 29, 20204 yr

Originally used in hunting the fox, badger and even otter, the Welsh and Lakeland Terriers, which have considerable similarity, may well have had a common origin prior to the Roman invasion of Britain when their Celtic owners retreated to the Welsh mountains and the Lake District. He is a neat, workmanlike dog with a tight wiry coat normally of black and tan.

Source: IKC

Added May 6, 20195 yr

Last Updated September 30, 20213 yr

The Old English is the most substantial of sheepdogs, and underneath the glamour of a crisp blue and white coat, there should be a dog still fit for working with the flocks.
Source: The Kennel Club (UK)

Added May 17, 20186 yr

Last Updated November 8, 20213 yr

The Jämthund derives from a large hunting spitz found in the Forest region of the North barrier of Scandinavia and Russia. These spitzs’ probably came with the hunting tribes that migrated to Sweden thousands of years ago. Two types of wolf coloured spitz have been recognised in Scandinavia. The Norwegians decided in 1877 that the smaller was to be called Norwegian Elkhound. The large variety that was mainly known in the Swedish county of Jämtland did not match the standard for Elkhound on several points, especially not for size.

Source: SKK

Added November 29, 20168 yr

Last Updated March 20, 20223 yr

A real Yankee-Doodle-Dandy! Although he owes a little of his ancestry to the British Bulldog, the Boston Terrier actually came into being in the late nineteenth century in the eastern states of America when, in 1893, a mix of bull and terrier types produced the first pair of dogs that were to become the foundation of the breed.

Source: The Kennel Club

Added July 9, 20159 yr

Last Updated January 15Jan 15

The Stabyhoun or Stabij is one of the top five rarest dog breeds in the world[1][2][3]. It is from Friesland and in particular from the Frisian forest area, a region in the southeast and east of Friesland. The breed has been mentioned in Dutch literature going back to the early 1800s, but has only extended its range from the 1960s outside of Friesland and not until the 2000s did the range officially extend beyond the Netherlands.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Added November 17, 20177 yr

Last Updated December 31, 2024Dec 31

The  Tibetan  Mastiff  (Do Khyi)  is  an  ancient  working  breed of  the  nomad  herders  of  the Himalaya  and  a  traditional  guardian  of  the  Tibetan  monasteries. Independent. Protective. Commands respect. Most loyal to his family and territory.

The dog itself is to be found all through central asia and has different names according to different locations. "The name Tibetan Mastiff is a misnomer; the Tibetan Mastiff itself is not a true Mastiff. The term "mastiff" was used by the Europeans who first came to Tibet because it was used to refer to nearly all large dog breeds in the West. A better name for the dog might be Tibetan mountain dog or, to encompass the landrace breed throughout its range, Himalayan mountain dog." 

Source: F.C.I. Breed Standard (PDF)

Source: Wikipedia

Added October 2, 20195 yr

Last Updated May 24, 2024May 24

The Canaan Dog is a Pariah Dog of Israel and is the national dog of Israel. Nobody really knows the exact truth about their origins. These dogs are native  to the Land of Canaan that made themselves useful to Bedouin and Hebrew tribes over thousands of years by herding and guarding their flocks. It is understood that the Canaan Dog is an ancient breed. Pre-biblical drawings and carvings depict dogs very similar to the Canaan Dog we know today.  This breed existed solely as a free-living pariah until the end of the 1930s. The breed is a survivor, a sound and hardy animal that is capable of surviving in the very harsh environment of its natural home.  A Canaan is a dog with all the traits that make them a good service dog — an alert and agile dog, being territorial and with highly developed senses.  The Canaan Dog is still classified as a rare breed by The Kennel Club.
 Sources: http://canaandog.co.uk/history-of-the-canaan-dog/ and http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Education/273g05-PRE-en.pdf
 

Added June 5, 20186 yr

Last Updated July 13, 20231 yr

The Cesky Terrier was created by a   Czech breeder , František Horák, in 1948, as a cross between a Sealyham Terrier and a Scottish Terrier, to create a terrier suitable for hunting in the forests of Bohemia.

Source: Wikipedia

Added April 3, 20187 yr

Last Updated August 3, 20213 yr

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed developed in Southern Africa. Its European forebears can be traced to the early pioneers of the Cape Colony of southern Africa, who crossed their dogs with the semi-domesticated, ridged hunting dogs of the Khoikhoi.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_Ridgeback

Added October 8, 201410 yr

Last Updated July 4, 20231 yr

Dansk/svensk gårdshund (Danish–Swedish Farmdog) is a breed of dog that has its origin in Denmark and southern Sweden, but now has become popular all over Scandinavia. 

Source: Wikipedia

The Danish-Swedish farm dog originally served to keep the farm free of rats and mice, for which it is equally suitable to today. The dogs are very teachable; and since the breed is small and light, with a lot of speed and intelligence, today they participate in various dog sports like agility, rally obedience, tracking training and obedience.

Added December 24, 20159 yr

Last Updated August 26, 20213 yr

It is not well known outside of Ireland that there are two breeds of Irish Setters, but is fairly certain, that the Red and White Setter is the older of the two, and that judicious selective breeding evolved the solid red colour. Strong well balanced and proportioned without lumber; athletic rather than racy. Most acceptable companion and friend in the homes and the fields. The Irish Red & White Setter is bred primarily for the field.

Source: https://www.ikc.ie/dog-ownership/types-of-dog/breeds/breed-details/?breedId=51

Added August 26, 20159 yr

Last Updated October 10, 20222 yr

The Malinois /ˈmælɨnwɑː/ is a medium to large breed of dog, sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate breed. It is named after the Belgian city of Malines, where the breed originated. Its name is the French word for Mechlinian, which in Dutch is either Mechelse herder or Mechelaar (one from Mechelen).

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malinois_(Belgian_Shepherd_Dog)

NOTE: The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) describes the Malinois, together with the Groenendael, the Laekenois, and the Tervueren, as varieties of the Belgian Shepherd dog breed. The American Kennel Club, however, officially recognizes the Belgian Malinois, the Belgian Sheepdog (FCI: Groenendael), the Belgian Laekenois (FCI: Laekenois), and the Belgian Tervuren (FCI: Tervueren) as four distinct breeds.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7140874/

Added December 31, 20159 yr

Last Updated August 23, 20222 yr

The Lapphunds are mainly known as the reindeer-herder but they were originally used as hunting dogs. The rearing of reindeer in a businesslike manner is relatively new. Most probably it was the Sami tribes that long ago brought the dogs with them to the Northern parts of Scandinavia.  The authentic Lapphund was facing extinction in the beginning of the 20th century.

Source: Swedish breeds of dogs: http://www.skk.se/global/dokument/hundrasguiden/svenska-raser.pdf

The Swedish Lapphund is the oldest of the native Swedish breeds with a history dating back thousands of years. Believed to be descended from the ancient Nordic spitz, it is one of the oldest known breeds in existence today.

Added July 12, 20168 yr

Last Updated October 1, 20213 yr

The Flat-Coated Retriever is a gundog breed originating from the United Kingdom. It was developed as a retriever both on land and in the water.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat-Coated_Retriever

Added June 17, 20159 yr

Last Updated November 5, 2024Nov 5

The linty coat and distinctive arched loin of the Bedlington and his long head give him a lamb-like appearance, but he is an excellent dispatcher of vermin from rabbit to fox. The origins of the breed are much debated with some suggestion of the Bull Terrier and the Otterhound and perhaps some Dandie Dinmont but as in many breeds there is some dispute in the background of the breed.

Source: The Kennel Club

Added November 5, 20168 yr

Last Updated January 24, 20214 yr

The East Siberian Laika (Vostotchno-Sibirskaia Laika) is a Russian breed of dog of spitz type, a hunting dog originating in parts of Siberia east of the Yenisei River. Source: Wikipedia

The East Siberian Laïka is a hunting dog of the spitz type that was developed to hunt large game such as deer and bear. Traditionally they were also used as draft/sledge dogs and drovers. They are one of three Russian Laïkas (or 'barkers'), the other two being the West Siberian and Russo-European Laïkas. At one time a fourth Laïka was recognized, the Karelo-Finnish Laïka, but this breed was merged with the Finnish Spitz in 2006 due to having minor differences. Source: https://www.worldlydogs.com/east-siberian-laiumlka.html

Added June 28, 20159 yr

Last Updated March 6, 20223 yr

The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognized the Landseer as a distinct breed in 1960. In countries not affiliated with the FCI, such as Canada, the U.S. and the UK, the white and black Newfoundland is still referred to as a Landseer (descriptive); everywhere else, it is a white and black Newfoundland. Between 1945 and 1960 the Landseer Continental Type was bred as a part of the Newfoundland Clubs in Europe. As the dogs had many differences to the Newfoundland and the popularity of the Landseer ECT grew,  the breed was recognized as a separate breed.  
Source Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landseer_%28dog%29

Added April 5, 20169 yr

Last Updated January 30, 20223 yr