Originally the medium poodle was bred to be a hunting dog, specializing in retrieving birds from water. Today's dogs are versatile companions that compete in different dog sports/performance events. Poodles are well known competitors in the conformation show rings. The medium poodle is recognized by F.C.I. in European countries along with the other poodle sizes; variety data is from same resources. Size for the medium poodle is listed in the F.C.I. breed standard as between 35-45 cm. The AKC and UK Kennel Club do not recognize the medium poodle.
The Whippet (also English Whippet or Snap dog) is a dog breed of medium-size. They are a sighthound breed that originated in England, where they descended from greyhounds. Whippets today still strongly resemble a smaller greyhound.
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.
Portuguese Water Dogs are originally from the Portuguese region of the Algarve, from where the breed expanded to all around Portugal's coast, where they were taught to herd fish into fishermen's nets, to retrieve lost tackle or broken nets, and to act as couriers from ship to ship, or ship to shore.
The Scottish Terrier (also known as the Aberdeen Terrier), popularly called the Scottie, is a breed of dog. Initially one of the highland breeds of terrier that were grouped under the name of Skye Terrier, it is one of five breeds of terrier that originated in Scotland, the other four being the modern Skye, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and West Highland White Terrier.
The Shetland Islands off northeast Scotland lay claim to a number of animals small in size. The Shetland Sheepdog is one – an active, intelligent and glamorous dog, who always wants to be ‘on the go’ and is virtually tireless.
The Japanese Chin, also known as the Japanese Spaniel, is a dog acknowledged for its importance to Japanese nobility. It is also known for its strabismus of the eyes.
The Finnish Lapponian Dog shares its roots with the Lapponian Herder and the Swedish Lapphund. It is descended from the long-haired reindeer herding dogs that are common in the fell regions of Lapland and is nowadays a popular companion dog. The Finnish Lapponian Dog is intelligent, brave, eager to learn, friendly and fairly submissive. Its herding instinct is strong and it displays a clear disposition to guard.
The Siberian Husky (Russian: сибирский хаски, "Sibirsky hasky") is a medium size, dense-coat working dog breed that originated in north-eastern Siberia. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family.
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.
The Lapponian Herder has a good temperament; it is calm, quick to learn, energetic and eager to serve. It barks a lot when working. It is friendly to people, but not suited to be a companion dog only because it demands action as well. It can handle being outdoors all the time.
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)
The ‘Beardie’, as he is affectionately known, is a hardy dog with a lovable temperament. His handy size and adaptability, combined with workmanlike qualities, have given him a following far outside the farming community. Ideally suited to life in the country, with a double weather-resistant coat and active nature, he is a happy dog, neither timid nor aggressive. Ready to join in any activity, he has an enquiring expression that seems to ask‘ Well, what shall we do now?’ Gentle, and good with children and adults, he makes an ideal member of a fun-loving family.
Many hunters consider the Finnish Hound to be the world's best game-pursuing breed at the moment.
The Finnish Hound is a native breed and one of the most popular dog breeds in Finland. It is used almost solely to hunt hares or foxes. It works independently, tracking either earth or airborne scent and will pursue game and bark passionately. The long hunting season for hares and foxes contribute to the breed's popularity. The Finnish Kennel Club registered 1,475 Finnish Hounds in 2012. In total, 20,030 Finnish Hounds were registered in 2003-2012.
The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the ancient Northern Spitz-type breed of dog and is the National Dog of Norway. The Elkhound has served as a hunter, guardian, herder, and defender.
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.
The Rough Collie is the same as the Smooth Collie with the exception of coat length. The breed is thought to have evolved from dogs brought originally to Scotland by the Romans that then mated with native types.
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.
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.
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.
The American Staffordshire Terrier also known as Amstaff is a medium-sized, short-coated American dog breed. In the early part of the twentieth century the breed gained social stature and was accepted by the American Kennel Club as the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1936.
The Labrador is one of the best all-round dogs in the world. Not only used for retrieving game, he has also made his mark in the world of assistance dogs and as a ‘sniffer’ dog for drug and arms detection.
Developed to flush game from cover and to retrieve it, the English springer spaniel's coat is liver and white, black and white or tri-coloured. The English Springer is the most popular of the spaniels for working in the field. A happy and very biddable temperament lends itself well to family life. Field-bred and bench-bred dogs are available - as the names suggest the Field type is used in the field for hunting and the Bench type is bred for their looks in the show ring. Field dogs tend to be taller on leg, not as heavily bodied or boned, shorter coated and may be more energetic/hunting work oriented than their show counterparts.
The American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of sporting dog. It is a spaniel type dog that is closely related to the English Cocker Spaniel; the two breeds diverged during the 20th century due to differing breed standards in America and the UK. In the United States, the breed is usually called the Cocker Spaniel, while elsewhere in the world, it is called the American Cocker Spaniel in order to differentiate between it and its English cousin.
The Dobermann is the only German breed which bears the name of its original breeder, Friedrich Louis Dobermann (02.01.1834 – 09.06.1894). He was believed to be a tax collector, offal abbatoir manager (knacker) and a part time dog catcher, legally able to catch all stray dogs. He bred with animals from this reservoir that were particularly sharp. The so called “butcher’s dogs” which were already considered a relatively pure breed at that time, played a most important role in the origination of the Dobermann breed.