Pedigree Breeds

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 Portuguese Podengo is an ancient multi-sensory hound breed of dog from Portugal. As a breed, the Podengo is divided into three size categories that are not interbred: small, medium and large.

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

Added February 1, 20169 yr

Last Updated October 12, 20213 yr

The Norwegian Hound is considered to be a good scent hound. It cooperates closely and well with its owner in the woods and bays on the trail. Breeding efforts have always aimed at strengthening the best characteristics of the old Norwe-gian scent hound, which was a hardy and robust dog with an excellent temperament. Today’s hunters especially call attention to the breed’s strong paws. These tolerate ice and crusty snow much better than the feet of other scent hounds.
Source: http://www.skogoglandskap.no/filearchive/native_dog_breeds_norway.pdf

Added August 13, 20177 yr

Last Updated November 15, 20213 yr

The Gotlandsstövare is rectangular in body, noble but with an impression of strength and endurance.  Gotlandsstövaren is a driving hunting dog for hunting hare and fox. The race also serves as a companion provided that you take into account its strong hunting instinct and big business needs.

Source: http://www.skk.se/sv/hundraser/gotlandsstovare/?breed=Gotlandsstövare

Added January 17, 20178 yr

Last Updated April 24, 20223 yr

The Halden Hound is a good hunting dog with a strong hunting desire and a friendly nature. The breed is characterised by strong nerves and by being especially sociable and trusting. Many Halden Hounds have done very well in hunting trials. They can thus be characterised as an excellent combination of a hunting and companion dog. Due to its good temperament and open nature, the breed is also easy to train.
Source: Native Dog Breeds of Norway

Added August 13, 20177 yr

Last Updated June 11, 20222 yr

The Norwegian Buhund is a breed of dog of the spitz type. It is closely related to the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Jämthund. The Buhund is used as an all purpose farm and herding dog, as well as watch dog.

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

Added December 31, 20159 yr

Last Updated November 19, 20213 yr

Up to the end of the17th century, Irish Wolfhounds were used for hunting wolves and deer in Ireland. They were also used for hunting the wolves that infested large areas of Europe before the forests were cleared.

Source: Irish Kennel Club

Added March 30, 201510 yr

Last Updated March 2, 20232 yr

The Hygen Hound is a good scent hound with a friendly nature. The breed is eager to learn, starts to hunt at an early age and has a strong hunting desire. It is suitable as a family dog, as it usually is calm around people and easy to train.
Source:  Native Dog Breeds of Norway native_dog_breeds_norway.pdf   

Added August 13, 20177 yr

Last Updated June 21, 20222 yr

The Saarlooswolfhond was developed in the Netherlands by Leendert Saarloos. The breed is based on cross breeding German Shepherd Dogs and wolves.
In 1975, the breed was recognized by the Dutch KC, and in 1977 by the FCI. The breed standard dates from November 1981 and was modified in 1993.
Considered a rare breed, the Saarlooswolfhond is a strongly built dog whose outer appearance (body build, movement and coat) are reminiscent of a wolf. The breed is devoted and reliable with its master but suspicious of strangers. A natural, wolf-like reserve and desire to flee from unknown situations is typical of this breed.   

Added March 2, 20196 yr

Last Updated October 5, 20213 yr

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

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

In the 11th century, monks founded a hospice as a refuge for travellers and pilgrims on the 2469 metre - high Great Saint Bernard Pass. Large mountain dogs have been kept at the hospice since the mid 17th century to guard and protect those staying there. The first photographic evidence of the presence of mountain dogs dates back to 1695, and the first written document is a hospice memo from the year 1707. The dogs were rapidly adopted as companion dogs and above all as rescue dogs for travellers who lost their way in the snow and mist. The dogs from the Great Saint Bernard Pass saved the lives of a great number of people, averting many deaths in the snow. The reputation of the Saint Bernards (then called "Barry dogs") grew throughout Europe in the 19th century thanks to chronicles published in many languages and to reports passed on by word of mouth by the soldiers who had crossed the pass with Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800. The legendary Barry became the archetype of the rescue dog.
Source: Fondation Barry: http://fondation-barry.ch/sites/default/files/mediennews/Medienmappe_FB_E.pdf?54

Added September 19, 20168 yr

Last Updated October 5, 20213 yr

By substance together with nobility, harmonious appearance, well proportioned outlines, as well as an especially expressive head, the Great Dane strikes the onlooker as a noble statue, never coarse or with refined elegance. Perfect in balance and always with clearly defined sexual dimorphism. He is the Apollo amongst all breeds. Friendly, loving and devoted to his owners. Might be reserved towards strangers, but required is a confident, fearless, easily tractable, docile companion and family dog with high resistance to provocation and without aggression.

Source: FCI

Added June 18, 20159 yr

Last Updated October 31, 2024Oct 31

The Boxer is a medium sized, smooth coated, sturdy dog of compact, square build and strong bone. His muscles are taut, strongly developed and moulded in appearance. His movement is lively, powerful with noble bearing. The Boxer must be neither cumbersome nor heavy, nor light or lacking in body substance.

Source: FCI

Added October 7, 201410 yr

Last Updated June 2, 20231 yr

The German Pinscher is a medium-sized dog, usually weighing between 25–45 pounds (11–20 kilograms) and typically 17–20 inches (43–51 centimetres) in height, with a short coat. Colors for this breed include black and rust, red, fawn, blue and tan. The ideal German Pinscher is elegant in appearance with a strong square build and moderate body structure, muscular and powerful endurance and agility. For all countries where the Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard applies, only black and rust and solid red are allowed colors. Colors that became extinct during the world wars of the twentieth century include solid black, salt-and-pepper, and harlequin.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Pinscher

Added February 23, 20169 yr

Last Updated April 3, 20223 yr

Medium size. There are two separate varieties, distinguished by coat type: Rough coat and Smooth coat. Adaptable, docile and highspirited companion and house-dog, somewhat reserved about strangers, with a moderate hunting instinct. Aggressiveness and timidity not desired.

Source: http://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/KROMFOHRLANDER-192.html

Added August 27, 20159 yr

Last Updated February 7, 20223 yr

A pointing dog of noble appearance, with harsh coat completely protecting the skin, with an attentive expression full of energy. The movement should be powerful, ground covering, flowing and harmonious. Firm, self-controlled, wellbalanced, without shyness of game, neither sensitive when shots are fired nor shy or aggressive.

Source: http://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/GERMAN-WIRE-HAIRED-POINTING-DOG-98.html

Added June 18, 20159 yr

Last Updated April 23, 20223 yr

The whole appearance of this breed should give an impression of grace and symmetry and of great speed and endurance coupled with strength and activity. Smooth variety: the points should be the same with the exception of the coat which has no feathering. Reserved with strangers, but not nervous or aggressive. Dignified, intelligent and independent.

Source: http://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/SALUKI-269.html

Added August 27, 20159 yr

Last Updated October 5, 20213 yr

The Parson Russell Terrier was bred to go to ground and was often used as the earth dog for badger or fox. It is said that he had to be a handy size to go to ground, but also had to possess stamina and be sufficiently racy to keep up with hounds...The Breed was formally recognised by the Kennel Club in 1990 as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier. However, in 1999, the breed name was changed to the Parson Russell Terrier to differentiate the two breeds. The Parson Russell is now well established in the show ring and retains its working abilities as a ‘fox’ terrier.
Source: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/terrier/parson-russell-terrier/

Added July 17, 20177 yr

Last Updated May 19, 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

A dignified dog, very intelligent, good-natured and sociable, he is robust and self-reliant, with great character and personality. An adaptable companion for both young and old, and one who integrates himself very closely with family life. He can talk with his eyes, has his mischievous moments, and usually lives to a ripe old age.
Source: The Kennel Club: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/toy/pug/

Added June 18, 20159 yr

Last Updated May 17, 20231 yr

The breed is a popular companion dog that is still used for herding cattle at farms in its county of origin. The origin of the Swedish Vallhund is  not known. Theories about the breeds past are claiming its origin to the time of the Vikings. But if the Vikings brought their low legged spitz to the British isles where it might have played a part in the background of the Welsh Corgi Pembroke or vice versa; - the Vikings brought the Corgi back to Sweden, we will never know.
Source: http://www.skk.se/global/dokument/hundrasguiden/svenska-raser.pdf

Added June 25, 20168 yr

Last Updated November 5, 2024Nov 5

He is trainable but does best under a firm, kindly owner; he can be a handful if he is not kept occupied as he is possessed of a prodigious amount of energy in his small frame. If he gets excited, he can revert to his calling and take a nip at the rear end of anyone who is handy, but he is not basically a ‘biter’, being content to warn the intruder by noise accompanied by a furiously wagging tail. He has a hearty appetite to go with his super-abundant energy.

Source: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/pastoral/lancashire-heeler/

Added August 27, 20159 yr

Last Updated January 30, 20223 yr

It is believed that the little spitz from the North Bothnia area originates from small laikas that in prehistoric time lived with hunting tribes at the Nordkalotten. It has  survived  through  selective  laws  of  nature  where survival of the fittest is the code, hence only the really good hunting dogs had a chance. The breed is foremost known as an excellent hunting dog for forest birds. The Swedish Kennel Club registers ca 100 Norrbottenspets yearly.

Source: http://www.skk.se/Global/Dokument/Hundrasguiden/Svenska-raser.pdf?epslanguage=sv

Added July 16, 20168 yr

Last Updated November 16, 20213 yr

The roots of the Shih Tzu are in Tibet but it was developed in China, where dogs like these lived in the imperial palaces. After China became a republic in 1912, examples of the breed found their way to the West. Temperamentally, the Shih Tzu is a bouncy character and very outgoing. A complete extrovert and full of infectious enthusiasm, he makes a delightful companion who is happy to be part of any family.
Source: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/utility/shih-tzu/

Added December 5, 20159 yr

Last Updated May 10, 20231 yr