Pedigree Breeds

The American Bulldog is a powerful, athletic short-coated dog, strongly muscled, and well boned. The body is just slightly longer than tall. The head is large and broad, with a wide muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be drop, semi-prick, rose, or cropped. The tail may be docked or natural.
The two men who are recognized as the pioneers of bringing the breed back from possible extinction are John D. Johnson and Alan Scott.
Source: https://www.ukcdogs.com/american-bulldog
Source: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-bulldog/ 

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/

The breed is large and heavy-boned with great physical strength, but is still agile enough to perform the all-purpose farm duties it was originally used for. Its breed standard calls for a black, white, and rust colored coat. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is sociable, active, calm, and dignified, and loves being part of the family. It is relatively healthy for its size and tends to have far fewer problems than more popular breeds in its size range. Among the four Sennenhunde, or Swiss mountain dogs, this breed is considered the oldest, and is also the largest.
Source: Wikipedia

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

The Schillerstövare is strong but of somewhat elegant built. The body is rectangular and should give the impression of speed and endurance. It must be well angulated and well made for maximum strength to pursue prey during a long hunting season in hard winter climate. The temperament is even, calm and easy to train and it is known as a nice family dog although it is foremost kept as hunting dog.

Source: Swedish Native Breeds: http://www.skk.se/global/dokument/hundrasguiden/svenska-raser.pdf

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.

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

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

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.

Source: Wikipedia

The Russkiy Toy, in spite of its tiny, petite size and appearance is very active, agile and has an excellent character. They are best described as bold, fearless and rarely show signs of aggression. The breed has two Varieties: Short and Long Haired. Fast learners trained with great ease, Russkiy Toys are extremely sociable with adults and children alike, as well other varieties of pets. Extremely loyal, the perfect companion lap dog, they love to snuggle around you and will let you know when they feel neglected!  

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/

The Black Norwegian Elkhound, a native breed of Norway, is a typical spitz-type dog and the smallest of the elkhounds. It is a calm, devoted dog that forms close bonds with family members.

Source: http://web2.nkk.no/en/about_nkk/norwegian_breeds/ (Internet Archives)

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   

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

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

Traditionally used as a hunting dog for hunting small mammals and waterfowl in the province of Fryslan in the Netherlands, the breed is an excellent gun dog, effective as both a land and water retriever... its strong will and natural guarding abilities make early training a requirement. The breed standard describes the breed's temperament as reserved and "an ideal guard-dog"... though never aggressive, which makes it an excellent family-dog.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetterhoun

A Dutch breed which works with hunters as a decoy to attract ducks by waving its white plumed tail and lures them along streams where they are eventually trapped in nets. The orange/red of its parti-coloured coat is thought by some to be associated with the Royal House of Orange and Dutch historians tell of the ‘Kooiker’ which saved Prince William of Orange by barking loudly when intruders entered the royal chambers.
Source: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=2170

The Markiesje is an authentic Dutch Spaniel whose origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The Markiesje is finely built, black, elegant and intelligent. Cheerful and curious as long as it receives enough attention from its owner - this breed is 'under reconstruction'. Registration is done by the Dutch Kennel Club in a temporary register. 

Glamour in the dog world comes in many forms but the Afghan Hound must be in the top ten of anybody’s list. The first Afghan Hounds arrived in Britain in the early 1900s and one, called Zardin, won in spectacular style at the 1907 Crystal Palace show

Source: The Kennel Club

The Azawakh takes his name from the Azawakh Valley in the Niger Basin in Africa, where he lived a nomadic life with the tribes of the Sahara. As sighthounds they were used mostly on gazelle, hunting in packs, taking turns and thus exhausting their prey. They were much valued by their owners for their beauty and speed, rather like the Arabian horse. The Azawakh was also used as guardian of the camp.
Source: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=1031

Landrace

The American Akita is a large, powerful working dog. The dogs are very intelligent, extremely loyal, and can sometimes show an "aggressive" streak, almost exclusively towards dogs of the same sex. American Akitas are not aggressive towards people, but have a highly developed guard and protection instinct. American Akitas also have a strong hunting instinct and may regard small animals as prey to be hunted. Some do not show signs of affection towards people who are not members of their family or people they see regularly.
The American Akita is not hyperactive and adapts to a sedentary life, but it is important for his health that he exercises regularly.
Source: http://www.club-aacf.fr/description.html

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

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
 

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a breed of dog of Spitz type originating from the dogs brought to Iceland by the Vikings. It is of similar type to the Norwegian Buhund and to the ancestor of the modern Shetland Sheepdog and Welsh Corgi.

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