Some are small and stubborn while others are large and laid back. All are stars of the doggie world in their own right. Get to know some of the breeds featured in Dogs 101!
Australian Cattle DogAKC Ranking: 73
Family: livestock, herding
Area of Origin: Australia
Date of Origin: 1800s
Original Function: cattle herding
Today's Function: cattle herding, herding trials
Average Size of Male: Height: 18 to 20 inches; Weight: 35 to 45 pounds
Average Size of Female: Height: 17 to 19 inches; Weight: 35 to 45 pounds
Other Name: Queensland heeler, blue heeler, Hall's heeler
Temperament
Smart, hardy, independent, stubborn, tenacious, energetic and untiring — these are all traits essential to a driver of headstrong cattle, and all traits of the Australian cattle dog. This dog must have a job to do or it will expend its efforts on unacceptable jobs of its own. Given challenging mental and hard physical exercise daily, it is among the most responsive and obedient of dogs, an exemplary partner in adventure. It tends to nip at the heels of running children.
Upkeep
The Australian cattle dog was bred to be active and tireless. This dog needs a lot of physical and mental activity, more than a simple walk on a leash can provide. A good jog or long workout, coupled with obedience lessons or other intellectual challenges, is essential every day. It is happiest when it has a job to perform, and especially when that job is herding. The Australian cattle dog can live outdoors in temperate to cool climates. It is unsuited for apartment life. Its coat needs brushing or combing weekly to remove dead hairs.
Health
Major concerns: CHD, OCD, deafness, PRA
Minor concerns: none
Occasionally seen: cataract, lens luxation, PPM, vWD
Suggested tests: hip, hearing, eye
Life span: 10 to 13 years
Form and Function
The Australian cattle dog is of moderate build, enabling it to combine great endurance with bursts of speed and the extreme agility necessary in controlling unruly cattle. It is sturdy and compact, slightly longer than it is tall. Its gait is supple and tireless, and it must be capable of quick and sudden movement. Its ability to stop quickly is aided by the rudderlike action of its tail (which is never docked). Its weather-resistant coat consists of a short, dense undercoat and moderately short, straight outer coat of medium texture.
For more on the Australian Cattle Dog, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Jupiterimages Woraput Chaw
SalukiAKC Ranking: 110
Family: sighthound, Southern (sighthound)
Area of Origin: Middle East
Date of Origin: ancient times
Original Function: coursing hare and gazelles
Today's Function: lure coursing, open-field coursing
Average Size of Male: Height: 23 to 28 inches; Weight: 35 to 65 pounds
Average Size of Female: Height: 23 to 28 inches; Weight: 35 to 65 pounds
Other Name: gazelle hound, Persian greyhound
Temperament
The Saluki tends to be aloof and reserved with strangers. It is extremely devoted to its own family, but it is not particularly demonstrative. The Saluki is very gentle with children, but it may not be playful enough to satisfy most of them. Extremely sensitive, it does not take to rough-and-tumble play or deal well with harsh corrections. Some Salukis can be shy. This breed is very quiet and sedate indoors, seeking out a soft, warm spot. Outside, it runs in great circles at tremendous speeds and will chase any small running animals or fast-moving objects. It may not come when called.
Upkeep
Daily exercise is essential, preferably in the form of free running in a safe, enclosed area. The Saluki's needs can also be met with long leash walks or jogging. Salukis should sleep inside in all but the warmest climates; they do best as indoor dogs with access to a yard. They can play in snow and cold weather but should not be expected to spend extended time in the cold. The Saluki must have a soft bed, or it could develop callouses. A Saluki in proper weight is naturally thin; however, this breed tends to be a picky eater, which can result in a very thin-looking dog. Many people not familiar with the Saluki wrongly assume that the dog is not being fed properly! The smooth coat needs only occasional brushing to remove dead hair, but the feathered coat needs combing once or twice a week to prevent matting.
Health
Major concerns: none
Minor concerns: none
Occasionally seen: cardiomyopathy
Suggested tests: none
Life span: 12 to 14 years
Note: sensitive to anesthesia
Form and Function
The Saluki has a general greyhound-like build and should combine grace, symmetry, great speed and endurance. Likewise, it should have the strength to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountains. Its expression should be dignified and gentle, with deep, faithful, far-seeing eyes. Its movement is light. The coat is smooth and silky; the feathered variety has long hair on its ears, tail, between its toes and sometimes on the backs of its legs; the smooth variety has no long feathering. This breed has a wide range of equally acceptable types, reflecting the wide area over which it was developed.
For more on the Saluki, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Jupiterimages Woraput Chaw
Norwich TerrierAKC Ranking: 100
Family: terrier
Area of Origin: England
Date of Origin: 1800s
Original Function: ratting, fox bolting
Today's Function: earthdog trials
Avg Size of Male: Height: 10 inches; Weight: 12 pounds
Avg Size of Female: Height: 10 inches; Weight: 12 pounds
Other Name: none
Temperament
The Norwich terrier, like the Norfolk, is a true terrier at heart, always ready for adventure and excitement. It is a hunter and may chase small animals. It is a pert, independent, amusing — but sometimes challenging — companion, best suited for people with a sense of adventure and humor.
Upkeep
The Norwich needs to stretch its legs with a good walk or short run every day. It especially likes combining a run with a chance to explore, but any such off-leash expeditions must be done only in a safe area. It is better suited as a house dog with yard access, but it can stay outdoors during the day if need be in temperate to warm climates. Its wiry coat needs combing one to two times weekly, plus stripping of dead hairs three to four times a year.
Health
Major concerns: none
Minor concerns: none
Occasionally seen: cardiomyopathy, patellar luxation
Suggested tests: (cardiac), (knee)
Life span: 13 to 15 years
Form and Function
This spirited dog, one of the smallest of the working terriers, is sturdy and stocky, of square proportion. Its small size is an asset when following vermin or fox down tight passageways. Its teeth are large, to aid in dispatching its quarry. It shows great power in its movement. The tail should be long enough to grasp firmly, so that the dog can be pulled from a hole. The double coat has a hard, wiry and straight outer coat that lies close to the body and is thicker around the mane for protection. The dog bears a slightly foxy expression.
For more on the Norwich terrier, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Jupiterimages Woraput Chaw
Bull TerrierAKC Ranking: 72
Family: terrier, mastiff (bull)
Area of Origin: England
Date of Origin: 1800s
Original Function: dog fighting
Today's Function: companion
Avg Size of Male: Height: 21 to 22 inches; Weight: 60 to 70 pounds
Avg Size of Female: Height: 21 to 22 inches; Weight: 50 to 60 pounds
Other Name: English bull terrier
Temperament
Exuberant, comical, playful, assertive and very mischievous describes the bull terrier. It is an imaginative breed that often sees things its own way and is stubborn to the end. It needs daily physical and mental exercise lest it exercise its powerful jaws on your home. For all its tough bravado, this is an extremely sweet-natured, affectionate and devoted breed. It can be aggressive with other dogs and small animals.
Upkeep
The bull terrier needs to be entertained, either with a good exercise session or mental stimulation every day — preferably both. This is an active breed that enjoys a good run, but it is best to run it only in a safe area. It should not stay outdoors except in temperate weather, but it should live primarily as a house dog with access to a yard. Coat care is minimal.
Health
Major concerns: deafness (whites), kidney problems
Minor concerns: heart problems, patellar luxation
Occasionally seen: lens luxation
Suggested tests: hearing (whites), UP:UC ratio for kidney function, cardiac, (eye)
Life span: 11 to 14 years
Form and Function
The bull terrier is the cavalier gladiator — a good-looking tough character. It is strongly built and muscular, longer than it is tall. Its muscle mass combined with its relatively low center of gravity make it difficult for opponents to knock it off its feet. Its distinctive head not only shows off its keen and determined expression, but also its great jaw strength. Its gait is smooth and easy. Its skin is tight, and its coat short, flat and harsh.
For more on the bull terrier, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Jupiterimages Woraput Chaw
Cardigan Welsh CorgiAKC Ranking: 81
Family: livestock, herding
Area of Origin: Wales
Date of Origin: ancient times
Original Function: cattle driving
Today's Function: cattle driving, herding trials
Avg Size of Male: Height: 10.5 to 12.5 inches; Weight: 30 to 38 pounds
Avg Size of Female: Height: 10.5 to 12.5 inches; Weight: 25 to 34 pounds
Other Name: none
Temperament
Fun-loving and high-spirited, yet easygoing, the Cardigan is a devoted and amusing companion. This is a hardy breed, capable of a day dodging kicks, so it is agile and tireless. At home it is well-mannered but inclined to bark. It tends to be reserved with strangers and can be scrappy with other dogs.
Upkeep
The Cardigan needs a surprising amount of exercise for its size. Its needs can best be met with a herding session, but a moderate walk or vigorous play session will also suffice. It can live outside in temperate to cool weather, but it is a very good house dog and best when it is allowed access to both house and yard. Its coat needs brushing once a week to remove dead hair.
Health
Major concerns: CHD
Minor concerns: PRA
Occasionally seen: urolithiasis, PRA
Suggested tests: hip, (eye), (DNA test for PRA)
Life span: 10 to 12 years
Form and Function
The Cardigan is a low-set dog, approximately 1.8 times longer than it is tall, with moderately heavy bone. It is small but powerful — capable of the agility, speed and endurance necessary to drive cattle for extended periods. Its small size allowed it to duck under the cattle's hooves should they kick at it. Its gait is free, smooth, effortless and ground-covering. Its double coat consists of a soft thick undercoat and slightly harsh outer coat of medium length. Its expression is alert, gentle and watchful, yet friendly.
For more on the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, check out our Dog Breed Selector.
Image Credit: iStockphoto (2) Jupiterimages Woraput Chaw
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