AMKM Dog Breeds In-Depth

Collie

Breed Group: Herding Height: 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder Weight: 50 to 70 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years ______ are one of the best family dogs possible: they are devoted to the entire family, eager to please, housetrain easily, and need less grooming than you'd think. They're energetic outside and calm inside. ______s are sensitive and can become depressed if spoken to harshly. ______s don't have a "doggie odor" as long as they are brushed regularly.

Bluetick Coonhound

The _____ is one of the breeds that can claim to be "made in the USA." A ____'s coat is a thickly mottled dark blue with black spots on the back, ears and sides. The head and ears are mostly black, and there are tan markings above the eyes and on the cheeks, and dark-red ticking on the feet, lower legs, chest and beneath the tail. The _______ is a cold-nosed dog, meaning he's good at finding and following an old, or "cold," trail. The _______'s bark on the trail is described as a bawl.

Pyrenean Shepherd

Breed Group: Herding Height: 15 to 21 inches at the shoulder Weight: 15 to 32 pounds Life Span: 12 to 16 years The ______ is a medium-size dog who comes in two coat types. He has an outsize personality and energy level that may make him an excellent companion for a highly active person or family. His alert nature makes him a great watchdog, but it can also make him a nuisance barker if he isn't properly trained. ______s excel at dog sports and are often seen in the agility ring. They are also great at learning tricks. The ______'s coat comes in several colors and patterns. It can be any shade of fawn from tan to copper, sometimes with a black overlay; all shades of gray; merle; brindle; black; and black with white markings.

Norwegian Buhund

Breed Group: Herding Height: 16 to 18.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 26 to 40 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years Cheerful, hard-working, and talkative, this former farm dog with prick ears and a wedge-shaped head is making a name for himself not only as a companion but also as a hearing assistance dog and agility and obedience athlete. His medium size and easy-care coat make him an attractive proposition. Be warned: he barks, sheds, and is highly active. Skeletons of six dogs found at the excavation site of a Viking grave may have been forebears of today's ______s. The ______ was used by farmers to hunt or run off wolves and bears.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Breed Group: Herding Height: 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 55 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years This herding dog is stubborn, smart, and active, a cheerful clown who plays chess, not checkers. He also has a possessive temperament that inclines him to steal stuff. A good watchdog, he's fearless. He learns quickly, and remembers everything, good and bad. Channel that energy and work ethic into dog sports, because he needs a job. A ______'s coat can be any color, most commonly white with black, gray or sandy patches or gray with white or chocolate patches. Except for those that are born white, ______ puppies are born with a darker coat color than they will have when they are adults, the result of a dominant fading factor gene. The ______ is a classic shaggy dog: medium-size with a compact, muscular body, a lively expression with a penetrating gaze, a long, thick coat, hair that hangs over his medium-size brown eyes, heart-shaped ears that hang down, and a docked or natural bobtail. In the show ring he looks unkempt but clean.

Tibetan Spaniel

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 10 inches at the shoulder Weight: 9 to 15 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years or more Known as the Tibbie to his friends, the ______ has been described as part terrier, part monkey, and part cat. When you look at a ______, you should see a dog with a rectangular body covered in a silky double coat, dark-brown oval-shaped eyes, medium-size ears that hang down and are well feathered, and a plumed tail that curls over the back, falling to one side. The ______'s coat can be any color or mixture of colors.

Otterhound

Breed Group: Hound Height: (F) 24 to (M) 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: (F) 80 to (M) 115 pounds Life Span: 10 to 15 years This is a large, shaggy scenthound who nearly disappeared after hunting otters became illegal in Britain, but fans have repurposed him as a companion. He's entertaining to live with but can be difficult to keep clean. The ______ is laid-back, but that doesn't mean he's a couch potato. Expect to exercise him thoroughly every day. ______s are rare -- there are fewer than 1,000 throughout the world. Approximately 350 live in the U.S. and Canada. The rest are primarily in Great Britain, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany, and Switzerland. The ______ played a role in the creation of another breed: the Airedale. He was crossed with black and tan terriers to add size and water ability.

Whippet

Breed Group: Hound Height: 18 to 22 inches at the shoulder Weight: 25 to 35 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______ is a sleek, beautifully statuesque, and athletic breed. Although the ______ is not a watchdog, he is a keen sight hound capable of chasing neighborhood cats, stealing food from the kitchen counter when no one is looking, and keeping your home free of such interlopers as mice. As an added bonus, his short, smooth coat is easy to maintain. ______s used to be known as snap dogs — for the way they snapped up rabbits and rats. ______ puppies are cunning little creatures, so you'll benefit from signing up your pup for obedience classes at an early age; 10 to 12 weeks is highly recommended. The breed is revered for its graceful, athletic build, which allows the Whippet to clock speeds of up to 35 m.p.h. Read: This is not a dog that should be allowed to run off-leash in open spaces.

Pharaoh Hound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder Weight: 40 to 60 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years At first glance, you might imagine that the ______ is a sculpture chiseled in sandstone of some ancient Egyptian king's favorite dog. Then you see him run. As beautiful in motion as he is at rest, he's also a funny and fascinating character. The ______ is the national dog of Malta. His job there was to hunt rabbits. The ______ has a rich tan or chestnut coat with white markings. He has a long, lean, chiseled head, a flesh-colored nose and amber-colored eyes. The ______ blushes a bright pink when he is happy or excited. ______s are food thieves and don't mind if you know about it.

Redbone Coonhound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 21 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 80 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years The ______ is a strikingly attractive dog who takes his name from his deep, rich coloring. He is one of the more laid-back Coonhound breeds, but he is still best suited to a rural home where he can hunt and howl to his heart's content. His short coat is easy to groom, but he sheds moderately. Colonial settlers, especially those from Scotland and Ireland, brought red hounds with them to the United States, and those dogs are the ancestors of the Redbone. The ______ is a cold-nosed dog, meaning he's good at following an old, or "cold," trail. ______s occasionally have a small amount of white on their chest or feet, said to be a result of their Irish hound background. The ______'s main quarry is raccoons, but he can also track bigger game. The ______ has a pleading expression with dark brown or hazel eyes and a sweet voice that carries over long distances.

Saluki

Breed Group: Hound Height: 23 to 28 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 65 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______ is an elegant hunter with strong instincts to chase anything moving. He is a medium-size sighthound and can live happily in any environment, as long as he gets daily walks, maybe an opportunity to run a few times a week, and access to the sofa. His coat requires weekly brushing and sheds little. The ______ is the world's oldest dog breed. A ______ is built of lines and curves, the very picture of grace and strength. He has a long, narrow head; long hanging ears covered in long silky hair; bright eyes that range from dark to hazel, with a far-seeing gaze; a long, supple, well-muscled neck; a deep but moderately narrow chest; long, straight legs; a broad back; strong hindquarters to power his ability to gallop and jump; moderately long feet with long, well-arched toes adorned with feathering; and a long tail feathered with silky hair and carried curved. ______s have a smooth coat with a soft, silky texture and a slight amount of feathering on the legs, the back of the thighs and sometimes on the shoulder. Some ______s have a smooth coat with no feathering. They come in the colors of the desert: white, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle and tan, tricolor (white, black and tan), and black and tan.

Portuguese Podengo Pequeno

Breed Group: Hound Height: 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder Weight: 9 to 13 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years This ______ sighthound is lively, active, funny, and smart. He comes in three sizes (there is only 1 listed on Talon though) and two coat types (smooth and wire). He likes to hunt rabbits and other furry critters and can jump straight up, very high. Invest in a tall fence if you get one of these dogs. The ______ is alert and should make a good watchdog. The ______ has a slender, rectangular body, well muscled, with a wedge-shaped head and large, upright ears. The coat can be short and smooth or somewhat wiry and comes in any shade of red, with or without white markings. Most ______s in the U. S. are the wirecoated variety.

Poodle

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: Standard over 15 inches tall at the shoulder; Miniature over 10 but under 15 inches; Toy 10 inches or under Weight: Standard 40 to 55 pounds; Miniature 12 to 15 pounds; Toy 5 to 10 pounds Life Span: 14 to 18 years With an Einstein brain and a Three Stooges sense of humor, the ______ keeps his people entertained. With boundless energy and a sunny disposition, he makes an excellent family dog, but his curly coat requires intense grooming. Standard, Miniature, or Toy? Take your pick. The Standard ______ was originally bred in Germany as a duck retriever; he is still capable of performing that task today. The crazy haircuts seen on today's show ______s have their roots in the dog's hunting roots; the thick, curly coat was cut in a way that allowed him to swim but also kept his chest and joints warm. A ______'s intelligence can translate into stubbornness, so be kind but persistent with training.

Lowchen

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 12 to 14 inches at the shoulder Weight: 15 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______'s German name means "little lion." He is a cute, charismatic little dog who loves to clown around and be the center of attention. When he encounters other dogs he sometimes thinks he's as big as a lion and must be prevented from taking them on. His long, dense coat is soft and comes in any color or combination. Except to achieve the distinctive "lion" look, the ______'s coat should not be trimmed. It comes in all colors and combinations of colors. The ______ can vary in size. European dogs may stand only 10 to 13 inches, while American dogs can range from 12 to 14 inches. The lion cut probably originated as a sanitary measure, but a more romantic story is that court ladies would warm their feet on the dogs' warm, exposed skin.

Sussex Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 45 pounds Life Span: 10 to 15 years The ______ is one of the few breeds that has changed little since his 19th-century origins. He looks serious, but he is a cheerful and friendly family dog as well as a determined hunting dog who can flush and retrieve game. He stands out for his coat color of rich golden-liver. The ______ is an uncommon breed, with only about 75 puppies born each year, so you may experience a wait of six months or even a year or two before a puppy is available. The ______ has a small gene pool, which can make it difficult to avoid some health problems. His golden-liver coat is the ______'s crowning glory, and the color is unique to the breed.

Welsh Springer Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 55 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years This medium-sized ______ has many talents: He's a smart retriever (both on land and from the water), an alert watchdog, and a loving, gentle companion who sticks close to family members, devotedly following at their heels. The ______ is believed to be one of the oldest of the spaniel breeds. ______ have a flat, straight coat with thick, silky fur. The coat picks up mud, dirt, and stickers, but sheds them just as easily. Although coat color and size are the primary differences between Welshies and English Springer Spaniels, the ______ also has shorter ears. ______s are uncommon, so there may be a bit of a wait for a puppy.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 17 to 21 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 50 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The Toller, as he's called for short, fits the bill as a companion for anyone who can match his boundless energy. ______ are smart and easy to train, but they are independent and like to do things their own way. They have an attractive red coat that's easy to care for and are excellent watchdogs. At 17 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder, the ______ is the smallest of the Retrievers. True to his heritage, the ______ loves playing in water. Fewer than 500 ______ are registered with the American Kennel Club annually.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 20 to 24 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 70 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years An excellent gun dog and great companion with a sense of humor, the ______ can point and retrieve on land or in the water. He can be a bit aloof with strangers, but he's always outgoing and boisterous with his owner and devoted to his family. He loves agility, search and rescue, and runs. The ______ has a rectangular body and docked tail covered in a rough, coarse coat that makes him look as if he's been dragged through a thicket. His squarish head, large yellow or brown eyes, hanging ears, mustache, and eyebrows give him a friendly expression. The ______'s coat can be steel gray with brown markings, which is the preferred look; chestnut brown; roan, white, and brown; brown; white; or white and orange. One drawback of the preferred coloration is that the dog can be difficult to see in wooded areas.

Vizsla

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder Weight: 50 to 65 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years This highly energetic Hungarian favorite can do it all with style and grace: He's not only a talented hunting dog, but he's also capable of excelling in many other fields, including agility and search and rescue work. ______s need 30 minutes to an hour of vigorous exercise every day, and they excel at brain games, such as puzzle toys. With the exception of the Brittany, the ______ is the smallest of the versatile hunting dogs. They are used to hunt rabbits and upland game — pheasant, grouse, partridge, and turkey — as well as to retrieve waterfowl. ______s are protective and make excellent watchdogs.

Spinone Italiano

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 61 to 85 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years Gentle and docile, this ancient all-purpose hunting breed can be good with kids and other dogs. The ______ is affectionate, devoted and has a sense of humor. He can rock as a family dog or jogging companion. The downside: a wet beard in your lap after he drinks. The ______ is a muscular dog with a squarish body, solid and powerful. He has a unique profile with a long head; yellowish-brown or darker eyes depending on his coat color; a bulbous and spongy looking nose with large, open nostrils; triangular ears that hang down; and a gentle, intelligent expression. His docked tail is carried horizontally or down, flicking from side to side while he works. The ______'s skin is protected by a dense, wiry, weather-resistant coat. The same coat protects his face, with stiff hair forming eyebrows, a mustache and beard to help prevent lacerations from briars and bushes. The coat comes in solid white, white and orange, orange roan, with or without orange markings, white with brown markings, and brown roan, with or without brown markings. The brown color should be a chestnut shade, described as "monk's habit." This breed likes to jump and dig, so he needs a securely fenced yard with an area he can call his own. After he eats or drinks, the ______'s beard is a mess. Be prepared to spend time wiping his face to keep it clean.

Weimaraner

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 55 to 90 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years Nicknamed the Gray Ghost for his habit of shadowing his owner, the smart and highly energetic ______ is a great family companion, as well as a skilled hunting dog whose ancestors were bred to hone in on deer, wolves, and even bears. Plus, his sleek, silvery coat is easy to groom. ______s aren't suited to apartment life — they need a home with a yard and an owner who won't scold them for digging up moles and mice. The ______'s beautiful coat is a snap to maintain, but it sheds. ______s love to play in the water, and they drip copious amounts it when they drink. They are talented escape artists who excel at breaking out of enclosures, jumping fences, and figuring out how to unlatch doors and gates. The ______ has a mind of his own, so he needs consistent training throughout his life to reinforce that you're the one in charge. Females weigh between 55 to 70 pounds, while males can weigh in at 85 pounds.

Pointer

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 23 to 28 inches Weight: 45 to 75 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years He's one of the earliest Sporting breeds, used as far back as the 17th century to point hares and later birds for the new 18th century sport of "wing shooting." The lithe and muscular ______ is full of "hunt," and he has a competitive spirit that makes him tops in field trials. He's handsome, dressed in a short, smooth coat of liver, lemon, black or orange, with or without white. The ______'s coat comes in liver, lemon, black, or orange and can be solid or combined with white. The breed standard says that a good ______ cannot be a bad color. A ______'s hunting instincts develop early, and he retains what he learns throughout his life.

Rat Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 10 to 13 inches at the shoulder (Miniature) 13 to 18 inches (Standard) Weight: 8 to 25 pounds Life Span: 12 to 18 years The ______ began as a variety of the Smooth Fox Terrier. Infusions of Italian Greyhound, Whippet, Beagle, Miniature Pinscher, and Chihuahua were used to create an efficient ratter for farms, as well as a competent hunting companion for the farmer. Like his cousin the Toy Fox Terrier, he's playful, silly and fearless. He comes in two sizes: Miniature and Standard A ______'s ears can be erect or dropped, and both types can be seen in the same litter. In either case, they are always natural, never cropped. The amount of white on a ______ can range from a small patch of white about the size of a quarter to as much as 90 percent of the body. A ______ with blue eyes, wall eyes (an eye with a whitish iris), or China eyes (clear, flecked or spotted blue) may be more prone to deafness than those with dark or hazel eyes. ______s come in what's called a "pied" pattern: large patches of one or more colors with white. Colors you'll see are black, chocolate, red, apricot, blue, fawn, tan, lemon or white, with or without tan markings.

West Highland White Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder Weight: 15 to 22 pounds Life Span: 15 to 20 years You may recognize the ______ from his long-running stint as the mascot for Cesar pet food, but he's more than just a cute face. A true terrier, he's a fast and clever hunter, plus his lighthearted nature makes for a pet who's always game for some fun. ______s are busy little dogs who always need something to occupy idle time. Thanks to the texture of the ______'s coat, mud brushes out easily and falls off when it's dry. If a ______ is raised with cats, he can learn to get along with them, but strange cats and other furry critters who venture onto his property may not fare as well.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 14 to 16 inches at the shoulder Weight: 24 to 38 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years Make no mistake: Known in U.K. as the children's nursemaid, the ______ is a love machine. This small "pit bull" tends to be good with children and people, but not other dogs. He is an independent thinker who excels in joie de vivre, but likes to do things his own way and needs an experienced leader. When you look at a ______, you see a small but powerful dog with a smooth coat in solid red, fawn, white, black, blue or brindle. He has a short head with a broad skull set on a short, muscular neck, prominent cheek muscles, a black nose, round dark eyes, and rose or half-pricked ears. At the other end is an undocked tail that resembles an old-fashioned pump handle. The ______'s popularity has increased steadily over the past decade. He has moved up from 94th place in American Kennel Club registrations to 74th.

Lakeland Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 14.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 17 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The mischievous ______struts like a rooster and has a sense of humor second to none. His hobbies are landscaping the yard, playing with kids, and eradicating vermin. He is a sturdy perpetual motion machine who needs daily exercise and affection. Lakeys love their family and are great "buddy" dogs for people who appreciate terrier joie de vivre. A ______ is a small dog with a square, sturdy body; a rectangular head with small oval eyes that range from dark hazel to warm brown to black, depending on the dog's color; small V-shaped ears that fold over; a black nose; and a long neck. Depending on his mood, his expression ranges from intense and determined to impish. His docked tail is carried upright. The ______ wears a dense, wiry double coat that can be solid blue, black, liver, red or wheaten or those colors with a saddle over the back, which can be blue, black, liver or varying shades of grizzle, a blend of red or wheaten with black, blue or liver.

Norfolk Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder Weight: 11 to 12 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years His small size makes the ______ a favorite with people looking for a lap dog, but he is happiest when he can get a fair amount of exercise and play. And small or not, he's tough, which means he's a great choice for families with children. The ______ is an excellent watchdog and his grooming needs are minimal. Downside: he sheds. The ______ has a rectangular build, small dark eyes that sparkle with anticipation, small drop ears, a wiry coat, and a docked tail. The rough coat of the ______ can be any shade of red, wheaten, black and tan, or grizzle (a mixture of black or red hairs with white hairs). Sometimes a grizzle coat looks bluish gray or iron gray. The ______ and Norwich Terriers became separate breeds instead of two varieties of the same breed in 1979.

Skye Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 45 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______ is a typical Terrier: tough and tenacious with a propensity for barking and digging. He has a long silky gray coat that is relatively easy to care for, and his large ears can stand upright or hang down. The ______ is cautious with strangers and prefers adults to children. In the right home he is lively and entertaining. When you look at a ______, you see a dog longer than he is tall, with brown eyes and elegantly feathered ears that can be carried up or down, cloaked in long hair that hangs straight down each side, parting in the middle from head to feathered tail. The hair on the head falls over the forehead and eyes like a veil and goes on to form a beard and apron. The ______'s coat can be varying shades of a single color, which can be black, blue, dark, or light gray, silver platinum, fawn or cream. The points of the ears, muzzle and tail tip should be black.

Norwich Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: Ideal height should not exceed 10 inches tall at the shoulder Weight: Ideal weight is approximately 12 lbs Life Span: 12 to 15 years The spirited ______ is one of the smaller of the Terrier breeds, but he's a sturdy companion who fits perfectly into family life. He has the outgoing nature typical to Terriers and is more friendly than many. He may get along well with kids, cats, and other dogs -- only rats and other vermin need fear him. The ______ has a rectangular build, a slightly foxy expression, small dark eyes, pointed ears, a wiry coat, and a bright expression. He has a shorter back than the Norfolk Terrier. The rough coat of the ______ ranges from wheaten to dark red or can be black and tan or grizzle, a mixture of black or red hair with white hair. Sometimes a grizzle coat looks bluish gray or iron gray.

Maltese

Breed Group: Toy Height: 8 to 10 inches at the shoulder Weight: 4 to 7 pounds (6lbs preferred) Life Span: 15 to 18years With shoe-button eyes framed by a glistening coat of silky white, the ______ has earned enduring popularity by combining cute with a lively, bright, and bold personality. Weighing less than seven pounds, these charmers are popular with the purse-dog set. The ______ originated in Malta some 2,000 years ago and has always been a companion dog.

Papillion

Breed Group: Toy Height: 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder Weight: 3 to 12 pounds Life Span: 13 to 17 years The word ______ is French for butterfly, and it's an apt name for these pretty little dogs with their distinctive erect ears. But don't let the ______'s dainty appearance fool you. Despite his wee size, he is the original "big dog in a small body" and has more energy and smarts than many people know what to do with. ______ breeders usually like to keep puppies until they are 12 weeks old to make sure they are mature enough to go to their new homes. ______s come in two varieties: one with erect ears known as the ______ (butterfly) and one with drop ears known as the Phalene (French for moth) and pronounced "fuh Lin." ______s can have a long life span -- up to 17 years -- and are generally healthy, but they can develop certain health problems, including luxating patellas (a knee problem), collapsing trachea and dental disease.

Toy Fox Terrier

Breed Group: Toy Height: 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder Weight: 4 to 9 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years An American-bred toy dog, the ______ was created to keep farms free of rats and other small vermin. He's playful, silly, and fearless, but he also has a terrier temperament, which is not always easy to live with. He's a super watchdog and has a short coat that's easy to groom. With their thin skin, ______s like their comforts. Besides cuddling in a lap or snuggling under bedding, they'll want a sweater to keep them warm whenever they're exposed to prolonged cool or cold temperatures. A ______'s worst qualities are his love of barking and his belief that he's capable of taking on dogs many times his size. You have to protect him from himself. A ______'s best quality is his loving nature. He bonds strongly to his family and loves being a lap dog and companion. ______s don't like getting wet.

Shih Tzu

Breed Group: Toy Height: 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder Weight: 9 to 16 pounds Life Span: 10 to 18 years The compact ______ is the ideal canine companion. Originally bred for royalty in China, this little guy still considers himself a prince among dogs. A true sweetheart, his purpose in life is to love and be loved. Playful and mischievous, he will steal your shoes. ______s are often called chrysanthemum dogs because of the way their hair grows up from the nose and around the face in all directions. The ______ may have originated in Tibet, bred by Tibetan lamas to be a tiny replica of a lion, which is associated with Buddhist mythology. The ______ is prized for his small size, sweet nature, flowing coat, and intelligent mind.

Pomeranian

Breed Group: Toy Height: 8 to 12 inches at the shoulder Weight: 3 to 7 pounds, ideal weight for the show specimen being 4 to 6 pounds Life Span: 15 years or longer Tiny and bright-eyed, the spunky ______ greets the world with endless curiosity and a sure sense that he's the cutest thing around. He is clever, adaptable, and happy, whether hanging at home or performing as a top athlete on an agility course. The breed became popular in 1888 after Queen Victoria fell in love with a ______ while vacationing in Italy. ______s have a thick, beautiful coat that comes in many colors and patterns, and they are easy to groom. ______s get along well with other pets but should be protected from rambunctious children.

Yorkshire Terrier

Breed Group: Toy Height: 8 to 9 inches at the shoulder Weight: 4 to 7 pounds, sometimes larger Life Span: 12 to 16 years This little guy may be classified as a Toy dog, but his personality is pure terrier. Spunky and smart, he loves to play, gets along well with cats, and has the ability to rule bigger family dogs with an iron paw. The breed comes with one caveat: His beautiful coat is high maintenance, even if clipped short. The ______ has an inquisitive temperament — not to mention an impish sense of humor. ______s have stunning blue-and-tan coats, but they're not born that way. Puppies are black, and their coat color develops as they mature. Despite their Toy status, these dogs love speed, action, and plenty of applause, so sports such as agility and rally are tailor-made for them. Show dogs should weigh between four to seven pounds, but pet ______s can weigh as much as 12 to 15 pounds. A ______ who weighs less than four pounds is more prone to health problems, and more likely to suffer complications while under anesthesia.

Mastiff

Breed Group: Working Height: (F) min 27.5 inches at the shoulder (M) min 30 inches at the shoulder Weight: 120 to 230 pounds Life Span: 8 to 10 years The ______ is the classic gentle giant, loving but sometimes stubborn. His size alone is enough to deter troublemakers. At heart, he is a peaceful dog, but he is always protective of his family and will step in if danger threatens. ______s are an old breed, once used as war dogs and to guard estates. These days, they are lovers, not fighters, but they will always protect their family. ______s are flatulent and can clear a room fast when they pass gas. Breeders often like to keep ______ puppies until they are at least 12 weeks old to ensure that they are mature enough to go to their new homes. ______s can adapt well to apartment or condo living, but if you have stairs, think about how you would get the dog in and out if he were old or incapacitated and couldn't manage them on his own. Don't overfeed your ______ puppy. He will still attain his genetically programmed size if you keep him at a healthy, lean weight during puppyhood.

Portuguese Water Dog

Breed Group: Working Height: 17 to 23 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 60 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years ______s are high energy dogs with a lot of enthusiasm. They are outgoing, curious, friendly, and highly intelligent. There's a lot of dog inside that moderately sized, curl-covered body. Porties love to play in water and will take all the exercise you can give them. ______s have a wavy to curly coat that comes in a number of colors with or without white markings. Black and brown dogs are the most common; white is the least common. The ______ can sport a "lion" clip with a bare rear end or remain fully coated. The profuse coat can be curly or wavy. A ______'s curly coat, somewhat more loosely coiled than a Poodle's, doesn't shed much, but left untrimmed, will continue to grow indefinitely.

Siberian Husky

Breed Group: Working Height: 20 to 23.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 60 pounds Life Span: 12 years The ______ loves life. Happy and affectionate, he's a working dog but not a guard dog. His dense double coat makes him well-suited for cold climates, where he can't get enough of frolicking in the snow. ______s can have blue eyes, brown eyes, eyes that are a little of both, or one of each color. There is no relationship between eye color and eye disease in this breed. The ______'s passions include digging and running. These are not behaviors that can be trained away. The ______ has a strong prey drive and probably isn't the greatest roommate for cats and other small mammals.

Tibetan Mastiff

Breed Group: Working Height: 24 to 26 inches or more at the shoulder Weight: 85 to 140 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years The ______ is a highly intelligent, independent thinker and is protective to an extreme degree. He loves his family fiercely and tends to be good with children, but he is not for everyone. He needs firm, consistent training and moderate activity in order to be the gentle, quiet watchdog he is meant to be. The ______ has a long double coat that comes in black, chocolate brown, or slate gray, with or without tan markings, or in various shades of red or gold. The ______ is a primitive breed. Unlike more domesticated dogs, he goes through a heavy shed only once a year.

Neapolitan Mastiff

Breed Group: Working Height: 24 to 31 inches at the shoulder Weight: 110 to 200 pounds (average is 150 M and 110 F) Life Span: 8 to 10 years The confident ______ is not a gentle giant; he's protective of his family and quite suspicious of strangers. He needs an experienced owner who can command his respect without being physically or verbally abusive. He can form an extraordinary bond with his people and is affectionate with them. Since he's big on drooling, get used to carrying a towel. Everything about the ______ is massive. His face is deeply wrinkled and his body is covered in loose skin with a coat that is gray, black, mahogany or tawny, giving him the appearance of a scowling executive in an ill-fitting suit. He walks with a rolling, lumbering gait. Many of the ______'s unique traits — the wrinkles, loose skin, massive bone and lumbering gait — are the result of generations of selective breeding in the ______ countrywide with little to no influence from other breeds. The result is an assortment of recessive genes, which can make breeding this dog successfully a challenge.

St Bernand

Breed Group: Working Height: 25.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 130 to 180 pounds Life Span: 7 to 10 years The ______ doesn't want to wear a brandy keg around his neck, but you might be able to train him to bring you a beer. With a heart that's as kind as his body is big, this lovable giant makes a great family friend and protector. He is sweet, sometimes shy, and often stubborn. The ______ drools. Don't believe a breeder who claims to produce "dry-mouth" Saints. ______s excel at dog sports such as drafting (pulling a cart), weight-pulling, and obedience trials. The ______'s coat can be long or short and ranges from deep brown to red brownish-yellow with white markings.

Afghan Hound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 50 to 60 pounds Life Span: 10 to 13 years The aristocratic _______ is a study in cool elegance. Rather than following his people around, he expects them to come to him if they need some attention. He lives to run, but once he's had his daily exercise in a safely fenced area, he is ready for some serious couch time and then maybe some counter-surfing. His glamorous coat requires extreme devotion to its care. The Afghan's coat can be any color or combination of colors, including black and tan.

Flat-Coated Retriever

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 22 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 60 to 70 pounds Life Span: 10 to 13 years The cheerful _____ is often called the Peter Pan of dogs. He's easy to train, eager to please, and loves to retrieve, especially from water. He's also incredibly energetic and rambunctious. When you look at a ______, you'll see a dog with a rectangular body; a long, "one-piece" head; dark-brown or hazel almond-shaped eyes that give the dog a kind, intelligent expression; small, thickly feathered ears; and a shiny, moderately long coat that can be solid black or solid liver. The ______ is one of the few Sporting breeds that does not have separate lines of "field" and "show" dogs. ______ people like their dogs to be able to go from the show ring to the field without missing a beat.

Great Pyrenees

Breed Group: Working Height: 25 to 32 inches at the shoulder Weight: 85 to 115 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years This beautiful white dog has a heritage as a flock guardian, but these days he's primarily a loving family companion. He's big, smart, and strong-willed, so it takes a special person to be able to train him effectively. The ______ combines beauty with power. He is a large white dog with a long, thick double coat, a kind expression, dark brown eyes, and a plumed tail that may curve into a "shepherd's crook" at the end. ______s are good at pulling carts and can earn titles in drafting. In France, the ______ is nicknamed Patou, a word meaning shepherd.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Breed Group: Working Males - 29 inches tall at the shoulder and 110 to 150 pounds; Females - 27 inches tall at the shoulder and 80-120 pounds Life Span: 11 to 13 years Once you've earned a(n) _________'s loyalty, he will guard you and whatever you have on your property with his life. In Namibia, ______s guard livestock from cheetahs, protecting the livestock from predation and the cheetahs from being shot by angry farmers. The _____'s double coat sheds heavily. Some people have given up the dogs to rescue groups because of it. All color patterns and markings are acceptable, including white, fawn, brindle, or fawn with a black mask. Often, his coloration or markings echo that of the livestock he is guarding to help him blend in.

Icelandic Sheepdog

Breed Group: Herding Height: (F) 16.5 & (M) 18 inches tall at shoulder Weight: 20 to 45 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years This hardy Nordic breed is said to have come to Iceland on the longboats of early Viking settlers. The ______ has the typical pricked ears, curled tail, thick coat and fondness for barking of his Spitz relatives, along with a cheerful and curious nature. His fans describe him as an entertaining dog with a sense of humor. The ______'s thick, straight or slightly wavy double coat comes in two lengths and several colors — shades of tan, ranging from cream to reddish brown; chocolate brown; gray and black — all with white markings and sometimes with a black mask. ______s typically have double dewclaws on their hind legs.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Breed Group: Herding Height: 10.5 to 12.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 25 to 38 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14+ years Affectionately called the "yard-long dog" in his native Wales, the ______ is active and good-natured — and he loves to be busy. ______ s make excellent watchdogs, but they can become nuisance barkers if they're not properly trained. ______ s belong to the same family of dogs — the teckel group — as Dachshunds and Basset Hounds. The word "C______" has several possible meanings: In ancient Welsh, it could translate as "dwarf dog," or it may derive from the word "cur," meaning to watch over — a common ______ trait.

Swedish Vallhund

Breed Group: Herding Height: 11.5 to 13.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 20 to 30 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______ is a member of the Spitz family. He is energetic and playful, much like his Corgi cousins. His medium-length double coat is easy to care for, but it does shed. A ______ can be great with well-behaved kids and is a super watchdog, but he can be a barker. The ______'s coat has harness markings, bands of light color running down the sides from the shoulders. Some nicely marked ______s have a mask of lighter hair around the eyes, on the muzzle, and under the throat, contrasting with the head color. Within a single ______ litter, puppies can have natural bobtails or the traditional long Spitz tail.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Breed Group: Herding Height: 16 to 21 inch. at shoulder Weight: 45 to 65 pounds Life Span: 10 to 13 years The athletic and physical ______ makes an excellent family dog; he is known for his extreme devotion to his family. He is a great watchdog, as he is aloof with strangers and has a big bark for his size. Self-assured and determined, he is intelligent and thrives on being with his people. The ______ is a medium-size dog with a compact but muscular body. Dark-brown eyes have an alert, attentive, friendly expression. Triangular ears, rounded at the tips, hang down, raising up slightly when the dog is alert. The tricolor coat is black with symmetrical white markings on the face, chest and feet and rich fawn to mahogany markings on the eyebrows and between the black and white markings.

Finnish Lapphund

Breed Group: Herding Height: 16 to 21 inches at the shoulder Weight: 33 to 53 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The Lappie, as he's nicknamed, is a medium-size Spitz breed who's active and noisy, agile and alert, all characteristics related to his heritage as a herder of reindeer. He's a great watch dog, but not a guard dog. He's calm, friendly, and submissive with people, verging on aloof. The Lappie's double coat comes in any color or combination and sheds heavily. The medium-size ______ has a soft, sweet expression and a coat that comes in black, blond, brown, tan, and other colors and combinations. The ______'s habit of barking harks back to his heritage as a herding dog. If you don't keep reindeer, though, he can learn to moderate his barking, becoming instead a good watchdog and family companion.

Australian Cattle Dog

Breed Group: Herding Height: 17 to 20 inches at shoulder Weight: 44 to 62 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years ______s have a strong sense of adventure and they think they are invincible. Be prepared for your dog to incur a lot of injuries. Fortunately, he is truly tough, but living with him and wondering how he will hurt himself next can be nervewracking. Get used to it. The ______ is compact but powerful. He has a broad skull, muscular cheeks, a black nose, dark-brown eyes that glint in suspicion when a stranger approaches, medium-size prick ears, and strong teeth for biting cows. The muscular neck leads into a rectangular body with strong shoulders and a deep chest. The tail hangs in a slight curve when the dog is at rest, which doesn't happen very often. The _____'s double coat is smooth and comes in two colors: blue and red speckle. The blue coat can be solid, mottled or speckled, with or without black, blue or tan markings on the head and tan markings elsewhere on the body. The red speckle coat is even all over the body, with or without darker red markings on the head.

Border Collie

Breed Group: Herding Height: 18 to 22 inches at the shoulder Weight: 30 to 45 pounds Life Span: 12 to 16 years ______ are frighteningly smart, active workaholics who must have a job that can be as simple as chasing a tennis ball or as demanding as training for something like herding, agility obedience, or freestyle. What the job is doesn't matter so much as that the ______ has a job. The ______ is an excellent watchdog and will alert you to the arrival of the letter carrier, a burglar, or a squirrel. Some can become nuisance barkers. ______s are very people-oriented and are wonderful family dogs. Some ______s are not good with other dogs or cats, and some are great. ______s are the best working breed in the world for sheepherding. They also excel at performance activities such as agility, obedience, flyball, and freestyle, among others.

Australian Shepherd

Breed Group: Herding Height: 18 to 23 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 65 pounds Life Span: 12 to 16 years ______ are devoted to their people. They like to be as close to them as possible: sitting on a foot, leaning against a leg, or even wedging themselves into your lap. That's probably to make you feel better about not being quite as smart as the _______. The ________ has a medium-length double coat that can be straight or wavy. Expect to brush it two or three times a week to remove dead hair and keep shedding to a minimum.

Canaan Dog

Breed Group: Herding Height: 19 to 24 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 55 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years This medium-size herding dog is an intelligent, independent thinker with natural watchdog instincts. He patrols his property and circles and barks at intruders, not permitting them to approach unless given the okay by his owner. The ______ 's coat color can be mainly white with a mask and sometimes additional patches of color or a solid color ranging from black to all shades of brown, including sandy, red or liver, with or without white trim. Early ______ s used to deliver messages were good for only short distances. Because of their territorial nature, if a track was longer than 500 to 1,000 meters, they would simply turn around and go back to where they started. The ______ belongs to the AKC's Herding Group, but outside North America he is considered to be a primitive spitz type.

Bearded Collie

Breed Group: Herding Height: 20 to 22 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 55 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______ is a medium-size dog with a rectangular body and a shaggy coat that can be black, blue, brown or fawn, with or without white markings. A _____'s eyes are the same tone as his coat color, so black and brown dogs have brown eyes while blue dogs have grayish-blue eyes. Fawn-colored ______s have an unusual light-brown eye with a touch of hazel or lavender.

Belgian Tervuren

Breed Group: Herding Height: 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder Weight: 40 to 65 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years This is a medium-size dog with a square build, a wedge-shaped head carried proudly, dark-brown eyes that are slightly almond-shaped, prick ears, and an intelligent, questioning expression that indicates he's always ready for action. The ______ has a double coat that is short on the head and the front of the legs. The opening of the ear is protected by tufts of hair. A collarette of longer hair surrounds the neck and is especially abundant on males. Other areas where the hair is longer are the back of the legs and the tail. A ________'s coat is a beautiful rich fawn-to-russet mahogany with a black overlay, meaning the tip of each fawn hair is black. A Terv's coat typically darkens with age.

Belgian Sheepdog

Breed Group: Herding Height: 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder Weight: 40 to 75 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ________ is also known as the Groenendael. He is the long-coated black variety of the four Belgian herding breeds. In Europe, the four _________ breeds are also known collectively as Chiens de Berger (bair-zhay) Belge (belzh). When you look at a _______, you see an elegant dog with a square body, wedge-shaped head, triangular ears, dark brown eyes, and a long black coat with especially abundant hair around the neck, on the back of the legs, and on the tail.

Belgian Laekenois

Breed Group: Herding Height: 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 65 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years When you look at a ________, you see a dog with a squarish body who carries his head proudly. He has dark brown eyes, erect triangular ears, and a wiry coat. The _____ never seems to tire, moving with a smooth, easy gait. Because of his herding heritage, he's usually seen moving in a circle or curve rather than a straight line, a sign of his instinct to keep watch over and direct his flock. He is the rarest of the four Belgian herding breeds (which in their home country are all considered a single breed) and the only one not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club. He is a medium-size dog with a protective personality.

Briard

Breed Group: Herding Height: 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 70 to 90 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years _______ devotees describe him as "a heart wrapped in fur." This French herding breed is large and protective; he's an excellent watchdog and will guard his family and property just as carefully as he guarded his flocks. He is both independent and devoted to his people. The _______ 's long coat can be any color except white. It is usually black, gray or tawny. The _______ 's tail is in the shape of a J, like a shepherd's crook. It's known as a crochet hook. _______ s can be found participating in herding, agility and obedience trials, as well as flyball competitions.

Bouvier Des Flandres

Breed Group: Herding Height: 23.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 70 to 110 pounds Life Span: 10 to 15 years The _______r's coat comes in several colors, ranging from fawn to black. You may also see brindle and salt-and-pepper coats. A small star on the chest is the only white allowed. _______s have had roles in movies, including Town and Country and A Dog of Flanders, a film about a boy and his beloved _______.

Beauceron

Breed Group: Herding Height: 24 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 80 to 110 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years Expect to be herded by this stubborn French beauty. Highly versatile and intelligent, the protective _____ is an excellent watchdog for his family and home, but he's not for first-time dog owners. He is an athlete and will make sure you get outside for exercise and fun. His short coat is easy to groom. The ______ is a "mouthy" dog. Be sure you have plenty of tough toys on hand for him to carry around and chew on. Don't let him gnaw on your hands, feet, or other body parts.

American English Coonhound

Breed Group: Hound Life span: 11 - 12 years Weight: 40-65 lbs Height: 23 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder Temperament: Loyal, Energetic, Active, Intelligent, High-strung Colors: Redtick, Tri-color, Red & White, Bluetick, Lemon & White, Tri-color Ticked

Basset Hound

Breed Group: Hound Height should not exceed 14 inches tall at the shoulder Weight: 50 to 65 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______'s long ears serve a purpose: they sweep scent from the ground up toward his nose. _____s need daily brushing because they shed constantly. _____s have an oily coat that gives the dog a distinctive odor. It's not something that can be bathed away or perfumed out of existence. Some ______s slobber and drool.

Dachshund

Breed Group: Hound Height: Miniature, 5 to 6 inches at the shoulder; Standard, 8 to 9 inches at the shoulder Weight: 11 pounds and under (Miniature); 16 to 32 pounds (Standard) Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______ might be the smallest of the hounds, but he's the biggest in spirit. His distinctive shape first catches the eye, but people who know him appreciate his character, intelligence, hunting spirit, and absolute devotion to his people. The ______'s coat comes in an endless variety of colors and patterns. Solid red is probably the most popular color, but you will also see ______s in cream, black, chocolate, brindle and dapple — lighter-colored areas contrasting with a darker base color. ______s are always alert and they have a big, deep bark. Both qualities make them superb watchdogs. It's a good idea to have ramps or steps up to furniture so the ______ doesn't hurt his back jumping on or off the sofa or bed. Protect the ______'s back by holding him correctly: one arm tucked beneath his hind end and one supporting his front end at the chest, keeping the body in a horizontal position.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Breed Group: Hound Height: 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder Weight: 25 to 42 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years This short, long-backed rabbit hunter is a merry soul who loves to dig and bark. He's terrific in performance sports like agility. The ______ is charming, stubborn, active, and wildly enthusiastic about everything, especially you. He would rather hunt than come to you, though. The ______ is not related to the Basset Hound. He is lighter, smaller boned, and more active and agile. The ______ is distinguished by a rough, unrefined outline and a head that is longer than it is wide. His face is protected from rough brush by a beard and mustache and long eyebrows help protect his large dark eyes. Taken together they give him an alert, friendly, intelligent expression. Long, narrow ears are covered with long hair and hang down, folding inward and ending in an oval shape. The medium-length tail has a slight curve and is carried like a saber. The coat is white with any combination of lemon, orange, black, sable, tricolor or grizzle markings, ensuring that he is easily seen in the field.

Basenji

Breed Group: Hound Height: 16 to 17 inches at the shoulder Weight: 22 to 24 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years Mischievous, smart, lively and by no means silent, the "barkless" _____ is a hilarious handful. You must have a sense of humor to live with him. He's catlike in his cleanliness and independence, and his wrinkled forehead makes him look worried, but what he's really thinking about is how he can rearrange your home décor. The _______ belongs to the pariah dog family, meaning that they have a primitive appearance and characteristics. Pariah-type dogs are medium size with prick ears, a wedge-shaped head and a long tail that curls over the back. The coat is usually a neutral color such as tan, brown or black, but some are patched or spotted. Many female _____s go into heat only once a year—another primitive characteristic—and most Basenji litters are born between October and December.

Harrier

Breed Group: Hound Height: 18 to 22 inches at the shoulder Weight: 40 to 60 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______ is frequently mistaken for an oversize Beagle or a small English Foxhound. Primarily a packhound, he's sweet and affectionate, but also highly energetic. Health permitting, he can be an excellent companion for a runner, rider, or other athletic person. Most ______s have the typical tricolor hound coloration of black, white and tan, but a few come in an unusual mottled blue pattern. ______s have been in America since colonial times. ______s were developed to hunt hare in packs. In appearance, the ______ is a smaller version of the English Foxhound. The ______ is a rare breed, so expect a wait for a puppy. ______s love children, but they may be too rambunctious for toddlers. Always supervise play.

Norwegian Elkhound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 19.5 to 20.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 48 to 55 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years The ______ has a long history in Norway as a watchdog, flock guardian, and big-game hunter. He has a thick, protective gray coat, a broad head topped with prick ears, and a tail that curls tightly over his back. The ______ is a medium-size dog, weighing 48 to 55 pounds. According to Norse sagas, ______s traveled with the Vikings. The ______ tends to be friendly to family and strangers alike.

Plott Hound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 20 to 25 inches Weight: 40 to 60 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______ is first and foremost a hunting dog who specializes in big game or anything else you want him to go after. For the person who can satisfy his desire to hunt and be active, he can be a wonderful companion and watchdog, well suited to family life. His short coat is easy to groom, but it sheds. The ______ is an aggressive, bold, fearless hunter who is loyal, intelligent, and alert. The ______'s skin is not as loose and droopy as that of some scenthounds, and his ears aren't as long. The ______ has a distinctive "chop" — a loud, staccato, ringing bark that lets the hunter know he is on the trail of or has treed his prey. The ______ is the dog of choice for big-game hunters in search of bears, cougars, or hogs. They are also used to tree raccoons, and many farmers like to keep them as all-purpose dogs. The ______'s smooth, fine coat can be any shade of brindle, black with brindle trim, solid black, or buckskin, which ranges from red fawn through sandy red, light cream, yellow ochre, dark fawn or golden tan.

Treeing Walker Coonhound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 20 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 80 pounds Life Span: 10 to 13 years The ______ is not an oversize Beagle, although his classic tricolor good looks often lead to that misconception. He descends from American and English Foxhounds. His coat is a classic tricolor: white, black and brown. ______s have the classic tricolor pattern — black and white with reddish markings — but in their own inimitable way. Most of them are what's known as "black blanketbacks," meaning they are brown with what looks like a black saddle over the back and a red head. ______ are hustlers. They are fast and have a strong desire to hunt and tree their prey.

American Foxhound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder Weight: 65 to 75 pounds Life Span: 8 to 15 years ______s are taller and more streamlined than their English counterparts. The ________'s tail has a very slight brush, meaning that it's heavy with hair. An ________ can be ANY color. The ______ is rarely thought of as a companion dog, but he can be a best friend to a person or family who loves hounds and wants a buddy to run, bicycle, or walk with on a regular basis.

Ibizan Hound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 22.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 50 pounds Life Span: 11 to 14 years Nicknamed Beezer, the ______ originated on Spain's Balearic Islands (______ being one of them) where he was used to hunt rabbits. He stands out for his large, erect ears and pink nose. The ______ has a long, narrow head; large pointed ears that are highly mobile; clear amber eyes; and a long tail. The ______ comes in two coat types -- shorthaired and wirehaired -- but the shorthaired variety is most common. The wirehaired ______ has a bushy mustache. The coat can be white or red, with the red ranging from a light yellowish-tint known as lion to a deep tone. The dog can be a solid color or a mixture of white and red.

Black and Tan Coonhound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 65 to 100 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years The ______ was the first Coonhound breed admitted to AKC registration. The _______ is known as a "trail and tree hound," meaning he can not only find his quarry but also tree it. This breed has a black coat with tan points above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, and on the chest, legs and breeching (the upper thigh area), plus black pencil markings on the toes. He is outgoing and friendly and makes a good family dog if he gets his daily quota of exercise. His short coat is easy to groom, but it sheds and has a "houndy" odor.

Bloodhound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 80 to 110 pounds Life Span: 8 to 10 years ______s descend from the St. Hubert hound, developed more than a thousand years ago in France. ______s are not lazy. They are bred to follow a trail for hours on end and nothing pleases them more. When they get bored, they are hugely destructive. They're also stubborn and require a deft hand at training.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Breed Group: Hound Height: 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 70 to 85 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years The ______ is easy to spot among a canine crowd: He's the one with the tiny Mohawk running down his spine. Expressive eyes reflect the sensitive spirit of this large, intelligent dog who loves to run and play. He's not a barker, but a Ridgie will protect his family. The ______ is the only dog who has a ridge of hair running down his spine in the opposite direction from the rest of his coat, though some purebred ______s do not have ridges. The ______ was created to help big game hunters go after lions, which is why he's sometimes called the African Lion Hound.

Scottish Deerhound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 28 to 32 inches or more at the shoulder Weight: 75 to 110 pounds Life Span: 8 to 10 years The noble ______ is a giant breed who loves to run and equally loves spending time with his owner. ______ puppies will take you on a wild ride before they reach a gentle and laidback adulthood. The rough coat is pretty easy to groom, but it sheds moderately. Don't expect this breed to be a watchdog. When you look at a ______, you see a dog whose long head is broadest at the ears, with the muzzle tapering to the black nose, and adorned with a mustache of silky hair and a fair beard. The soft, glossy, dark ears fold back, raised up only in excitement. Dark brown or hazel eyes hold a keen, far away expression that softens when the dog is relaxed. The long, tapering tail is carried down or curved. The ______ is the second-tallest of all dog breeds, after the Irish Wolfhound. He weighs between 75 and 110 pounds, with females typically being smaller than males.

Irish Wolfhound

Breed Group: Hound Height: 30 to 34 inches at the shoulder Weight: 105 to 180 pounds Life Span: 6 to 8 years The giant ______ has a commanding appearance but a gentle nature. He loves human companionship and welcomes one and all. His rough coat requires weekly grooming and sheds moderately. When you look at an ______, you'll see a dog of great size and commanding appearance with dark eyes, small ears, and a rough coat that can be gray, brindle, red, black, white or fawn. Over the centuries, the ______ has been known as the Big Dog of Ireland, Greyhound of Ireland, and Great Hound of Ireland.

Borzoi

Breed Group: Hound Height: min 26 in (F) to min 28 in (M) at the shoulder Weight: 60 to 105 pounds, depending on sex Life Span: 10 to 13 years The _______ is a sighthound, bred to chase running prey. The graceful, elegant _______ was a favorite subject of artists during the Art Deco era. The _______'s long, silky coat can be any color or combination of colors. The _______ is a giant breed.

Beagle

Breed Group: Hound Height: two size varieties -- up to 13 inches at the shoulder and 13 inches to 15 inches at the shoulder Weight: 20 to 35 pounds Life Span: 13 to 16 years _____s come in two sizes; both sizes of _____s can be born in a single litter. If you want to be sure you get one of a certain size, wait to purchase a puppy until he is about nine months old. _____s bred for hunting are more likely to be noisy and active than _____s bred for the show ring. You might not think so when you are trying to train him, but the _____ is very smart in the sense that he is a good problem-solver. He might not respond instantly to your commands, but he will quickly figure out how to overcome any obstacles that are preventing him from getting something he wants. ______s need daily exercise and mental stimulation in the form of sniffing. Without it they can become bored and destructive. Provide them with the attention, training and activity they need or suffer the consequences. Shyness and aggression are not common Beagle characteristics. Do not choose a puppy who shows signs of these behaviors.

English Foxhound

Breed Group: Hound Ideal Height: 24 inches at the shoulder Weight: 60 to 70 pounds Life Span: 10 to 13 years This pack hound has been bred for more than 150 years and is used primarily for fox hunting, but with plenty of exercise he can also make a fine family companion. His size and voice make him best suited to a rural home. The ______ has a short coat that can be any hound color but is typically a tricolor of black, tan and white. ______s are typically kept in packs by hunt clubs, but occasionally they are placed as companion dogs. ______s are the rarest of their type of breed. ______s usually train for six months to a year before they are ready to go out with the pack. The ______ has a rich, deep, mellow voice. The ______ is shorter and stouter than his American version.

Boston [Terrier]

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: varies Weight (3 divisions) a) <15 pounds; b) 15 - 20 pounds; c) 20 pounds and not to exceed 25 pounds Life Span: 11 to 13 years The _______ is at home in any situation and never meets a stranger; everyone is a potential new friend. The _______ is dapper in his black and white tuxedo, but he can also come in brindle or seal with white markings. His short coat is simple to groom and sheds little. _______s get along well with children as well as other pets. The _______ takes his name from the towan where he was developed. The _______'s weight ranges from 10 to 25 pounds, with most weighing between 13 and 16 pounds, making them easily portable. _______s excel in dog sports, including agility, flyball, obedience and rally. They also make great therapy dogs.

Xoloitzcuintli

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: Toy, 10 to 14 inches at the shoulder; Miniature, more than 14 to 18 inches; Standard, more than 18 to 23 inches Weight: Toy, 9 to 18 pounds; Miniature, 13 to 22 pounds; Standard, 20 to 31 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The usually hairless ______ is as exotic, interesting, and clever as his name. He loves his family dearly but requires a certain amount of exercise, grooming, and attention. Some say the ______ resembles a hot water bottle with pig eyes, bat ears, and a rattail. Not every ______ is hairless -- there is also a variety with a short, smooth coat.

Lhasa Apso

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder Weight: 12 to 18 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 or more years The ______, as he's known in his homeland of Tibet, is dignified yet mischievous. His alert and somewhat suspicious nature make him an excellent watchdog, and indeed that was his purpose for centuries. He has a long, flowing coat that requires extensive grooming. Speaking of coat, you may have heard that the ______does not shed like shorthaired dogs, making it a "non-allergenic" breed, but that's not correct. It's a dog's dander -- flakes of skin - that triggers allergic reactions, not the coat. Because their coats have a longer growth cycle than those of dogs with the more typical canine "double coat," ______s may shed less, which means less dander in the environment and sometimes fewer allergic reactions. But they still produce dander and can still cause an allergic reactions. Avoid breeders who tell you their dogs are "non-allergenic."

Schipperke

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 10 to 13 inches at the shoulder Weight: 10 to 16 pounds Life Span: 13 to 15 years The "little black devil" is quite mischievous and wants to be in charge, and he will be in charge if you don't take the lead. Highly energetic, he has brains, speed, and athletic ability that make him a great sports competitor. He's also a terrific watchdog. The ______ is a small black tailless dog with a foxy face. He has a square body and a distinctive coat, characterized by a ruff that stands out from the neck, a cape, jabot and culottes, all creating a dog with a unique silhouette. The ruff begins behind the ears and goes all the way around the neck. The cape is an additional layer beyond the ruff. The jabot (what might be called the apron in another breed) extends across the chest and down between the front legs. The hair on the rear thighs forms culottes (after the knee breeches formerly worn by men). The ______ has a wedge-shaped head with prick ears and small oval dark-brown eyes. His expression is questioning, mischievous, impudent, and alert. The ______ is what's called a natural breed, meaning his coat should not be sculpted in any way. Only the whiskers and the hair between the pads of the feet may be trimmed for the show ring. Legend has it that the ______'s taillessness arose in the 17th century when a shoemaker became angry that his neighbor's dog kept stealing from him and cut off the tail.

French Bulldog

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 11 to 12 inches at the shoulder Weight: not more than about 28 pounds Life Span: 9 to 11 years The ______'s motto is "Love the one you're with." He is small, with distinctive "bat ears," and comes in a variety of colors. The ______ is adaptable to any home environment, as long as it has air conditioning. ______s are restful and have minimal exercise needs, so they are a good choice for couch potatoes. The ______ should not weigh more than 28 pounds, making him easily portable. ______s can be stubborn when it comes to housetraining. Be patient, be consistent, and consider the use of paper training or puppy pee pads to get around the problem (although it's always best to get the pup outdoors). ______s snort, snore and grunt, and they are known for making other odd noises. ______s are not good swimmers and should not have access to pools, spas or other bodies of water.

Norwegian Lundehund

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 12 to 15 inches at the shoulder Weight: 13 to 16 pounds Life Span: 6 to 8 years This odd bird, er, dog is an energetic contortionist with a complex personality. He has the look of a typical Spitz breed — prick ears, wedge-shaped head and furry tail that curves over his back. His double coat ranges from beige to tan to reddish brown with black hair tips and white markings or white with red or dark markings. The ______'s thick coat is fallow (pale brown) to reddish brown to tan with black-tipped hairs and white markings or white with red or dark markings. ______ vocalizations include barks, yodels and howls, with the occasional scream thrown in. It can be unsettling until you get used to it. The ______'s unusual anatomy makes him capable of getting into hard-to-reach places that most would not expect a dog to be able to go. ______s often enjoy collecting shiny objects and hiding them.

Shiba Inu

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 13.5 to 16.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 17 to 23 pounds Life Span: 12 to 16 years With his bright eyes, plush coat, and boldly curling tail, the ______ is an official Japanese national treasure. In the United States, he's a small - under 25 pounds - companion dog with a big attitude. He's charming and affectionate, with a sense of humor about life and also about those odd verbalizations humans call "commands." The ______ is the most popular companion dog in Japan. The ______'s appearance often leads people to ask if he is a fox. He has a compact, muscular body, a wedge-shaped head, dark-brown eyes and erect triangular ears that combine to give him a confident, good-natured expression. His coat comes in one of three colors: red, black and tan, and red sesame (black-tipped hairs on a red background). All three colors have a cream to white color known as uwajiro on the sides of the muzzle, the cheeks, inside the ears, underneath the jaw and upper throat, the inside of the legs, the abdomen, and beneath the tail. His thick, powerful tail is carried curved over his back.

Tibetan Terrier

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 14 to 17 inches at the shoulder Weight: 18 - 30 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years He's not a terrier, but the mild-mannered "TT" is a loving family dog who was bred to traipse around snowy mountains with nomadic herdsmen. He stands out for his profuse and protective double coat, a fall of hair over the eyes, a well-feathered tail and large, round, flat feet designed for sure-footedness in snowy terrain. A fall of hair covers the ______'s dark, expressive eyes, but he can see through it perfectly well thanks to his long eyelashes. The ______ has large, round, flat feet that act like snowshoes and give the dog traction in snowy conditions. The ______'s long, luxurious coat parts down the middle and can be any color or combination of colors. Colors and patterns include white, gold, tricolor, brindle, silver, black, and parti-color (a color plus white). The ______ is not a true terrier but was given that appellation because of its size.

Finnish Spitz

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 15.5 to 20 inches at the shoulder Weight: 23 to 28 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______ has a thick, protective coat that stands out for its golden-red color, prick ears, a fox-like expression, and a tail that curls jauntily over his back. Other names include Finnish Hunting Dog and Barking Bird Dog. When you look at a ______, you see a medium-size dog with a wedge-shaped head, small prick ears, a foxlike expression, a square body covered in beautiful red-gold coat and a tail that curls over the back. Males are larger with more coat. The ______ was bred to track everything from squirrels and rodents to big game like bears. The ______'s ancestors were bred from Spitz-type dogs in central Russia over 2000 years ago.

Keeshond

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 17 to 18 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 45 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years This sturdy, medium-size Spitz breed stands out for the markings around his eyes that resemble eyeglasses. Bred to guard barges, his exercise needs are less than you'd expect, and he's happiest just being with you. The ______ is a member of the Spitz, or Nordic, family of dogs. He has a wedge-shaped head with a foxy expression, dark-brown eyes that are almond-shaped, and a lionlike mane around his neck. Early ______ were known by such names as "fox dog," "overweight Pomeranians" and "Dutch barge dogs."

(Chinese) Chow Chow

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder Weight: 40 to 70 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years A dog who looks like a ______ but has a tongue that is pink or mostly pink probably is not a Chow at all but a mix of one of the other spitz breeds, a large family of dogs that includes American Eskimos, Akitas, Norwegian Elkhounds, Pomeranians and many more. The medium-size ______ is a powerful dog with a sturdy, squarely built body and a tail that curves over the back. He has a large head, accentuated by a ruff, and dark-brown, deep-set, almond-shaped eyes; small triangular ears that stand erect; a broad muzzle with a large black nose; and a black mouth and gums and a blue-black tongue. The overall effect is of a dog with a scowling, dignified, lordly, sober and snobbish expression, an accurate representation of the ______'s temperament. The ______ has a unique stilted gait caused by the straightness of his rear legs.

Chinese Shar-Pei

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 60 pounds Life Span: 10 years The name ______ means "sand-skin" but translated more as "sand-paper-like coat." No other breed shares the short, rough coat of the ______. A ______ is a poor choice for a novice dog owner. A ______ housetrains earlier than most breeds because of his natural cleanliness and ease of training. The ______ enjoys and does well in obedience, agility, herding and tracking. He would rather be with people than other dogs. Those famous wrinkles need to be looked after carefully to prevent skin infections. They should be wiped out with a damp cloth and dried well to prevent infection. Like other flat-faced breeds, the ______ can easily overheat.

Dalmation

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 19 to 23 inches at the shoulder Weight: varies Life Span: 10 to 13 years The ______ is highly active and intelligent and needs lots of exercise to stay happy. A former circus performer, he's great at learning tricks and loves to show off his talents. Because of their heritage as coaching dogs, ______s get along well with horses and make good companions for riders. The ______'s spots may be the result of a mutation in a gene for a ticked coat, but no one is really sure where they come from. The spots today are now larger and less ragged around the edges than those seen in pictures of early ______s. One of the British nicknames for the ______ is Plum Pudding Dog, because his spots look like the plums in a Christmas pudding. The ______ is prone to inherited deafness and urinary stones. The ______ was once a popular circus dog.

Bichon Frise

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: 9.5 to 11.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 10 to 18 pounds Life Span: 15 or more years Bred specifically to be a companion, the______ is a wonderfully affectionate dog. Because his job was to entertain, his nifty repertoire of tricks made him an ideal circus dog. Today, though, he's more often found entertaining his people at home. The _____ belongs to the same family of dogs as the Maltese, Havanese, Bolognese and Coton de Tulear, but he differs because he is the only one with a double coat. The _____'s name is French and means "curly coated," certainly an apt description. The ____'s white cloud of a coat needs daily grooming, plus professional styling, but it doesn't shed. The ________ can be difficult to housetrain.

Bulldog

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Height: not specified by breed standard Weight: 40 to 50 pounds Life Span: 8 to 10 years This rollicking family dog loves everyone and is suited to many types of homes because he's so good-natured. But because of his flat face and heavy build, he is highly sensitive to heat and must always live indoors. The ______ has a distinctive walk: a loose-jointed, shuffling, sidewise roll. Many ______s breathe in a labored fashion and it's often difficult for their bodies to dissipate heat. ______s can't swim. Their massive head, solid torso and short legs limit their ability to stay above water. If you have a pool, spa or pond on your property, limit your ______'s access to it. The ______'s smooth coat can be brindle, solid white, solid red, fawn or fallow, or piebald.

American Eskimo

Breed Group: Non-Sporting Heights: TOY- 9 to 12 inches at the shoulder; MINATURE- over 12 to 15 inches; STANDARD over 15 to 19 inches Weights: TOY- 7 to 10 pounds; MINATURE- 11 to 20 pounds; STANDARD- 20 to 40 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The beautiful, white, and fluffy ______ comes in three sizes and is highly intelligent -- sometimes too much so. His cleverness will have you doing his bidding if you aren't careful. This is a healthy, adaptable, affectionate breed. The downsides: he is a barker, he sheds, and he prefers a home with older children.

Boykin Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 15½ - 18 inches tall at the shoulder for males 14 - 16½ inches tall at the shoulder for females Weight: 25 to 40 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years The _______ is a medium-size hunting dog. His compact body is slightly longer than it is tall. He has brown eyes with a trusting, intelligent expression, ears that hang close to the cheeks, and a merrily wagging tail docked to a length of three to five inches. His coat is a solid rich liver, brown or dark chocolate color. The _______ is one of the rare breeds named after a specific person. This medium-size sporting breed is a great retriever, loves water, and has a friendly nature. He's not much of a watchdog, but if you're looking for a pal to take hunting, boating, or hiking, he's a great choice. His curly coat needs grooming two to three times a week.

Cocker Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 13 ½ inches to 15 ½ inches at the shoulder Weight: 20 to 30 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______ will happily go hunting for birds or hang around the house. He is easily trained, gentle, and playful, and loves splashing around in water. His tail is always wagging whether he's following a scent or checking to see what's under the couch.

English Cocker Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 15 to 17 inches at the shoulder Weight: 26 to 34 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years Larger than the American Cocker and with less coat, the ______ is devoted, affectionate, and funny. He learns quickly and is an ace at sports such as agility. The term spaniel used to be applied to any dog that hunted and flushed game birds. They were usually differentiated by size or the way they worked.

American Water Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 15 to 18 inch. at shoulder Weight: 25 to 45 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years The _____ is a highly versatile hunting dog on land and in water. His job is to hunt, flush and retrieve all kinds of game. The _____ stands out for his solid liver or dark chocolate-colored coat.

Field Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 17 to 18 inches at the shoulder Weight: 35 to 50 pounds Life Span: 11 to 15 years This medium-size flushing spaniel is lighthearted, sensitive, and affectionate. His great joy in life is flushing birds, but he's also an excellent family companion. The ______ is a little bigger than the English Cocker and a little smaller than the English Springer. The ______'s slightly wavy, thick coat can be black, liver, golden liver, roan, or any of those colors with tan points.

Clumber Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder Weight: 55 to 85 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years This medium to large-sized spaniel is sweet and gentle, with a deceptively laid-back appearance and a wicked sense of humor. Despite his sporting breed roots, he doesn't require a lot of exercise, but he's also no couch potato. The ______'s two caveats: He sheds and slobbers. The ______'s long, soft coat is white, with lemon or orange markings. Expect to find ______ drool in odd places, like the roof of your car. They have been known to fling spittle up to five feet up and six feet out. Insomniacs take note: ______s snore.

Brittany

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 17.5 to 20.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 30 to 45 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______'s medium size, wash-and-go coat, and happy, intelligent personality make him the perfect dog for an owner who will give him the exercise he needs -- or, even better, take him hunting. ______s learn quickly and joyfully and make excellent watchdogs. The ______ is a French breed from the province of ______. He was developed to point and retrieve in different types of terrain. ______s have a short coat with a little feathering on the legs and are easy to groom, but like all breeds they shed. A ______'s coat is white and orange or white and liver. Some ______s have tricolor coats, but that's not a popular pattern.

English Springer Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 19 to 20 inches at the shoulder Weight: 40 to 50 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______ is a family dog first and foremost with a happy, lively personality, but his versatility makes him popular for a variety of activities: hunting, field trials, the show ring, and all kinds of dog sports. Field-bred ______ have less coat and a more pointy muzzle. Show-bred ______s have a heavier build, longer hair, a squarish muzzle and long ears. ______s are high-energy dogs and need lots of daily exercise. As long as they get plenty of exercise, they can live in any type of home, including an apartment or condo. When you are choosing a ______ puppy, consider whether you are more interested in the dog for athletic ability and endurance or for the combination of beauty and milder temperament that is the show-bred dog.

Irish Water Spaniel

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 65 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years He may look and act like a curly-coated clown, but the ______ is a serious water retriever with excellent hunting skills. Given plenty of exercise and training, he can also be a wonderful family companion. Choose him if you enjoy running, hiking, water sports, or other activities that he can do with you. His coat is high maintenance but sheds little. Among the distinguishing characteristics of the ______ are a topknot of long, loose curls; the crisply curled, liver-colored coat; and the smooth "rat tail," which is hairless except at the base where it is covered for two to three inches with curls.The face is entirely smooth and the feet are webbed between the toes. When a(n) ______'s feet are properly conditioned, the tough pads allow the dog to go over sharp saw grass or river rocks without injury.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 21 to 26 inches at the shoulder Weight: 55 to 80 pounds Life Span: 10 to 13 years The ______ was developed in Maryland to be a tough retrieving dog, but with his family he's all heart. ______s, as they are nicknamed, are more protective and less friendly toward strangers than other sporting dogs, making them excellent watchdogs. The ______'s oily coat protects him in the water, but it also gives him a doggy odor. ______s enjoy spending time with their family and should not live outdoors with little human interaction. ______s are an uncommon breed. Expect to spend some months or even a year or more on a waiting list before a puppy is available.

Golden Retriever

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 21.5 to 24 inches at the shoulder Weight: 55 to 75 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years This sporting breed has a sweet, gentle, people-pleasing personality. A well-bred ______ does not have strong guarding instincts, so don't expect him to protect your home from burglars. He will, however, make friends with them and show them where the treats are. The ______ has a dense, water-repellent double coat that comes in various shades of gold. ______s shed heavily and require frequent brushing to keep the fur from flying. ______s typically have litters of six to eight puppies. Most breeders like to keep puppies until they are at least eight weeks old. This gives the puppies time to learn how to behave toward other dogs and gives the breeder time to evaluate the puppies' personalities so she can place each one in just the right home. A bonus is that puppies of this age are more mature and more easily housetrained.

Labrador Retriever

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 21.5 to 24.5 inches at shoulder Weight: 55 to 80 pounds Life Span: 10 to 13 years Good-looking, smart and fun-loving, the ______ has a a lot going for him. He's large, but not too large, he's calm and easygoing when he's not exuberantly fetching a tennis ball or a bird. He's a do-it-all kind of dog. The ______'s short, weather-resistant coat and muscular body are the perfect equipment for outdoor activities like hiking, camping and water sports. ______s are active dogs who need daily exercise and mental stimulation. Without it they can become bored and destructive. Provide them with the attention, training and activity they need or suffer the consequences. ______s come in three colors: black, yellow and chocolate. The ______ has a double coat — a soft, insulating undercoat topped with a short, hard, protective outer layer. ______s shed heavily, and brushing them once or twice a week will help keep the fur from flying. ______s typically have litters of six to eight puppies. Most breeders like to keep puppies until they are at least eight weeks old. This gives the puppies time to learn how to behave toward other dogs and gives the breeder time to evaluate the puppies' personalities so she can place each one in just the right home. A bonus is that puppies of this age are more mature and more easily housetrained.

German Wirehaired Pointer

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 75 pounds Life Span: 14 to 16 years This boisterous hunting dog is a multitasker par excellence: not only can he point birds and other prey, he can retrieve them on land or from water. He is highly intelligent and a creative thinker. The ______ is a medium-size hunting dog who is noted for his beard, whiskers, and eyebrows; a rectangular body protected by a wiry coat; and brown eyes that give him an almost human expression. The ______'s coat is liver and white and can have a spotted, roan, or ticked pattern. Roan is a fine mixture of colored hairs with white hairs; ticking is small, isolated areas of dark hairs on a white background. The ______'s beard, whiskers, and eyebrows (known as furnishings) protect his face and eyes from injury.

Irish Red and White Setter

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 22.5 to 26 inches at the shoulder Weight: 50 to 75 pounds Life Span: 11 to 15 years The ______ has a long, sometimes slightly wavy coat with feathering on the legs, chest, and tail. The eyes are dark hazel to dark brown, and the hanging ears have a triangular shape. The coat of the ______ is a pearly white, with distinct solid red patches. It has a silky texture that sheds dirt easily. The ______'s heritage is unknown, but it's likely that he has Spaniels in his ancestry.

German Shorthaired Pointer

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder Weight: 55 to 70 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______ is a multipurpose hunting dog who doubles as a great family companion. An active family, that is. He is highly energetic and highly intelligent. His alert and protective nature makes him an excellent watchdog. The ______ is a high-energy dog who requires at least an hour of exercise daily. Take him for a couple of half-hour walks, hikes or runs or teach him to run alongside your bicycle. He'll also enjoy playing fetch or training for a dog sport. He can do just about any of them. The ______ has a water-repellent coat with short, thick hair that feels coarse to the touch. The coat color can be solid liver, liver and white ticked, liver and white patched, liver roan (a deep reddish-brown base lightened with white hairs), or any combination of those colors and patterns. Unless he is raised with them and closely supervised, the ______ may not be best suited to homes with pet cats or birds.

Gordon Setter

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 80 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years The ______'s best qualities are said to be beauty, brains, and birdiness. He has a silky black coat set off with tan markings and requires grooming about three times a week. ______ is the largest of the three setter breeds. The ______ dresses to the nines in a silky black coat with rich mahogany markings and feathering on the legs and tail. The ______ is an uncommon breed. You may have a wait of a year or more before a puppy is available.

Curly-coated Retriever

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 60 to 70 pounds Life Span: 10 to 15 years The ______has a lot going for him: personality, trainability, and an unusual but easy-care coat. Gentle and charming with his family, the ______ is more protective than some other retrievers. He loves his own people but can be reserved around strangers. The ______ dates to the 18th century and is acknowledged as the oldest of the retrieving breeds. The ______'s coat is unusual but easy to care for and sheds little. It can be black or liver-colored. Like most retrievers, the ______ loves playing in water. A home with a yard is the best environment for a ______, but a person who is committed to walking him or taking him to a dog park daily can keep one happy in a home without a yard. ______s excel at many activities, including hunt tests, agility, herding instinct tests, lure coursing, dock diving, flyball, scent hurdle racing, tracking and rally. At least one has run as part of a sled-dog team. A daily walk of up to a mile will satisfy a ______, but he'll take all the exercise you can give him.

Irish Setter

Breed Group: Sporting Height: 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 60 to 70 pounds Life Span: 10 to 11 years The ______ is a rowdy and rollicking redhead with energy to spare. At his best, he is sweet and trainable, but he is sometimes stubborn. Expect him to retain his puppy-like vigor until he is at least three years old. The ______'s stunning, medium-length coat is mahogany or rich chestnut red with no black. He may have a small amount of white on the chest, throat, or toes, or a narrow streak of white on the head. The ______'s head is long and lean with a delicately chiseled appearance. The head is framed by long ears and set off by dark eyes that show intelligence and good humor.

English Setter

Breed Group: Sporting Ideal Height: 24 to 25 inches at the shoulder Weight: 45 to 80 pounds Life Span: up to 12 years The ______ has a gorgeous white coat flecked with tan (orange belton) or black (blue belton). Others are tricolor, having black flecks on the coat and tan points on the muzzle and legs. The ______'s coat is white with intermingling darker hairs, a pattern known as belton. The coat can be blue belton (black and white), tricolor (blue belton with tan patches), orange belton (orange and white), lemon belton (lemon and white), and liver belton (liver and white). Lemon and liver are not often seen. Some ______s have a tendency to drool, especially if they're watching you eat or waiting for a treat.

Bedlington Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 15 to 16 inches at the shoulder Weight: 17 to 23 pounds Life Span: 14 to 16 years The _____ has a very different look than other terriers, with his unusual coat, roached back, arched loin, hare feet and distinctive, springy gait. The tail, shaped like a scimitar, tapers to a point. The ______ has a narrow head covered with a topknot that is lighter than the body color, dark, small, almond-shaped eyes, triangular ears with rounded tips and a thin, velvety texture, and a mild, gentle expression, belying the fact that he is a terrier at heart. In addition to backing off animals as wily as foxes and badgers, the _________ is an excellent water dog. ________ often live for upwards of 17 years.

Scottish Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 10 inches at the shoulder Weight: 18 to 22 pounds Life Span: 11 to 13 years Occasionally serious to the point of being dour, the lively, intelligent ______ is the definition of terrier attitude. ______s can be scrappy with other dogs and will hunt little critters. While devoted to his family, he can take a while to warm up to strangers, but he's quite affectionate to those he likes. The compact ______ has an unmistakable look: a rectangular body set on short legs, a long head with a shaggy beard and eyebrows, small, bright, dark-brown to almost black eyes, prick ears covered in short, velvety hair, and a tail that tapers to a point and is carried up. Most often seen in Presbyterian black, his hard, wiry coat can also be wheaten or brindle.

Australian Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder Weight: 14 to 16 pounds Life Span: 15 years The ______ is a happy dog by nature, known for his clever sense of humor and his affection for people. The shaggy-coated Australian — about 15 pounds of spunk in all - is an independent, somewhat stubborn breed. He is a tireless ratter and excellent watchdog with an easy-care coat that sheds little.

Cesky Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 10 to 13 inches at the shoulder Weight: 14 to 24 pounds Life Span: 10 to 15 years The ______ was introduced in the wake of World War II, making him one of the newest breeds to attain recognition by the American Kennel Club. The ______ is a terror when it comes to toys. He can destroy them in no time flat. Supervise play or resign yourself to frequently purchasing replacements. The ______ is a small dog characterized by a long, blunt, wedge-shaped head with a bearded face, drop ears, a long body, and a long, silky, gray coat.

Sealyham Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 10.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 20 to 24 pounds Life Span: 14 to 17 years The funny, scruff ______ wants to be the class clown. With a happy-go-lucky spirit and a laid-back attitude, he's equally content hanging out on the sofa watching TV or chasing a chipmunk around the yard. That said, he's a lover, not a fighter. The ______'s long, broad head and rectangular body are two of the features that differentiate him from other terriers. The ______'s double coat can be all white or white with lemon, tan or badger markings on the head and ears. "Badger" is a mixture of white, gray, brown and black hairs.

Miniature Schnauzer

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 12 to 14 inches at the shoulder Weight: 11 to 20 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years Lively and active, the ______ has a larger than life personality and loves to participate in everything you do. He'll follow you around the house, alert you to someone at the door - possibly more heartily than you might desire. ______s shed only a tiny bit, and might be a good choice for some people who are typically allergic to dogs. However, it's not a dog's hair that triggers allergies, but dander (dead skin flakes) and saliva. There's no escaping any of those when you live with a dog, no matter what breed it is. The best advice for an allergic person is to spend some up-close and personal time around the breed to assure themselves that there won't be a problem living with them. Despite his small stature, the ______ is not a lap dog. He's athletic and energetic, and needs more daily exercise than just going around the block.

Glen of Imaal Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 12.5 to 14 inches at the shoulder Weight: 32 to 40 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years This lesser known terrier from Ireland thinks — like most Terriers — that he's bigger than he is. His coat is easy to groom and sheds little. He doesn't care much for other dogs and even less for cats. The ______ has a rectangular body and sports a medium-length double coat in wheaten, blue, or brindle. He has a distinctive head with ears that fold over (known as "rose" or half-prick ears), brown eyes, and a tail that is docked to about half its length. The ______ is a rare breed indeed: a quiet Terrier. He was bred to hunt silently, but that doesn't mean he won't bark. He'll gladly join in the chorus if other dogs are barking.

Welsh Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 15 to 15.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: Ideal size approximately 20 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years Independent and a true terrier, the ______ is charming, cocky, and confident. His inquisitive nature may lead him into trouble, but he'll take care of any rodent problem. He will find his own fun, so it's best to channel his energy into acceptable venues. The compact and sturdy ______ has a square body, a rectangular head, small almond-shaped eyes that are dark brown, small V-shaped ears with tips that fold forward, and a docked tail that is carried upright. The ______ struts his stuff in a tight black jacket of hard, wiry, dense hair with deep reddish-tan markings on the legs, belly and head. Occasionally his coat is grizzle, sort of a bluish-gray.

Manchester Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 15 to 16 inches at the shoulder Weight: Up to 12 (Toy); 12 to 22 pounds (Standard) Life Span: 14 to 16 years A well-mannered, active terrier, the ______ (both Toy and Standard) is keenly intelligent, a bit stubborn, and barky. He's not as aggressive as most terriers, but no rodents or pocket pets are safe around him. His antics will make you laugh even when he outwits you. The ______ is a small dog, slightly longer than he is tall, with a short coat in jet black with rich mahogany markings. He has a wedge-shaped head with a keen, bright expression shining out of black, almond-shaped eyes. This is a breed with curves. The neck is slightly arched; the topline (back) is slightly arched over the loins; and the abdomen is tucked up with an arched line. The tail tapers to a point and is carried in a slight upward curve. With the exception of size, the only difference between the Standard and Toy ______ is ear shape. The Standard ______ has a naturally erect ear, a cropped ear or a button ear. Cropped ears are long and pointed. A Toy ______ has a naturally erect ear, never one that has been cropped.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 16 to 18 inches at the shoulder Weight: 30 to 40 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The sweetie ______ is happy, affectionate, and just a little bit stubborn. He jumps and twirls when he's happy. The soft coat that gives him his name is lovely to touch but needs a lot of grooming to stay that way. He's devoted to his family and makes a good watchdog. The ______ is a medium-size dog with a square body, a rectangular head, brown eyes, small to medium-size ears that hang down with the inside edge lying next to the cheek, and a docked or natural tail carried upright 90 degrees from the back, either straight or slightly curved forward. ______s have a soft, silky single coat that covers the body in gentle waves. On the head, the hair falls forward to shade the eyes. The coat can be any shade of wheaten, a light tan color.

American Staffordshire Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 17 to 19 inches Weight: 50 to 60 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years Though he may look intimidating, _____ tends to be a lover, not a fighter. He is an active, intelligent dog who generally likes people. His short coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns and is easy to groom. The term "Pit Bull" is often applied indiscriminately to ______. The _______'s short, glossy coat comes in 18 colors and patterns. All-white coats, or coats that are more than 80 percent white, are not encouraged because of the association with deafness. The ______ may have markings, such as a black, blue or white face mask, or tan or brindle points. The _____ is currently the 84th most popular breed registered by the AKC.

Bull Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 21 to 22 inches at the shoulder Weight: 50 to 70 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years This larger-than-life clown is an extroverted guy. Sweet as pie with people, he needs to be socialized early to prevent dog aggression and needs a firm hand in general. He'd prefer an active family who likes his ebullient energy. Wherever the action is, that's where you'll find him. His short coat is easy to groom. The ______ comes in two varieties: white and colored. They are exhibited in separate classes at dog shows but are otherwise the same breed. When you look at a ______ , you see a strong, muscular dog with a long oval head that resembles an egg (especially in the white variety). Small thin ears point upward, and small dark eyes with a piercing glint are sunken into the head. A short tail, thick at the root and tapering to a fine point, is carried horizontally ______ s have appeared in hundreds of films, ranging from "101 Dalmatians" and "Best in Show" to "The Mask" and "The Wizard of Oz." The only currently recognized breed with triangular eyes is the ______ .

Airedale Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 21 to 23 inches at the shoulder Weight: 40 to 65 pounds Life Span: 10 to 13 years The ______ has a long, flat skull, V-shaped ears that fold over, small dark eyes full of terrier keenness and intelligence, a black nose, and a muscular, squarish body. The tail is carried up but not over the back. The ______'s coat is hard, dense and wiry, with a softer undercoat, and comes in both tan and black and tan and grizzle. He loves to dig a good hole, collect his own stuff, and go counter surfing. Active and loving with family, he's not always well behaved around other dogs or animals and has a strong prey drive.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder Weight: 18 to 24 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years These dogs are dandies, with a poufy topknot, dark shoe-button eyes, and a self-confident attitude. The ______ coat sheds little and must be combed twice a week to prevent or remove mats and tangles. A people-loving dog like the ______ needs to live in the house.

Cairn Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder Weight: 13 to 14 pounds Life Span: 14 to 15 years The ______ may be small, but he's an active family member who wants to play and play. He is smart, if somewhat independent. The ______ has a foxy expression and a tough, weather-resistant coat that can be any color but white. The ______ is a rugged little dog with a shaggy coat, sharply pointed ears, large teeth, and dark eyes. He's a bit longer than he is tall and has a natural tail, meaning it isn't docked for length. His coat can be cream, deep red, brindle, light gray, or black. When you get a ______ puppy, you never know what color he will turn out to be. A ______'s coat color can change over the years, often becoming darker with age.

Irish Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: Average of 18 inches at the shoulder Weight: 25 to 27 pounds Life Span: 12 to 16 years The ______ lives life to the fullest. He adores people and can be good with the family kids. This fearless terrier is intelligent and stubborn, requiring consistent training and a tall fence. Full of beans, he wants to run, play and chase a few rodents and squirrels. The ______ has a longer body and longer legs than other terriers. The ______ has a long head with strong jaws; dark brown eyes full of fire and intelligence; small V-shaped ears that drop forward; and a docked tail. His dense, wiry coat hugs the body and can be bright red, golden red, red wheaten or wheaten.

Kerry Blue Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: Ideal size is 18½ inches tall at the shoulder Weight: 33 to 40 pounds; females are smaller Life Span: 12 to 15 years The smart and independent ______ is a multitasker who can trail and retrieve, alert you to strangers, and keep your home and yard vermin-free. This is an active and athletic dog, brimming with personality, who will appreciate having a job to do. The ______ has a long head, dark eyes with a keen expression, small V-shaped ears that fold forward, a squarish body, and a medium-length tail carried up. Coat and color are the ______'s defining characteristics. A proper ______ coat is soft, dense, and wavy in any shade of blue gray, or gray blue. Those shades can range from deep slate to light blue gray, with darker to black areas on the muzzle, head, ears, tail, and feet.

Border Terrier

Breed Group: Terrier Height: Unspecified in breed standard Weight: 11.5 to 15.5 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______ is characterized by his rough coat, "otter"-shaped head, and an "at the alert" attitude. As a breed, the ______ has changed little over the years, aside from becoming more consistent in appearance. ______s have thick, loose skin, which protects them from adversary bites. Bonus: The ______ is also very trainable.

English Toy Spaniel

Breed Group: Toy Height: 10 inches at the shoulder Weight: 8 to 14 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years His breed standard describes the ______ as bright and interested, affectionate, and willing to please. He is a restful dog but has the heart of a lion if he believes a person is in danger. The most recognizable feature of the ______ is his head, with its domed skull, large eyes, black nose, and soft, intelligent expression. The ______ comes in four colors or patterns: Blenheim (red and white), Ruby (solid red), Prince Charles (tricolor), and King Charles (black and tan). In dog shows, the Blenheim and the Prince Charles compete in one class and the King Charles and the Ruby in another.

Miniature Pinscher

Breed Group: Toy Height: 10 to 12.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 8 to 11 pounds Life Span: 15 years The ______ is not a scaled-down Doberman, although he is fearless and makes a terrific watchdog. Known as the "King of the Toys," this little fireball is best suited to an experienced owner who can manage his willful nature. On the plus side, his antics are pure entertainment, and he is simple to groom. The ______ is strong-willed and not for novices. He can be possessive of toys and food. The ______ can have either cropped or uncropped ears and a docked tail. Coat colors include red, stag red (red with black hairs), black with rust markings, or chocolate with tan. The Min Pin likes to play both indoors and out. He doesn't need a lot of exercise, but a daily walk is important to give him the mental stimulation he needs.

Chinese Crested

Breed Group: Toy Height: 11 to 13 inches at the shoulder Weight: 10 to 13 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years The hairless ______ is better known (who can forget a naked dog?) but if you prefer your dogs covered up, the Powderpuff variety is completely covered with soft, silky hair. The hairless variety of the ______ has hair on his head — called a crest — from which he takes his name. He also has hair on his tail, giving it a plumed look, and on his feet, from the toes to the hock (the canine equivalent of the ankle). The hair on the feet makes it look as if he's wearing socks. The ______ can be any color or combination of colors. The hairless ______ needs protection from temperature extremes. If you're cold and need a sweater or coat, your ______ does too. On sunny days, he needs a coating of sunscreen so he doesn't get sunburned.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Breed Group: Toy Height: 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder Weight: 13 to 18 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years One of the largest of the Toy breeds, ______s follow their people everywhere, just waiting for a chance to jump in a lap. They are also willing and able to go for long walks and hikes, and many enjoy flushing birds, just like their bigger spaniel cousins. ______s have a silky, medium-length coat with feathering on the ears, legs, chest, feet and tail. They shed moderately. The ______ coat comes in four colors: Blenheim (chestnut and white), tricolor (black and white with tan points over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears and beneath the tail), ruby (solid red) and black and tan (black with tan points like those on the tricolor). ______s can get along with cats when they are raised with them, but some have a strong prey drive and will chase cats. Pet birds should also watch their tailfeathers around ______s.

Italian Greyhound

Breed Group: Toy Height: 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder Weight: 7 to 15 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years This ______ in miniature has no idea that he's not as big as a regular ______ and is known for injuring himself by leaping off furniture. In his favor: he's simple to groom. On the negative side: he doesn't always see the need for housetraining. The ______ is a true hound and enjoys outdoor activity as well as the luxuries of home. The ______ can be difficult to housetrain, which means he is not always a perfect candidate for apartment living unless you can stay on top of his need to go out or teach him to use a litter box or papers. The ______ has fine, short coat that is simple to groom and comes in most colors and patterns. The coat sheds very little. The ______ is highly athletic and is capable of jumping onto tables and countertops. ______s enjoy dog sports such as lure coursing, agility, rally and even weight pulling.

Japanese Chin

Breed Group: Toy Height: 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder Weight: 4 to 9 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years The ______ has definite likes and dislikes, and he can be reserved with strangers. His straight, silky coat is easy to care for but he is a shedder. In Japan, the ______ is considered a higher being than other dogs. ______s love to go for walks, but they're not fond of inclement weather. It's a good idea to papertrain a ______ if you live in an area with a lot of rain or snow. When the ______ isn't playing, he's perching on a high point, observing everything going on around him. The ______'s happy, cheerful nature, adaptability and range of sizes make him suited to almost any home. ______ who weigh eight or nine pounds are best for families with children, but they must still be handled carefully. The ______'s abundant silky coat comes in black and white, red and white, or black and white with tan points (tricolor). Because of his acrobatic nature, climbing ability, and tendency to clean himself, the ______ has been described as a cat in a dog suit.

Havanese

Breed Group: Toy Height: 8.5 to 11.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 7 to 13 pounds Life Span: 14 to 15 years The ______ is a bright and lively little dog who likes to think up his own games and then play them with you. It's certainly possible to spoil a ______, but they're pretty resistant to becoming tyrants and generally respond well to a little judicious indulgence. The profuse ______ coat is silky to touch; it also insulates against the tropical sun in Havana. If he grows up around water, the ______ can be a good swimmer.

Silky terrier

Breed Group: Toy Height: 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder Weight: 8 to 10 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years An active hunter of small prey, this toy thinks he's a Big Dog and he can be a tiny Napoleon. Forget lap dog status - he's a terrier who wants to play, dig, run around, and charm the pants off anyone. He's an excellent watch dog. That gloriously silky coat hardly sheds at all. ______s are active in many events. They have earned titles or participated in obedience, rally, agility, herding, tracking, flyball, and earthdog tests. Some ______s are therapy dogs. The ______ stands low to the ground and is slightly longer than he is tall. His silky blue and tan coat parts to each side, all the way down his back to his tail. It's not so long that it falls all the way to the floor. He has a moderately long wedge-shaped head; small dark almond-shaped eyes; small V-shaped ears carried erect; and a black nose. The docked tail is carried between the twelve o'clock and two o'clock position. He moves with a lively and light-footed step.

Affenpinscher

Breed Group: Toy Height: 9 to 11.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 6 to 13 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years The German word _______ means "monkeylike terrier," not necessarily because they resembled monkeys but because they often performed with organ grinders in much the same way as an organ grinder's monkey might have done. The A________ is distinguished by a beard and mustache, bushy eyebrows, a stiff wiry coat, ears that can be cropped or natural, and a tail that can be docked or natural. The preferred color in _______ is black, but the dogs can also be black and tan, silver-gray, red, and mixtures of these colors.

Chihuahua

Breed Group: Toy Height: Not more than 5 inches at the shoulder Weight: Not more than six pounds Life Span: 12 to 20 years This sassy little dog has a super-size personality. He knows what he wants and goes after it with single-minded determination. For his size, he's an excellent watchdog, but he can be yappy if he's not taught to moderate his barking. For the show ring, the ______ should not exceed six pounds, but many ______s are actually larger than that, making them a better choice for families with children. ______s that weigh less than three pounds often have a short life span. Don't think that the ______ is a gentle lapdog. He is tenacious and terrierlike in attitude. ______s are highly intelligent and take well to training when it comes with positive reinforcement in the form of treats and praise. ______s come in any solid color or combination of colors, including fawn, black and tan, chocolate and white, blue and red. Avoid breeders who try to get you to pay more for supposedly "rare" colors.

Pug

Breed Group: Toy Height: Not specified in breed standard Weight: 14 to 18 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years Round head, square body, curly tail — that's the ______. Wherever he goes, his wrinkly face and fun-loving personality charm people. He is good with other dogs, cats, and children, and nothing makes him happier than being part of the family. He's no jogging buddy, but this lively fellow loves an outing to the office or park. The ______ is among the largest of the Toy breeds. He's lively and loves everyone, and his alert nature makes him an excellent watchdog. This breed snores and snorts, a by-product of his flat face. Learn to think of the noise as a lullaby.

Brussels Griffon

Breed Group: Toy Height: not specified in breed standard Weight: 8 to 10 pounds; not to exceed 12 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______ comes in a rough or smooth coat that can be red, belge (a mixture of black and reddish brown), black and tan, or black. This breed has a wide range of sizes. In the same litter of ______s, one puppy can grow to only six pounds, while another reaches 20 pounds. Like many toy breeds, ______s can be difficult to housetrain and may never be completely reliable. The ______ is smart, alert, sensitive, and full of self-importance. He will keep you in stitches with his antics, prove an excellent watchdog, and rule your household with an iron paw. For such a little guy he's highly active and a talented escape artist.

Pekingese

Breed Group: Toy Height: not specified in breed standard Weight: less than 14 pounds Life Span: 14 to 18 years The ______ has an ego that's bigger than he is, thanks to his heritage as a favored companion in the imperial Chinese court. Despite that, he's generally affectionate and affable. The ______ prefers adult company, although he will tolerate older children who respect his dignity. The ______'s glamorous coat can come in all coat colors and markings, including parti-color (a color, plus white). The ______ is meant to suggest lionlike courage, boldness, and self-esteem. The ______ may look small, but he is solidly built and surprisingly heavy when lifted. This breed takes its name from ______, as the capital of China used to be called.

German Pinscher

Breed Group: Working Height: 17-20 inches tall at the highest point of the withers Weight: 25 to 45 pounds Life Span: 12 to 14 years In need of a strong leader, the assertive and determined ______ is easy to train and intelligent. He's a strong watchdog, has lots of energy, and he's devoted to his family as long as small mammals aren't included. The ______ remains playful well into adulthood and his smooth coat is easy to groom. When you look at a ______, you see a medium-size dog with a strong, square build; a powerful, elongated head that resembles a blunt wedge; medium-size dark oval eyes with a sharp and alert expression; and ears that are erect if cropped or V-shaped with a folding pleat if uncropped. The tail is docked. The ______'s short, smooth coat lies close to the body and comes in several colors: Isabella (fawn); various shades of red, including stag, which is red intermingled with black hairs; and black or blue with red or tan markings.

Standard Schnauzer

Breed Group: Working Height: 17.5 to 19.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 30 to 50 pounds Life Span: 13 to 15 years The ______ is the oldest of the three ______ breeds. German farmers and land owners kept him as a ratter, hunting dog, and watchdog, and he is still good at all of those jobs today, as well as being an entertaining companion and dignified show dog. He is a medium-size dog with a hard, wiry coat in salt and pepper or solid black. When you look at a ______ you see a sturdy dog with a square body covered in a dense harsh coat of salt and pepper or solid black, with a docked tail carried erect. The head is rectangular with arched eyebrows above dark brown eyes, a bristly mustache and beard, and ears that can be cropped or natural. ______s have been trained to be hearing dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, and cancer and explosives detection dogs.

Boxer

Breed Group: Working Height: 21.5 to 25 inches at the shoulder Weight: 50 to 70 pounds Life Span: 8 to 10 years _______s are big dogs with a big streak of mischief in their makeup. You'll need a sense of humor to live with one. _______s are great watchdogs but not aggressive toward people unless the situation calls for it. _______s are athletic and excel in many dog sports, including agility and herding. _______s are lovers, not fighters, but they won't back away from a showdown if another dog starts something.

Chinook

Breed Group: Working Height: 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder Weight: 50 to 90 pounds Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______ was originally bred to be a sled dog and, although he still excels at mushing, he's an equally good family dog. He's also a looker: The ______ stands out for his thick, tawny-colored double coat, dark eyes, prick or floppy ears, and a saber-shaped tail. In Inuit, ______ means "warm winter winds." The ______ is an uncommon breed, so expect to wait up to a year for a puppy to become available. A ______ can have either drop or erect ears, and you won't be able to tell which type he'll have until he's four to six months old. His hefty size may ward off an intruder, but the ______ is not a guardian breed.

Rottweiler

Breed Group: Working Height: 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 75 to 110 pounds, with some weighing up to 135 pounds Life Span: 8 to 10 years Massive and muscled, the ______ can be a gentle giant or a scary beast, depending on his personality and his owner. In general, he takes awhile to warm to strangers but is a loyal and loving family member. With the work ethic of a world leader, the Rottweiler needs a job to be truly happy. The ______ is not innately a guard dog. He is a thinking dog whose first reaction is to step and back and look at a situation before taking action. ______s are prone to health problems such as hip dysplasia and eye issues. ______s are surprisingly sensitive and may experience separation anxiety.

Dogue de Bordeaux

Breed Group: Working Height: 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 99 (min) to 160 pounds Life Span: 5 to 10 years This handsome, wrinkled hulk always turns heads. Calm and gentle, he can also be stubborn, especially without strong leadership. He loves and watches over his family. On the down side, he drools, sheds and snores, and is sensitive to temperature extremes. The ______ is a member of the mastiff family and originated in France. The ______ can get along with cats and other dogs if he is brought up with them, but he has a strong prey drive and is likely to chase animals who stray onto his property. The ______ has thick, loose-fitting skin covered in fine, short hair. His coat can be any shade of fawn from light to dark-red, with or without a black or brown mask.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Breed Group: Working Height: 23 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 65 to 120 pounds Life Span: 7 to 10 years Most _______ are considered to have a dry mouth, meaning they don't drool, but that's not true of all of them. A _______ with tight, or close-fitting, lips is less likely to drool than one with loose or hanging lips. The _______'s tricolor coat is thick and moderately long with straight or slightly wavy hair. The coat sheds heavily. Berners are sensitive to heat and humidity. If outdoors, they need access to plenty of shade and fresh water.

Giant Schnauzer

Breed Group: Working Height: 23.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 65 to 90 pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years Smart, stubborn, and an independent thinker, this big guard dog will play with family and defend them and their home from any threats, but he isn't for novice owners. The ______ hallmark is a harsh beard and eyebrows. Its large body is nearly square, while the head has a strong rectangular appearance. There are three ______ breeds, classified by size. The breed is named for a show dog named ______, who won a dog show in Hanover in 1879.

Cane Corso

Breed Group: Working Height: 23.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 88 to 120 pounds Life Span: 10 to 11 years This Italian mastiff was bred to hunt wild boar and today acts as a guard dog. Fiercely devoted to his family, he doesn't care for strangers or small animals. More athletic and agile than other mastiffs, he'll sit at your feet with impressive weight. Despite a multicentury legacy, the ______ nearly went extinct during World War II. The ______ is a fiercely intelligent animal and requires an equally savvy owner.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Breed Group: Working Height: 23.5 to 28.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 85 to 140 pounds Life Span: 7 to 9 years This easygoing, gentle giant was bred to guard and herd livestock. Although he won't reach maturity until he's four or five years old, the confident ______ is a born watchdog. The ______ was an all-around farm companion who drove livestock to pasture, pulled milk carts to the dairy, and acted as a watchdog. They usually hauled the heavy cans of milk in pairs, so it was common to see two of them hooked up to a cart. The ______ is a large dog with a tricolor coat, a gentle expression, dark-brown eyes, triangular-shaped drop ears, and a long tail.

Bull mastiff

Breed Group: Working Height: 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder Weight: 100 to 130 pounds Life Span: 8 to 12 years The ______ 's colors include red, fawn or brindle. ______ s will drive out unknown animals from their yard and home. ______ s do not have a high energy level and are satisfied with short daily walks. The strong-willed ______ is not afraid of anything and would lay down his life for his family. Mild-mannered and sweet unless incited, this 130-pound guard dog will lean on your leg and sit on your feet while he snorts, snuffles and drools.

Doberman Pinscher

Breed Group: Working Height: 24 to 28 inches Weight: 66 to 88 pounds Life Span: 10 years Although the ______ has a reputation as a sharp and even sinister dog, his devoted fans consider him the most loving and loyal of companions. Believe it or not, a good ______ is a stable, friendly dog -- unless you threaten his family. The ______ originated in Germany, created by tax collector Louis ______ to keep himself and the taxes he carried safe from thieves. A ______ who is raised with children and other pets will love and protect them and be a good companion for kids.

Akita

Breed Group: Working Height: 24 to 28 inches at shoulder Weight: 65 to 115 pounds Life Span: 10 to 14 years _____ shed heavily in the spring and fall and smaller amounts year-round. The ______'s coat comes in many colors and patterns. It has little odor and sheds dirt easily. ______s have a strong prey drive and will go after animals that come into their territory, but they can learn to get along with cats if they are raised with them. The ______ demands respect and can be a challenge to train. The _______ may be the only breed in the world considered a natural monument in his home country. He is a Japanese breed, developed to hunt big game such as bear, elk, and boar. In Japan today he is often found working as a police or guard dog.

Komondor

Breed Group: Working Height: 25.5 inches (and more) at the shoulder Weight: 80+ pounds Life Span: 10 to 12 years The dreadlocked ______ tends to be gentle and affectionate with family but wary of strangers. Intelligent and loyal to no end, he will give his life to protect his family - his flock - and property. An independent thinker with physical strength, he needs a firm, consistent leader. His corded coat requires daily grooming but sheds little. When you look at a ______, you see a dog with a large head; dark brown eyes; hanging ears that are shaped like an elongated triangle, slightly rounded at the tip; and a long tail. The ______ has a dense, protective coat that starts to fall into cordlike curls when the dog is a puppy. The adult ______ has a dense, soft, woolly undercoat and a coarse outer coat that is wavy or curly. Together, the outer coat and undercoat form tassel-like cords that lengthen as the dog grows older. The coat is always white, but not necessarily a pure white.

Leonberger

Breed Group: Working Height: 25.5 to 31.5 inches at the shoulder Weight: 120 to 170 pounds Life Span: 6 to 8 years The ______ is a big, gentle, sweet dog. He is loyal and trainable if he receives plenty of early socialization. ______s can be good with kids and have the energy to keep up with them, but they are messy to live with and have a heartbreakingly short lifespan. Male ______s have a lionlike mane on the neck and chest. The Leo, as he's nicknamed, can be messy and destructive to live with. He's sloppy when he eats and drinks, he loves to play in mud and water, and he's a digger. The ______ is a great companion for an active person who isn't fussy about having a neat house. The ______ is a good family dog, but because of his large size, he should be supervised around toddlers so he doesn't accidentally knock them over. ______s enjoy being with each other, but they also get along with other dogs and cats who live in their household. They may chase cats they see outdoors.

Newfoundland

Breed Group: Working Height: 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder Weight: 100 to 150 pounds Life Span: 8 to 10 years Truly a gentle giant, the ______ is a courageous and intelligent working dog who can masquerade as a couch potato inside the house. His docile temperament and love of children make for a wonderful family dog if you don't mind lots of slobber. ______s make excellent lifeguards and can bring a drowning adult ashore. When living with a ______, drool is a part of life. Don't believe breeders who claim to breed for "dry-mouthed" dogs.

Kuvasz

Breed Group: Working Height: 26 to 30 inches at the shoulder Weight: 70 to 115 pounds Life Span: 8 to 10 years The ______ is a livestock guardian breed from Hungary. The ______ makes an excellent watchdog and guardian, but he's not much of a playmate for children. His coat sheds heavily. The muscular and agile ______ is large and sturdy with a white double coat, dark-brown almond-shaped eyes, drop ears that fall into a V-shape, and a long, furry tail.

Black Russian Terrier

Breed Group: Working Height: 26 to 30 inches at the shoulder Weight: 80 to 145 pounds Life Span: 10 to 11 years The ______ is a guard dog who is devoted to his family. Bred to be suspicious of strangers, he needs training to discriminate between situations that call for protective action and those that don't. The _________'s coat is slightly to moderately wavy. The hair on the head falls over the eyes and on the face forms a mustache and beard. The coat is trimmed to achieve the dog's distinctive look. Basic black is this breed's fashion statement. His double coat -- which can be one and a half to six inches long -- comes only in black or black with a few gray hairs scattered throughout.

Great Dane

Breed Group: Working Height: min 28in (F) & min 30in (M) at the shoulder Weight: 110 to 190 pounds Life Span: 7 to 10 years The ______'s size attracts attention and offers instant protection -- no one will guess what a sweetheart he is on the inside. The ______ is a real family companion. He wants to share the couch and help you watch TV. The ______'s height and weight place him among the largest breeds. Only the Irish Wolfhound is taller, and a few Mastiffs may outweigh him. Teach puppies never to jump on people. This giant breed is apartment-friendly because of his quiet, inactive nature, but before you move him into a place with stairs, think about how you would get him in and out if he were injured or ill and couldn't manage them on his own. The ______'s coat colors include brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin (white with black patches) and mantle (black and white with a solid black "blanket" over the body). The ______ is easy to groom, but he does shed. He also drools, so get in the habit of carrying a hand towel to wipe up slobber. ______s are flatulent, but they give you someone to blame your own emissions on.

Alaskan Malamute

Breed Group: Working Ideal size: Males - 25 inches tall at the shoulder and 85 pounds; Females - 23 inches tall at the shoulder and 75 pound Life Span: 12 to 15 years The ______ is a freighting dog, built to pull heavy loads for long distances. He is highly athletic with a well muscled body, deep chest, strong legs and a plume of a tail that waves over his back. An _____'s head is broad with prick ears and dark-brown eyes. He has distinctive markings: a cap over the head and a face that is either all white or marked with a bar or mask. The coat comes in several colors, including white (the only solid color allowed), and gray, black, sable and red, all with white on the belly, legs, feet and face.

Parson Russell Terrier

Height: 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder Weight: 13-17 pounds Life span: 13 - 15 years The ______ is a breed of small white terrier that was the original Fox Terrier of the 18th century. The breed is named after the person credited with the creation of this type of dog, the Reverend John "Jack" Russell.

Russell Terrier

Life span: 13 - 16 years Weight: 14 - 18 lbs Height: 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder Temperament: Vocal, Athletic, Energetic, Stubborn, Fearless, Intelligent Colors: White, White & Tan, Black & White

Wire Fox Terrier

Should not exceed 15½ inches tall at the shoulder and 18 pounds

Smooth Fox Terrier

Should not exceed 15½ inches tall at the shoulder and 18 pounds Life span: 12 - 15 years Temperament: Playful, Alert, Fearless, Active, Intelligent, Affectionate Weight: Female: 13-18 lbs, Male: 15-20 lbs Height: Female: 13-15 inches, Male: 14-16 inches Colors: White, White & Tan, Tri-color, Black & White