The Saint Bernard: The Rescue Dog

Minnie and Boone

Everyone knows that the Saint Bernard was originally used to hunt and rescue travelers stuck under feet of snow, created from avalanches and snowfall. The breed now uses his strength and determination for contests and trials. These trials range from conformation and obedience competitions and even cart pulling and weight pulling. They are powerful, their bones and build of course acknowledge this. But even so, their temperament ranges from comforting to gentle giants, somewhat like the Newfoundland (stated earlier in my blog).

The breed of the Saint Bernard was bred from a dog that was located in the Swiss countryside. The original make of the breed was shorthaired, and was introduced as a guard dog, a carting dog and even that well-known figure of an avalanche rescue dog.

Their coats can be long or short haired now, ranging in colors of deep brown to brown-yellow. Their white markings are always going to appear on their large overweight coats too, which complements the brown. They shed regularly too so usual and almost daily grooming is a must for this breed. Once the time is right, they will shed their coats; but with the right grooming and brushing daily, the hair won’t be as thick on your couch!

Boone and Minnie

I have a friend who owns three Saint Bernards! They don’t look at any other breed, primarily based on the fact that they are the gentle giants who are also really good guard dogs. Having three can be a hassle though because the dog can get up to 27 inches tall at full grown size! Not to mention the weight that can range between 130-180 pounds! That’s not all, like the Newfoundland, these dogs are permanent droolers. So if you think you can find a Saint with a dry mouth, well there is no such thing so make sure that you know you are going to be dealing with a lot of drool!

You might be interested in this breed, for their prime good behavior and their lovable features. Not to mention their awesome guard dog attributes. If you are hoping this is a good dog for your family, you might be in luck. Their awesome temperament and cuddling traits, these dogs make great family companions. With obedience training and daily exercise, they can become that perfect family dog. Although, an apartment will be quite small for this type of dog, so if you live in the suburbs or the countryside, maybe you can make a really nice home for a huge dog like this!

Once again, here’s another video from Animal Planet’s TV show “Dogs 101″ that talks more about the Saint Bernard. Enjoy!

The German Shepherd: The Police Dog

Sandy

The German Shepherd is mostly noted for its work with the police force, and is capable of being one of the top security or guard dogs ever. Although you think they can do so much work with not just your family or the police or even military force, they can be more than just that type of dog.

According to the AKC Registration Statistics, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds! Because they can be such great guard dogs, they can also be seen as a perfect family dog. They are also used as herder dogs, and even a show competitor. Their bodies are strong, husky and they are smart, skillful and determined to get their job done, and get it done right! They can come in most colors, but are usually the most popular which is black and tan.

Shilo

They originated from Karlsruhe, Germany, in 1899, so it’s obvious you can see the skilled dog being a part of some old history. Since their birth, they have been top herding dogs, and even a part of the movie business. Movies like, “Rin-tin-tin” and “Strongheart” are both movies that incorporate this breed. The movies helped the dog reach its popularity level, and so its history grew.

I own two dogs that are mixed with a German Shepherd. Even if the two aren’t necessarily pure bred Shepherds, they exhibit many of the same traits as a pure bred would. For example, my oldest and most faithful mix, Sandy (pictured at the top), is very dedicated to our family and acknowledges that she is our guard dog. She is careful about strangers, approaches them with a fearless expression, and once happy about them, moves on. On the other hand, our younger mix, Shilo, shares the playful side of a German Shepherd, because she is a bit more playful. Even if she is more playful, she also loves to be outside, watching and waiting for anyone to come between us. Shilo shows how protective she is, especially with my younger sister, Amy. She sleeps in Amy’s bedroom and if you were to even open the bedroom door she would be waiting for whoever was coming in, just in case she had to get more cautious.

Sandy

You’re wondering if this dog is right for you and your family, and with my own life with my own Shepherds put into perspective, I think you would find yourself very happy with a German Shepherd in your life. They may be careful and cautious with strangers, but they can become a very faithful dog. They are loyal to their families and owners, and take in mind the guard dog that they are with every situation. They are energetic, fun-loving, and they are fond of children. They establish a good bond with them and will stick with them for as long as they can. A guard dog, a smart dog, a strong dog… they are one awesome family dog.

As usual, below is a video courtesy of YouTube member camTRON87, of Animal Planet’s “Dogs 101″ show which features the German Shepherd. Enjoy!

The Wire Fox Terrier: The Hunter

 

Nora

The Wire Fox Terrier is your typical Terrier. It has a drive unlike any dog, a determination and devotion to its family, job, and own life! It feeds off of power and its readiness to strive for only the best. This dog is incredible; excelling at everything it is handed and bred to do.

The Wire Fox Terrier has a keen expression; it can spring into action whenever it needs to. It is active like any other Terrier, playful and ready for a job. They are highly trainable dogs, which allows one to train them obedience agility and any other test the terrier is capable of.

Lupe

Their coats are pretty manageable. They are usually and predominately white colored, with black or tan markings. Their coats are wiry and dense, the coat which makes up their name! They were in the same category as the Smooth Fox Terrier, but they were separated in 1984. So this is somewhat of a new breed. They descended from the black and tan Terrier, like most Terriers do. The Wire Fox Terrier was developed from the British Isles in the 17^th century, and they were primarily bred to, as they say, “go to ground”. They would dig endlessly looking for vermin and other small game in their dens.

The Wire Fox Terriers at the kennels are extremely playful and active. You could let one out and they would go running; as far as they could go, and never tire out. They would love to hang around the other dogs but definitely liked to be independent at times and would wander off on their own, looking for a job to do.

Puppy

As for figuring if this dog is right for you and your family, well take a wild guess! The dog is, as stated above, highly trainable. Which means you won’t be wasting your time on a stubborn dog. They like to do jobs, specific to their breeds, so an active lifestyle is a must. They love their families and are very responsive to them; making sure they are safe is a priority. They are a good type of watch dog because they are playful, active and fun, but can be bold with other people, without being aggressive. Their playful nature and love for children is great for a family’s needs.

The dog at the top is Nora, one of the female Wire Fox Terriers at the kennel. The second picture is of Lupe, one of Nora’s puppies, and the last photo is of another Wire Fox Terrier puppy of Nora’s. Below is a video, courtesy of YouTube member ledwatch, of a Wire Fox Terrier named Basil and what he does after getting a bath (pretty cute!). If you visit ledwatch’s channel on YouTube, there are more videos of Basil and his friend Ashton, a Schnauzer. Enjoy!

The Cairn Terrier: The Toto

The Wizard of Oz - Toto

A hardworking, sturdy little dog, the Cairn terrier is mostly known for their aid to farmers in getting rid of pests on their farms. Nowadays, they are mostly used for contests in agility or obedience, and excelling in terrier and tracking trials. They can also be really great actors! Toto from The Wizard of Oz is a Cairn terrier. There are actually people who train these types of dogs to be good acting dogs, because they are so determined and can be very trained and obedient with patience and care.

Their little size and determined attitude makes these terriers nice companions. They are very assertive dogs and are very alert, and with all of their hard work their coats are weather-resistant. The weather-resistant outer coat can be virtually any color except for white. (Leave that up to the West Highland terrier!) They have somewhat of a bushy face with hair pointing in all directions and it gives them a slight look of a fox.

Mickey

The Cairn originated from Scotland, and was initially grouped with the “Skye terriers”. Their name, Cairn, reflects the rock dens that fox and badgers lived in throughout the countryside of Scotland. What the terrier would do is go into these dens, and bark once the pest was found and would bark until the farmer came to take care of it.

At the kennels, the Cairn stays separate from the rest of the dogs. Mickey is generally a quiet dog but when the others start to play she wants to join in on the fun if she feels like it. She’ll stay in the back and doesn’t mind watching from afar but loves to get attention when she can. The Cairn is a hard worker though and anyone could see the sturdiness of the dog if they just looked at her!

Anberlin

Cairn terriers are well adaptive to the elderly and I know this from experience. I got a Cairn terrier puppy from one of Mickey’s litters and named her Anberlin. I loved her to death because she was so sweet and loyal but was playful and would play fetch with me. Once college started though, I wasn’t home that often to see her or my family. When I came back, I realized that Anberlin had become completely devoted to my grandmother and as soon as she was let in from outside she would immediately go into my grandmother’s bedroom and sleep with her on her bed. Now everytime I come back for a visit, or when I talk to my grandmother over the phone, she doesn’t stop talking about Anberlin. She once told me that she would never like an “ankle-biter” dog, but now she is in love with Anberlin and never stops talking about her, stating that, “she’s just so damn intelligent”.

Interested in adopting a Cairn into the family? It’s a nice family dog because they adore their families. They like to test their owner’s limits though and will need a lot of obedience training to fix that. Even if they learn quickly, they will always have the slightest instinct to chase and follow small animals and pests so be prepared for this trait. To keep them fit and happy, be sure to regularly exercise the dog and also brush their coats often to make sure they don’t get tangled. Being fit and happy makes the Cairn a real Toto!

As usual, the video below is a clip from Animal Planet’s “Dogs 101″ show, posted by JDACanimalblog (there’s some static in the sound), that gives some more information about the Cairn Terrier. Enjoy!

The West Highland Terrier: The Devoted One

Stitch

The West Highland White Terrier, or Westie for short,  is a strong-willed, powerful little dog with a determination and devotion no other terrier seems to exceed. The Westie is spunky, playful, fun and energetic in so many ways that somehow it can never run out of energy or love when they are with their families.

Their coats are bright and white and gleam, even if they are dirty from that day’s activities. The dog has a soft, dense undercoat and a rough overcoat, so brushing and grooming is a must to keep their fur and coat soft and bright. Their hair can become wiry and tangled if not properly groomed and it might become painful for them if it’s tangled all together. So there should be weekly grooming periods taking place if the Westie becomes a part of your family.

Chip

The dog originated from Scotland, and became known widely for its devoted personality and playful commitment to its family. They are strong-willed, and are faithful towards their masters, which makes them a great family dog. Happy with children, and anyone else for that matter, they are devoted to making the family happy.

Travel isn’t a problem with this type of dog either. They are quiet and small sized, so it’s easy and problem-free when it comes to traveling with them. Due to their great personality, they are perfectionist when it comes to obedience, and can even excel at AKC events such as agility or conformation. They are easy to train, handle, and are all around the perfect family dog.

Frosty

At the kennel I work at, they own one Westie named Frosty, but because the dog has such a big personality, the dog never fails to get attention. She likes to work like a Border Collie and is determined to be around and help out around the kennel. Even though she can get a bit dirty due to her playfulness, a quick clean-up is all she needs to come back to looking bright and white just like she should. These dogs are really great, especially for families looking for a dog with a huge personality and loveable disposition.

The picture at the top is of Stitch, which was one of Frosty’s puppies from a litter. The second picture is of Chip, one of my friend’s dogs and Stitch’s father. The third photo is of Frosty, the Westie that resides at the kennel and Stitch’s mother.

As usual, the video below is a clip from Animal Planet’s “Dogs 101″ show that gives some more information about the West Highland White Terrier. Enjoy!

The Border Collie: The Ranch Dog

Breeze

The Border Collie is a strong, skillful and powerful dog who’s only wish is to serve its master and do the job it has been given. The Collie is not only intelligent in the line of field work, but in most matters can be exceptional in any agility matters.

Their coat can be in most colors, varying with bi-color, tri-color, merle, sable, or solid patterns. It really depends on what you get in a litter. Their coats can be somewhat thick so trimming may be needed to maintain the knotting of the hair. They shed seasonally, and require a regular brushing. Between Scotland and England is where the Border Collie is from, hence their name they come from the border line between the two countries. They were maintained as shepherds, mostly allowing them to herd large flocks of sheep and other livestock. According to the AKC website, the breed has been around for over 100 years, herding many animals for decades.

The dog is energetic and assertive, and requires a large amount of exercise daily to reach its potential and expectations. Working with the breed at the kennels has given me much experience and education on their personality. To begin with, the single Border Collie at the kennel loved to romp around in the pasture with the family’s horse. If the horse wasn’t out, the dog would try to make sure that it could round up the dogs themselves, and would feel satisfied only if everything was under control.

Breeze

The Border Collie needs extensive exercise, not only just a walk in the park, but land to run around on. The family’s kennel is on the property size of 40 acres, so it gives not only the Border Collie but other dogs the chance to have that land to run around on. The Border Collie, if not herding, will also enjoy playing fetch and catching the Frisbee. They can jump up to several feet up into the air to catch a single item. This is all a part of their agility skill and interests. The energy of the dog needs to be taken into consideration when picking out the Border Collie.

Although the Border is a great family dog, they can be reserved and shy sometimes, especially around strangers. They are well behaved and able to live with children if they are slightly older, that way they can play a little more roughly. With that in mind, pick the Border Collie if only you are able to provide the dog with its personal needs and adaptations. You will be able to see the Border Collie prosper in its environment if the setting is just right.

Breeze

The three pictures in this post are of the Border Collie that lives at the kennel I work at. His name is Breeze and he is one of the sweetest dogs that reside there. Below is another clip from Animal Planet’s “Dogs 101″ show that gives some more information about Border Collies. Enjoy!

The Australian Shepherd: The Herder

Snoopy

The Australian Shepherd is a very intricate dog, who has an eye for detail and the way of life as a farm hand. They are very physical dogs, always ready for their next job or duty and ready to accomplish that duty in a quick, perfect speed. They originate from somewhere within the Pyrenees Mountains, between Spain and France, and the reason they are called the Australian Shepherd is due to their relationship with the Basque Shepherds who’s origins are from Australia. The shepherds are a lot alike and can be called Spanish Shepherds, Pastor Dogs, Bobtails, and even Blue-Heelers, because of their relationship with each other and the way the breeds are connected.

Their coats can be several different colors, like black and white with brown markings, red merle, blue merle and red with or without white markings (depending). Their coat needs a weekly brushing because they have a considerable amount of hair, which can tangle behind their ears and on their chest.

Snoopy

The Australian Shepherd is the most content when it has a job to do. If they are worked hard enough, given enough exercise, and feel that they have a sense of purpose within their owner’s lives, then they are the most complete. They can be family dogs but do need the exercise because they have a lot of energy to exert. They are incredibly smart, trained and reliable dogs and are perfect for the ranch living with all of the animals they can herd. Other than that, they have a loving personality and like to be a part of the family.

Snoopy

At the kennel I work at, there is a miniature Australian Shepherd, which is just a smaller size of the Australian Shepherd. Her name is Snoopy (seen in the photos above) and she is incredibly physical and will always be found playing with the other dogs and chasing the family’s horse. Snoopy enjoys being a part of her surroundings and loves getting involved and being a part of whatever is going on. Although she is small, she has the same personality and dog breed traits that a normal sized Australian Shepherd has and is able to herd the same size animals as well. They are not afraid of anything, as long as they are a part of it!

Once again, here’s a video from Animal Planet’s TV show “Dogs 101″ that talks more about the Australian Shepherd. Enjoy!

The Schipperke: The Little Captain

The Schipperke is an interesting breed of dog, but its personality is definitely worth getting to know! Originating from Belgium, the dog was bed down from a black sheep dog so it was able to go on Barges for ratting purposes. It was typically known as a watch dog, and the nickname it is usually given is “little captain”.

The Schipperke is small and looks almost like a black fox (without the tail!) The coat of the dog stands from its body, and is a strong characteristic of the breed. It’s little yet thick body shape allows it to run and manage agility and speed well. The breeds were mostly used to catch small animals, but this dog enjoys competing and being diligent with obedience.

Is the Schipperke right for you? I’ve worked with this breed before at the kennel I work for, and this dog has got some serious personality. They choose favorites, and because of that they will tend to stay around their masters or their selected owners. Even when they are little, it will be hard for them to eat or play without their selected masters next to them. It is an extremely active dog and loves to get itself involved with everything. They can be considered serious barkers if they aren’t trained differently, but they are very trainable dogs.

Perfect small dog in an apartment and any other sized home, they adapt well and quickly to their surroundings as long as they are exercised regularly. The coat of the dog only needs weekly brushing and the shedding isn’t as noticeable as it could be, but it does happen several times throughout the year. The Schipperke is a great watchdog, but maybe not a great family dog due to their favoritism.

The pictures in this post are of Baby, one of the Schipperkes that is at the kennel I work for. Her favorite person is my boss’s son, so you can always tell when he’s home by the way she’s acting. The video below is from zeppy215 on YouTube and it includes his cute Schipperke named Zeppy and his crazy personality. Enjoy!

The Golden Retriever: The Perfect Family Dog

Santana, Lizzy, Celeste, and Hailey

 They are loyal, companion dogs, sporting dogs, and a completely fascinating breed. They are incredible with children and love to play and if you just want them to sit there and just look pretty, well, they will. 

Santana and Lizzy

Golden Retrievers are beyond a companion dog. You can train them faster than some and are careful around kids, even if they have a playful appetite. Carefully considering that they are the particular well-known family dog, I mostly see families having them. They aren’t that big of dogs, at least not as large as a Newfoundland or Great Dane. Their golden coat sheds but with careful grooming and planning, one can get their dog back to normal without the horrid nightmares of a dog hair-covered couch cushion. They don’t drool, and they don’t make a mess. In a sense, they could be considered a perfect pet. Being loyal is their number one characteristic, so you can leave them in the same room as your kids without worry. They want to protect them as much as you do! 

Charlie!

Recently enough, my roommates and I received a Golden Retriever puppy through the kennel I work for. His name is Charlie (pictured above), and I can tell you from a very personal level how the Golden reacts to different settings. I live in an apartment with my roommates, and a lot of people consider the apartment setting too small; especially for a Golden. However, the Golden is a relatively quiet dog, and despite his size and weight, they act like smaller dogs. They are able to live in an apartment because they can adapt well to several different locations. Charlie represents this well due to the fact that with enough exercise and outside playtime, he won’t chew on anything bark at anyone or make messes. He’s still in training, but is definitely getting a hang of it. 

Santana

If you’re really looking for a good, loyal companion, one who is good for the whole family, a Golden can instantly retrieve your heart if you’ve been considering what type of dog to get for your family, and your life.

Here’s another video from Animal Planet’s TV show “Dogs 101″ that talks more about the Golden Retriever. Enjoy!

 

The Newfoundland: The Gentle Giant

The Newfoundland is an intelligent, hardworking dog. A “workhorse” they readily call them, the dog is incredibly strong, and possesses a fur made for icy waters. Looking into the dog’s origins, they use to help fishermen pull in nets during fishing periods and even helped power the blacksmith’s bellow. If you look closely enough, and inspect the huge paws of this massive beast of a dog, you will actually see something that will surprise you. 

At the seams of the toes of the dog, there is a webbing. Like a duck or a goose might have, in between the toes. The Newfoundland is known for it’s webbed feet, perfect for swimming especially when they were diving and fishing with their fishermen masters. The origins of the dog comes with it’s appearance, and the obedience it has is something worth the work. You are now wondering, is this dog good for a family? 

Of course their size is something to worry about when thinking about a family dog. The puppies grow large and quickly, some at 6 weeks being as big as a 8 or 9 week old golden retriever or lab. But what makes this breed so family oriented is its sweet temperament and attitude towards everything. They are powerful dogs, but their feelings are just as strong and they take children closely to them. The Newfoundland is more like a big sweetheart; a dog that might look big, mean and power hungry, but just your average gentle giant. If you like big dog breeds, definitely look into this breed if you are interested.

The picture at the top is of a couple of Newfoundland puppies that I took care of and the picture in the center is of Waldo, another Newfoundland that resides at the kennel. Below I’ve added a video of Animal Planet’s TV show “Dogs 101”, which is a clip of the Newfoundland segment for more information. Enjoy.