AKA: Flanders Cattle Dog, Vlaamse Koehend

Description: The Bouvier des Flandres is a massive and heavily-coated dog that has a thick beard and mustache. It also has shaggy eyebrows that add to its distinctive appearance. It has a black nose, dark brown oval-shaped eyes, and teeth that form a scissors bite. Its ears stand erect, triangular in shape, and may be cropped.

The Bouvier des Flandres has a proportionately square body. It has a broad and deep chest, and the tail is docked. The legs are muscular, with the front legs perfectly straight.

Dynamics: The Bouvier des Flanders is a gentle-mannered and calm dog. It is obedient and can be trained easily. It is intelligent enough to learn commands quickly, but the training has to be consistent, balanced, and firm. The Bouvier also needs to be clear on who the master is to avoid dominance problems.

The Bouvier is excellent with children, and can get along well with other household pets is socialized at an early age. Socialization is important to prevent over-protectiveness or shyness in the breed. The Bouvier is sometimes suspicious and reserved with strangers. But generally, it is a lively, enthusiastic, and responsible dog.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 75-90 lbs (34-41 kg), females 60-80 lbs (27-36 kg)

Height: males 23-28 inches (58-71 cm), females 22-27 inches (56-69 cm)

Color: The coat of the Bouvier des Flandres comes in black, fawn, blonde, gray, or brindle. Some may have a white marking on the chest.

Country of Origin: The Bouvier des Flandres comes from Belgium, where it was bred from a cross between the Griffon and the Beauceron.

Activities: The Bouvier des Flandres has an average demand for exercise. A daily walk and exercises would be sufficient for it to remain healthy and active. The Bouvier des Flandres is currently used as a watchdog and guard dog as well as a tracking dog. It is also being used as a guide for the blind, in search and rescue, police work, military work, carting, competitions, and schutzhund.

Grooming: The Bouvier des Flandres’ coat requires some attention when it comes to grooming. The coat has to be brushed regularly. Bathe or dry shampoo only when needed. Excess hair inside the ears and between the pads of the feet should be removed or trimmed. The coat needs to be trimmed at least three times a year.

Other Info: The Bouvier des Flandres has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. It is a healthy breed and is accustomed to harsh conditions. It is still prone to some health conditions though, such as hip dysplasia and eye problems. The Bouvier des Flandres will do well in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors from time to time and sufficiently exercised.

AKA: Russian Wolfhound, Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya, Psowaya Barsaya, Barzoi, Psovoi

Description: The Borzoi is a tall dog that has an aristocratic appearance because of its height and its long narrow head. It has a slightly arched muzzle, black nose, and dark oblong eyes. Its ears normally lie back on its neck. The back of the Borzoi is naturally and gracefully curved. It has a narrow chest and there is a heavy mane of hair on the neck. The tail is long and curved, hanging low. The coat of the Borzoi consists of long silky hair that can be wavy or with large curls.

Dynamics: The Borzoi is an intelligent and proud breed. It can be trained and it can be very loyal to its family. But it is also a very independent dog, and does not bend easily to please people. Training the Borzoi should be based on mutual respect. Once the Borzoi trusts you and sees you as a friend, it will become sweet and affectionate with you.

The Borzoi is a serious and quiet dog. It can keep itself clean like a cat, and, while getting along fairly well with children, values its rest and does not take into rough play sessions. The Borzoi is by nature a hunting breed so it has to be watched carefully lest it runs off to chase other animals. It is very fast and has little territorial instinct. It cannot be trusted with small animals and non-canine pets. This breed also needs to be socialized well at an early age.

Breed Group: Hounds, Sighthound and Pariah

Weight: males 75-105 lbs (34-48 kg), females 60-90 lbs (27-41 kg)

Height: males at least 28 inches (71 cm), females at least 26 inches (66 cm)

Color: The coat color of the Borzoi can be white, golden, tan or gray with black markings, either solid or mixed.

Country of Origin: The Borzoi originated in Russia, although it is thought to have been brought there from Arabia. Its popularity spread throughout Europe when Queen Victoria came to own one.

Grooming: The Borzoi has a long silky coat but it is actually easy to groom. Regular brushing is enough. Bathing isn’t required, but dry shampoo may be necessary occasionally. Clip the hair between the toes to make it comfortable for the Borzoi.

Activities: The Borzoi needs plenty of exercise and some time to run around off the leash. Aside from hunting, the Borzoi’s talents include sighting and lure coursing.

Other Info: The Borzoi has a life expectancy of about 10-12 years. This breed is sensitive to drugs and is picky about its meals. It is prone to bloat. Avoid exercises after its meals. The Borzoi will do well in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors and exercised sufficiently. Keep the dog in a least most often because it might run off suddenly when it finds something interesting to chase after.

AKA: Serra de Aires Mountain dog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog, Portuguese Sheepdog, Monkey Dog
Description: This Breed possess good looks with beautiful coat. They are medium in size that has regularly long body. A very alert and devoted breed especially when it comes to the one that is being entrusted to him. Their looks and attitude could be compared to that of a monkey that is why in their region, they are being known as “the monkey dog”. They have round, strong and broad head with dark,round and leveled to head eyes that has a sparkling expression. Nose that are slightly raised and well shaped. Muzzle is in a cylinder form,slightly hallow and straight. Their lips are thin and very well shaped,not overlapping with a solid white teeth. Ears are hanging without any folds and high. Body slightly sloping with straight back and well let down chest, well muscled shoulders and dark feet with long toes and round. The hair is very long but does not cover its eyes, medium wavy and smooth.

Temperament: They are very alert, energetic and most of all loyal to their owners. This breed is the most devoted among sheep dog breeds. Considered as a lively dog and high spirited and loves to work. But they also require much training to help them develop good traits. Or else they could also be stubborn if there would be no sufficient training.

Activity: They enjoy long walks for exercise with their family as they used to do while tending flocks with their ancestors. Also a regular exercise is required for them to be more healthy and active. And puppies needed socialization to be familiarize with other people and their fellow dogs.

Grooming: For this breed, no heavy grooming is required, but only once a week of brushing is needed.

Health Problems: no mentioned specific health problems for this breed. Life expectancy is about 12-13 years.

Breed Group: Herding
Color: yellow-red chestnut, gray, fawn, wolf, or black
Height: 16-22 inches (41-56 cm.)
Weight: 26-40 pounds (12-18 kg.)
Country Of Origin: Portugal

Dynamics: Cao da Serra de Aires breed is an active working dog that can be trusted by its owner. They are an intelligent breed, easy to train. They are also friendly but it neers to be socialize earlier while they are still on their puppy stage.

AKA: Estrela Mountain Dog, Serra da estrela Mountain Dog
Description: The Cao da Serra da Estrela may be considered as one of the oldest beeds of the Iberian Peninsula. This breed has two types of coat. The Short coat which is thick, dense and a portion of rough but not harsh and that its feathering is proportion. Another type is Long coat with thick and a portion of rough but not hard outer coat, it is flat and not curly also dense and has a lighter color compared to its outer coat. With hair on its head is short and diminishing in length from the ears to the tip and on its neck and chest the hair is thick especially in males. And from their thighs, through its tail is very much feathered and has smooth hair on their front legs. Feet are oval with thick and hard pads tightly closed toes with dark black nails. They have muscular thighs and loin with short back and chest broad and deep. Also, they have long broad head and muzzle moderately tapered and has large black nose with well opened nostrils. Has a well developed jaws, black tightly closed lips. Their eyes are deep,oval shaped,medium in size that expresses a calm and intelligent look. Ears are triangular in shape, small with rounded tips and had strong teeth in scissor bite.

Temperament: They are a very alert breed with a calm expression. But they could also impose a threatening look to strangers thus he could be a good protector to his owner. They are the breed to fight wolves to protect the sheep. But they are also very loyal to their master ad very trainable, an intelligent breed.

Activity: They are not recommended for apartment life because they are born to protect the sheep pf their master that is why they are very alert and always walk to watch over and be the protector.

Breed Group: Flock Guardian
Color: The only admitted colors are : fawn, wolfgray and yellow, either self-colored or with white markings.
Height: Height: Male: 25 ½ – 28 ½ inches (65-72 cm.) Female: 24 ½ – 27 inches (62-68 cm.)
Weight: Males: 40-50kg Females: 30-40kg
Country Of Origin: North of Portugal

Dynamics: When outside their territory, the Estrela Mountain Dog is calm yet very alert always. An Intelligent dog easy to train and obedient to their masters.

Description: The Border Terrier is a small terrier with a wiry coat, dark eyes, black nose, and small V-shaped ears. It has a short muzzle, and its jaws meet in a scissors bite. Its tail is short and is tapering, with a thick base. The tail is carried level with the back unless the Border Terrier moves it.

Dynamics: The Border Terrier is a lively and gentle dog. It is loyal and eager to please, which makes it easy to train. Its affectionate manner makes it excellent with children and unaggressive. It may grow up to be timid if not properly socialized since puppyhood.

The Border Terrier is a bold hunter. It likes to dig and wiggle their way in and out of holes. This breed generally gets along with other dogs, but is not to be trusted with hamsters, rabbits, rats, or birds. The Border Terrier needs to be attended to most of the time because it gets restless when left alone.

Breed Group: Terrier

Weight: males 13-16 lbs (6-7 kg), females 11-14 lbs (5-6 kg)

Height: males 13-16 inches (33-41 cm), females 11-14 inches (28-36 cm)

Color: The coat of the Border Terrier can be red, blue and tan, tan, and grizzle and tan. White hair on the chest is okay, but white hair on the feet is not acceptable.

Country of Origin: The Border Terrier originates in the Cheviot Hills near the English and Scottish border. It was bred to help drive foxes away from the farms.

Grooming: In grooming the Border Terrier, brushing the coat weekly and having professional grooming twice a year is enough. Bathe the dog only when necessary.

Activities: The Border Terrier needs lot of exercise to cope up with its huge amount of stamina. This breed is known to hunt down fox, marten, otter, and badger. Other talents include tracking, watchdogging, agility, and competitions and performances.

Other Info: The Border Terrier has a life expectancy of 15 or more years. It is prone to CECS (Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome) or “Spike’s Disease”, which is a canine health problem common in Border Terriers. This breed doesn’t exhibit any pain even when it is seriously ill so the owner must pay close attention always. The Border Terrier will get along fine in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors from time to time and exercised.