AKA: Flatcoat, Flattie, Flatte (Sweden)

Description: The Flat-Coated Retriever is a sporting breed that has a medium-length thick coat. It has a long head with a wide muzzle and a slight stop. The nose is black or liver, with respect to its coat color. The ears are hanging flat against its head. The eyes are a dark brown or hazel, and the teeth meet in a scissors bite. The body consists of a deep chest and a squarely strong short back. The tail is normally hung low, but can be raised when the Flat-Coated Retriever is excited or alert.

Dynamics: The Flat-Coated Retriever has a stable, calm, and friendly temperament. It is sweet and playful, gentle and cheerful. It is excellent with children and welcomes guests with affection. It also gets along with other dogs and pets. It is very sociable.

It is also an intelligent breed, and is easy to train. Its playful and active nature may make the Flat-Coated Retriever easily bored though, so the training sessions has to be short and fun. The Flat-Coated Retriever is an excellent bird dog and swimmer, and has an excellent sense of smell.

Breed Group: Gundog, Sporting

Weight: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg.)

Height: 22-23 inches (56-58 cm.)

Color: The Flat-Coated Retriever is solidly either black or liver colored.

Country of Origin: The Flat-Coated Retriever originated in the United Kingdom. It was bred from crossing established breeds such as the Irish Setter, Labrador, Water Dog, St.John’s Newfoundland, and (not certain) a Collie.

Activities: The Flat-Coated Retriever loves action and lots of play. It loves the chance to hunt and swim. The Flat-Coated Retriever is also great in retrieving, hunting, tracking, watchdogging, and agility.

Grooming: Brushing and combing the coat once a week is enough to groom the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Other Info: The Flat-Coated Retriever has an average life expectancy of 10 years. Health issues include cancer (common in this breed), hip dysplasia, PRA, CHD, epilepsy, and diabetes. The Flat-Coated Retriever is not recommended to live in an apartment. It prefers to be in a place where it can live inside and play outside.

Photo: Gunnandreassen

AKA: Suomenpystykorva, Finsk Spets, Loulou Finnoi

Description: The Finnish Spitz looks like a fox, with its pointed muzzle and perked ears. The ears are set high on its head, pointed and openly facing forward. The breed also has a black nose, black lips, and dark almond-shaped eyes. The jaws meet in a scissors bite.

The Finnish Spitz’ body is squarely proportional and has a thick coat, with medium-length hair that makes the breed look a little puffy and feathery. The chest is deep and the tail is carried curled on it back.

Dynamics: The Finnish Spitz is a lively breed with a friendly temperament. It is playful and seeks constant attention and affection. It is also brave and protective of its family. It gets along well with the other family members and the children. It can have problems with other dogs, though, and will try to dominate them. It can also be cautious and reserved with strangers.

The Finnish Spitz can be willful. It is loyal to its owner but may question its owners orders sometimes. Training it requires patience and consistency. The Finnish Spitz is also known for its bark; it is known as the “barking bird dog” in Finland.

Breed Group: Hounds, Northern, Non-sporting

Weight: 31-35 pounds (14-16 kg)

Height: 15-20 inches (38-51 cm)

Color: The Finnish Spitz pup comes out in a dark grey, black, brown, or fawn color. As it grows the coat lightens and becomes either a golder red or a yellowish-red. The shade can range from a pale honey to a dark chestnut. Small white markings is allowed.

Country of Origin: The Finnish Spitz was brought from Central Russia to Finland, where it was bred and popularized. It is the national dog of Finland.

Activities: The Finnish Spitz needs plenty of exercise to accommodate its huge amount of stamina. It makes a good watchdog and guard dog, can be used in hunting, and is a great family companion.

Grooming: The Finnish Spitz has a self-cleaning coat so it will be enough to groom it with just regular brushing and combing.

Other Info: The Finnish Spitz has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. It is a healthy breed. Common dog breed health issues like hip dysplasia and PRA are not common for this breed. The Finnish Spitz can live in the city and in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. It prefers cool climates.

Photo: Sannse

AKA: British Bulldog, Bulldog
Description: English Bulldog has an athletic build and square body shaped,appearing to be a very strong and muscular breed even though their short. They have a distinguished face like their body, with a muzzle that is tight and short too. Their lower jaw is noticeably longer than its nose and upper jaw and lips is flabby hanging low towards their lower jaw. Eyes are dark,well set and round, they have a noticeable cheeks in both front and side view. Their ears are small, thin and very close to head just like a rose form and they are known to have a so called “wrinkles”, a folded skin on their forehead. They have thin,glossy and even coat.

Temperament: This breed is an ideal human companion. They are a very affectionate and faithful in nature, always seek attention to their owner that is why they hate to be left alone. They are very smart, intelligent dog and needs to be trained properly especially when dealing with other pets or people around them, because they could also be aggressive at times and has an attitude of being a bossy type. Training them with good manners and proper socialization is very important while they are still on their younger age.

Moreover, They too could be a good guard dog to their family. They have certain approach to let their owner know or be alert with some suspicious stranger. Good for children since English bulldog loves to play with them. But not ideal for children who is fund of having a strenuous running activity everyday.
Activity: Daily walk and exercise is required of them. They always enjoy a joy ride in a car with their owner.

Health: When it comes to health, they are prone to digestive and breathing problems. This breed could easily be exposed to heat stroke causing a problem with their heart. Proper care is much needed for them. Life span is about 8 years.

Grooming: They are just an average shedder so they don’t require heavy grooming. A simple daily brushing will do good and bathe them only when necessary. Keep an eye of thei face always wipe with wet cloth on their wrinkled face. To cleanse dirt hiding inside their folded skin.

Breed Group: Mastiff
Color: red, fawn, brindle, pale yellow or washed-out red, or white or a combination of the colors mentioned.
Height: about 12-16 inches (31-40 cm.)
Weight: Dogs 53-55 pounds (24-25kg.) Bitches 49-51 pounds (22-23kg.)
Country Of Origin: Great Britain

Dynamics: A very faithful to their owner kind of breed, calm loves to play with children but could also be aggressive sometimes. Socialization training is also important for them.

AKA: Norsk Elghund Sort (Black Norwegian Elkhound), Norsk Elghund Gra (Gray Norwegian Elkhound)
Description: Elkhound breed is a born hunter. They have the looks of wolf, comes in two different types: The gray Elkhound and black Elkhound,their tails are curled and snouts are very much distinguished. Their body is dense and short but has a strong built with muscular neck, deep chest and straight back. Their head is broad with a flat skull with strong jaws and long muzzle. Ears are set erect and is firm and tips pointed. The color of their eyes is dark brown. Their coat come in varieties with the color of gray, longest hair have shades of gray and light color on their chest,legs and tummy.

Temperament: Most of them posses the character of that of a spits and hound breeds as well. Elkhound is calm, friendly and could also be a pet dog, but they a fearless dog they could be a good guard and adventurous dog since they are a hunter by origin. When it comes to strangers, they can be aloof or reserve. They could also be good with children since they love to play but at times, they can be dominant. With their owners, they are very affectionate and loyal. They could protect the house of their owner and family as well. When alarmed, they could bark aloud in a very sharp tone that makes them a perfect guard dog. This breed is an intelligent and independent dog yet they could also be burly.

Activity: They are an energetic dog that is used to some forceful activities. They too are required for a daily long walk and brisk walking and jogging to keep them fit and maintain their energy level.

Health: They could suffer from hip dysphasia, pyotraumatic dermatitis and PRA. And sometimes could have Fanconi Syndrome. Their life span is about 12-15 years.

Grooming: They are a heavy shedder so it is always important to brush their hair and take away excess hair to prevent tangles. Bathe them only when necessary to avoid dryness of their skin.

Breed Group: Northern,  Hound
Color: Comes in Black or Gray
Height: Height: Dogs 19-21 inches (48-53 cm.) Bitches 18-20 inches (46-51 cm.)
Weight: Dogs 50-60 pounds (23-27 kg.) Bitches 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg.)
Country Of Origin: Norway

Dynamics: Elhounds are a calm, playful, adventurous and intelligent dog but sometimes could be a brat and dominant. The best guard dog and would always protect its owner.

AKA: Lapinkoira, Suomenlapinkoira

Description: The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog that belongs to the Spitz family. It has a strong built, the body longer than its height, powerful and compact. The back is straight, the front legs are straight while the hind legs are bent, and the paws are catlike. Its coat is thick with hair, covering the neck and body, with feathery frills in the abdomen, and behind the legs. The tail is also covered with long hair, and is carried curved over the back.

The head is triangular, although its ruff of hair around the face and neck makes it seem as if the face is round. The nose is black and the eyes are huge and slightly almond-shaped. There is usually a light-colored ring of hair around the eyes. The ears are set high on the head and are triangular. Its teeth forms a scissors bite.

Dynamics: The Finnish Lapphund is an intelligent breed, as can be detected from their observant gaze and serious expression. It is observant and alert, and makes a very good watchdog. It barks at things it thinks are suspicious. It has a friendly temperament, and is an active breed. It is a great companion, especially when outdoors. It get along well with children, gentle with them and with people they can see that needs tenderness like the disabled and the elderly.

Breed Group: Working, Pastoral, Northern

Weight: average weight is 17-19kg, but the breed has a weight range of 15-24kg

Height: males 46-52 cm, females 41-47 cm

Color: The coat of the Finnish Lapphund can come in any color, with a single color dominating. The most common colors for this breed are white, black, red, brown, sable, and wolf-sable. The combination of black and tan is very common.

Country of Origin: The Finnish Lapphund originated in Finland, where it was raised by the Sami people.

Activities: The Finnish Lapphund was traditionally used as a reindeer herder, but is now also used as a watch dog, in obedience competitions, agility, herding trials, pet therapy, and as a family companion.

Grooming: The coat of the Finnish Lapphund only requires a modest amount of maintenance. Combing and brushing at least once a week is needed to remove dead hairs.

Other Info: The Finnish Lapphund has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. There are those that can live up to 16-17 years. It is a naturally healthy breed. Hip dysplasia is not common for this breed. But it is prone to medical issues like GPRA (General Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and hereditary cataracts.

Photo: Apdevries