AKA: Moskovskaya Storodzevay Sobaka
Description: The Moscow Watchdog is a cross behtween St Bernard and Russian Spotted Hound breeds. They are a big sized breed and very heavy too. They are a muscular dog, strong but not graceless. A well developed breed. Coat is thick but just regular in length with a very long tail reaching the floor.

Temperament: A good companion dog and an excellent watchdog too. They are a genius dog and trained as watchdog. But a firm obedience training must be implemented to them. They have a very good temperament. The purpose of training them is to let them properly understand that they should obey their owner and a pack leader status. They must be trained to be aware that their owner will always lead their way.

Activity: They are required to have daily long walk,brisk walking and jog to gain more energy and burn excess fats since they are a heavy weight breed. But they must learn to heel beside their owner and not lead the way.

Health: In general, they are a healthy breed. Their life span is 5-11 years.

Grooming: They needed to be brushed regularly to remove dead hair. Bathe them only when necessary.

Breed Group: Mastiff
Color: red and white
Height: 25-27 inches (64-69 cm.)
Weight: 100-150 pounds (45-68 kg.)
Country Of Origin: Soviet Union

Dynamics: Moscow Watchdog is a very rare breed. Before they couldn’t be find in Soviet Union Union but later became famous in Europe through United States. And now was considered by the FCI to be on the second Molosser group and being shown to some dog shows in Russia, where they are fully recognized as breed.

Photo by Canarian

AKA: Mutt, Mixed Breed, Cross Breed, Mix Breed
Description: Mongrel comes in various size and shapes. They come in different breeds. So their appearance also varies.

Temperament: Their traits and characteristics will also depend as to what their parents do possess. It may be guard dog, herders, hunters or any combination of traits. As long as you know how to train them and deal with every traits they possess and what is important is you also know how to deal with them like in socialization trainings and teach them good manners and let them understand that you are their owner and leader.

Activity: Required to have daily exercise, walking, or jog to be more healthy and not develop bad behaviors.

Health: This varies depending on the breeds they came from. But usually they are more healthy compared to pure breed dogs.

Grooming: Also depends on their appearance and breed. But generally occasional brushing of hair and bathe when only necessary.

Breed Group: n/a
Color: this will depend on the breed they came from.
Height: also varies
Weight: varies on the breed of their parents.
Country Of Origin: dogs first originated in Eurasia

Dynamics: This Mixed breed dogs known as vira-lata in Brazil and Dominican Republic. There are some of them who doesn’t have an owner and only feeds in streets, or on trashcans. But they also have talent when it comes to sports like flyball, frisbee and many others.

Photo by Aaandy

Description: The Nebolish Mastiff is considered the most agile dog of the Mastiff breeds. Its body is muscular, structured with large bones. Its head is broad, its chest is wide, and its jaws form a scissors bite. Its coat is usually short or medium-length. But there are also Nebolish Mastiff dogs with long coats. Its body ends with a tail that can be docked.

Dynamics: The Nebolish Mastiff is a fearless, alert, and intelligent breed. It is known to be stubborn if it thinks that its owner cannot handle it well. Once a part of the family, however, it becomes a oyal and very protective companion. It brings about an air of dignity, and is good natured, patient, and even tempered. It can be playful with children and get along with them well. Socialization is important, of course, to void destructive behavior in the dog.

In training the Nebolish Mastiff, the owner has to achieve sort of pack leader status. He or she has to be dominant over the dog, otherwise the Nebolish Mastiff will belittle you and not follow you. It is intelligent this way. The training also has to be consistent and firm, with the line between the leader and the follower clear between the owner and the Nebolish Mastiff.

Breed Group: Mastiff, Working

Weight: 95-200 pounds (43-90 kg)

Height: 27-36 inches (79-90 cm)

Color: The coat of the Nebolish Mastiff can be either fawn or brindle, of any shade of the colors, including a rare silver. The coat can also have markings, although it is preferred that the dog not have any markings at all. The markings can be a black mask or any white markings on the body.

Country of Origin: The Nebolish Mastiff is one of the rarest breeds of the Mastiff types. The breed was developed in the Northwest and Canada, back in the late 1960s. There have been many reports on the exact breakdown of the breeding program of the Nebolish Mastiff, all still just claims and with no certainty.

Activities: The Nebolish Mastiff loves to run and swim, and so this dog should be taken out everyday for its daily delights. Walking everyday with a little play session can suffice for those owners who do not have much time on their hands. When walking out, the Nebolish Mastiff should be made to heel beside or behind the owner, as a sign that you are the leader and the dog should follow you. Otherwise, it will ignore you and take off on its own to have fun.

Grooming: Combing or brushing regularly is enough as a grooming routine for the Nebolish Mastiff. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Nebolish Mastiff has a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years. It is generally a very healthy breed, developed to be agile and free of genetic defects. This breed is not fit to live in an apartment, as it likes to explore and occasionally romp around. This breed loves warm climate, and loves the water.

Photo: Boxers of Whiteface Ranch

AKA: Mastino Napoletano, Italian Mastiff, Mastino, Italian Bulldog, Neo Mastiff

Description: The Neapolitan Mastiff is a powerful dog that looks intimidating and serious. It has a rectangularly proportional body, with a wrinkled face, a massive head, and a muscular limbs. Its wrinkles usually go from the face to the chin and continues to go down the neck, forming a prominent dewlap. The skull is broad, somehow emphasizing its intimidating look. Add to that that the Neapolitan Mastiff walks with a loose and cat-like gait.

The nose is black, and the jaws form a scissors bite. The ears can be cropped, and the Neapolitan Mastiff’s tail can be docked. But these are painful for the dog, and so many prefer the natural look of the breed. The eyes of the Neapolitan Mastiff is blue at first, at puppyhood, but as it grows darker as it grows up. They usually vary with the dog’s coat color.

Dynamics: It may have a vicious and intimidating appearance but the Neapolitan Mastiff is actually a calm and peaceful dog. When provoked or threatened, however, they become fearless and overprotective. It is a highly intelligent breed that is loyal and devoted of its owner or family. It is serious and quiet, but suspicious of strangers.

In owning the Neapoiltan Mastiff, one has to be dominant and show some leadership skills. The Neapolitan Mastiff is not for the meek people. It should be trained consistently and confidently, with you as a leader and the dog as an obedient companion. Socialization is also important for this breed, beginning at puppyhood. This breed gets along well with non-canine pets if socialized with them early on. It also does well with children but the children also has to know how to be dominant over the dog.

The Neapolitan Mastiff was once used for fighting, and so the breed has grown tolerant of pain. It is also a natural guard dog even without the necessary training. Excessive barking will not be a problem with the Neapolitan Mastiff as it is usually a calm animal.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: Up to 165 pounds (74 kg), but there have been cases where a male Neapolitan Mastiff went up to nearly 200 pounds (90 kg)

Height: males 26-30 inches (65-75 cm), females 24-28 inches (60-70 cm)

Color: The coat of the Neapolitan Mastiff can either be solid or brindle, and blue is the most common color. Black is also very common among the breed. A chocolate Neapolitan Mastiff is rare. There are dogs with a little white on the chest and toes and this is acceptable. However, there should be no white markings on the face.

Country of Origin: The Neapolitan Mastiff comes from directly from the line of the Roman Molossus, but it is commonly acknowledged that all European mastiffs descended from the Tibetan Mastiff. The first Asian mastiffs were said to have been brought to Greece by Alexander the Great, and then the Greeks introduced the dogs to the Romans. The Romans then trained and used the dogs in combat and fighting, and from the first of these dogs descended the Neapolitan Mastiff. It became a prominent breed of Italy in 1946.

Activities: The Neapolitan Mastiff, as a pup and in its growing up years, should be limited in its exercises and play sessions. This is to reserve their energy for healthy bones and muscles. When it becomes old enough, it will need a great deal of exercise and long walks.

Grooming: The coat of the Neapolitan Mastiff is short, and therefore easy to groom. Bathe only when necessary, and groom regularly with a rubber brush.

Other Info: The Neapolitan Mastiff has a life expectancy of up to 10 years. Its massive body make sit prone to physical ailments like hip dysplasia and pano-ostiosis (growing pains). It is also prone to the “cherry eye,” where the eye tissue protrudes too much and becomes irritated and inflamed. The Neapolitan Mastiff can live in an apartment as long as it is exercised everyday.

Photo: Lisa M. Herndon

AKA: Mioritic Shepherd Dog

Description: Mioritic Sheepdog is a breed that has large size head and its skull is broad. Their eyes are regular in size that is hazel or amber that is shaped in oval. Ears are like pendant clinging unto its face, with big black nose. Their body is rectangular in shape that is strong and powerful with muscles. Teeth are in scissors bite and chest and shoulders are broad. They have long feathered hair that is carried down. They have a fluffy hair usually have patches of black in it.

Temperament: They are considered an excellent guard dog but could also be god pet dog to its owner. They are very dependent of their owner, affectionate also with children. But they are very alert to suspicious strangers that would invade their homes. They are an alert dog and fearless that could always protect their homes from all suspicious attacks. They are a very observant to every move they might hear or sense. But they should also be trained well on pack leadership for them to be more familiar with the basic rules to treat their owners as their leader above them and that would always lead their way.

Activity: They are required to have daily exercise like daily walking and jog so they would have more energy and be healthy and also for them not develop bad behaviors.

Health: No known health issues for this breed. Their life span is about 12-14 years.

Grooming: Brushing their long coat would be best grooming for them. Bathe them only when necessary.

Breed Group: Flock Guard

Color: white, lightly cream or pale gray, and with patches

Height: Male: 27-29 inches (70-75 cm.) Female: 25-28 inches (65-70 cm.)

Weight: depending on their waist to be proportional.

Country of Origin: Romania

Dynamics: This kind of breed is famous in Romania and has a lot of fans. That is because they are an attractive dog with fluffy hair and color patches on their hair.

Photo by Summer06

AKA: n/a
Description: Mi-ki  dog bree is very petite dog and a perfect toy dog for all families. Their body is dense and solid. Head is small proportioned to their body. While ther are also an international breed of Mi-Ki that their head is round shaped. Muzzle is short that is long. Has good set of teeth. They have big, rounded dark eyes with medium sized nose that is flat on its top and nostrils is wide. They also have black nose others has brown too. And their ears will either be carried high or just down clinging to its ears and feathered. Feet are hairy and extended. Their tail is set high. They have two types of coat: the smooth coated Mi-Ki  that is soft to touch that has no mustache on their face while the long coated one has silky and straight and is feathering on it ears and may have mustache on face.

Temperament: The Mi-ki is a jolly, smart and sweet dog. They are loved by everybody. A must have pet dog. They are a very loving dog too, also alert and friendly to everyone. An admirable dog to be with. But they couldn’t be a good guard dog since they seldom bark. Top obedient and genius dog who always likes to be with people  and they also like to be with kids. They do possess traits of a cat like washing themselves. They are a sociable kind of breed and also loves to play around, climb and chasing toys. Their owner would not find any difficulties when training them. But owners should instill on their minds to that they are their pack leader so they won’t have a small dog syndrome that would later create behavioral problems.

Activity: The Mi-Ki is required to have daily walk and must heel beside their owner. So, owner must lead the way and the dog. Also, playing is one part of their exercise to help them gain more energy and to avoid behavioral problems.

Health: Those with short muzzles especially older ones may suffer respiratory problems. Their ears,eyes and toes must always be cleansed to avoid infections.

Grooming: To eliminate dead hair, wire comb is required especially for pets. Shave the neck ears, feet and head (from base to their skull) They are low shedding dog. Bathe them only when necessary.

Breed Group: Toy/companion
Color: Can be any color
Height: 10 – 11 inches (25-28 cm.)
Weight: up to 10 pounds (5 k g.)
Country Of Origin: USA

Dynamics: The Mi-ki has same ancestry of the Japanese Chin,Papillion and Maltese breeds. Their name Mi-Ki is pronounced as Mee-Key. They are an elegant dog that everyone would love to have. They are a perfect apartment dog they could live indoor as they behave well and very friendly to everyone. Also, they could adapt to any climate.

Photo by rarebreedmi-kidogs

AKA: NAID

Description: The Native American Indian Dog, or NAID for short, can be recognized by their two distinct color combinations. Its coat can either be short, two layers thick, or long, both with dense undercoat that is resistant to wind and water. It has resemblances of a wolf, and is said to be a mix of a Husky, Malamute, Chinook, German Shepherd,and other dogs from American Indian reserves. It is also often mistaken with the other kinds of Indian dogs.

The Native American Indian Dog has ears that are set upright a broad head that is angularly shaped. The muzzle is slender, and the almond-shaped eyes are either brown or amber. Its tail can either be tightly curled like that of the Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute, but a tail held down with a slight kink or bend in the end is most often preferred by breeders.

Dynamics: The Native American Indian Dog’s eyes reflects its intelligence really well, as this breed learns well and fast and is highly trainable. It is also very versatile and hardworking, as it was originally bred to work especially in pulling sleds and hunting game. In training the Native American Indian Dog, you have to adapt a leader-of-the-pack method with you as the leader and the dog as one of the pack that has to follow you.

The Native American Indian Dog is also very loyal and dedicated to its owners. They can be reserved when it comes to strangers though, which is why socialization is important beginning at puppyhood. This is also a sensitive breed that will not do well when treated harshly. A firm “no” is most often enough. This breed is also protective of its family, and can get along well with children and other animals.

Breed Group: Native American, not yet officially recognized by major kennel clubs

Weight: 55-120 pounds (25-55 kg)

Height: 23-34 inches (58-67 cm)

Color: The coat of the Native American Indian Dog can be in color combinations that ranges from silver to black, to the sacred color of the Native Americans who would refer to the breed’s broken pattern color s the “Spirit Dog.”

Country of Origin: The specific location of origin of the Native American Indian dog has brought out many claims pertaining to its history. But the most widely accepted idea is that the Native American Indian Dogs of the past travelled with the Native Americans along the North American continent, particularly the United States and Canada.

Activities: The Native American Indian needs a daily walk and moderate exercise. It was bred as working dog in the past, made to pull travois and sleds, hunt for game and food, and becoming beasts of burden until the horses came to the continent. It is only natural that this breed has the instinctive need to always be doing something. Otherwise it might get restless and destructive.

Grooming: The coat of the Native American Indian Dog needs only to be brushed during its shedding season, although bathing the dog may be necessary once in a while. This breed sheds only once a year in the spring season.

Other Info: The Native American Indian Dog has a life expectancy of 14 to 19 years. It has no known genetic faults but this doesn’t mean it will not suffer any of the common dog health issues like hip dysplasia or hearig problems. This breed is not suitable when living in an apartment as it likes to run and play at times. It also does not like do well with a “closed crate” training method. This breed prefers the outdoors, but will always be where their owners are.

Photo: iNewsCatcher

Description: The Lurcher is a crossbreed, and so there is no set standard for its appearance. This breed is mainly derived from sighthound crosses, and so most often it has the built of a sighthound — long and straight legs, deep chest that provides lung capacity for endurance, high set ears that are usually wire-haired, scissors bite jaws, and other characteristics of its sighthound ancestors.

The most common combinations of this crossbreed are the Greyhound/Collie mix and the Greyhound/Terrier mix. Its coat is most often short with a smooth undercoat which thickens in the winter. But depending on its ancestor, a Lurcher can also have a long coat. Some may even have rough coat like that of a terrier.

Dynamics: Even the Lurcher’s temperament varies according to how it was raised and from which breed it is descended from. But generally, the Lurcher is an affectionate and lovable dog, and has the temperament similar to that of a purebred sighthound. The Lurcher also has the strong hunting instincts of the sighthounds, as well as their physical abilities. The Lurcher is also endowed with great energy and can move smart and fast.

The Lurcher is also an intelligent and obedient dog, able to grasp commands fast. It is a very good companion dog, and loves to move and play around. Socialization is important, as it is with most dogs, and you should not ignore this dog so that the Lurcher will not develop destructive behavior.

Breed Group: Sighthound

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

Height: 27-30 inches (69-76 cm)

Color: The color of the Lurcher’s coat varies as it is a crossbreed. Its color will depend on its parents.

Country of Origin: The Lurcher was bred in Ireland and Great Britain to hunt rabbits, hare, and other small animals in the 1600s. It was mostly the Irish gypsies and tinkers who raise Lurchers, and they made pups as young as six months old work in hunting. Today a more systematic manner is carried out in breeding Lurchers.

Activities: The Lurcher has a lot of energy to spare that there is a need to tae it for a walk everyday. It should also be set free once in a while to play and run around in an open area. It likes to give chase to small game so the area should be free of passing cars and other dangers for the Lurcher to build upon its hunting instincts.

Grooming: Combing and brushing the coat regularly is enough in grooming the Lurcher. This is for both the short-coated and long-coated. Some Lurchers are constant shedders, and some are average shedders.

Other Info: The Lurcher has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, and is not suitable to live in the city or in a small apartment. It is a high-energy dog and needs to have a lot of room for play and exercise.

Photo: Oliver Low

AKA: Tepeizeuintli, Xoloitzcuintle, Xolo
Description: The Mexican Hairless dog could be in a miniature size or standard one. They come in two types the hairless and coated hairless. They have graceful body, ears like that of a bat, and eyes shaped like almond with long neck. They are very prominent because they are a hairless breed. But according to its variety, the coated one is covered with a flat compact coat that is short in length. The hairless type come in black nor blue in color Some do have hair on top of their head and this type also affect their dentition where they also have missing teeth.

Temperament: They are a very calm breed, but do require both socialization and obedience training because they also possess a working breed’s attitude with strong instrincts. They climb and jump and could be a trusted guard dog, that would not turn their back on fights. As early as possible they needed to be trained with good manners to be obedient and could easily adjust to its surroundings and the people around them.

Activity: They are required for a daily walk and puppies likes to play as their exercise. What is important especially for those hairless variety to get enough exercise for them to fight sickness and they should be protected from extreme weather. And exercise also would help them behave and not display behavioral problems.

Health: No known health issues except that hairless breeds should have an extra care especially protection against severe cold and during bad weather and extreme heat as well. Their life expectancy is from 15 to 20 years.

Grooming: Hairless ones is very easy to groom provided their skin should also be checked and need to apply lotion usually twice a month or once a month depending on their skin’s condition. And be sure to use a hypoallergenic product that is proper for their skin.

Breed Group: Southern
Color: from black to slate, gray, bronze, brindle, red, fawn, solid or spotted.
Height: Toy: Height 9-14 inches (23-36 cm.) tall at the shoulder, Miniature: Height 15-20 inches (38-51 cm.) tall at the shoulder, Height 20-30 inches (51-76 cm.) tall at the shoulder.
Weight: Toy: Weight 5-15 pounds (2.3-6.8 kg.), Miniature: Weight 15-30 pounds (6.8-14 kg.), Standard: Weight 25-40 pounds (11-18 kg.) and up to even 60 + pounds (27 kg.)
Country Of Origin: Mexico

Dynamics: Xolo Breed existed almost 3,500 years already. Native to Mexico. They are known as the sacred dog according to the Aztecs because they believe that masters’ soul needed them for their safety in underworld. That is the history behind of what is the belief about this breed and until today, Mexicans do have the great belief that this breed is for healing that is why some of the cultures eat their meat for healing purposes.

Photo by Vanzetti

AKA: Hollandse Tulphond, Dutch Tulip Hound
Description: Markiesje breed has a balanced body. They are very attractive, a head turner dog, especially their feathering and soft and shiny coat. Also, Their ears are long, a pendant like.

Temperament: This breed likes to be a gundog. They are attractive, a very smart dog and very playful that made them an ideal pet dog. Also, they are an elegant looking dog and a friend of everybody. But of course they too needed a good training to be more obedient, sociable and responsible dog.

Activity: They needed to have a good amount of exercise like other dogs to maintain their energy and good behavior. And for them to be more healthy.

Health: No known health issues for this breed.

Grooming: They just needed to be brushed on regular basis to prevent tangles also, check and clean teeth, ears and eyes to prevent infections.

Breed Group: Spaniels/Poodles
Color: black coat with white markings
Height: up to 16 inches (41 cm)
Weight: up to 13 pounds (10 kg.)
Country Of Origin: Netherlands

Dynamics: This Breed can be seen on farms, they are a cross between Spaniels and Poodles They have just been accepted by the Dutch Kennel Club.

Photo by Mvdleeuw