AKA: French Mastiff, Bordeaux Bulldog

Description: The Dogue de Bordeaux is a mastiff breed that is short, stocky, and muscular. Its head is a distinctive feature, with an undershot and powerful jaw, and a distinguishable black or red mask around and under the nose, lips, and eye rims. The nostrils are very open and the upper lips hang thickly down over the lower jaw. The ears naturally hang down. There is a dewlap on the neck. The thick skin is loose. The front legs are straight and the tail is straight, curving when the dog is excited.

Dynamics: The Dogue de Bordeaux has a calm and gentle personality, although originally it was considered ferocious. It is a brave and loyal companion, and is patient and devoted to its family. It is gentle with children and other family members. It makes a wonderful watchdog and guard dog.

The Dogue de Bordeaux can be aggressive with other dogs. It has to be socialized and trained firmly from an early age. Male Dogue de Bordeaux generally does not tolerate other male dogs.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 120-145 pounds (54.4-65.2kg)

Height: 23-30 inches (58-75cm)

Color: The Dogue de Bordeaux comes in shades of fawn to mahogany. The black or red mask on the face is always present. White markings on the toes and chest are acceptable.

Country of Origin: The Dogue de Bordeaux comes from France, where it has been a dog of many services throughout history, from being a war dog to becoming a cattle driver and bodyguard.

Activities: The Dogue de Bordeaux needs a lot of exercise as it has a huge amount of energy within. This breed has served man throughout history as a war dog, flock guardian, dog fighter, cattle driver, watch dog, and guard dog.

Grooming: The Dogue de Bordeaux’s coat does not need that much attention. An occasional combing and brushing is enough.

Other Info: The Dogue de Bordeaux has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. It is generally a healthy breed, although litters are small and birth is difficult because of the puppies’ large heads. The Dogue de Bordeaux will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

AKA: Karakachan

Description: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is a compact and well-constructed dog with a well-balanced body. It has a broad and massive head which slightly narrows at the muzzle. The nose is black, the eyes deeply placed and dark brown in color. The ears are slightly set high. The jaws form a scissors bite.

The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog’s body consists of a strong neck with folds of skin, a broad chest, and a strong, straight back. The tail is carried curved or ring-shaped over the back. The legs are powerful, straight and parallel to each other. The coat is of medium length to long. Short hair covers the face and front of the legs but a fluffy layer of hair covers the rest of the body.

Dynamics: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is an easy, alert, and careful working dog. It has an independent mind, and is mildly aggressive, although this aggressiveness increases when it is threatened. It is very reserved towards strangers, and gets along well with children (at worst it is tolerant with children). Strangers aside, it is devoted and loyal to its family and the people it grew up with.

The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is a true working dog, and not the usual family pet. It has a well-developed sense of smell, hearing, and sight. It can easily adapt to any environment and quickly react to any situation. It is a guard dog by heart, bred to protect and defend pets, the farm, and its family. When socialized since puppyhood with the farm animals and pets, the Bulgarian Shepherd Dog will not be a threat to them.

Breed Group: Flock Guardian

Weight: males 99-125 lbs (45-57 kg), females 88-114 lbs (40-52 kg)

Height: males 26-30 inches (65-75 cm), females 25-28 inches (63-72 cm)

Color: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog can come in any color, although usually its coat is white with big black spots.

Country of Origin: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog came from Central Asia, from the Afghanistan and Iran area, where migrations of the Bulgarians started. It can be said that the breed originated in Bulgaria.

Activities: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog is a moderately active dog, very calm and cautious in guarding and working. It only needs to do its job, and is a very serious breed.

Grooming: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog only needs to be brushed every 2-3 days. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Bulgarian Shepherd Dog has a life expectancy of 12-14 years. It is a generally healthy breed and there is no disease specifically threatening to it.

AKA: Ciobanesc Romanesc de Bucovina, Ciobanesc de Bucovina, Romanian Bukovina Sheepdog, Bukovina Wolfdog, Bukovinac, Bukovina Sheepdog

Description: The Bucovina Sheepdog is a strong and rustic dog, with a massive head and wide skull. It has a well developed muzzle, with a black nose. It has thick lips and jaws that form a scissors bite. Its eyes are chestnut colored or lighter, almond-shaped, small and slanting. The ears are set high, hanging very close to the cheeks.

The body of the Bucovina Sheepdog is muscular, with a bulky neck and wide chest. The tail is bushy, held low when the dog is relaxed but held high when the dog is alert. The hair is short on the head and front of the legs, but it abundant on the rest of the body.

Dynamics: The Bucovina Sheepdog is a well-balanced and gentle dog. It is calm, devoted, and is excellent with children. It loves to play and will do its best with a lot of space. It makes an excellent watch dog because it does not trust strangers and can be very combative when necessary. This breed also has a very powerful and loud bark.

Breed Group: Flock Guardian

Weight: in accordance with size

Height: males 27-30 inches (68-78 cm), females 25-28 inches (64-72 cm)

Color: The Bucovina Sheepdog usually has a white coat with sand-charcoal, black, or brindled patches. Black or other color drops on the legs is fine. There are also dogs that have solid or uniform colors, mostly pure white or black.

Country of Origin: The Bucovina Sheepdog was bred in the Carpathic region of Bucovina (hence the name), North-East of Romania.

Activities: The Bucovina Sheepdog is calm, yet it has bountiful energy and loves to play a lot. It should be exercised often, taken outdoors because it likes to hav e a lot of space to move around. It was bred to be herd guardians, keeping watch over sheep and cattle against thieves or preying animals. Today, it is being used as a guard go and family companion.

AKA: Castro Laboreiro Livestock Guarding Dog, Castro Laboreiro Dog,Portuguese Cattle Dog
Description: The Cão de Castro Laboreiro breed. Their name was taken from a small village which means “Village of Laborers”, since they came from the very northern tip of Portuguese. They have a weather-resistant dense coat that is slightly rough to touch and they come in a variety of colors.

Temperament: This breed is very fearless flock guard, their bark is very threatening because they are very strong and brave always ready to guard and protect flocks,herds..They are an intelligent breed and very dominant that is why they sometimes tend to be aggressive with people that they are not familiar with. They are loyal to their owners that is why they don’t just follow anybody’s commands. They need a dominant experienced owner to handle and control them in the right way. Moreover, they could also be trusted with children in their family and could be the best protector too. They are very suspicious to strangers.

Activity: They are usually guarding flocks,herds..and they needed a lot of exercise preferably daily walks.

Breed Group: Flock Guardian
Color: black, chestnut and mahogany.
Height: 20-24 inches (51-60cm.)
Weight: 50-75 pounds (45-75 kg.)
Country Of Origin: Euro-Asia.

Dynamics: They are a guard dogs and very alert especially with strangers, very intelligent breed but needs an experienced handler to know how to control them very well since they do not require harsh trainings.

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.

AKA: Kelef K’naani

Description: This breed an herding and flock guardian dog. Also a very loyal breed, with medium sized square shaped strong body, with moderately deep chest. They are of moderate substance which combines its agility, endurance and strength. Their head is shaped like a blunt wedge that is shallow, nose is a bit slanted and dark. They have an almond shaped eyes,dark brown in color that also goes with its color & obliquely set with black rims. Ears are erect & medium in size. Canaan jaws are perfectly strong with complete scissor bite also their neck is muscular too, medium in length and well arched with muscular well laid shoulder, medium boned. They have strong, cat like feet and the tail is curled over its back especially when feel excited or happy. The first four imports in US comes in white with black mask and patches now its subsequent imports comes in a variety of color patterns.

Temperament: This breed is very intelligent, dependent and obedient dog. They positively respond to their trainings but should also give them time to rest since they could also get bored to repetitive trainings. They are outstanding at agility& tracking and could always think independently. They are a very loyal breed to their owners. Also, vigilant and confident. They are very alert & protective but also lively. They could be too aggressive to their same gender dogs and are a one family dog, defensive on their territory. It is recommended to be socialized to other dogs and to other people as well while still on their puppy hood days so they would not be aloof and could be wary to strangers except to those he could recognize. That is why early socialization is needed to this kind of breed for them to be able to determine strangers from people he knows.

Activity: They could live in an apartment provided he must get enough exercise daily. They enjoy playing outdoors, an average sized yard would be best for them. Their dense undercoat serves as protection from extreme temperatures may it during summer or winter season. Long daily walk and jog is required for them because they are a working dog so sitting around could not do good for them. They needed full amount of exercise, both mental and physical activities.

Grooming: This breed is easy to groom because they have short hair and no doggie odor. They are very clean. They only require once a week of brushing and combing. Extra care is needed only when they are shedding, only seasonal for Canaan breed.
Health Problems: This breed is very healthy with only one lowest rate of having a hip dysplasia compared to any other breeds. Their life expectancy is from 12-15 years.

Breed Group: Livestock, Herding, Primitive, Southern
Color: Solid black, Brown, and White, or in a patched pattern of white with black or brown.
Height: 19-24 inches (48-61 cm.)
Weight: 35-55 pounds (16-25 kg.)
Country Of Origin: Israel

Dynamics:
- Canaan dogs are loyal breed, calm that could be a house dog. Very intelligent and alert and could also become friendly if they are being socialized to other people other than its owner also to other dogs.

AKA: Berner, Berner Sennenhund, Bouvier Bernois, Bovaro Bernese, Durrbachler

Description: The Bernese Mountain Dog is a sturdy medium-sized dog that appears heavy with its moderately long weather-resistant coat. The coat can be either straight or slightly wavy. The breed has a broad head, with a slight furrow in the middle. The ears are triangular and pendant. The eyes are dark and carry with it a gentle expression. The nose is black, and the teeth forms a scissors bite.

The Bernese Mountain Dog has a compact body and a wide chest. It has a brisket that goes down to elbow. Dewclaws from the legs should be removed. It carries its long and bushy tail low but sometimes raises it up in an upward curve when it is alert.

Dynamics: The Bernese Mountain Dog is an intelligent and cheerful breed. It is easy to train and is a natural watchdog. It is a very friendly dog that can get along well with strangers and other pets and dogs. It also gets along well with children. Like other breeds, the Bernese Mountain Dog has to be socialized as a puppy in order to avoid excessive shyness or excessive aggressiveness, as it is generally a sensitive dog.

The Bernese is neither sharp nor shy. It is good-natured and self-confident. It may be slow to mature, and be puppy-like and very playful for quite some time. The breed is also people-oriented, and loves to be with people.

Breed Group: Working, Guardian Dogs

Weight: males 85-110 lbs (38-50 kg), females 80-105 lbs (36-48 kg)

Height: males 24-28 inches (61-71 cm), females 23-27 inches (58-69 cm)

Color: The coat of the Bernese Mountain Dog is a tricolor double coat of black with symmetrical markings of rust and white. There is a white blaze on its chest, head, and toes. The rust markings are found over each eye, on the cheeks, on the sides of the chest, under the tail, and on each leg.

Grooming: Regular brushing of its long thick coat is required in grooming this breed. Extra care is especially needed when it is shedding. Bathe or dry shampoo as necessary.

Country of Origin: The exact origin of the Bernese Mountain Dog is not definite, but it is believed to have come from the Swiss mountains. There was an influx of foreign dogs in the 19th century which led Professor Albert Heim, Franz Schertenleib and others to preserve the breed. The Bernese Mountain Dog was named after the Berne canton of Switzerland where it is popular.

Activities: Bred as a farm dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog has been used in driving livestock, draft work, and farm guarding. It is also used for tracking, herding, watchdogging, guarding, search and rescue, carting, and competitive obedience. It is also a great companion dog with its calm and happy temperament. This breed needs regular exercises and outdoor activities.

Other Info: Normally, the life expectancy of the Bernese Mountain Dog is about 10-12 years. But it has recently decreased to 6-8 years. Despite it being a hardy breed, cancer is a very common cause of death. Many Berners die young from it, in fact. The Bernese Mountain Dog is also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, and eyelid problems. The Bernese Mountain Dog is not suitable for an apartment life. They do better in an open area and like being outdoors. This breed prefers cool climates, due to a discomfort when in warm weather.

AKA: Akbas, Akbaş Çoban Köpeği

Description: The Akbash Dog is considered as the oldest of the flock-guarding group. They are match to the French Great Pyrenees, the Hungarian Kuvasz, the Italian Maremma and other white sheep guarding breeds. Akbash Dogs are large, thin, and strong that has an attractive appearance. They are proud dogs with medium or long white fur. As a guardian dog, they are designated to protect the sheep. Akbash dogs are calm, quiet and brave. They deserve the respect in training. They could be a guard dog too to its owner also, affectionate to their family. They should undergo socialization training to teach them to reach out to others and to strangers, this dog is a good guardian and watchdog.  The Akbash requires a strong and experienced owner.

Temperament: Akbash Dogs are very calm, quiet, independent, protective, brave, and loving. They will be aggressive toward strangers and some strange animals if not properly socialized and trained. Akbash Dogs are constant and peaceful, but watchful at the same time. With owners they are friendly. They are very loyal dogs. They are also very intelligent, independent. They are very protective, a good watch dog and has the attitude of being self-focused so, they may disobey if they think their choice is best for them.

Activity: They are a very athletic dog that requires a long daily walk, and lot of space to run around.

Grooming: They need good grooming. Their hair should be brushed a many times each week to avoid tangles. The hair of a Afghan Collie should be parted along the back and their ears should always be clean.

Health Problems: Health problems they would encounter are: Hip dysplasia, OCD, cardiomyopathy, hip dysplasia, entropion, hypothyroidism, seizures, and umbilical hernias. Their life span is about 10-11 years.

Breed Group: Flock Guard
Color: Coat color is white all over. It is light biscuit on the ears or on the ridge line. Coloration in the undercoat is acceptable.
Height: 28-32 inches (71-81 cm.)
Weight: 90-130 pounds (41-59 kg.)
Country Of Origin: Turkey

Dynamics: Very intelligent, loyal, protective, confident, courageous and highly territorial.

AKA: Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Chien des Pyrenees, Chien de Montagne des Pyrenees

Description: The Great Pyrenees has an elegance with great impression with beauty that makes them attractive. They are big in size that comes in long coats. Coats that protects them against intense temperature. Paws are large and foot are steady. They have large paws, bred for have strong foot for adventures, ears are drop, its tail is thick and shaggy in a muscular body. Their nose are black like any other breed and has an almond shaped eyes in dark brown expressing an intelligent and heedful sign. Their body is like a rec shape with an equal top line. Chest is wide, head like a V-shaped with rounded skull. Muzzle is broad fairly pointed. Their teeth meet in scissors bite or level. On their front legs, they have one dewclaws and and two on their hind legs.

Temperament: The Great Pyrenees is a very pleasing, gentle, dedicated kind of breed. They are the best companion, no matter how big they are, they are an ideal pet dog. They long for attention from their family or owner, that is why they tend to easily establish a close relationship to their owner. A very intelligent and smart dog. Also, they are a very fascinating kind of dog especially with children but they don’t get along well with other pets unless on sheep and livestock. When needed, they could also be alert and vigorous to be able to guard their homes or against some suspicious strangers. They bark a lot,that could always be trusted to guard their family against trouble.
Activity: They are not really active indoors and can live in an apartment. Must have a daily exercised to be in shape. Long walks or brisk walking would be best for this breed.

Grooming: When it comes to grooming their coat should be brushed on a weekly basis, and the eyebrows be trimmed so they can properly see. They shed heavily twice per year. You So it needs to be properly groomed.

Health Problems: The life span of the Great Pyrenees is around 8-12 years, and there are some health problems to look out for them: elbow dysplasia and HD, luxating patella, entropion, cataracts, bleeding problems, and spinal problems.

Breed Group: Flock Guard, AKC Working
Color: White or white with markings of gray, badger, reddish brown, or varying shades of tan. Markings of varying size may appear on the ears, head (including a full face mask), tail, and as a few body spots.
Height: male: 25, female: 23 inches
Weight:male: 85, female:75 lbs
Country Of Origin: France

Dynamics: The Great Pyrenees is very intelligent breed, easy to train, steady and independent. Playful and friendly especially with kids. Attached with their owner and could also be trusted to guard their homes at night.