AKA: Lajka Ruissisch Europaisch, Karelean Bear Laika, Russko-Evropeïskaïa Laïka, Laika, Russko-European Laika, Russian-European Laika

Description: The Russo-European Laika is wolf-like in appearance and generally has a white-marked black coat that is short and rough. It has a triangular head with an elongated muzzle, with dark eyes, large erect ears, and black nose. Its jaws form a scissors bite. The neck is short but strong, and the body is hardy with a deep oval chest. Its legs are powerful, and the tail is carried curled up. There are come Russo-European Laika that are born tailless.

Dynamics: The Russo-European Laika is an affectionate and devoted dog. When it reaches the age of eight months or older, it becomes attached to its owner and never forgets him or her. This breed can get aggressive and suspiciously reserved with strangers, and is not for the weak of heart. It does not bite though, fortunately. It usually avoids being petted or touched. To remedy this attitude, it is strongly recommended that the Russo-European Laika be socialized and handled and petted more often beginning at puppyhood. It will also get along well with children through socialization.

The Russo-European Laika is a territorial dog and usually show heavy dislike when its domain is intruded by other pets or another dog. This dog is a hunter, and its hunting instincts and attitude can be discriminating against predators and small game and prey. The Russo-European Laika should be taught as a puppy to leave domesticated animals and other household pets alone.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: 40-50 pounds

Height: 20-24 inches

Color: The Russo-European Laika has a black coat that has white patches. There are dogs of this breed with a gray or red coat, and black is not really the standard color. However, black with white markings is the most common and is therefore the one generally accepted by the majority.

Country of Origin: The Russo-European Laika was bred in Russia and Finland in the 1700s.

Activities: Like all dogs, the Russo-European Laika needs to be walked daily and be given time to romp around and exercise itself. It is a natural hunter, and is an expert in treeing small game like squirrels and raccoons and baying moose, wild boar, and bears. The Russo-European Laika also makes a great guard dog because it gets easily alerted by other dogs, animals, and intruders.

Grooming: The coat of the Russo-European Laika is short, and so wiping it over with a damp cloth or an occasional brushing is enough to groom the dog. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: This is generally a healthy dog. The Russo-European Laika is not a city dog and may not do well living in an enclosed home or apartment.

Photo: Konrad Loesch

AKA: Rosyjski Spaniel

Description: The Russian Spaniel is relatively small, but it has a strong and well-built body. This and its muscular legs help the dog with its work as a gun dog. Its coat is skintight, with hair of average length but with wavy fringes on the back of the legs and ears.

Dynamics: The Russian Spaniel is a loyal and devoted dog. It makes a great family as it is eager to please and can also stand in as a guard dog. It is also playful, and can get along well with children. Towards other dogs and pets, it is amiable and friendly. It has to be socialized well, however, to be able to get along really well with other pets and animals. In training the Russian Spaniel, the owner has to be firm, calm, and confident so as not to confuse the dog as it learns the house rules.

As a gun dog, the Russian Spaniel is a natural. It does not need a lot of training and instead instinctively starts on its work early in life. In its training, it should learn how to go about seeking out its game, bringing it out to the open, and retrieving it. The Russian Spaniel is great in hunting marsh, field, woodland, and aridland birds, as well as waterfowls, rabbits, and other small game.

Breed Group: Gun Dog

Weight: 28-35 pounds (13-16 kg)

Height: 15-17 ¾ inches (38-45 cm)

Color: The color of the Russian Spaniel’s coat is usually white with dark spots and speckles. The spots can be either black, brown, or red. The head and the ears are also usually in a dark color. Other colors for the coat is also possible, and can vary from solids to tricolors.

Country of Origin: The Russian Spaniel is descended mostly from English Cocker Spaniels and English Springer Spaniels. It was bred in Russia back in the end of the nineteenth century when a black English Cocker Spaniel was brought to the country for the royal Nikolai Nikolaevich. Soon after that, more spaniels and other breeds were imported and the mixing of the breeds led to the development of many new dog breeds, one of which is the Russian Spaniel.

Activities: The Russian Spaniel possesses great stamina and is an energetic and playful dog. It should be walked everyday and be exercised and have play sessions.

Grooming: The Russian Spaniel does not need a lot of grooming. Its coat is not that long and is also waterproof. An occasional bath and regular brushing will be enough to keep the dog clean and its coat shiny.

Other Info: The Russian Spaniel has a life expectancy of 14 years. It is prone to overeating so it should have a strict diet to avoid bloating and other health problems. This breed will be okay living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

AKA: Reds

Description: The Redbone Coonhound is a robust but neat-looking dog. Its appearance is handsome and clean, yet also displays strength and agility. Its coat is shiny and sleek, short and lying flat. Its head is nicely modeled, with a medium stop between the brow and the nose. Its ears are long and hanging. Its paws are compact and cat-like, and its legs are strongly toned. Its tail is held upright.

Dynamics: The Redbone Coonhound looks serious but it has a sweet temperament and a happy disposition. It is an affectionate dog and it gets along very well with children. It also has a pleasant bark, and doesn’t really alarm people to fear. This dog loves people and values companionship, and it can adapt well to family life. It is eager to please and is a loyal and obedient dog. It can also get along well with other pets provided it has been socialized at an early age.

The Redbone Coonhound was bred as a hunter. It has the instinct of one and it is not difficult to train to follow a scent and give chase to a target. It is fast, alert, and adaptable to any types of weather and difficult terrain. It is flexible and agile, able to hunt ion steep or rocky grounds. The Redbone Coonhound is one of the best in coon hunting. It is also good in trailing and treeing bear, cougar, and bobcat. The Redbone Coon hound is also an excellent water dog.

Breed Group: Hound

Weight: 50-70 pounds (23-32 kg)

Height: 21-27 inches (53-66 cm)

Color: The color of the Redbone Coonhound’s coat is red, sometimes with a little white on the feet or chest.

Country of Origin: The Redbone Coonhound originated in the United States, specifically in the American South. Breeders in Tennessee and Georgia wanted a hound with more speed and a hotter sniffer. They first developed the Saddlebacks which possessed black saddle markings. The breeders developed the Redbone Coonhound by selective breedind, wherein the solid red dogs were distinguished.

Activities: The Redbone Coonhound has a lot of stamina as befitting of a hunting dog, and so it needs a lot of physical exercise. It needs to be walked everyday. It has a tendency to run off and hunt around so make sure that the area is securely fenced.

Grooming: The coat of the Redbone Coonhound only needs an occasional brushing. Bathe only when necessary. It is a light shedder.

Other Info: The Redbone Coonhound has a life expectancy of 11 to 12 years. It is a generally healthy breed but can be affected by hip dysplasia like all dogs. This breed will do okay living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

Photo: Amy Lawson

AKA: Little River Duck Dog, Yarmouth Toller

Description: The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever is like a small Golden Retriever in form. It is well muscled and strongly boned with strong sturdy legs. Its head is clean-cut and triangular in shaped, with ears that are set high. Its coat is dense and straight, with a slight wave on its back.

Dynamics: The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever is an obedient and sensible dog. It is very devoted to its family and makes a good companion. It also gets along well with the children. It can be reserved around strangers, but with proper socialization as it grows up the Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever can become a very playful dog. Its energy can largely be seen as it works and hunts. This breed is hardworking and has a natural tolling ability. It also naturally likes retrieving games, and is very eager for play and training sessions.

Breed Group: Gun Dog

Weight: 37-51 pounds (17-23 kg)

Height: 17-21 inches (43-53 cm)

Color: The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever can come in various shades of red and orange. It can have small white markings on its feet, chest, tail tip and on the face.

Country of Origin: The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever comes from Canada, where it was developed to lure in ducks in the manner of a fox. This breed was crossed with retrievers and working spaniels, a combination which made them great in hunting and retrieving.

Activities: The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever has a lot of energy that it needs a lot of physical exercise. Daily walks and play or hunting sessions is great for this dog.

Grooming: The coat of the Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever should be brushed and combed regularly with a firm bristle brush. Dry shampoo regularly but bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. It is a healthy working breed, although its limited gene pool is expressing an increase in health dangers. The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever will do well living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

Photo: Malgorzata Korbel

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

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

AKA: Little Lion Dog, Petit Chien Lion

Description: The Löwchen is a bichon type dog, with long silky coat that is most often presented in a lion cut. The coat is not fluffy and thin like that of a Bichon Frise, though. Instead it is long and wavy, not curly, with a mix of thick and fine hairs. Its head is short but broad, and has black nose and round dark eyes. The ears are in pendant shape and feathered. The body is short as well, proportional, and ends in a medium-length tail.

The Löwchen’s body is advised to be clipped in the hindquarters, the part of the tail closest to the body, and part of the front legs in order to make the look of a lion to the Löwchen.

Dynamics: The Löwchen is a lively and cheerful dog. It is playful and affectionate, and are good with children and other dogs and pets. It is a very good toy dog for the family. It is also an intelligent breed and can learn fast. There will be little problems with its training. It is also fearless and can be aggressive for leadership, despite its size. But it can also be sensitive and gentle. Socialization is important, of course. This breed may like to bark or dig a lot.

Breed Group: Gun Dog

Weight: 9-18 pounds (4-8 kg)

Height: 10-13 inches (25-33 cm)

Color: The color of the Löwchen’s coat can be anything, even brown. But the most favored colors would be white, black, and lemon. Speckled Löwchen dogs are also acceptable.

Country of Origin: The Löwchen originated in France, and the breed was popular throughout the countries of southern Europe. The breed decreased in number throughout the 20th century and two World Wars. By 1960, it was declared by the Guinness Book of World records that the Löwchen was the ‘rarest breed.’

Activities: The Löwchen, like all other dogs, needs to have a daily walk and exercise. It also needs play as part of its physical needs. The Löwchen likes to play and run around in an open area, and must be granted this enjoyment to avoid behavior problems.

Grooming: The coat of the Löwchen should be brushed regularly. Bathe only when necessary. The Löwchen sheds little to no hair, which is a good thing for allergy sufferers.

Other Info: The Löwchen has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. It is a generally healthy breed, and will do well living in an apartment. This breed will do okay without a yard and is active even when indoors.

Photo: Ainus

AKA: English Setter, Lawerack, Laverack, Llewellyn Setter

Description: The Llewellin Setter is better known as the English Setter. This breed can be distinguished by its long, flowing coat that is speckled. The coat of the Llewellin Setter are generally referred to as belton, and it depends upon the color of the flecks on which to call the combination of its coat. For example, having a coat with orange flecks will describe the Llewellin Setter as having orange belton colors.

There are two types of Llewellin Setter s: the field setter and the show dog. The Field Setter is smaller than the Show Setter, and is also more active. Show Setters are larger, and it also tends to have longer hair than the Field Setter.

Dynamics: The Llewellin Setter is considered as a “gentleman by nature.” It has a soft temperament, and it is sensitive and is very eager to please its owners. It is people-oriented, and loves to play and cuddle with their family. This breed gets along very well with children and other animals not smaller than it is.

The Llewellin Setter is an intelligent breed that it can perform any task when trained (except herding). In training it, however, patience is needed and positive reinforcement is the recommended method. This dog is sensitive to harsh criticisms, after all.

Breed Group: Gundog

Weight: 45-80 lbs

Height: 22-27 inches

Color: The base coat of the Llewellin Setter is white, and then there are flecks surrounding its body. The color of the flecks can be a combination of black, blue, orange, lemon, liver, or tan.

Country of Origin: The Llewellin Setter was originally bred as bird dogs in England. Throughout the many years of continuous breeding, we now attribute the modern Llewellin Setter to the efforts of Mr. Edward Laverack and Mr. R. Purcell Llewellin.

Activities: The Llewellin Setter has an abundant source of energy and is very active. It has to be taken out on long walks everyday so that it will not become destructive and restless inside your home. This breed enjoys running around in an open area.

Grooming: The Llewellin Setter’s long coat has to be regularly brushed and combed. Check for burrs and tangles. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary.

Other Info: The Lllewellin Setter has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. This breed is not suitable for families living in apartments.

Photo: Elf

AKA: Grosser Munsterlander Vorstehhund, Large Munsterlander

Description: The Large Munsterlander has a very well-balanced body, making the breed one of the most versatile hunting dogs. It has easy and steady movement and gait, with its body squarely proportional. Its coat is long and thick, feathery on the ears, legs, and tail. There should be no feathering on the backside of the upper feet. The feet are strong and firm with hair between the toes. The tail is carried horizontally.

A male Large Munsterlander has a bigger head than that of a female. The male also has longer hair on the chest and has more feathering. The head is brod and slightly rounded, with long, broad, and round-tipped ears that are hanging. The eyes are dark and heavy-lidded and the mouth forms a scissors bite.

Dynamics: The Large Munsterlander is a cheerful and obedient dog, making it a wonderful house companion. It is also an intelligent breed and is easy to train. It is extremely sociable and people dependent. It does not like to be alone and can get destructive when left in the house or in a car with no one else around. It likes to retrieve and carry things things in its mouth, perfect for being hunting dogs. It also likes to play, and is good with other animals and children.

The Large Munsterlander is also a great working dog. It is happy when it has something to do, and is a very flexible breed. It has the ability to withstand pressures involved in hunting and exercises, adapting to any terrain and resistant to fatigue and bad weather. It is especially good at retrieving the hunt, more so when it is retrieving out of the water. It also likes to hunt down small animals. Training is needed to get it along with your small farm animals and to leave sheep and cattle alone. It likes to chase smaller preys like rodents and birds. This breed is a very valuable dog for hunters as it is good in both land and water. Socialization and patience in training is needed to manage the hunting instinct in the Large Munsterlander.

Breed Group: Gun dog

Weight: 50-70 pounds (23-32 kg)

Height: 23-25.5 inches (58-65 cm)

Color: The Large Munsterlander’s coat ranges from predominantly black to predominantly white. Usually, the head is solid black with white snips and the body is white with black patches and flecks. All black coats is not desirable, and brown coats is not unheard of but are not common either.

Country of Origin: The Large Munsterlander originated in Germany in the late 18th century. With the reputation as an all-purpose hunter, its popularity grew to countries outside of its country of origin.

Activities: With its playfulness, hunter instincts, and boundless energy, the Large Munsterlander needs to be on its feet most of the time. Daily walks and sufficient exercise is necessary for this breed. It loves to run and chase outdoors, so it has to be taken outside everyday to make it happy.

Grooming: Since the male Large Munsterlander has a longer coat then the female, the male’s coat needs to be brushed more often than the female’s. Brushing the coat every other day will do. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Larger Munsterlander has a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years. It is usually very healthy although some are still prone to hip dysplasia. This breed is also not compatible with living in an apartment as it does best outdoors and needs at least a large yard.

Photo: Pia C. Groening

AKA: N/A
Description: Golden Retrievers are considered a very attractive breed. From their coat that is shiny and soft to touch, feathery and regular in length. The outer portion of its coat is water proofed and compact. They are a very strong breed. They are deep chested,has broad head. Their gait is strong and powerful. Their eyes are brown in color thjat has a very friendly expression and the nose comes in black. Teeth are in scissors bite. Their ears are like pendant clinging below their jaw regular in size. And has long straight tail.

Temperament: Golden retrievers are a very fun-loving,smart, obedient dog. They have a great appeal that almost everybody loves. They are easy to train that would not be very difficult for their owner to train them. When it comes to socialization, They are very friendly dog they love to play with children and they are safe with them because of their being so gentle and sweet kind of dog. They are very known for their obedience attitude. They may too be a good guard dog as they would bark loud to alarm when they detect some strangers around their territory. They like to be with great leadership people because they are a very active dog. They also posses some great skills in retrieving, hunting and they could easily detect drugs when trained.

Activity: They are very much required to have daily walk and a long brisk walking and jog. Also, they like to play with retrieving balls. They also love to swim and do some tricks when they are being trained.

Health: They could suffer from health issues like: cancer, hip dysplasia and congenital eye defects. Also skin allergies are very known to this breed. Their life span is about 10- 12 years.

Grooming: They are just an average shedder. They have soft and shiny hair so it is always easy to groom. Comb and brush them with firm bristle brush and dry shampoo and bathe only when it is needed.

Breed Group: Gun Dog, Sporting
Color: light golden colors to dark golden colors
Height: Dogs 22-24 inches (56-61cm.) Bitches 20-22 inches (51-56cm.)
Weight: Dogs 60-80 pounds (27-36kg.) Bitches 55-70 pounds (25-32kg.)
Country Of Origin: Scottish Highlands

Dynamics: Golden retrievers are breed originally for hunting but later was considered a pet dog since they possess such an appealing character that everybody is very much eager to have. This breed are a very loving dog and fun to be with. And not giving their owner hard time taking care of them.

Image source: DogsLife.com