AKA: Feist, American Rat Terrier, Ratting Terrier, Decker Giant

Description: The Rat Terrier is a dog of a compact and well-muscled body, with a deep chest, strong shoulders, and well-boned legs. Its ears can be tipped or carried erect, and its tail can either be short or full length.

Dynamics: The Rat Terrier is a lively and alert dog. It is also an intelligent one. It is affectionate and loving and has a lot of energy everyday. This breed gets along well with children, and makes a very good companion for a big family. It can also get along with strangers although it is reserved at first. The Rat Terrier is the kind that is eager to please and is well-rounded. It is quick to learn and can always be seen to be excited to learn new things. The Rat Terrier is used for hunting aside from its terrier work. It also makes a good watchdog and farm dog. It is also a very good swimmer.

Breed Group: Terrier

Weight: standard 12-35 pounds (5½-16 kg), mid-sized 6-8 pounds (3-3½ kg), toy 4-6 pounds (2-3 kg)

Height: standard 14-23 inches (35½-58½ cm), mid-sized 8-14 inches (20-35½ cm), toy 8 inches (20 cm)

Color: The colors of the Rat Terrier’s coat can be pearl, sable, chocolate, red and white, tricolor, solid red, black and tan, blue and white or red brindle.

Country of Origin: The Rat Terrier originated in Great Britain, developed from Smooth Fox Terriers and Manchester Terriers in 1820. After the breed was introduced to America, they were crossed again with the Smooth Fox Terrier, the Beagle, and the Whippet. The breed was named by President Teddy Roosevelt.

Activities: The Rat Terrier has a lot of energy, and so it needs a good amount of exercise everyday. A long daily walk and play sessions is also needed. This breed especially likes games and outdoor romps.

Grooming: The coat of the Rat Terrier is short so grooming is easy. An occasional combing or brushing is enough. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Rat Terrier has a life expectancy of 15 to 18 years. It will be all right living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. The Rat Terrier loves to dig around so there should at least be a small yard around where it can play and romp around.

Photo: Elf

AKA: American Labradoodle, Standard Labradoodle

Description: A Labradoodle is a breed developed by crossing the Labrador Retriever and the Standard or Miniature Poodle. The general breed Labradoodle pertains to the American Labradoodle and not the Australian Labradoodle, which is a purebred dog and not a crossbreed.

Both its appearance and behavior varies, resulting to no formation of standards over the breed. The hair can be wiry, soft, straight, wavy, or curly.

Dynamics: The Labradoodle’s behavior and temperament is still unpredictable in general, and may depend on the method of raising it. Most often the Labradoodle grows up with the desired traits of a dog but it is not final yet.

Weight: Standard Females 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg.) Males 55-77 pounds (25-35 kg.), Miniature 30-50 pounds (14-25 kg)

Height: Standard 22-24 inches (53-60 cm.), Miniature 17-22 inches (44-56 cm.)

Color: The color of the Labradoodle’s coat can be white, cream, gold, apricot, red, brown and black, and other Poodle colors.

Country of Origin: The development of the Labradoodle first started in 1989, when Wally Conron crossed the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle for Guide Dogs Victoria in Australia.

Activities: The Labradoodle needs to be taken outdoors and exercised from time to time. This breed was developed to be a guide dog for the blind, and was also used as assistance dogs and therapy dogs.

AKA: Cocker Spaniel

Description: The American Cocker Spaniel has very distinct features, which includes its long hanging ears and its medium-length coat. It has a round head, a wide and deep muzzle, and a square jaw. Its upper lip can be seen to cover the lower jaw completely, and the teeth forms a scissors bite. The nose is black, especially on black dogs. But there are some that has a brown nose. The eyes are round and the rims are slightly oval.

The body of an American Cocker Spaniel is compact. It has a short back, where the topline slopes gently from the front to the back. Dewclaws on the front and rear legs should be removed. The tail is carried on a line with its back and is constantly in motion. The feathery coat is silky, flat, or slightly wavy and can be cared for easily. It should be trimmed enough so as not to hide the Cocker Spaniel’s true lines and movements.

Dynamics: The American Cocker Spaniel can be either a gun dog or a family pet. It is cheerful and sweet, and it doesn’t challenge a master’s authority that much. Its tail-wagging is proof to its playful and merry nature. The Cocker Spaniel is usually good with children. It has to be socialized well with people and other animals to avoid the development of shyness. It is fairly easy to train. The Cocker Spaniel is also used for hunting, tracking, retrieving, watchdogging, and agility.

Breed Group: Gun Dog, Sporting

Weight: 15-30 lbs (7-14 kg)

Height: 14 ½ inches (36.8 cm), 15 ½ inches (38 cm)

Color: The Cocker Spaniel may come in buff, black, and other solid colors. But it can also come in black-and-tan and parti-color like white with black, white with bluff, etc.

Country of Origin: The American Cocker Spaniel was originally bred from the English Cocker Spaniels that came to the United States.

Activities: The American Cocker Spaniel has plenty of stamina. It loves to play and run. Taking it out for an exercise and daily walks is great for its well-being.

Grooming: In grooming the Cocker Spaniel, brush its coat daily and shampoo frequently. Clip the hair regularly and be careful not to pull out silky hair.

Other Info: The American Cocker Spaniel has a life expectancy of about 12-15 years. Major health concerns for the breed include catarcts, glaucoma, and patellar luxation. It is also prone to hip dysplasia, ectropion, entropion, PRA, allergies, seborrhea, lip fold pyoderma, otitis externa, liver disease, urolithiasis, prolapse of nictitans gland, CHF, phosphofructokinase deficiency, and cardiomyopathy. Gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia, and IMHA are included. Cocker Spaniels will do okay in apartments as long as they are taken outdoors or exercised form time to time.