AKA: Bhotia, Bhote kukur

Description: The Himalayan Sheepdog is a Nepali dog breed. It is now rare, and not much is known about it. What is known is that it is a large dog, with similarities in appearance to that of the Newfoundland dog and the Tibetan Mastiff. It has a long double coat, ranging from solid black to light brown. A white Himalayan Sheepdog is the rarest of them all. The Himalayan Sheepdog usually has a patch of white fur on the chest. It also has a long, round and hairy tail.

Dynamics: The Himalayan Sheepdog can be ferocious and strong-willed. This makes it great guard for livestock and farm houses. This breed is intelligent and at times can be very stubborn. Obedience training may be necessary. It is an excellent family dog. It is naturally reserved with strangers, though, because of its guarding instincts.

Breed Group: Flock Guardian

Weight: 62-84 lbs (28-38 kg)

Height: 26-32 inches (66-82 cm)

Color: The double coat of the Himalayan Sheepdog ranges from solid black to light brown. A white Himalayan Sheepdog is rare.

Country of Origin: Nepal

Grooming: The straight double coat of the Hokkaido Dog should be brushed and combed regularly.

Other Info: The Himalayan Sheepdog can live for some 10-13 years if they are bred properly.

Photo by Dogsindia.com

AKA: Hellenic Hound, Greek Harehound, Greek Hound

Description: The Hellenikos Ichnilatis is a medium-sized hunter dog that has an excellent nose and an athletic body. It is slightly longer than it is tall. It has a fitting skin and sleek short coat. The head is noble, but not as massive as the Bloodhound’s. The ears hang flat, light and not too long. The nose is black and the eyes are a dark brown. The eye rims should be tight, with no haw. The teeth form a scissors bite.

Dynamics: The Hellenikos Ichnilatis is an intelligent and brave breed. It is a powerful and passionate hunter. It is relentless in chasing its prey, possessing a huge amount of stamina and cunning. It is also a very useful farm dog, guarding the grounds and alerting the owners for any suspicious people or activity with their loud bark.

But while it is swift and deadly in the hunt, it has an affectionate and friendly temperament with its owner and family. It is extremely playful, wagging its tail in an eagerness to please. It is good-natured, but it can be willful and stubborn. It has a strong temperament and can be independent. Proper training and discipline is needed, with patience and consistency, to avoid behavioral problems.

Breed Group: Hound

Weight: 38-44 pounds (17-20 kg)

Height: 18-22 inches (45-55 cm)

Color: The coat of the Hellenikos Ichnilatis comes in black with tan markings. Sometimes there is a small white spot on the chest.

Country of Origin: The Hellenikos Ichnilatis is an indigenous dog breed to Greece. It is descended from ancient Greek scenthounds and has remained pure throughout the centuries. It is the first Greek breed recognized by the FCI (in 1996).

Activities: The Hellenikos Ichnilatis needs a certain amount of freedom and a lot of exercise. The breed is used in hunting and is also very useful as a farm dog and family companion.

Grooming: The short sleek coat of the Hellenikos Ichnilatis is easy to care for and groom. Brushing with a bristle brush is enough. Bathe in mild soap and dry shampoo only occasionally. Nails should be trimmed. Feet and mouth should be inspected after work or exercises.

Other Info: The Hellenikos Ichnilatis has a life expectancy of 11 years. It is a very healthy breed, with an excellent health record. The Hellenikos Ichnilatis is not fit for an apartment life as it loves open spaces and has a lot of energy to exhaust.

Photo by Trisha Shears

AKA: Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Bulldog

Description: The French Mastiff 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 French Mastiff 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 French Mastiff can be aggressive with other dogs. It has to be socialized and trained firmly from an early age. The male French Mastiff 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 French Mastiff 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 French Mastiff 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 French Mastiff 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 French Mastiff’s coat does not need that much attention. An occasional combing and brushing is enough.

Other Info: The French Mastiff 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 French Mastiff will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

AKA: Brazilian Mastiff, Brazilian Molosser, Cao de Fila

Description: The Fila Brasileiro is a massive dog with a strong bone structure and loose skin. It has a long muzzle, with pendulous upper lips. Its skin is loose all over the body, especially on the face and neck, giving the Fila Brasileiro a somewhat droopy look. The neck is thick and has dewlaps. The coat of the Fila Brasileiro is short and smooth. This breed has a rectangular and compact figure. The back is strong and its gait is measured and catlike. It is muscular and exudes power and agility.

Dynamics: The Fila Brasileiro exudes power and fearlessness. But it is actually a loving and loyal companion. It is protective and watchful. It gets along really well with children because of its gentle and calm manner. It also gets along well with other household pets, though it is reserved and cautious with strangers. It always wants the company of its owner and watch over him or her. The Fila is brave, courageous, confident, and has a calm disposition.

Socialization is needed with the Fila Brasileiro. You will know when socializing is over for the Fila Brasileiro when it does not seek as much attention anymore as it did when it was younger. The Fila Brasileiro is a willful and intelligent breed. It will decide for itself if it likes someone or not, despite socialization. It is in its nature to be protective of its owner and family, and to be wary of strangers. Socialization will serve as introducing the Fila to the world and not see everything as a threat.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 90-110 lb (41-50 kg)

Height: 25.5-29.5 inches (65-75 cm)

Color: The Fila Brasileiro may come in any color except white, mouse gray, patched, dappled, or black and tan. The most common colors of the breed are fawn, black, and brindle. A black mask may be present, and white markings should only found on the feet, chest, and tip of the tail.

Country of Origin: The Fila Brasileiro comes from Brazil. It is the descendant of the 15th century English Mastiff, Bloodhound, Bulldog, and Rafeiros.

Activities: The Fila Brasileiro needs a lot of exercise. It may appear to be lazy and slow, but it has stored energy possessed by Bloodhounds and Mastiffs. Aside from being a companion dog, the Fila Brasileiro is also used as a guard dog, watch dog, and is very helpful for its sharp tracking ability.

Grooming: The Fila Brasileiro’s short hair is easy to groom. Brushing with a bristle brush and wiping with a damp cloth will be enough. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Fila Brasileiro has a life expectancy of 9 to 11 years. This breed is prone to hip dysplasia, bloat. CHD, gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia, and PRA. The Fila Brasileiro is not recommended to live in the city.

AKA: Scotch Collie, Old Farm Collie

Description: The Farm Collie is more popularly known as the Scotch Collie, and there are two varieties of the breed: the Rough Collie and the Smooth Collie. In general, about the only difference between the two is the coat the breed has. The Smooth Collie has shorter hair than that of the Rough Collie. The Rough Collie has a very long coat that there is a ruff around its neck, feathery hair on the legs, a petticoat on its abdomen, and frills on its hindquarters.

The Farm Collie has a long triangular head, with only a slight stop and the jaws forming a scissors bite. The head is a distinctive feature of the Farm Collie, as it is more pointed than usual. The ears are set high on its head in a triangular shape. The ears are generally bent, with the tips sloping forward. The nose is black and the eyes are almond-shaped.

The body is longer than the dog is tall, with a straight back and deep chest. The tail is carried down when relaxed, and carried high in a curve when the dog is alert or excited.

Dynamics: The personality of the Farm Collie will be influenced by how it is raised. But generally, the Farm Collie has a friendly and calm personality. It gets along with children well, and can be trusted with other household pets and other dogs. It is smart and intelligent and is very easy to train. Training should be firm and gentle. The Farm Collie is also loyal and protective. It is usually calm and mild but can be alert and vocal, which makes it a good watchdog. The Farm Collie requires human company, else they will become bored and become boisterous.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 45-70 pounds (21-32 kg) females 40-60 pounds (18-27 kg)

Height: males 21-24 inches (53-61 cm) females 19-22 inches (48-56 cm)

Color: Both varieties of the Farm Collie has four distinct colors (or combinations): sable (ranging from light-blonde to reddish brown, with any hue in between), tricolor (mostly black and whit with tan markings), blue merle tricolor (gray-blue and white with tan markings), and white (with a little head coloration of any of the other three color combinations mentioned).

Country of Origin: The Farm Collie, as its alternative name Scotch Collie depicts, originally came from Scotland Northern England. The original form of the Farm Collie was heavier and less fine-boned than today’s Rough and Smooth Collies.

Activities: The Farm Collie is an active and energetic breed, and it requires a relative amount of exercise. As a herding breed, it needs to have a job to do or some action. It also likes play sessions, but will usually content itself to watching over its family and the property. The Farm Collie can be used as a watchdog, for assistance and therapy, guide, dogs, herding, and as a companion dog.

Grooming: The Farm Collie needs to be thoroughly combed and brushed regularly. Shedding is mostly moderate, but is heavy during the shedding season.

Other Info: The Farm Collie has a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. It is a generally healthy breed and it suffers from very little medical problems. This breed can live in an apartment as long as it is given enough exercises. The Farm Collie prefers to be on farms and have lots of space to run around.