AKA: Peke, Peking Palasthund, Lion Dog, Pelchie Dog, Foo (or Fu) Dog
Description: Pekingese breed is a flat faced dog. The body is compact and very short. They are considered small breed. They have a double coat, a head turner mane that is feathering on its ears, through their tail and legs. Their head is bigger when compared to their body. Their muzzle is wide and flat and its thick ones under their eyes. Their teeth also meet in a under bite and with their jaw bone that is as well wide. Eyes are round, expressive with a heart shaped ears settled on top of head laying flat. That is adding a rectangular look of their face. Their tail is set high especially when they are alert. Their coat comes in a variety of colors.

Temperament: The Pekingese is a very smart breed with dignity. Also very loving and confident dog. They are a calm and quiet dog. They are also very sociable to people around them and with other animals too. therefore its always easy to train them with socialization and good manners. They are a very brave dog too and doesn’t depend with anyone on their family. They are a perfect human companion too. Easy to be with and a jolly playful dog.They could also be a good watch dog as long as they are being handled very well by their owner.

Activity: They are required to have daily walk and jog as long as they heel beside their owner to let them understand that leader should lead the way. Play is also another form of exercise that will help them gain their energy and to be more healthy.

Health: They are prone to colds, as well as dislocated kneecaps, trichaiasis and some breathing difficulties. Their life span is from about 10-15 years.

Grooming: Daily brushing is required for them to avoid tangles and broken coat. Bathe only when necessary. Dry shampoo is also needed regularly. They are an average shedder breed.

Group: Herding, Toy
Color: It comes in all varieties of color.
Height: 6-9 inches (30.4-45cm.)
Weight: 8-10 pounds (3.6-4.5kg.)
Country Of Origin: China

Dynamics: They have the looks like that of a Chinese guardian lions. That is why they are also called Lion Dog or Foo Dog in China. They are the favorite pet of the Chinese Imperial court so their name was originated from Beijing.

Photo by Jneh

AKA: Norsk Buhund, Norwegian Sheepdog, Nordiske Sitz-hunde

Description: The Norwegian Buhund is a dog of the Spitz type and is short and lightly built. It has a compact body and has a short- to medium-length coat. It has erect and pointed ears and its jaws form a scissors bite. Its tail is always carried curled over the back.

Dynamics: The Norwegian Buhund a cheerful and active dog. It is very affectionate and even loves to snuggle with people. It is also an intelligent and attentive breed, eager to please and learning very quickly. It is vigilant and is a natural watch dog, courageous, brave, and vocal without being too aggressive. It is a great people lover, and it loves its family and can also get along very well with children.

The Norwegian Buhund needs to be trained with the owner as a leader. Otherwise, it will think it can get away with doing as it pleases and may become aggressive. It can be stubborn if you can’t get it to follow your orders. The Norwegian Buhund is also known to bite or snap when provoked.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: males 31-40 pounds (14-18 kg), females 26½-35½ pounds (12-16 kg)

Height: males 17-18½ inches (43-47 cm), females 16-17½ inches (41-45 cm)

Color: The coat of the Norwegian Buhund is usually wheaten or biscuit, from light to yellowish red. But there are also Norwegian Buhunds with a black and wolf-sable coat.

Country of Origin: The Norwegian Buhund originated in Norway. The breed lived since ancient times, discovered during the Gokstad excavation in Norway when skeletons from six dogs of various sizes were found.

Activities: The Norwegian Buhund is a very energetic dog and has to be exercised and taken out on a walk everyday. It also enjoys to play and romp around.

Grooming: The coat of the Norwegian Buhund only needs to be regularly brushed in order to prevent matting and tangles. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Norwegian Buhund has a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years. Eye and hip problems are common occurrences with the breed. The Norwegian Buhund is all right living in an apartment as long as it gets its daily walk and is sufficiently exercised.

Photo: Sannse

AKA: North American Miniature Australian Shepherd, Mini Australian Shepherd, North American Shepherd, Toy Australian Shepherd, Mini Aussie, Tea Cup Australian Shepherd

Description: The North American Miniature Australian Shepherd has a slightly wavy coat that is moderate in length. It has feathering on the back of its legs and a mane and frill around its neck. Its skull is flat and clean cut, and its upper jaw does not hang over the lower jaw.

Dynamics: The Miniature Australian Shepherd is an affectionate and playful dog. It is great with children and is courageous and very active. It is also attentive and is easy to train. This dog has to be given attention otherwise it becomes nervous and destructive. The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a dog that always needs to be doing something. Socialization is needed so that it will not grow up suspicious of strangers. The Miniature Australian Shepherd is not usually dog aggressive and can get along with other dogs.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: 20-40 pounds (9-18 kg)

Height: 13 to 18 inches (35 to 46 cm)

Color: The coat of the Miniature Australian Shepherd comes in either blue or red merle, red or black tricolor, or all with white or tn markings. The hair around the ears and eyes should not be white.

Country of Origin: The Miniature Australian Shepherd was bred in the United States in 1968 using small Australian Shepherds.

Activities: The Miniature Australian Shepherd is an active breed and therefore needs to be regularly walked and exercised. This is a working dog and has to be always on the go.

Grooming: An occasional brush with a firm bristle brush is enough to groom the Miniature Australian Shepherd. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Miniature Australian Shepherd has a life expectancy of 12-13 years. This breed is prone to blindness and deafness as the gene for the merle combination carried this factor. This breed will be all right living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

Photo: Elf

AKA: Bobtail, OES, Bob
Description: The Old English Sheepdog a big sized dog that is popular of their long and thick hair and their common color of black or grey and white. They are very attractive with their very fluffy long hair that covers their eyes and even their face. Smooth and soft to touch. Their eyes are flat. Their structure and looks can be compared to a panda. Big and fluffy haired dog. They walk like a bear rolling from rear. They are also strong, has well balanced body, compact and muscular. Its eyes are dark blue or pearl blue. Ears are medium in size and flat. With jaw that is regularly long square shaped and strong and nose is black and large. Teeth in scissors bite. And have small and rounded feet.

Temperament: This breed is adaptable, friendly and very loving huggable just like a teddy bear. Never been aggressive and nervous. They are also a genius dog, easy to train dog. They are also loyal and protective to their owner. They enjoy being with children and always been considered as member of the family. However, they have a strong herding instincts that tends to herd their owners or children so they must be trained not to herd people and let them understand the rules to follow.

Activity: They are a hard working dog, especially in herding therefore they needed to have daily exercise through running, a jog or walking but must be trained to heel beside their owner imposing a leadership that they should always obey their owner’s rules.

Health: A healthy breed but could also be prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, glaucoma deafness, thyroid problems, diabetes. Their life span is about 10-12 years.

Grooming: They have a very long hair that covers their eyes and face so they must b]e groomed well, be trimmed, comb and brush to prevent from being tangled and get those dead hair three times daily. To avoid skin diseases and infections. Always trim hair around their eyes for good grooming and to keep them away from eye infection. They shed heavily usually during spring season.

Breed Group: Herding, AKC Herding
Color: Grey, Black, White
Height: Dogs 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) Bitches 20-22 inches (51 cm)
Weight: Dogs from 65 pounds (29 kg) Bitches from 60 pounds (27 kg)
Country Of Origin: England

Dynamics: The Old English Sheepdog was first called the Shepherd’s Dog and exhibited in a show in England that made them popular. Also, they are known as Bobtail because of their docked tail. In year 1880’s they were then exported to the United States that was first shown by 5 of the top wealthiest families in US and by that they became more popular especially in dog shows.

Photo by Harald Urnes

AKA: New Zealand Sheepdog

Description: The New Zealand Huntaway does not have a standard look. It comes in various shapes, sizes, and coat colors. This is mainly due to the fact that the breeders weren’t really concerned about the appearance of the dog and focused instead on the dog’s abilities.

Dynamics: The New Zealand Huntaway is a sheep herding dog unique for using its voice in driving the sheep. It got its name from special events called “huntaways,” developed at sheep-herding trials for the breed. The New Zealand Huntaway is not a guard dog, and is not a good watch dog. But it has a bark that can alert its owners, and it can be trained when and when not to bark. It can be trained to keep quiet and save its voice for work.

The New Zealand Huntaway is an intelligent and friendly breed. It gets along well with children, and is friendly with strangers. It is also good with non canine pets. Its owner should be calm and confident, training the dog in clear and concise ways. The owner should also know how to discourage the New Zealand Huntaway from barking when he wants something as this is allowing the dog to be dominant.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: general 40-65 pounds (18-29.5 kg); the New Zealand Huntaway come in various shapes and sizes.

Height: 20-24 inches (51-61 cm)

Color: The New Zealand Huntaway comes in any color.

Country of Origin:The New Zealand Huntaway is the product of breeding barking sheep-herding dogs. There were many breeds involved in the program, including the Black Labrador, Hound, Border Collie, nd Germn Shepherd. The New Zealand Huntaway is the proof of the success of the breeding program, and is recognized in its land of origin, New Zealand, as the breed made for the intended purpose of sheep herding.

Activities: As sheep herding dogs go, the New Zealand Huntaway is an active and playful dog. It should be taken outside regularly for a walk and plenty of exercise. It should also be given a time to run around free in a safe and open area.

Grooming: Combing and brushing the coat of the New Zealand Huntaway is enough for grooming. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The New Zealand Huntaway has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. This breed is generally healthy and can do well living in an apartment as long as it has sufficient exercise.

Photo: Cgoodwin