AKA: Deutscher Spitz , Nordic
Description: The German Spitz breed is known to belong under spitz subtype, has different sizes the toy type,medium and the giant type. This breed has 5 types: The Giant german spitz,medium/standard german spitz, small miniature, keeshond and pomeranian. They also come in different color but usually their standard color is white,only the small types has different color combinations. Their head is round and looks like that of a wolf, They have double coat and their ears are set high and pointed. They also have smooth long and straight hair. They also have rounded, brown eyes with a look like the pomeranian.
By history, they are from the stone age and considered as the oldest breed in central europe and until they were brought to america and was called American Eskimo since there were anti-german issue that time.

Temperament: They are an affectionate and very intelligent dog. They always want to catch the attention of everybody around them that is why they hate to be alone. But, They are a heavy barker especially with animals they see and to strangers around them. They needed to be trained with socialization because they are not a friendly dog. A thorough training and needs a lot of patience for this breed is required.

Activity: They too require a daily walk and jog to lessen their behavioral problem and to keep their energy and be healthy.

Health: No known diseases for this breed thay only needed ample amount of exercise since they could easily become fat. Their life span is about 13-15 years.

Grooming: Even they have fluffy hair, less grooming is required for them. Brush them only once in a week.

Breed Group: Herding
Color: black to white and in shades of cream, brown, orange, sable, gold and blue.
Height: 23-29cm
Weight: 5 – 8kg
Country Of Origin: Germany

Dynamics: This breed is a very intelligent dog, a barker but not a friendly type of dog so they needed a thorough training. As mentioned earlier, they could be classify into 5 types according to their sizes too. They too comes in a herding group in germany that was spread out to europe.

AKA: Alsatian, Deutscher Schaferhund
Description: German Shepherds are a big size kind of breed. That has a dome shaped forehead. They are known to have black nose and with brown eyes that is regular in size that expresses of being cheerful and smart dog. Their jaws are strong and in scissors bite. The ears are erected and large especially when they are alert, neck are long and are being lift up when they feel an excitement and carried low when they move. Their tail is fluffy and long. Their coat also varies in color that have black masks in those common colors like black or tan. They have double coat, outer is thick and undercoat is compact that also has two types the long and medium coat.

Temperament: This breed is known to be the third most intelligent among other breeds of dog. They have a record that they have great skills of intelligence that could follow simple tasks in just five repetitions and quickly learn to follow first commands. Moreover, they are a very strong breed an alert in all of their activities and during their trainings. They are always very eager to learn things being taught to them. They are also faithful to their owner and to the people familiar to them. But they are a territorial dog they always ensure the safety of their home thus, they may be very protective. That is why it is also recommended to train them on socialization so they could easily adjust to the people around them excluding strangers especially suspicious ones and to overcome their aloof attitude. They are an obedient dog that could not be disturbed in anything that they do.

Activity: German Shepherds loves tough activities like exercise, jog, run around in a safe yard and walking with owner. It is also best recommended of them to maintain their energy and avoid behavioral problems. Thus, it is very important for them to have daily exercise.

Health: They may suffer from their hereditary desease like hip and elbow dysplasia, digestive problems, blood disorders, epilepsy, eczema and allergies. Their life span is about 13 years.

Grooming: They are heavy shedder on a seasonal basis only. They require daily combing and be bathe when necessary specifically once or twice a year to avoid skin infections

Breed Group: Herding
Color: Common colors are tan or black, red or black Rare colors are sable, plain black also white, liver and blue.
Height: Dogs 24-26 inches (60-65cm.) Bitches 22-24 inches (55-60cm.)
Weight: 77-85 pounds (35-40kg.)
Country Of Origin: Germany

Dynamics: German Shepherds are a very strong that belong to a herding breed group. They are known as the very intelligent breed which is considered as their best asset. Moreover, they are territorial but could also be sociable when trained.

Image source: petplanet

Description: The Hovawart is a large and massive-looking dog that has the physical features of the Golden Retriever. Its body is slightly longer than it is tall, and is covered with thick and slightly long hair. There is feathering on its chest, legs, undersides, and tail. The Hovawart carries its tail low and hanging past the hocks.

The Hovawart has a powerful head and a rounded forehead. The eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The color of the eyes, nose and nails go along with the color of the coat.

Dynamics: The Hovawart is generally calm and has a gentle temper. But it can also be energetic and very active, especially when outdoors. It is obedient and affectionate companion, and is loyal to its family. This breed is excellent with children and other household pets, although it might show aggressiveness to other dogs of the same sex.

The Hovawart is an intelligent and cautious breed. It is reserved with strangers, but is friendly with those that tits owner knows. It is brave and protective, making a good watchdog. It is quick to learn as long as the training is firm and consistent. Socialization should start from puppyhood.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: 55-90 pounds (25-51 kg.)

Height: 23-28 inches (58-70 cm.)

Color: The dense coat of the Hovawart comes in blonde, black, or black and tan.

Country of Origin: The Hovawart originates in Germany, becoming nearly extinct in the 1200s but was revived in the 1920s by Kurt Konig.

Activities: The Hovawart has great energy and adaptability. It requires lots of exercises and play sessions to keep fit. This breed is suited for tracking, search and rescue, watchdogging, schutzhund, and defense situations.

Grooming: The Hovawart’s coat needs occasional brushing and combing to remove dead hair and avoid tangles in the hair.

Other Info: The Hovawart has a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years. It is a generally healthy breed. Underactive thyroid is common, though. The breed is also prone to common health issues like hip dysplasia. The Hovawart is not for the city or apartment life. It prefers a home where there is an open space. It prefers cool climates and can be an outstanding watchdog.

Photo by Ursula Schneider

AKA: n/a
Description: The English Shepherd breed can be compared to Collies also to Australian Shepherds physical looks. They are a medium sized breed regularly hairy and has long body compared to its tail. They are considered a working a dog. Coat is regular in length and very shiny and smooth to touch,can be wavy or straight and they come in variety of colors.

Temperament: A genius dog, hard working with less supervision, they are very independent dog. Also, they are friendly and affectionate too. Although they can be demanding a times but mostly is sociable especially within his family at home. Moreover, they could get along well with children and with other dogs. They are a very strong breed since they are used for hunting and as watchdog. To strangers, they are very observant and could immediately alert their owner for some suspicious movements outside or inside the house.

Activity: They are required to have exercise in the form of walking or jog daily, to keep them fit and strong.

Health: They are also prone to hip and elbow dysplasia like other breeds.

Grooming: They don’t require heavy grooming. Brushing daily would be enough for this breed. Bathe them only when necessary.

Breed Group: Herding
Color: Sable and white , tricolor, black and white, and black and tan.
Height: 18-23 inches (46-58 cm)
Weight: Males – 45-60 pounds (21-28 kg.) Females – 40-50 pounds 18-23 kg.)
Country Of Origin: England

Dynamics: This breed is a very independent, intelligent and friendly dog. They are born a hunter and a watchdog so they are very alert to some suspicious strangers that would envade their owner’s house. With their family, they are hardworking that would be a great help and they don’t have any problem dealing with other dogs as they are very sociable.

Image Source: English Shepherd

AKA: Lapinkoira, Suomenlapinkoira

Description: The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog that belongs to the Spitz family. It has a strong built, the body longer than its height, powerful and compact. The back is straight, the front legs are straight while the hind legs are bent, and the paws are catlike. Its coat is thick with hair, covering the neck and body, with feathery frills in the abdomen, and behind the legs. The tail is also covered with long hair, and is carried curved over the back.

The head is triangular, although its ruff of hair around the face and neck makes it seem as if the face is round. The nose is black and the eyes are huge and slightly almond-shaped. There is usually a light-colored ring of hair around the eyes. The ears are set high on the head and are triangular. Its teeth forms a scissors bite.

Dynamics: The Finnish Lapphund is an intelligent breed, as can be detected from their observant gaze and serious expression. It is observant and alert, and makes a very good watchdog. It barks at things it thinks are suspicious. It has a friendly temperament, and is an active breed. It is a great companion, especially when outdoors. It get along well with children, gentle with them and with people they can see that needs tenderness like the disabled and the elderly.

Breed Group: Working, Pastoral, Northern

Weight: average weight is 17-19kg, but the breed has a weight range of 15-24kg

Height: males 46-52 cm, females 41-47 cm

Color: The coat of the Finnish Lapphund can come in any color, with a single color dominating. The most common colors for this breed are white, black, red, brown, sable, and wolf-sable. The combination of black and tan is very common.

Country of Origin: The Finnish Lapphund originated in Finland, where it was raised by the Sami people.

Activities: The Finnish Lapphund was traditionally used as a reindeer herder, but is now also used as a watch dog, in obedience competitions, agility, herding trials, pet therapy, and as a family companion.

Grooming: The coat of the Finnish Lapphund only requires a modest amount of maintenance. Combing and brushing at least once a week is needed to remove dead hairs.

Other Info: The Finnish Lapphund has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. There are those that can live up to 16-17 years. It is a naturally healthy breed. Hip dysplasia is not common for this breed. But it is prone to medical issues like GPRA (General Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and hereditary cataracts.

Photo: Apdevries