AKA: Chien D’ours de Tahltan, Tahltan

Description: The Tahltan Bear Dog was fox-like in appearance, with some likeness to that of the spitz and pariah breed types. This breed is already considered extinct despite claims that there are still a few remaining. What is clearly known about its appearance is that its coat is short, thick, and rough. Its most distinctive feature is its tail, which has been described as short and bushy. The Tahltan Bear Dog carried it erect, making it look like a shaving brush or whisked broom.

Dynamics: As a hunter dog, the Tahltan Bear Dog was athletic and agile. The breed was raised to help the Tahltan natives hunt bears, hence the name. The Tahltan Bear Dog had great power despite its seemingly small stature. It was also brave and courageous, which should be expected when one is facing a bear. Its hunting instincts aside, the Tahltan Bear Dog was kind and gentle to human s and smaller animals.

Breed Group: Southern

Weight: up to 15 pounds

Height: up to 15 inches

Color: The Tahltan Bear Dog’s coat is usually black with white markings. But there has been reports of other varying colors. Black with white markings is considered the standard.

Country of Origin: The Tahltan Bear Dog was raised by the Tahltan Natives. It was indigenous to Canada

Photo: Pharaoh Hound

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: Ridgeback, African Lion Dog, African Lion Hound

Description: The Rhodesian Ridegback is large and well-muscled dog. It has a flat broad head with a long and deep muzzle and a defined stop. Its nose can be black, brown, or liver, and its eyes are usually brown. Its ears are set high and dropping down and tapering. It has a deep chest, and strong straight front legs. The body ends with a long and tapering tail that curves upward a little. The Rhodesian Ridgeback’s most distinctive feature is its clearly defined symmetrical ridge of hair growing in the opposite direction running down the middle of the back.

Dynamics: The Rhodesian Ridgeback is known to be a ferocious and sophisticated hunter, but it is also a calm and gentle dog to its master or family. It has a good nature and is obedient and even-tempered. It can play roughly though and may not do well with small children. This is an intelligent and serious dog, straightforward and confident. It is brave and and can have an imposing presence. Towards strangers, this dog is reserved and quiet. But it can socialize well when trained.

When training the Rhodesian Ridgeback, it is important that the training be consistent and firm. This breed does not respond well to meek or passive owners, and might refuse to take us seriously. Without the proper training and socialization, the Rhodesian Ridgeback may develop destructive behavior and may become combatant with other dogs or pets. It might also become stubborn and may refuse to follow you. But once you have established that you are the leader and the dog is the follower, then the Rhodesian Ridgeback will prove that is is a loyal and protective companion.

Breed Group: Southern, Hound

Weight: males 80-90 pounds (36-41kg), females 65-75 pounds (29-34kg)

Height: males 25-27 inches (63-69cm), females 24-26 inches (61-66cm)

Color: The color of the Rhodesian Ridgeback’s coat range from light wheaten to shades of red. Sometimes there are little white patches on the chest and toes.

Country of Origin: The Rhodesian Ridgeback came from Zimbabwe, South Africa, where it is known as a hunting dog and retriever. It also took care of children and guarded property. When hunting in packs, this breed is excellent in hunting lions, which earned them the name of African Lion Hound.

Activities: The Rhodesian Ridgeback has great stamina and energy. It needs a lot of exercise and a lot of opportunities to run around. It should be walked everyday and allowed to run free in a safe and secure area.

Grooming: Grooming the Rhodesian Ridgeback is easy because it has a short and smooth coat. Brush occasionally with a bristle brush. Dry shampoo only when necessary. It is an average shedder.

Other Info: The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. It is a generally healthy breed but can also be prone to the usual ailments like hip dysplasia and dermoid sinus. The Rhodesian Ridgeback will be all right living in an apartment as long as it is getting enough exercise.

Photo: Sannse

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