AKA: Weimaraner Vorstehhund, Weim, Silver Ghost, Grey Ghost

Description: The Weimaraner known as the “Silver Ghost” is a breed that is always on the go, Considered as family dog but reserved with strangers, and that made them an ideal watchdog as well as guard dogs. There are two coat varieties: The Shorthaired is short, smooth, fine, and sleek. The Wirehaired is 1 – 2 inches and bordered as a setter. Owners should take time for proper training and socialization. Weimaraners has full of energy and has skills of being a hunting dog. This larger breed is thin and has muscular built and suited for the hunt. Their ears are long, wide and dropped and head are wide and long. Their forelegs are straight and the dewclaws are removed and they have connected feet like web for swimming purposes.

Temperament: Weimaraners are open-minded, graceful, energetic, alert and rightly balanced, with strong will. They are good in hunting and a good companion. They too is an intelligent, energetic and fun-loving breed. They socialize well with children and other pets if trained properly. They are hard workers but need proper training for them to learn good manners and be obedient as well. Aloof with strangers, the Weimaraner makes an excellent watch dog and guard. They have a lot of stored energy in their body to be more effective not just being a watchdog but also for hunting.

Activity: Weimaraners need freedom and a lot of regular exercise. They require obedience training which should begin at 5 – 8 months of age.

Grooming: Brush or dry shampoo their coat as needed. A rub over with a chamois to maintain its smoothness and shine. Prone to sunburn on their nose during hot temperature.

Health Problems: Hip dysplasia, dermoid cysts, dwarfism, eye problems, von Willebrand’s disease, cancer, bleeding disorders and gastric torsion, also known as bloat. Life span is 10-12 years.

Breed Group: Gun Dog, AKC Sporting

Color: Preferably silver gray; shades of mouse or roe gray. There may be small white markings on the chest.

Height: Dogs 24-27 inches (61-69cm) Bitches 22-25 inches (56-63cm)

Weight: Dogs 55-70 pounds (25-32kg) Bitches 50-65 pounds (23-29kg)

Country Of Origin: Germany

Dynamics: Intelligent, confident, assertive and strong-willed. Makes an excellent companion with a strong need to please.

AKA: Golden, Yellow Retriever, Goldie

Description: The Golden Retriever is a well-balanced and well-proportioned dog that has a cream to golden colored coat, hence its name. It has an outer coat that is water repellant, and an undercoat that is dense. The head of the Golden Retriever is broad, and its muzzle is wide and powerful. Its nose is black, it ears medium-sized and pendant. The eyes are brown and have dark rims. Its teeth forms a scissors bite.

The Golden Retriever’s body is muscular, with a powerful muzzle and strong thighs. The chest is broad, and the tail is long and never curled.

Dynamics: The Golden Retriever is an intelligent and well-behaved dog. It is easily trained, sweet, confident, and eager to please. It makes for an outstanding family pet, always patient and gentle with children, and loyal and to its masters. This breed is people-oriented, and gets along with other dogs and pets, too.

The Golden Retriever makes a good watchdog. It is not very likely to attack strangers but it can give a bark to signal someone’s approach.

Breed Group: Sporting, Gundog

Weight: males 60-80 lbs (27-36 kg), females 55-70 lbs (25-32 kg)

Height: males 22-24 inches (56-61 cm), females 20-22 inches (51-56 cm)

Color: The Golden Retriever has a coat that ranges from cream to a golden color.

Country of Origin: The Golden Retriever originated in the British Isles. It was bred from crossing a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other spaniels, setters, the Newfoundland, and (possibly) the Bloodhound. The breed was actually first shown as a Golden Flat-Coat. It is now one of the most popular family companion dogs.

Activities: The Golden Retriever needs daily exercises and play sessions like retrieving balls and toys. The Golden Retriever’s talents include hunting, tracking, retrieving, narcotics detection, agility, competitive obedience, and trick performances. It is also used as a guide for the blind, therapy dog, and a service dog for the disabled. This breed is also good in water; it loves to swim.

Grooming: In grooming the Golden Retriever, there will be no difficulty. It is easy to groom the Golden Retriever. Combing and brushing the coat is enough. Bathe only when necessary. Dry shampoo regularly.

Other Info: The Golden Retriever has a life expectancy of about 10-12 years. Like most of the other breeds, it is also prone to hip dysplasia and congenital eye defects. Skin allergies are also common. The parents of the dog should be checked for OFA and CERF certification. They should also be checked for Von Willebrand’s disease and heart problems. The Golden Retriever will be fine in an apartment. However, it has to be taken outdoors from time to time and exercised sufficiently.

Photo: Sarbajit Sarbajna and Pharaoh Hound

AKA: Deutscher kurzhaariger Vorstehhund, Deutsch Kurzhaar, Kurzhaar

Description: The German Shorthaired Pointer is a well-balanced hunting dog with a nicely chiseled head. The muzzle is long, with the same length as that of the skull, and not pointed. The nose is brown, and so are the eyes. The larger the nose, the better. The eyes are almond-shaped and give off an intelligent expression. The ears lie high and close to the head, and the teeth form a scissors bite.

The skin of the German Shorthaired Pointer would appear tight. Generally, the tail is docked by 60%, letting the dog sit on it. The German Shorthaired Pointer’s feet are webbed. The dewclaws from both legs are removed.

Dynamics: The German Shorthaired Pointer is one of the best companion dog for a family with children. It is loyal and protective, at the same time very cheerful, energetic, and willing to please. This breed is people-oriented, and likes to be in the company of its family. It can be reserved with strangers, though, and it likes to bark. Without proper exercise and socialization, this breed will become disagreeable and nervous. The German Shorthaired Pointer can get along very well with other dogs and pets when socialized with them from an early age.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is by nature a hunting dog. The male tends to be more aggressive than the female, and energy levels generally vary among the breed.

Breed Group: Gun Dog, Sporting

Weight: males 55-70 lbs (25-32 kg), females 45-60 lbs (20-27 kg)

Height: males 23-25 inches (59-64 cm), females 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)

Color: The coat of the German Shorthaired Pointer can be solid liver or liver and white. It can be patched, ticked, or roan.

Country of Origin: The German Shorthaired Pointer came from Germany, where German hunters made efforts to bring about a breed with that could retrieve and track, from water or land, and had a good nose. The breed is the result of mixing the Old Spanish Pointer, Hounds of St. Hubert, the Foxhound, other hounds, and the English Pointer.

Activities: For an energetic breed like the German Shorthaired Pointer, exercises are very important. Otherwise, the dog will become restless and destructive. This breed is used for hunting and it is capable of high performance in both field and water. It requires little training when it comes to hunting, tracking, and retrieving.

Grooming: Grooming the German Shorthaired Pointer is not that hard to do. Regular brushing with a bristle brush is enough. Bathe only when necessary. Rubbing the coat with toweling or chamois can make the coat soft and shiny. Always dry the dog after hunting to prevent it from feeling cold and chilly. Its feet should also be checked, as with the ears.

Other Info: The German Shorthaired Pointer has a life expectancy about 12-15 years. It is generally a healthy breed but it is prone to epilepsy, hermaphrodism, and lymphedema. It is also prone to minor health problems like CHD, entropion, gastric torsion, WWD, pannus, and OCD. This breed is not fit for an apartment life. It has a very huge amount of stamina and energy that it will need a large yard or area to live comfortably. This breed does well in most climates.

Description: The English Springer Spaniel is a compact and medium-sized dog that are distinctive for their long pendant ears. It has sturdy body with a level back and a wagging tail. Generally, the tail is docked. Its front legs are straight and the feet are compact.

The head of the English Springer Spaniel is refined and is in good proportion to the rest of the body. The neck is about the same length as that of the head. The eyes are either hazel or brown, with a gentle expression. The ears are set in line with the eyes. The length should reach all the way to the top of the nose when pulled forward. Its jaw is powerful and the teeth forms a scissors bite.

Dynamics: The English Springer is an even-tempered and sociable breed. Intelligent, willful, and energetic, this breed gets along very well with children. It is easily trained, as long as it knows who the boss is. The English Springer loves people and does best around them. It may become destructive when left alone for too long.

The English Springer is a playful and merry dog. It loves water and may find themselves wet and muddy. It is great with other pets, although it may sometimes fight with same sex dogs.

There are two types of Springers: the field type and the bench type. The field type is used for hunting and field work, while the bench type is used for shows. The field type tend to have more white coat, less hair, and more energy than the bench type. The bench type usually has more liver or black hair. It also has more hair and are usually calmer than the field type.

Breed Group: Gun Dog, Sporting

Weight: males 45-55 lbs (20-25 kg), females 40-50 lbs (18-23 kg)

Height: males 19-21 inches (48-56 cm), females 18-20 inches (46-51 cm)

Color: The English Springer comes in liver and white, black an white (sometimes with tan markings), blue or liver roan. The white part may have flecks of colored hair.

Country of Origin: As derived from its name, the English Springer Spaniel originated in England. This breed is actually the founder of all the English hunting spaniels. It got its name from the way it hunts; it springs forward to drive out birds out of hiding.

This is the founder of all the English hunting spaniels. During the Renaissance, it was considered the ideal companion for the European hunter. Its popularity in America began in 1700. The Springer Spaniel gets its name from his method of flushing game: he springs forward to drive birds out of hiding.

Activities: The more exercises given to the English Springer Spaniel, the more it’ll be happy. This breed loves to run, play, retrieve, and swim. It performs well in land, water, and is good at work. The English Springer Spaniel is used for hunting, tracking, retrieving, watchdogging, agility, shows and performances, and is also a good companion dog.

Grooming: Regular brushing with a stiff bristle brush is needed for the field-type English Springer Spaniel. The bench-type Springer Spaniel, however, will need more attention when it comes to grooming. Both types should be bathe only when necessary. The ears should be checked regularly for any infections. Long coats tend to mat if it is not brushed often. Hair under the ears should be shaved to avoid chronic ear infections. Hair on the feet also needs to be cut to prevent burrs and foxtails.

Other Info: The English Springer Spaniel has a life expectancy of about 12-14 years. It is a generally healthy breed but it prone to hip dysplasia, PRA, PFK, epilepsy, and HD.

The English Springer Spaniel will be fine in an apartment, but it needs to be sufficiently exercised. This breed can adapt well to town or city life.

AKA: Chessie, Chessy Dog

Description: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a powerful and muscular retriever, with a an outercoat and woolly undercoat that are oily and water-repellant. The head is round, with hanging small ears, yellowish eyes, and thin lips.

The Chessie’s front legs are straight and powerful. The hind legs are also powerful, with the dewclaws removed. Removal of the front dewclaws is optional, but this is recommended if the dog is used for the field. The toes are webbed, which gives the Chesapeake Bay Retriever more power in its excellent swimming ability. Its tail is around 12-15 inches long.

Dynamics: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever exudes intelligence and independence. It is courageous, obedient, and lovable. It gets along with children and is affectionate to the family. It can also get along well with cats and other dogs when socialized since puppyhood.

Training the Chesapeake Bay Retriever requires confidence, discipline, and patience. This breed can be stubborn and aggressive that one has to be consistent and firm, but not harsh, in handling it. It tends to be dominant, territorial, and suspicious if not trained and socialized properly. The Chesapeake Bay Terrier also matures slowly.

Breed Group: Gun dog, Sporting Group

Weight: males 65-80 lbs (29-36 kg), females 55-70 lbs (25-32 kg)

Height: males 23-26 inches (58-66 cm), females 21-24 inches (53-61 cm)

Color: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever comes in shades of brown, red or tan. The color ranges from a dead-grass-straw color to a deep dark brown with red overtones. White is sometimes present in the chest and feet.

Country of Origin: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was the result of cross between a Newfoundland and a local retriever at Chesapeake Bay Area, Maryland. When it was found that the cross made an outstanding retriever, more careful breeding was developed to create the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Activities: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever needs extreme physical activities. Swimming and long walks or jogs should be included in its exercises, else the breed will behave badly due to boredom. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s talents include obedience, tracking, hunting, retrieving, guarding, watchdogging, schutzhund, and field spots. It has also proved itself to be a good family companion.

Grooming: Grooming the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is easy because of its dense short hair. Brush with a bristle brush and remove dead hairs. Bathe only when necessary, not so much that the oily texture in their coat will be stripped out (it protects them from icy waters).

Other Info: The life expectancy of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is around 10-12 years. It is basically healthy but prone to eye problems and hip dysplasia.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not suitable for apartment life. It is inactive indoors and this could result to bad behavior due to boredom and lack of exercise. This breed likes to sleep outdoors and prefer cool climates and a place where there is a body of water nearby.