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: Dobermann

Description: The Doberman Pinscher muscular and powerful dog coupled with elegance and intelligence. It has a well-proportioned chest, a short back, and a lean neck. Its short hair clings tight to its body. The legs are perfectly straight and powerful, and its gait is elegant and masterful.

The eyes of the Doberman Pinscher are lively. The ears are cropped (at the age of about 12 weeks). As a pup, the ears have to be taped for some months to make them stand up. The teeth are strong and closes in a scissors bite. The tail is usually docked. Recently, most owners leave the Doberman Pinscher as it is, without cropping the ears or docking the tails. The ears and tail will grow like that of a hound’s when left naturally.

Dynamics: The Doberman Pinscher makes an outstanding guard dog — intense, powerful, and highly intelligent with great strength and stamina. This breed is versatile, noble, assertive, and loyal to its family. It is especially watchful and devoted to its family. Every member of the family has to know how to handle the Doberman Pinscher without feeling fear, as this dog can become pushy and demanding when allowed his way too much.

The Doberman Pinscher is naturally protective. It has to be socialized well to avoid being overprotective. Mental stimulation is important in training the Doberman Pinscher. The training has to be through positive reinforcement and focuses on consistently teaching the dog to be a good pet. A female Dobeman Pinscher is more difficult to train than the male.

The Doberman Pinscher isn’t really an aggressive dog, as others consider them to be. It is kind and gentle and will only be fierce when it comes to defending its owner. It is even aggressive towards other dogs. It is a generally dominant breed, but there can be exceptions. The temperament of the dog would depend mostly on how it is brought up. Interaction and connection with its family is very important.

Breed Group: Mastiff, Working

Weight: 66-88 lbs (30-40 kg)

Height: males 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), females 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)

Color: The coat of the Doberman Pinscher comes in black, black and tan, blue gray, red, fawn, and white. White markings are considered a fault by some but it is generally accepted.

Country of Origin: The Doberman Pinscher was bred in Germany in the 1860s, by a German tax collector named Louis Dobermann. It was said to be a cross among German Pinschers with Rottweilers, Beauceron, Pinschers, Greyhounds, and English Greyhound. The breed was first presented at a dog show in 1876.

Activities: The Doberman Pinscher has a great amount of stamina and needs to be exercised frequently. This breed is used for tracking, as a watchdog, as a guard dog, for police work, military work, search and rescue, therapy work, competitive obedience, and schutzhund.

Other Info: The Doberman Pinscher has a life expectancy of up to 13 years. It is a generally healthy breed, but veterinary check is recommended, especially before purchasing a puppy. It is prone to possible cervical spondylitis (or the wobbler syndrome), blood disorder or Von Willebrands disease (inherited), obesity, bloat, hip dysplasia, and congenital heart disorders.

The albino (white) Doberman is said to have the same gene as that of the famous white tigers and lions owned by Siegfriend and Roy. Some believe it is a masking gene, which covers the color that the dog would be otherwise. It is not yet certain whether this gene really does cause problems for the Doberman’s health.

The Doberman will be fine in an apartment, but it should be frequently exercise and taken outdoors. This breed does not like the cold and is sensitive to it.

AKA: Dalmatiner, Carriage Dog, Dalmatinac, Firehouse Dog, Plum Pudding Dog, Spotted Coach Dog

Description: The Dalmatian is famous for its black and white spotted coat, put to fame by Disney cartoons and movies. This breed is a picture of elegance, having a muscular symmetric body that possesses superior endurance. The more defined and well distributed the spots, the more valued the Dalmatian.

The eyes of the Dachshund are either dark brown, amber, or blue, and carries with it an intelligent expression. Its ears are carried with a slight upward curve, narrowing toward the point. Its nose is either black, brown (liver), or a shade of blue or dark gray that looks very close to black. The feet are round, the toes well-arched, the nails either white or the same color as the spots.

Dynamics: The Dalmatian was bred to run under or alongside horse-drawn carriages (thus the alias of Carriage Dog) and has a lot of energy to spend. Its nature is that it doesn’t like to sit and do nothing.

The Dalmatian is a very lively and active breed. As a puppy, it can be very energetic and without proper care can be very aggressive. The owner need to possess the same level of energy as the dog in order to keep up with it and train it. A young Dalmatian can be a lot to handle, but it calms down after a few years and becomes loyal to its owner and family.

The Dalmatian needs human companionship. It is likely to become depressed without it. This breed is sensitive and has a very good memory. It can remember for years any bad treatment it has undergone. It is quite intelligent, and does well with firm and consistent training.

With its playful nature, the Dalmatian gets along well with children and enjoys playing with them. It may be too rambunctious for toddlers, however. It can also get along with other pets, but may be aggressive with other dogs. This breed needs to be socialized properly to avoid becoming rigid and timid.

Breed Group: Gun Dog, Non-Sporting

Weight: about 55 lbs (25 kg)

Height: males 22-24 inches (50-60 cm), females 20-22 inches (50-55 cm)

Color: The Dalmatian is famous for its short and dense coat of white spotted with black, brown (liver), lemon, or dark blue. The spots can also be tricolor, brindle, solid white, or sable.

Country of Origin: The origin of the Dalmatian is a cause for debate, but most accept Croatia to be its country of origin. It is an ancient breed, and traces of it have been found in Egyptian bas reliefs and Hellenic friezes. It was also noted that maybe the Dalmatian was similar to the Bengal pointer that existed in England, bringing into question whether the Dalmatian was of Yugoslavian origin or not.

Activities: The Dalmatian has a lot of energy in store. It needs plenty or opportunities to walk, run, and play freely. It can display bad behavior when it is repressed from such activities.

Back in the Middle Ages, the hound was used as a hound. It was more popular as a carriage dog in the 1800s, however. The Dalmatian would trot beside the carriage horses and then guard the carriage as its master conducts business somewhere. This is a versatile breed, used a mascot for firemen, war sentinel, circus performer, vermin hunter, hound, shepherd, and guard dog. Presently, the Dalmatian is mainly a companion dog.

Grooming: The Dalmatian sheds profusely twice a year. It is a hardy, easy to keep breed, though frequent brushing is needed to cope with constant shedding. They do not have a doggy odor and are said to be clean and even avoid puddles. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Dalmatian has a life expectancy of about 10-12 years. Health concerns include deafness (which affects 10-12 percent of the puppies), urinary stones, skin allergies, and high uric acid levels (which can cause urinary blockage). A deaf Dalmatian is difficult to raise, so as a puppy it should be BAER-tested; when the puppy is totally deaf, it should be spayed or neutered. The Dalmatian will be okay in an apartment, but only if it can be taken out several times a day for exercises and play sessions. It is very active and does best in a large open area. This breed is not comfortable outside when it is cold.

AKA: Standard Dachshund, Miniature Dachshund, Toy Dachshund, Doxie, Dackel or Teckel (German, French), Weiner Dog or Hotdog, Sausage Dog, Worshond

Description: There are three varieties of Dachshund with three sizes within each variety. The three varieties consist of the short-haired, the wired-haired, and the long-haired.

The Dachshund is generally an elongated muscular dog with short legs. Its head is long with a slightly convex skull. The eyes are oval, of colors dark red or brown, and the eyebrows are arched and protruding. The ears are long and hanging on its cheeks. It has a long muzzle, non pendent lips, and robust jaws that end in a scissors bite.

The body of the Dachshund includes a strong protruding sternum and a moderately retracted abdomen.

Its body should have a strong protruding sternum and a moderately retracted stomach. It ends with the tail which is carried in line with the back.

Dynamics: The Dachshund is a lively and affectionate breed. It is also bold, curious, and mischievous. It is slightly difficult to train. The long-haired variety is considered to be the calmer one among the two varieties, while the wire-haired variety is said to be more outgoing and clown-like.

The Dachshund is generally a great companion dog. It is easy to travel with and it gets along well with children, especially older ones. It gets along well with other animals too, but they will sometimes be jealous and irritable and quick to bite. This breed is a compulsive digger and it has a bark that is surprisingly loud for its size. The Dachshund tends to gain weight quickly so it is recommended not to overfeed it.

Breed Group: Hound

Weight: normal 20 lbs (9 kg), miniature 9 lbs (4 kg), toy 8 lbs (3.5 kg)

Height: normal 14-18 inches (35-45 cm), miniature 14 inches (35 cm), toy 12 inches (30 cm)

Color: The Dachshund may be solid colored or bi-colored. Solid colors include tan and yellow. Bi-colored Dachshunds include the colors deep black, brown, or gray with areas of bright chestnut. Some may also be piebald, speckle-streaked, or harlequin.

Country of Origin: The Dachshund originated in Germany, from many hundreds of years ago.

Activities: The Dachshund is an active dog with great energy. It needs daily exercises and play sessions. This breed should be discouraged from jumping a lot because this could cause spinal damage.

The Dachshund was bred to hunt and track animals. It was especially bred to hunt down hare and stoat. It would dig its prey out and go inside the burrows.

Grooming: The long-haired variety will need to be combed and brushed daily. The wire-haired variety will need a professional trimming twice a year. Meanwhile, for the smooth-haired variety, a rubdown with a damp cloth will do.

Other Info: The Dachshund has a life expectancy of about 12-15 years. It is prone to spinal disc problems, the specific one being Dachshund paralysis. It is also prone to heart disease, urinary tract problems, and diabetes. There is strong caution placed in overfeeding the Dachshund;it may become overweight and this is considered a health risk because it would add an added strain on its long back. This breed goes well with apartment living. It is fairly active indoors and is already satisfied even without a large space to romp in.

AKA: Scottish Collie

Description: The Collie is an active and agile long-coated sheepdog that comes as a rough variety or a smooth one. The rough variety has an abundant double coat that forms a mane around its neck and chest. The smooth variety has a one-inch coat that doesn’t need that much grooming. The hair on the head and legs of both varieties, however, are similarly short and smooth.

Its head is lean, blunted, and wedge-shaped, with the top of it flat. The muzzle is long, smooth, well-rounded, and blunt. The ears are slightly erect, the tips folding forward. It has a black nose and the eyes are almond-shaped and dark. In the case of blue merle collies, however, the eyes are blue or merle.

The body of the Collie is trim and muscular. It is slightly longer than it is tall. It has a strong and fairly wide chest, and its tail hangs down to the hocks.

Dynamics: The Collie is a nobly intelligent dog. It is easy to train and can be house-trained in about a week (when it is about 10-12 weeks old). The Collie is sensitive, kind, and loyal. It is known to be a breed that is very devoted and protective of its loved ones. It is excellent with children and are good-natured and friendly dogs.

The Collie is an energetic dog outdoors. A puppy may exhibit herding behavior (nipping at people’s heels and running around) but this is outgrown when it turns into an adult. The Collie tend to be suspicious of strangers and the people it does not like. It has a great sense of protectiveness, especially for its family’s children.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 60-75 lbs (27-34 kg), females 50-65 lbs (23-29 kg)

Height: males 24-26 inches (61-66 cm), females 22-24 inches (56-61 cm)

Color: Both the rough and smooth variety can come in sable and white, tricolor black-white-and-tan, blue merle or predominantly white with sable, tricolor or blue merle markings.

Country of Origin: The Collie originated in Britain. The Rough Coated Collie actually originated in Scotland. But it was Queen Victoria’s interest in the breed that sparked its popularity. The Collie was then mixed with the Borzoi, and the result was a Collie used as a show dog. The working Collie was branched out from the show type and is more popular as a Scottish Collie. The show type Collie has to have the Borzoi influence, and the flatter faces, in order to be accepted in the show rings. The Collie was first presented at a dog show in 1860.

Activities: The Collie needs a lot of exercise and their time outdoors. It enjoys some runs and romps off the leash. The breed has been used as sheepdogs for centuries, and are used as a rescue dog, guide for the blind, a movie star (Lassie), and a guard dog.

Grooming: Thoroughly brushing the coat of a Collie will keep it in good condition. Extra care should be given when it sheds its soft dense undercoat. Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. The long-coated variety may have a big matt that needs to be cut out and not combed to avoid hurting the Collie. For the smooth variety, brushing should be done every one to two weeks.

Other Info: The Collie’s life expectancy is about 14-16 years. It is prone to PRA, eye defects, and hip problems that could lead to acute lameness and arthritis. But this breed is generally healthy. The Collie will be fine in an apartment, but it has to be taken out from time to time and exercised. It is relatively inactive outdoors. It is sensitive to the heat, especially its nose. It has to be provided with plenty of shade and fresh water in warm weather.