Black Russian Terrier Dog

The Black Russian Terrier is a solid, large, powerful dog. It was developed in Russia as a guard dog. Today, the Black Russian Terrier is well known for its courage and strength, as well as its endurance.

Physical Characteristics

This well-muscled and large-boned dog can pull heavy loads and is agile enough to move over rocky land and overtake an opponent. It has a strong body, a powerful neck and head and can carry out its duties as a reliable guard dog. As the Black Russian Terrier is a strong and protective breed, reliability, intelligence, and courage are essential traits.

The dog's undercoat keeps it warm, and its outer coat, which varies in length from 1.5 to 4 inches, is weatherproof and does not hold water.

Personality and Temperament

The Russian Terrier is reserved with strangers and extremely attached to and protective of its family. Rightly described as daring, confident, and calm, the Black Russian Terrier is playful and gentle with kids; it is also sociable and affectionate.

The breed has a tendency to stick close to familiar people indoors and may not behave well with dominant or strange dogs, but is normal with smaller dogs and other pets. Although an independent thinker and fast learner, the Black Russian can get stubborn when forced to do something it does not want to.

Care

The Russian Terrier’s coat requires proper combing every week, even though it does not shed much. It should be trimmed once every six to eight weeks. Traditionally, a Russian Terrier's coat is given a tousled look. When giving it a show trim, however, the dog's form must be visible.

Mental and physical workout and social interaction are essential for the breed. Agility and obedience training are also useful to mold the dog's character and physique. Russian Terriers do not function well as kennel dogs, as it they are always in need of human contact.

Health

The Black Russian Terrier, which has an average lifespan of 10 to 11 years, is prone to minor health issues such as elbow dysplasia and major problems like canine hip dysplasia (CHD). The breed may also suffer from progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and dwarfism. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip, elbow, and eye exams for the dog.

History and Background

In the mid-20th Century, the Soviets had to find the right working dog for their military. As there weren’t good qualified dogs to suit their purpose, they imported mostly German breeds to their state Red Star kennels. Roy, a Giant Schnauzer born in 1947, was the most impressive import. This dog was mated with other breeds like the Moscow Water Dog, Airedale Terrier and Rottweiler. All the successful resultant crosses were black and could be differentiated from other breeds as the Black Terrier group. However, the best dogs were then inter-bred and by the late 1950s, the public could obtain the second- and third-generation dogs.

The principal criteria for breeding were versatility and working ability and steps were taken to improve the form. The functions of the Black Russian Terrier were performing military tasks like detecting explosives and mines, pulling sledges, transporting supplies, finding wounded soldiers, and border guard duty. The dogs were also used for military operations in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

A standard was registered in 1968 and, in 1984, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognized the breed. The popularity of the dog increased as Black Russian Terrier breeders were taken to other countries. The AKC accepted the breed as part of the Miscellaneous class in 2001 and it became a part of the Working Group in 2004.

Black and Tan Coonhound Dog

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a working dog. It is accustomed to difficult terrains and trails, and the tree games of summer or winter seasons. The Coonhound hunting skills are pure, working by scent alone.

Physical Characteristics

The eager, amicable, and alert expression of the Coonhound makes it very lovable. With its tail and head held high, the Coonhound moves about with graceful strides. Its long structure is moderately bony, but its build gives it strength, speed, and agility.

The Black and Tan Coonhound's coat, meanwhile, is dense and short, which provides protection in all kinds of weather. Its deep muzzle provides sufficient room for its olfactory apparatus, while its deep voice assists the hunter in finding the dog when it has trapped the game. It also has long ears that help stir up ground scents.

Personality and Temperament

The Black and Tan Coonhound is not the typical house dog, but it still makes a notable and unusual pet. The dog remains quiet, calm, mellow, and friendly indoors, but outdoors, its hunting instincts become dominant -- once tracking begins, it is unwilling to let go of a trail.

This stubborn, independent, and strong dog sometimes howls and bays, shows reticence with strangers, though it is calm and tolerant with kids.

Care

Grooming a Black and Tan Coonhound consists of the occasional brushing of the coat and regular ear checkups. Exercise, meanwhile, may be satisfied with a long walk, short jog, or an excursion on a field. The Coonhound also loves to run a few miles and wanders on catching a scent. As the Black and Tan drools, it is a good idea to wipe its face regularly.

Health

The Black and Tan Coonhound, which has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, is prone to minor health concerns such as ectropion and hypothyroidism, and major issues like canine hip dysplasia (CHD). The Coonhound also occasionally suffers from Hemophilia B. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend hip and thyroid tests for the dog.

History and Background

Bred mainly in the Blue Ridge, Appalachian, Smokey, and Ozark Mountains, Black and Tan Coonhounds were originally used for hunting bears and raccoons in rugged terrain. It should be noted that the Black and Tan Coonhound is an American breed that was developed by crossing the black and tan Virginia Foxhound with the Bloodhound.

Much like their Bloodhound ancestors, the Black and Tan Coonhound trails with it nose to the ground, but at a faster pace. Trailing opossums and raccoons is its forte, but it is also good at trailing larger mammals. After trapping the quarry, the dog bays until the hunter arrives.

In 1945, the American Kennel Club recognized the Black and Tan Coonhound, though the breed has been more popular as a hunting dog than a pet or show dog. Although the United Kennel Club arranges several bench shows for the coonhound breeds, in which Blue Tick Coonhounds, Black and Tan Coonhounds, Redbone Coonhounds, Plott Hounds, English Coonhounds, and Treeing Walkers participate.

Bichon Frise Dog

The Bichon Frisé is a small-framed dog with a heavenly white coat that puffs up. After many centuries developing in Europe, it has become a lovable and cuddling addition to many families today.

Physical Characteristics

The small, sturdy, and agile Bichon moves with an efficient and effortless gait. Its soft and inquisitive expression makes it very easy for the dog to win the heart of its owners. The Bichon's powder-puff look is due to its double coat, which consists of a dense soft undercoat and a white coarse and curly outer coat that stands away from the body.

 

Personality and Temperament

With its happy-go-lucky attitude, the playful, vivacious, and bouncy Bichon delights everyone. It is good with kids and amicable towards pets, other dogs, and strangers. This affectionate, responsive, and sensitive dog also loves to play and be cuddled, but when it is left alone, it may bark excessively.

 

Care

The Bichon is an indoor dog that should not be allowed to live outdoors. It may be small, but it requires exercise daily, which can be easily fulfilled with a nice romp in the yard, a lively indoor game, or a short leash-led walk. The powder-puff white coat requires combing, as well as brushing on alternate days, to keep it dirt-free. It also needs trimming and scissoring once a month. Although the Bichon does not shed, its loose hairs tend to get knotted and may even mat in the coat. In addition, the coat's whiteness may be difficult to maintain in certain areas.

 

Health

The Bichon, with a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years, is prone to some serious health problems like hyperadrenocorticism, allergies, and patellar luxation, or from less serious conditions like cataract and canine hip dysplasia (CHD); Legg-Perthes and liver disease may also affect the breed. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may run hip, knee and eye exams on the dog.

 

History and Background

The Bichon Frisé is descended from the Barbet (or Water Spaniel) and was originally known as “Barbichon," which was later shortened to “Bichon." The Bichon was divided into four types: Ilvanese, Bolognese, Maltaise, and Tenerife. It is said that the Tenerife was the original source of the Bichon Frisé. They were bred on the Canary Island of Tenerife, where Spanish seamen used them as barter items while on their travels. In the 1300s, Italian seafarers rediscovered the little dogs on their voyages and brought them back to Europe. Soon thereafter, the dogs became a favorite among Italian nobles.

The "Tenerife" or "Bichon" became popular in France in the 16th century during the Renaissance. They also enjoyed considerable success in Spain and in many other parts of Europe, only to see their popularity wane. The breed enjoyed a brief revival under the rule of Napoleon III in the 1800s, but again its popularity did not last. At that point, the Bichon had become a mere “street” dog, surviving by entertaining a passerby, accompanying organ grinders and performing tricks in circuses. World War I left the Bichon in dire straits, but in 1933, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, with the help of French breeders, implemented a standard for the breed and named it Bichon Frisé.

The Bichon Frisé arrived in the United States in the late 1950s. There, it was well groomed, loved and accepted into the hearts of dog fanciers nationwide. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1971.

Bernese Mountain Dog

With similar coloring to the Saint Bernard, the Bernese Mountain Dog is the only variety of Swiss Mountain Dog that has a long, silky coat. Smart, strong, agile, calm and confident, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a versatile worker.

Physical Characteristics

The large, hardy, and sturdy Bernese Mountain Dog can easily manage work involving droving and draft as it has the right combination of agility, pace, and strength. It has a slightly long and square body, but is not tall. Its slow trot is characteristic of its natural working gait, but its driving power is good. The moderately long and thick coat is straight or slightly wavy, offering insulation from extremely cold weather. The dog’s striking tri-color blend (a jet black ground color with rich rust and clear white markings) and gentle expression make it affable.

Personality and Temperament

This loyal, sensitive, and extremely devoted breed is reserved with strangers and very gentle with kids. It also plays well with other pets and dogs, and is unhappy if isolated from family activities. The Bernese Mountain Dog is best described as an easygoing and placid family companion. These qualities are noticeable once it becomes an adult.

Care

A weekly brushing is enough coat care for this mountain dog. The breed loves the outdoors, particularly in cold weather. Though it can live outdoors in cold and temperate climates, the Bernese Mountain Dog is so attached to its family that it cannot live alone outside.

Moderate daily exercise, such as a leash-led walk or a short hike, is all the breed requires to remain fit. While indoors, it should be given plenty of space to stretch. The Bernese Mountain Dog also loves to pull things.

Health

The Bernese Mountain Dog is occasionally prone to health problems like von Willebrand's Disease (vWD), hypomyelination, allergies, hypothyroidism, hepatocerebellar degeneration and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The minor diseases that the dog is likely to suffer from are cataract, sub-aortic stenosis (SAS),entropion, and ectropion. The more serious ailments affecting this breed include canine hip dysplasia (CHD), elbow dysplsia, gastric torsion, and mast cell tumor. A lot of care should be taken to prevent heat stroke.

DNA, cardiac, hip, eye, and elbow tests are advised for the Bernese Mountain Dog, which has an average lifespan of 6 to 9 years. (The dog's lifespan is, according to a Swiss maxim, "Three years a young dog, three years a good dog, and three years an old dog. Anything more is a gift from God.")

History and Background

The Bernese is famous for being the only Swiss mountain dog, or Sennenhunde, with a silky, long coat. Its true origin is often disputed, but some experts believe the dog’s history dates back to the time when the Romans invaded Switzerland, when native flock-guarding dogs and Roman mastiffs were interbred. This resulted in a strong dog, which could tolerate the harsh Alpine weather and be used as a drover, herder, draft dog, common farm dog, and flock guard.

There was little effort, however, to preserve the Bernese Mountain Dog as a breed, despite its versatility. The number of Bernese dogs were quickly diminishing by the late 19th century, when Professor Albert Heim, a geologist and dog fancier, began studying the Swiss dogs and identified the Bernese Mountain Dog as an individual type. Many of the remaining dogs were located in the valley region of the lower Swiss Alps.

Dr. Heim's efforts ensured that the dogs were promoted across Switzerland and even Europe. The finest breeds were first seen in the Durrbach area, thus their original name was the Durrbachler. But as the breed began to spread to other regions, it was renamed the Bernese Mountain Dog.

The first Bernese Mountain Dog was introduced in the United States in 1926, later gaining recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1937.

Bergamasco Dog

The Bergamasco, with its large matted coat, may seem rather imposing. However, it is a quiet and eager-to-please companion. Intelligent as it is versatile, the breed was developed from Asian sheepdogs brought to the Italian Alps.

Physical Characteristics

The Bergamasco is a muscular yet compact herding dog with a large head and long tail that curves slightly upward at the end. The Bergamasco's feature characteristic, however, is its shaggy coat. In fact, some would argue that it is the shaggiest dog in the world.

Its coat is made up of three kinds of hair, which combine to form dense, flat, felt-like mats that cover the dog's body and legs. These mats of hair will continue to grow over the course of the dog's life, only reaching the ground after approximately five years. The Bergamasco's hair is typically colored gray, black, or gradiations of gray (including merle). It can also be found in solid white, though this is considered unacceptable according to breed standards.

Many people who are allergic to other dogs find that they are not bothered by the Bergamasco's coat.

Personality and Temperament

Though stubborn, the Bergamasco is a very intelligent dog. It has a strong protective instinct but is not aggressive without cause.

Care

Contrary to what many think, the Bergamasco's coat is not too difficult to maintain. For the first year, the dog will have a soft puppy coat. The coat will gradually become coarser and fuzzy "wool" will begin to appear. Around the age of one, the coat must be "ripped" into mats. This process can take a few hours, but once it is done, it is done for life. A weekly checkup to make sure the mats have not grown back together is all that is required for the next months. After that, the mats will become dense enough that few things will get caught in them.

Bathing is not required more than 1-3 times a year. Though, as the coat gets longer it does take longer to dry. Fortunately, there is no brushing required.

Health

The Bergamasco has an average lifespan of 13 to 15 years. It is considered a healthy breed with no specific genetic illnesses.

History and Background

The Bergamasco's Asian sheepdog ancestors are believed to have been brought to the mountains near Milan from the Middle East by Phoenician traders before the rise of the Roman Empire. There they worked closely with their shepherds and developed into an independent herding dog. While the Bergamasco took its lead from the shepherd, it learned to identify problems and accomplish goals in whichever way seemed best, which was a challenge in the mountain valleys. It was in this way that the Bergamasco developed its high level of intelligence and its desire to work closely with its master.

The Bergamasco was in danger of becoming extinct when World War II drove down the need for wool, and thus shepherds and their dogs found themselves with lack of employment. Dr. Maria Andreoli, an Italian breeder, is credited with saving the breed in the early 1960s. Thanks to her careful breeding and founding of the dell'Albera kennel, a reliable bloodline was re-established. Although it remains rare when compared to other breeds, the Bergamasco standard has been upheld by a number of enthusiasts in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, United States, Canada and other countries.

Belgian Tervuren Dog

A well-balanced, medium-size dog, the Tervuren is elegant, with proud carriage. It is a strong, agile, well-muscled breed. Courageous, alert, intelligent and a natural herder, the Belgian Tervuren is also a breed that is usually on the move.

Physical Characteristics

Belgian Tervuren dogs are square-proportioned, displaying great body strength. The breed moves majestically and has a highly sophisticated and intelligent expression, which sometimes reveals its questioning nature.

The Belgian Tervuren also possesses a dense undercoat and a straight, long outer coat, which is fawn in color with black overlays. Its gait, meanwhile, is effortless and majestic, due to its lightweight medium-sized bones.

Personality and Temperament

The Belgian Tervuren is smart and highly obedient. It displays an independent nature and likes to keep away from strangers. It is also very protective of its human family.

Always alert and aware of its surrounding, the Tervuren remains gentle and calm indoors. Some Tervurens, however, will occasionally nip at the heels of kids when playing. Curiously, dogs of this breed tend to move in a circle instead of a straight line.

Care

The Belgian Tervuren loves human companionship and should therefore be kept indoors. Its favorite activities include playing, running, and herding outdoors. The occasional brushing is required to keep its coat bright and sheen, more so during the shedding season.

Health

Belgian Tervuren, which has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, is prone to minor health issues like hypothyroidism, canine hip dysplasia (CHD), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), allergies, and elbow dysplasia, and major problems such as seizures. Belgian Tervurens can also be occasionally affected by hemangiosarcoma, persistent pupillary membranes (PPM), cataract, and pannus. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may recommend frequent elbow, eye, and hip exams for the dog.

History and Background

Belgian Tervuren dogs are known for their versatility and are great herding dogs. Though it is only considered moderately popular, the Tervuren is the most elegant of the three Belgian sheepdog breeds: the short-haired Malinois, the wire-haired Laekenois, and the long-haired Groenendael.

The origins of the Belgian Tervuren are a little vague, but many believe the breed belongs to the family of Belgian or Continental Shepherd dogs; the Tervuren, however, does have a different coat type and color to its suspected relations.

The breed received its name from the village of Tervuren, which was the home of one of the earliest proponents of the breed. First recognized as a breed in 1891, the Tervuren registered in the United States in 1918. After the end of World War II, the breed's lineage was reinforced by crossbreeding efforts with the long-haired Belgian Malinois.

Though currently not as popular as other shepherd breeds, the Belgian Tervuren has become a favorite among search and rescue teams and families seeking highly energetic, intelligent dogs.

Belgian Sheepdog Dog

The Belgian Sheepdog is elegant, with proud carriage of the head. It is a strong, agile, well-muscled dog that is alert and full of life. The Belgian Sheepdog is also recognized for its endurance and ability to learn quickly.

Physical Characteristics

The Belgian Sheepdog is a breed that is square-proportioned with moderately heavy bones in the body. A gait that is effortless, tireless, and smooth enables it to herd for a long time. Its intelligent facial expression, meanwhile, is striking and gives the dog a sophisticated look.

The Belgian Sheepdog's undercoat is dense, and its outer coat, which is black in color, is straight and long. Curiously, many Belgian Sheepdogs tend to move in a circle instead of a straight line.

Personality and Temperament

The Belgian Sheepdog is best defined as "intense." It exhibits an independent nature and is highly protective of its human family. That is why this breed is a great choice for a house dog.

It is somewhat conscious of strangers, and at times show signs of aggression towards other pets and dogs. Extremely obedient, the Belgian Sheepdog is also playful, alert, intelligent, and a quick learner. Some Belgian Sheepdogs, however, display a dominating character.

Care

The Belgian Sheepdog loves to live inside the house with its human family, although it can adapt to outdoor living. It also performs best when given access to the yard. Apart from that, exercise on a regular basis is essential for the breed and should ideally combine long hours of play and jogging. The Belgian Sheepdog's coat requires the occasional brushing to keep away dead hairs, even more so during times of shedding.

Health

The Belgian Sheepdog, which has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, is not prone to any major health concerns. However, it is susceptible to minor issues such as hypothyroidism, seizures, allergies, and skin disorders. Ocassionally,elbow dysplasia, canine hip dysplasia (CHD), hemangiosarcoma, pannus, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) are seen in this breed. To identify these issues early, a veterinarian may recommend that the dog undergo regular thyroid, elbow, hip, and eye exams.

History and Background

The Belgian Sheepdog, sometimes referred to as Groenendael, is known for its versatility and hard-working nature. It is one of the variations of the Belgian Shepherd (or Continental Shepherd); the others being Belgian Malinois andBelgian Tervuren. However, the Belgian Sheepdog has a longer black coat compared to the other Beglian shepherd dogs

Between 1891 and 1901, a time in which the Belgian Shepherd became registered by the Societe Royale Saint-Hubert, there was a concerted effort to develop a standard for the breed, as well as improve its type for exhibition shows.

The earliest Belgian Sheepdogs were used for herding and guarding purposes. They later became popular police dogs in the United States and played a significant role in the First World War as watchdogs. It was not until 1959 that the Belgian Sheepdog got its current name, after the three Belgian Shepherd types were separated into distinct breeds.