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By Ruth Bird

The Old English Sheepdog comes to us from the west of England. It belongs to a working breed of dogs. This breed was bred because there was a need for a strong dog that was capable of fending off the wolves and protecting the herds. By the middle of the nineteenth century these Sheepdogs were used to herd the flocks to the market. Apparently working breed of dogs did not get taxed, but they had to have their tails docked to prove it. This practice continues in modern times with this breed of dog particularily.

The Old English Sheepdog was already recognized by the AKC in 1905.

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Welcome New Visitor!

By Carol Stack

The county fire department got the call from the animal shelter that a dog was trapped in a storm drain pipe. It took awhile but they finally succeeded in freeing the large black dog and she was taken to the local shelter for care. They had to completely shave her to get rid of all the mats.

She was obviously old and the days spent trapped in the drain pipe had affected her health. Who would ever adopt such a creature? They considered euthanizing her. But there was a shelter employee who would not give up on finding this dog a home.

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By Ruth Bird

The Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the working group of dogs. In general, the working breeds are known for their intelligence and hardiness. The Bernese is a herding and draft dog. These dogs love the challenge of learning anything new. This dog is a surefire reason for dog obedience training. If you do not train this dog, you will have a very hard time to control it when walking. It’s sheer strength will oudo you in no time. Before you commit to this gentle giant of a dog, get a list of dog breeds and look through to make sure this is what you want.

AKC Ranking: 47

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By Melissa Murray

Faithful, eager, clever, affectionate, good-natured, and impressibly high-spirited. These are all words that describe the Pug dog. The pug has a long history dating back to at least 700 B.C. Originated in China; the wrinkle that forms a W on its forehead was actually known as the Chinese character for “Prince”.

There is much debate on the subject of how the pug got its name. The first recorded appearance of the word pug in the English language was in 1566 meaning “endearment”. By 1600 the word came to be known to mean “courtesan” or “bargeman”. Then by the middle of the next century it finally appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary as “dwarf breed of dog resembling a miniature bulldog” which remains today.

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By: Carol Stack

Although not for the faint of heart, Irish Wolfhounds are strong, muscular, beautiful dogs that are usually even tempered and friendly. Originally they were used in Ireland to hunt wolves and Irish elk. But today they are a favorite among dog enthusiasts for their gentle disposition and commanding appearance.

The temperament of this dog breed is soft-natured and easygoing. They are calm around the house and patient. These qualities make them a good dog with children, pets, and other dogs.

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By Lee Dobbins

The Akita, or Akita Inu hails from the Akita region of Japan where they breed has been revered for centuries. Throughout history they’ve been used as flood dogs, fighting dogs and for hunting deer and bear but today many people keep them as loving companions. Introduced to the United States in 1937 by Helen Keller the Akita Inu became even more popular after World War II when many American servicemen brought them back.

A member of the American Kennel Club working group, the Akita Inu was admitted to the AKC in 1972. It is a spitz type dog with the car and a triangular shaped head who weighs in at between 75 and 120 pounds. This dog has a powerful strong build with a deep, broad chest and level back. His ears stand erect on his head and he has dark brown eyes and a black or brown nose. The tail is carried high over the back. The Akita is a great swimmer due to his webbed feet. This dog has a double coat made up of a thick insulated undercoat and a waterproof outer coat and comes in white, red, sesame or brindle.

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By: Mitch Endick

The Lowchen is a small lap dog that is often cut to resemble a lion. They are a proud breed and make good watch dogs. They are affectionate dogs and are generally good with considerate children. They may be aggressive enough with other dogs to assume the top position in a family of more then one dog. They are considered intelligent, easy to train, and are generally good with non canine pets. They do not need a lot of room for exercise and brisk walks will do.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Lowchen is 10 to 13 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 9 to 18 pounds. The female ranges smaller then the male

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By Lee Dobbins

If you looking for mild-mannered dog that is great with kids and loves long walks than the English Setter might be for you!

This hunting dog, makes a wonderful family pet being calm in the house requiring daily exercise. You’ll need to have a yard for him to run around In and take them on walks but he is great with children and has a sweet personality. The breed dates back to 16th century France where it was developed from the French Pointer and Spanish Pointer for hunting. In the 1800’s Sir Edward laverack further develop the breed into the dog we know today.

The English setter is a medium-sized slender dog which can grow to be between 23 and 27 inches tall and weighing between 45 and 80 pounds. He has a medium length coat which is white and has the interesting distinction of being speckled with varying size dots. His hair is slightly wavy and his medium length ears high pointed tail and the backs of his legs are fringed with hair. He has a long head and a pronounced stop with a square muzzle and large bright hazel colored eyes. His coat is white and the speckles can be in orange, brown, or blue.

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By: Mitch Endick

The Lakeland Terrier is a happy dog that makes a great pet. They can be kept in an apartment as long as they can be walked frequently. They do best in a properly fenced in yard for exercise but remember that they are diggers so pay attention to possibly burying some of the fence. They need to be extensively socialized to get along with other pets. They generally love older, considerate children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Lakeland Terrier is 13 to 15 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and about 17 pounds for the male and about 15 pounds for the female.

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By Donal Keenan

Before you bring a Staffordshire bull terrier puppy into your home, make sure you know what owning a ‘Staffy’ entails. Bear in mind that the cute little puppy you have set your heart on will grow into a powerful and muscular animal which will require firm handling and lots of time and energy. This breed of dog is very strong and requires firmness and consistency while training. You need to be sure that you wish to commit yourself to your dog’s welfare for the next 10 -12 years.

Of course, the Staffordshire bull terrier has many wonderful inherent characteristics - he is a dog with special intrinsic qualities, which makes him an endearing pet. The Stafford is renowned for its affinity with humans and is exceptionally good with children and infants. Adored and adoring within their own family circle, these dogs are more than happy to share your home with you rather than spending long periods on their own in a kennel. They really enjoy getting involved in family activities like car rides, going on hikes and walks, romping on the beach, and especially cuddling up with you when you settle down for an evening of TV watching or reading. Staffords will also often be boisterously welcoming with visitors and you and your friends have to be ready for this. These dogs are incredibly like humans in a furry form!

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