red roan; roan These are in addition to the colours that can Blue; blue merle (blue-grey); ash be seen in the photographs of the dog. Also find out if your chosen breeder offers Young puppies should never be kept in isolation, and “after-sales” service, such as advice on feeding or health. Alert and agile, the salt coat 14–20kg (31–44lb) Lighter- Life span Over 10 years Schnauzer was used primarily coloured hair Origin Germany on lower legs as a versatile farm dog with Other colours a formidable reputation Straight back for rat-hunting. Whether your ideal companion is a Great Dane or a Chihuahua, The Complete Dog Breed Book is a one-stop manual helping you become the owner of a happy, healthy, well-behaved dog. Life span Over 10 years Origin Germany This breed is now widely used by police and security forces, but an equable temperament also makes it Other colours suitable as a home watchdog and pet.

Now widely appreciated for its attractive appearance, Life span Over 10 years compact size, and gentle nature, this breed has great appeal Origin UK as a pet. The most important characteristics of a Information from dog DNA dog’s skeleton are seen in the legs. When trained by a responsible owner and allowed to enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle, this dog can become Bushy tail a trusted and faithful member of the family. Life span 13–14 years Origin Croatia Erect, triangular ears, lined with long hair Wavy, black coat Short hair on face Backs of legs slightly feathered Shorter hair on lower legs SARPLANINAC FCI THIS MAGNIFICENT AND VERY PROTECTIVE WORKING DOG IS HAPPY TO LIVE OUTDOORS Drop ears Height range Formerly known as the Illyrian Shepherd Dog, this impressive breed Long, dense, Over 58cm (over 23in) is now named after the Sarplanina Mountains of Macedonia where dark brown coat Weight range it originated.looks, or have fallen in love with a beguiling puppy, but before going any further consider carefully whether you How much effort are you willing to put into grooming your and the dog are a good match. Long, slate-grey outer coat Other colours Sandy Red-brown Large nose Blue Black Long White moustache collar on muzzle Toes hairy between BRIARD pads THIS LARGE AND BOISTEROUS DOG NEEDS A FIRM HAND AND PLENTY OF EXERCISE KC Height range In its native country this large and lively French breed works as a herder Strong, 58–69cm (23–27in) muscular legs Weight range and guarder of sheep. Out of the corner of an eye, a dog can pick up the than the corresponding area flicker of a rabbit a hundred metres away, but at close range, in a human brain. Basenji Broholmer Finnish Spitz Greyhound Scent Hounds Terriers Gundogs Companion dogs Crossbreeds pp. Ear types Erect Candle flame Button (Alaskan Malamute) (Russian Toy) (Pug) Pricked, sensitive, wolf-like ears – the original canine shape – occur in many Drop Rose Pendant breeds of dog, but centuries of planned (Broholmer) (Greyhound) (Bloodhound) selection have created a large variety of other ear shapes.

A final generic swatch dark grey predominate); piebald; black and white is used to represent a variety of colours. For the remainder of the groups, Internationale (FCI) — the World Canine Organization, which more traditional, functional groupings are used.The evolution of the dog from wild predator to domestic companion has been greatly influenced by human intervention. Hairlessness, often 50–65cm (20–26in) Weight range accompanied by the absence of certain teeth, is Miniature: 4–8kg (9–18lb) produced by a particular recessive gene, Medio: 8–12kg (18–26lb) but occasionally, coated dogs do occur in Grande: 12–25kg (26–55lb) litters. WORKING DOGS 33 WORKING DOGS The list of jobs that humans ask dogs to perform is almost Shepherd dogs work as endless.

Highly adaptable and 22–40kg (49–88lb) Life span Over 10 years trainable, the German Shepherd Dog has proved valuable as a guard dog, Origin Germany guide dog, and tracker, and is widely used by police and armed forces all Other colours over the world. Flat-topped skull Forehead wrinkles when ears pricked Other colours Finely chiselled features Variety of Long, colours elegant White markings may appear neck on chest, feet, and tail tip. Despite originally Life span Over 10 years Origin Belgium being an outdoor dog – with an appropriately weatherproof Heavily coat – the Bouvier des feathered tail Flandres can happily adjust to an urban home. Older dog fossils from however, any dog of any breed is virtually identical to the Europe and Asia also exist, but whether these are fossils of wolf.Shorter hair backs to legs below hock SCHNAUZER KC LIVELY BUT OBEDIENT, THIS DOG IS GOOD-TEMPERED WITH CHILDREN Bushy eyebrows Height range The medium-sized Schnauzer was established as a breed Short, wiry, 45–50cm (18–20in) pepper and Weight range in the 1880s in southern Germany.

Humans have done much to adapt canine design, became more sophisticated, selecting for coat type, colour, but the basic anatomy of all breeds of dog is the same. Other examples to do with humans and nothing to do are hairless dogs from Mexico with breed development programmes. It will want to know as much as possible about you, your • Can you provide a printed pedigree for the puppy? For thousands of years, humans bred dogs toward the physical and mental traits best suited for the work expected of them.For example, the breed standard sets forth the traits that make a Cocker Spaniel a Cocker Spaniel and not a Springer Spaniel.