Akita Inu, The Ancient Japanese Dog

Breed Facts

• Country of Origin: Japan
• Height: Males 26–28 in (66–71 cm)/females 24–26 in (61–66 cm)
• Weight: Males 100–130 lb (45.5–59 kg)/females 70–100 lb (31.5–45.5 kg) [est.]
• Coat: Double coat with straight, harsh outercoat and thick, soft, dense undercoat; coat most prominent on tail
• Colors: Any color, including white, brindle, fawn, red, pinto; may have mask
• Other Names: American Akita
• Registries (With Group): AKC (Working); ANKC (Utility); CKC (Working); FCI (Spitz and Primitive); KC (Utility); UKC (Northern)

Airedale Terrier The intelligent Dog

Breed Facts

• Country of Origin: England
• Height: Males 23–24 in (58–61 cm)/females 22–23 in (56–59 cm)
• Weight: Males 50–65 lb (22.5–29.5 kg)/females 40–45 lb (18–20.5 kg) [est.]
• Coat: Double coat with wiry, hard, dense outercoat and soft, downy undercoat; coat lies straight and close to body; especially hard coats crinkling or slightly waved
• Colors: Body saddle—tan with black or dark grizzle on sides and upper body
• Other Names: Bingley Terrier; Waterside Terrier
• Registries (With Group): AKC (Terrier); ANKC (Terriers); CKC (Terriers); FCI (Terriers); KC (Terrier); UKC (Terrier)

Afghan Hound, The Ancient Sighthound

Breed Facts

• Country of Origin: Afghanistan
• Height: Males 26–29 in (66–73.5 cm)/females 24–27 in (61–69 cm)
• Weight: Males approx. 60 lb (27 kg)/females approx. 50 lb (22.5 kg)
• Coat: Thick, silky, fine, with topknot of long hair, may have beard on lower jaw [FCI]
• Colors: All colors
• Other Names: Balkh Hound; Baluchi Hound; Barutzy Hound; Galanday Hound; Kabul Hound; Ogar Afgan; Sage Baluchi; Shalgar Hound; Tazi; Tāzī
• Registries (With Group): AKC (Hound); ANKC (Hounds); CKC (Hounds); FCI (Sighthounds); KC (Hound); UKC (Sighthound & Pariah)

Affenpinscher The Small Black Dog

Breed Facts

• Country of Origin: Germany
• Height: 9–12 in (23–30 cm)
• Weight: 6.5–13 lb (3–6 kg)
• Coat: Dense, rough, harsh; longer hair on head, eyebrows, beard
• Colors: Black|and black and tan, gray, silver [AKC][CKC][UKC]|and red [CKC][UKC]|and beige [UKC]|may have mask [AKC][CKC]
• Registries (With Group): AKC (Toy); ANKC (Toys); CKC (Toys); FCI (Pinscher and Schnauzer); KC (Toy); UKC (Companion)

Brainy Breeds

Question: Certain dog breeds seem to be smarter than others, so I purposely chose a Border collie in part because of the breed’s reputation for brains. I didn’t want to fuss with a less-intelligent breed when it came to teaching basic obedience. I don’t have the patience to keep trying and trying to teach a dog to sit or to stay. So far, I’ve been really happy with Einstein’s response to training, but I’m curious: How can I figure out just how smart he is?

Terrier Dog Breed

DNA analysis shows that the terrier breeds are relatively new, developing in Europe in the 19th century. Much of the proliferation of terriers took place in the United Kingdom. Both long- and short-legged breeds exist, depending on whether they were bred to chase prey above ground or into burrows.

Sporting/Gun Dog Breeds

Sporting or hunting breeds are also known as gundogs and bird dogs, although they were used before the advent of gunpowder weapons, when birds and other game were netted or clubbed. They are traditionally used for hunting birds, either upland game birds (quails, pheasants, etc.) or waterfowl.

Sighthound Dog Breed

There is evidence of sighthounds going back about 10,000 years, making them arguably among the oldest-known dogs. Like the scenthounds, sighthounds are associated with hunting game, but they are built for speed because they had to keep their quarry in sight during the chase.

Scenthound Dog Breed

As a group, hounds are associated with hunting of both small fur-bearing animals and large game, from rabbits and raccoons to wild boars and bears. They were bred to excel at locating, tracking, and containing or treeing their prey, and sometimes they even kill the animals, freeing the human hunter from all tasks.

Pariah Dog Breed

With origins in Southeast Asia perhaps as long as 10,000 years ago, pariah dogs are considered by some to be barely changed descendants of the first dogs. Most often yellow or ginger colored, pariahs are medium-sized dogs who have short, erect ears and usually do not bark, although they do howl.

Nordic Dog Breed

At the top of the globe is a harsh, beautiful land where humans and other animals eke out an existence with little regard for political boundaries. The faithful dog has served humankind here probably as long as humans have braved this difficult life.

Mastiff Dog Breeds

It is believed that the original giant dogs who gave rise to the mastiff breeds developed in Tibet many thousands of years ago. As the dogs were traded across the globe, many different types were bred for a variety of purposes, all of which made use of the animals’ massive size, heavy bones, and great strength.

Herding Dog Breeds

At some point long ago, some person must have noticed a dog who particularly enjoyed herding—using his own movements to control the movements of a herd, flock, or group of livestock. (This behavior is part of a dog’s wolf ancestry; wolves are very good at directing the movements of their prey.)

Flock Guardian Dog Breeds

Since the advent of agriculture, people have faced the problem of protecting their domesticated herbivores like goats, sheep, and cattle from wild predators like bears, wolves, and big cats.

Companion/Toy Breeds

Trying to put dog breeds into categories immediately confronts exceptions, and the companion/toy category illustrates this perfectly. Although any dog can be kept as a companion animal, certain breeds are generally kept just as pets.

The History of Dog Breeds

Tiny Chihuahua to burly Mastiff, all dogs are one species. Dogs are the most variable animal on the planet, showing so many differences among breeds it’s sometimes hard to imagine they are all one species.