The Doberman is a medium-large, highly trainable breed with a colorful origin story dating to the 1880s. While running the dog pound in Apolda, Germany, Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann began mixing breeds, looking to create an intelligent guard dog to protect him in his other role as local tax collector. There’s no consensus on which… Read more »
Few dogs appear on more ‘best of’ lists than the Golden Retriever. The second-most popular breed in the U.S. ranks fourth in Dr. Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs, boasts the first ever dog to surf with special-needs kids (Ricochet), and holds the world record for most tennis balls in a dog’s mouth: five, all… Read more »
Stomach on legs, expert swimmer and counter surfer, famously trainable—the Lab is a dog of many distinctions. The well-socialized Lab is bouncy outdoors, gentle when cuddling on the couch, and can put her paw to anything from tracking to agility, from competitive obedience to police and therapy work. The Lab is the most popular breed… Read more »
The terrier ancestry is clearly present in the bold, quick, occasionally aloof Yorkie. Ironically, given today’s often pampered, bejeweled dogs, the Yorkie hails from rugged Yorkshire in the North of England and was originally used as a ratter. Silky hair and teeny stature fool some into thinking the Yorkie is more toy than dog. This… Read more »
This sweet-looking, floppy-eared, low-to-the-ground hound boasts scenting abilities bested only by the Bloodhound. Known as a patient and affectionate family dog, the Basset hides her impressive talents behind a somewhat plodding pace and less-than-athletic exterior. But don’t be fooled. When well trained, the Basset can distinguish herself in Rally-O, tracking, field trialing, and pack hunting.… Read more »
Doberman Pinchers, affectionately known as Dobies, hail from Germany and were originally bred to be guard dogs. For that reason, Dobies are strong and resilient, fast runners, and hardwired to be alert. When well trained and socialized, Dobies are also affectionate family dogs and devoted companions. They have distinguished themselves alongside soldiers at war—a Dobie… Read more »
This slender, smooth-coated twiglet combines the doe eyes and sensitivity of a miniature Bambi with the harefooted quickness befitting a tiny cousin of the Greyhound. Affectionately known as ‘Iggies,’ Italian Greyhounds are an ancient breed, found in pictorials as far back as old Egypt and first-century Rome. Possibly bred originally for hunting small prey (and… Read more »
Olympic-class athlete, best friend through thickets and thistles, hunter extraordinaire—the German Wirehaired Pointer is a dog of many distinctions. This exercise junkie needs vigorous daily mental and physical stimulation to thrive, and when he gets it, the GWP is mellow at home with his human(s), happy to snuggle up and watch reruns. An all-weather, off-road,… Read more »
