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Breed
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Given the name Border Collie around 1915, they
were bred out of necessity; shepherds on the England-Scotland
border could not do without the help of these trusted
sheep dogs.
Border Collie Appearance
Broad face. Strong but short muzzle. Beautiful,
big oval eyes.
Black and White is the most common color, although
they also come in red and white, blue merle and
many variations in-between. Their dense coats can
be long or short.
Border Collies look like true athletes; strong
and agile – they are so active that it's rare
to see an overweight Border Collie!
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The title of “King Charles
Spaniel” was bestowed upon these dogs during
the reign of King Charles II, who adored his spaniels
and would not be parted from them. A law that was
passed by King Charles II, still stands today that
these little dogs can enter any public place, including
the houses of parliament!
These little dogs were used to warm the laps of
nobility on carriage rides and in cold castles and
buildings, so they really are the original “lap
dog”.
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Dachshunds can be traced
back to Germany for many years, back to around the
15th Century, athough many believe that ancient Egyptian
art depicts images of dogs similar to Dachshunds;
perhaps their ancestors.
Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers (“Dachs”
means Badger). Badgers were a formidable prey and
Dachshunds were bred to have courage and bravery
bordering on the reckless! Their size and shape
makes them perfect for hunting both above and below
ground.
The breed club was set up in 1888 to standardise
the breed characteristics and to ensure that these
dogs had beauty to match their intelligence.
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There are conflicting opinions regarding the origin
of the Greyhound, from the Celts who believed that
they came from Greece, to the Romans who believed
that they came from Gaul (in Western Europe), with
many varying opinions inbetween.
There are ancient pictures which date back to 6000BC
in the city of Catal-Huyuk in present-day Turkey,
depicting dogs very similar in type to Greyhounds.
Pictures from 4000BC found on a funery vase in Iran
also depict Greyhound-like dogs which suggest that
these dogs were held in the highest regard. Ancient
artists tended only to depict images of religious
or social importance.
Appearance of the Greyhound
Greyhounds have an extremley elegant and graceful
appearance; slender but also strong. They are propelled
by extremely strong hindquarters; when they run
it appears effortless and truly beautiful.
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Labradors originated from the coast of Newfoundland
in the 17 th Century. They were trained by fishermen,
to collect the nets from the icy waters and for this
reason, were bought to Poole Harbour in the UK in
the 19 th Century.
With such an attractive dog, the fishermen were
often offered money for them and they very soon
were found to be extremely effective as gun dogs.
The Earl of Malmesbury was a huge fan and began
breeding these dogs, and named them “ Labradors”
Appearance of the Labrador Retriever
Labradors are extremely attractive dogs, with kind
faces and gentle eyes. They are strongly built and
broad through their chest and rib cage.
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The history of these Miniature Dachshunds mirrors
that of their larger relatives; Dachshunds can be
traced back to Germany for many years, back to around
the 15th Century, athough many believe that ancient
Egyptian art depicts images of dogs similar to Dachshunds;
perhaps their ancestors.
Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers (“Dachs”
means Badger). Badgers were a formidable prey and
Dachshunds were bred to have courage and bravery
bordering on the reckless! Their size and shape
makes them perfect for hunting both above and below
ground.
The breed club was set up in 1888 to standardise
the breed characteristics and to ensure that these
dogs had beauty to match their intelligence.
Miniature Dachshunds were used instead of ferrets
to drive rabbits out of their warrens.
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Records show that ridgebacked dogs were used in South
Africa as hunting and companion dogs as far back as
the 15th Century. They were used to track big game
(hence the name "Lion Dog") and were trained
to trap the prey without attacking, and to alert their
masters by barking.
In the 17th Century, these dogs were bred by European
settlers with their own scent hounds and mastiffs,
into the Ridgeback of today.
Appearance of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Ridgebacks are large, handsome and althletic looking
dogs. Their name comes from the ridge of hair on
their back which grows in the opposite direction
to the rest of their hair.
They have a broad skull with big round eyes which
are quite wide set. They can have a black nose with
dark eyes or a brown nose with amber eyes.
They have a deep set chest with strong, muscular
shoulders and loins.
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The Shetland Sheepdog can be traced back many years
to the Shetland Isles, where they were bred as a herding
dog.
Smaller, hardier animals were required to survive
the harsh conditions in the Shetland Isles and thus,
the Shetland Sheepdog was developed. No official
records exist, but it is believed that Sheltie’s
probably derived from Scottish Collies, which were
smaller than today’s Collies.
Appearance of the Shetland Sheepdog
Shelties are very pretty little dogs with almond
shaped eyes, giving them a very sweet expression.
Shelties should stand at approximately 36 cm tall
for females and 37 cm tall for males.
They have very long, thick coats and come in a
wide variety of colours; Sable, Tri-coloured, Black
and White, Black and Tan and Blue Merle, with many
variations inbetween.
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In
AD980 St Bernard de Menthon founded the Hospice of
the Great St Bernard Pass as a refuge for travellers
through the precarious Alpine pass between Switzerland
and Italy. The St Bernard took its name from this
hospice, after Monks in the area began to realise
the benefit in using dogs to find and rescue lost
travellers thanks to their superior sense of smell,
their strength and resilience in poor weather conditions
and their innate sense of direction.
Monks established their own breed of “Alpine
Mastiff” to be used as rescue dogs, and eventually
came to cross these dogs with Newfoundlands, Great
Pyrennes and perhaps Great Danes, to establish the
St Bernard that we all recognise today.
The image of the St Bernard in the mountains carrying
a brandy cask (which they never really did!), is
one that we all summon when we think of the beautiful
St Bernard.
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Originating in Scotland, Westies were bred to hunt
foxes, otters and vermin. They share their ancestry
with many of the other true Scottish Terriers and
became formally recognised as West Highland White
Terrier’s in 1904
Appearance of the Westie
Westie’s are compact, stocky little dogs with
shaggy white coats. They have little button noses
and small, erect ears.
They look very sweet, but strong and have a happy,
proud air when they are trotting around the park!
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