Dog Breeds Dog Pictures Dog Training Tips Groomin Breeds: Nov 6, 2007 Archive

Sarplaninac, Sarplaninac Dog, Sarplaninac Breeders, Sarplaninac Picture

The Sarplaninac (pronounced "shar-pla-NEE-natz") is a medium-sized shepherd dog from the Balkans.

Appearance
Stands 22 to 24 inches (56-61 cm) in height and weighs 77 to 99 pounds (35-45 kg). In color it is tan, iron grey, white or black. The coat is dense and medium in length; it can be rough or smooth.

Temperament
The temperament of the breed is described as independent, aloof with outsiders, and calm until a threat to the flock presents itself, when suddenly the Šar erupts into swift ferocity. The breed has a highly protective nature.

History
The name comes from the Šar mountain range (Šar Planina) spanning the border of the Macedonia and Kosovo, where he is typically found accompanying and guarding the great sheep flocks as they graze.

Working life
The breed can also work cattle and serve as a guard dog; it was bred and used as a military dog under Marshal Josip Broz Tito and is still used so by the Army of Serbia and Montenegro. The Šarplaninac is spreading through ranches in North America as a serious sheep herding dog and a livestock guardian. Predator problems are said to be greatly diminished once a Šar takes responsibility for a flock; Šarplaninac is one of rare dog breeds which can win a fight with a wolf or a bear.

Sarplaninac, Sarplaninac Dog, Sarplaninac Breeders, Sarplaninac Picture

Schapendoes, Schapendoes Dog, Schapendoes Breeders,Schapendoes Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Netherlands
MOST SUITED AS Sheepdog and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder height is 43 - 50cm (17 - 191/2in) for dogs and 40 - 47cm (16 - 18in) for bitches. The weight is about 15kg (331b).

COAT
The Schapendoes has a double coat: the outer layer is long, dry-textured, and wavy, while the inner layer is thick and soft. All colors are permissible, but blue-grey to black is generally the most popular.

CARE REQUIRED
It is not intended that the Schapendoes should appear to be highly groomed but it is necessary to brush and comb them regularly to prevent tangles. When this is done, clean in the ears as well but do not use cotton buds. It is quite normal for the hair to cover the eyes and certainly this should not held clear with a hair band. Check the eyes regularly for both dirt and loose hair.

CHARACTER
This happy, cunning dog is eager to learn, alert, brave, attentive, very loyal to the family, very playful and lively, and affectionate.

TRAINING
The Schapendoes will feel at home in a sporty family in which it can have a well-balanced upbringing. It will enjoy obedience classes, and greatly value subsequent agility classes and competition.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
It is this breeds nature to get on well with its own kind, other pets, and with children. They give voice if they detect trouble.

EXERCISE
Just as with countless other breeds, the Schapendoes needs exercise to rid it of its abundant energy. It is advisable to let it run and play off the lead for at least an hour a day. Provided it gets sufficient exercise, it is extremely peaceful indoors. Most Schapendoes love to play, swim, and retrieve.

Schapendoes, Schapendoes Dog, Schapendoes Breeders,Schapendoes Picture

Schipperke, Schipperke Dog, Schipperke Breeders, Schipperke Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Belgium
MOST SUITED AS Vermin destroyer and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 25 - 30cm (91/2- 111/2in). In Belgium and France they are classified in two groups by weight: those of 5 - 8kg (11 -171/21b), and others of 3 - 5kg (61/2 - 11lb). In other countries the weight for the breed standard is usually 5 - 8kg (11 - 171/2lb).

COAT
A tough coat with a soft under layer. Around the neck, or mane, and by the hindquarters, the hair is much longer. The normal color is black; some countries permit other colors including blond.

CARE REQUIRED
This breed has little grooming needed. An occasional brushing will keep them in excellent condition.

CHARACTER
These are attentive, self-confident, cunning and high spirited dogs that are lively, determined, constant, tireless, alert, and loyal to the family.

TRAINING
This breed is easily alerted and barks at the first sign of trouble. Where you are surrounded by other homes, it is good neighborly to teach it that a couple of barks are sufficient. Generally they are easy to train; they are intelligent and eager to learn.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
This breed will defend its territory - whether that is a flat or a large area of land - against both two-legged and four-legged intruders. If someone new visits, they will adopt a watchful position. The pet cat will be happily accepted. Generally they are quite good with children.

EXERCISE
The Schipperke is a bundle of dynamite. To be happy, it needs to be able to play and run about a great deal. In addition to daily walks, let it run about in the garden or park off the lead.

Schipperke, Schipperke Dog, Schipperke Breeders, Schipperke Picture

Scottish Deerhound, Scottish Deerhound Dog, Scottish Deerhound Breeders, Scottish Deerhound Picture

The Scottish Deerhound,(or just deerhound) is a member of the sighthound family.

Temperament
The Deerhound is a large dog that needs quite a bit of exercise to keep it healthy. That does not mean it needs a large house to live in. Many live in smaller houses and apartments quite happily. The average adult Deerhound (over, say, two years old) spends much of the day stretched out on the floor or a couch, sleeping. They are gentle and docile indoors and are good around company and children.

Outdoors, with room to run, they are anything but docile. They have a long floating gait and are amazingly fast over a piece of ground. Some care has to be taken to give them freedom to run in places where they are not likely to be tempted or able to give chase as they are tireless runners and fierce hunters.

History
Deerhounds were bred in parallel with the English Greyhound for very similar purposes. They were developed to hunt deer by running them to ground (exhaustion) in packs. As such, they are very closely related to the Irish Wolfhound, Russian Wolfhound, and the other large sighthounds. Generally, these big hunting dogs were sporting animals for nobility but many very similar animals were bred and hunted by common folk. These big, fast, almost silent hunters made quick work of any game from a rabbit up and were very well regarded by noble huntsmen and poachers alike.

Miscellaneous
Deerhounds compete in conformation and coursing. Many are trained to succeed in obedience competition but few excel in it and fewer excel in dog agility or fly ball because the courses and activities are designed for smaller dogs with shorter running strides.

Scottish Deerhound, Scottish Deerhound Dog, Scottish Deerhound Breeders, Scottish Deerhound Picture

Scottish Terrier, Scottish Terrier Dog, Scottish Terrier Breeders, Scottish Terrier Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Scotland.

MOST SUITED AS Hunting dog, for foxes and rabbits and other small prey, and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 25 - 28cm (91/2 - 1 lin) and the weight 8.5 - 10.5kg (181/2- 231b).

COAT
The coat is hard and wire-haired. The Scottish Terrier or Scottie as commonly known is bred as plain black, broken black with highlights, and wheaten.

CARE REQUIRED
The coat needs to be hand-plucked by an expert about twice per year; the chest, legs, and head are usually clipped. Between the plucking sessions the hair should be regularly brushed and combed. Remove any food remnants from the beard and mustache regularly. Show dogs require more intensive grooming.

CHARACTER
The Scottie is straight forward and sober, becomes very attached to its family, is vigilant, noble, sportive, and sometimes has a mind of its own. Scottish terriers LOVE to dig.

TRAINING
For the right handler, who is consistent, this aristocrat of a dog is easy to train. Remember though that for all its loyalty to you, this is an independent dog. Training needs to be founded on mutual respect for each other.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
The natural inclination of a Scottie is to get on well with other household animals and its own kind. Provided children do not treat this dog as a toy and leave it alone in its domain, they will get along together. Much depends upon the puppy's social training.

EXERCISE
The Scottie will happily go for long walks, or site around the house, either is fine, they are very adaptable.

Scottish Terrier, Scottish Terrier Dog, Scottish Terrier Breeders, Scottish Terrier Picture

Sealyham Terrier, Sealyham Terrier Dog, Sealyham Terrier Breeders, Sealyham Terrier Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Wales.

MOST SUITED AS Hunting dog and companion.

SIZE
The ideal shoulder-height is 31cm (121/2in). Dogs weigh about 9kg (201b) and bitches are slighter lighter.

COAT
The long, hard, wire-haired outer-layer of the coat covers a weather-resistant under-layer. The colors are entirely white, or white with lemon, brown, blue, or badger-colored markings on the head and/or ears.

CARE REQUIRED
Comb the coat thoroughly on a regular basis and take the dog twice each year to a salon for a trim. With less common breeds like the Sealyham Terrier it is necessary to find a salon where it can be expertly clipped out.

CHARACTER
This is an equable dog which is brave, tough on itself, very active out of doors but calm indoors. The dog has a loud bark but uses it only when danger is sensed, it remains playful into old age, and can have a mind of its own. Sealyham Terriers are very loyal.

TRAINING
The Sealyham Terrier is generally an intelligent dog which learns easily, but it can try to undermine your authority from time to time. In such circumstances it is appropriate to correct it but make sure you are always consistent with the dog.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
The Sealyham Terrier gets on reasonably well with other dogs. For such behavior with cats and other animals, it needs to be introduced to them when young. Provided it has had positive contact with children when a puppy, it will get along with them when grown up. With visitors it can be friendly or cautious - much depends upon the early social training.

EXERCISE
This breed has average demands for exercise and usually adapts to the circumstances. That does not take away the fact that a Sealyham Terrier likes to get out of its basket for a good long walk in the woods. They usually love to snuffle and root around in the ground - keep this in mind if you have a manicured garden. Most Sealyhams like to ride with you in the car.

Sealyham Terrier, Sealyham Terrier Dog, Sealyham Terrier Breeders, Sealyham Terrier Picture

Seppala Siberian Sleddog, Seppala Siberian Sleddog Breeders, Seppala Siberian Sleddog Picture

A rare working dog breed, the Seppala Siberian Sled dog was developed for the purpose of pulling a sled in cold country. It is a moderate-sized dog averaging 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kg) weight and 22 or 23 inches (56 to 58 cm) height. colors and markings are considered of little importance; eyes may be brown, blue or any combination of the two colors. Seppalas are active and energetic but very docile and trainable.

Seppalas show a primitive canine type, never having been bred or selected for beauty or for the show ring. The breed shares its ancestral base with the Siberian Husky and for half a century shared the same registry with that breed, but was bred always exclusively as a working sled dog breed in its own right and kept apart from show bloodlines. In the late 1990s, it was recognized by Canadian agricultural authorities as a new “evolving breed” and in 2002 a similar separate breed initiative was started in the USA.

History
Bred by the legendary dog driver Leonhard Seppala from dogs imported into Alaska from eastern Siberia, the Seppala Siberians became famous in Alaska for their domination of the All-Alaska Sweepstakes distance race in the period from 1914 to 1917. Later they became popular in New England when Seppala raced there and ran a kennel in Poland Spring, Maine.

In 1939 the last Siberia imports, along with several of Seppala’s dogs, became the breed foundation for the “Siberian Huskie” in Canada. The Canadian Seppala Kennels of Harry R. Wheeler in St. Jovite Station, Quebec, developed and bred Seppala Siberians until 1950 in genetic isolation from the developing Siberian Husky breed in the USA, which gradually became oriented more and more toward conformation dog shows. A succession of Seppala breeders kept the strain alive through the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1963, the third Seppala Kennels, run by C. S. MacLean and J. D. McFaul in Maniwaki, Quebec, closed without a successor kennel and by 1969 the unique Leonhard Seppala strain faced extinction. It was primarily saved by the timely action of two breeders: Markovo Kennels in Canada and Seppineau Kennels in the USA. The bloodline was then carried forward and developed as a serious mid-distance racing sled dog by Douglas W. Willett of Sepp-Alta Kennels in the state of Utah. The pure, original Seppala bloodlines are rare but found in small numbers in several Canadian provinces, the main population occurring in the Yukon Territory.

The Seppala Siberian Sled dog Project that was started in 1993 by the protagonists of the Markovo rescue effort won Agriculture Canada’s recognition for Seppalas in July of 1997. The fourth historic Seppala Kennels in the Yukon Territory carried the breeding forward. In July of 2002, Doug Willett undertook a similar breed initiative through the Continental Kennel Club’s registry in the USA.

Characteristics
Seppalas of today differ markedly from many other Siberian Husky bloodlines in physical appearance, being in general less flashily marked, longer in leg and body length, and lighter in weight and physical build than some Siberian Husky show dogs. Pure-strain Seppalas have dense, smooth coats of medium length with an undercoat nearly as long as the guard hairs. Their ears are taller, set close together and strongly erect; the "stop" of the head less well-defined than that of Siberian Huskies. The tail is held high in a sickle curve over the back when alert, never "snapped" flat to the back or curling down the flank. They tend to be more trainable than other sled dogs and to be more highly bonded to their owners. The Seppala Siberian Sled dog disposition is active, merry, and often quite inquisitive, although sometimes showing great reserve with strangers. A stable and serious temperament, neither nervous nor aggressive, is characteristic. Natural, innate sled dog mentality is a primary characteristic of Seppala dogs. Their nature is highly cooperative. They show great seriousness in their work in harness.

Many Seppalas are pure white or buff and white. Others are very dark, black, or charcoal grey with dark faces and white only on the feet and tail tip. There are many varied shades of grey, brownish grey, and blue-grey. “Sable” reds with black-tipped guard hairs and black noses occur, but the liver-nosed “copper” phase seen in other lines of Siberian Huskies is unknown in pure Seppalas. Agouti "wild type" coloration and piebald spotting are common.

Seppalas are known for their extremely smooth and well-coordinated gait and for the consistency and strength with which they pull in harness. Although they appear to the inexperienced eye to be rather small and lightly built for sled dogs, actually they are far more efficient pullers than some larger northern breeds. They are capable racing sled dogs, particularly in mid distance events, although perhaps not as speedy as world-class Alaskan huskies or pointer-crossed hybrids.

Like other northern breeds, they shed their coats hugely once or twice a year, cannot safely be allowed to run free off leash, and love to hunt small game. They are generally robust and healthy, living twelve to sixteen years, usually working well in harness up to ten or eleven years of age. Health issues for the breed are those common to all northern breeds, such as allergies, cancer and eye problems. They are highly efficient in their use of food, eating relatively little but requiring very high-quality nutrition that is rich in animal protein, animal fat, and fish oil.

The defining characteristics of the breed are its natural, primitive appearance, its highly developed work ethic, and its affectionate, cooperative, and highly bonded nature.

Seppala Siberian Sleddog, Seppala Siberian Sleddog Breeders, Seppala Siberian Sleddog Picture

Shetland Sheepdog, Shetland Sheepdog Dog, Shetland Sheepdog Breeders, Shetland Sheepdog Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Scotland
MOST SUITED AS Sheepdog or family pet

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 37cm (141/2in) for dogs and 35.5cm (14in) for bitches. Deviation of 2.5cm (lin) above and below these standards is permissible.

COAT
They have a double coat: the outer layer consists of long wiry hair, whilst the inner layer is soft, short, and close. Shetland Sheepdogs are bred in sable ( light sandy-colored to mahogany), with and without black tips to the hairs, and also in three-colors (black with tan and white markings), blue-black, and black-white. The most attractive look is the three-colors with white feet, white chest, collar ruff, blaze, and tip of the tail.

CARE REQUIRED
The care of the Shetland Sheepdog is not demanding; grooming with brush and comb are needed, especially during moulting. Tangles form, particularly behind the ears, the hindquarters, and beneath the shoulders. Make sure these areas are attended to during grooming.

CHARACTER
This extremely intelligent, and cunning dog is loyal to its handler and family, affectionate, obedient, responsive, happy, considerable stamina, and fairly robust.

TRAINING
Not a difficult breed to train. The Shetland Sheepdog learns happily and enjoys being busy. For this reason it is an excellent idea to enroll in obedience training classes and to follow a course for agility competition. You will see how much enjoyment it gets from these activities.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
These are extremely sociable dogs who usually get on extremely well with their own kind, cats, and small animals. Provided children leave the dog in peace, there will be no problems. They are cautions and watchful with strangers.

EXERCISE
They will readily adapt to the circumstances but you will harm an intelligent and workaholic animal if you do not engage it in plenty of activity. They enjoy learning and love to be out with their handler. They are high performers in various areas of dog sports.

Shetland Sheepdog, Shetland Sheepdog Dog, Shetland Sheepdog Breeders, Shetland Sheepdog Picture

Shiba Inu, Shiba Inu Dog, Shiba Inu Breeders, Shiba Inu Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Japan.

MOST SUITED AS Hunting dog and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height standard is 39.5cm (15 1/2in) for dogs and 36.5cm (14 1/2in) for bitches. Variations of 1.5cm (1i2in) are permitted.

COAT
The Shiba Inu has a short straight-haired coat with a soft undercoat. Red, red highlighted with white, white, black, black and tan, and salt and pepper are the most common colors.

CARE REQUIRED
The coat of the Shiba Inu does not require much attention. Remove dead hairs from time to time to keep the coat in good condition, using a coarse comb with a double row of metal teeth.

CHARACTER
This is a lively, equable dog which barks little and bonds closely with its handler yet is independent. It is also curious, cheerful and vigilant. It is natural for a Shiba Inu to keep itself clean and it is therefore easily house-trained.

TRAINING
The training of this dog is not such a problem, provided you make allowance for it having a mind of its own and being naturally independent. Vary the exercises with play so that the dog will enjoy itself.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
The Shiba Inu normally gets on with dogs and other animals. It is a bit reserved with strangers but children do not usually cause any problems with them.

EXERCISE
This un-demanding dog will adapt to your circumstances but should it ever be necessary, it can walk for hours on end.

Shiba Inu, Shiba Inu Dog, Shiba Inu Breeders, Shiba Inu Picture

Shih Tzu, Shih Tzu Dog, Shih Tzu Breeders, Shih Tzu Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Tibet.

MOST SUITED AS - Family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is about 25cm (9in) and the weight is 5 - 6kg (11 - 13 1/21b).

COAT
The long-haired coat is accepted in any color, including beige, black, and red, often with white.

CARE REQUIRED
A Shih Tzu requires a lot of grooming. Comb the coat thoroughly every day to prevent tangles. A hair band is essential to keep the hair out of the eyes. Because the eyes are a sensitive spot for these dogs, you need to make sure they are kept clean. Use the special eye drops prepared for this purpose. Clean the ear passages regularly too. If you do not have the time to keep the coat in good condition, you will need to take the dog about every two months to be clipped, which will spare the dog a lot of misery.

CHARACTER
These are intelligent, lovable, affectionate, cheerful, and sociable dogs that are also independent and not friends to all. The Shih Tzu rarely barks.

TRAINING
If you approach this somewhat obstinate breed with plenty of patience and remain consistent at all times, it is possible to achieve a reasonable level of training.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Dogs of this breed usually get on well with other household animals and children. No matter what company they keep, they always behave with dignity.

EXERCISE
The Shih Tzu is content with short walks, their exercise requirements are not large, they were bred to sit around the empire's palace in China and bark when people or animals approached, not to chase game!

GENERAL
The Shih Tzu coat looks best when groomed daily, but if you are wanting a pet rather than show animal you may keep their fur clipped so less grooming is required. They do not tolerate the cold, so don;t clip them unless in a warm climate, and coat must long for show animals.

Shih Tzu, Shih Tzu Dog, Shih Tzu Breeders, Shih Tzu Picture

Shikoku, Shikoku Dog, Shikoku Breeders, Shikoku Picture

The Shikoku Dog is a Japanese dog, designated as a precious natural object, like the Akita Dog and Kishu Dog.

Shikoku Dogs are generally bred in remote villages in the mountains of Japan so the breed if fairly pure with no few cross breeds this breed has rarely been crossed with other breeds. The breed is rare both within and outside Japan.

This dog has more pointed features than other Japanese dogs, they are both cautious and brave and loyal

The dog is sometimes used to chase wild boars to let it maintain its wild nature.

Rarely seen for sale as a pet outside of Japan, their loyal nature does lend them to being excellent pets for those with the time to spend with them. They require lots of exercise, and will form a protective bond with their family

The Shikoku is a Japanese purebred dog from Shikoku island that is similar to a Shiba Inu. It is cautious and brave with good judgment. It is also loyal to its master. It has sharper features than most Japanese dogs and is sometimes allowed to chase wild boar so it will maintain its nature.

Shikoku, Shikoku Dog, Shikoku Breeders, Shikoku Picture

Shiloh Shepherd, Shiloh Shepherd Dog, Shiloh Shepherd Breeders, Shiloh Shepherd Picture

The Shiloh Shepherd resembles a giant version of the German Shepherd Dog (GSD), though they possess a much gentler attitude inherited from the Giant Malamutes in their ancestry.

The difference between the Shiloh Shepherd Dog and its parent breed, the German Shepherd Dog, is explained as being essentially that the Shiloh is the dog for people who fell in love with the German Shepherd as it was in 1962. They claim that the breed has changed so radically since then that dogs of that type can no longer be called GSDs. Without a doubt, too, the Shiloh is larger than was ever the norm for GSDs.

Appearance
The Shiloh Shepherd Dog is designed to have a regal bearing showing both its intelligence and strength. Balance of elegance and strength is the key to their distinct appearance and fluid movement. Their head is broad and slightly domed with a gradually tapering muzzle; bite alignment is important since either an over or undershot bite is considered a disqualifying fault. Their broad and muscular backs are straight with a gradual slope from the withers that complement their full chest. Tails are long, plush and slightly curved; they may show a more pronounced curve when the dog is excited or exercising but should never be a ring or a hook shape. Ears should be firm, triangular and well cupped; they are carried erect when at attention. This gentle giant is courageous, self confident and versatile.

Standards
The Shiloh Shepherd Dog is powerfully built and well-balanced, with proud carriage and smooth, effortless gait. The male Shiloh stands 30 inches (76 cm) or more in height with a minimum of 28 inches (71 cm); he weighs 140 to 160 pounds (63.5-72.5 kg) with a minimum of 120 pounds (54.5 kg). The female is smaller, standing 28 inches (71 cm) or more in height with a minimum of 26 inches (66 cm) and weighing 100 to 120 pounds (45-54.5 kg) with a minimum of 80 pounds (36 kg). With their even proportions, Shilohs will appear longer than they are tall.

Coat Types
Shilohs come in two distinct coat varieties: the smooth or double coat and the plush coat. The smooth coat should be of medium length and lie close to the body; the hair at the neck and on the back of the fore and hind legs may be longer and thicker than other areas. The outer coat will be dense, straight, and harsh. The plush coat is longer, with a soft undercoat and a distinctive "mane" which extends to the chest. The body coat should not be over 5 inches (12.5 cm) long but will have some feathering inside the ears and behind the legs which should not be over 3 inches (7.5 cm) long.

The smooth coat is easier to groom, though the plush coat seems to shed less. For show purposes, plush coats require trimming of tufts that grow between the toes and pads. Coats that are open, woolly or curly are serious faults.

Variant colors
Shilohs come in many different colors. They may be bi or duals with shades of black with tan, golden tan, reddish tan, silver, or cream. They also can be various shades of rich golden, silver, red, dark brown, dark gray, or black sable. Solid black and solid white are also possible, but for show purposes, the nose, lips, and eye rims must be solid black. Blue and liver colors are not bred as they are considered disqualifying faults.

Shilohs of any color may have a small white blaze on the chest or some white on the toes, which should blend in with the lighter color of their coat. White in any other area is considered a fault. Whatever the coat color, a Shiloh is always vibrant since pale, washed-out colors are discouraged. Their eyes are always a shade of dark to light brown; no other eye colors are bred.

Movement and Gait
The Shiloh's gait is smooth and rhythmic. Their long strides and flowing motion require good muscular development. Even while in a flying trot, the straightness of their back is maintained. The full trot is very steady and level, without any swaying or rolling. To help keep their balance, their feet are brought in toward their middle line when running. Any faults in movement or carriage are considered serious.

Temperament
Shilohs are extremely loving and loyal.Ideal as companions, Shilohs have loyal and outgoing personalities. They were developed to be gentle and loving, able to work with animals and children while still possessing an excellent drive. With proper socialization they adapt easily to many environments and are stable no matter the situation. Breeders strive for a courageous yet manageable temperament. Any form of extreme aggression or shyness is severely penalized per the breed standard.

Their self-confidence and superior intelligence leads them to excel at many activities such as obedience, schutzhund, tracking and others. They are frequent recipients of the AKCs "Canine Good Citizen" Award. Shilohs have also earned the Companion Dog title, the Companion Dog Excellent title, the Utility Dog title and been certified as Reading Education Assistance Dogs.

Working Shiloh Shepherd Dogs
Using their speed and balance, Shilohs perform agility related activities with ease. However, due to slower bone growth these gentle giants shouldn't perform strenuous obstacles or jumping until they reach maturity.

Like the GSDs in their heritage, Shilohs also have great herding instincts. Their courage and confidence make them excellent partners in the arena. Shilohs have been recognized by the American Herding Breed Association(AHBA) since 2004. The AHBA's preliminary test for Herding Instinct is a great way to determine if your Shiloh has the instincts and interest for herding.

Their unique gentleness and calm temperament also allow them to be highly responsive to therapy work. Organizations that provide Animal Assisted Activities often require stringent temperament testing as part of the application process.

The Shiloh's intelligence and willingness to please make them highly suitable for work as assistance dogs or service dogs (such as guide dogs). They respond quickly to such training and retain the capacity to make independent decisions when situations change.

Since they are not only biddable, but capable of following complex directions, Shilohs can excel at obedience competitions. The strong bond with their owner makes them highly responsive to this type of work and their satisfaction over a job well done make it a pleasant experience for both Shiloh and owner.

Shilohs excel in the show ring and are so easy to handle that even children can be successful in the sport. Currently Shilohs can be shown in the American Rare Breed Association, the International All Breed Canine Association, Rarities, Inc., the Rare Breed Club of South Western Ontario, the National Kennel Club Inc. and the National Canine Association as well as special shows by the two Shiloh dog clubs and an annual Homecoming held by the breed founder.

Health
The Shiloh's lifespan is similar to their German Shepherd ancestors.There are two main areas of concern for this breed: gastrointestinal problems and skeletal disorders.

Like their German Shepherd ancestors, Shilohs may experience problems with bloat, a condition where the stomach becomes over-stretched by gas the dog is unable to release. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth syndrome has also been reported and can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and difficulty absorbing nutrients from food. Both conditions are serious and should be treated immediately by a veterinarian.

As with many other large breeds, Shilohs can also be succeptable to hip dysplasia, a genetic disorder characterized by incomplete growth of the hip. While more rare, there have been some instances of osteochondritis, a condition where a piece of bone or cartilage breaks away, causing pain and stiffness in the affected joint. Skeletal disorders often require long term treatment and therapy.

Panosteitis, similar to growing pains, is a self limiting condition exhibited by shifting leg lameness that may occur during a Shiloh's growth stages. As is common in other large breeds, onset can be sudden but episodes usually resolve within a few weeks and cease when the dog reaches physical maturity.

Shilohs have an average life span of ten to twelve years.

History
In 1974, Tina Barber began developing a unique line of German Shepherds at Shiloh Shepherd Kennels in New York State. Her goal was to preserve the type of dog she remembered from her childhood in Germany; dogs who are good family companions, exceptionally intelligent, mentally sound, big and beautiful - similar to the intelligence of Chuck Eisenmann's dogs from The Littlest Hobo. She separated her foundation stock from the AKC in 1990 and still participates in the development of the breed. Ms. Barber is the President of the SSDCA, Inc and Breed Warden of the ISSR.

In 1991, The Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club of America (SSDCA, Inc.) was formed. Shilohs were originally registered through the FIC until the SSDCA opened a Shiloh-only registry, The International Shiloh Shepherd Registry (ISSR). When it came time to choose the name for the new rare breed, the FIC pointed out that most people knew her lines by the kennel name, and thus Shiloh Shepherd was chosen. In 1997 the SSDCA became inactive. During this time, The International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club (ISSDC) was created. The SSDCA was reopened in 1998. Around the same time, the ISSDC opened their own registry, calling it the ISSDCr.

In 2001, the ISSDC and its registry were closed. The Shiloh Shepherd Breed Association (SSBA) was opened shortly after and assumed registry functions for the ISSDCr. The National Shiloh Breed Registry (NSBR) was established in 2001 and The Shiloh Shepherd Registry (TSSR) in 2002. In 2004, the ISSDC was reorganized as a parent club for the NSBR, the SSBA, and the TSSR.

As with many breeds, there are significant differences of opinion between the founding club/registry and subsequently established club/registries.

Shiloh Shepherd, Shiloh Shepherd Dog, Shiloh Shepherd Breeders, Shiloh Shepherd Picture

Siberian Husky, Siberian Husky Dog, Siberian Husky Breeders, Siberian Husky Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Alaska

MOST SUITED AS Sledge dog.

SIZE.
The shoulder-height is 53 - 60Dcm (20 1/2 -23 1/2in) for dogs and 51 - 56cm (20 - 22in) for bitches.

COAT
The Husky has a double-layered, medium-length coat. Every color and combination are accepted. With this breed even partially blue eyes are permissible.

CARE REQUIRED
An occasional brushing and combing, particularly during moulting, is adequate for this breed. The coat is usually more handsome when the Husky is kept in an outdoor kennel.

CHARACTER
This breed is independent with a mind of its own, is very intelligent, full of energy, cheerful, loves to wander, and is very fond of its handler and family. Because they are friendly with everyone, they are not ideal watchdogs. Don't choose this dog for their looks, you must consider their needs for company, which is high. If you buy one, buy two.

TRAINING
Most Huskies do not fill the role of family pet very well, although perhaps a very sportive family might be better suited. The Husky is a sledge dog in heart and soul. To teach the Husky anything will require a careful approach and being very consistent towards it. The other requirements are considerable patience and an understanding of the character of Arctic dogs. A Husky will only obey a command in which it sees any point. If you consider to acquire a Husky, it is sensible to contact a specialist on Arctic dogs and/or the breed society before doing so.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Siberian Huskies generally get along with their own kind but the contact with other household animals needs careful handling and training. Cats and jerboa or other pet rodents are not really suitable companions to share a home with this dog. Fortunately children are not a problem. This breed finds it hard to be left on its own so it is advisable to have more than one Husky.

EXERCISE
This breed needs considerable exercise and there can be no concession in this requirement. Should you wish to get involved in the sport of dog-sledging, then there is no better choice than the Husky. This breed is world-famous for its speed. If you cannot or do not wish to run a Husky before a sledge at least twice per week, then an alternative is essential such as cycling with the dog for at least an hour a day. Lonely Huskies that are locked up with too little exercise will howl and become destructive. This is not the fault of the dog but of an owner who has made a wrong choice of dog. Take a Husky out on a lead and fence your garden or it is likely to run off.

Siberian Husky, Siberian Husky Dog, Siberian Husky Breeders, Siberian Husky Picture

Silken Windhound, Silken Windhound Dog, Silken Windhound Breeders, Silken Windhound Picture

The Silken Windhound is an American dog breed, originating from Austin, Texas . This breed was created Francie Stull, who was known for the 200+ Champion Borzoi she bred and showed under the kennel prefix Kristull . The Silken Windhound is an ideal sporting companion for those wanting the elegance and athleticism of a sighthound, with the protective addition of a silky coat, and a smaller size than any other long coated sighthound.

Typically a long lived breed, Silken Windhounds are active and healthy into their late teens, with the oldest known Silken living to enjoy her 20th birthday. Stull’s decades long breeding program focused on bringing together some of the best aspects of several show and coursing Borzoi lines from some of the top U.S. kennels, small , coated sighthounds developed by U.S. breeder Walter Wheeler, and a single Whippet, whose blood brought into the breed some of the most influential Whippet lines in the Americas today. Silken

Windhounds are playful, intelligent, companionable, inquisitive, amusing, friendly and they love to be with their favorite people, they adore socializing with humans and other dogs, particularly their own breed. Silken Windhounds are also incredibly athletic, and love to run. They are also quite trainable and have happily adapted to all sorts of activities including racing, agility, therapy,service dog training, obedience and of course the show ring.

SILKEN WINDHOUND BREED STANDARD

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Silken Windhound is an elegant, small to medium-sized sighthound with a moderately long silky coat. Its classic lines and athletic build are the hallmark of a true coursing dog. When viewing a Silken Windhound, one has the impression of grace, balance, and strength integrated with exceptional running ability.

SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE: The accepted measurements for Silken Windhounds are 18.5 -23.5 inches (47-60 cm) at the withers. Dogs over or under the ideal shall be penalized to the extent of the deviation. In proportion, Silken Windhounds are approximately square or slightly rectangular. Silkens that are excessively longer or shorter than they are tall should be penalized according to the extent of the deviation.

The build of the Silken Windhound is sleek, through a balanced combination of fine bladed bone and smooth muscle, and never looks frail. Heavy, round, or coarse bone is faulty.

HEAD: The Silken Windhound's expression is alert, friendly and intelligent. Eyes are rather large and dark, almond-shaped and set somewhat obliquely. Picment around eyes is full and dark. Ears are small and fine in texture, folded and lying back along the neck when in repose. When alert, ears may prick or semi-prick. Hanging, or drooping, houndy ears are undesirable. Moderately long in head, the Silken Windhound has a fairly narrow back skull which, when viewed from above, tapers gradually through a full muzzle to the nose. The muzzle is in good balance to the skull. When viewed from the side, the top plane of the muzzle is parallel to the plane of the flat skull, with a barely perceptible stop between.

The head is well chiseled, skin dry and tight, with noticeable veining. The nose is dark, and may be slightly down-turned at the end. Lips and flews are tight, in keeping with the dry head. Pigment on lips is full and dark. Jaws are strong to accomodate the teeth, which are large for a dog of this size, with full dentition and scissors bite. Missing teeth should be penalized.

NECK, TOPLINE, BODY: The neck is long and slender. It is slightly arched, well muscled and powerful, never ewe necked. The neck is free from dewlap or throatiness, widening gradually and symmetrically into the shoulder. The topline rises gradually from slightly behind the withers, with the highest point of the arch being over the last rib, flowing smoothly over the muscular loin, carrying through and falling gradually over the long croup.

The back is short and the loin moderately long, wide, muscular and arched. It is important that the loin be flexible to sustain and drive the double suspension gallop, which Silkens exhibit when running at top speed. A flat back with steep croup is not a loin arch and should be faulted. The chest is deep with moderate spring of rib. A barrel shaped or slab sided body is faulty. The brisket reaches as nearly as possible to the elbow, with a graceful up sweep to the tuck-up; this creates the distinctive underline of the Silken Windhound.

The tail is long and flexible, falling in a sweeping curve, free of kinks and reaching past the hock. When carried, the tail should not rise above the back. A tightly curled or gay tail is faulty.

FOREQUARTERS: The shoulder blades are well laid back and are long and smooth with flat muscle. Fine withers are preferred. Good return of upper arm is desirable, bringing the legs well under the withers. Elbows turn neither in nor out. The forelegs are straight and strong, with pasterns straight or slightly bent, but never knuckled over. Dewclaws on front legs are acceptable. The feet are well knuckled with tough, thick pads. Both the hare foot, with its longer middle toes; and the cat foot, with its shorter middle toes, is acceptable. Hare foot is preferred. Nails are strong and of moderate length.

HINDQUARTERS: Hindquarters are well angulated, with a long second thigh and well developed thigh muscles. Viewed from the rear, the hindquarters are slightly wider than the front, well muscled, without any suggestion of cow hocks. Stifles are well bent, and hock joints broad and strong. Hocks are short. Rear dewclaws may be removed. The feet are well knuckled with tough, thick pads. Both the hare foot, with its longer middle toes; and the cat foot, with its shorter middle toes, is acceptable. Hare foot is preferred. Nails are strong and of moderate length.

COAT: The coat is soft, and silky in texture. In no case should the coat be wooly or profuse enough to obscure the outline of the Silken Windhound, nor so long as to interfere with the function of a coursing hound. The coat may be straight, slightly wavy, or curly. There is longer feathering along the back of the forelegs, the brisket, hindquarters, around the neck, and tail. Coat on the face, feet, front of forelegs and hocks are naturally short. Feathering that frames the ears and face adds to the dog's expression, and should not be trimmed. The Silken Windhound is shown in a natural coat with minimal trimming.

COLOR, MARKINGS: All colors and markings are acceptable.

GAIT: The Silken Windhound moves with a with a smooth effortless trot, which has good reach in front and good drive from the hindquarters. Restricted or wasted motion of the legs or body, when viewed from the side, is faulty. Paddling, hackneyed gait, toeing in, and toeing out are faults in front movement. The hocks should not roll in or out when rear movement is viewed. While the hind legs are wider apart than the front, the feet, both front and rear, seek a center of balance closer to the centerline when the dog moves at a fast trot. Movement which is too wide, or too narrow, or which does not converge towards a centerline, is faulty.

TEMPERAMENT: The Silken Windhound is an intelligent hound of balanced character. While this breed exhibits strong prey drive in the field, they are gentle, affectionate, devoted companion animals in the home. An unwarranted show of timidity or nervousness, or any sign of hostility towards people or dogs, should be penalized.

BREED ORIGINS
For years, Borzoi breeder Francie Stull had been searching for the perfect second breed for her Kristull Borzoi kennel. She had developed a unique and successful line of hounds that we are very proud of, however she wanted to create a 2nd breed similar to the Borzoi, but small, gentle, beautiful, silky coated, but not dragging on the ground .

After years of selective breeding, Silken Windhounds arrived as a breed with the first litter whelped in 1987. In 1998 the name Silken Windhound was officially adopted and the Yahoo Windhounds list was formed.

The International Silken Windhound Society, chartered in 1999, maintains all pedigrees and DNA verified registrations for the breed. The ISWS closed its stud book in 2000.

In what seems like the blink of an eye, Silken Windhounds are now found throughout the United States as well as Bahamas, Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Union of South Africa, and United Kingdom. While members of the ISWS continue to move forward towards entry into AKC's program for registering a new breed, these loyal Silken companions are active in conformation, coursing, and racing events as well as working as service dogs and training for cancer detection.

Silken Windhound, Silken Windhound Dog, Silken Windhound Breeders, Silken Windhound Picture

Silky Terrier, Silky Terrier Dog, Silky Terrier Breeders, Silky Terrier Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN England.

MOST SUITED AS Rat-catcher and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is about 23cm (9in) for dogs; bitches are generally a little smaller.

COAT
The coat is long, smooth, shiny and silky, without an under-layer. The most common color is light to dark blue-grey (in various shades) with brown, although steel-blue is the most sought-after color. Silky Terriers are all born black. Let them get used to cats when they are young or they will chase them when they are older. Visitors are usually announced by barking.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Though in the toy group, the Australian National Kennel Council breed standard specifies that the Australian Silky "should display Terrier characteristics, embodying keen alertness, activity and soundness". The silky terrier does not shed as much as other dogs. Normally they are very loving with children

CHARACTER
This is a lively, cheerful dog which is eager to learn, full of energy, intelligent, affectionate, loyal, docile, and in spite of its small size, is vigilant and protective. The Silky Terrier likes to be close to its handler.

TRAINING
The training of the Silky Terrier is happily very straight forward because they learn quite quickly.

CARE REQUIRED
In order to keep the coat in top condition, it is necessary to groom it daily with brush and comb for a quarter of a hour. An occasional bath is acceptable. Check the teeth for tartar. The Silky seldom moults.

EXERCISE
They adapt their exercise requirements to the family circumstances.

Silky Terrier, Silky Terrier Dog, Silky Terrier Breeders, Silky Terrier Picture

Skye Terrier, Skye Terrier Dog, Skye Terrier Breeders, Skye Terrier Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Scotland.

MOST SUITED AS Historically used to hunt the fox, badger, and otter. Today they are principally family pets.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is a mere 25 - 26cm (91/2 - 101/2in) for dogs, while the length between the nose and the tip of the tail can be more than 100cm (391/2in). The bitches are slightly smaller.

COAT
The Skye Terrier has a double-layered coat. The topcoat is long, hard and straight, without curls, while the undercoat is short, thick, and woolly. They can be black or grey, but roe-deer brown and blond with dark markings on the ears, muzzle, and tail, are also possible.

CARE REQUIRED
The Skye Terrier requires little grooming, even though the coat would appear to suggest otherwise. A good brushing once a week is sufficient to keep it in good condition. The hair should fall into a parting from the centre of the back. Remove loose hairs and dirt from the ear passages and it is also advisable to trim excess hair between the pads of the feet

CHARACTER
This is an affectionate dog which is calm, noble, makes a good watchdog, and is full of character. The Skye Terrier is a little reserved with strangers and very loyal to its own family. Some of them have the tendency to become one person dogs.

TRAINING
The training needs to be done with mutual respect, with you being fair and consistent, but also giving the dog room for its own initiative.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Most of the dogs from this breed get on with their own kind and with other household animals, although this has much to do with their early social training. They also get along fine with children but they do not like being teased.Some dogs are rather dominant towards other dogs.

EXERCISE
Give the Skye Terrier lots of exercise. It loves to accompany you for long walks (on the lead) in woodland or open countryside. If you do not feel like a walk one day, or even if this happens frequently, the dog will adapt without misbehaving.

GENERAL
Skye Terriers can live to be quite old fourteen or fifteen is not unusual. There is a variety with drooping ears, but these are very rare.

Skye Terrier, Skye Terrier Dog, Skye Terrier Breeders, Skye Terrier Picture

Sloughi, Sloughi Dog, Sloughi Breeders, Sloughi Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - Morocco

MOST SUITED AS - Hunter by sight of large and small game, and companion.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 66 - 72cm (26 - 28 1/2in) for dogs and 61 - 68cm (24 - 26 1/2in) for bitches. The ideal height is 70cm (27 1/2 in) for dogs and 65cm (25 1/2 in) for bitches.

COAT
The Sloughi has a soft, short haired coat, usually seen in various shades of sandy colorings or a roan, with or without a darker mask.

CARE REQUIRED
They require little grooming. An occasional brushing is adequate. Keep the claws trimmed and check the teeth for tartar.

CHARACTER
These are proud, temperamental, and somewhat obstinate dogs with considerable stamina, that are vigilant, and cautious with strangers. They only show any affection towards people they like.

TRAINING
This independent-minded dog is not easy to train, but that does not mean it cannot be taught anything. A handler with sufficient insight into the dog's character and lots of patience can teach the Sloughi much, creating a bond of mutual respect between them.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
It is necessary to introduce this breed when quite young to all manner of situations, different people and animals. Properly trained, it is possible for a Sloughi to live together with one or more cats.

EXERCISE
This breed has an enormous desire for exercise. In some countries breeds such as this that hunt by sight are not allowed to run freely off the lead and in these circumstances, the race track is the only place where they can rid themselves of their energy. These dogs have outstanding levels of stamina.

Small Munsterlander Pointer, Small Munsterlander Pointer Dog, Small Munsterlander Pointer Breeders, Small Munsterlander Pointer Picture

The Small Munsterlander Pointer was first bred in the area around Munster, Germany. The Large Munsterlander is from the same area, but was developed from different breeding stock and is not as closely related as the names would suggest. SMPs bear a resemblance to both spaniels and setters but are more versatile.

Appearance
The breed is described as about 35 pounds (16 kg) and 18-20 inches (0.45 to 0.5 m) at the shoulder, average is larger, around 45 pounds (20 kg) some males reaching or slightly exceeding 60 pounds (27 kg) and up to 22 inches (0.55 m). Body is lean yet powerful and not prone to becoming overweight due to an active nature and natural athleticism. Coloration is large patches of brown on a ticked or solid white background. The soft coat is medium length, requiring grooming after hunting in heavy cover or weekly otherwise. The breed is not registered with the American Kennel Club, which emphasizes appearance over actual ability. Rather it is registered with the United Kennel Club and there are performance standards which must be met.

Temperament
Small Munsterlander Pointers are intelligent, trainable, and attentive but require gentle patient training. They are also strong-willed, an owner who is inconsistent or indecisive might find that his dog is hard to control. Both voice and hand signals are used, and an SMP looks back at the hunter for silent signals at intervals when on hold or pointing. They have a very strong drive to follow their keen sense of smell, and thrive with hunting or comparably challenging exercise for an hour or more every day. They LOVE swimming. Lack of regular and sufficient exercise and mental challenge will likely result in unwanted behavior, which is common in highly intelligent, driven breeds.

They mature rather slowly over 2.5 to 3 years but a well-trained, mature "moonster" is a 'fur and feather' hunting machine without peer, and the upland bird hunter hunting over such a dog will enjoy both the experience and great success. The Small Munsterlander Pointer is a happy, affectionate family pet when in the house, while remaining a keenly focused, even driven, hunter-pointer-retriever when in the field. They are not suited to life in a kennel because of their sociable nature and need to interact with people - they need to live in the home of their human family. SMPs will pick an individual person to bond most closely with, typically the one who hunts with the dog, but will revel in the company of the rest of the family, too. When raised with other pets in the household, such as cats, they can coexist happily though they may enjoy a game of chase and point. Unfamiliar small animals outdoors will not be tolerated in the same way.

History
Originally a dog bred to work with noble families' falconers before guns were used in bird and small game hunting, ancestors of the Small Munsterlander Pointer had to work in upland areas to flush prey for the falcon, then allow the falcon to keep the prey until the falconer could retrieve it while the dog pointed at the catch. To this day the Small Munsterlander has excellent close searching and pointing drive. With wider availability of guns and personal time for commoners, hunting became more popular, and the breed was further developed as a retriever that worked equally well in the field and water. Owners of the breed consider it to be uniquely effective in working as a team with the huntsman in all phases of the hunt, akin to the close cooperation between a sheep herder and Border Collie.

By the 1800s the breed had fallen into obscurity. Small Munsterlanders were little known, kept by a few families on farms around Munster. For a half century the few dogs that were bred were primarily companions, and used when hunting to feed the family rather than for sport. It developed a local reputation as the dog to have when a hunter's success or failure determined whether his family would have enough to eat. At the end of the 19th century, a concerted effort was made to re-establish the breed from the remaining lines in the Munster region. The fortunate outcome of the companion phase in the Small Munsterlander Pointer's history was its excellent in-home personality.

Small Munsterlander Pointer, Small Munsterlander Pointer Dog, Small Munsterlander Pointer Breeders, Small Munsterlander Pointer Picture

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Dog, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Breeders, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Picture

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Ireland.

MOST SUITED AS Hunting dog and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 48 - 48cm (18 - 181/2in) and the weight in the region of 15kg (331b).

COAT
The coat is very soft and silken with a light wave or curl. The colour is a range of tints from light wheaten to reddish gold. The attractive and distinctive adult coat can take two years to grow. The coat of the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier must not be woolly.

CARE REQUIRED
This breed is normally trimmed to a set style, leaving the hair around the face, feet, neck, chest, and belly longer than elsewhere. The dogs do not moult in spring and autumn but loose hairs should be combed out of the coat from time to time. Well-groomed examples shed very little hair in the house.

CHARACTER
This breed is cheerful and extrovert, active and playful, intelligent and eager to learn, and they bond extremely closely with their family. The dogs are also slightly independent, self-confident, and seldom bark.

TRAINING
In common with all other dogs, the Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier needs to be taught what it may and what may not do. Because they are very intelligent, they will generally grasp quickly what is required of them. They have a straight-forward nature and need to be similarly handled.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Soft-coated Wheaten Terriers are usually very loving with children and get on reasonably well with other dogs. Provided they are socialized when young, they will also normally cause no difficulties with cats.

EXERCISE
Wheatens are active dogs which can be very calm indoors provided they get sufficient opportunities out of doors to burn off their energy. They are ideally suited to a number of sporting activities such as agility skills and fly-ball. Make sure the training has plenty of variety and is a challenge for them because they will quickly lose their enthusiasm if the exercises are too easy-going.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Dog, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Breeders, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier Picture

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