Dog Breeds
Each dog breed has unique traits in behavior, size, and energy level. Browse through different breeds to find the one that best matches your lifestyle and expectations.
Toy Fox Terrier
The Toy Fox Terrier is a small, satin-coated terrier with a delightful sense of humor and a personality that perfectly blends toy-dog charm with true terrier grit. Originally developed as an efficient barnyard ratter, this breed has evolved into a captivating companion whose confidence and charisma far exceed its size. Compact yet well balanced, the Toy Fox Terrier combines the affection of a lapdog with the determination and boldness of a terrier. Its sleek, close-fitting coat highlights a refined but sturdy frame, while large, upright ears and dark, sparkling eyes reflect sharp intelligence and endless curiosity. Standing under a foot tall, this agile little entertainer delivers outsized spirit, energy, and presence, earning its reputation as a breed that is genuinely both a toy and a terrier.
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound
The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is a calm, well-balanced dog that shows deep devotion to its owner while remaining reserved with strangers. Confident, steady, and fearless, this breed is obedient and reliable, displaying neither shyness nor aggression. Originating in Germany, where it is known as the Bayerischer Gebirgsschweisshund, this breed is especially renowned for its exceptional “cold nose” tracking ability. Its sense of smell is so precise that it can distinguish the specific injured game it is tracking from other animals of the same species. Lightly built yet athletic, the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is an active, medium-sized dog that forms a strong bond with its owner. While somewhat aloof with unfamiliar people, it thrives on close contact with its human family and is not suited to a kennel-based lifestyle.
Belgian Tervuren
The elegant and agile Belgian Tervuren is a bright, confident, medium-sized herding dog known for its affectionate nature and strong attachment to loved ones. For this tireless and versatile breed, demanding work and mentally stimulating play are pure happiness. The Belgian Tervuren is defined by its straight, abundant coat, graceful yet muscular build, proudly carried head, and an alert, intelligent expression. An intense drive to work lies at the core of the breed’s character. Decorative coat furnishings, such as the sporty “collarette” around the neck, are more pronounced in males, who are generally larger than females. The breed’s intelligence and high energy level can present challenges for owners who do not fully understand the Tervuren’s deep need for purposeful activity. However, this should not suggest a joyless or mechanical worker. On the contrary, Belgian Tervurens take genuine pleasure in mastering new tasks, and many owners note a playful, mischievous sense of humor—especially when a Terv cleverly outsmarts its devoted human partner.
Keeshond
The friendly Keeshond is a medium-sized spitz breed with a luxuriant coat, best known for the distinctive “spectacles” that frame its fox-like face. Once a familiar sight aboard canal barges in its native Netherlands, the Keeshond became—and remains—a symbol of Dutch patriotism and companionship. Sturdy and squarely built, Keeshonden descend from the same ancient spitz lineage as breeds such as the Pomeranian and Samoyed. True to their spitz heritage, they feature a sharp, fox-like expression, pointed ears, a dense double coat, and a richly plumed tail carried proudly over the back. The breed’s most charming and unique hallmark is the set of markings around the eyes known as “spectacles,” which give the impression that the dog is wearing elegant eyewear. These markings accentuate an alert, intelligent, and engaging expression that is unmistakably Keeshond.
Otterhound
Big, exuberant, and affectionate, the Otterhound was developed in medieval England for the now-obsolete sport of otter hunting. Today a rare breed, the Otterhound is distinguished by its dense, shaggy coat, webbed feet, exceptional scenting ability, and deep love of water. These large, energetic hounds were perfectly engineered for their original task. From the top of their rough, waterproof coat to the bottom of their broad, webbed feet, Otterhounds are built to be powerful swimmers. A wide chest and strong shoulders provide the endurance needed to swim for hours without fatigue. Their large, dark nose is extraordinarily sensitive, capable of following an otter’s scent trail even underwater and across great distances. Combined with their size and strength, this allowed Otterhounds to confront agile, sharp-toothed otters weighing up to 20 pounds.
Plott Hound
The Plott Hound is a scenthound with a distinctive name and a remarkable history, known for its toughness and determination in the field and its calm, gentlemanly nature at home. Fearless and resolute while working, the Plott is a relentless hunter, yet indoors it is composed and even-tempered. This striking breed holds the distinction of being the official state dog of North Carolina. Athletic and streamlined, the Plott Hound is a long-tailed, light-footed hunter that can stand up to 25 inches at the shoulder. Its eye-catching coat appears in a wide range of brindle patterns, from black streaked with gold to vivid shades of orange and rich russet, along with a few solid colors. Medium-length ears hang neatly, while the black pigmentation of the nose, lips, and eye rims highlights an expression that is both inquisitive and confident.
Silky Terrier
A delightful member of the AKC Toy Group, the Silky Terrier is a compact, glossy-coated dog that retains the bold spirit of a true terrier. Originating in Sydney, Australia, the Silky Terrier is slightly larger than its close relative, the Yorkshire Terrier, and combines elegance with unmistakable terrier energy. Small yet sturdy, lively without being noisy, and attractive without appearing over-groomed, the Silky Terrier stands about 10 inches tall and is driven by curiosity and enthusiasm. Its striking blue-and-tan coat is straight, shiny, and behaves much like human hair in both texture and movement. A refined, wedge-shaped head is crowned with abundant hair neatly parted down the center, while upright V-shaped ears frame alert, almond-shaped eyes with a sharp and intelligent expression. Though more polished than many traditional ratting terriers, the Silky Terrier should still look and act like a genuine earthdog, true to its working roots.
Skye Terrier
Often described as a “heavenly breed with the heart of a lion,” the Skye Terrier is a long, low, and level dog that ranks among the most distinctive-looking breeds recognized by the AKC. This elegant yet sturdy terrier aristocrat was developed on Scotland’s remote Isle of Skye as a determined exterminator. Standing about 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder, the Skye Terrier is instantly recognizable by its long, straight, flat-lying coat and characteristic “peekaboo” hairstyle. The breed is famous for its large, feathered ears that may stand erect like bat wings, though some individuals have drop ears that lie close to the long, substantial head. Beneath the abundant coat lies a powerfully built dog with short, muscular legs and a deep chest. Viewed in profile, the Skye Terrier is notably twice as long as it is tall, combining grace with surprising substance.
Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano is a heavily coated hunting dog known for its sociable, gentle, and patient nature. Though it can show a touch of stubbornness, it is always affectionate and endearing. With ancient roots in Italy, the Spinone is one of Continental Europe’s most versatile field dogs. Solidly and squarely built, the Spinone Italiano is a true all-purpose hunter. Muscular and powerful, it is designed for stamina and perseverance rather than sheer speed. The dense coat has a natural, unclipped appearance and appears in a variety of colors and patterns. The breed’s face radiates old-world charm, highlighted by soft, expressive eyes framed by shaggy eyebrows and a distinctive beard—features that have captured hearts in Italy for generations and continue to do so around the world.
Sussex Spaniel
Calm, affectionate, even-tempered, and steadfastly loyal, the Sussex Spaniel is often described as a gentle and dependable companion. Bred as a slow but determined hunting dog, this breed is equally content as a pleasant and devoted house pet. Its naturally serious, almost frowning expression charmingly contrasts with a typically cheerful and friendly disposition. Built long and low to the ground, the Sussex Spaniel resembles a blend of classic spaniel elegance and surprising power. Standing no more than 15 inches at the shoulder, the breed is nevertheless considered massive for its size, with a deep chest and heavy bone that reflect great strength and endurance. Its most recognizable feature is the rich golden-liver coat, abundant and feathered. The traditional spaniel head, framed by softly wavy ears and large hazel eyes, gives the Sussex its distinctive somber look—an expression delightfully at odds with its warm and happy nature.
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a distinct breed and should not be confused with the Australian Cattle Dog whose tail has been docked. The Stumpy Tail is naturally born with a short, bobbed tail and stands squarely built, with sufficient leg length giving it a balanced and athletic outline. Significant structural differences distinguish the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog from other cattle dog breeds. While most are born with a natural bob tail, some puppies may be born with longer tails. These long-tailed individuals should not be excluded from breeding programs if they possess correct structure and overall quality. When bred responsibly to strong natural bob-tailed dogs, the breed’s defining traits can be preserved.
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Generally friendly with children and other animals, the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a hardy, low-maintenance breed whose excellent health and calm temperament go far beyond its eye-catching appearance. Intelligent, eager to please, and deeply devoted to work, the Bergamasco is patient by nature yet instinctively protective of those under its care. Beneath the breed’s unmistakable coat lies a large, muscular shepherd dog of ancient origin. Because the coat is the Bergamasco’s defining feature, it deserves special attention. The breed’s hair consists of three distinct textures that naturally form loose mats known as “flocks”—flat layers of felted strands that cover the body and legs. These flocks evolved to protect the dog from harsh cold and predators in the Italian Alps, the breed’s ancestral homeland. Bright, loyal, affectionate, and highly trainable, the Bergamasco retains a touch of independence typical of mountain dogs. It watches over family members with calm attentiveness and quiet confidence. Though naturally cautious around strangers until properly introduced, the Bergamasco resorts to aggression only when absolutely necessary.