Pinchers
In the 19th century, hardy, energetic pinschers lived in stables. They served as guards and rat catchers, accompanied passenger and mail stagecoaches, tirelessly running tens of kilometers a day. Now they have turned into ideal residents of city apartments, friendly and sociable.
German pinscher
Smart, obedient dogs 45–50 cm tall, weighing up to 20 kg. The smooth, shiny coat is colored solid red-brown or black with bright tan. German Pinschers became the founders of other popular breeds in their group: miniature miniature pinschers and large Dobermans.
Austrian Pinscher
A versatile farm companion dog with the skills of a shepherd, guard, and rat catcher. Height at the withers is 42 – 50 cm. Colors are red-brown, black and tan. Purebred Austrian Pinschers are rarely found outside their homeland.
Hounds
All hounds descended from the same ancestors, so regardless of size, they have common external characteristics - a strong, toned body, hanging ears, bright colors. They are famous for their excellent sense of smell, ringing voice with expressive intonations.
Working hounds are bred exclusively for hunting. The dogs help to find prey by smell and chase the animal until its strength runs out or the hunter arrives in time.
Some breeds are adapted for home keeping. They adapt to city life and become good family companions provided they get regular exercise.
Bavarian mountain hound
Photo of Bavarian mountain hounds from the breeder's website bavarian-hound.com
Light, agile dogs from Germany. Height at the withers is 44 – 52 cm. Color – from pale fawn to dark red-brown with a mask and black velvet ears.
Bavarian hounds have always worked in pairs with a person. They are easy to train and adapt to city life. Smart dogs achieve outstanding results in agility and freestyle. In the USA, China, Italy they work as police bloodhounds.
Beagle
Good-natured, unpretentious dogs of small and medium size come from Great Britain. In medieval England they helped hunters track game, now more often they are domestic companions.
The height of beagles is from 33 to 41 cm.
French breeders crossed beagles with the English hare hound Harrier and got a larger breed with a height of 45 - 50 cm. Sociable, balanced beagle harriers do not like loneliness and fit into any family.
The Beagle Harrier is sometimes called the French Beagle.
Dachshund brakk
Short-legged, strong dogs with an elongated body resemble both a dachshund and a beagle. In European countries, 3 independent breeds of dachshund Brackets were bred:
- Alpine. It first appeared in the mid-19th century in the mountainous regions of Austria.
The height of the Alpine Dachshund Bracket is 34 – 42 cm.
- Westphalian. The German dog is an excellent hunter and friendly companion.
The height of the Westphalian Bracket is 30 – 36 cm.
- Swedish . The second name is drever. A relatively young breed, bred in the 20th century.
The tree's height does not exceed 38 cm.
Dachshunds have not lost their skills in chasing animals; they are bred both for hunting and for domestic keeping.
Istrian shorthaired hound
The oldest breed from Croatia. Height at the withers is 44 – 53 cm. The thin, glossy coat is snow-white with yellow-orange spots.
Basset Hound
Basset hound translated from English is a low-set hound.
Short but heavy dogs from the group of small hounds. With a height at the withers of 30–38 cm, body weight reaches 20–30 kg. Basset Hounds are the slowest, but most resilient and persistent hounds.
Calm Basset Hounds do not like to be left alone and build peaceful relationships with all households, including animals. They treat children kindly and carefully.
Blue Gascony Basset
Compact dog of French origin. Height at withers 33 – 42 cm. Color – blue with black specks and spots. Previously, hardy dogs were taken on hunts to find hares. Nowadays they are more often adopted as lap dogs.
Dunker
The breed was named after its founder, Wilhelm Duncker.
Sturdy, strong hunters come from Norway. The unique color of the Dunker is as if written by an artist - black, blue or marbled with light fawn markings. Height at the withers is 47 – 58 cm.
An even temperament and non-conflict character make the Dunker a good companion. He gets used to living in an apartment and becomes a true friend to family members, but feels better in a country house.
Estonian hound
The height of Estonian hounds is from 42 to 52 cm.
Estonian hounds are a cultivated breed. Short tricolor dogs were bred in Estonia between the world wars of the 20th century in response to the ban on hunting ungulates with large dogs.
They train well, are content with two standard walks, and know their place. When kept in apartments surrounded by people, they grow up more intelligent than working dogs living in cages. In 2021, the breed was recognized in the FCI on a preliminary basis.
Small smooth-haired dogs
Small dogs with smooth long fur are very beautiful, elegant and relatively easy to care for. Representatives of breeds that fit these characteristics are discussed below.
Short haired dog
Longhaired dwarf dachshund
Dogs of this breed are squat with massive and slightly crooked hind legs. The muzzle is elongated, with long drooping ears located on the top of the head. A special charm to this subspecies is given by their shiny long coat, which is also very soft to the touch. At the tip of the tail the hair is also elongated.
Note! Despite the disproportion of the body of the long-haired dwarf dachshund, these dogs are very beautiful and attractive.
Fox terrier
Representatives of this breed have a very unusual appearance. They are slightly angular and the overall body shape is square. A medium-sized animal with an elongated muzzle and semi-erect square ears. The coat color is white with large black or red markings.
Prague rat
The Prague rat (from Shor "ratlik") is a very rare breed of dog. Outwardly, it is very reminiscent of the Russian Toy Terrier. Prague rats reach up to 21-23 cm at the withers and weigh about two and a half kilograms. Round eyes are set evenly on the pear-shaped head. Strong triangular ears stand straight.
Toy Fox Terrier (American)
These small dogs were bred for hunting and therefore have a strong build. The general body shape is square. The long paws are widely spaced, parallel to each other. The ears are sharp, triangular, and set high. They resemble the ears of a bat.
American Toy Fox Terrier
The dominant coat color is white. Colored markings have clear boundaries, but can be randomly located.
For your information! The speck is a deviation. The coat is short, smooth, very thick. On the neck the hairs are slightly elongated.
Italian Greyhound
The Italian greyhound is the smallest representative of the greyhound family. At first glance, it becomes clear that the Italian greyhound is an aristocrat with good manners. It has a curved silhouette characteristic of all greyhounds and is distinguished by its ascetic figure. The color of the dog's fur is uniform. The hairs themselves are short and soft to the touch.
Note! Despite its fragile appearance, the Italian Greyhound is an athletic dog; with good training, it can become a real marathon runner.
Beagle
As befits hunters, the beagle has a strong skeleton and well-developed muscles. The dog is not large, up to 40 cm at the withers. The head is powerful with large hanging ears on the sides. The dark-colored eyes are set shallowly. The Beagle has thick, fine hair without undercoat, which makes it easy to keep in an apartment.
Jack Russell Terrier
A small hunting dog - Jack Russell Terrier - will become an excellent companion and assistant on the hunt. Representatives of the breed reach only 25-30 cm at the withers.
There are two types of DRT - smooth-haired and wire-haired. Both have short fur. Smooth-haired dogs are distinguished by the thickness of their coat and the presence of a thick undercoat.
Important! Since Russells were bred for hunting, their fur has the amazing ability to cleanse itself from dirt.
Miniature Pinscher
Another name for the breed is miniature pinscher. This is a small black dog with brown spots (tan), strongly built, playful and energetic. The body is muscular, the slightly disproportionate paws are thin, widely set, parallel to each other. The tail is located above the line of the spine, sickle-shaped. The muzzle is refined, the eyes are dark with an intelligent expression. The ears are semi-erect and square. The Miniature Pinscher's coat is rough and short.
miniature pinscher
French Bulldog
Among the breeds of small smooth-haired dogs, the French bulldog occupies a special place. These good-natured dwarfs are endowed with an unusual appearance and excellent protective qualities.
The French Bulldog is strongly built and has a muscular body. The ears are of an unusual shape, erect, resembling an oval. The muzzle is shortened, covered with folds, the eyes are large and dark.
For your information! The tail is docked in puppyhood.
Terriers
Terriers were bred to hunt in burrows and catch rodents, which affected their temperament. Despite all their diversity, they share common features. These are restless, hardy, stubborn, passionate, brave dogs. Of the more than 30 types of terriers, there are 5 breeds that fit the definition of “medium smooth-haired”.
Parson Russell Terrier
The closest relative of the Jack Russell Terrier. Both breeds were bred by the English priest and passionate hunter John Russell in the 19th century. In 2001, they were separated and separate standards were published.
The ideal height for female Parson Russell Terriers is 33 cm, for males 36 cm.
Dense, thick wool comes in two types: smooth and hard, shaggy. Colors – solid white or with colored spots.
Hunters value Parson Russell Terriers for their speed of reaction, endurance, and tirelessness in work. Domestic dogs need regular walks and exercise. Parson Russells rarely get sick and live an average of 15 years.
Manchester Terrier
The oldest officially recognized breed from Great Britain.
Manchester Terriers were bred at the turn of the 18th – 19th centuries specifically for rodent extermination tournaments. The fast, agile dog could destroy a hundred rats in 6 minutes.
Now the Manchester Terrier is a loyal, friendly house companion. The ideal height for girls is 38 cm, for boys 41 cm. The only color is blue-black with rich tan. Manchester Terriers became the ancestors of English Toy Terriers.
Smooth Fox Terrier
A strong, agile dog originally from Great Britain. The maximum height of fox terriers is 39 cm, weight – up to 8 kg. The smooth short coat is colored solid white or with colored inclusions. The literal translation of the name of the breed is “fox terrier”.
Fox Terriers have retained their working skills. Temperamental dogs are bred for hunting and as domestic companions. Smooth Fox Terriers became the ancestors of the American Toy Terriers.
A famous representative of the breed was Admiral Baird's fox terrier Igloo. The dog accompanied the owner on an expedition to Antarctica. He became famous as the only dog to survive in such extreme natural conditions.
Rat Terrier
American Pied Terriers, registered in the USA but not recognized by the FCI. The height of standard rat terriers is 33 – 46 cm, but the breed includes mini dogs with a height of 25 cm.
Rat terriers are bred not only for home keeping. In the USA, they work in hospices and nursing homes as psychotherapy dogs. They serve as sniffers for prohibited items in the police: it takes less than 3 weeks to learn how to search.
In the 70s of the 20th century, based on Rat Terriers, a new hairless breed was developed - the American Hairless Terrier.
Brazilian Terrier
The breed was formed at the beginning of the 20th century and received international recognition in 2007. Height 33 – 40 cm. Color white with brown, black, blue spots.
Energetic, cheerful Brazilian terriers are famous as skilled burrow hunters of small animals, vigilant watchmen and faithful companions. The breed is rare, but its popularity is growing.
Cane Corso
The Italian Mastiff is an intelligent and powerful dog. It has been used for hunting and home protection since ancient times. Her appearance is quite menacing and impressive. A mastiff will easily give up his life to protect his owner. The main function of a dog is protection. It’s hard for her in an apartment; it’s better if the dog lives in a country house.
Just like the Doberman, in a calm atmosphere the mastiff is kind and gentle towards its owners and is not prone to aggression. As soon as he suspects a threat, there is no more dangerous predator; he will protect his owner even at the cost of his life. If the mastiff is raised correctly, he is well-managed and completely problem-free. The coat is short, but it needs to be brushed every other day. The mastiff is washed once every two weeks.
Molossians
This group includes the descendants of ancient fighting dogs with common external characteristics:
- powerful physique;
- massive head;
- wide muzzle;
- strong jaws.
Molossians accompanied warriors on campaigns. In peacetime, they fought with bulls, bears, and lions for the amusement of the public.
English bulldog
National breed of the English.
During selection, bulldogs lost their fighting qualities and were retrained from aggressive baiting dogs into balanced domestic dogs.
The height of English bulldogs is 50 – 55 cm. Colors are fawn, brindle, red-brown, plain or in combination with white.
English bulldogs gave rise to new popular breeds: the American and French bulldogs.
Bulldog skateboarder Otto is registered in the Guinness Book of Records. In 10 seconds, the dog rode a four-wheeled skateboard through a “tunnel” of 30 people’s legs. Otto moved at high speed and did not hit anyone.
Bulldog skateboarder.
American Bulldog
Ambuli are medium-large sized dogs. Height at the withers is from 52 to 68 cm. Within the breed, there are 2 types of dogs, named after the first breeders:
- Johnson or classic - massive, heavy dogs with a short muzzle. Good guards and companions.
- Scott or standard - with lightweight bones, elongated limbs, elongated muzzle. Helpers for hunters and farmers.
Over the last decade, the popularity of hybrid ambulas obtained by crossing the classic and standard types has been growing. Due to the diversity of dogs, the FCI refuses to register the breed.
German boxer
The first boxers appeared in 1850 in Munich.
The breed was developed from the English Bulldog and the lost Bullenbeiser. The height of German boxers is 53 – 63 cm. Colors are red, brindle solid or with light inclusions or pure white.
Boxers learn quickly and easily master the course of protective guard duty. They work as police officers, security guards, and bodyguards. Domestic Boxers become attached to family members, love children and are considered the most playful among guard dogs.
Boston Terrier
Smart, smooth-haired dogs from the group of small mollosoids. The breed was developed in the USA based on the Bull and Terrier, an Old English White Bulldog.
Boston Terriers have become the symbol of Massachusetts.
The international standard divides Boston Terriers into 3 classes:
- light – up to 6.8 kg;
- medium - from 6.8 to 9 kg;
- heavy - from 9 to 11.3 kg.
Colors – brindle, black, dark brown with mandatory white inclusions.
Large (large) smooth-haired dogs
Large short-haired dogs are no less in demand; the features of their appearance and character are discussed below.
Dalmatian
Cairn Terrier: description of the breed, character of the dogs
This breed is known to everyone. Large dogs with spotted coats and laid-back ears are a hit with dog lovers. Their fur is short and soft. However, Dalmatians are not only endowed with a bright appearance, they are smart, have a sharp mind and good guard qualities.
For your information! There is a legend that the ancestor of the breed was the white Bengal tiger.
Doberman
A large dog that inspires fear by its appearance alone is the Doberman Pinscher. The breed was bred specifically for the purpose of intimidation, so representatives of the breed do not have the best working qualities, although they are used as service dogs.
The legs of Doberman Pinschers are long and slender. The muzzle is elongated, the ears are cropped and pointed. The tail is docked in the first weeks of life. The chest is well developed, the body is muscular.
Rottweiler
A large, muscular dog, up to 70 cm tall at the withers and weighing up to 60 kg. Good security qualities are combined with good nature and peacefulness.
The dog's muzzle is square, slightly flattened. The ears are small, drooping. The eyes are large.
Important! The purebred Rottweiler comes in only one color - black and tan.
South African Boerboel
A large African dog breed known for its excellent guarding qualities. Reaches up to 70 cm at the withers. The body is muscular and proportional, the muzzle is large and slightly flattened. The ears are thin and recumbent. Paws are straight, parallel.
Dogo Argentino
A dog with excellent external and internal qualities. These animals can be up to 68 cm at the withers, their body is very muscular. On the massive muzzle there are small eyes. Ears are cropped or recumbent. The color is white; small spots of other colors are allowed.
Dogo Argentino
Dogue de Bordeaux
Dogs of this breed are very large and have a slender build. The muzzle is covered with folds. The ears are recumbent, the muzzle is slightly shorter than the forehead. The coat of this breed is short and lies close to the body. There is no undercoat.
Neapolitan Mastiff
He's a mastino. A dog of enormous size, capable of scaring off ill-wishers with its appearance alone. The body is covered with folded skin. The head is short and massive. Representatives of the breed have a well-developed chest. The dog's height is up to 75 cm at the withers, weight is up to 70 kg. Characteristic gray color.
Bull type terriers
Crosses of bulldogs and terriers were bred in Great Britain throughout the 17th and 18th centuries specifically for baiting animals - the national pastime of the British. Outwardly inconspicuous bull and terriers have absorbed the best fighting qualities. Hunting terriers have inherited agility, speed, passion, and flexibility. From bulldogs they adopted tenacity, a “death grip”, and immunity to pain.
Four breeds became direct descendants of bull and terriers. Aggression is regarded as a serious defect; evil individuals are simply excluded from breeding.
English bull terrier
English bull terriers mini and standard.
In addition to fighting bulldogs, the now lost white English terriers and Dalmatians took part in the selection. Initially, only white bull terriers were recognized. In the 20th century, colored individuals were introduced into breeding.
The breed includes a miniature group of dogs. The height of a standard bull terrier is up to 51 cm, a mini one is up to 35.5 cm.
English Staffordshire Bull Terrier
The smallest representative of the bull type terrier. Height at the withers is 35 - 40 cm. Education and selective selection have turned fighting dogs into lovely home companions.
American Staffordshire Terrier or Amstaff
The first name of the breed is pit bull terrier, from the word “pit” - pit for baiting. In 1936, a separate AKC standard was drawn up for Amstaffs and recognized as an independent breed.
Amstaffs are larger than their English relatives, height at the withers is 43 – 48 cm.
The first registered representative of the breed was the American Staffordshire Terrier named Pete. In the 30s, he starred in gangster comedies and was considered a real star.
Initially, the Amstaffs' element was dog fighting. Now they are companions and show dogs. Owners call their pets good-natured hulks at home and brave defenders on the street.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Pit bull terriers are similar in appearance to Amstaffs, but are more diverse. The breed includes bulldog and terrier type dogs.
American Pit Bull Terriers are banned in many countries around the world. Scary stories are told about the unpredictability and viciousness of dogs. However, many owners emphasize the restraint and good nature of their pets and insist that the character of dogs depends on their upbringing.
The height of pit bulls is from 40 to 60 cm, but there are real giants.
The world's largest pit bull Hulk with his family.
The breed is recognized by the only cynological organization - UKC. The founder and president of the club, Chauncey Bennett, registered his own pit bull terrier under No. 1 in 1898.
Primitive breeds
The primitive type of breed developed over centuries without human intervention. During natural selection, the strongest and healthiest individuals survived. Therefore, dogs look like hundreds of years ago and do not suffer from serious hereditary diseases.
Basenji
Ancient native dogs of Central Africa. Presumably they appeared 5 thousand years ago. Colors: red, black, brindle, black and tan with white markings. Thin skin on the head gathers into wrinkles.
The height of the Basenji is 40 – 43 cm.
Basenjis do not bark, which is why they received their second name - African non-barking dog. They are clean, know how to wash themselves with their paws like cats and do not smell. Emotions are expressed in clear sounds, similar to a mixture of grunts and Tyrolean throat singing.
Thai Ridgeback
An indigenous breed of Thailand, preserved in its original form. Despite their ancient origins, the FCI recognized the Thai Ridgeback in 2003. The standard describes 4 colors: solid black, red, blue, isabella.
Height at withers 51 – 61 cm.
Thais have 2 types of coat: short velor up to 3 mm long and standard – from 2 mm to 2 cm. A ridge stretches along the back - a strip of hair directed against the growth of the coat.
Ridge of the Thai Ridgeback.
Pharaoh Hound
Hunting breed from the island of Malta. The dogs got their name due to their external resemblance to images of the ancient Egyptian deity Anubis. However, they never lived on the banks of the Nile, which is confirmed by DNA analysis.
Slender, long-legged pharaoh dogs grow up to 53 – 63 cm. Thin, short hair is colored a bright red-chestnut color. Amber eyes and brown nose are in harmony with the tone of the coat. When excited, the ears and nose of the “pharaohs” turn red.
Cirneco dell'Etna or Sicilian Greyhound
An ancient breed from Sicily. The ancestors of the Cirneco lived on the island supposedly 2.5 thousand years ago. Externally, the Sicilian Greyhound resembles a smaller Pharaoh Hound. Height at withers 44 – 50 cm.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Representatives of this breed have a funny appearance: large, erect ears and short legs. They have two types of main colors - red and white and multicolor. The first assumes that the main color tone of the body will have a fawn or deep red tint with white spots located in different parts of the body.
You need to know that the standard allows white markings of any size, provided that they are on the face, head, paws and neck. The ears must have a rich red tint. White spotting on the body is not desirable. The second color is possible with a combination of black, orange and white. Moreover, red-and-white puppies are not born fiery red immediately, but go through a stage of recoloring. Tricolor puppies lose their rich coat color as they age.
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Whippet
The graceful English Greyhound occupies an intermediate position between the large Greyhounds and the small Italian Greyhounds. The height of whippets is 44 – 51 cm, body weight is up to 13 kg.
Owners see pure merit in their pets. Whippets are clean, do not smell, rarely bark, and are well trained. They behave friendly at home and get along with children.
Whippets are natural runners. In a straight line they reach speeds of up to 70 km/h.
Labrador Retriever
Talented dogs from medium to large sizes. According to the standard, the ideal height at the withers is 54 – 57 cm.
Classic colors of Labradors are black, chocolate, fawn of all shades.
The coat of a purebred Labrador Retriever is short and smooth throughout the body. Repels water and dirt well. Dogs with combing, wavy or curly hair are rejected.
Labrador retrievers are famous for their intelligence and tact. They work as guides and water rescuers. They are popular all over the world. In the United States, every year they take 1st place in the ranking of the most common domestic dogs.
Medium-sized, smooth-haired dogs live happily in city apartments and rural houses. They do not require complex care and quickly adapt to the family’s lifestyle.
Golden retriever
Representatives of these “tailed animals” have a well-built torso with prominent muscles, massive shoulders and large limbs. They are distinguished by round eyes and a large black nose. The breed is famous for its standard silky coat, which lies close to the body, and its abundant undercoat, which has water-repellent properties. There may be slight waviness in the dog's coat.
The Canine Association defines the golden color standard as all shades, from rich golden to creamy snow-white and creamy. Setter and mahogany colors are not allowed. A small white spot is allowed on the dog's chest. It is noted that with age, puppies darken and acquire an orange tone.
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