The Border Collie

Border Collies

Background: Border Collies originated in the United Kingdom and got their name because they were bred on the border of Scotland and England as herding dogs and since then have earned the title as smartest breed because of how well they herd livestock. Today they are still used for what they were bred for. They have even helped in an art project, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj9w89TqUcM. When herding they use their eyes to scare the animals they are herding, they move quickly when crouching which makes them so successful in herding because other breeds can not do this technique as well. They can make great family pets if kept occupied and working. 

Characteristics:

Weight: 27-45 lbs (depending on sex)

Height: 18-22 inches (depending on sex)

Lifespan: 12-15 years 

Temperament: Border Collies are highly trainable and are perfect for herding and have a lot of energy to run and herd, although they need a job to do and if they are not given a job then they will become destructive and destroy your house, and possible herd children by nipping at their feet like they would sheep. They need experienced owners. 

Coat and Color: Border Collies can come in multiple colors and patterns as seen on the left. They are easy to groom though there is a lot fo shedding due to the double coat.  

Health issues: hip Dysplasia and eye issues but  generally healthy

Living conditions: Border Collies need plenty of exercise, apartment living is not recommended. They can live in any climate.  

The Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhound

Background: The Irish Wolfhound originated in more the more Northern are of the United Kingdom is a very ancient breed that according to Celtic writing dates back to 273 BC and Julies Cesar mentions them in his commentaries on the Gaelic wars. They were seen as a gift to royalty in Ireland and Scotland. Because of their massive size they were used as hunting dogs for big game such as elk, wild boar, and wolves. They were so successful at hunting that those animals became endangered and left the breed useless which is why they almost went extinct in the 19th century. Now they are more common and have reached America as family dogs. They are known as the tallest dog in the world, standing at 7 ft tall on their hind legs, they can eat up to 25 lbs of food a week and can gain a pound a day and reach 90 lbs by 6 months old. They may not be as well known as the Labrador Retriever but they are known due to their size and were even shown in Disney Pixar's 2012 motion picture "Brave", taking place in the hills of Scotland.  

Characteristics:

Weight: 28-35 inches

Height: 90-150 lbs

Lifespan: 6-8 years

Coat and Color: Rough and Wiry coat that comes between a range of a lighter pale/blonde grey to a grey like the picture on the left. They should receive a brushing at least once a week

 

Temperament: Irish Wolfhounds are very loyal to their owners and docile to both the young and old, they make great family pets and can be trusted with them,eager to please, sweet tempered, patient, kind, not much of a guard dog because they tend to greet visitors. 

Health issues: Due to their massive size they suffer from bloat, bone cancer, heart issues. If the dog is chewing at their back paws they should be checked with a vet because that is a sign of heart problems. 

Living conditions:They do not do well in small homes such as apartments although they make good indoor pets because they're not very active but should be given large fenced in yard to roam. These dogs are adaptable to almost any climate.

Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier

Background: The Boston Terrier is said to be "as American as apple pie" (Animal Planet). Due to their, color pattern they gained the nickname the  American gentleman because their coat resembles a tuxedo. As it says in their name they were bred and developed in Boston Massachusetts around the 1800's, the breed was a cross bred between  a bulldog and a now extinct white English terrier. in 1865 these dogs were once used originally for pit fighting a common sport that is still done today but in most places the practice of dog fighting is illegal. Now retired this breed has become a wildly popular breed to own.

Characteristics:  

Weight: 10-25 lbs

Height:15-17 inches

Lifespan:15+ years

Temperament:Boston terriers are very people loving, lively with boundless energy, sweet natured, good guard dogs. They love to please their owners. They do not bark unless it is necessary.

Coat and Color: Their short coat requires little grooming.With a base coat of white they come in brindle black, seal (seal is when it looks black but when in the light has a red cast)

Health issues: Due to their short wide muzzles they suffer from respiratory issues, and this is why they shouldn't be too active because they will push themselves over the limit and overheat. Also due to their short muzzles they are known to be gassy, snort and snore. They can also suffer from eye issues. 

Living conditions: They can live in almost any environment and are good for children and as family companions. 

Final Note: 

These dogs are good dogs that provide endless hours of fun and entertainment and from my own experience with these dogs they are truly very loving toward people and I would highly recommend to anyone to own a Boston Terrier. 

Citations:

Boston terrier. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2012 , from Dog Breed info : http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bostonterrier.htm

Dogs 101. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2012 , from Animal Planet : http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/dogs-101#all-videos

Italian Greyhound

Italian Greyhound

Back ground: Despite their name these dogs surprisingly are not from Italy but in fact they are from Greece and Turkey. The Italian Greyhound was well known during the renaissance age and can be seen in multiple renaissance paintings which is why they are called, "The Italian Greyhound". They were also been considered to be a high class dog in the past and mainly seen with royalty such as Charles the 1st, Catherine the great, queen Ann, queen Victoria, and Fredrick the 2nd. This was because they were good companion dogs.

                                                                    

Characteristics: Italian Greyhounds are sometimes called Velcro dogs because they love to be by your side and snuggle for warmth with their owners. They are built for speed like their cousins the original greyhound that are used for dog races. With their speed is their acute sight and hearing. All this leads to their speeds reaching as fast as 25 miles per hour.

Weight: 6-10 lbs

Life span: about 15 years

Temperament: Italian Greyhounds are very shy and need to be socialized early during puppy stages. They have also been known to be cat like, they have a good temperament overall.

Coat & Color: They can come in multiple colors ranging from black, grey, tan etc.  Their coat doesn't shed a lot and there is little odor.

Health Issues: A fairly healthy breed.

Living Conditions:  They are adaptable to pretty much any living conditions whether it's an apartment or a house. They are not tolerant at all so during the cold seasons they need to be kept warm with blankets or coats and should be kept indoors to avoid the cold.

Tips:

* It is best to keep them out of the cold so litter box training is possible.

* For the 1st 12-18 months they should be watched carefully because their bones are very fragile and can break easily.

* They are fast dogs and do not do well with responding to being called back after they are after something so they should always be kept on a leash when outside in an unfenced yard.

* They are not good with lively children because they are so shy so a family of either adults is best for them.

Final Note: These are excellent companion  dogs that are good for novice or new dog owners.

Sources: Animal Planet's Dogs 101 television series

The American Pitbull

The American Pitbull

 

 

 

Background: The pitbull is a very well known dog in America and can be seen in "The little rascals", The RCA dog, and the Buster Brown shoe dog. Although the dog is more well known for its's negative history. They were developed in the United Kingdom when crossing bull dogs and terrier's to make the pitbull. For years they were put in fighting rings and were forced to fight other dogs. This history has followed them and they are now labeled as aggressive,and dangerous dogs that shouldn't be allowed in public and with people.

 -Pitbulls are even banned in certain cities and even countries, such as Denver, parts of Florida, Great Britain and New Zealand. Also over 500 cities have strict restrictions on the breed.

 

Characteristics:

Height: 14-24 inches

Weight: 22-78 lbs

Life span: about 12-14 years

Temperament:Loyal, good natured, loving dog that if trained properly can be a truly amazing dog.

Coat&Color: pitbull's can come in almost every color, tan, black, white, mixed, brindle etc.

 

 

 

Health issues: Generally a healthy breed, although some are prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, and congenital heart disease.

Living conditions: Pitbulls do best with a lot of space to run but can live in apartments with plenty of exercise.

 

 

Tips:

*Pitbulls have a lot of energy and should be taken on long daily walks and are given plenty of exercise.

*As a puppy you should socialize them as much as possible so they become used to people and other animals.

*During training you should be firm but calm and confident.

* When any dog is brought into a home it is the dogs natural instinct to make us their pack, there fore you must remain the pack leader.

*Teach them bite control so they know not to bite people.

*Pitbulls are not recommended for first time owners.

 

 

Final note:

Pitbull's have a very bad history but what people don't understand is that these are loving dogs that are eager to please and when trained and treated wrong they will become the vicious monsters that everyone believes the entire breed is to be. Any dog can become vicious it doesn't matter if its a poodle, a golden retriever, or a pitbull, it is all about how they are raised. Pittbulls are powerful dogs that can recover from horrible conditions and learn to trust humans again which is surprising because a lot of dogs cannot recover from what pitbulls go through. I've known about this breed since I was younger watching them on Animal Planet when they would be rescued from homes that would put them in illegal dog fights and never once did I think that they were bad dogs.