The German Pinscher is one of the better known of the Pinscher breeds. Its origins date back to the 17th century, and traced to the German Bibarhund and the Tanner of the 14th century. During the 1600s the Rattenfanger was created, which was a mix of black and tan terriers created to make a working ratter and watchdog. The Rattenfanger eventually became the Pinscher.

This Pinscher remained a very hard-working dog for the next few centuries and was valued for its ability to catch rodents and other small game, specifically around stables. Once the popularity of dog shows hit mainstream during the late 1800s, more and more dog enthusiasts became interested in the Pinscher.

The very first Pinscher breed standard was created sometime during 1884 but the dog did not gather enough popularity and their numbers dwindled before the war. Although there was a large effort to count and register all known Pinschers, these efforts were thwarted by World War II. And by the end of the war, this dog breed was all but extinct. In fact, not one Pinscher litter was registered in West Germany between the years 1949 and 1958.

This is where the survival of the German Pinscher becomes interesting. The breed would not have been alive today had it not been for the help of a miniature Pinscher, one of its closest descendants. In񎦦, four larger-than-normal miniature Pinscher were chosen and then registered in West Germany by the Schnauzer Club. A female Pinscher was then smuggled from East Germany where some Pinscher dogs still survived.

This female Pinscher was bred with three different miniature Pinscher males and practically every current Pinscher of today descended from those five dogs. German Pinschers then started to show up in the United States sometime during the late 1970s. In 2001, the ACK accepted the German Pinscher into the miscellaneous class. And finally, it became an official member of the working group in 2003.

Personality

The German Pinscher is considered to be extremely courageous, tenacious, and makes the perfect watchdog. It is very playful and affectionate, yet overly cautious and reserved towards strange dogs and humans it does not know. It is very alert to intruders and considered to be somewhat stubborn, especially when it comes to training.

Taking Care Of Your German Pinscher

Upkeep and maintenance of the German Pinscher takes a bit of attention. This is one dog that does not like to be left alone or committed to a kennel for any period of time. It enjoys being right in the middle of all of the action and is most happy when around its owners. The German Pinscher as high energy levels and requires daily exercise, as well as mental stimulation through training. Grooming is simple and only requires the occasional brushing to remove excess dead hair.

Health Information

Like a small group of other dog breeds, the German Pinscher is extremely healthy and there is absolutely no health problems to worry about. These animals have a long life span of up to 16 years, with the average time being 12 to 13 years.

The Japanese Chin is absolutely one of the most adorable members of the Toy Group. Always on the lookout for fun and games, this dog is equally sensitive and thrives on affection. They are devoted to their family and ready to make friends with anyone and any animal, strangers or not. Japanese Chin dogs are also perfect pets for children who understand how to play gentle.

A Brief History Of The Japanese Chin

The origins of the Japanese Chin date as far back as the Ancient times, however, the exact history of the breed is unknown. Researchers do know that it shared a very similar history with the Pekingese. Interestingly enough, history tells us that the Japanese Chin actually has it roots in China, not Japan, as its name might suggest.

Like the Pekingese, the breed was largely owned by Chinese aristocracy and were given as gifts to other nobility. Exactly how the dog arrived in Japan is still up for debate. Several stories are floating around. Some say that they were brought by a Korean prince after 730 A.D. Another theory is that Buddhist teachers brought them to Japan shortly after 500 A.D.

Whatever the true path that the breed took to get to Japan, the dog had an enormously positive impact on the Japanese Imperial family. The were kept as adored lapdogs and shown off to visiting nobility. During the 16th century it is said that the Japanese Chin was traded with visiting Portuguese sailors and taken back with them to Europe.

Official documentation tells us that the breed was in Europe in 1853. Over the next several decades more and more Japanese Chins were sold or traded to the Europeans and then to the Americans. In the late 1800s, the breed got official recognition by the AKC, listed as the "Japanese Spaniel." To reduce the breed's size over the last century it was crossed with English Toy Spaniels.

Upkeep Requirements For The Japanese Chin

Upkeep for these adorable little toy dogs is about as easy as it comes when owning one as calm and easy-going as the Japanese Chin. They are small enough so that the only exercise they need is to walk around the house and a few short walks on the leash each day. They also enjoy playing games so a few laps around the yard is enough to show them a good time while giving them plenty of exercise.

Like all toy breeds, the Japanese Chin cannot live outdoors. They are lapdogs to the core and although should have time to play outside in a fenced-in yard, are meant be pampered in the confines of your home. Grooming requirements call for a weekly brushing, twice for the longhairs.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the Japanese Chin is between ten and twelve years. There are no major health concerns and minor health issues that run common in the breed are cataracts, entropion, patellar luxation, heart murmurs, and KCS. Rarely seen is epilepsy, achondroplasia, and portacaval shunt. Veterinarians suggest that Japanese Chin dogs get tested for potential knee and eye problems.

If you ask any dog owner or canine enthusiast whether they know if dogs are officially color blind or not, most people won't have the faintest idea. And guess what, the scientific community is not sure either! However, there are indeed some facts about a dog's vision that has come through from studies and tests.

So, is your dog really color blind or this claim just a myth? The following scientific article may help clear up some of the confusion while at the same time educating you about color perception in the eyes of a dog:

About a hundred years ago, scientists observed that the retina of a dog's eyes did not have the cone-shaped cells which are abundant in human eyes (as well as the the eyes of other primates). In primates, the cone-shaped cells occur in greatest numbers in the portion of the retina called the fovea. Here, vision is most acute. The number of cone-shaped cells decreases as the distance from the fovea increases.

At the same time, the number of rod-shaped cells increases. Rod-shaped cells are common to members of both the canine and primate families. Some individuals, who were thought to be color blind, were found to have a deficiency or a lack of cone-shaped cells. Whether a highly significant number of retina from color-blind individuals were ever examined is questionable.

Furthermore, since there was no proof that color is perceived by these cells, ascribing color blindness to the lack of these cells does not necessarily follow. In other words, if the body is missing an element that could take away the problem, the color blindness is not the absolute diagnosis.

Under poor lighting conditions, more of the retina is used for vision; at the same time, color discrimination is more difficult. Consequently, more rod-shaped cells and fewer cone-shaped cells are used for vision. This was thought to be further evidence that color could only be perceived by means of cone-shaped cells. Thereafter, dogs became color blind and were relegated to seeing everything in black and white.

Many people who have dogs (admitting that they were in no position to dispute scientific evidence) have, nevertheless, been skeptical about the results of scientific research. They've chosen to ignore the arguments for or against color vision.

A Real-Life Experiment With My Miniature Schnauzer

The marked preference for objects of bright pink by my newly acquired Miniature Schnauzer, suggested that this could not be accidental and that some learning test should be carried out. Because she also showed a preference for soft, cuddly items, a set of stuffed mohair balls of identical size were made for her.

She was then presented with a brilliant pink ball and told that it was her "pink ball." The ball was then tossed, together with her other toys, and she was asked to get one of the items. She learned to correctly select the pink ball within 20 minutes.

Several days later, she was presented with a similar ball colored bright blue. When the two balls were tossed at the same time and she was asked to get one or the other, she succeeded in correctly selecting the ball she was asked to within five minutes.

She has retained this knowledge until the present, nearly four years later. Several minutes after she learned to identify her blue ball, she was presented with a yellow ball and told it was her "yellow ball." Once again she almost immediately learned to correctly identify the ball. Indeed, at no time did she incorrectly identify it.

Some time later she was presented with a green ball. Again, she learned to correctly identify it almost immediately; again, she has retained this knowledge.

Light meter readings of the light reflected from all the balls, with the exception of the yellow one, were essentially the same. When she was told, "Let's play ball," her preference was usually the pink one; the blue ball came next. She chose the less brilliant yellow ball least frequently.

The Final Test - My Dog Is Not Colorblind

Similarly, she rapidly learned to distinguish a set of rubber balls. A game called "Hide a Ball" was then devised. All of her balls were hidden throughout the apartment and she was asked to get a specific one. She would then "sniff out" as many balls as was necessary to find the correct one; all the balls but the one she was asked to find would be left where they were placed. And, when she found the correct one she always discontinued her search.

If there was insufficient light for the balls to be distinguished by human beings, apparently she could not distinguish the correct ball either, for she would leave the balls where she found them until a light was turned on.

This clearly indicates that scent was only a slight factor in tracing the whereabouts of the balls and not in selecting the correct one, thus providing evidence that dogs may not be colorblind at all.

Considered to be one of the most reliable bird dogs in the sporting group, the Gordon Setter can run and hunt for an entire day if left up to him. With seemingly endless energy and always on the looking for a bird, this breed needs constant time outside in large, open land to roam and hunt.

The Gordon Setter not only makes an excellent hunter, they also make fun, enthusiastic pets that thrive on the company of people. This breed may at times be a bit more protective than other setters when it comes to its "pack", but because of this trait the Gordon Setter makes an excellent watch dog.

A Brief History Of The Gordon Setter

As early as the 1600s, the Black and Tan Setter was in existence in Scotland. Then, sometime during the late 18Ǡs, we see that the breed established itself as the Gordon Castle Setter. The reason for the name reference was due to the Fourth Duke of Gordon, who was a big fan of the dog and had many of them living in his Castle.

Even after the passing of the Fourth Duke of Gordon, continuous efforts were made to breed only the finest of setters at the Gordon Castle. The breed's name was soon changed back to its original name, the Black and Tan Setter, at around the year 1900, but the English Kennel Club restored the name Gordon Setter when it made the breed an official member of the organization.

The Gordon Setter first made its way to the United States sometime during the middle 1800s. In fact, they were among one of the first breeds to become recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 18ȼ, and remains one of the favorites of the sporting group with hunters that desire a talented, one-man shooting partner.

Upkeep Requirements For The Gordon Setter

Like all sporting dogs, the Gordon Setter must have plenty of daily exercise. Strenuous activity is preferred as this is one dog with an insatiable appetite for action. Gordon Setters also may become overweight quickly if kept cooped up all day. For this reason alone they are not suited for small apartment living.

These dogs are able to live outside if need be, so long as the climate is temperate, but like all loving family pets, they should have ample time to spend with the family; sleeping indoors at night is ideal. And with its long, lustrous coat, the Gordon Setter needs regular brushing every two to three days.

Health Concerns

Major health problems that seem to run common with the Gordon Setter are CHD and gastric torsion. Minor concerns include elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, cerebellar abiotrophy, and PRA. Veterinarians suggest that this breed be specifically tested for possible elbow, hip, eye, and thyroid problems. The average lifespan for a healthy Gordon Setter is approximately ten to twelve years.

Most coonhounds are ancestors of the foxhound and the same holds true for the Redbone Coonhound. During the late 1700s, red foxhounds were brought to America by Scottish immigrants. It is suggested that these are the dogs that formed the base for the Redbone Coonhound breed.

A man named George Birdsong heavily influenced the breed. During the 1840s, Mr. Birdsong, a hunter from Georgia, obtained a pack of coonhounds and began breeding his own dogs. In time, more and more coonhunters became interested in these dogs and began mixing them with Red Irish Foxhounds. The purpose of this mix was to create a dog that was faster and could hunt down coons with a stronger sense of smell.

The resulting litters produced many dogs that were colored red with black saddles. For a while they were referred to as "Saddlebacks. Over several generations, hunters would breed these dogs in an attempt to emphasize a solid-red color. The Black saddle was eventually bred out. It was around this time when the breed became recognized as the "Redbone Coonhound."

The Redbone Coonhound became the second coonhound dog breed to be recognized by the UKC in 1902. It wasn't until the year 2001, practically a century later, that the AKC admitted this breed into the miscellaneous class. To this day, the Redbone Coonhound remains a favorite choice for serious hunters that prefer a versatile hunting dog that has a strong treeing ability.

Personality

The Redbone Coonhound Is typically very gentle, relaxed, and easy-going. They have a calm attitude and generally do not let trouble get to them. They enjoy being with their family or hunter owners, but are not starved for attention. This is one dog breed that needs to be kept busy with daily exercise and advanced training for mental stimulation. They are gentle with children and other dogs, but may be a little too rough with smaller house pets.

Taking Care Of Your Redbone Coonhound

As mentioned above, Redbone Coonhound dogs must have plenty of daily exercise. They have an amazing sense of smell and when a scent is picked up, it may have a tendency to dart off as fast as they can towards the target. These dogs also love to swim and can be kept outdoors if necessary. However, they are family-oriented so it makes a better choice to keep them indoors at night with the rest of the family. Grooming requirements are minimal, with a weekly brushing to remove dead hair. Some Redbone Coonhounds also have a tendency to drool a lot.

Health Information

Like many purebred dogs who have kept their bloodline intact, Redbone Coonhounds are amazingly healthy with absolutely no major health issues to worry about and zero minor health concerns. These dogs have an average lifespan of between 12 and 15 years.

The Irish Setter is a beautiful, happy-go-lucky dog that was bred to hunt enthusiastically with lots of energy. This dog breed has a natural sense of happiness and excitability towards life. He makes a fantastic companion with both adults and children so long as there is enough activity to keep the dog happy. In fact, if the Irish Setter does not get enough daily exercise then he can become easily frustrated and sensitive toward distractions.

The Irish Setter is an amiable breed of dog which takes great pleasure in pleasing its owners and the rest of the family. Although he would make an ideal pet for a family with kids, it is noted that the Irish Setter may be a little too rough and excitable with very small children.

Upkeep And Maintenance

When it comes to raising an Irish Setter, we can not stress enough how important it is for this animal to get plenty of exercise. If you are thinking about getting a new dog and would like to have an Irish Setter, then you need to consider your lifestyle and understand that he will not be happy as your pet if you are not the active type. You would be doing a great injustice by raising an Irish Setter and then living a sedentary lifestyle while never taking the dog outside.

How much exercise is recommended? Plan on running this dog breed hard for at least one hour of strenuous activity and exertion on a daily basis. The Irish Setter is one particular breed of dog that is not suited for living in a small apartment.

The ideal living situation would be that of a large fenced-in yard with plenty of room for him to move around. The Irish Setter can live perfectly happy as an outdoor dog and during warm temperatures, however, as with most dogs, he would need to be inside during the cold winter months.

Grooming this dog breed must be a daily routine. With his long coat he needs regular brushing and the occasional trim so that he can look his best.

Health Information

The Irish Setter has an average lifespan of up to 14 years. Major health concerns which should be addressed to your veterinarian would be gastric torsion, CHD, and PRA. Less important health concerns which may not affect this breed, but sometimes spring up are: HOD, hypothyroidism, megaesophagus, osteosarcoma, and panosteitis. Veterinarians also recommend that the Irish Setter dog breed be specifically tested for thyroid, DNA for PRA, eye problems, hip dysplasia, and cardiac.

The Shiba Inu is a strikingly handsome and courageous member of the Non-Sporting Group. With tis beautiful variety of soft colors, this dog is physically compact with adorable short ears, a thick coat of fur, and a muscular body. They have an expression of peace and alertness, always ready for the next adventure.

The temperament of the breed is best described as bold, independent, literally brimming with self-confidence. They are one of the best all-around house dogs to have because they are active and adventurous outside, but once indoors become calm and mild-mannered. The Shiba Inu tends to bark a lot, especially at the presence of intruders, making them excellent watchdogs.

A Brief History Of The Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is one of six native Japanese breeds. In fact, these dogs are said to be the most ancient of them all. They were used to hunt and flush out small game, gaining the nickname "little brushwood dog" in reference to its red coat which blended in with the local brushwood trees.

The precise origin of the Shiba Inu is not known, but we do know that they share common blood with the spitz. The breed may have its roots dating as far back as 300 B.C. as hunting companions throughout Japan. From hunting small game and flushing out birds, these dogs were also used to help hunt wild boar.

At one point there were three variations. They were known as the Sanin Shiba, the Mino Shiba, and Shinshu shiba. All were named after their locality. Unfortunately, they were all but wiped out during World War II, then further numbers lost by distemper during the early 1952.

In order to keep the Shiba Inu from becoming completely extinct various types were interbred. Lighter boned dogs were crossed with heavy boned dogs from the mountain areas. These breeding efforts were a success and the United States saw its first Shiba Inu dog in 1954, gaining AKC recognition in 1993.

Upkeep Requirements For The Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu cannot live a happy lifestyle without plenty of daily exercise. Although they are a small-sized breed, this dog has a never-ending amount of energy to burn. Several long walks on the leash plus laps around the yard each day is ideal. They especially love to chase and hunt small animals.

With a moderate tolerance to heat and a high tolerance to cool temperatures, the Shiba Inu can spend lots of time outdoors, but is not meant to live outside completely. If allowed to access a fenced-in yard during the day be sure to provide warm shelter as well. Grooming requirements for the breed consists of a brushing once or twice weekly.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the Shiba Inu is between twelve and fifteen years. The only major health concern that runs common in the breed is patellar luxation. Minor health issues include allergies and cataracts. Rarely seen is PRA, CHD, PPM, and distichiasis. Veterinarians suggest that the Shiba Inu get specifically tested for eye, hip, and knee problems.

The Briard is a highly intelligent and devoted member of the Herding Group. With a powerful build and a hight range from 22 to 27 inches, this breed is longer than it is tall. They have an overall handsome appearance, with a coat displaying long, wavy locks of hair. The weight of the Briard dog ranges from approximately 75 to 100 lbs for the male, and from 50 to 65 lbs for females.

The temperament of the Briard can best be described as faithful and devoted, always willing to please. The are highly intelligent and maintain a confident personality. This breed is friendly towards other types of pets in the house but extremely reserved and weary around strangers and other dogs, making them excellent watchdogs and family protectors.

A Brief History Of The Briard

The Briard has its roots from France, dating back to the 1300s. The original function of the breed was as a herding dog and a dependable guardian of livestock. It was part of four other French breeds, with the others being the Pyrenean, Beauceron, and the Picardy. Of these four breeds, it is the oldest French sheepdog, depicted in artwork dating back as far as the 8th century.

These dogs did not actually go by the name of Briard until well into the early 1800s. Some people referred to them as the Chien Berger de Brie, which means "Shepherd Dog of Brie." The job of these early dogs were to protect herds as well as fight off (and win) against wolves if necessary. Human intruders were also subject to the same punishment when going up against a Briard dog when it was protecting its livestock.

After the French Revolution the breed was used less as a guard dog and more as a sheep herder. The dogs hit the show ring around 1900, and in 1897 the first breed standard was drawn up. A second breed standard replaced the original in 1909. The Briard made its way to the United States with Thomas Jefferson being one of the first owners of the breed.

Upkeep Requirements For The Briard

Like all members of the Herding Group, the Briard must have vigorous daily exercise. These requirements can be met with several brisk walks on the leash, plus long play sessions outdoors. They especially love to herd when given the chance and may attempt to herd small children if left unsupervised.

This breed can tolerate cool temperatures but does not handle hot climates very well. Briard dogs can live outdoors if necessary, but the ideal arrangement is to sleep indoors with the family at night with access to a safe, fenced-in yard during the day. Grooming requirements consist of a thorough brushing of its long coat three to four times weekly.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the Briard is between ten and twelve years. Major health concerns that run common in the breed are CHD and gastric torsion. Minor health issues include night blindness. Rarely seen in these dogs are heart problems and PRA. Veterinarians suggest that the Briard get specifically tested for cardiac, hip, and eye problems.

The Parson Russell Terrier is a scrappy member of the Terrier Group, always looking for excitement and adventure. These active little dogs love to hunt, chase anything that moves, and will explore any given space with vigor end intent. Parson Russell Terriers are equally as playful as they are energetic, making these dogs excellent to have around children.

The temperament of the Parson Russell Terrier can turn from fun-loving to reserved and aggressive when it comes to other pets or strange dogs. However, they are less weary around strange people, but make an excellent watchdog when the family sleeps at night. This is truly one breed that fits a family that loves a spunky, on-the-move kind of dog.

A Brief History Of The Parson Russell Terrier

The Parson Russell Terrier has its roots in England, dating back to the 1800s. The breed descended from one specific male terrier named Trump. Trump was owned by a man named John Russell, hence the breed's name, who was an avid enthusiast of fox hunting.

John Russell's personal mission was to develop a line of terrier dogs that could not only keep up with traveling horses on the go, but could also maintain its ability to quickly dispatch fox. This line of dogs became so popular and successful that they were coined the name "Parson Russell Terriers."

Parson Russell Terrier dogs remained more useful in the field as opposed to the show ring. A long-standing tradition, proud owners of the breed kept them from competing at dog shows and instead continued to prove their reputation as hunters in the field. The breed received AKC recognition and in 1998 was admitted into the Terrier Group as the "Jack Russell Terrier", which was later changed to the "Parson Russell Terrier" in 2003.

Upkeep Requirements For The Parson Russell Terrier

This is one dog breed that is best suited for people that enjoy an active lifestyle. Parson Russell terriers thrive off adventure and their energy levels are literally "through-the-roof." Therefore, they must have daily exercise and fun games to take care of its needs. Parson Russel Terriers must have at least two to three brisk walks during the day in addition to the freedom to run around outside.

The ideal living arrangement for this dog is to allow the Parson Russell to have access to a fenced-in yard during the day, but to sleep indoors at night. They have moderate tolerance to hot and cold temperatures, but should never be forced to sleep outside. This is also not the type of dog to have couped up in a small apartment. Grooming requirements are minimal, calling for a light brushing once per week to remove dead hairs.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the Parson Russell Terrier is between thirteen and fifteen years. There are no major health concerns in the breed and the only minor issues are patellar luxation and lens luxation. Veterinarians suggest that these dogs get specifically tested for knee and eye problems.

The Pug is a member of the toy dog group whose name is derived from the Latin word Pugness, which means "fist." This perfectly describes their facial features as it can be said to look like a clenched up fist. This dog breed has been recognized by the AKC since the year 1886 and has become an extremely popular house pet and show dog ever since.

The Pug dog breed is extremely amiable, displays a confident personality, and is abundantly playful. It can also be a bit headstrong and stubborn to train, but mostly the Pug is a pleasant dog who enjoys pleasing its owner, especially if given the chance to show off.

Upkeep And Maintenance

As with all toy dog breeds, the Pug needs to have plenty of exercise on a daily basis. A brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes would be ideal, or a fun physical activity which centers around a dog game would do nicely.

The Pug is not the type of dog that should be kept outdoors for an ongoing period of time. This animal is meant to be indoors and cannot stand hot temperatures and humid weather. Of course there is nothing wrong with keeping your Pug in the yard for a few hours each day, but always ensure that he has plenty of shaded areas to retreat to when the weather is hot.

When it comes to grooming, this dog needs regular cleaning due to its heavy wrinkles, especially around the face and neck areas. Should the Pug get wet he will need to be dried off immediately as to prevent infection of the skin, which is sometimes typical of this breed. Lastly, when it comes to physical characteristics, the Pug tends to wheeze and snore often.

Health Information

You can look forward to your Pug living a long and healthy life of up to 15 years, and sometimes longer. The only two major health concerns that all Pug owners should be worried about is CHD and Pug dog encephalitis. Minor health concerns, which rarely pop up with this breed include patellar luxation, KCS, hemivertebra, elongated palate, Legg-Perthes, stenotic nares, and skin infections.