SHIH TZU

The Shih Tzu is a fun-loving little dog and despite its small size has a confident and dignified air. Regular grooming is a necessity, however, and ears must be examined regularly for sign of infection to which it has a tendency.

Height: dog 10.5in; bitch 9in.
Weight: 10-16lb

SHAR PEI

The unusual Shar Pei has a suggestion of the Mastiff in its ancestry. Be aware, however, that it needs a lot of attention to guard against skin problems. While its unusual looks are not to everyone's taste, it nevertheless has many enthusiastic fans.

Height: 18-20in
Weight: 35-44lb

POODLE

Considered by many to be the most intelligent of the breeds, the Poodle also has a sensitive nature and may become jealous of children in the family; however, it seldom becomes aggressive .It is said that once you own a Poodle you will never look at another dog again.

Height: Toy under 11in Miniature 11-15in; Standard over 15in.
Weight: Toy 10lb; Miniature 13lb; Standard 66-75lb.

MINIATURE SCHNAUZER

The Miniature Schnauzer is a study, well proportioned little dog with a definite look of the terrier about it. In fact, in America, it is categorized as such. The ears are sometimes cropped, which is illegal in some parts of the world, such as Britain.

Height: dog 14in; bitch 13in.
Weight: dog 20lb; bitch 16.5lb

LHASA APSO

The Lhasa Apso originated from Tibet, hence the dense long haired coat enabling it to survive in cold mountain conditions. Should be considered only if you particularly like grooming dogs, and remember that it is neither a toy nor a lapdog.

Height: dog 10in; bitch slightly smaller
Weight: 13-15.5lb

LEONBERGER

The Leonberger is an easy-going dog, but its huge size does not make it the ideal dog for everyone. However, they make good guard dogs and are excelllent swimmers.

Height: dog 28-32in; bitch 26-30in
Weight: 75-110lb

KEESHOND

The Keeshond, also known as the Dutch Bargedog, is an amiable breed and alert to every sound, making it an excellent watchdog. Like all spitz types, it requires careful grooming.

Height: dog 18in; bitch 17in
Weight: 43lb

JAPANESE SPITZ

The Japanese Spitz makes a good family pet. It is fairly small, good natured and requires moderate amounts of food and exercise to keep it happy. However, its thick coat requires regular grooming to keep it in good condition.

Height: dog 12-14in bitch slightly smaller
Weight: 11-13lb

AFFENPINSCHER

Also known as the Black Devil, on account of its mischievous expression, the plucky Affenpinscher makes an excellent companion and watchdog and is quick to see off strangers.

Height : 9.5-11in Weight : 6.5-9lb

SAMOYED

The Samoyed makes an excellent family pet. It is a lively, jolly animal and fairly obedient, having a mind of its own. However, the thick coat can be rather troublesome for it in hot weather and requires very regular grooming.


Height : dog 20-22in bitch 18-20in Weight 50.5lb bitch 39.5lb

SAINT BERNARD

The Saint Bernard has a placid, affectionate nature, but because of its massive size and strength requires careful training. Dont even consider owning one unless you have plenty of space to accomodate it. Remember, also that it has a very large appetite.


Height : dog 28 in bitch 26in Weight : dog 165.5lb bitch 150lb

ROTTWEILER

The Rottweiler has a long history dating back to Roman times. It is a formidable animal and requires careful handling from puppyhood to make it manageable. Not for the faint-hearted.


Height : dog 25-27in bitch 23-25in Weight : dog 110lb bitch 85lb

PINSCHER

The German Pinscher was one of the breeds Louis Dobermann used to develop the powerful and imposing Dobermann. The Pinscher itself is somewhat smaller, is nimble and attractive, and makes a charming pet.


Height : 17-19in Weight : 25-35lb

OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG

You need to have plenty of time and patience if you have an Old English Sheepdog as a pet. Its coarse, longhaired coat needs very regular attention, while the dog itself, having been bred for hard work needs a good deal of exercise. However, you will be amply rewarded for your trouble.


Height : dog 24in bitch 22in Weight : dog 80.5lb bitch 65lb

NORWEGIAN BUHUND

The Norwegian Buhund is a relatively new breed. It makes a good family pet, though can be a little wary of strangers.

Height : 16-18in Weight : 53-57lb

NEWFOUNDLAND

The Newfoundland and water go hand-in-hand, and for centuries they were used as fishermen's companions. They are powerful swimmers and renownwd for saving lives.

Height : dog 28in bitch 26in Weight : 140-150lb

NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF

The Neapolitan Mastiff is an ancient breed with ancestors dating back to Roman times. It is bred to be a guard dog, but is only aggressive on command. Not for the novice dog-handler.

Height : 26-29in Weight : 110-154lb

MASTIFF

Despite its imposing size, the Mastiff is a quite and docile animal and thrives on human company and regular exercise. They also have a voracious appetite which must be taken into account when considering it as a pet.

Height: 27.5-30in
Weight: 174-190lb

MARREMA

The Marrema, despite its large size, is very agile, making it capable of moving easily over rough ground.It is not aggresive and its intelligence and bravery make it an ideal guard dog.

Height: dog 25.5-28.5in bitch 23.5-26.5in
Weight: dog 77-99lb bitch 66-88lb

KOMONDOR

The Komondor is an imposing guard dog with powerful jaws, and not entirely suited to family life.Its thick coat also requires a good deal of attention, despite its scruffy appearance.

Height: 26-32in
Weight: 80-135lb

KELPIE

The Kelp is a tireless worker on the vast sheep stations of Australia. Therefore, extreme toughness is required, and a waterproof coat to enable it to function in all weather.

Height: dog 18-20in bitch 17-19in
Weight: 25-45lb

HUNGARIAN PULI

As a sheep herder, the Puli's distinctive coat was designed to keep out wind and rain, which, despite its scruffy appearance, requires a good deal of attention to keep it in good condition.

Height : dog 16-17.5in bitch 14.5-16in Weight : dog 28.5-33lb bitch 22-28.5lb

CAIRN TERRER

The Cairn has contributed elemets of its alert and vibrant personality to other terreirs through cross breeding. As a pet, it is delightful and fun-loving and needs only moderate exercise to keep it happy and healthy.


Height: 11-12in Weight: 14-16lb

BULL TERRIER

The Bull Terrier has always been prized for its courage, tenacy and speed. A ferosious fighter, the Bull Terrer is more dangerousbto other dogs than it is to people. Nevertheless, to make a sweet-natured,gentle and playful pet, it needs firm and careful handling right from the very start.


Height: 18in. Weight: 72lb

BORDER TERRIER

The workmanlike Border Terrier has a happy-go-lucky nature and, despite its innate qualities as a hunter, can still happily adapt to family life.

Height : dog 12in bitch 11in Weight : dog 13-15.5lb bitch 11-14lb

BEDLINGTON TERRIER

Despite its unusual appearance, the Bedlington is far from lamb-like and retains all the qualities of a champion ratter.

Height : 16in Weight : 18-23lb

AUSTRALIAN TERRIER

The Australian Terrier's talents as a rat and snake catcher may no longer be to the fore, but it still retains all the characteristic pluckiness associated with the working terrier.

Height : 10in Weight : 14lb

AIREDALE TERRIER

The Airedale is the largest of the terrier group. It has an excellent sense of smell and is nowadays used for tracking, drug detection, and searching for victims trapped in collapsed buildings. They are incorrigible diggers, so watch your flower beds!

Height : dog 23-24in bitch 22-23in Weight : 45 lb

GERMAN SHORT HAIRED POINTER

The handsome German Shorthaired Pointer is the older type and is a versatile all-rounder in the field. They make good pets but are happier when they have plenty of work to do.

Height : dog 23-25in bitch 21-23in Weight : dog 55-70lb bitch 45-60lb

ENGLISH SETTER

The elegant English Setter is the oldest of the gundogs, and seems to have an innate sense of what is expected of it in the field. As a pet, however, it has a tendency to roam and needs a good deal of exercise.

Height : dog 25.5-27in bitch 24-25.5in Weight : dog 60-66lb bitch 56-62lb.

BRITTANY

A vigorous hunter, the Brittany is famous as much for its abilities in the field as it is for its charm. Not surprisingly, it prefers the country life.


Height : dog 19-20in bitch : 18-19in Weight : 30-40lb

BRACCO ITALIANO

The Bracco Italiano has a docile, friendly personality, despite its multiple role as hunter, pointer and retriever.


Height : 22-27in Weight : 55-88lb

PHARAOH HOUND

The Pharaoh Hound has a noble bearing and is an excellent hunter that once tracked its prey by scent as well as sound. Originating in warmer climes, and having a short coat, it needs added protection in cold weather.

Height : dog 22-25in; bitch 21-24in Weight : dog 44-45lb

COONHOUND

The Coonhound is a large, robust dog with Bloodhound ancestry, the most important development being its black-and-tan coat.

Height : dog 25in; bitch 24in Weight : dog 90lb; bitch 80lb

BORZOI

The Borzoi, though the personification of elegance, is not the ideal pet for everyone. It is quiet and reserved, with a distrust of strangers and children.

Height : dog 29in; bitch 27in Weight : dog 75-105lb; bitch 60-90lb

BLOODHOUND

in films and stories, the bloodhound is always depicted as a kind of sleuth or detective, which is due to its supposed ability to follow a blood trail However, the word actually refers to its aristocratic bloodline.

Height : dog 26in ; bitch 24in Weight : dog 110lb; bitch 100lb

BEAGLE

The Beagle's smooth shorthaired coat is easy to maintain and needs little grooming to keep it looking smart. Beagle's are the smallest of the pack hound.

Height : 13-16in Weight : 20lb

BASSET HOUND

The Basset Hound may look mournful but it is an accomodating animal, as happy ambling through fields and sniffing out prey as it is idling away hours by the fireside.

Height : 13-15in Weight: 70lb

BASSET FAUVE DE BRETAGNE

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is becoming popular as a house pet because it isn't too big and has a kindly, playful nature.

Height : 12.5-15in Weight 35-40lb

BASENJI

The Basenji has been known to wash itself like a cat, so fastidious is it about its appearance. The Basenji has its origins in what is now called the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Height : dog 17in; bitch 16in Weight : dog 24lb; bithch 21lb

AMERICAN FOXHOUND

The American Foxhound is a good-natured dog, but does have a wilful side to its nature which requires careful training. These are friendly and non-aggressive dogs, but sometimes with a rather determined and ill-disciplined nature. Their natural stamina and endurance stand them in good stead as hunters.

Height : dog 22-25in, bitch 21-24in Weight 65-75lbs.

AFGHAN HOUND

The elegant Afghan requires a good deal of exercise and has a natural tendency to chase small animals. However, they are very attached to their owners and make excellent pets, though regular grooming is important.

Height: dog 27-29in (68.5-74cm); bitch 25-27in (63.5-68.5cm). Weight; dog 60lb, bitch 50lb.