American Water Spaniel

State Dog of Wisconsin

The American Water Spaniel was developed in the United States; it is believed they originated in the Fox River and Wolf River valleys of Wisconsin. Even today the American Water Spaniel is a little known breed outside of North America.

American Water Spaniels have a curly or marcel coat that is dense and resistant to cold waters. Colors range from liver, brown, and chocolate. They normally weigh between 25 to 45 pounds and stand between 15 to 18 inches. As with all spaniels, American Water Spaniels were originally, and widely still are, bred for hunting.

The origin of the American Water Spaniel can be described as murky at best. There are two theories that are accepted, although which one, if either, is fact is unknown. The first theory comes from Doc Pfeifer, the man credit with the recognition of the breed in the 1920s. He believed the breed was developed by crossing the now extinct English Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. Disputers of this idea believe the breed was developed by crossing various breeds including the English Water Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, and possibly even the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Currently the latter is the more widely accepted theory. Hunters wanted to develop a dog that could function on land as well as in the marsh, yet still small enough to accompany their masters in a canoe or skiff. The American Water Spaniel was widely used in the mid-1800s, and in different times in history has been near extinction, but fanciers of the breed manage to maintain the population.

American Water Spaniels excel at hunting, both as a flushing spaniel and a retriever. They hunt either fur or feather with equal enthusiasm, however they do not have to be hunters to live a happy life. They also make good companion and family dogs. American Water Spaniels should have early socialization with other canines to avoid potential dog aggressiveness.

White Shepherd Dog

Berger Blanc Swiss

White Shepherd Dogs were directly developed from the German Shepherd. Their white coat is considered a disqualifying fault by most major kennel clubs; therefore their fanciers began breeding them independently and strived for them to gain recognition as their own breed. In countries that fall under the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) they are known as the Berger Blanc Swiss, in North America they are most commonly known as the White Shepherd Dog.

Appearance

The White Shepherd Dog is almost identical to the German Shepherd Dog, save their coat color. Ideally they should be solid white, however light cream, biscuit, or tan can also occur. The double-length coat of the White Shepherd Dog can be either medium in length or longhaired.

History

Having developed from German Shepherds, the White Shepherd Dogs share their history. Originally white was accepted as a coat color, however, Max von Stephanitz, the creator of the breed was not in favor of white dogs. Still, it was not seen as a disqualifying fault until the German Shepherd Dog Club of America adopted a colored breed standard in 1959. By 1968, white dogs could no longer be shown in the American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation dog ring events. The United Kennel Club (UKC) allows white German Shepherds, but in 1999 also recognized a separate breed, the White Shepherd Dog. In 2002 the FCI recognized the breed as the Berger Blanc Swiss, which states their country of origin as Switzerland as they were the first to recognize White Shepard Dogs as a separate breed.

Toy Fox Terrier

The Toy that is a Terrier

The Toy Fox Terrier was developed in the United States as a desire to create a smaller Smooth Fox Terrier. Both a toy as well as a terrier, the Toy Fox Terrier can be both a companion and a working dog.

Toy Fox Terriers stand at about 10 inches, and weigh between 4-7 pounds. They are a small breed, but yet distinctly terrier in appearance. Their ears are erect and V-shaped, while their tails are customarily docked. The coat is short and thick, it is white with either black and tan, or only tan markings. Rarely other colors will appear on the Toy Fox Terrier.

The Toy Fox Terrier was developed in the 1930s, its primary ancestor the Smooth Fox Terrier. Through careful breeding that included the English Toy Terrier, Chihuahua, and Italian Greyhound the breed was developed at a smaller size, and these other breeds calmed its disposition as well. First used for hunting vermin, this little dog quickly found its way into homes as a companion as well. Toy Fox Terriers were recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1936 and the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2000.

Although the Toy Fox Terrier is small it has not forgot its terrier ancestors or instincts. They are tough, intelligent, and yet love human companionship. They are not recommended for small children because of their size, however they do well with ones that are older. It loves to hunt if it gets the chance, and therefore does not do well in households with small animals. Toy Fox Terriers are easy to train, even if they have a bit of terrier stubbornness.

In general the Toy Fox Terrier is a healthy breed, but they are prone to legg calve perthes and stifle, both common toy problems. Life expectancy of the Toy Fox Terrier is 13-14 years, and known to stay young throughout its life.

American Staffordshire Terrier

AmStaff

The American Staffordshire Terrier, or AmStaff, as it is often known by its fanciers, is a relatively “new” breed of dog. Originally they were intended to be a show strain of the American Pit Bull Terrier when dog fighting became illegal in the United States. Unfortunately, they are commonly identified as a “Pit Bull” and therefore shares many of the myths associated with its cousin the American Pit Bull Terrier. In truth American Staffordshire Terriers can make wonderful pets with the right owners.

In 1936 the Staffordshire Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the “American” would not be added to their name until 1972. Their early ancestors were shared with the American Pit Bull Terrier and were bull/terrier crosses brought to the United States from England and Ireland in the 1800s for the then popular sport of dog fighting. When dog fighting became illegal, (in many states this was accomplished by the 1860s) this breed suddenly went in two directions. Many owners wanted to see them recognized by the AKC, and therefore adopted the name Staffordshire Terrier in an urge to divert attention from their dog fighting pasts. When the recognition was achieved some breeders did not agree to the standards placed on the breed by the AKC, and those dogs remained the American Pit Bull Terrier. Even today much confusion remains between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier, generally the later tends to be larger both in structure and weight.

American Staffordshire Terriers are loving and loyal companions. They get along well with children, and have a strong bond to their family. As with their American Pit Bull Terrier cousins they have a tendency to be aggressive towards other canines and need to be well socialized when they are pups. Obedience training is a must with the American Staffordshire Terrier.

American Pit Bull Terrier

A Breed of Controversy

Simply the name “Pit Bull” causes many to think of a dangerous, uncontrollable dog, however, the American Pit Bull Terrier is only one of many breeds that seem to be identified by the general public as “Pit Bulls”. They are known as a violent breed that attacks people, but this can and is disputed by many American Pit Bull Terrier owners.

it is true that the American Pit Bull Terrier was breed for, and still illegally used for dog fighting. This in part has added to the many “Pit Bull” myths, as well as the fact that whenever a dog attacks a person it is almost always identified as a “Pit Bull”. In many cases it turns out that the attacking dog is not an American Pit Bull Terrier, or any of its close cousins, including the American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Unfortunately the fact remains that this is one of the most commonly used breeds in the United States for illegal fighting and as vicious guard dogs by irresponsible owners. Owners and breeders of the American Pit Bull Terrier insist that they are not human aggressive and make wonderful pets in the right home.

The ancestors of the American Pit Bull Terrier were bull/terrier crosses brought to America from England and Ireland in the 1800s, and were popular for dog fighting. When bred for fighting the breeder wanted strength and canine aggression, however a lack of aggression towards humans was a must. Any dog that showed aggression towards its owner was destroyed. This created the line of dogs we see today, often aggressive towards other dogs, particularly those of the same sex, however lacking aggression towards humans. When dog fighting became illegal many owners wanted to have the breed recognized and distanced from its history for fighting. In 1936 the Staffordshire Terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), although at the time they were still one breed. Many breeders disagreed to the name change, or the standards set forth by the AKC, and continued to breed American Pit Bull Terrier, and the confusion towards the breeds still remains.

American Pit Bull Terriers are in truth an affectionate and loyal breed. They are eager to please, and have a great fondness for people and their families. While they are well known for their aggression to other dogs, they get along well with children. American Pit Bull Terriers need a firm hand and obedience training is a must, as they can be a stubborn breed and sometimes difficult for first time owners to handle.

American Hairless Terrier

Hairless Rat Terrier

The American Hairless Terrier was once simply considered a variant to its close cousin, the Rat Terrier. They are direct decedents of these terriers, and only recently the American Hairless Terrier began to gain recognition as its own breed.

Unlike many dog breeds the exact origin of the American Hairless Terrier is no mystery. In 1972 a hairless, female pup was born in a litter of Rat Terriers. These terriers were owned by Willie and Edwin Scott of Louisiana, she was greatly prized by them, and name Josephine. Josephine was bred and she produced only a single hairless terrier in her first litter, and for several years that was the only pup that gained the hairless trait of her mothers. Then, at the age of nine she had another litter with two hairless pups, on male, and another female. These two dogs would become the foundation for the Scotts breeding program. Through careful a careful breeding program, one that they are still continuing, they succeeded in establishing the American Hairless Terrier.

Unlike other hairless dogs, such as the Chinese Crested and the Mexican Hairless, the American Hairless Terrier has no fuzz or hair on its body, making them a good companion to anyone with dander allergies. They are born with a bit of hair on their bodies; however they will shed this hair entirely by the time they reach six weeks. The skin on an American Hairless Terrier is normally pink, with spots that can vary to include gray, black, golden, or red spots.

American Hairless Terriers are intelligent and inquisitive dogs. They are affectionate and make good companions to adults and children alike. Temperament for the breed is that of any terrier, they bark at unknown sounds, while lively and fearless. American Hairless Terriers do not do well in houses with small pets, although they will normally tolerate cats if they have been raised alongside them.

American Foxhound

Virginia’s Dog

The American Foxhound was developed in the United States and is a close relative to the English Foxhound. They are a very popular dog in the southern states, however very few are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), simply because they are a working and hunting breed, most are valued for their abilities, rather than their show quality. The American Foxhound is also Virginia's state animal.

The origins of the American Foxhound can be traced back to the arrival of Robert Burke in the American Colonies in 1650. He brought with him a pack of hunting dogs that became the ancestors for many American Hounds. These dogs remained in the Brooke family for almost 300 years, but were not the only source of the blood of the American Foxhound. George Washington received French Foxhounds as a gift, and he had others that had descended from Brooke's, the crossing of the two were the beginnings of the American Foxhound.

American Foxhounds are quite similar to their English cousins, however they have been developed to be lighter and taller. They have a keener sense of smell and tend to be faster in the chase. They have short coats that may be any color, however the most common coat for an American Foxhound is the tricolor, black, brown, and white are the most common.
The American Foxhound is an affectionate breed, and lovable at home, but they are brave and fearless while on the hunt. They get along well with children, and because of their pack mentality do very good with other dogs, but tend to want to chase any other pets.
American Foxhounds need to have room to run and do not always do well as purely house pets.
Generally the American Foxhound is a healthy breed, as they are not prone to any genetic diseases. Care must be given not to overfeed them, as they do have a tendency to put on weight, especially if they are not properly exercise. The life span of the American Foxhound is normally 10-12 years.

American Eskimo Dog

The Circus Dog

The American Eskimo Dog is a companion dog that was originally bred and developed in the United States. Their ancestors were brought to the United States by German immigrants in the 19th century. A fairly “recent” breed, the American Eskimo Dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1994.

American Eskimos come in three sizes, toy (9-12 inches), miniature (12-15 inches) and standard (15-19 inches). They are a Spitz type of dog, which is an ancient dog type, recognized by their erect pricked ears and feathered tails that curl onto their backs. American Eskimo Dogs are always white or white with biscuit cream and have brown eyes, while blue eyes are a sign of poor health or breeding.

No one knows exactly the time and place of when or where the American Eskimo Dog originated, but it believed its ancestor is most likely the German Spitz. The Finnish Spitz, Pomeranian, and Keeshond may have also contributed to its development. Because of its appearance it has been suggested that the Samoyed was also included in the bloodline, but this is not widely accepted. In the early 19th century these white dogs began appearing in the communities of German immigrants. Originally they were known as the American or sometimes German Spitz, but when through the name change sometime around WWI. The bred gained popularity as a circus dog before it became a beloved house pet. American Eskimo Dogs were excellent performers, and the first dog breed to walk the tight rope.

In most cases the American Eskimo Dog is a healthy breed, on average they live between 12 to 14 years, but some have been known to live longer. As with most dogs smaller breeds seem to have a longer life span, so take this into consideration when looking into the sizes of the dog. This bred does, however are often severely allergic to fleas, a single flea can cause frantic scratching and gnawing to their skin. Care must be taken with their coats; an American Eskimo Dog should be brushed with an undercoat rake at least once a week.

English Coonhound

It has been said that the history of the English Coonhound is the history of all coonhounds, which is true, save that of the Plott Hound, all coonhounds have a common ancestry. The English Coonhound originated in the United States, its closest ancestor being the English Foxhound.

Three groups of foxhounds were imported from Europe which were the foundation for the first coonhounds, in 1650 by Robert Brooke, 1742 by Thomas Walker, and in 1770 by George Washington. While it is true that these were European dogs it was the Americans and the land that created the hounds we see today. The dogs had to adapt to the rougher terrain and to the game of the colonies, including raccoon, opossum, cougar, and bear.

Colors of the short coat of the English Coonhound can vary, including redtick, bluetick, tricolor ticks, and a wide variety of other colors including, reds, white, black, and lemon shades. These color variations hold another part of coonhound history. In 1945 tricolor fanciers succeeded in separating them into another breed, known as the Treeing Walker Coonhound, a year later the blueticks also separated into the Bluetick Coonhound. At the time of the split it was simply the color that separated the breeds, but in time each has become more distinctive. Their color variations are still found in the English Coonhound, however.

English Coonhounds are energetic dogs, highly intelligent and make excellent hunters. They are fast and competitive coonhounds, and yet devoted to their families and make good companion dogs. Living indoors does not bother them; however they do best with older children. Make sure you socialize them to other dogs at a young age, and never let them off leash outside; a scent could send them off running. Of course, English Coonhounds have a strong instinct to tree smaller animals.

Carolina Dog

American Dingo

The Carolina Dog is a wild dog found in the United States. Although this breed is now being domesticated and kept as a pet it can still be found in the forest and swamps of South Carolina and Georgia. It is believed that the Carolina Dog was brought to North America across the Bering Straits by Asians 8,000 years ago.

Carolina Dogs resemble small Dingos; they are rugged dogs with a slight resemblance to sighthound breeds. The breed has erect, high set ears and a distinctive “fish-tail” which they carry in various positions. They have a short, yet thick coat, that has longer guard hairs on the neck, withers, and back that will stand up when the dog is aroused. Colors can vary, but the most common is a deep red ginger with paler markings. Lighter shades of red are not uncommon, and other colors include white, tan, beige, yellow, and red sable. Above all Carolina Dogs look like a wild breed, and more than capable of surviving in the wild.

The history of the Carolina Dog is one that is still being studied as well as debated. Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin Jr., a Senior Research Ecologist at the University of Georgia came across a Carolina Dog while working at the University’s Savannah River Site. Brisbin was startled by this dogs resemblance to Dingos, and upon visiting the local shelter found more of these dogs existed. Many of the dogs have now been removed from the wild for studies, and early tests, including DNA show that this is indeed a very ancient dog. Further tests will hopefully begin to give us a better insight on where the Carolina Dog came from.

Carolina Dogs are kept as pets, and have been for sometime in the southern States. They make very loyal companions, and get along well with children. Carolina Dogs like to be part of the “pack” and will want to be included in family activities. Like many other breed that retain close ties to the wild this breed can be independent and shy around strangers. Carolina Dogs should be well socialized at a young age to help it bond with humans.

American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel, evolved directly from Cocker Spaniels imported into the United States from the United Kingdom. The two were bred for different looks and qualities, and by the 1930s the American version differed so much from the English that the two were given separate breed status.

American Cocker Spaniels weigh between 24 to 28 pounds and at maximum stand at 15 inches. Their long, silky coats come in both a solid (black, tan, chocolate, and red, among others) and particolors, which can be any of the solid colors with white. There are also tricolors, and a rare roan, which are colored hairs that are intermingled. One of the American Cocker Spaniel’s, and its English cousin’s, most well-known feature is their long feathered ears.

Originally the Cocker Spaniel was bred as a gun dog, although the American version rarely participates in the sport now. The name “cocker” derives from its ancestors being bred to hunt woodcock. Although some are still bred for field work in the United States, most are now family pets and companions. The American Cocker Spaniel has been a popular breed since the 1940s; however the breed has declined in recent years.

Most American Cocker Spaniels make excellent pets; they are an outgoing, trusting breed that longs to please. Unfortunately, due to the high popularity and demand of this dog in earlier years they have suffered from an extensive amount of inbreeding. This inbreeding has brought out both a fearful and aggressive behavior that breeders are now working to eliminate. As with all breeds, care should be taken when looking for an American Cocker Spaniel breeder.

The inbreeding of the American Cocker Spaniel has also caused them to be susceptible to a wide variety of illnesses, the most common being ear and eye infections. They also suffer from autoimmune disorders and hip dysplasia.

American Bulldog

The American Bulldog is a working dog that originated in the United States. They are a decedent of the now extinct Old English Bulldog, and generally believed to be the closet living relative to this ancestor. When the Old English Bulldog went into decline, because of the outlawing of dog fights, in its native Europe smaller, lap-dog versions were bred in its homeland. In Colonial America, however, the dog still had a working purpose and the larger type survived. American Bulldogs were used to hunt feral pigs in the southern colonies, and even today is used to hunt pigs and razorbacks in the southern and western States.

American Bulldogs are stocky and strong dogs. They have a short white coat, which may or may not have patches of black or brown. Their height ranges between 20 – 28 inches at the withers and weigh in between 60 – 125 pounds. This large range is due to the fact that there are two strains of American Bulldogs, the Classic, also known as the Johnson or Bully, and the Standard, which is also known as the Scott or Performance. However the two strains have been interbred and both are a recognized version of the breed. The Standard American Bulldog is often mistaken for the American Pit Bull Terrier, although they are two entirely different breeds.

Despite the common, “Pit Bull” mentality that some people have toward American Bulldogs, they make good family dogs. They are friendly, and happy, at ease with their family and fine with strangers when given the opportunity to get to know them. Although they get along well with children, they do not always realize their own strength and are not an ideal dog for very young children. This is a bred that needs to be well socialized at an early age to people and other pets, cats may pose a problem, but if introduced from puppy hood they are more likely to tolerate them. They can be a stubborn bred, and require a firm hand, but once trained they are faithful and loyal. American Bulldogs need a large yard to run, and do not do well in an apartment life.

American Akita

Great Japanese Dog

The American Akita is a breed of dog whose ancestors come from the country of Japan. In the United States the American Akita and Akita Inu (Japanese Akita) are considered the same breed, in all other major countries they are seen as two different breeds.

American Akitas are large dogs; they stand between 24-28 inches and weigh between 75-120 pounds. They have bear-like heads with erect ears. Their double coat is harsh, and the outer coat is waterproof, and they also have webbed cat-like feet which makes them excellent swimmers. Colors can vary, including black, brown, fawn, red, white, and brindle. While black masks and “pinto” colored dogs are not allowed on the Akita Inu, these colorings are quite common and popular on the American Akita.

The history of the American Akita lies in Japan and begins shortly after WWII. At the end of the war many servicemen brought “Akitas” home to the United States. It is important to note that there were three types of dogs that fell into this category, the traditional Matagi-inu hunting dog, a fighting dog that was a mix of Matagi-inu/Mastiff/Great Dane made up a fighting-type, and lastly a Matagi-inu/German Shepard cross. Most of the dogs brought to the United States were of the fighting-type and German Shepard crosses, which were breed and developed independently from those dogs still in Japan. Meanwhile the Japanese decided to preserve their traditional breed, and focusing on the Matagi-inu developed the dog known as the Akita Inu. These two lines developed separately for years, and both have differences in appearance. The American Akita is often described as having a bear-like head, while the Akita Inu’s is more fox-like. In general the American Akita is much larger than its “cousin”.

American Akitas thrive on human companionship; this is not a dog that should be left out in a yard with no human interaction. They do well with most children, as traditional Japanese mothers would leave their children in their care. This is a breed that needs firm training from day one; they can be dog aggressive and should be socialized as a pup. American Akitas can be a willful breed, and are not recommended for a first time owner.

German Shepherd Dog

Alsatian

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most easily recognizable and versatile breeds worldwide. Originating in Germany, the breed was first used to herd and protect sheep. Today, German Shepherd Dogs are popular police and military dogs, as well as companions.

Appearance

A large breed, German Shepherd Dogs stand between 22-26 inches and weigh in at 75-95 pounds. They have erect ears and a long bushy tail that hangs down with a slight curve at rest. Their double length coat can be either medium or long, however the longhaired variety is not recognized by some kennel clubs. The most common coat color is black and tan, but almost any combination is allowed, save blue, liver, and solid white. Recently white German Shepard Dogs have been recognized as a separate breed, as the White Shepherd in the United States with the United Kennel Club (UKC) and Berger Blanc Suisse in countries that recognize the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

History

In 1899 an ex-cavalry officer by the name of Max von Stephanitz began the careful breeding that would lead to development of the German Shepherd Dog. He selected local shepherd dogs from Wurtemberg, Thurginia, and Bavaria as his rootstock, along with a dog named Horand von Grafrath. Horand (originally shown under the name Hektor Linksrhein by his previous owner) was a shepherd dog that became the father of today’s breed. Later he was registered by Stephanitz as a Deutsche Schaferhunde, or in English, German Shepherd Dog. Stephanitz continued to develop the breed, emphasizing on their working abilities rather than appearance. By the early 1900s the breed’s popularity had already spread worldwide. After WWI it was believed that the title of “German” would hurt the breed, particularly in the United Kingdom. The led the Kennel Club (KC) and others to change the name of the breed to Alsatian Wolf Dog, later they dropped the “wolf dog”, leaving the name to simply be Alsatian. The name would not be reverted back to German Shepherd Dog until 1977.

Temperament

The German Shepherd Dog is first and foremost a working breed, although they often find homes simply as companions as well. They are bold, fearless, intelligent, and eager to learn. Highly protective of their families they can become aggressive around strangers, especially if they have not been socialized. They must be trained in obedience at a young age, as untrained dogs can easily become a problem when they are older. This can lead to aggression both with other dogs and toward humans. Generally, if well trained and socialized they get along with both canine and non-canine pets in their household, and children in the family. As a working breed German Shepherd Dogs are happiest when they have a job to do, they excel in dog sports, as military and police dogs, drug detectors, and a rescue workers.

Health and Care

German Shepherd Dogs tend to live between 12-13 years. Poor breeding has led to an increase of genetic diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia, bloating, von Willebrand’s disease, and skin allergies.

Although they are large dogs, German Shepherds can do well in an apartment if they have plenty of exercise. They need a minimum of a long walk daily, but do best if they have a physical job to do.

The fur of a German Shepherd Dog is constantly shedding. This requires a daily brushing to remove dead hair.

Alaskan Malamute

Dog of the Mahlemut

The Alaskan Malamute is a freight sled dog that originated in the cold northern lands of what is now Alaska. The breed as we know it today has descended from the dogs of the native Mahlemut tribe in the upper western part of the state. Recent DNA testing shows Alaskan Malamutes are one of the oldest dog breeds.

Alaskan Malamutes are a large breed, they normally stand between 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh between 75 to 85 pounds, however smaller and larger dogs are not uncommon. They have a dense double coat that comes in various shades of grey, white, sable, black, red, or pure white. The eyes on an Alaskan Malamute should be brown, blue-eyed dogs are disqualified from showing.

Even though the Alaskan Malamute is a sled dog it is not used in races, as there are many lighter and faster breeds. Their strength belongs in freighting cargo, and although most Alaskan Malamutes are now kept as pets, they are still quite capable of this task. They are one of the most unaltered breeds, still retaining its original form and function. Dedicated breeders strive to preserve the breed “as is”. The American Kennel Club (AKC) strongly judges this breed on its ability to pull heavy freight as a sled dog, looks and breeding are secondary. If an Alaskan Malamute cannot complete this task in the show ring they are disqualified.

The Mahlemut people treated Alaskan Malamutes as equals for hundreds of years, and for that reason they are a highly independent and stubborn breed. These dogs were once responsible for thinking and acting independently for the well being of their team in the unpredictable artic, even if this meant overriding the sled drivers command. This independence can make this a difficult breed to train, and they will at times simply refuse to listen to a command. Because of their pack mentality they get along well with everyone inside their household, canine, child, and even other pets they are raised with. The Alaskan Malamute is not recommended for inexperienced owners, due to their independence and energy required.

Central Asian Ovcharka

Ancient Livestock Guardian

The Central Asian Ovcharka is a breed of dog that originates from Russia and the Middle East. It is believed that they are possible one of the oldest living dogs today, dating back as far as 5,000 years. Still quite rare outside of its native land, the Central Asian Ovcharka is slowly gaining recognition in other countries.

Central Asian Ovcharkas generally stand between 24-32 inches, but may be even larger and weigh between 88-176 pounds. The females tend to be smaller than the males. They are a muscular breed, and considered to be a mastiff-type dog. Traditionally the ears are cropped and the tails are docked in their native lands. Their coat may be long or short, and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Colors on a Central Asian Ovcharka include black, brindle, fawn, gray, and white.

As a very old breed little is known about the origin of the Central Asian Ovcharka. Some believe that their ancestors may be the Tibetan Mastiff, or dogs originally used by the Mongols. Historically these dogs could be found throughout the mountains of Mongolia and into the deserts of the Kara Kum, often found along the ancient silk route. These dogs were not simply used for guarding livestock, they guarded anything they perceived as part of their territory, their family, livestock, and anything the Nomads owned. More recently the Central Asian Ovcharka has been loosing popularity in Russia to the larger Caucasian Mountain Dog.

The Central Asian Ovcharka is fearless and will protect every member of their family, be it children, cats, or other dogs. They are wary of strangers and may try to dominate other dogs they do not know and do not generally do well in unfamiliar places. This breed likes to bark, even at night, which may be a problem with neighbors. They do best with a strong owner, and are not for the inexperienced. Central Asian Ovcharkas should be socialized at a young age if they are not intended to be a livestock guardian, this will help them adapt to urban life.

Akita Inu

The Japanese Akita

The Akita Inu is a breed of dog that originates from Japan. In most countries this breed is considered separate of the Akita breed in the United States and recognized by the American Kennel Club. For information on that breed please visit our American Akita page.

Akita Inus stand between 24-28 inches at the withers and weigh between 75-120 pounds. They have a double coat, erect ears, and their tail is curled over the back. Only four coat colors are acceptable on the Akita Inu, red fawn, sesame, brindle, and white.

Recent DNA testing shows that the Akita Inu is one of the oldest breeds of dogs, originally used for hunting. Japanese history tells us that the ancestor of the modern day Akita Inu was the Matagi-inu, which literally means hunting dog. In more recent times other breeds were added to make larger and fiercer dogs for dog fighting. Then, in the 1900s the Japanese became interested in preserving their native breeds. At the time there were three different types of dogs that were considered “Akita”. There was the Matagi Akita, which was the one that closest resembled the original hunting dog, the Fighting Akita, which had added mastiff-type breeds, and the German Shepherd Akita, which was the result of “Akitas” crossed with German Shepherd. After WWII dogs began arriving in the USA, most of these dogs were the Fighting and German Shepherd type. These dogs would later be known as the American Akita. The Japanese, however focused on the ancient type, the Matagi. This seemed to be the most pure, without the introductions of other breeds. There selective breeding has given us today’s Japanese Akita, the Akita Inu.

Akita Inus are intelligent and fearless dogs. They make excellent guard dogs, and territorial, this makes them aggressive towards other dogs. Generally they do well with children, however early socialization is a must, as well as proper training. Akita Inus get bored when left alone and to their own devices, they do best when they are around their family.