1. Dalmatian
2. Doberman Pinscher
3. English Foxhound
4. English Setter
5. English Springer Spaniel
6. Flat-Coated Retriever

Dalmatian Dog Breed

The Dalmatian is easily known by its striking black-spotted pattern design. However, the origin of this interesting color pattern is still unknown. Its name however, stems from Dalmatia, which is a region located in western Yugoslavia. This dog breed was recognized by the AKC back in the year 1888 and has remained popular ever since.

Dalmatians are full of energy and have great enthusiasm for running long distances. Training this animal to behave in the home takes great patience and long obedience training hours in a safe area outside, with plenty of room to run around. The Dalmatian tends to be a little aggressive towards other animals, especially strange canines, but is known to be gentle with other pets, such as cats and even horses.

Although this dog breed makes an excellent house pet, it is a little stubborn when it comes to training. This animal may also be a little too intense and energetic for small children in the house. However, as with any dog breed, with thorough training and adequate exercise, the Dalmatian can make an excellent family companion.

Upkeep And Maintenance

Upkeep of this energetic dog breed takes a bit of an active lifestyle on the owner's part. The Dalmatian will not be happy with just a few short walks during the day. He needs to be able to run long distances and roam around outdoors. In fact, Dalmatian's make wonderful jogging partners. Just be sure to keep him in a safe area when off leash.

These dogs need to have the luxury of living indoors but also have the flexibility of being able to run outside when necessary. It does not tolerate hot temperatures very well so if he is kept outside be sure to have plenty of cool shaded areas and soft bedding for him to relax in when necessary. Companionship should be a top priority when owning a Dalmatian, so do not keep him outside longer than necessary without company.

Health Information

A very common health issue with the Dalmatian his deafness. Minor concerns include hypothyroidism, allergies, iris sphincter dysplasia, and seizures. There are occasional cases of CHD, but it is extremely rare.

Dalmatians tend to have long life spans, ranging between 12 and 15 years, and sometimes longer. Veterinarians recommend that you have this dog breed specifically tested for eye problems, hip dysplasia, thyroid, and potential hearing loss issues.

Doberman Pinscher

History and origin: The Doberman Pinscher is a relatively new breed that was created in the late 19th century in Germany. Developed from Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier, and perhaps German Shepherd and Pointer bloodlines, he was bred to be a guardian, tracker, and companion and has served both the military and the police.

Description: The Doberman Pinscher stands 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 60 and 100 pounds, though some breeders produce larger than normal Dobermans. he has a lean, muscular build, a docked tail, and cropped or uncropped ears. The shedding coat is short, glossy, and low-maintenance, requiring only regular brushing. The color may be black, black with rust markings, reddish brown, or dark blue.

About the breed: This breed is a brave, loyal guard dog. He is an athletic, agile, playful, high-strung breed that, though dominant and territorial, can also be quite sensitive. His attack-dog reputation is largely exaggerated; though very capable of doing protection work, he does not have the aggressive demeanor of the Rottweiler. He is affectionate with his family and initially suspicious of strangers. He makes an excellent watchdog. Often an intense and stubborn breed, he needs a patient, consistent training style that is not overbearing. The Doberman can be passive-resistant if pushed too hard, and he may snap if worried. His excellent sense of smell acts as a distraction, making training a challenging task. Females tend to be more sensitive than the males and require a slower, less firm technique. Neutered males are often less aggressive and easier to train. Obedience must begin early, be patient and precise, and include socialization and handling. The Doberman will not tolerate roughhousing from small children and is suitable for families with older, responsible children. He needs to be exercised daily to prevent restlessness and destructive behavior. His lithe, strong physique and great endurance make him an excellent jogging partner. He will dig and bark if left in a yard for long periods. This breed is also capable of jumping fences. The Doberman Pinscher is susceptible to hip dysplasia, bloat, von Willebrand's disease (a blood disorder similar to hemophilia), and skin and heart problems. He can also be flatulent and can develop lick sores on his front feet if stressed. Because of his lean structure, he can develop pressure sores on his body if he is not given a bed or blanket to sleep on.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of complete, dry dog food. Cod liver oil and yeast tablets are recommended, especially during winter.

Ideal home: This breed is best suited in a house with a fenced yard. The owner of a Doberman Pinscher must be an active, confident leader who prefers an athletic, high-energy dog. Overbearing, nervous, and physically weak persons should avoid this breed, which, if spoiled, will lack confidence and possibly become a fear-biter. This highly sociable dog may become very stressed if left alone for extended periods. This is an excellent breed for a jogger to own. Older children are fine, but the elderly and the disabled might have dominance problems with this physically strong breed.

English Foxhound

History and origin: The English Foxhound, which dates back to 16th and 17th century England, is still used in packs for hunting fox. This breed is descended from the heavier St. Hubert Hounds, brought to England by the Norman invaders and from the now extinct Talbot Hounds. His genealogy has remained relatively pure for hundreds of years.

Description: The English Foxhound stands 20 to 24 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 65 pounds. He has a strong, athletic, medium to large body that is slightly smaller than that of the American Foxhound. The short, dense, shedding coat is low maintenance, requiring regular brushing using a hound glove. The coat is black, white, and tan.

About the breed: This first-rate hunter is very active, strongly built, and full of stamina. Though smaller than the American Foxhound, the English Foxhound has the same basic temperament. He is a hunter by nature and has a high energy level that makes him difficult to own as a family house pet. He needs to hunt, and is almost always the property of a fox-hunting pack. Though suspicious of strangers and potentially dog-aggressive, this breed will not show the non-thinking aggression that is sometimes seen in Bloodhounds and Coonhounds. English Foxhounds love children, but because of their energy and strength, they must be carefully watched around toddlers. They need a great deal of exercise and will become restless and destructive without it. All Foxhounds are easily distracted by their powerful sense of smell; this is a major hindrance to obedience training. The English Foxhound is noisy and makes an excellent watchdog. Obedience training must begin early; the "Come" command is the hardest to teach because of distraction to scent.

Feeding: The English Foxhounds are not traditionally fed as house pets. Pack members were trenched-fed with horse meat and an oatmeal mash called "pudding." They are not fed the day before a hunt. Present day feeding include 1 - 1 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 3 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: An English Foxhound is best suitable for a very active owner, preferably a hunter. A rural environment with a fenced yard or kennel is essential. Firm, no-nonsense leadership is required, as is regular exercise, to avoid restlessness and destructive behavior. This breed is not recommended for the elderly and the disabled. Children are fine as long as no roughhousing is allowed.

English Setter

History and origin: Believed to have been evolved from spaniels, the English Setter was first seen in 16th century England and was perfected as a hunting dog in the 19th century. In function they are almost identical to the Pointer. The major difference is the longer coat, which allows them to hunt in colder weather and gives them added protection against heavy undergrowth.

Description: The English Setter stands 22 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 70 pounds. The shedding coat is of medium length, flat and slightly wavy. Daily brushing and combing is required to keep the coat in good condition. The silky hair under the ears should be removed, as well as hair under the throat and below the ear down to the breast bone. The background color is normally white, with intermingled black, lemon, tan, or liver spotting.

About the breed: English Setters are gentle, beautiful, dogs that make for an excellent companion and a reliable gundog. They are very active dogs that needs regular exercise and should be given a job such as hunting or agility work. Their scenting ability is a great distraction to them. They can be quite stubborn and driven because of their strong hunting instinct. This will make the recall command a difficult one to teach. English Setters are usually quite good with children and are generally friendly to strangers after an initial period of investigation. They make excellent jogging partners, given their lithe, athletic build. Early obedience training and socialization are essential. They love the company of humans and can be horrid barkers if left alone for long periods.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the English Setter is 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete dry food.

Ideal home: A house with a fenced yard is very important for this breed. Children should be taught to respect the dog and should not be allowed to wrestle or chase him. The owner of an English Setter should be an active, patient, firm leader who regularly gives the dog a task such as hunting, agility work, or tracking. Early obedience training is mandatory. The English Setter may be too active for the elderly or disabled. Time to train, exercise, and groom this breed is essential.

English Springer Spaniel

History and origin: The English Springer Spaniel was developed in 19th century England and is the oldest of the British Spaniels except for the Clumber. He is named after his early task of "springing" game for the hunter's nets. This breed has become a popular house pet in addition to still being an important gundog.

Description: The English Springer Spaniel stands 19 to 20 inches at the shoulder and
weighs 42 to 55 pounds. The flat or slightly wavy coat is of moderate length, shedding little but requiring daily brushing and periodic clipping. The color may be black-and- white or liver-and-white.

About the breed: A well-bred English Springer is loyal, great with children, and makes a wonderful house pet as well as a gundog. He is also an attentive, hardworking, and affectionate dog. However, this is also the breed with the highest incidence of dogs euthanized for aggression toward their owners. The aggression seen in this breed almost always arises over an issue of possessiveness, particularly over food, a favorite toy, or a sleeping place. Do not give this issue a chance to develop. Starting from day one, make sure you handle the puppy's food dish often. While the puppy is eating, pick up the dish, place a piece of cheese or a treat in it, and then set it back down. This will teach the puppy that having you handle his dish is something to look forward to. Some Springers will bite their owners if the dogs are awakened too suddenly or if they are surprised in some way. This aggressive behavior often is not evident in the puppy, making it hard to predict if the adult dog will show this tendency. Springers sometimes bond too closely with their owners and consequently suffer from separation anxiety when the owner leaves. This can result in incessant barking and destructive behavior. Remember that this sporting breed needs to release energy through regular exercise. This will help reduce stress and destructive behavior. Do not overdo greetings and departures with this breed. Greet him the way you would a member of the family and do not patronize him. The same goes for departures. Good English Springer Spaniels are intelligent and eager to please, and they do well in the obedience ring.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 - 1 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 3 cupfuls of complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: The English Springer Spaniel needs a house with a fenced yard. Families with children should avoid this breed. In addition, this is not a breed for the elderly or the disabled. The owner of an English Springer needs to be a strong leader and obedience training should start from day one. Springers are smarter than most dogs and learns quickly. Hunters would find this breed an excellent working companion. Never spoil this breed; he needs consistent rules and needs to know he is not the center of attention. Consider getting a female because they tend to have a much lower incidence of aggression.

Flat-Coated Retriever

History and origin: The Flat-Coated Retriever originated in early 19th century England and was the preferred retriever before the introduction of the Labrador. The breed was believed to be the result of mixing Newfoundland, Collie, and spaniel bloodlines, filling the need for a versatile hunter-retriever in water or on land.

Description: The Flat-Coated Retriever stands approximately 22 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 60 and 80 pounds. The medium-length shedding coat is straight and needs to be brushed two or three times a week. The color may be black or liver.

About the breed: The Flat-Coated Retriever is a hardy dog who is easy to train, good with children, and a great guard dog. He is a strongly-built working dog who also makes a wonderful household pet. His temperament is somewhere in between that of the Curly-Coated and the Labrador. He is not quite reserved, but not as gregarious and accepting of strangers as a Golden or a Labrador. This makes him a better watchdog than the Lab. He is slightly less energetic than a Lab, and more sensitive. Because of this, you cannot use quite the same degree of firmness in training that you might use with the more gregarious Lab.

These dogs tend to be more prone to fear-based aggression and they need early socialization with people and dogs to help counteract this. They are normally good with the children in their own family, but they may show initial suspicion toward the children's friends. Do not let your children roughhouse with this breed. These dogs have a great nose, which can lead them astray sometimes, so early obedience training is a must. As with any medium to large dog, this breed can be susceptible to hip dysplasia and bloat.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: This breed thrives on plenty of exercise and is not suitable for apartment living; he needs a house with a fenced yard. The owner of a Flat-Coated Retriever must be a patient, consistent leader and must desire an active dog. Time to exercise the dog must be available every day. A hunter would do well with this breed. Obedience training and socialization should begin early and continue throughout the dog's life. This is a very active breed and may not be suitable for an elderly or disabled person.