1. German Shepherd refer to German Shepherd Dog Breed Page (open new window)
2. German Short haired Pointer
3. German Wire haired Pointer
4. Giant Schnauzer
5. Golden Retriever refer to Golden Retriever Dog Breed Page (open new window)
6. Gordon Setter
7. Great Dane
8. Great Pyrenees
9. Greyhound

German Short haired Pointer

History and origin: First established in 18th and 19th century Germany, the German Short haired Pointer is of Spanish origin and was developed by crossing the Pointer with German foxhound types. He has a greater scenting ability than the Pointer, is less averse to water, has greater stamina, and is thus a more versatile hunting dog.

Description: The German Short haired Pointer stands 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder, and weighs between 45 and 70 pounds. The shedding coat is short and easy to maintain, requiring only regular brushing. The color is liver with small white markings.

About the breed: This is a gentle, obedient breed who makes a wonderful household pet, a great watchdog, and an excellent gundog. Similar to all hunting dogs, this breed is extremely active, perhaps even more so than the Pointer. He will be more distractable as well, due to his superior scent ability. German Short haired Pointers are stubborn much to the dismay of the unsuspecting owner looking for an easygoing house pet. This dog is designed to do a specific task, namely to hunt. Any owner who does not give this breed regular tasks such as hunting or tracking may soon be living with a dog that is vocal, destructive, neurotic, and hyperactive. German Short haired Pointers get along well with children and other dogs. They also tend to accept strangers after an initial introductory period.

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

Ideal home: The German Short haired Pointer is not a breed that will just sit around all day. This dog needs structured activity, the kind that a hunter would provide. A house with a fenced yard is mandatory for this dog. His level of activity is intense and can be stressful to easygoing persons. Patience and firm leadership are essential, as is early obedience training, especially the "Come" command, which may be difficult to teach because of this breed's scenting ability. Without a job to do, he will drive you up the wall. Joggers do well with this breed. The elderly or disabled may have trouble controlling this active dog.

German Wire haired Pointer

History and origin: The German Wire haired Pointer was developed in the late 19th century in Germany. This breed retained the versatility of the German Short haired Pointer, but added the all-weather protection of a coarse, wiry coat, allowing him to deal with rougher hunting conditions and colder weather.

Description: The German Wire haired Pointer stands approximately 22 to 26 inches at the
shoulder and weighs between 50 and 70 pounds. He has a strong, well-muscled body. His medium-maintenance shedding coat is of medium length, coarse and wiry, and water resistant. Regular brushing is required to help prevent matting. The coat color is liver-and- white. The thin undercoat sheds out during the summer.

About the breed: This is an all-purpose hunting dog and is therefore not very adaptable to a quiet family living. These are high- energy dogs that need lots of exercise. They are more aloof and independent than the other pointers, exhibiting an almost terrier-like temperament. They can be quite stubborn and are usually suspicious of strangers. This breed is not recommended for families with young children. He needs early obedience training as well
as early socialization with people and other dogs. These dogs may become destructive if bored or left isolated for a long period of time, and they also bark quite a lot. The German Wire haired Pointer's scenting ability will work against you during obedience training, particularly when you are teaching the "Come" command. Once these pointers pick up a scent, they will ignore you completely, but this is what they are bred to do. They are not bred to be quiet, easygoing family dogs.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is about 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: The German Wire haired Pointer needs a house with a fenced yard. A hunter would best be able to provide this breed with a purpose and a proper level of activity. The owner should have good leadership skills and ample time to provide the dog with basic obedience training and socialization. Those who are unable to deal with a busy, high-energy dog should not consider this breed. An owner who jogs might find this breed to be an excellent running partner because of his lithe, muscular body.

Giant Schnauzer

History and origin: The Giant Schnauzer was first used in Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries as a cattle and sheep drover. He was developed by crossing Standard Schnauzer, Great Dane, and Bouvier bloodlines. His all weather coat was developed to help protect him from cold, wet European weather. He has also been used as a guard dog and has worked with the military and the police.

Description: The Giant Schnauzer stands 23.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 65 and 95 pounds. He has a large, muscular body, a docked tail, and cropped or uncropped ears. The coat is wiry and harsh, while the undercoat is softer. Very little shedding occurs, though he needs daily brushing with a wire brush and periodic clipping is necessary. However, if the dog is to be shown, the coat must be hand-stripped, a time-consuming procedure in which the dead hair is plucked out by hand to preserve the color and the hard, crisp texture of the coat. The color may be black or salt-and-pepper.

About the breed: This is a fearless, serious, active, and powerful breed that is affectionate and playful with his owners but initially reserved with strangers. Stubborn and rather single-minded, the Giant Schnauzer also has a moody, introspective side, similar to that of a Scottish Terrier. He is a breed that needs to be constantly reminded of the rules of the house. He can become passive-resistant if pushed or required to do something he does not care to do. This attitude needs a firm yet precise, patient training technique that includes much positive reinforcement along with early socialization. The females tend to be more passive-resistant than the males. The Giant Schnauzer can be very protective, making him an excellent watchdog. Barking and digging will result if the dog is left in a yard all day. Regular exercise will keep him healthy and will help curb his restlessness. The Giant Schnauzer tends to be dog-aggressive and has a high prey drive toward small animals. Although he gets along well with children, he will not tolerate roughhousing or hectic, unpredictable activity and is therefore not recommend for families with young children. This breed can be susceptible to bloat and hip dysplasia.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is at least 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: This breed requires a house with a big fenced yard. The owner of a Giant Schnauzer should be a strong, confident leader who is firm but patient and not overbearing. This dog is recommended for families only if the children are older, responsible, and capable of working the dog. Spoiling, nervous, and overbearing persons should avoid this breed, as should the elderly and the disabled. Time to train and socialize this breed must be available.

Gordon Setter

History and origin: The Gordon Setter is a true Scottish breed, dated back to 17th century Scotland. He is the only native Scottish gun dog and was originally known as the Gordon Castle Setter due to the fact that he was bred at Gordon Castle, Banffshire. Many believe that he is a cross between the Bloodhound and the Collie. He was valued for his pointing, retrieving, and tracking ability.

Description: The Gordon Setter stands 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 45 and 70 pounds. He has a graceful, solid, athletic body. His shedding coat is of medium length, is lustrous and wavy, and needs regular brushing. The coat is always black-and-tan.

About the breed: The Gordon Setter is an excellent gundog, bird-finding dog, and watch dog. He is beautiful, graceful, intelligent, and makes a wonderful family pet. A Gordon Setter is very affectionate with his owners but suspicious and reserved toward strangers. He gets along well with children, provided they do not roughhouse. However, he may not be as friendly with the children's friends. He is a very active dog that need plenty of exercise. This breed makes a great jogging partner because of his leggy, agile build. He can be difficult to train because he learns rather slowly and may become passive-resistant if he is pressed too hard. Be patient and go slow with this breed, and be clear about what you are asking him to do. Allow more time for him to learn whatever you are teaching and do not use overbearing techniques. Some Gordon Setters have a tendency toward fear-based aggression toward people or dogs, so make sure yours is amply socialized from the first day. Take your dog to friends' homes, stores, and parks, but avoid any off-leash dogs that might scare your puppy. Introduce your puppy to as many people and animals as possible when he is young and impressionable.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high quality meat product with biscuit added in same amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry food.

Ideal home: A house with a fenced yard is essential for this breed. The Gordon Setter is a very active dog and needs plenty of exercise, particularly jogging or field work. Older children are okay provided they are respectful and not rough. Obedience training and socialization are necessities for this breed and must not be hurried. If left alone too long, he may become vocal and destructive. The elderly and disable may have trouble providing the Gordon Setter with enough exercise.

Great Dane

History and origin: The Great Dane has been in Britain for many centuries and may have resulted from a cross between the ancient Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound. He was first used as a hunting and guarding dog.

Description: The Great Dane is a large, elegant breed, standing 30 to 34 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 120 and 165 pounds. The harlequin Danes, white with black patches, are the largest variation, whereas the brindle and fawn-colored Danes are more slender. The black Danes and the blues are usually somewhere in between. The ears can be cropped or uncropped. The body is massive, lanky, and well muscled, and the shedding coat is short, glossy, and of low maintenance, requiring regular brushing. The color may be black, black-and-white (harlequin), bundle, fawn, or blue-black.

About the breed: The Great Dane is a very devoted and affectionate family dog. However, he can be very suspicious of strangers and is very territorial and often aggressive toward other dogs or people. The dog would love your children, but might be suspicious of their friends. Also, he is capable of hurting a child during play, just by knocking them down, stepping on them, or hitting them with his tail. Training should start early and should be firm but not overbearing. All giant breeds mature slowly; a six-month-old will be huge but will still have the mind of a puppy. Training technique should still be firm and a bit slower and less demanding than that used with other breeds. The Great Dane gets cold easily, so do not keep him outside too long during the winter. He needs a blanket or a bed to lie on to prevent pressure sores. He has an excellent sense of smell but below-average eyesight. He has a life span of about eight or ten years. Many Danes have congenital heart problems as well as hip and shoulder problems. The Dane also has a habit of splitting open the tip of his big tail because of wagging it with such enthusiasm that, when smacked against a hard surface, will split open and bleed. He can suffer from bloat, a fatal gastric condition that can occur after a large meal. Avoid feeding him and other large breeds huge meals and thoroughly soak the dry food in warm water for ten minutes before feeding.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for the Great Dane is 4 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added or at least 5 cupfuls of a complete dry dog food. A Great Dane will eat eight to twelve cups of food a day.

Ideal home: A Great Dane needs a large house with a big yard with a fence at least six feet high. The owner of a Dane should be a physically strong, confident, and easygoing leader. Physically weak, nervous, and spoiling types should avoid this breed, as should the elderly and the disabled. The Dane can be very dog-aggressive and needs strong leadership and socialization with people and other dogs from day one. No roughhousing should be allowed. Time to exercise this giant breed must be available everyday.

Great Pyrenees

History and origin: The Great Pyrenees is an old breed that is believed to have developed in Central Asia or Siberia and was brought to Europe by migrating Germanic tribes. Herders in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain came to rely on this breed as a master herd guarder that could protect sheep, goats, and cattle from wolves and bears. The all-weather coat and huge size made him perfectly adaptable to the job and the cold climate. The Great Pyrenees is still used today to guard herds in Europe and North America.

Description: The Great Pyrenees stands 25 to 32 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 90 and 125 pounds. He is heavy-bodied and strongly muscled. The coat is long and thick with a soft, dense undercoat. This breed sheds and is highly absorbent of odors. He mats easily and needs daily brushing to keep his coat in good condition. Some owners trim the coat to make grooming easier. The color is either pure white or white with gray or tan markings.

About the breed: The Great Pyrenees is an independent, reserved breed that is loyal and friendly to his immediate family. He tends to be wary and suspicious of strangers and has a strong guarding instinct typical to the breed. He has been bred to work, to protect, and to defend. He is very territorial and not extremely sociable. Few breeds would be better at guarding your property and livestock than this one. Dog aggression is a real problem with Great Pyrenees, however. For a thousand years this breed was asked to protect his herds from wolves and it is hard to change that innate distrust toward canines. Training can be a challenge because he tends to be stubborn and resistant and has been known to snap when irritated. The " Come" command can be a difficult one to teach this breed. In addition to early training, socialization with people in various different environments is important. Take him out of his home while he is still young and let him interact with people and dogs. A Great Pyrenees may live for ten to twelve years. He can suffer from hip dysplasia, bloat, and eye infections. He may snore and drool and will eat large quantities of food.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is at least 2 1/2 cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home: This dog needs plenty of space and likes to have a job to do. Unless you have a sheep ranch, a house in the country is the best home for this breed. Keep in mind that he does not do well in a warm climate. The owner of a Great Pyrenees must be a strong, confident leader who desires a breed that will be reserved and territorial. Daily exercise is important. No nervous, spoiling, cautious, or overbearing persons should consider this breed. A job such as herding or tracking will give him purpose and will discourage restlessness and destructive behavior. The elderly and the disabled should not consider this big, powerful dog.

Greyhound

History and origin: One of the most ancient breeds, this sight hound was used by the Egyptians to run down rabbits and gazelles on the open plains of northern Africa. The Greyhound is a pure bred, which means he has not evolved from crossings with other types. Unfortunately, this breed is often used as a racing dog and is often destroyed after a short, impersonal career.

Description: The Greyhound is a large, sleek dog, standing at about 26 inches at the shoulder and weighing 60 to 70 pounds. Lean and agile, he was bred as desert hunters and has virtually no body fat. This allows him to tolerate heat well, but it makes him a poor choice for cold climates. His coat is a short, shedding type that requires regular brushing with a hound glove to keep it shiny. Colors include white, brindle, gray, and tan, among others.

About the breed: The Greyhound is a sweet, sensitive dog that can be aloof with strangers if not socialized properly from an early age. Normally quiet, it can be a good apartment pet as long as he is getting enough exercise. Though breed for speed, he is basically lazy and enjoys nothing better than lying on the sofa for hours at a time. He is a friendly, good-natured breed who is affectionate to his owners and very gentle with children provided there is no roughhousing. The Greyhound learns rather slowly. Training should be positive and done in small steps so as not to confuse him. The Sit command is hard for this breed to master. Confidence-building is important in the training of a Greyhound. He can be aggressive toward small dogs and has a high prey drive toward cats, rabbits, and other small animals. Like most sight hounds, the Greyhound has little padding on his body and can get pressure sores if he is not provided with something soft to lie on. He does not tolerate cold climate and must be kept warm or he may get sick. He makes a great jogging partner and is normally very well behaved on leash. If you like a sweet, quiet, sensitive dog that will love you and yet be content to just being by himself, then a Greyhound is the right dog for you.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is about 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 cans of high quality dog food (13.3oz) mixed with biscuit or 12-16oz of minced or chopped meat. You may pamper this breed by giving him crumbled brown bread and a small drink of milk.

Ideal home: A quiet, predictable home is the best environment for a Greyhound. He can live in an apartment if he is exercised daily. His owner should be calm and confident and not use overbearing training methods. Nervous, cautious types will only worry this sensitive breed. The owner must be a patient leader, as the Greyhound takes longer to train than other breeds. Small animals in the home may be a problem due to his strong prey drive. The Greyhound owner should not be a person who needs a clingy, overly affectionate dog.