Dog Breeds
Each dog breed has unique traits in behavior, size, and energy level. Browse through different breeds to find the one that best matches your lifestyle and expectations.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest of the AKC retriever breeds, yet it is overflowing with intelligence, affection, and a strong desire to please. Known for its boundless enthusiasm, a Toller will happily play fetch for hours and still be ready for more. This compact gundog stands ideally between 18 and 19 inches at the shoulder. Its signature feature is a striking crimson coat, ranging from golden red to deep copper, often accented with white markings. Strong, agile, and well-balanced, the Toller is truly a medium dog in size, bone structure, and coat length. Almond-shaped eyes convey an alert and eager expression. Energetic and athletic by nature, Tollers need regular outlets for their high energy, including hunting, hiking, camping, and especially swimming—a task they excel at thanks to their webbed feet. Intelligent, affectionate, and visually striking, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever makes a wonderful companion, but only for owners with the time and energy to keep this lively and driven dog happily occupied.
Redbone Coonhound
The sleek and athletic Redbone Coonhound is a true American original, known for its calm, gentle, and easygoing nature at home, contrasted by remarkable intensity and determination in the field. The rhythm of a Redbone’s life balances vigorous activity—such as hunting and swimming—with extended periods of rest. Redbones are medium-to-large hound dogs with powerful muscles that ripple beneath a smooth, rich red coat of striking beauty. Their overall appearance suggests a dog carefully sculpted from polished mahogany. The breed’s classic hound head is framed by long ears that reach toward the nose, while soft brown eyes lend a soulful, almost pleading expression. Bred to perform across demanding and rugged terrain, the Redbone Coonhound is fast, sure-footed, and moves with a proud, confident, and purposeful stride.
Welsh Springer Spaniel
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a lively, medium-sized sporting dog known for its cheerful temperament, versatility in the field, and affectionate nature at home. Equally admired for its striking appearance, this breed ranks among the oldest of Britain’s sporting spaniels. Standing between 17 and 19 inches at the shoulder, the Welsh Springer is often described as being of an ideal, practical size—larger and more powerful than the Cocker Spaniel, yet more compact than the English Springer. Two defining features set the breed apart: its distinctly tapered head and its bold red-and-white coat. More than just visually appealing, the coat is dense, weather-resistant, and protective, allowing the Welsh Springer Spaniel to perform confidently across varied terrains and climates.
Russian Toy
The Russian Toy is a small, elegant, and lively breed, distinguished by long legs, fine bone structure, and lean musculature. Active and cheerful by nature, these dogs are intelligent, eager to please, and deeply affectionate with their human companions, though they may show a touch of reserve toward strangers. They are neither timid nor aggressive, maintaining a balanced and confident temperament. As a true toy breed with roots in Russian aristocracy, the Russian Toy combines charm with spirited energy. Many delight in running and playing, eagerly chasing toys around the house or yard, while others are perfectly content to spend hours nestled on a lap, enjoying their role as a treasured companion. They thrive on close human interaction and quickly express their feelings if they sense neglect. The breed comes in two coat varieties: smooth and long-haired. Long-coated Russian Toys feature a graceful chest ruff and distinctive feathering on the ears, tail, and limbs, with full adult coat development taking several years. The smooth-coated variety has a sleek, close-lying coat and tends to display a slightly more terrier-like attitude. Despite these differences, both varieties share a bold, expressive personality that feels far larger than their small size.
Toy Fox Terrier
The Toy Fox Terrier is a small, satin-coated terrier with a delightful sense of humor and a personality that perfectly blends toy-dog charm with true terrier grit. Originally developed as an efficient barnyard ratter, this breed has evolved into a captivating companion whose confidence and charisma far exceed its size. Compact yet well balanced, the Toy Fox Terrier combines the affection of a lapdog with the determination and boldness of a terrier. Its sleek, close-fitting coat highlights a refined but sturdy frame, while large, upright ears and dark, sparkling eyes reflect sharp intelligence and endless curiosity. Standing under a foot tall, this agile little entertainer delivers outsized spirit, energy, and presence, earning its reputation as a breed that is genuinely both a toy and a terrier.
Bergamasco Sheepdog
Generally friendly with children and other animals, the Bergamasco Sheepdog is a hardy, low-maintenance breed whose excellent health and calm temperament go far beyond its eye-catching appearance. Intelligent, eager to please, and deeply devoted to work, the Bergamasco is patient by nature yet instinctively protective of those under its care. Beneath the breed’s unmistakable coat lies a large, muscular shepherd dog of ancient origin. Because the coat is the Bergamasco’s defining feature, it deserves special attention. The breed’s hair consists of three distinct textures that naturally form loose mats known as “flocks”—flat layers of felted strands that cover the body and legs. These flocks evolved to protect the dog from harsh cold and predators in the Italian Alps, the breed’s ancestral homeland. Bright, loyal, affectionate, and highly trainable, the Bergamasco retains a touch of independence typical of mountain dogs. It watches over family members with calm attentiveness and quiet confidence. Though naturally cautious around strangers until properly introduced, the Bergamasco resorts to aggression only when absolutely necessary.
English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is often described by enthusiasts as a “merry” breed, a term that reflects its cheerful and lively disposition. Energetic and enthusiastic when working in the field, yet calm and gentle in the home, this compact sporting dog with a silky coat is admired for both its engaging temperament and refined appearance. The breed is solidly and compactly built, standing approximately 15 to 17 inches at the shoulder. Its softly shaped head features dark, expressive eyes that convey alertness and dignity, framed by long, close-fitting ears. The coat is of medium length, smooth and silky in texture, and appears in a wide range of distinctive colors and patterns. Balance is a defining characteristic of the English Cocker Spaniel, evident in its temperament, physical structure, and movement. Beneath its elegant exterior lies the spirit of a tireless and willing hunting companion, internationally recognized for its skill in flushing and retrieving gamebirds. At the same time, it is equally valued as a pleasant, well-mannered, and affectionate household companion.
Plott Hound
The Plott Hound is a scenthound with a distinctive name and a remarkable history, known for its toughness and determination in the field and its calm, gentlemanly nature at home. Fearless and resolute while working, the Plott is a relentless hunter, yet indoors it is composed and even-tempered. This striking breed holds the distinction of being the official state dog of North Carolina. Athletic and streamlined, the Plott Hound is a long-tailed, light-footed hunter that can stand up to 25 inches at the shoulder. Its eye-catching coat appears in a wide range of brindle patterns, from black streaked with gold to vivid shades of orange and rich russet, along with a few solid colors. Medium-length ears hang neatly, while the black pigmentation of the nose, lips, and eye rims highlights an expression that is both inquisitive and confident.
Tibetan Spaniel
Lively, inquisitive, and alert, the Tibetan Spaniel was developed centuries ago to serve as a sentinel on the walls of Tibetan monasteries. Distinguished by a smooth, silky coat and a characteristic “lion’s mane” around the neck, this small breed forms a close, devoted bond with its human companions. With its blunt muzzle, large expressive eyes, flowing neck ruff, and a plumed tail carried gracefully over the back, the Tibetan Spaniel displays a distinctly Tibetan appearance. Despite its name, it is not a spaniel in the Western sense, such as Cocker or Cavalier Spaniels. Instead, the breed reflects ancient Asian canine traditions shared with breeds like the Pekingese, Pug, and Lhasa Apso. Standing about 10 inches at the shoulder, Tibetan Spaniels move with speed and purpose and appear in a wide variety of coat colors and combinations.
Tibetan Terrier
Known as the “Holy Dog of Tibet,” the Tibetan Terrier is an ancient watchdog and companion closely associated with Buddhist monasteries. This small-to-medium-sized breed is distinguished by its abundant coat, unique “snowshoe” feet, and a temperament that is affectionate, sensitive, and intelligent. Resembling its smaller relative, the Lhasa Apso, the Tibetan Terrier occupies the lower range of medium-sized dogs, standing around 15 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 20 and 24 pounds. One of the breed’s defining features is its luxurious double coat, with a soft, woolly undercoat and a long, fine outer coat. Particularly distinctive are the breed’s large, flat feet, which evolved over centuries to provide stability and traction on the snowy, mountainous terrain of Tibet.
Belgian Tervuren
The elegant and agile Belgian Tervuren is a bright, confident, medium-sized herding dog known for its affectionate nature and strong attachment to loved ones. For this tireless and versatile breed, demanding work and mentally stimulating play are pure happiness. The Belgian Tervuren is defined by its straight, abundant coat, graceful yet muscular build, proudly carried head, and an alert, intelligent expression. An intense drive to work lies at the core of the breed’s character. Decorative coat furnishings, such as the sporty “collarette” around the neck, are more pronounced in males, who are generally larger than females. The breed’s intelligence and high energy level can present challenges for owners who do not fully understand the Tervuren’s deep need for purposeful activity. However, this should not suggest a joyless or mechanical worker. On the contrary, Belgian Tervurens take genuine pleasure in mastering new tasks, and many owners note a playful, mischievous sense of humor—especially when a Terv cleverly outsmarts its devoted human partner.
Brittany
Sportsmen on both sides of the Atlantic prize the Brittany for its agility, energy, and versatility as a stylish gundog. Lively and affectionate at home yet tireless in the field, Brittanys require ample daily exercise, ideally shared with their favorite people. Smaller than setters but longer-legged than spaniels, Brittanys stand around 20 inches at the shoulder. Their striking coats feature bold patterns in combinations of white with vivid orange or rich liver. Strong and rugged without being heavy, they move with speed and smooth efficiency. The face carries the soft, gentle expression treasured by bird-dog enthusiasts, while the high-set ears reflect the breed’s constant eagerness. The same drive and adaptability that make Brittanys exceptional hunters also shine in dog sports. Obedience, agility, flyball, dock diving—this intelligent and trainable breed is eager to excel at them all. The Brittany is an excellent choice for those seeking a versatile hunting partner, an enthusiastic sport teammate, or a companion well suited to an active, outdoor-oriented family life.