The history of English Bulldog: they were originally developed in the 1600s for bull baiting: a blood sport in which a bull was tied to a metal pole or placed in a small pit, and dogs were set on the bull. The precursors of our modern English bulldog had little in common with today’s bulldog. They had more in common with Mastiffs and Pitbull terriers in shape.
“Spitz” is often used to refer to a type of dog. Spitz-type dogs may vary in size and colour, but all have long, thick fur, and pointed ears and muzzles, as well as a curly tail. Spitz breeds include the Akita Inu, the Chow Chow, and of course, the German Spitz.
The Yorkshire Terrier is small and silky, but don’t be fooled. The Yorkie has a lot of attitude behind that soft appearance. You’d never suspect that this pint-sized pooch is also a top predator, originally bred for catching rats in the North of England.
What does the average person imagine when they think of a family dog? They probably think of a Golden Retriever sitting in the hall, welcoming you home, smiling a joyful doggy smile, and wagging its tail. Perhaps David Rosenfelt put it best: “The face of a golden retriever feels like home.”
The Rottweiler: big and muscular, imposing yet calm. This dog looks like a typical guard dog that should be sitting in a yard wearing a spiked collar and barking at strangers. However, the Rottweiler has a very interesting history. While they are sometimes used as guard dogs, they are much more versatile than you might expect.
The ancient Saluki, sometimes called the Gazelle Hound, has been hunting in the deserts of the Maghreb and the Middle East for thousands of years. Today this noble sight hound is still used for hunting, but has also found a place in the agility world and as a beloved and devoted pet.
The regal King Charles Spaniel is a silky-furred companion dog with noble origins. The King Charles’ ancestors were probably Toy Spaniels: silky little dogs often depicted in the art of Gainsborough, Velasquez, Rubens, and other artists of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries – such was the popularity of the Toy Spaniel.
