Thursday, April 30, 2015

Appenzeller Sennenhunde

No Swiss miss here: This is an athletic herding dog and livestock guardian.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde Breed Photo
The Appenzeller originated as an all-around farm dog breed, who stayed busy herding the livestock, guarding the farm, and pulling carts in his native Switzerland. Today's Appenzellers have still got the energy, smarts, and self-confidence that makes for valuable working dogs — but they're anything but low-maintenance. Dogs of this breed need lots of exercise, training, and a job to do.
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Breed Characteristics

Vital Stats

  • Dog Breed Group: Herding Dogs
  • Height: Generally 1 foot, 7 inches to 1 foot, 10 inches tall at the shoulder
  • Weight: Generally 48 to 55 pounds
  • Life Span: 9 to 12 years
Also known as the Appenzeller Mountain Dog, this is the rarest of the four ancient Swiss mountain dog breeds. He got his start as an all-around farm dog — herding livestock, pulling carts, and guarding the farm — in the Appenzell region of Switzerland.
Today the Appenzeller's known for being a versatile working and family dog who's smart, cheerful, self-assured, reliable, and fearless. His slight wariness around strangers and tendency to bark makes him a good watchdog, but he needs lots of earlysocialization so he doesn't become overly suspicious. And because of his barkiness, he's not the best dog if you have nearby neighbors.
He's a great friend of children, but may nip at their heels as if they were livestock to be herded; younger Appenzellers are big and exuberant enough to accidentally knock over small kids.
Because he's got a strong work ethic and lots of energy, this breed isn't suited to an inactive lifestyle. Provide him with trainingand a job or dog sport he can do, or he'll be an unhappy camper. Like other breeds that need lots of exercise and stimulation, he can grow bored and destructive if he doesn't get it. He excels at agility, herding, and obedience trials. At home, teach your Appenzeller to pull a cart with your gardening supplies.
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Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Bold, calm, and rugged, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog fiercely protects his own.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Breed Photo
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a native of Turkey, where he was developed as a shepherd's companion and livestock guardian. He was bred to resemble the size and color of the livestock he defended so predators would not detect him among the flock. Sometimes called the Anatolian Karabash Dog, he's a fiercely loyal guard dog and a large, impressive dog breed, weighing 120 to 150 pounds at maturity.
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Breed Characteristics

Vital Stats

  • Dog Breed Group: Working Dogs
  • Height: Generally 2 feet, 3 inches to 2 feet, 5 inches tall at the shoulder
  • Weight: Generally 80 to 150 pounds
  • Life Span: 11 to 13 years
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a considered a livestock protector or guardian dog. As such, he was developed to live with the flock and adopt it as his own. He is a rugged, self-confident guardian who knows how much protection or intimidation is necessary in any situation.
The Anatolian has been working independently for centuries, making decisions regarding threats to his property. As a puppy, he adopts whomever he lives with, be it a family or a herd of sheep; as he grows, he takes on the protector gig. It doesn't matter to the Anatolian whether his "flock" is human or animal — he is extremely protective and possessive.
And he backs up his guardian nature with presence. The Anatolian is a large dog, weighing as much as 150 pounds. He has a short, fawn coat and a black mask. He appears intimidating, and if necessary he is — though he's calm and friendly with his family.
Not surprisingly for a guard dog, the Anatolian Shepherd is suspicious of strangers and reserved with those outside his "flock." He takes his job seriously — this dog is no clown — and when his owner isn't home, he is unlikely to allow even friends or extended family members whom he's met before to come onto his property.
At the same time, the Anatolian is a very intelligent, loyal, steady working dog. He's highly trainable, though he's likely to consider whether or not he will choose to obey a command, due to his independent nature. He needs an owner who is strong, kind, and consistent as a pack leader.
This breed is probably not a good choice as a family pet if you have very young children. Because he's so large, he could accidentally injure a small child, especially when he's a clumsy, growing puppy (the phrase "bull in a china shop" applies).
Additionally, the Anatolian typically does not respect children as pack leaders, and he could decide to protect his children from visiting playmates if they're roughhousing and the dog misinterprets the activity. Generally, the Anatolian is tolerant of older children and is good with them. To him they are, of course, part of the flock that needs guarding, along with the rest of the family.
The Anatolian Shepherd is not the perfect breed for everyone. He can be a fine and loyal companion if you and your family understand his unique qualities and requirements and are ready to take on the responsibility of owning a very large and protective dog.
If you need a dog to protect a flock or herd, find a breeder who breeds successful livestock guardians: you'll have a better outcome if the puppy or adult you purchase already has successful working dogs in his bloodline.
When looking for a family companion, focus on proper breed temperament. Find a good breeder with experience with this dog's character, and you'll be able to look forward to many years of companionship with a loyal, protective guardian for your family.
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American Water Spaniel

The state dog of Wisconsin is an enthusiastic water retriever and family friend.

American Water Spaniel Breed Photo
The American Water Spaniel was bred to be an all-around hunting dog. Specializing in waterfowl, he's a skilled swimmer who will retrieve from small boats and has a water-resistant double coat. The dog breed has the high energy of a dog born to chase and retrieve game, but given enough exercise, he can also make an great family companion.
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Breed Characteristics

Vital Stats

  • Dog Breed Group: Sporting Dogs
  • Height: Generally 1 foot, 3 inches to 1 foot, 6 inches tall at the shoulder
  • Weight: Generally 25 to 45 pounds
  • Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Although he's not well known outside the Great Lakes area of the United States, the American Water Spaniel (AWS) has qualities that make him well worth your consideration, especially if you're outdoorsy and live near the water.
The AWS is a medium-size all-around hunting dog and retriever, so he's chock-full of energy and enthusiasm. Like other hunting dogs he needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and so long as he gets it — whether it's from retrieving game out in the field or playing fetch with the kids — he's a well-mannered family companion.
Although the AWS is used to hunt all sorts of small game, he specializes in waterfowl, and is a natural swimmer as well as a skilled retriever and hunter. His versatility serves him well in many dog sports and activities such as agility, obedience trials, hunt tests, rally, therapy work, tracking, and search and rescue, as well as conformation.
If you're looking for an active dog who loves to swim and retrieve and can be trained for different sports and activities, the American Water Spaniel could be an ideal fit for you.
The American Water Spaniel will be friendly toward people if they have been properly introduced. He makes an excellent watchdog however, and will alert you with a warning bark if he hears any strange noises.
This is a rare breed, and very few puppies are born each year. If you're interested in an AWS, find a reputable breeder who can help you decide if the breed's a good match for you. And then settle in for a good wait — you may spend several months or even a year or more on a waiting list before a puppy's available. People who breed these unique dogs want to make sure they go to just the right homes, and they're able to pick and choose the families who'll take great care of their puppies.
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American Foxhound

This breed is found primarily in large packs in the Southern and Eastern United States, where foxhunting is a favorite sport among the horsey set.

American Foxhound Breed Photo
Easygoing, sweet, kind, and loyal, the American Foxhound dog breed belongs to a way of life that has continued for more than two centuries, but he has the potential to be a modern-day companion as well. His stamina and love of running make him a great jogging partner for athletic owners, and his mild nature makes him an excellent family dog, so long as he gets the exercise he craves.
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Breed Characteristics

Vital Stats

  • Dog Breed Group: Hounds
  • Height: Generally 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the shoulder
  • Weight: Generally 40 to 60 pounds
  • Life Span: 12 to 13 years
When you see foxhunters in movies or on television — or out in the field if you live in hunt country — packs of American Foxhounds are leading the chase. Or perhaps you were introduced to the breed through Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy mystery series, set in Virginia hunt country with a number of American Foxhounds as key characters.
This rare breed still lives and works the way its ancestors did when they came to this country more than 200 years ago. Bred to hunt in large packs, American Foxhounds were developed from hounds brought by English settlers, who adapted them to suit the game and terrain of their new land.
American Foxhounds like the company of other dogs but can be a single companion dog if you're committed to giving them the exercise they'd normally get running around with their canine friends, and to spending the time to help them bond with their human family. Despite their size, they're mild-mannered unless they're in pursuit of their quarry. Then they become relentless in the hunt.
Like all hounds, the Foxhound is musical. Hounds are described as having bell-like voices, and their baying can carry for miles. It's best not to bring one home unless you're sure your neighbors will appreciate the concert or live far enough away that they won't be disturbed.
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