Smart, Spunky, Playful Have you ever wondered how the Miniature Schnauzer got to be so much smaller than his standard and giant cousins? This is a prime example of how breeders can breed-down or miniaturize a larger breed.  In fact, the mini version is less than 1/5 the size of the Giant and 1/3 the size […]

Miniature Pinschers are bright, active and alert. Despite it’s shape and colors, the Miniature Pinscher is not a small version of the bigger Doberman Pinscher. It’s easy to see how this misconception comes about, since the 2 breeds have very similar coloring and general shape. In addition, the Doberman was exported to America before the

The dog of the Aztecs, the Mexican Hairless Dog is also called Xoloitzcuintli This is a very ancient breed, over 3,000 years old, and was worshipped by the Aztecs. The Mexican name ‘Xoloitzcuintli’ is pronounced ‘show-low-eats-queen-tlee’, often shortened simply to ‘Xolo’ (pronounced ‘show-low’). Confusingly, there are 3 sizes – Toy, Miniature and Standard,  AND they

The Mastiff dog is a big powerful protector and guard The Mastiff breed of dog is sometimes confused with other breeds that have the word “mastiff” in their name. For example the Bullmastiff or the Neapolitan Mastiff. But in fact the Mastiff dog is a distinct breed all of its own. Sometimes referred to as

Just for clarification, we’re not talking about Local Government Districts or Lou Gehrig’s Disease but rather Livestock Guardian Dogs, or those breeds that have been developed for centuries to guard large flocks of sheep and other livestock.  Maremma pronounced “Mare” as in the female horse and “Emma” a girl’s name is one such dog that has been guarding sheep on the plains

The Manchester Terrier:  Sleek, lively and alert. The Toy Manchester Terrier (MT) was once an excellent ratter, ridding the Manchester part of England of all its vermin. Nowadays, this breed has all but retired from that role and now enjoys the life of a real canine companion.  He is alert and often wary of strangers

The Maltipoo hybrid dog breed is small, intelligent and bright. This is a hybrid dog breed resulting from crossing a Maltese with a Poodle, usually a Miniature Poodle. Like most mixed breeds, they can vary in size, build and color, but their temperament is usually predictable and reliable. The Maltipoo has become very popular, largely

The Maltese dog is very small, intelligent, lively and bright. This is a breed that seems to behave like a puppy for its whole life. They are always playful and bright, and looking for attention. They were bred specifically to be human  companions, and so they seek out and need the company of humans Maltese

What is a Lurcher dog? Find out here! The Lurcher dog breed is actually a cross-breed (or hybrid breed),  not a pure-bred line with specific characteristics. Most experts describe the Lurcher dog as being a cross between a sighthound breed and a non-sighthound breed. Most Lurcher dogs have the Greyhound as the sighthound parent. The

The Lhasa Apso dog breed is alert, curious and watchful. This is an unusual breed from Tibet, bred to act as a watchdog inside Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. They have exceptionally god hearing, even for dogs, and regard all strangers with suspicion. They need to be socialized from an early age, otherwise they can be aggressive