Affenpinscher may look a lot like a little monkey, but looks can be deceiving. Behind that sweet funny face is a fearless little giant of a dog. This dog breed comes from Germany and dates back to the seventeenth century. Affenpinscher is German for "monkey dog" or "ape terrier." The French call them "diablotin moustachu"(mustached little devil). You may even think they [...]
Where Do Berger Picards Come From? The Berger Picard’s name comes from Picardy , a region in the northwest of France. The Berger Picard is also known as the Picardy Shepherd. Picardy is an agricultural region and has plentiful rich pastureland. The breed was used to guard and herd livestock. The farmers and cattlemen of the region take pride in their home-grown sheepdog. [...]
The Pyrenean Shepherd, or "Pyr Shep", is an energetic herding dog that hails from the mountains in southern France and northern Spain. How the Pyrenees mountains got their name is (maybe) rooted in Greek mythology. In Greek mythology, Pyrene was a princess who gave her name to the Pyrenees mountains when Hercules buried her there. Herding dogs like the Pyrenean Shepherd are intelligent [...]
Every time I research a dog article, I end up wanting to own one. So this time, it certainly was the case for the Icelandic Sheepdog, a playful family pet. They were fully recognized by the AKC in 2010 and included in the herding group. The Icelandic Sheepdog is a charmingly friendly and faithful all-around herder of small-to-medium size. A densely coated Nordic spitz-type [...]
Where Do Pomeranians Come From? The Pomeranian (Pom), with its upright ears and a thick double coat of straight hair, demonstrates its spitz heritage. The Pom's ancestors were probably much larger sled dogs from the cold Nordic countries of Europe. Some of those dogs made their way to Pomerania an area that is now part of Poland and Germany. Breeders in Pomerania [...]
Where Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Come From? As you can tell by its name, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a royal connection. They are named after the English King Charles II who was restored to the English throne (the 1660 Restoration ) after the death of Oliver Cromwell . King Charles II was known for his love of dogs as well as his [...]
Where Do French Bulldogs Come From? If its name is French Bulldog, it must be from France, right? Well, maybe yes, maybe no. It seems that back in the 1800s in England, before the industrial revolution , women in lace factories (particularly in Nottingham ) warmed their laps with a small dog. Many of these dogs were small, or Toy Bulldogs. When jobs in [...]
Where Do Havanese Come From The Havanese is a toy dog breed developed in Cuba and named after its capital city of Havana. It is the national dog of Cuba and the only dog breed developed solely on the island. It is a cheerful, and friendly companion dog suited for city life but willing to fit in anywhere. The Havanese is part of the [...]
Where Do Brittanys Come From The Brittany, once upon a time called a spaniel , is medium-sized, 30 to 40 pounds, gundog that was developed in the Brittany region of France beginning in the 1600s. Known as the Brittany Spaniel for many years, the AKC officially dropped Spaniel from the dog's name in 1982. Brittanys were bred to hunt birds and their [...]
Looking for a dog that excels in everything hunting? Maybe you are not a hunter. Then how about a great watchdog and loyal family companion. The surprising German Shorthaired Pointer may be just the dog for you. The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) was established in Germany during the 1800s. It is a hunting dog capable of doing just about anything a hunting dog can [...]
