Chihuahua Dog : Appearance, Temperament and Lifespan

Chihuahua dog is a toy sized companion dog. This breed is considered as the smallest breed of dogs. Originated in Mexico, Chihuahua is said to have been existing for over 1400 years prior to the arrival of first Europeans. The name of the breed is derived from the Mexican state of Chihuahua as this dog breed was found there in old ruins near Casas Grandes in 1850. Also called as New Yorker by Mexicans, Chihuahuas come in various sizes, head shapes, colors, etc. These dogs have terrier-like temperament and better lifespan compared to other dog breeds.

Appearance:
Chihuahua has long body, but short height. Generally, Chihuahuas can be categorized into two types depending on their heads namely ‘apple head’ Chihuahuas or ‘deer head’ Chihuahuas. The ‘apple head’ Chihuahuas boast short nose and rounded head that look like an apple, while the ‘deer head’ Chihuahuas have long nose and elongated head compared to ‘apple head’ Chihuahuas.

As per the British and American standards, a Chihuahua must weigh less than 6 pounds to be officially recognized as Chihuahua breed of dog. However, the Chihuahuas brought as pets are allowed to become overweight and they may even weigh above 10 pounds. It is to be noted that overfeeding the Chihuahua can be dangerous for its health. Chihuahuas are normally 6 inches to 10 inches tall, except for few that grow 12 inches to 15 inches tall.

According to American and United Kingdom’s Kennel Clubs, there are two varieties of Chihuahuas namely long-coat and smooth-coat or short-haired. The long haired Chihuahuas appear fluffy and are soft to touch. Despite long hair, these Chihuahuas require less grooming and no trimming.
Some of the common colors of Chihuahua include fawn, red, cream, chocolate, white and black. However, Chihuahuas have virtually any color combination such as solid, marked, splashed, etc.

Temperament: 

Chihuahuas are very loyal to their one particular owner and may tend to become over protective at times. They do not get along well with other dog breeds. Thus, they are generally unsuitable for families with small children at home. They love their dens and will be often found in places that are deep dark. They are agile, brave and adventurous. They enjoy affection and are extremely loyal breed.

Lifespan:
They have good lifespan compared to other dog breeds. They can live for 10 to 18 years. They require less exercise.

All these traits of the Chihuahua dog make it one of the great city dogs. This breed is really cute and lovely, but it is short tempered. Thus, they must be bought by those who don’t have small children at home for better safety of the children.

Chihuahua Dog Breed

Chihuahua Dog

Chihuahua

Know About English Bulldog : A Representative of United Kingdom

A breed of dog originally from British Isles, Bulldog is now recognized as one of the candid family pets. Bulldog is generally referred to as English Bulldog. Bulldogs have excellent tendency of getting along with the children and form a strong connection with them. Bulldog also has some other breeds including American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldog, Australian Bulldog and the French Bulldog.

Often, these mammals have been used to represent England or the United Kingdom. In fact, English Bulldog breed is an official mascot of around 39 American universities and of United State Marine Corps along with each base having their own mascot on the base. For instance, the “Handsome Dan” from Yale University became the first American university mascot in 1889.

With muscular heavy body and wrinkled face with unique pushed-in nose, the bulldogs are usually of medium size with lovable and gentle temperament. The wrinkles on their face are adorable. These dogs have great docile and tractable nature, which make them perfect mascot of the universities and England.

The overall characteristics of this breed make it eligible representative of United Kingdom. These characteristics include their association with England’s oldest game of bull baiting, derivation of their name as ‘Bull’ dog, their appearance, their temperament, etc.

Original function of these dogs was bull baiting. Thus, these dogs have stocky body and massive head along with strong jaws. Earlier, they had ferocious, courageous and ‘insensitive to pain’ nature due to the bull baiting sport. The bull baiting sport depicts the cultural heritage of the United Kingdom. In this way, the bulldogs are directly associated with or parts of the culture of United Kingdom. Moreover, the name “bull” of the dog was applied mainly due to its association with bull baiting. However, the bull baiting game was declared illegal in England with the introduction of Cruelty to Animals Act 1835.

These dogs now are gentle and protective. Their temperament has drastically changed over the period of time making them quite, patient and friendly breed. The breeders have done remarkable work to reduce aggression from these mammals. So, carrying them as mascot has become easy and fearless.

In addition to this, the appearance of the bulldog is very attractive making it one of the cute mascots. They have thick folds of skin on brow, round black eyes, short muzzle with rope above the nose, pointed teeth and drooping lips. Their coat is flat and short with various colors such as fawn, white, red, brindle, etc. The standard weight of the male bulldog is 50 pounds and female bulldog is 40 pounds in United Kingdom.

All these characteristics of the bulldog and its association with an old English game of bail baiting make it an appropriate representative of United Kingdom.

British Bulldog

Bulldog

English Bulldog

Boxer Dog : Facts and Characteristics

Boxer comes under the Molesser group of dogs. Boxer dog was bred from the now extinct Bullenbeisser, a dog of Mastiff descent, and Old English Bulldog. This breed is also known with other names such as German Boxer and Deutscher Boxer. In 1895, Boxers were first showcased at a dog show for St. Bernards in Munich. Originated in Germany, the breed of Boxers was stabilized by three Germans namely Friedrich Robert, Elard Konig and R. Hopner in 1894.

This breed was first registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1904. These dogs have remarkably contributed during the World War I and even World War II. This breed was trained to work for military as a valuable messenger dog, attack dog and guard dog during World Wars.

Some of the characteristics of this breed of dogs include:

Appearance – This breed must be in perfect proportion to the body. These dogs are never light in weight. A male boxer weighs 30 kg to 32 kg, while a female may have weight of 25 kg to 27 kg. In terms of height, the male boxer is usually 22 inches to 25 inches tall and a female is 21 inches to 23.5 inches tall. The most unique feature of the Boxer is its head. Muzzle of these dogs is generally in absolute proportion to the skull and is valued only if it is in correct form. They normally have square muzzle and short skull. Boxers are recognized for their very strong jaw and power packed bite.

Coat – Boxer is wrapped in with short coat that is smooth and tightly holds the body. Boxers have very short haired and shiny coat. The coat on their skull plays vital role in demonstrating fascinating expressions of this breed as puppies. They exhibit great expressions of worry, curiosity, attention seeking, etc.

Color – Most common colors of boxers recognized throughout the world are fawn and brindle. However, the Boxers with over one third part colored in white are conventionally known as ‘White Boxers’. The white markings on the body of the Boxers are referred to as Flash. These white marks generally can be found on the neck and face. A fawn boxer dog may have tones of light tan or yellow, reddish tan, deer red and dark honey blonde.

Temperament – This breed of dogs is playful, curious and energetic. They are obedient species with great intelligence. They are loyal and affectionate. Their trait of getting along with children quickly is highly appreciated across the world.

Health issue – They are likely to get disease such as cancer, heart disorders, skin and various other allergies, hip and vertebral-column problems, intestinal infections, etc. These dogs require regular exercise.
Functions and life span – These species can be great companions, guard dogs, guide dogs for blinds, police dogs, etc. They have average life span of 9 to 10 years.

This breed of dogs is very friendly and very agile mammal to accompany you. Thus, Boxer dogs can really make up as good family member. It is these lovely characteristics of Boxer that makes it the seventh most popular dog in United States. 

Boxer Dog Breed

Boxer Dog

Brindle Boxer Dog

Traits of Beagle Dog

With the appearance similar to the Foxhound, the Beagle dog comes under the hound group of dogs. This dog is one of the closest to original ancestral hound breeds. Beagle dogs are considered to have existed for more than 2000 years. This breed is a small to medium sized sturdy hunting dog. This breed of dog is a scent hound and has been developed primarily to hunt hare or rabbit and track other game. These dogs are also called as English Beagle, Jelly Dog and Regal Beagle. The country of origin of this breed is Great Britain. However, it is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. The most popular Beagle dog in the world is Snoopy, which is Charlie Brown’s friend and companion from the cartoon strip named “Peanut”.

Some of the traits of Beagle dog include:

Weight – The male Beagle generally weighs between 10 kg and 11kg, while the female Beagle is said to weigh around 9 kg to 10 kg.

Color – Beagle dogs can have any true hound dog color. They normally are of tricolor or have white color in combination with red, lemon, orange and brown color. The tricolor includes white with large black patch and light brown shading.

Coat – The hound coat of Beagle dog is hard, close and of medium length. The coat of the dog is thin and of soft quality.

Temperament and personality – Beagles are considered as ideal pets for family due to their affectionate nature, curious and friendly behavior. These mammals have small size and easy going attitude with the family members. This breed is fond of constant activity and outdoors. Packed with full energy, Beagles require a lot of activity and exercise.

Sense of smell – These dogs have very good sense of smell. Beagles can find a mouse in an acre land within a minute with the help of their scenting ability. It is believed that the long ears and large lips of this breed enable it to trap the scents close to the nose.

Life span – The beagles can utmost live up to 13 years. This breed is more prone to diseases like epilepsy, hypothyroidism, dwarfism, etc. Also, this breed is prone to many types of disk diseases. At times, the fall in health of these dogs results in their death.

Hunting – Beagles were mainly developed for the purpose of hunting hare. They have great sense of smelling, but they lack in speed. However, this breed is believed to have the quality to somehow manage to catch the hare or rabbit.

The traits of the Beagle dog indicate that this breed of dog is a great mammal and family pet. It is magnificent animal and friendly dog. So, one can always look forward to Beagles while buying pets for the family.

Beagle Dog Breed

Beagle Dog

English Beagle Dog

Akita Dog : Facts and Features

Akita dog is considered as native hunting dog from Japan. This Spitz breed is mostly found in northern mountainous region of Japan and is said to have association with the island of Honshu. In Japan, this breed of dog has been declared as ‘national treasure’. Having Akita dog at home is considered as a symbol of prosperity, good fortune and healthy life by the Japanese people. This breed of dog reportedly originated in the 16 century in Japan. The original functions of Akita dog include large game hunting and dog fighting.

However, the Akita dog is categorized into two types namely American Akita and Japanese Akita now-a-days. The first Akita dog is said to have been brought to United States in 1937 by Helen Keller, who was a deaf-blind political activist, lecturer and American author. Later, this breed was brought to America after the World War II. The American Akita dogs are also referred as Great Japanese Dog in some of the countries. In many countries, the Japanese Akita and American Akita are considered as two separate breeds of dog. However, countries like Australia, Canada and United States consider the two dogs as of different types from a single breed.

Some of the traits of Akita Dog include:

Colour – The Japanese Akita dogs have coats of red, fawn, sesame, brindle and pure white colour. On the other hand, the American Akita dogs are available in all the colours.

Weight and height – The average weight and height of male Akita dog are 85 to 130 pounds and 25 to 28 inches, respectively. The female Akitas usually weighs between 65 pounds and 110 pounds, which is less than male Akita. The height of the female Akita is also shorter than male Akita at 23 to 26 inches.

Powerful breed – Akita dogs are large in size with heavy bones and double coat. This breed originally does hunting job through rugged and snowy terrains. The gait of these dogs is brisk and power packed. This mammal is perfect hunting companion and protector. Now-a-days, this dog breed is used for security functions.

Loyal dog – This large spitz breed is considered as a bold animal that possess characteristics like stubbornness, independence and loyalty. This dog is said to be very devoted breed in protecting the family members. Although it is loyal, it can be very domineering. Therefore, it is certainly not a breed for everyone.

The Akita dog is a great breed with the distinctive features such as dignity, alertness and devotion to its family members as well as friends. It is to be noted that Akita is not a breed for the first time dog owners.

Akita Dog

Akita Dog Breed

American Akita Dog

Types of Modern Domestic Dog

Dogs belong to the family of Canidae. Family Canidae also includes wild animals such as wolves, foxes and jackals. However, all the modern domestic dogs are successors of grey wolf which is Canis lupus. Currently, there are more than 300 different types of domestic dog based on their task of origin. The dogs have been originally bred for the tasks like herding, guarding and hunting.

However, the breeds of dog are now kept as pets irrespective of their functions. These dog pets are broadly divided into different types namely working dogs, sporting dogs, hounds, terriers, herding dogs and companion dogs. Basic information about these types of dog is as follow:

Working dogs – A working dog is a pet, which learns and performs tasks of assisting and entertaining its owner or any other human companion. These dogs are originally bred and trained to work livestock, turn the spit, detect criminals or explosives, guard places or homes, etc. Alaskan Malamute and Doberman are the types of working dogs.

Sporting dogs – These dogs are naturally active with astounding instincts in the woods and water. These breeds of dog are active participants of hunting and various other field activities. They require regular and refreshing exercise. Some of the sporting dogs include Standard Poodle, Weimaraner, Golden Retriever, Pointer, etc.

Hounds – These types of dog assist hunters in tracking the prey. The hounds are further classified into three types namely sight-hounds, scent hounds and other hounds. The sight-hounds run to catch the prey or kill it for the human hunters, while the scent hounds follow the prey on smelling their scent and tracking them. The other hounds track the prey by smelling the scent and sight as well. The examples of hounds include Beagle, Afghan Hound, Whippet, Basset Hound and Rhodesian Ridge-back.

Terriers – These dogs are typically small, active and fearless. These dogs were earlier classified as long legged and short legged terriers. However, terriers are now broadly classified as working terriers, toy terriers and bull type terrier. The Kerry Blue, Airedale and Yorkshire are examples of terrier dogs.

Herding dogs – The herding dogs are the breeds that have been trained or developed for herding. These types are also called as stock dogs and they belong to pastoral dog type.  They are trained to work with the herd on the sounds of a whistle or word of command. The Rough Collie, Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Old English Sheepdog are the examples of herding dog.

Companion dogs – These dogs are used as companions by their owners and for only some specific tasks. The toy dogs are mostly used as companion dogs. The dogs are not classified as companion dogs on the basis of their size, albeit the toy dogs are small in size. Few companion dogs include German Spitz, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Chihuahua, etc.

These are the types of modern domestic dog generally known to people across the world. These dogs are considered as human’s best friends as they help human in performing many tasks as well as accompany them for entertainment.

Dog puppy

Dog

Domestic Dog