The Mucuchies

The Mucuchies hails from the mountains of Venezuala, where it is the only dog breed native to the country. Descendants of the dogs brought by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500s and 1600s – their early heritage probably consisted of Pyrenean Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Great Pyrenees and Algerian Mastiff which then mixed with local dogs. Later on it is thought that (English) Mastiffs might have been added. Like their ancestors, they are natural livestock guardians and protectors of their families, and they have herding instincts as well. Although they have been around since before the 19th century and were once popular, nowadays they are sadly very rare. Fanciers, in particular a group called the Navado Foundation, have been making an effort to revive the breed so that they don’t go completely extinct.

Mucuchies are known for being confident and brave, and in fact it was these traits which originally set the breed on the path to popularity. In the 1800’s a man named Simon Bolivar (a Venezuelan soldier who led revolutions against Spanish rule) came upon a puppy in the town of Mucuchies which would not let him nor his men get too close to the gate of his master’s property. Bolivar was impressed with this puppy’s courageous attitude and the puppy’s owner ended up gifting him to the man. The puppy was later named Navado (meaning snow), and accompanied his new owner on the campaign for independence, even saving his life on numerous occasions! Tragically Navado was eventually killed in battle, however he had played his part in the quest for independence which led to the local popularity of the breed!

The Mucuchies should never live a life of solitude as he can develop severe separation anxiety or even become aggressive. This is a breed that bonds very strongly to his family and must have enough regular contact with them in order to be “ok” and happy. He is incredibly loyal and faithful but is also sensitive in this regard. With children he is protective and can even be overprotective, so socialization with other people is vital to ensure he develops appropriately. He fits best into a home where his family is home regularly, and children are at least big enough not to get bowled over by his rambunctiousness! Overall he is affectionate and loving, but has the capability for being a fierce protector if needed.

The Mucuchies needs a job to do and benefits from training. Know that he can be stubborn when bored, and therefore does best with training that is divided into many short sessions (versus a long drawn-out session). Keep the training interesting and incorporate different challenges as you go. He is far too intelligent to just repeat the same things over and over, so while the act of training does need a certain amount of repetition, there are ways of doing so while incorporating novelty into the sessions. Make it fun and you will see that he is indeed trainable!

The Mucuchies needs a fair amount of exercise every day – at least 45 minutes of enthusiastic exercise as he is quite active! This said, an owner does need to be mindful of the type of exercise given to growing puppies. Like other large breeds, certain activities can be too much for the joints of a young dog (such as too much running on a hard surface or repetitive jumping). Once the dog has fully grown these activities are ok, but caution should be taken until then. Otherwise, giving the young dog access to a grassy, fenced yard should be helpful. This is a breed that is best kept in a home with a backyard as compared to an apartment, and as their thick coat is very well-suited to cold mountain weather they do best in colder climates.

The Mucuchies is a large dog with a double coat which is medium-long in length and very dense. It can be wavy but never curly, and is always predominately white with black, gray or honey markings. This coat does need regular brushing, as he is known to shed quite profusely in the hotter seasons. He needs a bath much less frequently although since baths can help “move the shedding process along”, can be bathed more frequently as long as a good quality dog shampoo is used.

Photo By Wilfredor

The Galician Shepherd

The Galician Shepherd, AKA the Can de Palleiro, gets his name from the “palleiros” (haystacks) that he would traditionally sleep on while working the farms. In fact, “haystack dog” is a common nickname for this breed commonly used for herding and guarding cattle. These dogs are very rare, however since 2002 the parent club in Galicia, Spain has been actively working to preserve and grow the numbers of these beautiful dogs. Thankfully the program has been working as at the time of this article, there are over 2,200 registered dogs. Fanciers of the breed treasure their protective instincts, natural herding abilities, and noble natures. Prospective owners should be aware that they will likely need to import a dog from Spain if they want one – this extremely rare breed is basically unheard of in the United States.

Galicians are not too dissimilar to other Shepherd breeds with which they share comparable origins – namely German, Belgian or Dutch, although they are oftentimes more docile and are said to be more trainable. When well bred and raised correctly, they have very balanced temperaments and should never be randomly aggressive. While they are naturally protective, they are less likely to act on these impulses unless they deem the situation very dire. They are known for their courage while facing unusual situations, aloofness toward strangers and friendliness towards those they know. Like most dogs with naturally protective instincts, it is important that they are extensively socialized from a young age so that the correct temperament can develop.

The Galician needs a lot of exercise as he is an active and animated dog. Keep in mind that he is large and powerful, and does best in a home with a backyard. This family-centric dog can roughhouse with the kids or play a gentle game of fetch with Grandma, but he should also receive long daily walks in the neighborhood as well. While his energetic natures means he isn’t the best fit for an apartment, his trustworthy and loyal temperament makes him well-suited for companionship or even therapy work! It’s important to note that the Haystack does tend to have a higher prey drive than many of the other shepherd breeds so if he is to live with small animals, he must be thoroughly socialized to them whilst young.

The Galician Shepherd learns very quickly as he is certainly an intelligent dog, although he is also sensitive and does best with a mixture of high motivation combined with firm yet fair rules. He needs a job to do so that his mind stays engaged and obedience training is a great way to give him a job, as are other dog sports. He can and has been used in Spain as a search and rescue dog, police dog, guide dog, drug dog and explosive detection dog! He requires not only regular training and mental enrichment, but also a strong routine that he can count on. This breed doesn’t do well with a chaotic lifestyle as he needs stability and a firm foundation of rules that he can expect. While he can adapt to many different environments, his sensitive nature means that he needs a place of his own that he can go “relax” in such as a crate with an open door.

A study on the temperament of the Galician Shepherd was conducted at a certain point, comparing it to other related breeds. Results found that they are less likely to suffer separation anxiety, in addition to a series of correlated temperament traits. According to the study they seem to be less neurotic and generally more stable, in addition to being calmer and less likely to be hyperactive. They do share similar physical characteristics however, including a short thick coat and a rustic, “wolfy” appearance. The muzzle is narrow and triangular, the ears are large and erect, and the tail is thick and long. Color options include sand, chestnut, cinnamon, black, or “wolf” (sabled gray).

The average lifespan for the Galician Shepherd is 12-14 years and this breed tends to be very healthy, meaning they generally aren’t expensive to care for. There are no frequent health problems that are known in the breed such as hip dysplasia or other such ailments. They do require regular grooming, particularly a brushing a few times a week to rid the body of excess hair, but otherwise grooming their weatherproof coat is easy. The Galician can make a wonderful pet for the right family and certainly has a bright future, provided that the club can continue to promote them to an otherwise-unaware public!

Photo By Constanza Gerger

The Segugio dell’Appennino

The Segugio dell’Appennino is of ancient origin, yet is a rare breed that has yet to gain full recognition in the United States. The standard was approved by ENCI (Italy’s kennel club) in 2005, full recognition by the club was granted in 2010, and the FCI provisionally recognized the breed in 2023 after a bit of a delay. Part of the delay had to do with the fact that they are so genetically similar to the Segugio Marremano, despite several physical differences. However, after debate and persuasion from fanciers, the breed was officially brought into the fold – albeit on a provisional basis.

The dell’Appennino is a soft and gentle hound that becomes lively and animated during the hunt – whether an “official” hunt or out in the backyard! The breed has an exceptional nose and traditionally hunted either alone or as a pair, and makes an excellent dog for a hare hunting enthusiast. He can equally be a nice choice for a person competing in tracking or any of the scent sports. He gets along with other dogs and children alike, and is even respectful towards wild animals (that he isn’t hunting). Because of his high prey drive he is likely to chase cats. Energetic and loving of the outdoors, he does best with an active owner that can meet his physical requirements. Prospective owners should take note that he does not do well in apartments as his excessive barking could be a problem, and he otherwise needs space to stretch out. This is a breed that thrives with country living!

The Segugio dell’Appennino is a medium sized breed with long lean legs and a rustic yet athletic appearance. It has long hanging ears and round eyes with a “clever, merry and mild expression.” It comes in two possible coat varieties – shorthaired and wirehaired, each of which can appear in a variety of different colors: various shades of fawn, gray, brown or black/tan. Each of these colors can have a white trim.

The dell’Appennino is an extremely loyal breed and can be very obedient when trained. This said, like most scenthounds he is likely to follow his nose rather than respond to a recall command in the face of distraction. Keep him on leash when in an area that contains cars so that his life doesn’t get unnecessarily cut short! When provided with plenty of care and thought, this breed will otherwise live an average of 13-15 years.

The Chuandong Hound

The Chuandong Hound is a faithful, attentive and noble breed with a regal appearance. Stemming directly from the ancient Chinese Chongqing Dog, he is one result of the split of that breed into two separate breeds – this one being the “hunting type” from the mountainous regions, while the other (Chongqing Dog) is the “city type” which is more of a guarding molosser. While similar in appearance, the Chuandong has a longer muzzle and a different head shape altogether, and is leaner and a little bigger (although not too big, this is still a small to medium breed). The Chongqing has an underbite while the Chuandong has a scissor bite. The eyes are almond shaped rather than oval. The topline is level, unlike the Chongqing’s rise above the croup. Finally, unlike the Chongqing which is allowed to appear in either red or black, the Chuandong can only come in red. The breed is recognized by the China Kennel Union but is very rare.

While the Chuandong is considered a scenthound first and foremost, some have used him for the secondary purpose of guard work. With a brave demeanor and a gifted mind wrapped in a powerful body, he is capable of playing the role of guard dog without any additional training, although is a poor choice for bite work sports or police work. He will raise the alarm to strangers and people at the door, and may or may not choose to pursue further measures depending upon how likely he sees the person as a threat. He has a dominant nature and does require an owner who is knowledgeable and experienced. For those that can handle him, he is very intelligent and willing to learn obedience.

Chuandongs have been said to be cat-like in demeanor, which probably comes from their primitive heritage. They like to be clean and lick themselves like cats to keep themselves spotless. They move effortlessly through the house and aren’t prone to knocking things over or being boundlessly clumsy. They can move their ears independently to listen to sounds. They are also very quick to housebreak. That said, they do like to play and enjoy being around their owners just like other dogs. Although more work than a cat (particularly in the training department), this breed is fairly easy care overall. Chuandong Hounds barely shed at all as they have an ultra short, single coat. This means that for most people, they are hypoallergenic.

The Chuandong Hound isn’t terribly social around other dogs, especially those whom he’s never met before. He may be prone to fighting and should be given lots of early socialization if he is to live with other dogs. He loves children and is very good with them, although shouldn’t be teased. When it comes to human strangers, he is aloof and may be prone to barking. With his own family he is loyal and affectionate, and while he can be independent he does form deep attachments. An ideal household for this breed is one that is fairly calm and not prone to throwing huge parties or being otherwise chaotic.

Chuandongs are able to live in apartments as long as they are exercised regularly, although this isn’t ideal. They do best when in a home with a yard for them to stretch their legs, and when provided with this can manage just fine with a 30 minute walk, hike or jog each day. Make sure to keep this active hound on a leash when exercising as they are prone to running off in search of interesting smells!

Chuandong Hounds are known for their long lifespans when kept as companions – living to 18-20 is considered normal! Those who have been traditionally been used for hunting often have shorter lifespans as their tenacious natures and high prey drives have gotten them into trouble… they have no fear and have been known to fall off cliffs in pursuit of animals such as cows! Lethal hunting accidents were not uncommon, nor were casualties of dog fights. Two Chuandongs in a fight have been known to inflict serious injuries upon eachother, as their determined nature means that neither wants to let go or give up the fight. All of that said… provided that they are well-cared for and kept out of harm’s way, they are likely to live a long time and gift their owners with countless years of enjoyment.

Photo By Markus Monroe

The Moscow Watchdog

The Moscow Watchdog originated in Russia as a powerful guard dog. Similar in appearance to a Saint Bernard, but with a temperament more akin to that of a Caucasian Shepherd – those two breeds are in fact most of the makeup of this breed (in addition to the Russian Harlequin Hound). The breed was created to fill the demand for a protective guarding dog in a country facing rising crime after World War 2. The dog needed to be able to adapt to the very harsh temperatures of Russia, and would also need to be adaptable to working in a variety of urban environments. Originally produced by the military, the first standard was written in 1958. The breed was later recognized by the Russian Kennel Club in 1997. Currently the breed is not recognized by the FCI, nor by the AKC in the United States, and is fairly unknown in most places of the world outside of Russia.

Intelligent and obedient, the Moscow is gentle with his family but can quickly turn into a formidable opponent towards “the bad guys”. When correctly raised and socialized he should have a balanced temperament that is confident and self-assured, aloof towards strangers, and should never be randomly aggressive. This said – emphasis should be placed on “correctly raised and socialized”. He needs a good start in life that entails plenty of enrichment, well-rounded socialization and regular training sessions in order to develop this correct temperament! As with many guarding breeds, he needs an owner that understands the importance of establishing/maintaining household rules and order. His protective instincts are a special feature of the breed, but can become a liability if he is raised without any structure!

Developed to be highly trainable, the Watchdog can do very well in obedience when taught by an experienced person. He is strong-willed so a novice dog owner may not find him quick to perform commands, but a knowledgeable trainer will likely be able to “train him up” just fine. He needs a firm (yet not abusive) hand from a trainer that is fair and respectful of the dog, while also requiring respect in return. Because of the sheer size of this breed, training is not an optional task but an absolute necessity!

Watchdogs need regular exercise because, despite their lumbering size, they were bred to work! This said, they don’t require countless hours of jogging but rather do best when given a long daily walk (or the equivalent). This dog is more of the “slow and steady” type as compared to very active, energetic breeds. They just require a different type of activity! Exercise helps not only the body, but the brain, so a regular routine will serve the added purpose of keeping their minds stimulated and make them less likely to act out or have behavioral problems.

It is worth noting that the Moscow Watchdog is not known for being overly demonstrative with his affection. This is not to say that he doesn’t enjoy the company of his owner, just that he shows his affection in a quiet, calm manner. As long as an owner doesn’t take his aloof nature personally, they might even find this calm nature to be peaceful. Indeed, he can be an excellent house companion when his needs are met (assuming the house is big enough – he does need room to stretch out)!

In terms of appearance, the Moscow is a giant breed. The average height of males is 30-31″, and there is no upper size limit which means they can get even taller! The low end of the weight spectrum (for a male) is 120 pounds, and they are frequently heavier. The coat is medium-long and dense, with a thick undercoat. The color is white with spots of red, red-black, black-red, or sable. White must be present on the chest, forearms, hocks and tip of tail. A dog with black mask, monocles, and ears is highly regarded according to the standard. The tail is long, wide, and hangs with a slight curve at the end.

Photo By Edmontcz

The Calupoh

The Calupoh is a wolf-hybrid-turned-actual-breed that was created, and recognized, in Mexico. Recognized by the Federación Canófila Mexicana in 1999, it was developed in order to recreate Mexican wolfdogs as depicted in various cultural artwork and stories. The breed has only been around since the 1990’s but has won the hearts of many! With a dignified nature and striking, wolf-like appearance, he can be a great companion for those who fit his unique lifestyle. The Calupoh is agile and athletic and does require daily exercise. And yes – he does howl!

The Calupoh is a large and leggy breed with a medium length double coat. This coat is rough textured on the outside while the undercoat is soft and plush, and a short mane on the neck is a distinctive feature. In terms of color, black or smoky black are the preferred colors although some dogs will be born silver, white or sable. These colors are accepted but not preferred. The ears are always erect and should be placed at an angle between 85 and 95 degrees, with the middle line of the eyes as the axis. This is part of the reason why the breed looks extra wolf-like. To add to the wolfy appearance, the eyes are very often a light yellow color (although dark eyes can appear).

Properly-raised Calupohs have even temperaments around their owners although many are very suspicious or even skittish around new situations. They can take a very long time to warm up to strangers and will often be extremely aloof (like a wolf). Their initial tendency when they are afraid is to back away or even run away. This means lots of early socialization is critical – and should be done on-leash (so they can’t dash too far) and with plenty of patience and understanding! Most are good with other dogs/pets and kids that they know as long as they were raised with them, although they may not be friendly with strange dogs. Take note this is not a guard dog and an owner will likely fail miserably trying to train one to fulfill this role.

During puppyhood and adolescence, the Calupoh can be destructive and may be prone to chewing up human belongings. Being fairly mouthy, he may also try to gnaw on on people as well! This is normal behavior however should be dealt with early in development so it doesn’t become a bigger problem as the dog matures. It is not a sign of aggression but rather just the breed’s mouthy tendencies.

The original kennel wherein all Calupohs stem from is called Criadero Caliente. All descendants therefore will go back to dogs from this kennel/breeder. Why is this important? It means that not every wolf-looking dog is a Calupoh, and a smart buyer should be sure to verify the pedigree before purchasing a puppy. Like similar breeds with recent wolf inclusion (such as the Czechoslovakian Vlcak and the Saarlooswolfdog), this is not the same thing as a random wolf-hybrid! Thousands of dogs went into the development of this breed so that it could be “come to be”, and the breed was put together with a lot of work, forethought and care. The same can’t necessarily be said for hybrids, which can be unpredictable in temperament and other traits.

The Calupoh needs ongoing training in order to be the best he can be. When training lessons are consistent, encouraging and fair the breed enjoys learning! Keep in mind that while this breed often loves to spend time with his owner, he is naturally independent-minded. This means that he is neither overly affectionate, nor is he a dog that lives to work. He wasn’t created in order to work with people so while he can (and should) be taught obedience, he might not be a star pupil. Some humans get dogs expecting them to provide endless affection and to have great desires to learn commands. That is not the typical temperament of this breed. The characteristic relationship between an owner and a Calupoh is one based on mutual respect and silent loyalty rather than one of exaggerated friendliness and perfect obedience scores. This is an important consideration for a prospective owner!

Calupohs require time and patience to raise, and despite being independent they do need plenty of owner interaction and care. A dog of this breed just left in the backyard all day will not bond with his owner, and may even become nervous around him/her! For this reason it is important that an owner spend a lot of time at home during not only puppyhood but the dog’s entire life. This is NOT a dog that thrives with owners that work all day. In addition, they require a home with plenty of room for them to move around and a securely fenced yard as they are escape artists. They aren’t generally difficult dogs to live with (after they get over the destructive phase) as they aren’t clingy, hyperactive, overwhelmingly needy (or even dirty) but they do need a specific type of owner/home.

Photo By Jenniffer1987

The Campeiro Bulldog

The Campeiro Bulldog hails from southern Brazil and originated from bulldogs brought by European settlers in the 19th century. While not everyone agrees on the exact origin, it is clear that molosser types (bulldog and mastiff types) served as the “ingredients” in the creation of this breed. In terms of purpose, Campeiros were used to catch and hold livestock such as cattle. This catch dog role was traditionally carried out in slaughterhouses – a role that was useful although eventually became banned in their home country. Partially because of the ban, this bulldog became more rare and even faced extinction before thankfully being saved by fanciers in the 1970’s. Numbers eventually recovered enough that they were recognized by the Confederação Brasileira de Cinofilia (Brazilian Kennel Club) in 2001. They are not recognized by the AKC nor the FCI.

Some Campeiros do just fine when living with other dogs while others are not particularly friendly, even towards housemates. While early experiences, training and socialization can all factor into dog-friendliness, genetics will also play a large part. This said, around their owners almost all are intensely loyal and very calm. The breed is touted as being incredibly faithful, devoted and loving.

Campeiro Bulldogs are intelligent and can be obedient when trained. As they have natural guarding instincts and additionally can be prone to resource guarding, it is necessary to instill basic obedience training while they are young so they can be controlled once they mature into powerful dogs. Early socialization is also important. It’s natural for them to be initially suspicious of strangers but they shouldn’t be afraid or overly aggressive – and socialization is one of the puzzle pieces for a well-tempered adult dog. When properly trained and socialized they have the potential to be very versatile animals who can accomplish all number of tasks. These powerful dogs still have the tenacious instincts of a catch dog and can work with cattle if desired.

According to the standard, the Campeiro should give an imposing appearance to the observer, being overall robust and very broad. The dog should look just as strong as he actually is! He is medium-sized in height but his broad muscular build puts him in the heavyweight category in terms of weight, with males able to reach close to 100 pounds! The head, like the rest of the body, is large and broad with a short, square muzzle. The ears are set high and far apart, and hang to the sides of the head. The coat is short and smooth, being neither soft nor harsh to the touch. All colors are allowed except for merle.

The Campeiro Bulldog is a quiet dog that doesn’t bark if he doesn’t have reason to. This, combined with his calm nature, makes him a pleasant house companion. That said he is an active dog and definitely needs daily exercise! Playing with the kids in the yard is one way to “blow off some steam” (most members of the breed love children), but he also benefits greatly from structured walks or jogging excursions.

The Campeiro is adaptable to many different living situations and can also live in any climate (when common sense is taken, of course). The average lifespan is 11-12 years and most members remain healthy throughout their lives when cared for properly. Hip dysplasia can occur, so prospective owners will want to make sure they get their dog through a responsible breeder who health tests. Still incredibly rare in this country, a prospective owner will likely have to import a dog from Brazil.

The Garafiano Shepherd Dog

The Garafiano Shepherd Dog hails from the Canary Islands, and has been recognized in Spain since 2003. Used to herd goats on the steep and rocky terrain on the island of La Palma, the breed was built to be incredibly agile and was crucial to the shepherds of the area. Able to move their flocks through what many would call “impossible areas”, for centuries this breed was used and appreciated for their hard work. They also served as valiant and trustworthy companions while they worked. Unfortunately numbers of purebred Garafianos dropped in the 60’s when indiscriminate breeding took place, and the breed remains quite rare across the world. Thankfully the Spanish Association of the Garafiano Shepherd Dog emerged and has been doing all they can to keep the breed afloat. While there are numerous representatives of the breed in Spain, it is hoped that their numbers will continue to grow and their popularity will spread.

The general appearance of the Garafiano is that of a medium-sized, “wolfy” type of dog with a short neck, small head (in relation to the body), and a croup that is higher than the withers. He should have a large deep chest and be well-muscled. Eyes are set somewhat close together and are honey-colored. Ears are erect or semi-erect, and relatively small. The tail is carried like a sabre or slightly coiled, and is very bushy. He may or may not have double dewclaws on the back feet. The coat is medium-long in length and quite abundant, and appears in various shades of fawn or alobado (wolf-like). Occasionally a dog which is black or black with fawn legs will appear in a litter, but this is rare. Grooming isn’t difficult but it is necessary to keep up with the task, especially because this breed does shed.

Like most dogs bred to work, the Garafiano Shepherd has a lot of endurance and can work or be otherwise active for long periods of time. While he is capable of adapting to many different types of work, he does indeed need work of some sort to be happy – as well as a good deal of physical exercise! He has a lot of energy and definitely needs daily outlets for this energy – which can include such things as dog sports, hikes, long walks and/or jogging sessions. When his physical and mental needs are met, he is a gentle and calm companion in the home and can be an excellent pet. This is a friendly breed that gets along with other dogs as well as children. While he is never aggressive for no reason, he is suspicious of strangers and may be protective if the situation calls for it. By and large, however, this is a very docile breed that functions more as a watchdog (alerting) than an actual guard dog.

Garafiano Shepherd Dogs are confident and intelligent which makes them excellent at dog sports. They don’t tend to be overly assertive or pushy and they take to training quite well, learning quickly and with great ease. As mentioned above, training is a necessity for this breed in order to keep them happy and their brains occupied. Furthermore, training will also help to form a bond between owner and dog – and once this breed develops a bond it is incredibly deep and lasts forever. One thing to keep in mind is that the Garafiano is very sensitive. Training methods should reflect this sensitivity.

The Garafiano is a social breed that wants to be around his owners as much as possible! As such, he isn’t prone to breaking out of fences or wandering away (unless of course he’s trying to get closer to his owner). He’s always up for a game or a cuddle, but doesn’t handle being left alone very well. While this breed can be more vocal than other dogs in general, he can really raise a ruckus if he’s suffering from separation anxiety! This is a trait that can sometimes be mitigated with early training, but even still the Garafiano is not a good choice for someone who works all day. For obvious reasons (energy and loudness factor), he is also not a good candidate for apartment living. Overall this is a wonderful breed for the right person! He isn’t difficult to raise but does require an active person who can dedicate plenty of time to training, exercise and enrichment.

Photo By Canarian

The Dutch Tulip Hound

The Dutch Tulip Hound’s history can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Also known as the Markiesje, this little dog served as a companion in some of the largest and wealthiest homes, living with royalty and the “well-to-do” crowd. The most likely ancestor of the breed is also seen in the background of many other Dutch breeds – the Dutch Spioen, and back in the 1700’s this little toy spaniel was immensely popular. Unfortunately today it is very rare and practically unheard of by most people but an effort has been made to bring this breed back to the public eye. At this time it is recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club (since 1999) and fanciers are hopeful to one day get it recognized by the FCI.

One note about the Tulip… although is is possible for a mixed breed to look eerily similar to a Dutch Tulip Hound, this does not automatically make that dog a Dutch Tulip Hound! This breed is exceptionally rare and the chances of one being found or rescued on the streets of any country other than the Netherlands is so rare that it would be practically impossible. The breed has a number of physical traits that can also be seen with various spaniel mixes which explains why some people will come to this erroneous conclusion. Not to say that those little mutts cannot make wonderful companions… just that 99.9% of them are not actually Dutch Tulip Hounds. The only way to obtain an actual Tulip is to purchase from a reputable breeder (likely one that is overseas).

In terms of the purebred Tulip – this breed is playful and tends to get along with animals of all shapes and sizes provided he is properly socialized. He is also gentle with kids although his small size means that he should be supervised with the toddler-age as he is a little delicate. With a naturally friendly temperament, he is generally social to everyone he meets without being overly demanding or obnoxious. He does, however, love attention and affection! This is a perfect dog for an owner who wants to take their pet on many outings as he is well-behaved with even minimal training. This said, he is also quite capable of staying home alone without suffering from separation anxiety (although he’d prefer to go out with you). He’s too small and good-natured to serve as any sort of guard dog but his happy barks upon the arrival of guests (both expected and not) helps to serve him as a watchdog!

Dutch Tulips are an active breed that do best in larger homes with a bit of property. They require more exercise than many companion breeds and may not be happy living in an apartment. They take well to long walks, swimming, and similar activities. They don’t let their size stop them so they can chug along quite easily with longer excursions! It might surprise one to discover that although their primary purpose is that of companion, some have been trained to do some light retrieval work with small game. Their spaniel heritage means that they have some gun dog instincts that can be put to good use!

The intelligent Tulip Hound can excel in many canine sports such as freestyle or agility. This is an active dog that enjoys being given brain games and working tasks. Like many other small active breeds, they can be prone to barking as their excitement can easily get the best of them. In addition, an owner must put down and enforce the same rules they would make for a larger dog as otherwise this breed (like so many other small breeds) can develop “small dog syndrome”.

The coat of the Dutch Tulip Hound is medium in length, without undercoat, silky, and may have a slight wave. The color is either solid black or black with white markings which cannot make up more than 40% of the dog. This is a very healthy breed that will likely remain beautiful and active for most of his life, provided his needs are met. That said, always remember that this small companion does not have an overly protective coat – he should never be delegated to being an outdoor dog, especially in cold-weather climates. He needs regular grooming – including at least a twice-weekly brushing and an occasional bath with conditioning treatment. Although he is a low-shedder he still requires this care to keep his coat tangle free, healthy, and free from dandruff.

The Polish Hunting Spaniel

The Polish Hunting Spaniel is an all-terrain flushing dog that also excels at tracking and retrieving. Back in the 1800’s, much was written in Poland about various spaniel breed being imported and bred together on purpose, primarily by the wealthy. The main breeds being crossed were English Springers, Cockers, Field and Sussex. When war erupted, many of these dogs died or were taken to Russia and the population in Poland was substantially reduced. However, this once-ancient breed was recreated somewhat recently by a man named Dr Andrzej Krzywiński – a genetic scientist. In the 1980’s he reestablished the breeding program, primarily basing his goal on old pictures of this breed and knowledge of the original blending of breeds. Today this spaniel is recognized in over 20 countries and well over 2,000 dogs have been born since 2017 (as of this writing). This said, they are still considered very rare and have yet to be recognized in the United States.

Breeders of Hunting Spaniels take their job very seriously, and it is important to the club that the breed stays healthy as the population grows. There is a breeding committee that oversees the program made up of experienced vets and judges, and the club is also working with researchers on the genetics of the breed. A large database is available to help breeders make informed decisions about pedigrees and the health of the dogs in those pedigrees. Along with health test results, the database also includes a COI to calculate the inbreeding coefficient, a kinship ratio, and an ancestor loss ratio. At this time, the studbook for the breed is not closed which means that careful outcrossing with other breeds is still allowed to take place to grow the gene pool. So far the hard work is paying off as there are currently no health issues that are associated with this spaniel!

The PSM (abbreviated from his Polish name – Polski Spaniel Mysliwski) is a hunting dog through and through and has many temperament traits that reflect the ability to do this job. Intelligence is required to work fluidly with the hunter, willpower to work through the often-difficult obstacles of a hunt, and bravery to face whatever might come charging through the brush. This breed can make quick decisions when needed and has a strong prey drive, compelling him to take chase at the drop of a hat. Add in an amazing sense of smell and one can see this dog was built to do his job. As with most hunting spaniels he needs opportunities to… well, hunt! His owner should enjoy the outdoors just as much as him and should be prepared to offer him a lot of exercise, regardless of bad weather. This is an active dog with a ton of stamina that won’t be happy sitting on the couch all day.

When given enough physical and mental stimulation the Polish Hunting Spaniel is an amazing and loyal pet. He is very affectionate with his family and social to strangers once he gets to know them a bit. He does well with kids although is a bit too active for the toddler-age. When raised correctly he should have a balanced and easy temperament to deal with, and is usually quite biddable and agreeable. The PSM does like to bark and in fact can make an excellent watch dog because of this ability, but is not a guard dog. Finally, he will develop a deep bond with his owner throughout his life and often is a “velcro” dog – a shadow that follows his owner from room to room. He lives for attention and affection so he would be a poor choice for someone who spends most of the day at work.

Hunting Spaniels tend to be fantastic prospects for dog sports as they are usually game for anything! Scent work, conformation and agility are just a couple of sports that members of this breed already compete in but they have the potential to do just about any task. And unlike some of the more active “sport breeds”, they are calmer and generally easier to live with at home while maintaining a lively, happy nature. They have enthusiasm but it’s not a frantic energy that won’t settle down until it’s focused in a certain direction. Instead, they are ready and willing to work but do have an off-switch. They mostly just want to work in order to spend more time with their favorite human, which makes them excellent candidates for obedience. Take note – this intelligent breed DOES need training and plenty of mental stimulation so isn’t a good match for a person who isn’t interested in regular training sessions.

The Polish Hunting Spaniel is not a good breed for a first-time dog owner because of his high exercise requirements – a minimum of an hour a day is required. In addition he keeps an elevated energy level throughout most of his life which is hard for most inexperienced owners. Like most active breeds that aren’t given enough physical exercise, if he isn’t given enough he can become bored, destructive and loud! Owners should plan on providing him with a variety of physical tasks such as jogs, swimming sessions, very long walks, and challenging hikes. Along with this he also needs daily mental stimulation in the form of training sessions or games which can also engage his mind.

Photo By Nancy PSM