The Ariegeois

The Ariegeois is a scenthound developed in 1912 and primarily used to hunt hare in the rocky French region of Ariege. He would drive the game towards the hunters, or would course and chase the game down himself. He was also used for tracking larger game like deer and boar. Like most pack hounds, this medium-sized fellow is good-natured both to other dogs and humans alike (including kids, although older kids are more compatible). While still capable of doing this job today, he also can make a friendly companion in the right home. This said, admirers of the breed may have a hard time finding a puppy – this is a fairly rare breed not often seen outside of France.

The smooth, low-shedding coat of the Ariegeois is always white with black markings (usually in patches although occasionally mottled). Tan markings may or may not be included. The coat is very easy to care for and requires only basic maintenance to keep clean and healthy. An owner of one of these hounds will trade ease of grooming for more difficult exercise requirements as they require lots of time to run, move and stretch their legs on a regular basis. At a bare minimum, they should be exercised at least an hour a day! When given enough exercise, they are generally low energy in the home and content to lounge around on the couch. Without this exercise… they are much more hyper and hard to live with.

The Ariegeois is an intelligent dog that is very capable of being trained. Naturally docile and easy-going, he may be a little slower to execute the commands than some breeds but is definitely capable. Although a bit of willfulness does exist, along with a penchant for getting distracted around interesting smells, many of them are extremely devoted to their owners and enjoy learning new things. In fact, his brain needs to be exercised just as much as his body so obedience training is definitely recommended! Bored hounds can become destructive, therefore training along with regular exercise and a given job to do are all paramount for a hound that is easy to live with.

An Ariegeois can be a somewhat loud dog, both in terms of “quality of voice” (they have impressive voice boxes) as well as “quantity of voice” (they enjoys hearing themselves howl). Like many scenthounds, they are better housed in places without close neighbors! Furthermore, although their howls may deter some intruders, their overly friendly natures means they do not make effective guard dogs. While some are at-first reserved around strangers, most quickly warm up to new people. Aggression is not really seen in this breed. Mostly, they want to be with their owners where they can give and get attention throughout the day. It should be added that they don’t do well when kept at home alone all day. Don’t obtain this breed if you work all the time and aren’t able to spend enough quality time with your dog!

The Ariegeois does have a strong prey drive to chase small animals, although often can live with indoor cats as long as he was raised with them. Furthermore there is almost never a problem with other dogs so multi-dog families are easy! The breed was used in large packs to hunt (often hunting with dozens of other hounds) and any hound that couldn’t get along with others would almost certainly “not make the cut”. Make sure to watch him around strange dogs that might not be as social around him, and also keep him on leash and unable to chase wild animals that he may see on walks – because he will chase them! This is especially prudent because the breed was built for running – meaning he is very fast and has lots of stamina and endurance. Better to be safe than sorry and risk him getting accidentally hit by a car while running after a squirrel!

When not socialized properly, the Ariegeois can tend toward being excessively timid so it’s extremely important to get him out into the world while still a puppy. The younger weeks (between 8-16 weeks) are the time to expose him to all sorts of people, places and situations so that he can grow up to be confident! When done right, he is just as happy out in the world as he is in his own home.

Photo By Bautt

 

The Mi-Ki

The Mi-Ki has a lovable and cheery disposition along with a spirited zest for life!  Nicknamed the “sweetheart of toy breeds”, he will demonstrate his love toward his owner frequently, as well as welcoming new friends into his life. His temperament is one of his most endearing features, along with his hypoallergenic and low-shedding coat. This rare toy breed is somewhat new to dogdom, but this is a legitimate purebred dog and not a designer breed. In fact, a genetic marker for the breed does exist and the Mi-Ki can be determined purebred through a DNA test. He was created here in the United States in the 1980’s, and is currently recognized by the UKC.

The Mi-Ki has a number of handy traits which makes him ideal in all sorts of circumstances. Gentle in temperament, he tends to get along well with other dogs and pets of all sizes, as well as people of all ages. Just make sure that interactions with very young children or larger animals are closely supervised – a disparate size difference or rough play can end with injury! Along with his agreeable and social nature, he makes a good housepet as he is quiet and doesn’t tend to bark without reason. This means he is less likely to annoy the neighbors in an apartment-type setting! Finally, Mi-Kis live about 12-14 years on average and are usually fairly healthy. Occasionally eye issues crop up in certain lines and so it’s important to only purchase a puppy from a responsible breeder who incorporates health tests into their breeding program.

Although they enjoy playtime, the Mi-Ki is not overly rambunctious and tends to be calm in the home. All dogs need exercise and the Mi-Ki is no exception, however he needs very little in order to be happy. This breed needs more mental stimulation (through training, play and games) than physical stimulation, although apartment-dwellers and those without a backyard should plan on regular short walks. As he is a low-medium active breed, he probably isn’t the best choice for someone who wants a long-distance jogging companion or hiking buddy.

The Mi-Ki comes in two coat varieties: longcoated and smooth-faced. The “smoothies” as they are affectionately called, have a coat that is medium-length over the body but is short on the face and legs. Smoothies are much easier to groom as compared to the draping hair of the longcoats. Only the longcoat is currently recognized by the UKC at this time, although other registry bodies recognize both in order to keep the gene pool from becoming too small. Both varieties can come in a rainbow of colors, either solid or parti-colored, and the coat color often changes from puppyhood to adulthood. Longcoated dogs are traditionally shown with a shaved face, either leaving a beard and mustache or shaving it off – which gives them a particularly unique appearance. Finally, ear set can be either erect or hanging in both varieties which means that there is a range of “looks” for the breed.

The Mi-Ki enjoys pleasing his owner and can be easy to train, whether for obedience or for more specialized tasks. He is quite intelligent and enjoys a good challenge with his owner! Very adaptable to all sorts of tasks, he can make a good service dog, therapy dog or performance dog in a number of dogs sports. Members of the breed can compete and succeed in sports like competitive obedience, rally and agility!

Mi-Kis are easy to transport and travel with because of their tiny size and calm, quiet nature. Usually weighing no more than 8 pounds and standing between 7 and 10 inches tall, this is a true “tiny”. As should be glaringly obvious, this is not a guard dog by any means! And he may or may not be a good watchdog – some individuals will bark when people come to the door and others will not. Either way, most of them would be happy to let a “new friend” enter the home even if said “new friend” is an intruder. The social nature also extends to his family, with whom he often tries to spend as much time as possible. This is a dog that will follow your footsteps and want to be with you wherever you go.

Photo By rejohnson71 [2]

The Saarlooswolfdog

The Saarlooswolfdog hails from the Netherlands and was created in the 1930’s by crossing a German Shepherd with a Eurasian Grey Wolf, and then developing the resulting offspring into a breed over time. Some of the dogs were used as guide dogs for the blind, but nowadays they aren’t often used for this task as the particular traits needed for this work are rarely seen in the line. Their current primary purpose is as a devoted pet – albeit one which requires the right home. They are not a breed for just anyone and do require experienced homes only! The breed was officially recognized by the Dutch Kennel Club in 1975. They are intelligent, sensitive to their owner’s emotions and curious about the world around them.

The SWD is a rare breed with a small gene pool, which means breeders must be dedicated and willing to put much thought into each litter, making sure to keep the breed as a whole as healthy as possible. In order to expand the gene pool, a couple of outcross programs are being conducted and strictly recorded in the Netherlands. Look-alike breeds such as the White Swiss Shepherd and Siberian Husky (among others) are being crossed with the breed in order to produce a new generations of dogs (F1) which are then health tested, evaluated and bred back into the main line. After 4 generations the resulting offspring will again be able to be called Saarlooswolfdogs. This endeavor is helping keep the breed healthy and hopefully in existence for many years to come! As it is, most individuals live around 15 years and are healthy, but the outcross programs are in place to keep this so.

Although Saarlooswolfdogs look very similar to wolves and even have wolf ancestry in their lines, they are not wolves themselves. In fact, some are further back from wolves lineage than modern high-content wolf hybrids. This isn’t a bad thing at all – in fact, living with a high-content wolf hybrid is not for the faint of heart and can be more akin to living with a wild animal than a dog! Whereas a SWD has the best of both worlds – a true dog with a “dog brain” that looks very similar to a wolf. Although he has some “wolfy” characteristics (such as a high awareness of pack dynamics), it is more like living with a primitive breed than a wild animal (primitives are a group of dogs which are more independent in general). A 2019 genomic study found that there was between 18-33% Grey Wolf in the breed, depending upon the individual.

The SWD is a very intelligent breed that loves to learn and, in fact, requires a job in order to be happy. Like his Shepherd ancestors he has a large drive to “do” and should be given obedience training from an early age, followed by opportunities to work. Unlike Shepherds, he does not make a good guard dog (too skittish around strangers) and so his job/s probably shouldn’t involve guarding work. Before training even begins, it is vitally important that thorough socialization takes place as this breed requires extensive socializing to people, places and situations!

What type of owner is a good match for the Saarlooswolfdog? For starters, the SWD should only be owned by active people who are willing to spend plenty of time exercising the dog’s body and mind. A potential owner must also understand that this breed is quite reserved around strangers and isn’t going to say hi to everyone they meet while out on a walk. Rather than meeting people with excitement or aggression, the natural tendency is to run or hide behind their owner. In addition, they can suffer from separation anxiety and require that the owner be home frequently. Don’t let their highly-independent personalities fool you – they need plenty of company throughout the day. Living with another dog can help with their social neediness but one must be more cautious when introducing cats or small pets as the SWD does have an innate prey drive. Finally, this dog may do better in a home without young children.

The size of the SWD can definitely cause heads to turn – this breed can range from 24 up to 30 inches tall, which combined with the average weight of 100 pounds make this a giant breed. With an athletic but rangy build, he comes across as a huge wolf at first glance. Even his coat, which is short yet thick and often including a thick “mane” of hair around the neck, is very wolf-y in appearance. Colors range from shades of gray or brown (both with lighter markings underneath the dog), to solid cream or pure white.

The Griffon Bleu de Gascogne

The Griffon Bleu de Gascogne is one of four ancient Bleu de Gascogne breeds. All hailing from France, the Griffon is the wirehaired breed of the bunch. Like his cousins, he sports a speckled blue coat although the overall look is different because of the longer, rough hair. For a period of time, population numbers became very low and these scenthounds were faced with extinction. Today, while still a rare breed they are nonetheless growing in numbers (particularly in France and Spain). In the U.S., they are recognized by the UKC. In the past, these hound dogs hunted hare and wild boar and are still very keen hunting dogs today.

The Griffon Bleu was used to hunt both in packs, as well as individually. This means that most of them get along well with other dogs. Like other scenthounds, they have voices that carry well… and they use them freely – so city dwellers or those with close neighbors may want to think twice before acquiring one! They also have gifted noses which can be either a blessing (for those who want to hunt or do scent-related sports) or a curse (for those who don’t want a highly-distractable dog).

The Griffon Bleu is trainable and learns quickly, particularly if the lessons have anything whatsoever to do with hunting. This is a natural hunting dog that is easy to work with in that regard. With formal obedience training, he can be sensitive, independent and may take a bit longer to train than other breeds. Patience and consistency is key. This breed does not tend toward lavish shows of dominance and is usually willing to do what the owner/trainer wants, as long as he is shown the way. Make sure to be soft with him – he will shut down if shouted at or treated harshly! After the groundwork of obedience has been laid down, it is highly recommended to introduce nose-related dog sports such as tracking and/or nosework!

As a hunting scenthound, the Griffon Bleu does require extensive exercise in order to be happy. This exercise should be done on lead as he can (and will!) follow his nose to the closest animal/object to chase! On-lead jogging, long hikes, swimming, opportunities to hunt and/or scent-related games/sports are all great outlets for this energetic breed. Without his exercise needs being fulfilled, he will likely become destructive and frustrating to live with. Furthermore, this is a dog that does much better in a rural environment and will not thrive in an apartment or small home. This said, after his physical needs are met for the day he is often happy to lay on the couch next to his owner – he does enjoy indoor life.

The Griffon Bleu de Gascogne is loyal, affectionate and becomes very attached to his owner but can be high strung when excited (or when he hasn’t gotten enough exercise). While a lot of the time he can be fairly composed and peaceful, this is interjected with spurts of happy exuberance. He can be gentle with kids but his active nature means they can be accidentally knocked over. It may be best to wait until any children are older before introducing this breed to the home. With strangers, he is usually more cautious and needs plenty of socialization while young in order to build his confidence with them. It is normal for Bleus to bark at strangers when they first meet. Finally, unlike some of the more “drive-y” scenthound breeds, he can often live harmoniously with a cat as long as early introductions were done correctly.

The Griffon Bleu de Gascogne can be recognized by his medium sized frame, long hanging ears and of course his distinctive blue coat. The coat isn’t actually blue but instead is a mixture of black and white hair that comes together in such a way that it appears blue from a distance. Light tan markings on his face, legs and under the tail are also characteristic of the breed. The long tail is often held outward from the body and ends in a gentle curve. Finally, the eyes are a deep brown and, when combined with his eyebrows and beard, gives him an almost human-like expression.

The average lifespan of the Griffon Bleu de Gascogne is 13-14 years and they are generally a very healthy breed, staying active and alert for most of their lives. They don’t require a lot of grooming upkeep – only a weekly brushing and nail trim, and the occasional bath when needed. Once or twice a year, the coat should be plucked (have a groomer show you how) in order to keep the distinctive texture while still maintaining a neat and tidy appearance. Never shave this breed! The color will never be the same. Like most dogs with long hanging ears, they should be checked and cleaned regularly to avoid ear infections.

Photo By Alephalpha

 

The Japanese Akitainu

The Japanese Akitainu is the “original”Akita dog. In most parts of the world aside from the USA and Canada, the Akita has split into two separate breeds – the Japanese Akita and the American Akita. Here in the U.S., the UKC has recognized both, however AKC (by far, the bigger of the two registries) has not. This may be changing in the future however, as the Japanese counterpart has just been admitted into AKC’s FSS program. To make things even more confusing in America, there are AKC breeders with Japanese Akitas whose dogs are registered “Akitas” (read: American) however are in all actuality Japanese because of their pedigree! If the Japanese Akita gains full recognition here as it is in the rest of the world, this confusion should die down a bit as the two separate strains will be labeled as such.

While sharing similar bloodlines, there are still a number of differences between the two breeds. Appearance-wise, the Japanese are slightly smaller and with less substance than their American counterparts, however they are still large dogs! This said, they are perhaps more athletic and agile than the bigger American Akitas that are known in this country. There is also an obvious difference in the heads and expressions of both breeds – the Japanese being more wedge-shaped with smaller eyes and the Americans with blockier faces and eyes set further apart. Finally, when it comes to color the American standard has much more allowance to colors and patterns while the Japanese has stricter rules for both. Only red (with particular markings), brindle (with those same particular markings) or solid white are allowed. Unlike American dogs, Japanese Akitainu cannot have a black mask, nor can have pinto markings.

A noble breed, the JA can be aloof and standoff-ish towards strangers. He has a serious and “I-mean-business” personality, especially when it comes to protecting those he loves! In fact, his loyalty and dedication to his owner is paramount. A working breed through and through, any prospective owners worth their salt should do plenty of research beforehand to make sure they are prepared to handle this large spitz. This is a breed for experienced dog owners only.

The JA is known to be dog-aggressive, particularly to members of the same sex. In addition he can have a high prey drive. For both of these reasons it is paramount that he only be owned by responsible people who can keep their dogs secure on leash or in a fenced area, lest he get loose and run after other dogs or small animals. This is not to say that he is an untrustworthy or “bad” dog, but his drives are fairly hardwired and it’s important to be aware of them. Well socialized and trained dogs can easily enjoy outdoor activities under the watchful eye of an experienced dog owner, but it does take work. It is also particularly important to socialize the dog extensively while still a puppy.

The Japanese Akitainu does not require a lot of grooming except when he is shedding, which he does twice a year. This shedding period is profuse because he actually has a triple coat! At this time, brushing should be increased from 1-2 times a week to daily (depending upon how much you mind dog hair in the home). Other than this, keep the nails trimmed, teeth brushed and give the occasional bath. No special trimming is necessary.

The Japanese Akitainu is an intelligent breed who needs an outlet for his mind. Using obedience as a foundation, one can also assign other tasks or dog sports to give him a job – which is a good way to enrich his active brain! As with other highly intelligent dogs, he does best with several small obedience sessions broken up throughout the day rather than a large chunk of training all at once. Keep in mind that stubbornness and manipulative behaviors are not uncommon – be prepared to make training fun while keeping an eye out for flat-out-refusal… and work through it!

Photo By Peter Theakston

 

The Japanese Terrier

The Japanese Terrier became a breed around the 1930’s and originated from Smooth Fox Terriers, small pointing breeds and native Japanese breeds. This is a toy terrier breed, with more of an emphasis on the “toy” than the terrier because of the fact that they were used primarily for companionship. Although tiny in stature (weighing 5-10 pounds and standing no taller than 13 inches), this is an inquisitive little dog with a strong will and a somewhat standoffish temperament towards strangers. He definitely has a “terrier temperament” but with a cautious and sensitive side. Toy terrier breeds, such as the Japanese, tend to have mixed qualities of both groups.

The JT is very intelligent and active, so obedience is a good outlet for both brain and body. This versatile breed is also a good choice for those who want to compete in dog sports. While he can be easy to train at times, other times may find him challenging or testing his limits. It’s important to utilize both praise/positive reinforcement as well as firm yet fair corrections when needed. This is the type of dog that will take a mile if given an inch! Furthermore it is best to start training while young. An older dog can definitely be trained although the difficulty will almost always go up, particularly in dogs that have gotten set in their ways. This breed is best owned by people with terrier experience and/or those who won’t constantly spoil the dog for no reason.

Japanese Terriers are a rare breed although they have been recognized in the UKC for awhile now and were just recently recognized by AKC’s FSS program. As would be expected, most individuals live in Japan although it is a rare breed even there. Other names for the breed include the Nippon Terrier, Nihon Terrier and Nihon Teria. If one is interested in acquiring a JT, it may take some extra hoops to jump through but the reward will definitely be worth it! They work well for experienced owners as well as first-time owners who are willing to put in the work (particularly in terms of understanding how to work with their terrier temperament). A calmer breed than most terriers, they are great for single people as well as families with older children.

Japanese Terriers tend to get along with other dogs, cats and children, but his tiny size dictates that an owner must be careful. Children should be older and well-behaved, and dog playmates should ideally be a size that won’t accidentally harm this little guy. Use common sense! With other people, Japanese Terriers are aloof. If someone comes to the door, he won’t hesitate to sound the alarm, which makes him an excellent watchdog. Otherwise he isn’t normally known for being a yappy dog (unless one lives in an area with people constantly coming and going – take note, apartment dwellers). With his owner, he is affectionate and happy, although more of a one-person dog who can become possessive of “his person” without proper training.

The average lifespan for the JT is 12-13, with many living up to 15. The long life of this dog makes him a big commitment, and not one that should be taken lightly! A potential owner should make sure their life is compatible with this breed before purchasing. For instance, he doesn’t do well with extended periods without his owner so if one works all day, or plans on being at work all day in the future, this breed might not be the best choice. This loyal and devoted companion wants to be with you as much as possible, possibly to the point of being demanding (don’t feed this behavior). He also doesn’t do well in environments that are constantly loud or stressful.

The JT does require regular exercise although his size means that a little bit of walking for you will go a long way for him! This is a medium-energy breed. After the daily walk he is usually content to lay on his dog bed or the couch and chill out. Some may need two walks a day, this depends on the individual dog, your/his lifestyle and size of your home & yard. Walks or other forms of exercise should be done on a leash or in a fenced-in yard as he can be prone to wandering or running gleefully away – at least until extensive off-leash training has been given!

The coat of the Japanese Terrier is smooth and fine, and it is very easy to care for. They shed very little, although take note that they are not hypo-allergenic. Coat color is often tricolor – with a white body and a tricolored head, although black/white or tan/white is also accepted. These tiny guys do need a sweater or dog coat in cold weather as they don’t tolerate frigid temperatures well. Overall this is an excellent companion that is easy to care for in many ways, but like all breeds does require a compatible home.

Photo By Pleple2000

 

The Barbado da Terceira

The Barbado da Terceira is a rare herding breed, just barely accepted into AKC’s FSS program. “Barbado” means bearded and Terceira is one of the islands of Azores, Portugal – their place of origin. This sprightly and active breed can make an excellent watchdog, guard dog and family dog; they are usually good with kids, and tend to be fairly trustworthy off-leash (although obviously some training is needed for reliability). They are medium in size which makes their exuberance a little easier to handle. These dogs are natural herders and will try to herd small moving people/animals/things, but this is just part of their inborn talents.

The coat of the Barbado is long and profuse and does require plenty of regular care. This is a low-shedding breed which in turn makes it easier for allergic people to tolerate them as well (however many people are actually allergic to dog saliva as well as dander, so no dog is completely hypoallergenic). Because the coat doesn’t shed much, it will continue to grow throughout the dog’s life. This means that it will require lots of brushing!

Terceiras are intelligent and easy to train however they can have assertive temperaments. They also can tend toward being strong-willed and prone to being “too smart for their own good” without clear direction. This means that obedience training and setting down firm rules is important. They are recommended only for experienced dog owners. That said, this dog does enjoy making his owner happy so he is quite capable of doing well under the guided teachings of a skilled owner. Stay firm yet fair – this breed may care more about a harsh voice than a harsh hand but that doesn’t mean you should over-correct!

The Barbado da Terceira is an active breed which does need regular exercise to be happy. A minimum of one long walk a day is essential to his well-being. A life of backyard romping as his sole source of exercise is not adequate – either for his physical needs or his mental needs. This social dog needs to live indoors with his owner! In fact, a large yard is not necessary for this breed and he can even live in an apartment as long as he is given exercise. His main desire is to be close to “his person”.

When living with multiple people in a home, Barbados tend to bond most closely to one person in particular. He will follow that person around whenever possible and keep an eye on them throughout the day. With other dogs in the family, he can get along with them as long as he had been introduced early. He may be a bit bossy and even rough in play, so keep an eye on interactions. Overall he is a loving and loyal dog and makes a fantastic pet in the right circumstances.

Photo By Bagguh

 

The Alaskan Klee Kai

Alaskan Klee Kai are said to be “Alaskan Huskies in miniature”. Unlike Alaskan Huskies, however, this is a purebred dog that has been around since the 1980’s and is currently recognized by the UKC as well as AKC’s FSS program. The name Klee Kai means “little dog” in Eskimo and plays true to form for this little spitz. The breed comes in three sizes – toy, miniature and standard, and even the tallest standard should never go over 17.5 inches. A natural showman who enjoys being watched by his family, this companion dog enjoys being the center of attention!

Klee Kai are affectionate toward their families but more guarded when it comes to those whom they don’t know. They also may take a little extra time to warm up and gather their bearings in strange situations or places. When at home, they are alert and are good little watchdogs ready to sound the alarm when a stranger comes to the door. Tending to form close bonds with their owners, they prefer to be in the company of “their people” as much as possible. This is not a dog that can be thrown outside all day and expected to entertain themselves alone. While they enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities… they enjoy being outside with YOU! As with all highly social breeds, they can develop separation anxiety and are not good candidates for people who spend most of the day working.

The AKK has a few particular traits that prospective owners should be aware of. First, like many of his spitz relatives, he can be an escape artist. Once he gets out, he can run faster than one might expect! It’s therefore important to make sure the yard is secure and escape-proof. Extra precautions may be needed to make sure this is so, as some are even able to open crates, gates and door handles. Next, the breed is known for their curious sounds! Instead of barking, he will also “talk” which includes a mixture of murmuring, yowling, yodeling, singing… and the occasional screaming when he doesn’t get his way! Take note, he may not be the best choice for a thin-walled apartment complex. Finally, despite being a companion breed he does have some prey drive and needs to be kept on a leash when not in a fenced area.

Alaskan Klee Kai are intelligent and take well to all sorts of training when the owner/trainer is consistent. As with most northern spitz breeds they may also require a bit of patience. While they learn readily they are also apt to put their own spin on things when they get bored. A sense of humor is recommended! This said, owners of AKK have been successfully competing in a number of dog sports including agility, nosework, lure coursing, dock diving, obedience, conformation, therapy work, weight pull, carting, trick dog and freestyle – quite the feat considering that this is still a rare breed with relatively low numbers! These dogs enjoy being given tasks to do, especially when they can use their brains and bodies to solve puzzles.

One of the distinctive physical features of the Klee Kai is his symmetrical and contrasting facial mask and body markings. Colors include black/white, gray/white or red/white. The coat is a double coat that sheds continuously and profusely. It’s important to brush him a couple times a week in order to naturally pull the dead hair out. Nails should be trimmed regularly but the coat itself does not need to be trimmed (and should never be shaved – it serves to insulate from both cold and heat!). This little dog doesn’t have a strong doggy odor and doesn’t need to be bathed that frequently unless desired (or is being shown).

The AKK is an energetic little fellow who needs daily exercise. Although this is a companion breed never used for working purposes, his background includes several breeds that required lots of stamina and energy in order to do their jobs. As such, he himself has a medium-high energy level and definitely benefits from regular outings. Despite his small size, this is a great candidate for hiking, swimming, kayaking and camping! While he doesn’t necessarily require this degree of exercise, he does enjoy it and will be ready to go as long as he is built up to it. A daily walk or similar type of activity will suffice as well, which means that he can be a good match even for an active elderly individual. With zero exercise, he can be destructive so any potential owner must commit to a certain amount of regular exercise with the dog.

Alaskan Klee Kai are generally healthy, however responsible breeders are making sure to screen for particular health issues including autoimmune thyroiditis, patellar luxation, eye disorders and a bleeding disorder called Factor VII.  Prospective owners are urged to only buy from those that run all the tests recommended by the breed club! While still a rare breed with a mostly responsible base, there are a few “bad apple breeders” trying to make a quick buck… which means skipping the health tests. Run, don’t walk, away from anyone who doesn’t screen! When bred and raised correctly, most individual dogs live 15-16 years.

The Braque Saint Germain

The Braque Saint Germain is a pointing breed, created by combining the (English) Pointer and continental pointing breeds. This is an old French breed developed in the early 1800’s, and are fairly versatile as they are able to point, flush and retrieve small game – both feathered and furred. While originally quite popular in France, nowadays they are a fairly rare breed. So much so, that the stud book has been opened to allow Pointers to be bred into them again – a necessary step in ensuring the gene pool doesn’t become too small! Medium in size, the breed is always white with orange markings.

Saint Germains are active dogs and require plenty of exercise – usually an hour a day minimum. They are able to run for long distances without tiring which makes them suitable only for owners who are able to give them the exercise they need. They do get along well with other dogs, which means that multiple Saint Germains running in a yard can help with their exercise needs, although this alone will not be enough. Those that aren’t given enough physical stimulation can develop obnoxious problem behaviors and become difficult to live with.

The Braque Saint Germain enjoys being given tasks to do and can be easy to train. They do need a job to do in order to stay happy and engaged, and obedience training is an excellent “job”! Tending to be fairly intelligent, they learn commands quickly – especially ones which are directly related to their inborn talents such as retrieving. Unlike similar pointing breeds, they aren’t as sensitive and can take a correction easier than related breeds. This said, always remember to keep corrections fair and make sure to incorporate plenty of positive rewards into training as well!

Saint Germains make great family pets and are very affectionate to all members of the family, including children. They can even live peacefully in a home with smaller animals as long as they have been raised with them, although animals racing around outside will probably trigger their chase instinct. These friendly dogs don’t make adequate guard dogs as they are far too sweet and social to be a good guard. They may be enthusiastic greeters to strangers and friends alike, however! Take care around small children and frail people as they can bowl someone over in their exuberance. Overall this is a loyal and loving dog that enjoys nothing more than spending time being close to his owners, and engaging in lots of face kissing while doing so! A note – as with other highly social dogs, they can be susceptible to separation anxiety.

Braque Saint Germains shed only moderately and are simple to groom although they are not hypoallergenic. Fairly healthy, they don’t tend to have particular health issues that are seen frequently. This low-maintenance dog only requires a brushing once a week to rid his coat of dust and debris and the occasional bath when dirty. The hanging ears do need to be checked and cleaned on a weekly basis as this type of ear set is more prone to infection. Otherwise, take care of nails and teeth like every other dog, and this is an easy breed to care for!

While not good guard dog material, the sociable nature and tendency to bark when excited means that the Saint Germain can make a decent watchdog. This dog’s real talents lie in the field, however, as he is most engaged and in-tune when out hunting. Possessing excellent tracking abilities, he may be more interested in sniffing out a rabbit than relaxing on the porch however his obedient nature also means he will be more likely to be called off his scent and redirected onto another activity as long as the owner continuously practices obedience with him. This is one hunting breed that doesn’t necessarily have to live in a hunting home – as he has been molded into a delightful family companion, he can fulfill that role just as well. This is assuming that the owner is able to fulfill his mental and physical needs of course.

Photo By Pleple2000

 

The Poitevin

The Poitevin is a French scenthound breed originally created as a wolf-hunter in the 17th century. Large, smooth-coated and most often tricolor, he is similar to many other scenthounds – particularly Foxhounds and Coonhounds – but is a breed unto himself. In fact, he may be one of the original tricolor scenthounds! While fit and athletic, he is also quite elegant and has an appearance which is somewhat reminiscent of a sighthound (which makes sense as Greyhound may be in the ancient lineage). Long legs, long neck and long muzzle all combine to give him this distinct look.

Poitevins are capable of running long distances in a hunt, and for long hours at a time – oftentimes doing so while “singing melodiously” (AKA: this can be a loud breed). While retaining a sharp nose, they are also faster than many similar breeds meaning they have both speed, endurance and excellent tracking skills on their side. When faced with a carnivorous animal, they are courageous. For the most part they are quite healthy and any issues usually involve injuries obtained while hunting rather than genetic health problems. These pack hunters have been highly prized for their many attributes!

Poitevins do best in homes with multiple dogs as they were created and used as pack dogs. A single hound will not thrive, even when when surrounded by people. The breed is aloof around humans and much prefers the company of his own kind. In fact, the majority of them in France are still kept as hunting pack hounds – an occupation in which they are quite happy with. Rather than hunting wolves, today they are more often used to hunt wild boar and deer. Modern Poitevins, like their early relatives, aren’t usually the best choice for a family pet as they can be mistrustful of everyone except for a very select few of the family group. Even with the family, they are not very affectionate and quite reserved – sometimes even to the point of indifference. Many aren’t very keen on children.

The Poitevin is a supremely independent, willful breed which can be quite hard to train. A huge amount of patience will need to go into obedience training a Poitevin and teaching him the rules of the home. Setting up boundaries from the beginning is very important! Furthermore he needs mentally stimulating activities to keep his mind working and his energy focused – so obedience should still be taught along with regularly providing games and activities. He will need to be managed around small animals (or ideally live in a home without small pets – for the safety of the small pets), and can also suffer from separation anxiety if not kept with multiple other dogs. These traits are hardwired-in and, while they can be managed and even improved somewhat with extensive training, they will usually always exist.

Poitevins are horrible dogs for apartment living with their high energy levels and need for near-constant exercise. They also need to be kept on a property that has plenty of room for them to stretch their legs. This may be one of the reasons why they are fairly rare in the United States, as they don’t easily fit into the “cookie-cutter idea of a pet”. While easy to groom and often easy to keep in good health, they are simply too much dog for most people and require a very particular situation in order to be happy – that of a hunting pack dog. Exercise requirements are 90 minutes a day of good, hard fitness – minimum!

If it wasn’t clear before, the Poitevin is not for the first-time dog owner! He needs early and regular socialization if he is to become a family pet, in addition to living in the right atmosphere (large property with other similarly-sized dogs, a chance to exercise frequently, hunting opportunities, etc). If given these things, he will live a happy life of 10-12 years! While not particularly affectionate, he can be loyal, gentle and kind-hearted. This is the type of dog that one admires for his own unique qualities without expecting him to be something that he is not. And of course, for the hunter he is an exceptional and talented hound that will leave the owner in awe of his many abilities.

Photo By Canarian