The Bohemian Shepherd

The Bohemian Shepherd was originally created to patrol the borders of Bohemia and Bavaria back in the 1300’s. First used as a guard dog, and then as a herding dog, they were constant companions of the people who lived and worked in the area. The breed as we know it today may have some of the original lineage still intact, or it may be a complete recreation – depending upon who you ask. Either way, today this breed is lively and athletic, and up for almost any task that can be thrown at him! The versatile Bohemian is also loyal and outgoing, great with children and an all-around awesome companion in the right home. Good with other pets, outgoing and attentive… he gets high scores in a number of different arenas!

Although they do require exercise, Bohemians are definitely capable of chilling out at home. They do enjoy being given tasks but aren’t quite as obsessive or high energy as other similar breeds. They are considered a medium energy dog with a generally docile temperament. While they can be happy with “just” an enriching family life, they do need some sort of job to stay happy and fulfilled. Besides, it would be a shame not to get this brainy fellow into a sport or two (both for his enjoyment and yours!) What types of activities can this dog do? A better question would be what can’t he do? Agility, schutzhund, nose work, herding, therapy work, coursing, endurance tests, freestyle, search and rescue, tracking, obedience, service dog work, dock diving… the list goes on and on.

Bohemian Shepherds are a joy to train and tend to learn very quickly! They enjoy a challenge and are often up for learning advanced commands as well as getting involved in various jobs/tasks/sports. Some are slightly sensitive so make sure to keep heavy, unfair corrections at bay. They also tend to do better when the trainer “mixes it up” and keeps them on their toes as otherwise they might become bored – a trait of intelligent dogs. Another plus – unlike many other high performing breeds they definitely have an off switch and can easily go from intensive training to rest time fairly quickly.

While he looks similar to the German Shepherd Dog at first glance, the Bohemian Shepherd is older and possibly even one of the predecessors of the GSD. Smaller than the GSD, with a more level back and a longer coat, it only takes a second to tell the difference once you know what you are looking for. In addition, the small fluffy ears are a distinctive breed trait and they give a different overall appearance. Health-wise, he is also generally healthier with less inherited issues. Average lifespan is 12-15. Finally, this breed is generally easier for novice owners as he has a softer temperament and lower drive in general. Make no mistake, however – like all dogs he still needs plenty of attention, exercise, care and training!

While they may seem too good to be true, like all breeds Bohemian ownership does come with some caveats. First, while they aren’t known for being problem barkers they can become destructive if their needs are not met or they are left alone for too much of the day. Second, their herding instincts may mean they can nip at heels and try to herd people and/or kids. Finally, this is a rare breed that can be very difficult to find. Expect to wait awhile for a puppy, and be prepared to have to import your new friend!

Grooming is a simple chore for the Bohemian, only requiring a good brush-out once or twice a week (not counting nails, teeth, or other maintenance grooming). There is no special trimming or clipping required. The double coat (which is always black and tan) tends to shed dirt, so baths only need to be done occasionally. The coat is protective and helps the dog stay warm in cold weather.

The Bohemian can make a good watchdog as he will alert to people entering the property. He can be kept outside in a yard (if given enough attention by the family – he doesn’t like to be alone all day), and will definitely raise the alarm from inside the fence. This said, when out in public he is generally friendly toward strangers. This breed can also live in an apartment setting and can usually learn to tell the difference between strangers and neighbors. This is definitely a rare breed worth checking out!

The Wetterhoun

The Wetterhoun was originally developed in the Netherlands as an otter hunter, and later used as a gun dog and water retriever – which explains the distinctively curly, waterproof coat. With his cheerful attitude, high intelligence and faithful demeanor, he makes both a great companion animal as well as an enthusiastic performance dog. He enjoys spending time with his owner and tends to stick around as close as possible, as long as possible.

Wetterhouns don’t require a lot of grooming however they do require regular exercise. At least an hour a day is recommended. Because they stick so close to their owners they are easier to exercise off-leash in areas where this is allowed. They are also not prone to chasing animals and don’t have the high-prey drive of some other breeds. This said, they are in the retriever family and can be trained to retrieve on both land and water – which is also a great form of exercise!

The Wetterhoun can have a stubborn and hard-headed attitude when it comes to certain types of training. He can also be sensitive to overly harsh corrections. A bit of patience will go a long way! He is said to always finish a job… but in his own time. This said, when taught by someone who understands the breed he has the potential to become a great working dog who takes his job very seriously…. even if it takes him a while to get it done. Because of his independent and hard-headed nature, it is recommended to start obedience training early.

Because of the Wetterhoun’s small gene pool, the Netherlands parent club for the breed is temporarily allowing outcrosses with other breeds to take place. The hopes are that this will widen the genetic variety of this rare breed and make it healthier in general. While many individual dogs are healthy, the concern is an eventual genetic bottleneck. Occasional cryptochidism, entropian (eye issues), elbow deformities and heart problems are currently seen in the breed. Ideally many issues can eventually be bred out, or at least reduced even further. Currently, the average age for a Wetterhoun is 13 years.

Wetterhouns are affectionate with their families and tolerant/gentle with children. In fact, it’s important to make sure kids are being fair to the Wetterhoun because he is unlikely to react if teased. While he may not always be the most dignified of dogs, he will win over hearts with his clownish senses of humor! He enjoys it when everyone is happy and can become morose if the people around him are gloomy. Overall, he is a very stable and level-headed dog with a spark of good-natured mischief. While more aloof with strangers, he will warm up in time and he also gets along with other dogs/pets quite nicely.

Wetterhouns can make good watchdogs, although don’t tend to be needlessly loud and will usually only bark if there is a reason. If someone were to break in, they would take this quite seriously. This is not a breed that will go on the offensive if they can help it but they will react defensively if a threat arises. As such, this is not a typical guard dog although will protect the family if the situation warranted it.

The Wetterhoun is not the best choice for a first-time dog owner as it is a rough-and-tumble, exuberant breed. Although only medium-sized, he is solid, sturdy and plays in a haphazard way, easily knocking over small people in his excitement. He can be a lot of dog to handle for many, at least until trained! He is not recommended for apartments either as he needs plenty of space and exercise. Make sure to research before deciding that this is the breed for you! When placed in the right home, however, he excels and can become a loyal friend and companion.

Photo By Pleple2000

 

The American Bulldog

The American Bulldog developed as a farmer’s catch-dog (catching animals such as hogs and bulls) who doubled as a home protection dog. This is a true American breed, first developed in the Alabama/Georgia areas. Large and powerful, and with very strong-wills, they are not for the faint of heart. Prospective owners must be prepared to socialize early and train regularly in order to bring out the good citizen in each dog. When raised correctly they are exceptionally loyal, friendly to those they know, and almost eerily smart. The American Bulldog does have a clownish side which they will pull out when exceptionally happy.

When well-bred and raised, the American Bulldog should never be an aggressive dog. Any protective reactions should be purely based on an actual threat. This is not a skittish breed, nor is he known for snapping because someone accidentally stepped on his tail. The breed is powerful, brave and quite capable of doing damage if necessary but should have a good head on his shoulders to stop him from needlessly hurting someone. This makes him a great blend of reliable companion and take-charge protection dog – again, provided the dog has been raised the right way.

American Bulldogs are intelligent creatures but tend to have assertive personalities. They must be given obedience training and taught household rules from a young age. Firm boundaries are paramount! Even owners who want the dog as a guard dog should still train in obedience (actually, this makes obedience even more important!). Specialized protection training is not normally needed as they have such high protective instincts naturally. This said, someone wanting to get into one of the protection sports can do so but only provided they find a trainer who is very familiar working with the unique qualities of this breed.

The American Bulldogs does tend to be dog-aggressive and can be very difficult to live with multiple dogs – particularly two the of the same sex. This is an extremely fearless and driven dog (with a high pain tolerance, to boot) that can get in some very bad fights. It is therefore recommended to only have in single-dog households unless extremely experienced and possibly willing to keep the dogs apart from each other forever.

The American Bulldog, despite his bulky build, is actually a very athletic animal with plenty of endurance. An impressive jumping ability combined with brute strength and surprising agility, he is still as able to do many varied tasks today as he was in day’s past as a utility farm dog. This is in stark contrast to today’s (English) Bulldog of which he is descended from. Because of this, he does require extensive exercise to remain fit and happy. Hiking, jogging and games which are both mentally as well as physically stimulating are required. Without enough exercise, this high-energy dog will invariably develop behavior problems.

American Bulldogs are easily groomed with only minimal maintenance needed. While regular grooming is still important, the majority of their care should be more focused on training and exercise. Health-wise, make sure to limit intensive exercise in puppies until the growth plates close to minimize injury and long-term problems. The breed is prone to both Hip and Elbow Dysplasia so it is a good idea to take these precautions. They are also prone to allergies and a small handful of other afflictions such as Canine Multifocal Retinopathy, Hyperuricosuria and Ichthyosis. Make sure to research breeders and the dogs they use in order to find a healthy puppy, but remember that there is no guarantee that any puppy or dog will be free of all health issues (this goes for all purebreds and mixed breeds).

The Appenzeller Sennenhund

The Appenzeller Sennenhund is one of the four Swiss mountain dog breeds, originally used as a multi-purpose worker. This energetic and sprightly dog can accomplish a wide variety of tasks with ease and enthusiasm! Medium-sized and always tri-colored (either black tri or havana brown tri), he shows a striking similarity to his Swiss cousins. Along with a sturdy body built for work, he has a self-assured mind and courageous temperament. When raised correctly, he is a loyal and reliable companion in the home as well as in his work (whatever it may be).

The Appenzeller is quite capable of learning a wide variety of tasks in obedience. He is very intelligent and as such, actually requires a job to do in order to be happy. While originally he was a watchdog/farm dog/drover/guard, nowadays he also enjoys more modern jobs such as competitive obedience, search and rescue, agility, herding, Frisbee competitions, carting, sledding, weight pulling and tracking. This said, he does have the propensity for stubbornness and often will not work for a wishy-washy owner. A good match would include an owner who is experienced in dealing with dominant dogs, and who is willing to put in the time with early/frequent socialization and consistent training.

Sennenhunds make great watch and guard dogs, and they cannot be bribed. This also means that they take a long time to warm up to strangers. Apartment living isn’t the best environment for them due to their suspicious temperaments and preoccupation for barking at “threats” (whether or not those threats are real), as well as their high need for exercise. The guarding instincts are inborn and don’t need to be trained – but with this comes extra responsibility on the owner’s part (any territorial dog should only be owned by those who know what they are doing). Similarly, the breed also has herding instincts which may be either helpful or annoying, depending upon the owner’s needs and lifestyle.

The Appenzeller Sennenhund, despite having a smooth coat, does tend to shed somewhat excessively. This is due to their double coat. Make sure to brush at least weekly in order to remove any dead hair, and this should lessen the shedding to a degree. In addition to brushing, they should have their ears cleaned weekly and nails trimmed weekly or every other week. Don’t forget brushing or other dental care! When well-taken care of, they tend to live 13-15 years.

Like many of the multi-purpose working breeds, Appenzellers require a ton of exercise! This athletic and strong breed is quick and agile – they must be owned by people who can keep up with their energy and strength. Furthermore they need lots of room to stretch their legs on a regular basis – they would be a terrible choice for someone without access to a yard as they love the great outdoors! When trained, they are dependable both on and off-leash. The breed enjoys activities where they can roughhouse, jump and play – and do so vigorously for long periods of time. Once finally tired out, they will be calm in the home… until the next day when they will want to start again! Dogs which aren’t exercised enough or given enough to occupy their minds, will likely become destructive and/or neurotic.

The Sennenhund can become very emotionally attached to his family, and will act very lovingly and affectionately toward them. Some of them will seek attention more so than might otherwise be desired. Sensitive to emotions, many know when a family member is upset and will act accordingly. They also get along well with other animals, in general. They can do well in families with children, although are best with kids that are slightly older. After all, they are very physical and active, and likely to injure small toddler-age kids.

Appenzeller Sennenhunds are still considered rare in the United States and as such it can take a while to get a puppy. As of this moment, they are recognized by AKC’s FSS program but are not a fully recognized AKC breed. For those that love them, however, the wait is worth it! Although they require a very particular type of home, with the right match they are a healthy and cheerful working companion who will bring joy and excitement into life!

The Czechoslovakian Vlcak

The Czechoslovakian Vlcak is actually a breed of dog whose development started in the 1950’s – beginning with an experiment to breed German Shepherd Dogs to Carpathian Wolves. The goal was to produce a dog with the best attributes of the two species. In 1982, the project was considered a success and the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (as it was called at the time) was recognized as a national breed in the CSSR. Many of the dogs produced were used as police border patrol dogs  as well as service dogs in the army. There has been no new wolf blood since the 80’s, which means that this breed is no longer considered a wolf hybrid, and instead is a purebred dog with wolf ancestry.

The Czechoslovakian Vlcak tends to prefer cold weather, doing well in snowy conditions – surely a throwback to the country of origin and wolf ancestry. They can be kept in warmer climates but should be given plenty of air-conditioning, shade, water, etc to keep them cool throughout the day. Other wolf similarities – females only come into season once a year instead of twice like most dog breeds. Czechoslovakians aren’t necessarily barky dogs, however they are known for howling and making other vocalizations. Finally, their coat only comes in “wolf colors” – various shades of gray from yellow, silver or dark gray. In appearance alone, this is probably the closest that one will come to owning a “wolf”, aside from a hybrid.

The Czechoslovakian is considered a rare breed in America, with only about 200 dogs in the country so far. They are part of AKC’s FSS program for rare breeds, however, and are destined for the working group if they ever become fully recognized here. Like other working dogs, they have a fearless nature and a need to have a job to keep them busy. This said, they are more of a primitive type than the typical working breed and have far more of an independent nature. Without plenty of mental and physical exercise they can become destructive.

The Czechoslovakian is a hardy breed with plenty of endurance and stamina. An active dog, they need plenty of vigorous exercise! Like the wolf, this breed has exceptional senses (smell, sight and hearing) and revels in activities which allow them to use these senses. For example, a long hike in a new environment is much preferred to the same old walk around the neighborhood day-in and day-out. This active dog has tons of energy and is hard to wear out, especially when in the younger years. They definitely need an active owner who can go all-out with exercise! Just throwing them in the backyard (no matter how big) and hoping they exercise themselves will not work.

Czechoslovakian Vlcaks are known as Einsteins when it comes to manipulating their environments. Many learn how to open doors (even locked doors), fridges, windows, etc. This can even extend to crates and outdoor gates, which means they can be prone to escaping (not to mention the fact that they can scale large fences and dig under them with ease). Individuals that don’t have enough to engage their minds with are more prone to these boredom-induced behaviors.

In obedience, CSVs are enthusiastic and can be quick to execute commands. They are also versatile and make great dogs for competition… for those who are experienced working with dominant breeds. That dominance combined with a tendency toward independence and stubbornness means they are not as easy to train for a novice, and they shouldn’t be owned by first-time dog owners. They must be socialized and taught early by an experienced owner. This breed is exceptionally clever but will require someone just as clever and dog-savvy to raise and train them right. They will not work for just anyone, and they will not work without the proper motivation. Patience, mutual respect and a knack for finding the right balance between structure and motivation are all required for a good outcome. Once this is reached, the breed is quite capable of great things.

Vlcaks are loyal toward their families and can make good companions in homes with children (when socialized to them). With strangers, they are far more aloof and can even remain suspicious for long lengths of time. The breed also may be prone to chasing small animals, due to a high prey drive, and must be kept on leash or in a fenced area. Furthermore, be aware that same-sex aggression is seen in the breed so keeping a number of Vlcaks of the same sex may prove problematic. Keep in mind that this is a large breed with a lot of power! While loyal to “their people”, they do require owners that can respect their size and their instincts.

Czechoslovakians are enthusiastic and vigorous in all ways, which means they can play rough and even give too tumultuous of greetings. They can also be mouthy as youngsters. For these reasons they don’t make great companions for the very young, very old, or generally frail. Training will help to an extent but will not turn them into overly gentle dogs. Owning any dog is always a commitment, but with this breed the commitment might be even higher! Keep in mind they live between 13-15 years on average.

Many owners opt for raw-feeding the Vlcak, however this is a conversation that is best had with the individual breeder. Health wise, most members of the breed don’t have large issues however breeders should be testing for hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, elbow dysplasia and eye issues. If looking for a puppy, verify these tests have been done! While not a huge problem in the United States, other countries have faced issues with irresponsible breeders of Vlcaks trying to make a quick buck off of these wolf-looking dogs.

The CSV does shed quite frequently, however beyond frequent brushing the coat is otherwise easy to take care of. Somewhat weather-resistant, mud tends to fall off of it when dry. They don’t tend to smell too “doggy”, which means that bathing can be infrequent if desired. Keep in mind that the hotter it is, the more the dog will shed while the colder it is, the longer/thicker the coat will be to take care of. When put on a schedule, however, grooming should be an easy (and not too tedious) chore.

Photo By Tesori di Carli

The Schapendoes

The Schapendoes was developed in the Netherlands and used to be a common sight around the sheep herding fields of the country. Belonging to the family of long-haired herding breeds – many of his relatives (such as the Old English Sheepdog, Bearded Collie and Briard) now are more well-known than himself. Despite his dwindling numbers, this has always been an intelligent dog with a great personality and a penchant for working.

When it comes to training, the Schapendoes is attentive and loves to learn. As a working/herding breed, he needs a job in his life to stay happy and obedience is a good start! After the basics have been laid down he can move to more interesting and athletic endeavors such as agility, rally, flyball and herding. This breed does require rules to be set down and enforced (in a fair way), and therefore learns best when training is structured and balanced. Although intelligent, this dog is not a pushover and may try to see what he can get away with. He can also be somewhat independent if he thinks “his way is the right way”. A bit of patience and a sense of humor may be required at times, but otherwise this breed is fairly easy to train. This also goes for off-leash training as the breed has a low-prey drive and isn’t prone to wandering.

Schapendoes are loyal toward the owners and often become very affectionate. They are friendly toward new people and enjoy meeting their “new friends” with a jolly and high-spirited attitude. The medium size of the breed makes them easier to handle when happy and bouncy – even easier when obedience trained! These social butterflies also tend to do well around other pets and animals, in addition to making great companions for children as they can be endlessly playful. The Schapendoes is an alert and courageous breed that makes a good watchdog. Although he will alert enthusiastically to people coming up to the door… he is far too friendly to function as a guard dog.

Schapendoes are fairly healthy and are not known for having specific health problems, although obviously any dog can suffer injury or illness. They live, on average, about 14-15 years when well taken care of. The long thick coat needs regular care, which helps not only the hair itself but the skin underneath. This wavy, yet thick coat is somewhat waterproof (enough to keep rain from easily reaching the skin), which means that bathing will require a bit extra work! The coat must be brushed with care to keep the important undercoat from being pulled out – it serves a very important insulating purpose. The coat will need to be brushed weekly when an adult, and daily during the coat change from puppy to adult. Fanciers of the breed should know that the Schapendoes should never be shaved or trimmed. Make sure you’re up for the challenge before acquiring a puppy!

The Schapendoes does require a great deal of exercise – sometimes as much as an hour or two a day depending upon the individual and the owner’s lifestyle. They can live in city situation, however the owner will have to work harder at making sure the dog is exercised. It becomes very apparent to those who walk a Schapendoes that this breed is quite athletic, with a characteristic bouncy gait and ability to jump tall heights. This means they can make great hiking and outdoor companions, and really do best with athletic, outdoorsy owners. When physically satisfied, they are calm and easygoing in the house.

The Hokkaido

The Hokkaido is the last of the six Japanese hunting spitz breeds that we have profiled, and it is also the oldest. This ancestors of this ancient breed have been recorded as early as the year 300 AD! The Hokkaido is loyal to his owner and makes an excellent companion, as well as an intelligent and brave hunting dog. Although only medium-sized, he was used for hunting large game such as deer and even bear! In Japan, he was declared a living monument in 1937.

The Hokkaido was developed to live and work in very cold weather and has no problem with snow or low temperatures. He has an extraordinary stamina with a great working ability and especially enjoys pleasing his owner. If given the choice, he would prefer to be involved with the activities of “his humans”, particularly if those activities involve physical exercise. Because of his “velcro” tendencies and fondness for being around people, the breed is also unfortunately prone to separation anxiety when left alone.

Hokkaido are particularly good at solving puzzles and problems, and need to be trained from an early age to channel their thinking power into useful tasks lest they become troublesome mischief makers. Obedience training and early socialization are a must! Trainers must be adept at reading dogs and being able to tailor a training plan for each individual – the Hokkaido can be stubborn and highly independent. They are capable of reaching high levels of obedience, even doing well at the off-leash level but can be difficult for a novice.

The ever-alert Hokkaido, because of his hunting nature, might try to chase or go after smaller pets. He also tends to be same-sex aggressive with other dogs, particularly intact males. Finally, this breed can be aloof with strangers and potentially overly protective of his family if not extensively socialized. It is for these reasons that he will not fit into just any family, and isn’t especially recommended for the novice owner.

Hokkaido are an active breed and need plenty of daily exercise to keep them physically and mentally happy. This is a breed that needs a job to do in order to stay fulfilled, as well. As they are quite versatile, there are many types of jobs they can be given – anything from agility, trick dog tasks, hunting, rally, weight pull, dock diving, flyball, lure coursing to regular obedience worked into their everyday lives. They can be a rough-and-tumble breed that aren’t afraid to get dirty in their active endeavors!

The Hokkaido doesn’t tend to have a strong doggy odor, even when bathed infrequently. The harsh, double coat is designed to repel the elements (including dirt to an extent), thanks to the natural oils in their skin. They do need regular brushing to get dead undercoat out of the body but they do not require any special clipping. Never shave a Hokkaido! Doing so will ruin the coat and make them more likely to get overheated because the double coat acts as insulation to both heat and cold! Make sure to trim nails regularly. All colors of the Hokkaido (white, brindle, red, black/tan, and sesame) will shed heavily a couple times a year. This will only last a few weeks and otherwise the shedding is somewhat minimal.

Hokkaido are careful-footed around the house and not prone to accidentally breaking objects in their wake. They are, however, somewhat loud and love to hear themselves talk, howl and grumble about all sorts of things. They will try to carry on conversations with you, either to protest an injustice or just to welcome you home… for an extended period of time. They also are prone to escape-artist antics, digging in the yard, inappropriate chewing and/or eating things that shouldn’t be eaten (known as pica). Be forewarned! Some of these bad habits can be trained away, while others may be harder to break. Pica, in particular, is known to be genetic. Some Hokkaido are also slow to housebreak. Be prepared for all of this before bringing a puppy home, if interested in this breed! Despite their setbacks, in the right home they are loyal albeit independent companions that have already earned a devoted following in Japan.

Photo By Magdalena Niemiec

 

The Eurasier

The Eurasier is a relatively new breed, having only been created about 50 years ago in Germany. The Chow Chow,  Keeshond and Samoyed all went into the creation of the breed, in order to develop dogs with excellent temperaments for family-living. The result was this medium-sized, double coated spitz breed with an even-tempered and loyal personality. In their home country, there are strict breeding practices to ensure that the breed is kept healthy and temperamentally sound. Health problems are minimal and the breed lives an average of 14 years.

In the home, the Eurasier should be kept as an indoor dog as he becomes quite bonded to his family. While he doesn’t necessarily have to be “in the thick of everything”, he does enjoy being in close proximity to his humans and joining them in activities when allowed. He gets along well with children, other dogs and cats although should be socialized while still a puppy for best results. With other dogs in particular, he is non-confrontational and not prone to fighting, even if another dog starts something. Gentle even with small pets, most don’t have a strong prey drive and are not prone to chasing. A Eurasier with the proper temperament should not be easy to provoke, which means this is not a guard dog. He may or may not be a suitable watchdog as he doesn’t tend to bark very often, although will bark or growl when he believes it is necessary. With strangers, he tends to be aloof until he gets to know the person.

The Eurasier does need daily exercise in the form of walks and/or vigorous play with other well-socialized dogs. A day swimming and running on the beach is another enjoyable activity, as is an off-leash romp or hike (once trained). As long as he is given fun activities daily he is calm and easy to handle once he comes back inside – but this is an active breed while outdoors and not a lazy bum, meaning that he needs an owner that can handle his outside exuberance!

The Eurasier also needs regular grooming, particularly a good brushing at least once a week. During shedding seasons (twice a year), grooming frequency will become once a day. The coat (which comes in a multitude of colors) is his crown glory and does require care to stay nice. It’s also worth noting that Eurasiers which have been spayed or neutered will develop coats that are harder to care for, which is something to keep in mind. Baths can be somewhat infrequent as the coat doesn’t tend to get too smelly, unless the owner desires him to stay extra clean.

Eurasiers are intelligent, and although they were bred to be companion animals and not working dogs, most are generally easy to train. Although they don’t have quite the same drive as breeds which were created to work all day, they have an almost endless desire to please their owners! With proper motivation they can learn and enjoy activities such as obedience or agility. This breed is also a natural therapy dog and with a bit of basic training, can excel in the therapy route! Use lots of consistency and encouragement when training a Eurasier, they can be sensitive.

The Eurasier should never be aggressive or timid, and instead should always display a confident (yet relaxed) demeanor. This said, the sensitive nature of the breed means that they don’t do well in homes with lots of shouting or fighting. They also don’t do well in homes in which the owner is often gone as many suffer from separation anxiety. Even those left home alone in the backyard can be prone to escaping due to distress!

In the United States, one must be prepared to wait for a Eurasier once they have decided this is the breed for them – it is still a rare breed! The wait is worth it, however. Eurasiers are adaptable to many different living situations and can do just as well in an apartment as on a sprawling ranch. Indoors they are calm, well-behaved and affectionate. Even in small homes, they don’t tend to be destructive and will even watch their steps to avoid toppling over belongings (young puppies excluded, of course). They are independent enough to keep them from being overly needy, although are always ready to play and spend time with their families.

Photo CC BY-SA 3.0

 

The Small Munsterlander

The Small Munsterlander is a versatile breed developed in the early 1900’s. This longer-haired hunting breed is easy to work with in the field and is sought after by hunters for his excellent nose, strong retrieving instinct and good tracking sense (in addition to his pointing talents). Although slow to mature, this German breed makes an excellent companion once mentally developed and when in the right home.

Many SMs are trained in other avenues besides hunting, in order to keep their minds and bodies sharp. It is common for the breed to be trained for dog sports such as competitive obedience and agility when not out in the field (or in hunting trials). This dog needs a job to do and can become intense and too much to handle if not given one! They learn quickly and can get bored easily, so an owner will need to keep upping the challenge. At very least, restrain from too much repetition in training sessions. With the right owner who knows how to handle this enthusiastic, intelligent dog, he can become a very competitive animal! Keep in mind that some have a bit of stubborn streak – this is a trait that benefits them in the field but requires a bit of patience for the owner.

The Small Munsterlander also require a good dose of daily exercise. Without adequate mental or physical stimulation he can become quite destructive in the home. It should come as no surprise that this breed should not be kept in a kennel all day – he needs plenty of time to run and learn and DO! Like all pointing/hunting dogs, this is a very active breed who prefers active, outdoorsy owners. Hiking, running and swimming are favorite pastimes. Furthermore, this is a social and affectionate breed that needs to be around his owner (and chooses to be close whenever possible). Having a strong pack instinct, he does not do well when left alone for long periods.

The SM is generally fairly healthy, with most individuals living between 12 and 14 years. There are not too many health issues in the breed although hypothyroidism and hip dysplasia have occasionally been seen. The SM is mentally sound as well (provided he has been raised correctly) – with an even temperament and dependable nature. He enjoys meeting people and doesn’t tend to be rude or off-putting (again, provided he has been raised correctly!). Furthermore he is good with children and generally patient. This said, supervise all interactions with younger kids and make sure there is no teasing involved as it simply isn’t fair to the dog!

Despite the medium-length coat, Small Munsterlanders do not require a ton of grooming, just a light brushing and occasional bath when needed. As with all breeds – nail care, dental care and ear care are also important but quick to accomplish when kept on a schedule. They do shed seasonally, at which point grooming requirements will briefly go up, but overall they are easy to care for in terms of grooming maintenance.

It is highly recommended that SM go to homes that will hunt with them, as this is their most cherished activity. If this isn’t possible they need to be given other jobs, preferably ones that will engage them in similar ways. Give them plenty of supervised outdoor time in addition to the job, and be prepared to deal with those hunting instincts no matter what! Even though you might not take him on an official hunting trip, don’t be surprised if he takes himself on one instead! A properly fenced yard will keep him out of trouble when he can’t be watched.

The Porcelaine

The Porcelaine is a high-spirited scenthound from France, developed for hunting and tracking both small and large game. This medium-sized hound is one of the oldest French scenthounds (if not the very oldest) still around today. Records of the breed date back to the 1700’s! This is a rare breed in the United States, only recently becoming recognized by the UKC (in 2016) and AKC’s FSS program (in 2017).

Porcelaines have a number of good qualities which make them not only great hunting dogs, but awesome pets as well! They are hardy and healthy dogs not often afflicted by health issues, although hip dysplasia, eye and joint problems are occasionally seen. They are also easy-keepers and tend to crate-train and housebreak fairly swiftly. Easygoing and calm in the home, they aren’t prone to excessive barking (although when they do vocalize it is definitely a hound-y, melodic bay). Porcelaines do not require a lot of grooming and the coat only needs a quick rubdown with a grooming mitt every week at most. Make sure to clip their nails and clean the ears frequently, especially because long-eared dogs are more prone to ear infections.  Finally, this is a beautiful and elegant breed that will inspire comments wherever they go!

The Porcelaine originated from a series of very intelligent French and English scenthounds and is therefore quite clever himself – albeit also fairly independent and strong-minded. He has a high prey drive and will usually opt to sniff out or chase prey rather than participate in a training session if heavily distracted. Keep this in mind during training sessions, and be aware that without lots of advanced off-leash obedience training he will need to be kept on leash at all times! He will also need to be kept in a fenced yard and not allowed to roam. When trained, many are good candidates for various lines of work such as service dog or therapy dog work. They also enjoy other jobs and sports such as search and rescue, tracking, conformation, mantrailing, or… obviously hunting.

The Porcelaine is outgoing with people (strangers, friends, children, etc.) as well as other dogs, most likely due to his pack instincts. This said, he can be prone to jealousy issues so an owner in a multi-dog household should know what to look for and how to curtail any possessive behaviors. Porcelaines enjoy being around their people and want to take part in everything! They develop strong bonds with their owners and have great desires to please. They are very affectionate and not prone to aggression or fearfulness as long as socialized correctly. When their owners come home from work or other outings, many will “sing” in happiness!

Although generally calm in the home, the Porcelaine does require regular exercise – and not just a small amount! Without enough, he can become overly energetic if cooped up too long! Keep in mind the breed is surprisingly strong and will need training to keep from pulling on the leash during walks. Once he learns the basics he is usually gentle and easy to manage on lead. He appreciates (and requires) long walks, jogs or hikes and does best with athletic, outdoorsy owners.

It should go without saying that the Porcelaine is not the best candidate for apartment life and can end up becoming hyper and prone to behavior problems in an apartment lifestyle. He needs a home with a yard and room to roam, as well as lots of exercise with his owner, in order to develop correctly. Neither is he a good fit for homes with cats or other small pets because of his high prey drive (although smaller dogs are usually OK). In the wrong home, he can become frustrating to live with but in the right home, he can easily thrive! As with all breeds, do your homework.

Photo By Pleple2000