The Hallefors Elkhound

The history of the Hallefors Elkhound goes back to a litter sired by an elk-hunting mixed breed and out of a Russian sled dog. Born in Hallefors, Sweden in the 1930’s, both parents had well-known hunting backgrounds. At least one of the puppies was later crossed with other prized elk-hunting dogs, and later Finnish Spitz blood was infused into this new breed as well. These new spitzes were prized for their hardiness, hunting ability and intelligence. They are said to be “one man dogs” but are adaptable and well-prized in their country of origin – even known for their bravery when facing bear! They were recognized by the Swedish Kennel Club in the year 2000 although are practically unheard of in most of the world as they are extremely low in numbers.

Because the gene pool is so small, any single Hallefors is not permitted to be bred any more than three times in its lifetime. Furthermore, the breed has an open stud book at the moment which means that any dog (whether or not a purebred Hallefors) which meets the criteria set by the breed club can potentially be used in the bloodline – as long as it has been given permission. The criteria include having a traceable pedigree (so that health and hunting ability can be monitored), an appearance very similar to that of the Hallefors (rated at special shows), health tests with passing scores, and must be proven to have very good hunting ability. The Hallefors bloodline is constantly monitored and the breed club may make additional suggestions as time goes on to ensure the breed remains healthy and keeps the important traits necessary for continuation as a whole.

The Hallefors Elkhound is a squarely built spitz with a tail carried loosely over the back. It is a medium sized dog with a short yet thick and harshly textured coat. The color is always red in a variety of shades, with or without a dark muzzle. There should be lighter coloration on the underside of the dog. For a breed with an open studbook, fanciers are doing a great job keeping members of the breed fairly uniform and standardized.

The Hallefors is very cooperative when hunting with his owner, and is a loyal friend at all times. Aggression towards humans is really not seen, although of course prey drive is alive and well in the breed! The Hallefors is alert, lively and usually very excited to work and hunt. He is said to be fairly submissive and easy to keep in a household setting as he understands his place in the hierarchy of the home. This is a great family dog as he is friendly and social with those he knows, although is much more reserved when around strangers. Hallefors Elkhounds take well to training and learn easily. It is hoped that the breed will continue to grow under the watchful eye of the parent club, for this is a spitz that is worth preserving!

Photo By Roguesenvogue

The Polish Hound

The Polish Hound is a large scenthound breed with an excellent sense of smell and the ability to hunt in harsh environments. Developed in the middle ages by crossing Bloodhounds with local Polish breeds, at one point they were even owned by Polish nobility! When World War 2 occurred, many breeds saw a huge decrease in numbers and the Polish Hound was no exception. In an attempt to save the breed, two distinct types emerged – one lighter boned and the other with a heavier substance. It is the heavier strain that eventually succeeded in becoming the Polish Hound of today.

The Polish Hound is a slow-maturing breed mentally, and does have a stubborn streak to boot, but is definitely trainable. He is intelligent and enjoys pleasing his owners. When it comes to obedience training he does best when he thinks that training is all his idea! Make training fun, positive and consistent for best results. A bit of patience is a good trait for owners to have, particularly while the dog is still young and learning. He can be somewhat sensitive and does best when training is firm without being harsh. Finally, this is a breed that needs a job to do, so be prepared to provide this in the form of hunting, scentwork or general obedience.

The Polish Hound is always loyal and friendly to those whom he knows. He has a gentle nature and gets along well with children, with whom he is very patient. Likewise he gets along with other dogs and new people although does have a territorial streak for those who enter his property meaning he is somewhat protective without being overly aggressive. Think of him more as a watchdog than a guard dog. While his primary purpose is that of a hunting dog, he can make a fantastic companion as his energy level is more suitable for home living compared to other scenthounds. He is a bit of a well-kept secret outside of Poland for most people have never heard of this rare breed (recognized by the UKC but not the AKC).

Although not a hyper dog, the Polish Hound does need regular exercise. At the bare minimum, a vigorous game of fetch should be played every day combined with a nice walk. More ideally, an hour of jogging the neighborhood followed up by a romp in the fenced backyard is probably a better fit for this high-stamina hunter. As a somewhat large hunting dog, he does best living in larger spaces where he can “stretch his legs”. He doesn’t necessarily demand a giant property but apartment living is not the greatest lifestyle for him. He does best with owners that are at least somewhat active and are capable of providing both physical and mental stimulation on a regular basis. Without exercise he will get bored and most likely will become very loud!

Like any breed, the Polish Hound does have some setbacks in terms of ownership. First is his enthusiasm with using his voice, which is a trait that cannot really be trained away. This is similar to other scenthounds – complete with the extra loud voice box and a gleeful penchant for frequent baying. Second, as a hunting breed he doesn’t tend to get along well with cats unless raised with them from puppyhood. Cats that live indoors are normally safer than those who are allowed outside, as an outdoor chase is often too exciting to refuse for a Polish Hound! In addition, similar to other scenthounds he is very motivated to follow his nose after exciting scents. For this reason he must be kept within the confines of a fence when not on leash.

Polish Hounds live, on average, 13-14 years. They are a very healthy breed in general and are easy to care for in terms of both health and grooming. With brushing, a once-a-week session should be sufficient to remove dead hair. On rare occasions he’ll need a bath if he’s been getting himself muddy. Make sure to clean the ears each week and check for infections – particularly if the dog often hunts or plays in heavy brush. Overall these are all easy grooming tasks that most dog owners can accomplish. Health wise, the breed isn’t known for any specific health issues although it’s not a bad idea to take precautions against bloat as they are a deep-chested breed. Bred to work long hours in adverse conditions, the breed evolved into a hardy and low-maintenance animal.

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The Indian Spitz

The Indian Spitz – while virtually unheard of in America – became one of India’s most popular breeds because of the country’s strict importation laws in the 1980’s and 90’s which made importing dogs into the country difficult. Citizens turned to local breeds because they were easier to access as pets. Where did this breed originally come from? It is said that during the 19th century, British people brought dogs into the country which were descended from the German Spitz. These dogs were bred with the goal of making them more suited to living in the hot climate of India. The adaptable and highly intelligent Indian Spitz was born! Recognized by the Indian Kennel Club, they are not recognized by the FCI or elsewhere in the world.

Indians can easily live in apartments if necessary, but do require some exercise every day. Active and lively, they are also happy to live in larger properties. There are two sizes of the breed – the “lesser” which is no larger than 15 pounds and the “greater”, which can top out at 44 pounds! Either size can live in any type of home as long as their exercise needs are met. Overall, however, even the greater size is still a relatively small dog and exercising this spitz is generally easy. Most mature dogs (read: out of the puppy stage) will spend large portions of the day napping. In general, with only moderate exercise and plenty of care, Indians are very healthy as a breed and usually live 12-14 years on average.

The Indian Spitz often get confused with a Pomeranian and although the breeds are related, they are two entirely separate breeds. It doesn’t help matters that many people in India actually refer to their spitz as Pomeranians or Indian Pomeranians. This isn’t the case! Indian Spitz are bigger in height and weight and have less coat – both in terms of length and density. Furthermore, they have more elongated faces and pointier ears. Finally the Indian’s fluffy double coat can only come in one of three colors – white, black or brown. This differs from the rainbow of colors that the Pom is allowed to appear in.

The Indian can make a great watchdog because of his alert nature and eagerness to bark, but is a gentle companion with his family. He is loyal and playful – always up for spending time with those he loves. Most get along well with seniors and children although should be supervised when around young kids as he is unlikely to defend himself if treated unfairly. An owner must always be ready to advocate for their dog’s safety! This spitz also usually gets along with other pets including other dogs. A highly social breed, he doesn’t thrive when kept in a home where he spends lots of time alone and can be prone to separation anxiety.

The Indian Spitz is intelligent and learns easily when taught obedience or tricks. He is generally regarded as being easy to train and was even used as a circus dog in the past! If anything, this breed can be too clever and will get bored quickly if trained in the same routine every time. For this reason, mix it up to keep him on his toes! Because of his ease of training, this breed can be recommended for even novice dog owners.

Indians do need regular brushing twice a week to keep their glorious coats from matting. As they do shed (particularly during the summer), brush-outs will also help to pull out loose hair to minimize the amount that will drop all over the house. Keep in mind this is a high-shedding breed and no amount of brushing will completely stop this process, however. Baths can be given every 3-4 weeks or when needed although they tend to keep themselves fairly clean. Grooming shouldn’t be too daunting or difficult to keep up with. Keep the nails clipped, the teeth brushed, and use a preventative for fleas and ticks. Many Indian Spitz enjoy grooming time if the routine is started early and kept positive.

Photo By Utkarshsingh

The Posavac Hound

The Posavac Hound is a scenthound from Croatia, and is an ancient breed whose origins are not completely known. There is speculation that he is represented in ancient texts (or at least resembles dogs from ancient texts) from as far back as the late 15th century. Official documentation started in 1929, and he was recognized by the FCI in 1955. In the United States he is recognized by the UKC but is almost never seen and is considered a rare breed. Created to hunt both hare and fox, he is said to have great stamina in the field as well as possess an excellent nose for tracking.

Posavacs have great hunting drives and are confident and lively – they need plenty of exercise to be happy. Without it, they can become nervous or overly excitable which makes them difficult to live with. When properly exercised they are docile and easy to keep in the home. This means they’re problematic for apartment life unless the owner is very dedicated to putting in lots of time every day with higher impact fitness routines such as biking. Remember – this is a high energy dog originally used for hunting all day! He is not a couch potato and will probably prove frustrating for low-energy owners.

The Posavac Hound can be obedient when trained as he is naturally agreeable. He is intelligent and enjoys learning. It behooves an owner to give him a job which will therefore help with mental stimulation – tasks such as search and rescue, tracking or nosework are right up his alley since he enjoys using his nose! As far as non-nose related jobs, agility and rally are both fun dog sports that he can enjoy as well.

The Posavac can make a good watchdog since he enjoys using his voice, but is also affectionate to his family and enjoys playing with children. The standard states he should never be aggressive nor nervous. This “melodic” hound, like many scenthounds, will bay/howl under many different circumstances – one of which is when strangers come to the door. While he probably won’t be any good as a guard dog, his vocal nature can be a deterrent to many would-be intruders.

Posavac Hounds are fairly healthy and not prone to any particular health issues although are more likely then other breeds to be hit by a car due to wandering off while following their noses. Make sure to keep this high-drive sniffer on a leash when off the property! When properly taken care of, the average life expectancy is 12-13 years. Given a large fenced yard supplemented with daily exercise, he will thrive both mentally as well as physically.

The Posavac is a loyal and devoted companion that forms very strong bonds with those they love. In fact, they are more prone to separation anxiety than some other breeds because of their strong will to stay near their “favorite person”. A savvy owner can minimize this problem with early training and behavior work, although this is probably not the best breed for people who spend all day at work.

Posavac Hounds are medium in size and any shade of red or wheaten, most often with white markings on the head, neck, chest, legs and tail. The coat is smooth yet dense and requires very minimal grooming – a weekly brushing and a bath when needed will keep him shiny and clean. Ears are thin and hang beside the head; they will require weekly cleaning. The tail is long and carried in a saber fashion, often with a brush of longer hair at the end. The white teeth that meet in a scissors bite will require regular brushing. Finally, make sure to keep the nails trimmed and that’s about it as far as grooming!

Photo By Strojovodjazg

The Nenets Herding Laika

The Nenets Herding Laika is an aboriginal spitz from Russia, said to be relatively unchanged from the Prehistoric era! This very old breed is the ancestor to many well-known spitz breeds today including the Samoyed. While virtually unknown to most of the world, they are recognized by the Russian Kynologic Federation who accepted the standard in 1994. Despite surviving near-extinction during the Soviet era, they are still low in numbers and not recognized by the FCI or the major registries in the United States. As evidenced by their name they were originally created to herd – particularly reindeer, although were sometimes also used to pull sleds.

Nenets Herding Laikas are intelligent and were bred to make their own decisions when needed. This means that obedience training may have some rocky moments when the dog decides there are better things to do! This said, with a bit of patience on the owner’s part, the breed actually can be very trainable and learns quickly. Make sure to stay firm yet fair, and be consistent in training. Furthermore, he is adaptive and versatile to enjoy a variety of dog sports including carting, herding, sledding, agility, conformation, tracking, flyball and competitive obedience.

Nenets are ultimate outdoor athletes and able to succeed in a number of physical tasks including search-and-rescue, customs services, police work, and service dog work in addition to their sled-pulling and herding capabilities. They were designed to work with people and therefore don’t do well in homes where they will be left to fend for themselves most of the day. They can be prone to separation anxiety. This breed can live happily with a large family or a single person, just as long as there is enough interaction to keep him happy.

Nenets Laikas are alert and curious by nature and may bark to alert when people come to the door although are not guard dogs. They enjoy meeting people and are fairly friendly when introduced to new humans (including kids) and animals alike. For best results, they should be socialized from an early age and exercised frequently to keep from becoming too hyper. This is a high-energy breed but not an aggressive one. In fact they are known for their pleasant temperament.

As might be surmised from their glorious coats, Nenets do shed a lot and need daily brushing when actively blowing coat! Despite their small-medium size they do have an abundance of hair after all. The double coat consists of a coarse outer coat and a thick, water resistant undercoat. The coat tends to be on the longer side and includes a visible neck frill as well as thick hair underneath the paw pads which allows the dog to move easily in snow. Other physical traits of this breed are the wedge-shaped head, small erect ears covered with thick hair, and slightly slanted eyes. Colors include grey, fawn, black, brown, red, white, black/tan, piebald or patched. The overall impression of the breed should be that of an enduring and energetic dog that can easily perform it’s duties.

The Nenets Laika is not an apartment dog as he is too high energy and playful to be content in a small space. He needs lots of room to stretch out and run, in addition to regular structured exercise. Making sure he stays physically fit will help to keep him healthy throughout his 13-14 years of life. In general the breed is hardy and no health issues plague this spitz in particular, but exercise is important to make sure he gets the most enjoyment out of life! Furthermore, while he was developed to live in a cold and icy climate, he can live in any climate as long as his owner uses common sense. Air conditioning, frequent brushing and keeping him out of the sun in hot temperatures will help keep him happy.

Image By Sergey.vlad.popov

The Stephen’s Stock Cur

Bred by the Stephens family as a strain of Mountain Cur, the Stephen’s Stock Cur eventually became distinct enough to warrant recognition as it’s own breed. Always dark in color (all black or mostly black), this is an American breed from Kentucky used to hunt squirrel and raccoon. Occasionally a pack of Stephens will even be used on larger game such as mountain lions or bears! They are excellent at tracking, even on cold trails, and are also known for their “good voices” (read: they can be loud when excited). The vast majority of “little blacks”, as they are fondly called, are kept in hunting homes. Curs are a sub-type of scenthound and are frequently high in prey drive since the majority of the population are still used for their original purpose.

While the Stephen’s Cur is too high-energy and has too strong of a hunting instinct to be kept solely as a family pet, he can be kept as a house companion by those who will take him hunting regularly. Indeed, he has many traits which makes him a wonderful companion to those who can meet his needs. He is affectionate and loyal, including with children. He has a happy demeanor and should never be aggressive as long as he is socialized correctly. He is a polite (although reserved) dog in public, a calm dog at home (when given exercise and a hunting job), and a brave dog in the field. Many Stephen’s Stock Curs get along well with other dogs. This is also one of the rarer breeds that can be ok with living outdoors as long as they have adequate shelter. Finally he also makes a good watchdog as he is suspicious of strangers coming onto the property and will sound the alarm when this happens.

The Stephen’s Stock can be easy to train for the most part although care should be taken around small animals that may be seen as prey. A prey animal nearby means all bets are off unless plenty of distraction-training has been completed. He does need firm leadership, early socialization and plenty of exercise as a baseline to compliment any formal obedience training for best results. As mentioned above, he needs a job and while obedience is important and recommended, he probably won’t be happy unless also allowed to hunt. For those owners who enjoy competition, coon hunting trials are a dog sport in which the breed enjoys and thrives! Stephen's Stock Cur

While the Stephen’s Cur enjoys running off-lead when hunting in rural areas, he needs to be walked on leash when in an area with cars. Regular daily walks should always include a leash as he is apt to go running off at the first interesting odor. Prepare to exercise him for at least 90 minutes a day, especially on days when he isn’t hunting! This may come in the form of jogging, swimming, physically/mentally stimulating games, hiking, extended walks and/or sports that incorporate using his nose.

Stephen’s Stocks are small to medium-sized dogs with short double coats which may be solid black or with white markings that make up no more than 1/3rd of their total color. They require very little in terms of grooming although their hanging ears should be checked and cleaned regularly – particularly after they have been out hunting. Nail trimming must be done like with all dogs and a good brushing should be given once a week or so.

The Stephen’s Cur is a rare breed even in the United States, although is recognized by the UKC. Some of their rarity is due to their unsuitability for the majority of households – needing to live in more rural areas and requiring plenty of property to run around in. Their insatiable desire to work makes them both highly sought after by some, as well as highly avoided by others. Overall however, many American have never even heard of this breed unless they live in the south. In which case they can be said to be a well-kept secret by hunting enthusiasts.

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro is a very old breed, mentioned in texts as early as the 1800’s. Named after a village in the mountain of Portugual, he is also known as the Castro Laboreiro Dog, the Portuguese Cattle Dog or the Portuguese Watchdog. This livestock guardian breed was tasked with watching over cattle and guarding the herd. A true working guard dog, they had earned a reputation of being ferocious toward predators when needed. Sadly, as predators began to dwindle in numbers in their home country, many dogs lost their jobs and homes. Abandoned by their owners, it was unfortunately common for them to become feral in the mountains of Portugal for a time. Luckily, this is rarely the case nowadays and the breed has since been re-domesticated and are used mainly as guard dogs today. This breed is rare in the United States but is recognized here by the UKC, and by the FCI abroad.

The Laboreiro is a very protective, dominant breed. He has a natural territorial nature and will patrol the house or yard without special training – often choosing a high spot to rest where he can see the majority of the property. His fearless demeanor and tendency to take control of situations makes him very ill-suited to first-time dog owners! He is said to “threaten first and greet later”. This said, he can be good with children of the family although may be less tolerant of strange children. When raised correctly, he is docile with his owners and develops a strong bond. However he can be extremely suspicious of strangers and even aggressive in certain circumstances.

Cao de Castro Laboreiros are intelligent dogs although many will only perform commands if prompted by their owners. They will not tolerate abusive training methods and instead need firm, yet fair discipline from experienced owners. Because they were bred to do a job, they require assigned work in order to be happy and behaviorally sound. Members of this breed can be seen in the Portuguese Marine Corps, where they have been used as police and military dogs. They have also been used as guide dogs and competitors in dog sports such as agility. They tend to learn obedience commands quickly although their independent nature means they may not always “decide” to perform the command.

The Laboreiro is not a loud dog by nature. He tends to only bark when he needs to – usually to warn of a stranger approaching the property. The sound itself is peculiar and unique, starting on a low tone and ending in a high pitch. He does best in a home with a large yard somewhat secluded from constant crowds of people. Apartments or busy city life can work him into a frenzy as he will likely feel the need to be on constant alert. In a more rural area, he can be allowed to roam the property and be taken for long daily walks without worry of frequent stranger interaction. The Castro Laboreiro is an active breed that does require regular exercise by an owner that is physically able to control this strong dog. When given enough exercise, however, he is surprisingly calm in the home.

The Cao de Castro Laboreiro was bred to be hardy and healthy – living with flocks and requiring little veterinary care. Because of this there are no common health problems in the breed (although like any breed, any individual dog can always develop a health issue). Average lifespan is 12 years. Grooming is also simple, as this single-coated dog requires only basic coat care. They shed very little, and some even claim that the breed is less likely to bother allergy sufferers.

The Laboreiro may have issues with other dogs, owing to their territorial nature. They do best as only-pets in the home, and are not a breed that will thrive in a dog park or daycare situation. In contrast they do very well with livestock, which should come as no surprise. The early lifestyle of the breed was one in which they lived outside with their herd, ever watchful and on-duty even in bad weather conditions.

Every year in Portugal, a competition for Cao de Castro Laboreiro dogs is held. It is the oldest competition of its kind in the country having started in the 1950’s. Like most dog shows, the Laboreiros are judged on their conformation. Judges look for a Mastiff-type frame and strong build, being medium-sized yet muscular. The coat is short, thick and coarse and comes in a variety of “wolf colors” and/or brindle in all shades. Despite a spotty past, thankfully these handsome dogs are once again appreciated and admired in their home country.

Photo By Schiowa

The Finnish Hound

The Finnish Hound’s first standard was drafted in 1932, and they have been recognized by the UKC since the 1990’s although are still a rare breed in the United States. In Finland, however, they are actually a very popular breed! They were developed from various Finnish breeds combined with European hounds to create a hunter that could work in Finnish-specific terrain (snowy and hilly). This scenthound has been traditionally used for hunting both fox and hare. They have an exceptional nose and are adept at tracking scents both airborne as well as on the ground. They hunt independently of the hunter, but will bark eagerly once they are engaged in a hunt to alert the hunter they are “on the track”.

Finnish Hounds are friendly and have relaxed temperaments – at least until they are engaged in a hunt! They are owned more often by hunters than the “pet community” as they have very high prey drives which can make ownership more difficult. Although they are more likely to be found with a hunter, it is not unheard of for them to be owned as pets. They have many great qualities as companions including their polite house manners, ease of traveling in cars, and obedient natures when trained. They get along well with children as well as other pets. This said, they may not be the best choice as a first dog for novice owners, as they can be extremely stubborn when they want to be. Also Finnish Hounds tend to bond very closely with their owners and can be prone to separation anxiety when left alone for long periods.

While most Finnish Hounds are healthy, there are a few afflictions that plague the breed. Skin problems, cerebellar ataxia (a disorder of the nervous system), cancer, and Factor VII Deficiency (a clotting disorder) are unfortunately in many lines. Furthermore, behaviorally it is somewhat common to find excessive shyness in the breed. This means that potential owners must do their due diligence when looking for a puppy, and must seek out reputable breeders who are honest about their dogs and expectations for litters. The average lifespan is 11-12 years.

The Finnish Hound resembles a large Beagle, or many of the various Foxhound and hare-hunting breeds that the general public may be more familiar with. The coat is smooth, yet dense and harsh to the touch. The always-tricolor coat is a double coat that sheds a medium amount. The chest is deep with a visible forechest. The body is slightly longer than tall and while somewhat muscular, is not overly boxy. This medium sized breed is easy to groom and care for, rarely requiring baths. A good brushdown once a week is usually sufficient to keep the coat shiny.

The Finnish Hound does require plenty of exercise as he was bred to hunt for hours at a time, on consecutive days, without tiring. This energetic hound needs daily walks combined with time to run free in a fenced area – at minimum. Best case scenario is one in which the dog is also taken hunting on a regular basis! It should be obvious, but in case it’s not… this is not a breed for someone living in an apartment.

The Finnish Hound should be introduced to obedience training early in his life. While he can take well to training, like most scenthounds he can quickly lose interest if met with an prey-like distraction! For most novice owners he can be difficult in general to train, being independent and generally more interested in hunting than following commands. He also requires an owner/trainer who is firm (yet fair) while maintaining house rules. This doesn’t mean the task is impossible however, just that owners should be prepared to be patient. Off-leash training in particular can be extra difficult for this wanderlust-y hound.

Photo By EtäKärppä

The Olde English Bulldogge

The Olde English Bulldogge was developed by a man named David Leavitt from Pennsylvania in the early 1970’s. His aim was to re-create the Bulldog breed of old – a healthy and athletic dog – although without the extreme fighting drive. Original bulldogs were created for bull-baiting and similar blood sports, and when the practices were outlawed the Bulldog as a breed began to change over time. The Olde English Bulldogge was an effort to bring back the original type of dog. The four breeds that went into this new breed included the Bulldog, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff and American Pit Bull Terrier. Eventually the dogs began to breed true and crosses were no longer needed. Today they are recognized by the UKC as well as several smaller registries in the United States.

Bulldogges are versatile dogs that compete and succeed in many different dog sports. Obedience, weight pull, conformation, agility, therapy work and nosework are all activities in which the breed is competitive and can excel! They enjoy pleasing their owners and have intelligent minds. Although they may have stubborn patches, overall they take to training very well. Every Bulldogge should be given basic obedience and household rules starting from puppyhood because they are robust, strong-willed dogs with the potential to take control if given free reign. Furthermore this breed needs a job to keep from becoming bored and destructive.

The OEB and the Bulldog, although sharing many similarities, also have many differences from each other. To start, the OEB is a taller and less stocky animal. Not being as exaggerated, they do not have the same breeding difficulties as their counterparts, nor do they suffer the breathing problems that some Bulldogs are known to have. The OEB is said to be a healthier dog overall and does not suffer the same list of health issues. Average lifespan is 13-15 years in general. Energy-wise, this is a more active breed and will likely be more excited about participating in events or training pursuits.

Olde English Bulldogges tend to love children, especially if they are raised with them, although supervision is required with very young kids. They are strong and can unintentionally hurt a toddler. Although they aren’t particularly tall (a big male may be considered medium in height), they can get up to 80 pounds which can easily do damage in roughhousing play. For the most part, as long as a parent uses common sense this can be a great family dog in the right circumstance. Furthermore, they add an extra layer of security to a household. Olde English Bulldogges can make excellent watch dogs and will alert when something is wrong.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Bulldogge can live comfortably in an apartment, but only provided that he is given lots of exercise. He also needs regular attention and will not do well with owners who work all day, so apartment-life (or any sort of life) will not work without an adequate amount of time/attention. If living in a home with a yard, his exercise needs go down a bit, although he still does need at least a medium amount. Unlike his cousin the Bulldog, he is not a good match for low-energy households.

OEBs are known for having same sex aggression, so an owner may not have luck keeping two dogs of the same sex together. While early socialization can tip the odds in one’s favor, it cannot always fix this potential issue. Some owners find that keeping only altered animals of the same sex together can help, but this only works on a case-by-base basis. Others find that introducing each new dog to the pack as a puppy can help, as well as making sure none of the dogs are close in age. All of this depends on the lines and on the individual dogs. This said, keeping opposite sex pairs is usually fine for many owners.

The Thai Bangkaew Dog

The Thai Bangkaew dog is not recognized in the United States, but he is recognized in Thailand, the Asian Kennel Union, and the FCI. This spitz breed is said to be the product of a “black and white” dog owned by a Buddhist abbot and a now-extinct wild dog, eventually built into a new breed in the early 1900’s. They were believed to have originated in the village of Bangkaew – hence the name.

The TBD is a loyal spitz that can become very attached to and protective of his owner. Extremely alert, he is wary of strangers and is known for his watchdog and guard dog abilities in Thailand. He has also been used for hunting and as a devoted family companion – he is not a one-man dog and is affectionate to all members of the family. This isn’t a loud dog unless he needs to be – if someone is encroaching on the property for example. This is a confident, no-nonsense breed with a fearless and occasionally dominant temperament – not for the novice dog owner. Although a great companion in the right hands, he is territorial and does require owners with dog experience. He shouldn’t be outright aggressive for no reason however this requires knowledge, early socialization and training.

Bangkaews are intelligent and can be obedient when trained. Some have even been used by the Thai police and customs services because of their serious, hardworking aptitudes and versatile nature. That said, there is a stubborn streak stemming from their independent characters and they do best when training lessons are broken up into short, reward-based sessions. Consistency is key, as is patience. Although they can be good workers, they aren’t always the easiest to train initially. They also tend to get bored easily. They require plenty of respect, but also need owners who won’t put up with bad, pushy behavior. A confident owner is absolutely required as this breed will strive to control the household if he feels there isn’t a strong leader in the midst.

The Thai Bangkaew, in general, tends to love the water and enjoy swimming. The coat is even water repellent! They are athletic and sturdy, and able to take any sort of exercise thrown at them. They do need plenty of daily workouts (and lots of it) to stay healthy and temperamentally sound. Likewise they also need mental stimulation in the form of training, games and even dog sports such as agility. Finally, routine vet care (just like any other dog) should also be provided. Most TBDs are very healthy although some do suffer from eye disease, ear infections or hip dysplasia. Average lifespan is about 11-12 years.

Bangkaew Dogs are medium sized, squarely-built dogs with long legs. Ears are small and pricked on top of a wedge-shaped head. The coat is thick and double-coated, medium length overall with a visible ruff around the neck and shoulders. Color is always white with patches of another color – either red, tan, lemon, fawn, gray or black. Occasionally the coat has black tips giving a sable pattern over the colored parts of the dog. The tail is carried moderately over the back. Coat care is easy as long as routine brushing is kept up with. The thick coat does need regular attention to keep mats from forming but there is no special trimming required.

The Thai Bangkaew Dog tends not to get along well with other dogs but can live with other large pets if socialized early. He is playful but prefers to play with humans as dog-dog aggression is unfortunately common in the breed. Smaller pets are risky because of his prey drive. He can be trustworthy around children although older, thoughtful kids are a better match for this breed. Supervision is required around younger children, and the dog must be raised with them from puppy-hood.

Photo By Canarian