> Anatolian Shepherd

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Breed Introduction

Large, rugged, and powerful, the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is no lumbering beast. Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are also agile and enduring. They are natural guard dogs, especially when it comes to tending livestock.
Here are the characteristics of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog's Behavior

Recommended for: watchdog
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog breed is recommended for guard dog duty because Anatolian Shepherd Dogs tend to be alert, calm, observant, courageous, responsive, adaptive, and above all loyal.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog's Physical Characteristics

• Size: male: from 29 inches; female: from 27 inches
• Coat: Short to rough; neck hair is slightly longer.
• Eyes: medium-sized, almond shaped, dark brown to light amber
• Ears: V-shaped, rounded apex
• Skull: large but in proportion to the body.
• Muzzle: blocky.
• Nose: black or brown.
• Tail: long.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog's Origins and History

Country/Region of Origin: Anatolia (Turkey)
Original purpose: guarded flocks of sheep from wolves, bears, and jackals.
Historical notes: the dogs used to be collectively known as coban kopegi.

> American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniel Dog Breed Introduction

The American Water Spaniel dog breed is the lifeguard of dog breeds. Not only are American Water Spaniels active and outdoors-y, muscular and strong despite their only medium size. They're bred for the water. Hunters have used these dogs to retrieve from small boats such as skiffs or canoes. They are also quite adept at hunting on land.
Here are the characteristics of the American Water Spaniel breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

American Water Spaniel's Behavior

Recommended for: hunting
The American Water Spaniel is a hunting breed. Still, American Water Spaniels are usually eager to please, intelligent and friendly. Bounding energy makes this dog a tireless companion in the hunt. But this bounding energy isn't quite boundless--even in the midst of the hunt, American Water Spaniel dogs can be controlled. If you can keep up with them and have the space, American Water Spaniels may make good pets.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

American Water Spaniel's Physical Characteristics

• Size: 15 to 18 inches
• Coat: marcel (uniform waves) or closely curled.
• Color: brown, from "solid liver" to dark chocolate.
• Eyes: medium size, slightly rounded.
• Ears: long and wide.
• Skull: broad.
• Muzzle: medium-long and square.
• Nose: black or dark brown and wide.
• Tail: tapered and hairy.

American Water Spaniel's Origins and History

Country/Region of Origin: United States
Original purpose: hunting waterfowl (according to Wikipedia).

> American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier Breed Introduction

American Staffordshire Terrier dogs are part football player and part ballet dancer. They are stocky and muscular, but also agile and graceful.
Here are the characteristics of the American Staffordshire Terrier breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

American Staffordshire Terrier's Behavior

Recommended for: house pets
Special note: American Staffordshire Terriers tend to be territorial, sometimes towards humans but especially towards other animals. Some dogs can even be aggressive toward other animals, though on the whole they are not aggressive toward humans. This kind of behavior is common in many breeds of dogs.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

American Staffordshire Terrier's Physical Characteristics

• Size: male: 18-19 inches (at shoulders); females: 17-18 inches (at shoulders)
• Coat: Short, close, stiff, and glossy.
• Color: More than 80 per cent white, black and tan.
• Eyes: Dark and round
• Skull: broad.
• Muzzle: Medium length, rounded.
• Nose: black.
• Tail: Short, low.

American Staffordshire Terrier's Origins and History

Country/Region of Origin: United States
Original purpose: American Staffordshire Terriers originally helped farmers and ranchers bring dangerous bulls in from the field.

> American Foxhound

American Foxhound Breed Introduction

The American Foxhound is a cousin of the English Foxhound, according to Wikipedia. Just as you might imagine, American Foxhounds, like English foxhounds, were originally bred to participate in foxhunts. The image that comes to mind when you think of a dog in a foxhunt is pretty close to an accurate image of dogs in the American Foxhound breed. They are medium-sized dogs, fast runners, and with a strong scent of smell.
Here are the characteristics of the American Foxhound breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

American Foxhound's Behavior

Recommended for: hunting, housepet
Despite being the terror of foxes for the last couple of centuries, the American Foxhound can be quite lovable. Foxhounds are still keen hunters, however. Once they pick up a scent, they tend to follow it, no matter how hard you might command them to stop.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

American Foxhound's Physical Characteristics

• Size: male: 22-25 inches tall; female: 21-24 inches tall
• Coat: medium-length and close to the body.
• Color: varies
• Eyes: brown/hazel, large, and not close together.
• Ears: long and wide
• Skull: long and slightly domed.
• Muzzle: medium-long, straight and square-cut
• Nose: No information in the official AKC breed standard.
• Tail: moderately high

American Foxhound's Origins and History

Here are the barebone facts of the American Foxhound breed's history, according to Wikipedia.
Country/Region of Origin: United States
Original purpose: hunting, especially wild animals rather than just foxes.
Historical notes: If the legend is to be believed, the American Foxhound has quite a pedigree. According to Wikipedia, American Foxhounds can trace their roots back to the father of our country! Legend has it that George Washington received French Foxhounds as a gift from Lafayette, the great French general in the American Revolution. Washington bred his dogs with some others, creating the present day American Foxhound.

> American Eskimo Dog

American Eskimo Dog Breed Introduction

Wonderfully white and furry, dogs of the American Eskimo Dog breed are compact but strong. American Eskimos are small to medium-size Nordic-type dogs. But their tightly packed strength belies great agility and alertness. American Eskimo Dogs tend to be loving and faithful. They're usually wonderful as pets.
Here are the characteristics of the American Eskimo breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

American Eskimo Dog’s Behavior

Recommended for: family pets, watchdog
The American Eskimo Dog breed may not be the first breed you think of when you think of guard dogs. But that doesn't stop American Eskimo dogs from trying. Always alert, American Eskimos tend to bark whenever a stranger approaches. But fear not: the breed is not known for actually attacking or threatening people. Dogs of this breed tend to learn new tasks quickly. Eminently pet-able, they also tend to be friendly with families.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

American Eskimo Dog's Physical Characteristics

• Size: Three Types: Toy, 9-12 inches; Miniature, 12-15 inches; and Standard, 15-19 inches
• Coat: dense undercoat with a longer coat of guard hair growing through the undercoat to become the outer coat. The coat is thicker and longer around the neck. The fur is straight, not curly or wavy.
• Color: pure white or white with "biscuit cream" (in the words of the American Kennel Club breed standard)
• Eyes: rounded in a slightly oval-shape, with rims that are black to dark brown
• Ears: triangular, erect
• Skull: wedge-shaped with the widest side of the wedge between the ears.
• Muzzle: broad but not longer than the skull.
• Nose: black to dark brown.
• Tail: rather high-set and feathery. The tail is usually swooped upward onto the dog's back.

American Eskimo Dog’s Origins and History

This is the bare-bones history of the American Eskimo breed according to Wikipedia.
Country/Region of Origin: United States
Original purpose: circus performer.
Historical notes: formerly called a German Spitz or an "American Eskimo Spitz." In addition, the breed is often called by the nickname, "Eskie

> American English Coonhound

American English Coonhound Breed Introduction

The American English Coonhound breed is known for its speed and endurance. It is the American version of the English Coonhound, descended primarily from the English Foxhound.

The American English Coonhound's Behavior

Source: Wikipedia,
Recommended for: pet, working dog
The American English Coonhound dog breed is a good locator of game. Unlike organized fox hunting, in the United States it is generally let loose and would tree a hunted animal whereupon the hunter would orient himself to the loud bayings and bag the hunted animal. They possess loud barks. More importantly, American English Coonhounds make for excellent family pets and are wonderful with children.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

The American English Coonhound's Physical Characteristics

Here are some of the characteristics of the American English Coonhound breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

• Size: males 24 - 26 inches, females 23 - 25 inches
• Coat: hard, mid-length
• Color: red, white, tri-color, red and white, black and white
• Eyes: dark brown, set wide apart
• Ears: fine texture, soft, hangs low, almost reaches nose when drawn out
• Muzzle: squarish, flews on lower jaw when viewed from side
• Nose: black
• Tail: set high, mid-length, slight brush

The American English Coonhound's Origins and History

Source: Wikipedia
Country/Region of Origin: United States
Original purpose: Treeing, Hunting
Name: 'Coonhound' is the shortened form of raccoon hound, referring to one of the animals the hound was bred to hunt.
Historical notes: American English Coonhound dogs are descended from English Foxhounds as well as others from Ireland and France that were brought to the southern United States. They were found to be inadequate in hunting American game because they lose scent once their prey seek shelters in trees like raccoons, cougars, and bears. Treeing dogs, coonhounds such as the American English Coonhounds, were soon developed by adding the sharp-nosed Bloodhound stock.

> American Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel Breed Introduction

The Cocker Spaniel dog breed is a member of the sporting group. It is widely believed that Cocker Spaniels need more medical attention than almost any other breed. The chief medical issue known is the Cocker Spaniel breed's eye problem.

Cocker Spaniel’s Behavior

Recommended for: family pet, showdog
The Cocker Spaniel dog breed is characterized as merry, outgoing and very willing to please. Cocker Spaniels are often considered "softer" dogs because they generally do not do well with tough training.
Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

Cocker Spaniel Physical Characteristics

Here are the characteristics of the Cocker Spaniel breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

• Size: male: 15 inches; female: 14 inches
• Coat: silky, flat or slightly wavy and of a texture which permits easy care.
• Color: There are three major color varieties: Black Variety, Any Solid Color Other than Black (ASCOB) and Parti-Color Variety.
• Eyes: Eyeballs are round and full.
• Ears: Lobular, long, of fine leather and well feathered.
• Skull: Rounded but not exaggerated
• Muzzle: broad and deep, with square even jaws.
• Nose: well developed nostrils
• Tail: set on and carried on a line with the topline of the back, or slightly higher.

Cocker Spaniel Origins and History

Here are some quick facts on the history of the Cocker Spaniel breed, based on information from Wikipedia.
Country/Region of Origin: United States
Original purpose: For hunting
Name: originally hunted woodcock.
Historical notes: In the United States the Cocker Spaniel is registered under "Cocker Spaniel" while in the United Kingdom it was under "English Cocker Spaniel." Some Cocker Spaniels are still bred for fieldwork to conserve the hunting abilities of this line of the breed, which is otherwise mostly breed for appearance and health.