Poitevin

COUNTRY: France
WEIGHT: 66 pounds
HEIGHT: 24-28 inches
COAT: Short and glossy
COLOR: Tricolor or orange/white, with large body patches of both or all three colors; the tri has a black saddle
OTHER NAMES: Haut-Poitou
REGISTRY: FCI
GROUP: Hound

Wolves were plentiful in Poitou in the 1600s. This province on France's western coast is above Saintongeois and below Vendee and Brittany. In the 1690s, the Marquis Francois de Larrye of Poitou created a big, courageous hound specifically for wolf. Hunting in packs, these hounds were remarkable for their nose, voice and speed over rough ground. French hunters stated, "It was the best dog in the world for hunting wolves; capable of following its prey from sunrise to sunrise."


Most of the kennels were lost following the Revolution and an 1842 rabies outbreak decimated the last pack, leaving just one dog and two bitches. Determined fanciers of the 20th century have restored the breed, using some crosses including foxhound. Despite this revival, the Poitevin is still not widespread, perhaps because there is no demand for his "specialty." But he still has proponents in France, and recently there have been a handful of imports to an American hound fancier. An elegant and racy scenthound, he carries less ear than many of the classic French hounds.

Pointer Dog

COUNTRY: Great Britain
WEIGHT: About 44-66 pounds
HEIGHT: Around 21-24 inches
COAT: Short, dense, and smooth
COLOR: Liver, lemon, black, or orange, either solid or in combination with white
OTHER NAMES: English Pointer
REGISTRY: FCI, AKC, UKC, TKC, CKC
GROUP: Gun Dog

The Pointers of today descend from stocks in France, Spain, and England. Brockton's Bounce, Sat-ter's Major, Garth's Drake and Whitehouse Hamlet are names of famous Pointers who have made this breed what it is.

The Pointer is a fine upland dog which has speed and wide range. The National Field Trial Champion Association Stake held its first running in 1896. The first nine years the Setters won. Finally, the Pointers came into their own, and now the winners are divided between these two breeds.

Pointers are known to mature and develop faster than Setters, and they are also more independent and competitive. Since they do mature early, they should be trained young; thus, either devote the time to this training or have a professional do the job. This must be attended to or a good hunter could be lost.

The Pointer is a dog that loves hunting and is really more interested in the sport than hi the man. Thus, he is not overly affectionate. His short-haired coat makes grooming easy. The Pointer is primarily a gun dog and is not content to be merely a family pet.



Pointing dogs popped up all over Europe around 1650, but the English version has remained the modern prototype. What exactly was used in its creation is not known, but development occurred within the British Isles; there was ample trade to Britain in dogs from all over the world. The strongest influence may have been the Portuguese Pointer, with his ancient lineage and his dished face.

The earliest Pointers were actually present before the age of wing shooting, assisting in the "hare-coursing" rage. The Pointer was sent out to find and "point out" the presence of a hare. Then Greyhounds were brought up and slipped as the hare bolted. When wing shooting came into vogue after 1700, the Pointer began to prove his real worth. The earliest Pointers really "set," dropping to the ground on the flush of game, a quality that has been bred out long since. Yet the ardent desire to hunt, speed of search, intense style, and exceptional nose have been retained to the present day. The Pointer has, over the years, been used in crosses in countries all over Europe to add elegance and dash to the native gun dogs.

The Pointer has remained in high esteem throughout the world. The great majority in the USA are registered with the Field Dog Stud Book, and have been bred for great speed and ground coverage, as well as tremendous courage and stamina for the required three-hour heats. This type now dominates the great Open All Age American Field Trial Circuit. Hunting of this sort, in front of mounted handlers covering vast acreages, is not available to most hunters. Therefore, the American Field type of Pointer may be "too much dog" for the average hunter who wants a pleasant day of sport and a full game bag. The AKC-registered Pointer, on the other hand, tends to be a closer working dog, competing in the AKC field trials, which are more the venue of the true gun dog.

The Pointer's distinctive "dished" face that hints of a mastiff background, the undocked tail of moderate length and taper, and his big, graceful elegance make him stand out among hunting dogs. He is especially known for his endurance in hot weather, but his longtime susceptibility to the cold and his reluctance in water remain a part of him. The breed is not always as enthusiastic and adept at retrieving as some of his Continental cousins. The passion to hunt is intense.

The classic good looks of the Pointer, with his proud bearing, demand attention at shows. Show Pointers do not often compete in field trials, making the first dual championship attained in the mid-1980s a piece of history. With adequate exercise, the Pointer makes an affectionate, clean and quiet companion dog.

Podengos Portuguesos

COUNTRY: Portugal
WEIGHT: 66 pounds
HEIGHT: 22-28 inches
COAT: Short, coarse, longer than most of the sighthounds; Wirehaired—medium-long, shaggy and coarse
COLOR: Yellow, tan, dark gray with white markings
OTHER NAMES: Large Portuguese Hound
REGISTRY: FCI
GROUP: Southern

Portugal's contributions to the sighthound classification can trace their ancestry to the running dogs of northern Africa. They are probably closely related to the Pharaoh Hound and most likely joined their relatives on board trading vessels, disembarking on Portuguese shores. Because they were not as isolated as those on islands, the availability of other breeding stock allowed for some variations over the years.

These dogs were most prevalent in northern Portugal where they were renowned rabbit dogs. Hunting singly or in packs, the Podengo developed into varieties allowing for the type of terrain to be covered. In more open country, the large size used its longer legs to overtake the prey with greater speed. Today the Grande is not seen as much as in times past. He is a natural dog, without docking or cropping. The Grande is an outstanding guard dog and an eager hunter.

Fitting snugly in between and bridging the gap is the Medio. While not as fast on the flat, he has more maneuverability in rougher cover and uneven terrain. It is the most common form seen with hunters in modern Portugal. His com-paratively smaller size is easier to house and feed.



The Pequeno, looking much like a sturdy Chihuahua, still demonstrates the hunting instincts despite his diminutive size. He is touted as the world's smallest hunting dog, and is used (like the Kaninchen Dachshund) to enter the rabbit warrens and flush the prey into the open—either for the gun or for the larger Po-dengos to run down. The Pequeno is also commonly seen as a "crew member" on boats where his job is to dispatch rats. While all of the sizes can second as house pets? the small version fits best and most popularly into this venue.

These are breeds which have never been sponsored outside of their native Portugal. FCI recognizes all three varieties, and one sees them occasionally exhibited at Portuguese shows. Like the Ibizans and Pharaohs, they are quiet, easy keepers and simple to groom. The added value of filling the game bag has kept them in the forefront with Portuguese hunters. All three Po-dengos appear in both smooth and wire coats and are lively, affectionate companions.

Plott Hound

COUNTRY: USA
WEIGHT: 50 pounds
HEIGHT: 22 inches
COAT: Short, thick and dense
COLOR: Usually brindle; from light golden brindle to "saddled" brindle with large black mantle and brindle only on the legs; occasional smokey blue dogs; buckskins barred from registration
REGISTRY: UKC
GROUP: Hound

The story of the Plott Hound parallels that of the Plott family and their neighbors in the Great Smoky Mountains that join North Carolina and Tennessee, in what was Cherokee territory. Sixteen-year-old Johannes Plott emigrated to this area from Germany in 1750 with his brother Enoch, who died on the journey. With them came their Hanoverian-type schweisshunds. The descendants of these hounds were fostered, bred and hunted by seven generations of Plotts.

As generations of Plotts married and began families in other parts of the mountains, their hounds spread with them. The Plott's hounds ran the mountainsides for over 200 years. Used on a variety of game, these hounds were bear dogs par excellence. They didn't carry any specific breed name in the early days. Those belonging to Plotts were called Plott's Hounds, those bred by the Cables of Swain County were named Cable Hounds, etc., even though the hounds were all basically the same type and breeding. The original schweisshunds were crossed with other hounds and with cur types especially for their treeing ability. At one time, the breed was even referred to as the Plott Cur. But through the years, each of these clans maintained the original type of a tough, persistent, coldtrailing hound. H.T. Crockett, the Hannahs, the Cruse family, the Reece brothers, the Will Orr family and Blain Blevins all had notable strains.

By the 1920s, the old strains of these brindle mountain-bear dogs needed a boost. The Blevins Hounds were a strain of black-saddled tan hounds also known in the Great Smokies. Gola Ferguson, who had bred hounds of the Plott type for many years, crossed some of his with those of Blevins' type. The result of this cross, "Tige" and "Boss," was two legendary hounds that became known throughout the vast mountain range. Bred back to Plott types, they provided the boost that was needed to revive this old breed. Almost all modern registered Plotts trace to one or the other of these pillars. Even the Plott families, always able to appreciate a fine hound, bought dogs from Ferguson to improve their own stock. This cross also introduced the black-saddled brindle pattern.



When this breed was suggested for UKC registration in 1946, there were those that wanted them called Ferguson Hounds or Cable Hounds. Although many contributed to the breed, the Plott family received the honor in the final selection.

Plotts are very tough hounds who not only can coldtrail a 500-pound bear or a boar, but can stand up to that type of game when they have it cornered. As Ferguson said of one of his dogs, "Against bear, he was a one man army." One hunter's eager female Plott always tore up a bear's ear, which she'd grab and hang on to stubbornly. The Plotts are hounds of fine nose and beautiful voice, and are easily trained.

Hack Smithdeal, a well-to-do, avid bear hunter of Tennessee, did much to publicize the Plott breed. He claimed this breed to be the best he could find for bear hunting, and much of his famous pack came directly from John Plott and his son, George Plott, in the 1930s. A 1946 demonstration with SmithdeaTs hounds for the Conservation Department opened bear hunting with dogs in Michigan. From Smithdeal dogs came the hounds of the Pioneer Kennel of Dale Brandenburg, who has produced many outstanding Plotts.

Although the lighter brindle color was common earlier, after the Blevins cross the most usual pattern was a black-saddled brindle, some almost a solid black with brindling only on the legs. Other colors appear in the breed, including slate blue from the Blue Delch strain and a very few buckskins. The buckskin color has recently been barred from registration due to the fact that some of that color had come from Redbone crosses. The Plott breeders, like the Blue Gascon and Majestic promoters, want to maintain the old hunting type without adulteration from hot-nosed speed hounds.

Pharaoh Hound

COUNTRY: Malta
HEIGHT: 21-25 inches
COAT: Short and glossy; ranging from fine and close to slightly harsh with no feathering
COLOR: Self-colored tan, rich tan, or chestnut; white markings allowed only as follows—strongly desired white tip on tail and acceptable white on chest (called the star), toes, and slim snip on face
OTHER NAMES: Kelb-tal Fenek
REGISTRY: FCI, AKC, TKC, CKC
GROUP: Southern

Artifacts created in the Nile Valley during the Stone Age, perhaps as long ago as 4000 BC, display the image of a general type hound, such as the Pharaoh, Ibizan and Sicilian breeds. These dogs had the typical large, upright ears and descended from pariah-type southern dogs selected for their speed. Depicted widely during the Egyptian dynasties, these dogs bear a striking resemblance to the dog-god Anubis, who guided souls to their place in the afterworld.

But long before Egyptian times, the Phoenicians busily traded sighthounds of this kind around the known world. In most cases, these dogs were molded and shaped into new breeds by crossing with native dogs. But, in certain cases, the canine cargo was left on isolated islands where they bred true for millenia. Such is the case with the Pharaoh Hound.

Phoenicians colonized the island of Malta about 1000 BC, probably bringing fleet hounds with them at that time. Over the years, the people of this poor-soiled rocky island learned to value the dogs for hunting rabbits. This is where they acquired the name Kelb-tal Fenek, or rabbit dog. After the decline of the Middle Eastern civilizations, Malta was left on its own for many centuries (although legend says that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked near Malta in 60 AD when the inhabitants of these islands were converted to Christianity). For almost 2,000 years, the original dogs bred true on the island, without the introduction of any other type. Today the Pharaoh is the national dog of Malta and a piece of living history, showing us what dogs looked like thousands of years ago.



Although some Pharaoh Hounds were brought to Britain in the 1930s, they attracted little attention and soon disappeared. It wasn't until the breed was reintroduced in the 1960s that these dogs began to stir interest. A specialty club was organized in England as recently as 1968, with official Kennel Club recognition soon following. Specimens were introduced to North America in the late 1960s and gained much respect for their abilities in lure coursing and in field trials for sighthounds. Canada recognized the breed in 1979, with America following suit in 1983.

The Pharaoh is an unusual sighthound who can also competently hunt by scent. His temperament is friendly and affectionate, even playful. This, combined with his intelligence, often makes him a competitive obedience dog, a trait not common among the independent gaze-hounds. Despite his great speed and agility, his nature makes him quiet and unobtrusive in the home. The long, whiplike tail is carried high in a gentle curve when he is in action, very much like his ancient pariah ancestors and his cousin the Canaan Dog.

His alarm tendencies and easy care make him a viable choice for those who are willing to provide a workout. It has been noted by modern owners that Pharaohs lick rain water off each other, obviously a desert instinct to take advantage of any water. When excited, they blush a rosy pink, highlighting their faces and the inside of their ears. It is said "his face glows like a god."

Peruvian Inca Orchid

COUNTRY: Peru
WEIGHT: 20-38 pounds
HEIGHT: 151/2-20 inches
COAT: Hairless—with crew-cut length hair on top of head permissible; Coated—with moderate length silky hair all over
COLOR: Heavy skin mottling of any color combination on pink or white background; or solid color
OTHER NAMES: Perro Flora, Moonflower Dog
REGISTRY: UKC
GROUP: Southern

Like their gentle Inca Indian masters, the Inca Orchid dogs are tranquil and intelligent. In the original Peruvian tongue, Oeuchua, the breed is called caa-alkpo, which translates to dog without vestments.

When Spanish explorers landed in Peru, they found these hairless dogs in the homes of the In-can nobility, surrounded by orchids decorating the darkened rooms. The Inca Orchid dogs were kept inside during the day because of their sensitivity to the sun's rays. At night they ran free under the light of the moon—hence the origin of both names.

The Incans exercised selective breeding among their own people—even brother/sister marriages to assure purity and a predictable consistency—and carried over the practice to their animals. Incan nobility prized the light-colored dogs and rivaled among themselves for creating the palest hues. The common people strove to breed the best quality dogs possible as a means of barter for favors from the nobility. Peruvian Indians still raise the dogs as beloved house pets but, reportedly, also as an occasional main dish.



The hairless head may be completely bald or be topped with a crew cut. The rarer powder-puff variety is not shown, but is kept for breeding purposes to correct teeth and skin problems that plague the hairless breeds. The ears of the hairless variety stand pricked at attention; the powderpufPs hair tips the ears forward, similar to a Sheltie's.

Oil is added to the dogs' food to keep the skin soft and healthy. The Inca Orchid must be protected from the sun, not only to ward off blisters and burns, but to prevent possible skin cancers. The Inca Hairless is dark-skinned, furnishing protection, and is considered the "daytime dog."
Deerlike in structure and movement, the breed is light boned but supple, lithe and swift. They are extremely sensitive in temperament and wilt under any roughness, even so much as a raised voice. They are laid back and unaggres-sive, and bloom with adult companionship. Kindness is repaid with utter devotion. The warmth received from their affectionate natures and heat-radiating bodies make them appealing to many as house pets. They can be found in America and Europe as well as in South America.

Perro De Presa Mallorquin

COUNTRY: Spain
WEIGHT: 150 pounds maximum
HEIGHT: 23 inches minimum
COAT: Short, smooth
COLOR: Yellow with black mask
OTHER NAMES: Ca de Bou, Mallorquin Bulldog
REGISTRY: PCI
GROUP: Mastiff

Ever since the days of the great Alaunts, the sports of bull-baiting, and later dog-fighting, have been notorious spectator sports in Spain. Large, agile fighting dogs were renowned in Spain, where they are generally called Perro de Presa, meaning a gripping or holding dog and loosely translated as bulldog. Although bull-baiting is no longer practiced, dogfighting still has avid followers in Spanish rural areas and places settled by Spaniards (South America, Puerto Rico, etc.).

For many centuries the local fighting breeds were the white Cordoba Dog (see Dogo Argentine) and the dark-colored Perro de Presa Es-pana, the Spanish Bulldog, very like the original bulldogs of 16th-century England. The Presa had long, straight legs, even or slightly undershot mouth and great power with agility. He was around 100 pounds, with a long neck and a long tail held high; he was said to look much like the old smaller Doguin form of the Dogue de Bordeaux. He has long been extinct. The Cordoba Dog's influence is still seen hi the Dogo Argentine and those brought to the Americas, forming various white dogs used to hunt wild boar.



As organized dog-fighting waned on the rest of the continent, it continued on the islands off the Spanish coast. On the Balearic island of Mallorca, one breed has been recognized by FCI. Officially called the Perra de Presa Mallorquin, much controversy exists over whether he is now extinct or not. Although he is still listed on the FCI roster, Spanish judges and dog breeders say the Mallorquin has completely disappeared. Americans at a recent rural Spanish show for Pit Bulls and other fighting dogs said, however, six times as many Mallorquin Bulldogs were entered as Pit Bulls. Whether these dogs represent a reconstruction of the breed or a revival is a matter to be settled in time.

The Mallorquin Bulldog was often called Ca de Bou in the native Catalan language. Up to a hefty and impressive 150 pounds, he had his ears cropped in a short, rounded cut to make him look like a panther. The Mallorquin Dog was brought in great numbers to Puerto Rico and other Spanish islands of the Caribbean where, in the early part of this century, dog-fighting was common. Although laws have not been passed against it, the "sport" is no longer organized. This breed was the fighting dog of the islands. Puerto Ricans say many Mallorquin crosses exist, but are not sure whether any pure specimens remain.

Perro De Presa Canario

COUNTRY: Spain
WEIGHT: 84-110 pounds maximum
HEIGHT: 211/2-251/2 inches
COAT: Short, smooth, but coarse
COLOR: Brindles, fawn; some white permissible
OTHER NAMES: Canary Dog
GROUP: Mastiff

The Canario has recently been reborn, although once near extinction. The Canary Islands belonging to Spain were actually named for the fierce dogs found there, not for its little yellow singing birds. From the Latin cane came the "Island of the Dogs." These tough, smooth-coated, livestock and farm dogs, called Bardino Majero, were probably similar to the Perro de Pastor Mallorquin and the Cao de Castro Labor-eiro and were present before Hispanic times.

When English settlers came to the archipelago in the 19th century, they brought mastiffs and old-style bulldogs which were crossed with these native dogs. The result was the Canary Dog.
This breed was selected and bred specifically for organized fights and became an extremely game, powerful and able fighting machine. Outlawed in 1940, dog-fighting continued as a clan-destine activity, with the quality and purity of the breeding stock deteriorating.

By the 1960s, when the Canary Dog was at an all-time low, the German Shepherd Dog was introduced to the islands. The Shepherd became the breed in vogue, almost causing the demise of the native canine. In the early 1970s, however, interest was renewed in the native breeds, and Spaniards began to search for examples of the Canary Dog. Fortunately, pure specimens had been retained by farmers in rural and isolated areas where the Canario was found to be a good farm hand. Ten years later, breeders produced good examples of the breed, which can be seen today at dog shows. An active breed club is promoting him at home and elsewhere in Europe. Dr. Carl Semencic conducted research and introduced the breed to North America in recent years. Fanciers feel confident the breed is close to FCI recognition.

These dogs have a wide, solid head, often with an undershot jaw. A bit of loose, hanging skin appears on the chin and throat, and the ears are cropped to a point. The Canary Dog, despite his size, is quiet and subdued in the home. Devoted to his family, he makes an excellent home guardian.

Leonberger

COUNTRY: Germany
WEIGHT

Dogs: 120-170 lb average 140-150 lb. (resp. 45–76 kg., avg. 63–68 kg.)
Bitches: 110-140 lb-average 130 lb. (resp. 36-58+ kg., avg. 58 kg.)

HEIGHT

Dogs: 28.5 to 32 inches-average 29-30 inches. (resp. 72 to 81 cm., avg. 74-76 cm.)
Bitches: 25 to 30 inches-average 27 inches. (resp. 64 to 76 cm., avg. 70 cm.)

COAT: Medium-to-long thick hair on body, short on face and front of legs
COLOR: Lion-colored, golden yellow to red, with black mask
GROUP: Mastiff



Mayor Heinrich Essig created the Leonberger in the 1840s to honor his German town. He wanted to produce a noble dog close in appearance to the lion in the Leonberg town crest. The monks at St. Bernard cooperated and encouraged him by sending some dogs for use in his breeding experiments. This proved to have a twofold benefit as the breeding program at the monastery had suffered severe setbacks from distemper outbreaks, as well as decreased vigor due to prolonged inbreeding. Some of Herr Essig's crosses were returned later to the monastery and incorporated into the monks' breeding program.

In the 1840s, Essig began by crossing a Land-seer Newfoundland with a St. Bernard, then backcrossed to a Great Pyrenees. The results were large, strong dogs that quickly gained popularity as working animals and a leonine status symbol for the city of Leonberg and surrounding estates.



It is probable another solid-colored dog was incorporated into the base stock, as the Land-seer and Saint are both particolored, and major white markings on the Leonberger are now undesirable. Conjecture has pointed to German or Austrian scenthounds, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs or Kuvaszok contributing to the formation of the modern Leonberger.

The Leonberger displayed attributes from his progenitors: affection for people, great size, working aptitude, majestic appearance and, from the Newfoundland, his love for water. These qualities attracted attention from German breeders and from Austria's Empress Elizabeth, who quickly acquired one. There followed a parade of illustrious owners: the Prince of Wales, the King of Belgium, a Russian czar, Chancellor Otto Furst von Bismarck, Emperor Napoleon III, German composer Richard Wagner and Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi.

The World Wars were devastating to the Leonberger. With owners barely able to obtain food for themselves and their families, feeding giant animals was out of the question. Breeders fled or were killed, leaving the dogs to fend for themselves and, in some instances, the animals themselves were slain. At the end of WWI, only five dogs remained, and these were carefully nurtured and bred from until WWII, when the devastation struck again, leaving but eight Leonbergers to be found. Five litters were bred in 1945, resulting in 22 puppies. The following year, only 17 puppies survived. According to a present owner, it has taken 25 years to re-establish the breed.

While still considered a rare breed, the Leonberger is gaining ground and serves as a rescue dog and family watchdog, as well as companion. These dogs enjoy water—playing with it, being in it, or just lying in a child's wading pool, if there is no alternative. They even blow bubbles in their water bowls! The "Gentle Lion" is fascinated by and genial with small creatures—dogs, other animals and especially children. Most, given a choice, would prefer to be with children over anything else. Give them kids and a pool and they are in dog heaven! They will stand and watch for hours beside a playpen in utter contentment.

Due to the dogs' size and strength, owners stress the importance of human companionship and the need for early training, or you'll find yourself telling a new version of the old joke: Where does a 150-pound Leonberger sleep? . . . Anywhere he wants!

Latvian Hound

COUNTRY: USSR
HEIGHT: 16-19 inches
COAT: Short, dense
COLOR: Black and tan
GROUP: Hound

Latvia is another of the Russian Baltic states, where hunting is a passion in the heavy forests. The hunting of deer and boar in Latvia has followed an unusual format. The forest is blocked out into 1600-foot squares separated by wide clear-cut paths. Hunters may only shoot deer in the cut areas. During a hunt., each hunter is assigned a spot in the clearings, and beaters with dogs line up at the far side of the block. The hunting horn sounds, the hounds are slipped, and the chase is on. The dogs must be ultra-obedient to keep within the prescribed area, finding and flushing any game out to the waiting hunters in the clearings. These dogs needn't have the endurance or persistence, as they have to cover only the 1600 x 1600-foot block and are never expected to chase beyond that, even if the quarry is wounded.

Throughout the 19th century, Latvian gentry hunted deer with long-legged dogs called Cur-land Hounds, which had been created from a blend of Lucernese, English and Polish hounds. By WWI, good selection of these hounds had ceased, and they were often crossed with mongrels and Dachshunds. In 1920, the Latvian Department of Forestry banned the use of dogs larger than 20 inches, and hunters selected many of the Curland/Dachshund crosses, often blending them with English Beagles. It wasn't until 1947 that the Council of Hunters and Fishermen of the Latvian SSR resolved to fix the Latvian Hound as a specific breed. Despite great difficulty, they found and purchased 40 dogs of the desired type from private owners and began a breeding program. By 1971, type was fixed and a standard adopted.

The modern Latvian Hound is a dog of general basset type with cat feet, short straight legs, a strong arched back and a wedge-shaped, tight-lipped head. They are selected for their ability to raise game quickly and to be obedient to any of the handlers during the hunt.

Lapphunds

Swedish Lapphund
COUNTRY: Sweden
WEIGHT: 44 pounds
HEIGHT: 17V2-19V2 inches
COAT: Long, thick stand-off, with heavy underwool, and fringing on leg backs, belly and tail
COLOR: Black or liver, usually solid but sometimes with symmetrical white marks
OTHER NAMES: Lapplandska Spetz, Swedish Lapp Spitz
GROUP: Northern

Finnish Lapphund
COUNTRY: Finland
HEIGHT: 1&-20V2 inches
COAT: Long, thick, stand-off; heavy underwool, and fringing on leg backs, belly and tail
COLOR: Any color, as long as the color dominates, and any white markings are small and symmetrical
OTHER NAMES: Lapinkoira
GROUP: Northern

These two breeds are almost identical, although the FCI recognizes both, and the Swedish and Finnish Kennel Clubs each recognize their own breed as distinct. The standard for the Finnish variety allows for a slightly larger size, although recent correspondence from Finland states that most dogs are in the smaller range and there is thought of changing the standard.
Part of the confusion lies with the Lapp people. They are an old group native to the Arctic Circle, and the area they populated has always been known as Lapland, although never comprising a separate country. The area called Lapland actually includes parts of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and even northwest Russia. Thus, any dogs developed by the Lapps were named for them; those brought south into Sweden were called Swedish Lapphunds, and the ones coming into Finland became the Finnish Lapphund. Lapland is not far from the area of the Samoyede people in central Siberia, and the Lapland herding breeds bear much resemblance to the Samoyed dog.

The Lapphunds are natural herders of the ancient Nordic spitz type. Although much of reindeer herding has disappeared over the centuries, the dogs have adapted to work with sheep and cattle. Lapphunds were first brought to Finland from Pello in Lapland in the 1930s. These dogs were later bred with the longhaired Karelian Bear Dog, creating a breed called the CockhilTs Finnish Lapphound. When the Finnish Kennel Club decided to separate the Lapphound and the Lapponian Herder, the Cockhill variety was abolished, and breeders looked to Lapland to restore the original type.
Because of their moderate size and their courageous, affectionate nature, they make fine house pets that are natural alarm dogs. They have the longer coat and look very much like the German Spitz (i.e., Keeshond) as well as the Samoyed. Although the standards allow Irish white markings, self-colored dogs seem to predominate. The heavily plumed tail is carried up on the back.

The Finnish Kennel Club is concerned about preserving this breed, and notes particularly that breeding programs must emphasize the differences between the Lapinkoira and the Lapi-nporokoira. The Lapinporokoira (or Lapponian Herder) is larger, shorter coated, and has a body that is longer than tall. To keep the modern breeds distinct, the emphasis is on breeding Lapphunds that are moderate in size, nearly square-bodied, and long-coated.

Lapinporokira

COUNTRY: Finland

WEIGHT: 66 pounds or less

HEIGHT: 19-22 inches

COAT: Medium short, stiff and coarse, dense undercoat

COLOR: Black, black/tan

OTHER NAMES: Lapland Reindeer Dog, Lapponian Herder, Lapponian Vallhund

GROUP: Herding

For centuries the Laplanders of northern Finland hunted reindeer, using pure northern spitz dogs to assist them. As the wild herds disappeared, the Lapps changed to herding domesticated reindeer. With this modification of lifestyle, they needed a different kind of dog to assist them and crossed their native dogs with herding breeds brought in from Europe. The result was a strong, natural herding dog with a good nature.


The Lapinporokoira is a true intermediate between the Nordic and herding breeds—closer to the Nordic type—but with a bit more leg, less curl to the tail and a longer, less tapering head.

Originally the dogs worked outside in the elements throughout the year, keeping the herds together and bringing back strays. The Poro-koira sometimes ran over 60 miles a day, usually through deep snow. Years later, in the 1960s, the snowmobile became very popular with the herdsmen, and nearly spelled the doom of the Lapponian Herder. It wasn't long before the high cost of the machine and its fuel made the Lapps take a second look at the old herding breed. The natural energy of the Lapp dog and its accompanying lower "fuel" bills acquired a greater appeal.



Olli Korhonen, chair of the Finnish KC in the 60s, spearheaded the creation of a standard (1966) and the organization of breeding the Lapponian Herder. Through these efforts, an efficient system has evolved. The Lapps want good working dogs, mostly males, and have little interest in raising litters. Many Porokoira fanciers in the south of Finland are attracted to the breed by its good nature, easy care and obedience. They cooperate with the herdsmen in the north, bringing the best working males south to breed with their females and sending the male pups north to work. This system also insures the retention of natural working qualities in the breed.

Landseer

COUNTRY: Scandinavian countries
HEIGHT: 26-3 P/2 inches
COAT: Moderate length, soft, fairly dense, fine to the touch; short on head and fronts of legs
COLOR: Clear white, with large distinct black spots on back and rump; head should be black with a symmetrical white blaze
GROUP: Mastiff



The original "Newfoundland" imports from Canada were much different from our present breed. Sir Edwin Landseer created several famous paintings of "Newfoundland dogs" in the early part of the 19th century, and these gave the type its name. The painting Off to the Rescue, (1827) of "Bashaw," a black-and-white variety belonging to the Right Honorable Earl of Dudley, and A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society, (1838) of "Paul Pry" owned by Mrs. Newman Smith, were notable. The dogs were portrayed as spotted, having a tapering head, longer legs and a more "open" coat, with a tendency to curl.

As the century progressed, two quite different types of Newfles developed in Europe, not just in color but in other characteristics. In the 1881 edition of the official German stud books, two varieties of Newfoundland dogs were clearly described . The "wavy-haired'' was solid black (white not desired), with a shorter nose, overhanging lips and more massive build. The "curly-haired" Newfoundland (i.e., Landseer) had the described spotted pattern and the longer, dryer and more tapering head. The latter type also stood higher on leg with a slightly lighter frame.

Fanciers on the Continent continued to breed this variety of the black and white Landseer Newfoundland. Although the First World War took its toll on giant breeds, efforts were made in the 1930s to re-establish the Landseer as a separate breed. Brothers Otto and Alfred Walt-erspiel spearheaded efforts in 1933 to bring the Landseer back to prominence. The breed base was so small that some crossing to the black Newfoundland occurred in the early days. At this time, the Landseer has been bred pure for many years.

FCI recognizes the two breeds and, in 1976, the German Landseer Club was born as the first organization promoting the Landseer separately from the Newfoundland. Holland and Belgium have joined in that premise.

Lancashire Heeler

COUNTRY: Great Britain
WEIGHT: 6-12 pounds
HEIGHT: 10-12 inches
COAT: Short, smooth
COLOR: Black/tan
OTHER NAMES: Ormskirk Terrier, Ormskirk Heeler
REGISTRY: TKC
GROUP: Herding


Developed as a cattle dog during the 1960s-70s, the Lancashire still herds cattle, horses and goats in its namesake territory. The breed's roots trace back to Corgis and Manchester Terriers. Both ancestries are apparent in his skills and make the breed a perfect farm and family dog. Terrier attributes are evident in hunting rabbits, exterminating rats and alerting to intruders. Yet the little dog is a courageous heeler, built low to escape kicks.


The Lancashire has such strong heeling instincts, one family says their dog even will try to round up cattle seen on television!

Kuvasz

COUNTRY: Hungary
WEIGHT: 110 pounds maximum
HEIGHT: 26 inches maximum
COAT: Wavy, medium length
COLOR: White to ivory
GROUP: Flock Guard

Many cynologists believe the Kuvasz was brought to Hungary by the Kumans, nomadic shepherds of Turkish origin in the 13th century. These dogs may have moved north with much earlier migrations, however. They are obviously part of the flock-guarding family, both as ancestors and descendants. Their similarity to the Ak-bash Dog is striking.

Kuvasz may have been derived from the Sum-erians, ancient Eastern people who originally fostered dogs of this type. Ku-assa, in Sumerian, is dog horse, indicating a dog that guarded and ran along beside horses and riders. The term ku-assa is found on a clay board at the site of Ak-kad in northern Mesopotamia, circa 3000 BC. Most of the migrating peoples who came from Asia to populate eastern Europe were horse-riding tribes whose wealth was in large herds of range cattle. Those who settled what is now Hungary brought their white guard dogs with them.
The breed savored a moment of splendor in the 15th century in the court of King Matyas (Mathias) I, who claimed to trust his Kuvasz dogs more than his fawning courtiers. This king used his Kuvaszok for hunting wild boar and as personal guardians. The breed was never an exclusivity with royalty, however, and aided herdsmen and peasants in protection. He is still seen frequently in Hungary today.



The Kuvasz has been bred and exhibited in the United States since the 1920s. He successfully patrols American ranches for predator control. The breed has never become recognized in Great Britain.

A typical flock guard in temperament, he is wary and suspicious of that which is not familiar. This is correct temperament for the breed— and the group—as a whole.



Owners should be responsible, with enough experience and knowledge to control the macho temperament. The Kuvasz will continue to test his owner's dominance. Once he has given his devotion, he will be a one-family dog and will protect that family from all intruders, including a new neighbor or the toll-taker. The Kuvasz has an intense loyalty to that which is his own and needs proper socialization and control to become a dependable companion dog as well. The thick, white coat is also demanding of attention.

Kromfohrlander

COUNTRY: Germany
WEIGHT: 26 pounds
HEIGHT: 15-18 inches
COAT: Two types: rough wire; medium-long straight hair
COLOR: Mainly white with tan (light to very dark) markings in a broken pattern, including saddle and head
GROUP: Terrier

The Kromfohrlander is a breed of the 20th century. In 1945, American soldiers marched into Germany from France. One group, arriving in the town of Siegen, Westphalia, was accompanied by a shaggy, tawny dog. Although his family tree was unknown, his appearance and French origin indicated a Breton Griffon (Griffon Fauve de Bretagne). The dog was taken in by a townswoman, Use Schleifenbaum. "Peter" became a beloved house pet and later "fell in love" with the next-door neighbor, "Fiffi," a fe-male of uncertain pedigree, but possibly Fox Terrier extraction. The resulting puppies were uniform and so handsome that Mrs. Schleifenbaum decided to develop them into a new breed. Ten years later, in 1955, she succeeded in having the German Kennel Club officially recognize them, with the FCI giving them the stamp of approval shortly after.



Lively, loyal and obedient, the breed was developed specifically as a companion dog. The muzzle tapers slightly, ears are high and fall in a complete drop, and the happy tail is carried gaily, forming a loose ring over the back. This German terrier carries robust sporting dog proportions.

He is alert, watchful, devoted to his family and does not roam. Since the breed was a happy accident, these dogs do not hunt but are strictly companions and watchdogs. A current German owner relates how Kromfohrlanders are a part of his family and says, "We did not know that dogs could be so intelligent."

Kooikerhoundje

COUNTRY: Netherlands
WEIGHT: 20-24 pounds
HEIGHT: 14-16 inches
COAT: Moderately long, with slight wave; fringed, as a spaniel
COLOR: Red and white
OTHER NAMES: Kooiker Dog
GROUP: Gun Dog

Kooiker Dogs have been extant in the Netherlands for many years, helping the hunters draw the kooikers, a type of duck. It was a Kooiker that was credited with saving the life of Prince William of Orange (153^-1584). The dog barked at intruders, alerting the Prince to escape. Dutch artists Jan Steen and Jan Vermeer captured the breed in paintings during the 1600s.

History then skips any mention of the Kooiker Dog until the early 1940s when Baroness v. Hardenbroek van Ammerstol began her search for one of this native breed. The Baron-ess gave a likeness of the Kooiker Dog to a peddler and showed him the coat color, asking him to search for such a dog in his travels. The peddler was fortunate to find a Kooiker bitch, "Tommy," in the northern Netherlands. Two males, "Bobby" and "Bennie," were also found in the same area.

Tommy's first litter was born in 1943, and these three dogs set the foundation of the modern breed. Originally, tricolored dogs were allowed, but are now not permitted.

The Kooikerhondje is called the "decoy" in the Netherlands for its method of aiding the hunter. Pipes set with wire netting are placed around ponds and lakes. Feed is sprinkled near the end, with tame ducks eating the fodder and drawing the attention of the wild ducks. The Kooiker Dog leads the ducks in, attracting them with his bushy white tail. When they are under the netting, the hunter appears, frightening the birds into the netting. Young and rare birds are ringed and set free. The nature reserves in the Netherlands employ about a hundred decoys.


Baroness v. Hardenbroek van Ammerstol re-ceived a gold pin of honor from the Council of Cynological Management for her work to solidify the futures of the national breeds including the Drent Partridge and the Dutch Kooiker Dog.

This old Dutch breed has only enjoyed an organized breed club since 1967; acknowledgement of the breed came in 1971. Fanciers feel FCI will accept the breed in the near future, Matings are still a problem, with strict breeding requirements and a narrow breed base. (All specimens are in the Netherlands.) However, those same regulations are improving soundness of the breed.

The Kooiker Dog is medium sized , very much like a small setter or spaniel in appearance. The tail must be long and bushy; hair on the ears is long, preferably with black tips called earrings. He is cheerful, easy to manage and affectionate with his owners. These qualities make him not only a good hunter's companion, but a delightful family and obedience dog.

Kerry Beagle

COUNTRY: Ireland
HEIGHT: 22-24 inches
COAT: Hard, close and smooth
COLOR: Black and tan, blue mottled and tan, black/tan/white, or tan and white
OTHER NAMES: Pocadan
GROUP: Hound






From very early times, a large distinctive scent-hound has trod the Emerald Isle. He most likely arrived with the Celts and has been refined over the years with crosses to the Southern Hound and French hounds.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, their numbers had dwindled until they were primarily in only one kennel owned by the Ryan family of Scar-teen, County Limerick. With interest in native breeds growing, however, there are now a good number of fine packs with Kerry Beagles hunted throughout rural Ireland. Many specimens came with Irish immigrants to the USA, where they contributed to the famous Trigg strain of American Foxhounds as well as being one of the major stems of the American Black and Tan Coonhound. The breed is unsponsored by any formal dog organization, even in its homeland.

The origin of his description as "beagle" is unknown, as he was never a small dog like the familiar Beagle. In fact, in earlier times, he was even larger, but has carried the label of Beagle for centuries. The present-day word for the breed in the Irish language is pocadan, which describes him as a hunting dog. In the beginning, he was mainly used for stag hunting, a sport requiring speed and stamina. He is now generally utilized for hare hunts as well as drag trials.



The exhilarating sport of foot hunting for hare is pursued in Ireland mainly for the enjoyment of following a fine pack of hounds. Watching these dogs from a high vantage point as they work the rocky mountainsides is a never-ending thrill, and listening to their beautiful voices echo across the valleys culminates the hunt. The Native Dogs of Ireland says that, "it is extremely rare if a hare is caught. The Hunt Master invariably calls off the hounds should the hare be in any danger or distress."

Drag trials are held in Ireland for the Kerry Beagle. The Kerry hounds fan out in a large circle when casting, and automatically turn to the first dog that finds the scent and indicates it by "opening" with a loud bay. They have astonishing speed and independence.

The Kerry Beagle sports long ears, full chops and a robust, athletic build. The black-and-tan jacketing is the classic coat, although a great variety of other "hound" colors as tan or red bicol-ors, tricolors, or even the very rare blue-mottled (merle) color, are seen and allowed.

One 19th-century writer's description of him as "an indifferent bloodhound" was not meant to be unflattering, but merely indicated that they looked much like a Bloodhound without the exaggeration of bone and skin. One hopes that sufficient interest is maintained in this ancient Irish hound to ultimately find it included among the recognized and exhibited dogs of the world.

Karelo - Finnish Laika

COUNTRY: USSR
WEIGHT: 25-30 pounds
HEIGHT: 15-19 inches
COAT: Dense, moderately short, stand-off
COLOR: Fawn in various shades, lighter tones on the undersides are allowed
GROUP: Northern Dog





The Karelo-Finnish Laika is very similar to the Finnish Spitz. Nordic hunting breeds developed long before current national boundaries. The red hunting dog fostered in Finland took on the name Finnish Spitz, and the same general type promoted in European Russia was named Kare-lo-Finnish for the area from which it came. The area called Karelia is actually a part of northwestern Russia, just east of Finland and south of the Barents seaport of Murmansk. The Russian term laika means barker or barking dog, similar to the term applied to his Finnish counterpart. All of the Nordic-type dogs from Russia are called laika, describing their distinctive hunting style. The actual Karelo-Finnish Laika is unknown outside of Russia, but at home he is very popular with hunters; in fact he is the most numerous of all the Russian laikas, due to his fine abilities and small size.



Maturing very early, he finds employment for various types of bird hunting—grouse, pheasant and duck—as well as squirrels. Many Soviet fur hunters also find this breed useful for trailing and entering fox, marten or raccoon burrows, and he is even brave enough to dance face to face with a bear. This energetic, small, quick dog is the least likely of the laikas to bog down and suffocate in the deep snow drifts.
In temperament, the Karelo-Finnish is high-strung and excitable. He is willing to please and cannot stand rudeness, punishment or unfair treatment. Russians say "everything about this dog, its eyes, ears, and tail, express joy and cheerfulness." But if ill-treated, the bond between Laika and hunter is broken, and the hunt will lose its joy.

KANGAL DOG

COUNTRY: Turkey
WEIGHT: 75-150 pounds
HEIGHT: 28-34 inches
COAT: Short, smooth
COLOR: Chamois, dun or grayish dun; with a black mask; white chest blaze and feet characteristic; never white
OTHER NAMES: Karabash
GROUP: Flock Guard








These ancient guardians have served the shepherds of the mountains and plains in the Kangal district of eastern Turkey for thousands of years. In the Sivas area, the family headed by the Aga of Kangal has produced illustrious leaders in central Turkey since their ancestors, the Turkoman Beys, invaded Asia Minor around 1000 AD. They were a great land-owning family of the 16th through 19th centuries. These people were—and still remain—renowned breeders of beautiful animals: the Arabian horse, sheep and the Kangal Dog. The dogs were also owned by others in the area, but both the dogs and the region are named for the family.

Turkish natives all know and identify the Kangal Dog. When a traveler mentions Kangal, Turks answer, "big, thick head, black-masked dog." Their pride is such that the Kangal Dog is depicted on a national stamp. Yet, they are not found as pets in their homeland. As Moslems, most Turks do not allow dogs in their homes, and the majority of pets are owned by Europeans or Americans living in Turkey. Work is the only reason for the KangaTs existence, and to find a specimen, the shepherds and the flocks must be sought. Like other flock guards, the dogs are easy keepers and fierce, awesome guards. Nevertheless, children of the shepherd families can play with the dogs, with the little ones sometimes riding on the huge animals' backs.



The old term karabash means black head, and was sometimes used to describe this type. But the name Kangal is more accurate, both historically and geographically.
The nobility of the old Ottoman Empire strongly fostered the maintenance of purebred types. The sultanates and landed aristocracy fell in the 20th century, however, and this last vestige of support for pure dogs was lost. Despite the lack of regulatory groups, the dogs remain pure to type in the Kangal area. A recent non-doggy tourist to Turkey reported seeing the great dun-colored dogs among the flocks in the mountains north and east of Sivas.

Because there is no Turkish registry body nor dog shows, the dog remains a working animal in its native country. Ears are cropped or, more accurately, "chopped" by shepherds in Turkey. Kangals are now trickling into the United States and other countries, where they are used for guardians and livestock protection, in addition to being exhibited at rare breed shows.