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Basenji: The Basenji is known as the barkless dog of central Africa, but the breed is far from silent. It makes a series of noises and a crowing sound that breed fanciers describe as a yodel. This hunting breed, classified as a sighthound, is valued for speedy, intelligent and silent workmanship. More >> |
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Basset Hound: Well-known as the symbol for Hush Puppies shoes, the Basset Hound is a short-legged hound with long, sweeping ears. More >> |
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Beagle: Beagles have a long history, but the most famous of them all, of course, is Snoopy, whose delight in food and travel exemplifies the breed. This small, popular trail hound, used chiefly to hunt rabbit and hare, was developed in England. More >> |
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Bearded Collie: Records dating to the 16th century show that Polish Lowland Sheepdogs were brought into Scotland and crossed with local farm collies to create the Bearded Collie. More >> |
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Beauceron: The Beauceron is nicknamed "red stockings" because of the socklike red markings on its feet. Relatively unknown outside of France, the Beauceron (Berger de Beauce) is a large, short-coated dog with cropped erect ears and a long tail that was originally bred to herd large flocks of sheep. More >> |
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Bedlington Terrier: The word lamblike describes the Bedlington's appearance but not its personality. Once known as the Rothbury Terrier, this breed was developed in the north of England during the 1820s to be an all-purpose terrier: A dog that could swim down an otter, course a rabbit and fight in the pit. More >> |
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Belgian Laekenois: This breed is one of four types of dogs known as the Belgian sheepdogs (the others are the Belgian Sheepdog, the Belgian Tervuren and the Belgian Malinois). More >> |
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Belgian Malinois: The Belgian Malinois is a striking dog, wearing a short fawn to mahogany coat with a black overlay. The breed's prick ears, dark eyes and keen expression mark it as the intelligent working dog it is. More >> |
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Belgian Sheepdog: In its country of origin, the long-coated black Belgian Sheepdog is known as the Groenendael, named after the village where this variety of sheepdog was created. Smart and sensitive, the breed adapts well to family life. It's active and alert, and is an excellent worker in obedience. More >> |
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Belgian Tervuren: Except for coat color, this breed is similar to its close relative the Belgian Sheepdog: same size (up to 26 inches at the shoulder); same elegant outline; and same long, off-standing double coat, but in shades of red or fawn with a black overlay. More >> |
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Bergamasco Sheepdog: Developed in Asia, bred in Italy and dreadlocked like a Rastafarian, the fun-loving, protective Bergamasco Sheepdog creates a special bond with owners. More >> |
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Bernese Mountain Dog: Regarded by many as the most beautiful of the four breeds of Swiss Mountain Dogs, the Bernese is the only one with a long coat. More >> |
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Bichon Frise: Known originally as the Bichon Teneriffe, this animated powder puff was brought to the European continent from the Canary Islands during the 14th century. There it became the favored pet of the aristocracy until fashions in lapdogs changed. More >> |
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Biewer Terrier: Originally known as the Biewer Yorkshire Terrier a la Pom-Pon, the Biewer Terrier is a somewhat new breed, having only been around since the mid-1980s. The breed is named after Werner Biewer, the German who first introduced his black-and-white Yorkshire Terriers to the show ring in 1988. More >> |
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Black and Tan Coonhound: A specialist in night trailing the raccoon, the Black and Tan Coonhound is a direct descendant of the Bloodhounds that were imported to the English colony of Virginia. Males measure 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder; females two inches less. More >> |
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Black Russian Terrier: This is a young breed that was created in the 1960s by Soviet dog lovers who melded Giant Schnauzers, Airedales, Rottweilers and other breeds into a big, tough dog with a weather-resistant coat and agile movement. More >> |
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Bloodhound: The Bloodhound is the most famous of the scenthounds. Mournful looking with a wrinkled brow and long, low-set ears, the breed is blessed with uncanny scenting ability and is best known for tracking down fugitives from justice. More >> |
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Bluetick Coonhound: During the early decades of this century, dog dealers made trips into the Louisiana bayou, the Ozark mountains and other isolated areas, bringing out hounds of remarkably pure type. These dogs, mainly of the heavily ticked blue color, were often referred to as Bleus de Gascognes or French Staghounds. More >> |
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Bolognese: Named for the northern Italian city of Bologna, the Bolognese was once a favorite of nobility and the ladies-in-waiting of many European courts. Records show the existence of the Bolognese since the year 1200. More >> |
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Border Collie: Britain's Border Collie is often considered the finest sheepherding dog in the world, bred strictly for working ability rather than appearance. This is a medium-sized dog, with females usually averaging 35 to 45 pounds, males averaging 45 to 55 pounds. More >> |
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Border Terrier: It's hard to go wrong with a breed that was the favorite of James Herriot. Developed in northern England, the Border Terrier was used to hunt foxes that preyed on farmers' livestock. It became a favorite hunt terrier, working with packs of Border Foxhounds. More >> |
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Borzoi: The Borzoi once went by the name Russian Wolfhound and was prized by Russian nobility. The breed descends from the ancient Persian Greyhound (a Saluki ancestor) crossed with native Russian herdsmen's dogs. More >> |
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Boston Terrier: Charming and highly intelligent, the Boston Terrier makes a wonderful family companion. It is ideal with other pets and children and is an excellent watchdog. The Boston's alertness makes it fun and easy to train. The Boston Terrier is truly an American breed. More >> |
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Bouvier des Flandres: The Bouvier is a big, intelligent dog measuring upward of 24 inches at the shoulder. An excellent guard and police dog, the breed was formerly used to herd cattle and drive them to market. As an army dog during the two World Wars, the Bouvier carried messages under fire and hunted out the wounded. More >> |
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Boxer: The Boxer was developed in Germany as a medium-sized security dog. The breed combines the blood of a mastiff-type breed that was used for hunting, herding and protection with that of the Bulldog. The result is a smooth-coated, agile dog measuring up to 25 inches at the shoulder. More >> |
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Boykin Spaniel: This medium-size dog is a sturdy and typical spaniel, bred to be a hunting dog with exceptional retrieving and flushing abilities. He is adept at both land and water retrieving, not shy to jump in the lake to pick up his prize. More >> |
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Bracco Italiano: The Bracco Italiano is a classic pointer with an elegant, loping gait and a strong instinct for game. The breed’s origins can be traced back centuries. The Bracco developed in Italy, descending from Molossus and Egyptian Hounds. More >> |
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Briard: A shaggy-coated French sheepdog of ancient lineage, the Briard served its country with valor during World War I as a Red Cross dog and ammunition carrier. More >> |
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Brittany: The Breton peasant's hunting dog, known since the mid-19th century in the French province Brittany, this breed is thought to represent a cross between the English Setter and small French land spaniels. Square in outline, the Brittany is the smallest of the versatile gun dogs. More >> |
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Brussels Griffon: Thanks to the movie "As Good As It Gets," the Brussels Griffon is in the spotlight. It's easy to understand the appeal of this snub-nosed imp with remarkable intelligence. Brussels Griffons are small, weighing less than 12 pounds. More >> |
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Bull Terrier: Originally called the Bull and Terrier, this British breed represents a cross between the Bulldog and the now extinct White English Terrier. Bull Terriers are friends to all, but because their first job was that of pit fighter, their feisty instincts die hard. More >> |
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Bulldog: As British as the Union Jack, the Bulldog was formerly exploited in the now-outlawed sports of bull baiting and pit fighting. More >> |
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Bullmastiff: Developed in England as the gamekeeper's night dog, the Bullmastiff represents a cross between the Mastiff and the Bulldog. The breed's job was to warn the gamekeeper of poachers and, if necessary, throw and hold the intruder but not harm it. More >> |
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