Some breeds of dogs are suitable as guide dogs, for people with other physical or mental limitations.  Some can be trained as rescue dogs and therapy dogs.

The use of a working dog is probably the earliest form of the dog. At the beginning they were assistance in the hunt, both in finding and killing the animals. For Aboriginal people, some of which were accompanied by dogs, they stood in the cold desert at nights and kept each other warm. The dogs were also given only scraps to eat.

The accompaniment in the hunt was probably the first use of dogs and the most important for a long time.  The necessary skills the animals learned were inherited from their ancestors, the wolves.  Only much later, special hunting dog breeds were bred. For the hunt, for example, they needed dogs that could run fast, as a small dog (dachshund or terrier) could easily be penetrated by a fox or badger.

The people were sedentary and increasingly devoted to agriculture and livestock.  Dogs were also increasingly used for the guarding of the yard, house and herds. For the selection of suitable animals, a shepherd dog has been exploited by her natural instinct of pulling together the pack.

In principle, all dogs can be used as a watchdog, by exploiting their natural instincts, to alarm the herd when danger threatens. In the cities there are smaller dog breeds, while in the country, because of the higher deterrent effect, larger breeds of dogs were used.  Often there were two types of dogs kept.  Little dogs, which held a low threshold and reported the approach of a stranger and large dogs which were prepared to defend the house and yard, known as farm dogs.  The livestock guardian dogs are one of the watchdogs and are now partially used for the security of buildings such as the Kangal in Turkey.

The use of dogs as “the poor man’s beast of burden” was from the Middle Ages until the 20th Century.  Northern countries such as the dogs of the Samoyed, or Husky’s, are still used as sled dogs.

Because of his social adaptability, the domestic dog is the most affiliated with the human animal. So many people today spend their free time with their dog. Not infrequently, the animals even act as the only social relationship its owner has.  In northern Asia, the dog’s coat was desired as fur as late as the beginning of the 20th Century, and also dog leather, for gloves.

In the course of the human-dog relationship, different breeds have been developed regionally and for the environment and living conditions.  The range of body sizes is as large as in any other land vertebrates. The man knew how to use the dogs for various tasks through breeding and dog training. Cynologique the Federation Internationale (FCI) is the largest international organization that coordinates the requirements of its national affiliates to breed standards and establishes rules for breeding.

The behaviour of such dogs is the first step of domestication, and the historically conscious discipline followed by the desired behaviour.  Directly from such Schensihunden were bred the Basenji breed and Chow. Also, the dingo was wild thousands of years ago in Australia and developed through the evolution of the Wolf.

It is not recognized as a breed by the FCI, but by an Australian breeding association. Taxonomically, the dingo is not included among the domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), but is formed beside the house dog, as a separate subspecies (Canis lupus dingo).

Among the first dogs which were bred in Europe for certain desirable characteristics, include the livestock guardian, were the Old German sheepdogs Harzer Fuchs. These are as good as all of today’s breeds, which must meet a particular breed standard in appearance.

A recent example is the German shepherd, who was bred in 1900 from old German shepherd dogs.   In some Islamic countries, the ordinary dog is despised as unclean and the greyhound as a hunting dog.  As recognized by the FCI breed standard and with a firm bearing the Canaan Dog Breed it exists as an Israeli/Arab breed.

Because these dogs need to live a life on the fringes of human society, they were chosen to be referred to by the term pariah.   On the American continent, the Mexican Hairless Dog has been in evidence for about 4,000 years. His ancestors would have been about 13,000 years ago, and accompanied those who emigrated across the Bering Strait.

The requirement was a dog that had the characteristics of weather resistance, reliable, and resilient in every way and so over time they developed an essentially uniformly assessed docile herding dog whose quiet and reliable dispensation allowed him to work anytime which was appreciated by the shepherds.

In the 1880s Baron von Knigge had a white shepherd dog called “Grief”, which was bought from a breeder Friedrich Sparwasser, and with the bitch “Lotte” he mated them and they had a puppy bitch they named “Lena”, which was then put to a dog named “Castor,” and on the 1 January 1895, the famous “Hector Link Rhine” with “white genes” was recognised

Max von Stephanitz founded in 1899 in Karlsruhe, the “Association for German Shepherd Dogs SV as the first animal of the male “Hector link the Rhine” line with the Zuchtbuchnummer or stud book number one. SZ1 was entered in the stud book and was later changed to “Horant of Grafrath. ”Horant” and his litter were brothers.

Luchs Sparwasser now mainly used the dog for stud dog and still many of the descendants naturally had the white paint marks recorded as normal in the stud book as their original dogs represented by among others, “Berno of the Seewiese” and “Hector von Schwaben.

Around 1900 the royal house of Hapsburg and Hohenzollern had a small herd of white shepherd dogs, which they bred for themselves. These magnificent animals by their appearance fitted perfectly with the ambience and the Lipizzaner horses of the gentry.

The German Shepherd became more and more trained a s a service dog and in 1933, the white paint was removed from the breed standard as it did not look dangerous enough.

All white pups were killed immediately after birth so it happened that in Europe there were almost no white sheepdogs any more, however some “White” dogs were taken into the United States and Canada to create a breeding base, which is where the current population in Europe came from.

The new breed developed in popularity in many countries and the White German Shepherd as it was called in the AKC there was still differences between which Sheppard dog was more correct with many discoloured dogs destroyed to prevent further breeding.

In the first 70 years of the 20th Century, the White Shepherd returned to Europe, first to Switzerland by Agatha Burch who brought her male dog born in 1966  “Lobo” from the U.S. This male dog is considered in Switzerland to be the progenitor of the breed. The popularity of the dogs spread across Europe after being registered in Switzerland and other dogs were imported from the U.S. and Canada helping the White Shepherd to further spread throughout Europe and is now bred in large numbers and since 1991 is a new breed in the abbex to the Swiss Stud Book LOS.

Recognition

Despite the population of white shepherd dogs, especially in Germany, Switzerland, Holland, France, Austria and Sweden of the following years growing sharply there were those within the organisation who still apposed to the white dog.

The FCI authorities were willing to consider international recognition however there was still opposition from the SV who tried to prevent the white dog being recognised however the white German Shepherd has looked for recognition over the years with success.

The pressure on the National Association of FCI authorities was increasing with the increasing popularity and numbers of the white dog. Controversy surrounded the recognition of the dg for many years and fingers were pointed at the National Association of FCI entities for ignoring their responsibilities to canines as a whole.

From 2001the SKG or Swiss Canine Society was willing to provide the necessary application for the international recognition of the white shepherd dog to the FCI.

The fact that Switzerland was the first country that could prove eight separate breed lines also meant that Switzerland has become the mother of the white shepherd dog, and the name was fixed with “Berger Blanc Suisse.

Since 1 January 2003 it is now official that the White Shepherd is a breed with paragraph 347 of the standard recognized by the FCI as provisional.

Description

The White Swiss Shepherd is an equally elegant and solidly built family companion and working dog which are of medium length, light and well-muscled, with good bone and an overall firm structure.

The withers are 60 to 65 cm in males and for females between 55 to 60cm, with the head well adapted to the body and wedge-shaped, the jaw must be scissor shaped with 42 teeth, erect ears that are well shaped and of a medium size.The upper line runs from the neck on the high withers, straight back to the slightly sloping croup. The back is moderately long-muscled, solid, strong and good. Both front-and hindquarters should be well muscled and angulated enough to allow a ground covering gait during work.

The top coat can be stock or long double, while enough undercoat must be present. The dogs must be balanced by nature, steady, confident, at ease, and benign and aggression must be rejected.

White Shepherds are intelligent and willing to learn and therefore suitable for virtually all dog sports. They are easily to maintain in terms of daily care, but they are demanding in terms of the necessary welfare and employment, which is offered to them.

Depending on the ambitions of the handler and of course depending on the disposition of the dog, training in obedience, tracking, protection and agility and other disciplines can be trained. In Austria, there are many white sheepdogs that have proven themselves as an already well-trained avalanche dogs.

A special talent they develop is tracking, but also as guard dogs they have proved remarkable, so whatever the discipline the White Shepherd is proving to be a success and can adapt to the rigours of all the sports disciplines and their requirements.

From an early date the Portuguese water dog as a breed is mention in documents in Portugal with characteristics of the barbet breed. This water dog is found in the fourteenth century in Europe, and in the sixteenth century it is referred as a barbet.

Interest in this breed developed after the late nineteenth century and then resurged in the 1970’s. In Germany, this breed used to be quite rare but it is becoming more popular but the popularity is affecting a number of other popular hunting dog breeds like the German wire-haired pointer, the pudelpointer, griffon Korthals and the Irish water spaniel. However as a breed the barbet world wide is still rare, with only between 400 to 500 dogs.

The waterproof coat of the barbet is similar to that of the Irish water spaniel and provides excellent thermal protection even in the coldest water.  The hair is long, woolly, and curly and there are many colors that are recognized from solid black, gray, maroon, fawn, sandy and a white to a more or less spotted pelt.

The rich shades of fawn colours usually a sandy tone covers the fur up to the nose.  The barbet has a long beard and a luxuriant mustache.  The ears are set low and hang down long, with long hair. Water dogs are used not only for retrieving, but also to hunt birds and the barbet is an excellent swimmer well adapted to this pastime.  They are medium-sized dogs with a thick, woolly fur, which reliably protects them against the cold and dampness however the care of the woolly, curly coat is relatively time consuming.

The barbet is considered to be a generally amiable and highly adaptable to its surroundings as a family dog.

The Berger de Picardie is up to 65 cm tall, approximately 32-pound in weight and the coat is straight and goat like and weather resistant in colours ranging from fawn to grey or fauve. The ears are and are medium in size.

Like all herding dogs, they are very independent and strong-willed in order to fulfil their function and this trait is absolutely necessary. To train an assistance dog or a family dog, this independence must be taken into account.

The dog is not an easy dog to train and it takes a significant degree of loving consistency, patience, perseverance and a lot of sensitivity to achieve the desired level of obedience in the dog breed.

The dog has large drop ears that are hairy and the main feature is the tri colour dog, with the bulk of the coat being black over the trunk, neck, head and tail. From the nose to the forehead, a white forehead stripe runs called a blaze. A white chest and white paws and it it is in the shape of a cross it is called real jewellery.

The white tail tip is not a must, but it is preferred to be seen and the dog should have red-brown spots over the eyes which is where the old name “Vieräugler” comes from and brown red cheeks with patch like markings on the side of the white chest hair and legs completes the picture.

The more symmetrically the three colours are distributed, the more harmonious the image of the dog is, the front and hind legs should be well bent giving the dog a “freely and expansive” movement.
Bernese Mountain dogs are particularly suited for dog sports, as they have great manoeuvrability, speed and agility. The dog is renowned as a rescue dog and has a great obedience when used in these applications. The coat is very thick in order to be comfortable in winter under freezing conditions so they do not take the heat very well because of the thick water repellent fur.

Bernese Mountain Dogs should not be kept in flats without a lift as with them and as other large breeds they can develop and experience joint pains and problems from hip to elbow dysplasia.

They also have an increased susceptibility to kidney disease and cancer especially malignant histiocytosis so the race mortality is probable twice as high as smaller dog breeds. According to a recent study across the population size, malignant tumours from the age of four years have been a major cause of death.

17 percent of all Bernese Mountain Dogs die before the age of five, 45 percent before the age of 8, and 72 percent are not 10 years old. VDH recognized breed in the breed clubs, such as the SSV breeding strategies is being used to combat these inherited diseases.

Transparency over several generations on hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, age structure and behaviour are prerequisites of the breeding program and before breeding, the breeders must use a genetic evaluation. It is now being bred with a view to longevity and the goal life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.

Bernese Mountain Dogs are confident, good-natured and friendly. They have a strong tendency to watch without being aggressive. Today, they are not just good pets and farm dogs, but also popular family dogs.

In addition to the Bernese Mountain Dog, there are another three breeds, which belong to this group of Swiss Mountain Dog, The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller Mountain Dog and the Entlebucher Mountain dog.

The Bichon Frise dog is of European origin and is descended from the Maltese or Water Spaniel. The name “Bichon” is actually a shortened form of “Barbichon” which in turn is short for “Barbet”.
It is estimated that the breed is of French origin, although it is very likely to be of Spanish origin from the Mediterranean. It is speculated that this was one of the dogs depicted in the presence of the French and Spanish courts and it is originally believed to be from the Spanish Canary Islands, where it was also referred to as the Bichon.

The popularity of this race is reflected in paintings by Spanish artists including such well known artist as Francisco de Goya and after the French Revolution, the bichon was seen in the streets and towns as it lost the focus of being a court dog.

The survival on the streets was due to the strong genetics of the breed, as only the healthiest and robust managed to endure, and the nature of the animal its beauty and confirmation saw it eventually becoming popular amongst the general public.

In the 1930s, several French farmers decided to breed the race and registered the dogs in the French club in 1934. The dog has a long history and seen as a part in street performers, circus and puppetry due to the easy way in which the dogs can be trained and their stamina.

The maintenance of hair may need the assistance of a professional groomer. Do not bathe often and one needs to be especially careful with a dog that is pure white and very active, however they are known as being wonderful pets.

This breed is very healthy and strong, is very friendly and adapts well being recommended for children because of their character and the way they adapt to the environment.

The good nature of this breed makes them ideal for pet therapy centres and nursing homes, but it also requires plenty of exercise for a dog of this size.
The owner of a Bichon Frize should avoid leaving them alone as it is a pet that suffers from anxiety when alone which in turn can cause health problems.
Other features of the breed are that they are great hunters of rats and mice.

Dog Federations
The Bichon Frise breed is usually assigned as either the Company of Dogs, or non-sporting dogs and listed below are federations that recognize this canine breed.
Japanese Kennel Club: Recognized in Miniature Dogs Group in 1972.
International Canine Organization: Recognized Dog Group Company in 1972.
American Kennel Club: AKC USA. Regular Classes Entered in 1973.
Canadian Kennel Club: CKC Canada. Classified in the Group Dog Hunters in 1975.
United Kennel Club: UKC United States. Recognized in 1981.
The Kennel Club: KC Great Britain.
These associations have useful references allowing one to estimate the popularity of the breed, knowing the efforts to maintain the breed set and to get the advice on purchasing a purebred puppy and see the race classifications if you wish to compete

Description

The ears are small and keep falling; the hair is thin, soft, silky, somewhat curly, and relatively long, from 7 to 10 cm approximately 3 to 4 inches and the inner mantle is wool.
Hair Color is White, however some federations allow a slight very light brown shade, but must be very limited and can not exceed 10% of the coat in adults. In puppies this shadow is not a foul.
Tail: Usually raised and curled over his back with long hair.
Height: To cross or shoulder: Males from 23 to 30 cm approximately 9 to 12 inches and females 24 to 26.5 cm approximately 9 ½ to 10 ½ inches. Longevity: Usually 12 to 13 years and weight between 3 and 6 kg

Health problems characteristic of the race
Because of inappropriate crossings, the Bichon Frize has health conditions peculiar to this race among these alignments are:
Medial patellar luxation: A weakness of the joints that can be controlled by selective breeding.
Juvenile cataracts: The loss of sight, even in the very young.

Recommendations for this type of problem are to avoid breeding with animals with these conditions.

Bladder stones: It is a natural tendency of small breed dogs, which can be exacerbated by excess protein, magnesium and phosphorus in the diet of the animal.

Symptoms may include frequent urination, discouragement, malaise and weakness. It is sometimes necessary to resort to surgery, but this can be prevented with frequent check ups at a vet, a protein controlled diet and exercise.
Other conditions: The Bichon Frize may also suffer less from hip dysplasia, epilepsy, poor pigmentation of the skin, allergies, and advanced genetic changes in temperament.

The Bergamasco and the Maremma Sheepdog or Maremmano are Italy’s oldest known breed of shepherd dogs and are quite common and widespread. The Italian studbook for the dog was begun in 1898.

 
This intelligent, fearless dog is of medium size and of a rustic appearance and it is characterized by abundant and shaggy, matted fur on its back, which gives it natural protection from water.

The colours can be all shades of grey, blue merle a mottled grey-black and black with possible white markings are allowed. Females are at adult up to 58 cm tall and weigh on average of 32 kg in weight and males are 38 kg and up to 62 cm in height.

The Bergamasco is a well-proportioned dog, strongly built, and the withers and shoulder height corresponds to the body in proportion, the dog appears quadratically or square when he stands.

The head is large, but should not be crude; the ears are thin, hanging and should have about half the length of the head in length. There color should be a line of colour around the eyes on the skin fold and depending on the coat may be mostly dark.

The tail should not roll over the back and should hang down the leg at rest and be supported in a raised position when the dog is excited. The tail is covered in hair and is “goated” it should not be too long.

 
To get the typical appearance of the dog conventional grooming is unnecessary as in the dogs second year of life the felted top and undercoat moults and the dog has the desired and typical tufts.

The head and neck area should not become matted with fur and the Italians have a term for this “Fellbereiche Doppio Pelo ” and only the belly fur is kept conveniently short so that the tufts are borne almost like a cape.

 
The Bergamasco is originally a versatile herding dog, which is used for driving and when not driving is a versatile herding and watch dog. Today it is becoming increasingly popular as a family dog, and is being used in competitive Dog dancing, Man trailing and agility, as the dog is enthusiastic about working and its original home in the alps makes it an ideal dog for the use in therapy and children’s pets in kindergarten.

The Australian Terrier is a breed of dog belonging to the family of the Terriers.

Their appearance, as a rule, is often confused with a large Yorkshire.  This is not surprising, as this breed comes from the crossing of different breeds including Yorkshire terriers Cairn and Dandie Dinmont.  As for their appearance the dog is long, sturdy and strong.  They are short legged with a rough coat.

Their measurements are 25cm. to the cross for males and at 22.5 – 23 for females.  The average weight is set at about 6.5kg. for males and 6 kg. for females.  The mantle may be silver-gray, bluish gray, brown, reddish brown.  The tail is usually cut off and carried erect.
Temperament

Lively, friendly and with a facial expression denoting intelligence.  They are loyal and faithful. Sometimes it may become dominant with good training from an early age would being appropriate.
Care

It is perfectly suited to any type of housing, whether large or small (apartment, house, garden vivivenda, etc).  They need sufficient brushing and a daily walk.
History and origins

Its origin dates back to the early century, when British families accompanied by their terriers were travelling to Australia.  They were mixing with local wildlife and other dogs brought by settlers such as the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and many others giving rise to the Australian Terrier, which became recognized by the British canine societies in the 1930s onwards, and by the Americans in 1960.

The Azawakh is a recognized African greyhound race.

Azawakh, also known as Tuareg Greyhound, is a breed of dog that is kept by the nomads of the Sahel region as hunting, watch and guard dogs. The range of the race covers the countries of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. In the southern Tuareg tribes he is as Idi Iadan, described simply meaning “dog” and is explained by the fact that it exists in the central Sahel.

It is therefore a typical country race.  In more northern areas, already in the Saharan regions of the range, the name Osca (pl. OSCAT is used), which is Tamascheq for especially selected and noble hounds. The term Azawakh is used by the international breeding organization FCI, and is derived from Azawakhtal the border states of Mali and Niger, and lies within the center region of origin.

Description

The elegant impression conveyed by Azawakh, results from its narrow and slender physique. This is underlined by its resolute and independent work ethic. In relation to total body length, the limbs are relatively long, which makes it appear ‘leggy.’ Due to the arid water being used by the people living in its original area of origin, the dogs usually have a nutritional status in which the skeletal structure and muscles become clear.

It was explicitly stated by the European breeding organizations that they feature in the Standard. Thus, normally fed dogs at shows often do not reach the front seats. Often, the Azawakh is confused with the Sloughi, not only because of the similar environmental conditions in the areas of origin of the dogs, but also because cross breeding of both races took place.
This typical greyhound has a withers in males of 64 and 74cm and for females it is 60cm and 70kg with a weight of up to 25kg (males 20 to 25) Females 15 to 20kg. Its fur is short and they are thin as the stomach is reduced to barely any.  They can be red, sand or brindle coloured.

All colors from light sable to dark fawn, is permissible. The head may have a black mask and the blaze is very irregular. The coat has a white chest patch. All four legs should have white “boots”.  The skin is thin, and the whole body flat. The head is long, fine, lean and chiselled and rather narrow.

The tail is set low, long, thin, lean and tapered. It is covered with the same fur as the body and carries at the top it of a white brush.  It is elegant of course, it always looks very smooth, especially in trot and canter. The Azawakh gives a great impression of lightness and elasticity.