A dignified, aloof breed often considered an aristocrat, the Afghan Hound has a happy temperament and makes an excellent family companion. Little is known about the Afghan Hound’s history before the 19th century when he was discovered in Afghanistan. A large breed, the Afghan Hound requires regular exercise, and his long, silky coat needs regular grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? In April 2005 in Korea, an Afghan Hound called “Snuppy” became the world’s first successful dog clone.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Kuchi Hound, T?z?, Balkh Hound Baluchi Hound, Barutzy Hound, Shalgar Hound, Kabul Hound, Galanday Hound, Or sometimes incorrectly African Hound.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The largest of the terrier breeds, the Airedale Terrier originated in the Valley of Aire in England, where factory workers bred him to be a good hunter, a strong, intelligent guard dog and a companion. The Airedale Terrier is a sturdy breed with a hard, wiry coat that became known as a “jack of all trades” doing police work, rodent control and hunting game. Airedales need grooming several times a year plus weekly brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? Among famous Airedale Terrier owners are Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Agile, strong and courageous, the Australian Cattle Dog was developed in the 1800s in Australia. An intelligent and determined high-energy working dog, the Australian Cattle Dog is happiest in large, open spaces with an engaging job to do. This loyal and protective breed bonds closely with his family, but his owners must establish themselves as the pack leaders. The breed’s smooth, short coat requires occasional bathing and brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Australian Cattle Dog has helped the beef industry of Australia thrive by enabling farmers to maintain huge herds. Australian Cattle Dogs are born completely white.

ALSO KNOWN AS: ACD, Cattle Dog, Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Despite his name, the Australian Shepherd developed in the Pyrenees Mountains. This intelligent, active and good-natured breed is a skilled livestock herder and all-purpose farm and ranch dog. Aussies can be reserved with strangers but are true people dogs that want to be near their family. The breed requires daily vigorous exercise and a sense of purpose. The Aussie’s thick, weather-resistant coat requires weekly brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Australian Shepherd derived his name from his association with the Basque Shepherd Dogs that came to the U.S. from Australia in the 1800s. As Australian Shepherds age, their colouring darkens and becomes more “pure”.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Aussie, Little Blue Dog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

An elegant, lightly built hunting dog from Africa, the Basenji is known as the “Barkless Dog” due to his making a noise that sounds like a yodel when excited. His distinctive features are a wrinkled forehead and tightly curled tail. Though aloof around strangers, the Basenji is an affectionate, alert and intelligent breed full of activity and play. The Basenji’s short, odor-free coat requires minimal grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? One of the oldest dog breeds, it is believed that Basenjis were given as gifts to the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

ALSO KNOWN AS: African Bush Dog, African Barkless Dog, Ango Angari, Congo Dog, Zandle Dog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Basset Bleu is a noble-looking hound, with the typical basset long body and short legs. Powerful and athletic – he is not a heavy, cumbersome dog. Medium-sized, he stands 30-38cm tall when fully grown and weighs approximately 16-20lb. The most striking feature is the coat colour – black on a white background, covered with black mottling to produce the blue appearance. Typical hound markings, in tan, are also a feature (see the breed standard for details).

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

This medium-sized, rough-coated dog is a typical basset shape, though not as low to the ground as the Basset Hound, standing at 32-38cm when fully grown. He weighs about 16-18kg as an adult. The coat comes in fawn, gold-wheaten or red-wheaten. Some may have a little white on the chest.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

This medium-sized, strong scent hound is slightly longer than he is tall. The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen 's weather-resistant coat is rough and comes in white with lemon, orange, black, sable, tricolour or grizzle. They are known for their characteristic hair over the eyebrows, beard and moustache. Adult male GBGVs are about 40-44cm in height, and females 39-43cm.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a small/medium-sized, strong, deep-chested scent hound. He has a typical basset-type shape – being longer than he is tall and low to the ground. Adults stand at approximately 34-38cm. The rough, medium-length coat comes in white with lemon, orange, sable, grizzle or black markings, or tricolour.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

With his short legs, long ears and soulful eyes, the Basset Hound is easily recognised. This good-natured and affectionate breed gets along well with children and other dogs. The Basset Hound is an exceptional scenthound used to hunt rabbits, birds, fox, and deer. This breed easily puts on weight, so owners should avoid overfeeding and be sure their Basset receives regular exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The Basset Hound may have developed from genetic dwarf dogs from litters of French hunting hounds. In French, the word “bas” means “low.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Basset, Hush Puppy

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

This muscular, medium-sized hound is slightly longer than he is tall and weighs 20-25kg when fully grown. Adult dogs stand at 47-52cm and females at 44-48cm. The short coat comes in brown, red with a black mask, and stag red with or without a black mask.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

One of the oldest breeds, the Beagle was used as a hunting companion by English gentlemen in the 1500s. A gentle, intelligent pack dog, the Beagle enjoys the company of other dogs and people. Friendly and cheerful, he makes a great family companion. An active breed, the Beagle needs daily exercise, but his short coat requires minimal care.

DID YOU KNOW? President Lyndon B. Johnson owned three Beagles named "Him," "Her" and "Edgar."

ALSO KNOWN AS: English Beagle

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog