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

One of Britain’s oldest breeds, the Bearded Collie is a strong, agile herding dog with a shaggy coat. His name comes from the long hair, or “beard,” under the chin. Known for his playfulness and ever-wagging tail, the Beardie is an active, intelligent and devoted companion. This working breed requires extensive grooming due to his long coat and fine undercoat.

DID YOU KNOW? Originally known as the Highland Collie, the Bearded Collie’s name was later changed because unlike other collies he has long facial hair. “Beardies,” as they’re fondly called, descended from another European shaggy herding dog, the Komondor.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Highland Collie, Mountain Collie, Hairy Mou'ed Collie, Argle Bargle

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
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Impressive, large and muscular, the Beauceron is an attractive dog with a smooth short coat and drop ears.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some 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

A hardy breed known for his curly, woolly coat, the Bedlington Terrier was developed in 19th-century England to catch vermin. His gracefully shaped body gives the Bedlington the capacity for great speed and endurance. Mild and gentle with a lovable nature, the breed makes a wonderful family companion. He is an energetic but not overly rambunctious companion that needs daily exercise. His coat requires regular trimming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Bedlington Terrier was popular with John D. Rockefeller and his family. The Bedlington, named “Timmie,” who won the 1948 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was owned by Rockefeller's grandnephew, William A. Rockefeller.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Rothbury Terrier, Rodberg, Rothbury's Lamb

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 every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

An elegant, muscular dog, the Belgian Sheepdog is a loving companion that excels as a herding and guard dog. Originating in the 1800s, the Belgian Sheepdog is an intelligent, easily trained, active breed that does best when given a job or purpose. One of four types of Belgian sheepherding dogs, he is distinguished by his long, black coat, which has a dense undercoat and requires weekly brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? During both World Wars, Belgian Sheepdogs proved themselves valuable by working as message carriers, ambulance dogs and pulling machine guns. The first Belgian Sheepdog kennel was established by Nicholas Rose of Groenendael, Belgium, and his black sheepdogs, Petite and Picard d’Uccle.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Belgian Sheepdog, Chien de Berger Belge

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some 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

The Laekenois dog breed is a medium-sized/large, rough-haired dog that appears square in outline. The weatherproof coat comes in reddish with black shading mainly on the muzzle and tail. Adult dogs should measure between 61-66cm and females between 56-61cm. They weigh between 27.5-28.5kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some 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

The Malinois is a medium to large sized dog with an athletic, lean build and a short, tight coat. Sometimes mistaken for the larger, heavier boned German Shepherd Dog, the Malinois is more ‘sports car’ to the German Shepherd Dogs ‘utility vehicle’!

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some 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

Bred as a general purpose herding and guard dog, the Belgian Tervuren has a strong protective instinct. One of four types of Belgian sheepherding dogs, this breed is distinguished by his medium-long fawn-and-black coat, which should be brushed twice weekly. Intelligent and devoted, the Belgian Tervuren is a loving dog that excels as a therapy dog and companion to the disabled.

DID YOU KNOW? The Belgian Tervuren is named for the Belgian village of Tervuren, home to M.F Corbeel, an early breeder who is credited with breeding the foundation stock. A famous fawn Tervuren, Milsart, became the breed’s first Belgian show champion in 1907.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Chien de Berger Belge

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• 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