The Bergamasco breed's coat is the most striking feature of this dog. It is greasy, long, abundant and hangs down in loose mats. Coat colours include grey, black, Isabella (pale/dappled fawn) or light fawn. Large and powerful, dogs stand at 58-62cm when fully grown and females at 54-58cm. Adult dogs weigh 32-38kg and females 26-32kg.

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 every other day
• 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

The sturdy, strong Bernese Mountain Dog originated on Swiss farms, where he worked as a drover, draft dog and guardian. The breed’s long, thick double coat protects him in cold conditions but requires frequent brushing. With his calm, confident temperament and desire to be near his family, the Bernese Mountain Dog is an ideal companion. Affectionately known as Berners, this breed requires moderate exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? One of four varieties of Swiss mountain dogs, the Bernese Mountain Dog is the second largest and the only one with a long, silky coat. By the end of the 19th century, the Bernese Mountain Dog was almost lost, but professor Albert Heim led a search for stock to preserve the breed. It was not until 1926 that Berners arrived in the U.S.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Berners, Berner Sennenhund, Bernese Cattle Dog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Giant dog
• Heavy drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

A white powder-puff dog known for his merry temperament, the Bichon Frise originated in the Mediterranean region in the 13th century. Gentle-mannered, sensitive and affectionate, the Bichon is an excellent family companion. This playful breed loves activity and requires regular exercise. Though the Bichon’s fluffy coat does not shed, it requires grooming to prevent mats.

DID YOU KNOW? The Bichon Frise is depicted in a number of works by the noted Spanish painter Francisco de Goya.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Bichon à poil frisé, Bichon Tenerife

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

With his keen scent ability, the Bloodhound is used worldwide as a tracking dog in criminal searches and rescue efforts. This breed descended from the St. Huberts Hound of eighth century Belgium. Kind, docile and affectionate, the Bloodhound is a good family pet. The breed has a distinctive look due to abundant loose skin that hangs around the head and neck forming deep folds. The coat should be groomed weekly.

DID YOU KNOW? The Bloodhound’s name refers to the pure-blood breeding of this hound. Bloodhounds are such accurate trackers that they have produced evidence that has been accepted in a court of law.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Chien de Saint-Hubert, St. Hubert Hound

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
• May require training to live with kids

A small but sturdy little dog, the Bolognese has a white coat that is described as ‘flocked’, never curly but distinctly ruffled looking and long. These amazing furballs are known to be affectionate but a bit stubborn at time. Bolognese are very loyal to their human families, but also tend to come with a personality twice their size.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Prized for his intelligence, herding instinct and working ability, the Border Collie was developed more than a century ago in Britain. An intense and tractable worker, the Border Collie is a highly energetic breed that thrives with vigorous exercise, a job and space to run. The Border Collie is an affectionate family dog that does best with mature children due to his tendency to herd people. His coat sheds seasonally and requires regular brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Border Collie became popular in the 19th century when Queen Victoria became a fan of the breed.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Scottish Sheep Dog; sometimes confused with the related Welsh Sheep Dog ('ci defaid' in Welsh)

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra 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
• 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 persistent worker with great agility and endurance, the Border Terrier was bred in the 18th century to protect farm stock along the border of Scotland and England. An admirable hunter that learns quickly and responds well to obedience training, the breed makes a good-tempered, affectionate family companion. An active dog, the Border Terrier does best with a job and when well-exercised. His water-resistant coat requires regular brushing and biannual stripping.

DID YOU KNOW? Famous Border Terriers in film include “Puffy” from "There's Something About Mary" and “Baxter” from "Anchorman."

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small 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 graceful, elegant sighthound, the Borzoi was bred hundreds of years ago in Tsarist Russia. With his extreme speed, agility and courage, he excelled as a hunter of wolves, foxes and hares. An affectionate family dog, the Borzoi needs daily exercise. His lustrous coat requires regular brushing and bathing.

DID YOU KNOW? The Disney films “Lady and the Tramp” and “102 Dalmatians” feature Borzois.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Barzoï, Russian Wolfhound, Russian Hunting Sighthound, Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya, Psovoi

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• 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 well-mannered demeanor of the Boston Terrier has earned him the nickname “The American Gentleman.” An affectionate companion, this terrier enjoys being close to his family. The breed was developed in Boston by crossing English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and some terrier breeds. The Boston Terrier is easy to train and requires moderate exercise and minimal grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Boston Terrier was originally called the American Bull Terrier. Following the Civil War, this breed was developed in the stables of Boston as a fighting dog.

ALSO KNOWN AS: American Bull Terrier, Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood, American Gentlemen

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small 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

The sturdy, rugged Bouvier des Flandres originally was bred to herd cattle near the Belgian town of Flanders. His name means “cowherd from Flanders,” but along with herding, the breed performed farm jobs such as drafting and guarding. With his calm, gentle temperament, this breed is a loving family companion. The Bouvier needs frequent grooming to strip his rough, shaggy coat and plenty of exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The slow-maturing Bouvier des Flandres reaches adulthood at 2 to 3 years of age. During World War I, the Bouvier served as message carriers and cart dogs carrying wounded soldiers.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Flanders Cattle Dog, Vlaamse Koehond

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
• Quiet 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

Developed in Germany in the 19th century, the Boxer was bred for dog fighting and hunting large game. The Boxer thrives on human company and affection. Patient, spirited and protective of children, he makes an excellent family dog. He will exhibit wariness and curiosity with strangers and fearless courage if threatened. The Boxer needs little grooming but does best with daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The Boxer was one of the first breeds trained for police work in Germany.

ALSO KNOWN AS: German Boxer, Deutscher Boxer

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 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

The Bracco Italiano is a large-sized, strong, muscular, active dog with a fine, short coat. They have a distinctively shaped head, long ears and well-developed jowls. They can be orange and white, orange roan, chestnut and white or chestnut roan in colour. Adult males are 58-67cm and females should ideally measure 55-62cm. Weight ranges between 25-40kg, in proportion to the height of the 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
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog