The Collie is a lithe, strong, responsive, active dog, carrying no useless timber, standing naturally straight and firm. (From the Standard) While many canine historians believe that the Collie can be traced back to the Romans who brought the sheep dogs to Scotland, much of the specifics of the evolution of the breed has been lost. The Collie was bred as a working dog, and it is believed that the common sheepdog of the eastern lowlands of Scotland is its ancestors. Several other breeds have contributed to the Collie of today. Two contributors were the Irish Setter and the "Ban" dog that is now extinct. At one time the dog was called the "coally" dog because of its predominate black color. This ideal sheepdog of the early 1800's caught the devotion and love of the young Queen Victoria of England and was catapulted into popularity around the world. Once Queen Victoria became a patron of the breed, the Collie quickly gained notice in the show ring. Both the smooth and rough-coated Collies share the same even temperament and ability to learn. His nature is affectionate and loving. Few dogs can be trained as easily as the Collie. While the Collie's skill in shepherding is well known, his combination of strength, intelligence, and affection only service to compliment his majestic appearance. Click here to read more about Collies
The German Shepherd dog is a medium-sized dog, with various combinations of black, tan, rust, cream, and white fur. It is about 2 ft (60 cm) tall at the shoulders and weighs roughly 75-95 pounds. It is a hard-working, herding dog that was originally from Germany. It is an intelligent, strong, courageous, loyal, and adaptable dog. The German shepherd has been popular as a working farm dog, as a rescue dog, as a guide dog to the disabled, as a police dog, as a Red Cross dog in World War I, and in films (Rin- Tin-Tin was a German Shepherd). Click here to read more about German Shepards. Although the German Shepherd, like all dogs, is a descendant of the wolf (which is a natural predator of sheep and other mammals), the German Shepherd does not attack the animals that it was bred to herd. Click here to read more about German Shepards
The breed originated from a series of matings carried out by Lord Tweedmouth from 1864 onwards. The starting point was his acquisition of a good-looking yellow colored Flat Coated Retriever which he took to his estate at Guisechan, near Inverness in Scotland. He mated this dog to a Tweed Water Spaniel, a breed now long extinct, and then bred on from the offspring of this mating using the occasional outcross to an Irish Setter, a second Tweed Water Spaniel and a black Flat Coated Retriever. The dogs produced proved to be grand workers, biddable and attractive. Puppies from the matings were given to friends and family, notably his nephew, Lord Ilchester, who also bred them. The dogs bred true to type, and so the forerunners of the breed we know today were established. It was not until 1908 that the breed came into the public eye. Lord Harcourt had formed a great liking for the breed, and had gathered on to his estate at Nuneham Park, Oxford, a collection of the dogs descended from the original matings. He decided to exhibit them at the Kennel Club Show in 1908, where they created great interest. They were entered in a class for Any Variety Retriever, and described as Yellow Flatcoated Retrievers. The term 'Golden Retriever' was first coined around this time, and has been attributed to Lord Harcourt. Once the general public had seen them, there were many people that wanted to own one for them selves, and the breeds popularity was assured. Click here to read more about The Golden Retriever
The ancestor of the Labrador comes from Newfoundland and mention of them dates back to the early 1800’s when the Earl of Malmsbury reputedly saw the dogs brought to England by fishermen. He arranged for the importation of some of these dogs. In time, import taxes and quarantine laws practically stopped the importation into England. Thereafter, selective breeding with other types of hunting dogs began to bring about the characteristics that formed the appearance of the dog that we know today as the Labrador Retriever. The Labrador was first recognized as a separate breed by the English Kennel Club in 1903. Click here to read more about the Labrador Retrievers
In all probability, the breed originated in Germany or possibly in Russia. It is known as "Puddeln" or "Pudel" in German, meaning a puddle dog or one that likes splashing water. In France, it is known as the "Caniche" or Duck Dog. All of the Poodle's ancestors were good swimmers. One of the Poodle's ancestors is thought to be the North African Barbet which was imported to the Iberian Peninsula. From there it arrived in Gaul where it was used for its hunting abilities in the water. The Poodle is often called the "French Poodle" because of its popularity in that country where it is the national dog. Toy Poodles were very popular in England as a sleeve dog. All of the different sizes of the Poodle are considered to be one breed. This is an elegant looking breed with a sense of humor. Poodles are loyal, gentle, obedient, and good with children. Click here to read more about Poodles