by Lauren R. Tharp There have been plenty of famous Saint Bernards over the years! Fortunately for dog lovers everywhere, these pooches are more like Beethoven than Cujo. Part of the Working group, the St. Bernard was first recognized by the AKC in 1885 and currently reigns as the 37th most popular breed of dog […]
Breed Profiles
Breed Profile: Chihuahua
Chihuahua Profile by Lauren R. Tharp The Chihuahua: Little Dogs with Big Attitudes While Chihuahuas don’t actually have Mexican accents like they do in the movies and on television, they do originate from Mexico. Chihuahua, Mexico, to be specific (go figure?). Recognized by the AKC in 1904, Chihuahuas are estimated to be the oldest—and smallest!—breed […]
Breed Profile: Rhodesian Ridgeback
by Lauren R. Tharp Rhodesian Ridgebacks come from South Africa (from Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe). Originally bred by Boer farmers as a hunting dog, big game hunters in the late 1800s found them especially useful as a companion while hunting down lions while on horseback. Rhodesian Ridgebacks were eventually introduced to the United States […]
Breed Profile: Shepherd Husky Mix
By Lauren R. Tharpe The Shepherd Husky is a mix of two breeds: The German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky. Most Shepherd Husky owners consider this breed to be the best of both worlds. Physical Traits Size & Weight: Large. Shepherd Huskies range from 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Their weight also […]
Breed Profile: Manchester Terrier
by Lauren R. Tharp A descendent of the “original” terrier (the Black and Tan Terrier!), the Manchester Terrier originated in England and was specifically bred to hunt rats! This breed is still adept at hunting small vermin and remains a favorite dog of terrier-lovers everywhere. The Manchester Terrier was officially recognized as a breed by […]
Breed Profile: Shih Tzu
by Lauren R. Tharp The Shih Tzu or “Shitzu” (pronounced as Sheet-zoo)was originally the dog of choice for the royals in the Ming Dynasty. During World War II the dog was discovered by soldiers in England and has quickly became a favorite house pet here in the US. More than 20 years later, the AKC […]