The French Spaniel is not yet a well known breed outside its native France. Heavy competition from other gundogs once brought it close to extinction, but the breed is now firmly reestablished thanks to a French priest who gathered the remaining French Spaniels in his kennels and rebuilt the lineages that are representatives of those we have now. There is some speculation that outcrosses of the breed make it the cousin of the Small Munsterlander and the Drentse Patrijshond. It is also thought that the French Spaniel is the forerunner of the modern setter. To learn more, visit the French Spaniel

The Fila Brasileiro is a descendant of the 15th-century English Mastiff, Bloodhound, and the Olde Spanish bulldogges. From the Bloodhound, he inherited loose skin and keen sense of smell. The Mastiff contributed compact body, courage and an ever-alert disposition. The Olde Spanish Bulldogges added the unforgiving impetuous temperament. In early history Filas held escaped slaves unharmed for the master.

Filas are used as cattle drovers, as well as for the hunting of the jaguar, boar and bear. They are also excellent home and ranch guard dogs. They are not typically animal-aggressive, but will defend it's family and property at all costs.

To learn more, visit the Fila Brasileiro profile.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier was named for the region in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland where they were developed long ago. They are medium sized working terriers. They have great strength and should always convey the impression of maximum substance for the size of dog. Unrefined to this day, the breed still has the "antique" features common to many of the early terrier types-distinctive head with rose or half-prick ears, bowed forequarters with turned out feet, and unique outline and topline.

To learn more, visit the Glen of Imaal Terrier profile.

Working hounds in the country of Sweden have to be able to withstand the cold and snow in the winter months and have a determination to cover the ground in the forest areas where they are required. Such a breed is the Hamiltonstovare, developed by A P Hamilton, founder of the Swedish Kennel Club. By breeding English Foxhounds and Harriers with some old German breeds the gentleman produced this smart looking animal. They appeared in Britain in 1968.

To learn more, visit the Hamiltonstovare Profile.

The only real difference between the way the Greeks hunted the hare and the manner accepted in England and other countries is that in 400 BC the hares were driven into nets. The practice would bring great censure on hunters of today.

Even the great English authority on all breeds, Stonehenge, was a little mystified by the origin of the Harrier. The theory is that the dog comes from the old Southern hound with a little of Greyhound blood.

To learn more, visit the Harrier

The Havanese is an old breed of the Bichon family. There are references to the ancestors of the modern dogs that go back to Plinius (23-79 BC) in the Mediterranean region, and may have originated on the island of Malta. Dogs in both Spain and Italy played a great part in bringing the Havanese to the New World.

To learn more, visit the Havanese profile.

The Icelandic Sheepdog (a.k.a. Iceland Dog, Iceland Shepherd) is described as far back as 880 AD when it arrived in Iceland with the Viking emigration from Norway. In 1492 and 1555 Icelandic literature referred to Iceland Dogs.

The first edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica published in England in 1771 includes the Iceland Dog in a genealogical table of 33 different races of dogs. They are one of the Spitz Breeds.

To learn more, visit the Icelandic Sheepdog profile.

The Ibizan Hound's history has been traced back to about 3400 BC They were owned and hunted by the Pharaohs. Numerous artifacts found in the tombs of the Pharaohs now reinforce the existence of such a dog in those times. These dogs were also referred to as Galgo Hounds. The tomb of Tutankhamen proved a treasure trove when discovered in 1922. Anubis, "The Watchdog of the Dead," a long-honored deity, was well represented by full-sized, true to life statues. These statues are identical of the Ibizan Hounds of today.

To learn more, visit the Ibizan Hound profile.

Irish Red and White Setter
The Irish Red and White Setter and the Irish Setter have a common spaniel ancestor. At early Irish dog shows in the mid 1800s, there were now and then, dog shows with separate classes for the red and whites and for all reds. At other times they were shown together. By the end of the 1800s the red and white variety had nearly vanished in favor of the more popular all red dog.

To learn more, visit the Irish Red and White Setter profile.

The Kangal Dog is known to Turkish people as their country's national dog. It is a large breed with a distinctive appearance. It is always solid brown -- fawn or "dun" -- with a black mask. Often its tail is carried tightly curled over its back. The Kangal Dog is one of the livestock guarding breeds like the Great Pyrenees and the Akbash Dog, which is also from Turkey. That means it is protective but not people aggressive. A Kangal Dog watches and is always attuned to something new or strange in the environment. They can be unfriendly to strange dogs, but get along famously with other house pets -- as long as the other canines do not try to dominate them. While they like people, they will never "invite" a stranger into the house or yard when their owner is not present. They are dignified and aloof in demeanor.

To learn more, visit the Kangal Dog profile.