It is most likely that the Bluetick is principally descended from the quick foxhounds of England with some introduction of the blood of various French hounds which were used for hunting big game. The French dogs were known as being very cold nosed. George Washington received five such French hounds from General Lafayette.

Selective breeding in Louisiana of Foxhounds, Curs, French Hounds and English Coonhounds produced the Bluetick Coonhound. Breeders of these blueticked dogs wanted to keep their old style of hunting. They feared a trend to make the majority of hounds registered as English faster and more hot-nosed.

To learn more, visit the Bluetick Coonhound profile.

The origin of the Thai Ridgeback is unknown but the breed developed in eastern Thailand, where the breed was kept pure due to isolation. Descriptions of the breed can be found in written references dating back to the 17th century. The breed's name comes from a ridge of hair that runs along the dog's back, a trait found in only three breeds of purebred dogs. The Thai Ridgeback was used for hunting, and as a guard dog. Today the breed is still very rare outside of Thailand.

To learn more, visit the Thai Rideback profile.

The Schapendoes is the shaggy sheepdog of Holland. With the rough, dense, long coat and drop ears, the breed is physically similar to the Bearded Collie, Puli, and other European dogs. Root stock is believed to be the same as that of Briard, Bearded Collie and Bergamasco. Although the Dutch Sheepdogs have been in existence for many centuries, they are not well known. They did not attract the attention of royalty but remained a dog of the common people; therefore they were rarely immortalized in art or literature. More recently, small flocks of sheep in Holland were subsidized by the government as "show" for tourists, presenting a pretty picture of green pastures dotted with white sheep. The native sheep dogs did not reap the same government benefits as their charges. Due to a lack of interest in the native breed and the importation of English Border Collies, the Schapendoes dwindled into small numbers prior to the Second World War.

To learn more, visit the Schapendoes 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.

Survival in the harsh northern climates of our world brought man and dog together very early in history. The generic Spitz gradually evolved into a number of different breeds, each performing some task essential to the survival of man and dog. The Karelian Bear Dog is primarily used to hunt bear and elk when they are available, although they have also been used to hunt smaller animals when big game was scarce. The Karelian Bear Dog usually hunts alone rather than in packs and trails its prey silently. When the bear or other prey is located, the Karelian Bear Dog barks and worries the creature to a standstill. The devastation resulting from war nearly caused the breed to die out. In the late 1930s, the Finnish Kennel Club undertook to restore the breed and it was recognized by FCI in 1945.

To learn more, visit the Karelian Bear Dog

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.

Blue Picardy Spaniel
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a direct descendent of the old and vast family of French Spaniels. In the 14th century, Gaston Phébus and Henri de Ferrières recorded the first descriptions of the French "setting dogs" in their treatises on hunting, but it is quite probable that the Blue Picardy Spaniel originated well before that.

To learn more, visit the Blue Picardy Spaniel profile.

The breed really comes from Bohemia and its origins can be traced back to the early history of the nation. In 1980, the breeding was successfully started so the breed is again a favorite pet in the homes of it's country. The breed has a highly developed sense of smell, and is very small and very fast, so they were used for the killing of rats. These ratting qualities have been developed over the past centuries. They are also extremely social dogs, well behaved, and adore children.

To learn more, visit the Prague Ratter profile.