Dog breeds Reference Libraries
The Old English Bulldog is an extinct breed which was derived from ancient war breeds such as the Mastiff and the Alaunt. The breed was eventually crossed with the Greyhound to increase the speed and reduce the weight of specimens at that time. The breed was used for bull-baiting and dog fighting. When the Cruelty to Animals Act was passed in 1835, the breeding of the Old English Bulldog hit a...
The Old English Sheepdog is a livestock herding breed which originated in the southern part of England during the 19th century. The breed's ancestors may include the Scottish Bearded Collie and the Russian Owtchar. The breed was likely used as a "drover's dog" which would drive cattle and sheep to market. The Old English Sheepdog is large, standing 22 inches high and weighing 60 to 100...
The Old Danish Pointer, also known as the Bakhound, is a hunting breed from Denmark. The breed's origin can be traced to the year 1710. The breed was created when a man named Morten Bak crossed gypsy dogs with local farm dogs. Some of the dogs crossed might have been descendants of St. Hubert Hounds and Spanish Pointing Dogs. The breed makes an excellent pointer in hunts in both small and large...
The Norwich Terrier is a breed of dog which was first bred in the United Kingdom during the 1800s for hunting vermin. The breed, a descendant of the Irish Terrier, is a hardy dog useful for chasing fox, ridding farms of rodents, and as a family companion. The breed was involved in a long-standing controversy over its ear type, and during the 1930s, two separate breeds were formed from one. The...
The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova Scotia during the 20th century to toll waterfowl. The breed's tolling methods of hunting are unique: it splashes in the water which lures curious waterfowl toward the dog. The hunter calls the dog back once the birds are in range, which causes the birds to fly, allowing the hunter a shot. The Duck-Tolling Retriever then retrieves the...
The Norwegian Lundehund is a small breed which was originally bred in Norway for hunting Puffins along the coast. The breed's extra toes plus their flexibility allowed them to hunt the birds even in inaccessible nesting locations in caves and on cliffs. The breed's history dates back to 1600, but their popularity declined when new methods of hunting these birds were developed. The breed was...
The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient breed which has been used as a large game hunter, a guardian, a herder, and a defender. The breed is a Spitz type breed which excels at its duties under even the worst climate conditions. Its name, translated means "Norwegian moose dog". The Norwegian Elkhound does not hunt like a hound dog, nor is it a true hound; it just holds animals at bay until the...
The Norwegian Buhund is a spitz type breed originally bred by Vikings to herd sheep and cattle as well as protect farms. The breed is closely related to the Jämthund as well as the Icelandic Sheepdog. The Norwegian Buhund stands 17 to 18 inches tall and weighs around 30 to 40 pounds. The coat of the breed is generally black or wheaten, which has a variety of shades from light to red with...
The Northern Inuit Dog is a large English dog bred to resemble a wolf. The breed was created by breeding the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and the German Shepherd with several rescued mongrels whose origin was unknown. The Northern Inuit dog has the domestic traits of these northern breeds but the appearance of a wolf. Today's Northern Inuit retains many of its ancestors' characteristics...
The Nordic Spitz is a type of dog bred originally for work on farms and hunting. It originated in the 1600s in Sweden and was an excellent hunting companion. In the 1940s, the breed neared extinction, but was saved by a breeding program begun by Nordic Spitz enthusiasts. The breed eventually declined once again in popularity; today it is relatively rare, especially in its original purpose, as...
