Border Terrier originally came from the border country between England and Scotland and was first spotted in the 18th century. It was bred as a farm dog to product livestock from predators. The breed is fast enough to follow a horse but small enough to chase a fox to the ground. The Border Terrier is […]

The Borzoi originated from Russia where they were bred to hunt wolves for the Russian aristocrats. As a favourite of the Tsar family, the breed was not widely traded and were only given as gifts from the Tsar family. The most popular Borzoi breeder was Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia who bred numerous Borzoi […]

The Boston Terrier originated from Boston, Massachussets, USA. In 1870 an American man called Robert C. Hooper imported a dog said to be the ancestor of Boston Terrier, a breed created from crossing the White English Terrier and the English Bulldog. Further cross breeding with the French Bulldog finally gave way to the breed we […]

This breed, Bouvier des Flandres, was originally bred by monks in Flanders. The monks cross-bred foreign dogs like Irish Wolfhounds with local farm dogs until the breed came into its own. Because of their size, strength, and patient nature, this breed naturally lent itself to work. Their thick double coats also allowed them to stand […]

Boxers were first bred in Germany in the late 1800’s. They descend from Bullenbeisers (which are now extinct) and Bulldogs. The larger Bullenbeisers were hunting dogs, bred to grab hold of injured game until their masters arrived to claim it. A smaller kind of Bullenbeiser was bred in Belgium, which opened the doors for the […]

The Briard is a French breed of working dog. Tapestries from the 8th century depict Briards, and they are described in 12th century records. They were originally employed as guard dogs, protecting their owners from wolves and other dangers. As the land became safer, though, they shifted to protecting herds of sheep instead of people. […]

Brittany Spaniels originate from a region in northern France called Brittany. They have been included in artwork from the 17th century. The exact breeding history of Brittany Spaniels is hard to pin down, but it’s generally believed that they come from the breeding of English sporting dogs with native spaniels. The Brittany Spaniel was first […]

The Bull Terrier is a relatively new breed, the origins began in the 1800s. Animal blood sports were popular at the time and the aim of the breeders was to create a dog that had the tenacity of a bulldog with a bit more speed. The English White Terrier, which is now extinct, the Bulldog […]

Bullmastiffs are a relatively new breed, dating back to the mid 18th century. The breed was created by crossing Mastiffs with Bulldogs (obviously the makers of this breed weren’t very creative when it came to names). These dogs were prized by gamekeepers for their threatening looks and fierce reputation. The dark brindle colours of their […]

The Cairn Terrier is one of the older breeds of terriers, dating back to the 1500s. Originally from Scotland, this breed gets it name from its hunting abilities. A cairn is a rock den where badgers or foxes lived. The Cairn Terrier became known for its ability to crawl down into these dens and make […]

The Cane Corso is an Italian breed that has been beloved for centuries as a worker and a companion. The breed’s name comes from the Latin word “cohors,” a word that means “guardian,” and “protector.” These traits are easy to see in these dogs, a breed that descended directly from Roman Molossian. The Cane Corso […]

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a small dog breed of the spaniel variety, has existed for centuries. Century old tapestries and paintings of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels along with aristocratic families have proved this. This is not a working dog breed, but instead, has been kept as a loyal companion of the rich. This dog breed […]

The Chihuahua is a distinctive breed known for its small size – in fact, it is the smallest breed of dog in the world. Information on the origins of the Chihuahua is mixed, but the general consensus is that they come from the Chihuahua region of Mexico. They were considered holy in many ancient civilizations […]

The Chinese Crested is a breed with a deceptive name. At first glance it’s reasonable to assume that this breed is from China, but they actually trace their heritage to Africa. They were originally called “African Hairless Terriers.” Chinese traders who sailed to Africa adopted these dogs and used them on their ships to hunt […]

The exact history of Chow Chow as to where it came from is unknown. What is known is it is a breed that has been in existence for quite a while. In fact, the oldest dog fossil discovered, dated several million years ago, has the same structure as those of Chow Chow pictures painted on […]

The Corgi is a herding dog with a long history. The breed has two types: the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The Cardigan is believed to have come first, with the Pembroke being bred from him. Both varieties are descended from the Keeshond, Pomeranian, Swedish Vallhund, and the Schipperkes. The Celts may […]

The Coton De Tulear is a Bichon type breed, related to the French Bichon and the Italian Bolognese. The breed was established on the African island of Madagascar. It is believed to have descended from the French Bichons brought by French troops in the 16th and 17th centuries. There are also stories that the dog […]

Dachshunds hail from Germany, where they have existed for at least five centuries, although some breeders believe they can be traced back to ancient Egypt. The place and time of Dachshund’s origin are a matter of some debate, with US and UK Kennel Clubs taking differing positions. Commonly believed to have been bred in Germany […]

The origin of the Dalmatian is a matter of mystery and dispute. The World Canine Organization recognises that it originated in Dalmatia, a region in Croatia, but does not give the country patronage rights to the breed. Similarly spotted dogs have appeared in documents as old as ancient Egypt and as varied as Italy and […]

Dobermans were bred relatively recently. In the late 1800s, a tax collector named Louis Dobermann hoped to create a dog to help him with his job. Because he often had to travel through bandit-infested areas with large amounts of cash, he decided to breed a dog that was strong, intelligent, loyal, and fierce. A number […]