Dog Breeds

A AKC Dog Breeds Akita American Cocker Spaniel American Kennel Club Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd B Basenji Basset Hounds Beagle Bernese Mountain Dog Bloodhounds Border Collie Boston Terrier Boxer Dog Brittany Spaniel Bulldog Bullmastiff C Catahoula Leopard Dog Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Chihuahua Chinese Shar-Pei Chow Chow Cockapoos Coton de Tulear D Dachshund Dalmatian Dog Boxer Dog Breeds E English Setter English Springer Spaniel F Feist Puppy G German Shepherd German Shepherd Dog German Shorthaired Pointer Golden Retriever Great Dane Greyhounds H Hercules English Mastiff I Interview With Susie Lockheed, Owner of the World's Ugliest Dog

I cont. Irish Setter Irish Wolfhound Dog L Labradoodles Labrador Retriever M Maltese Mini Bull Terrier Miniature Schnauzers Most Popular Dog Breeds N Newfoundland Dog P Pharaoh Hound Pitbull Dog Pitbull Fights Pitbull Puppies Pomeranian Dogs Pomeranian Puppies Poodle Puggles Pugs R Rare Dog Breeds Rat Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback S Saint Bernard Seeing Eye Dogs Shiba Inu Shih Tzu Small Dog Breeds Small Dogs Sporting Dogs Springer vs Brittany Spaniel Suggestions for Small Breed Pets T Top Ten Dog Breeds Toy Poodles U Ugly Dogs W Weimaraner Welsh Corgi West Highland Terrier Wheaten Terriers Y Yorkshire Terrier Z Zorba Mastiff

---

Welcome To LoveTo Know Dog Breeds

Man's Best Friend comes in so many shapes and sizes that it's hard to believe they have a single canine ancestor. From the hairless to the hairiest, mankind has a love affair with dogs.

While a lot of the early evolution of dog breeds is a result of the environments dogs migrated to and through, most of today's modern breeds bear the touch of Man's artistic brush. Humans began selecting dogs with the traits they desired most and began breeding these dogs until physical similarities began to emerge. Ever since then, selection has been refined over and over again, until, ultimately, you see each breed as it exists today.

Purpose is the biggest factor in the way dog breeds have developed over the centuries. Dog breeds now belonging to the Herding group were developed to have a strong sense of responsibility to their charges. The natural predatory instincts toward these same pasture animals was also selectively bred out, until today's natural canine shepherds emerged. Likewise, the main purpose of Toy breeds is to be comforting, affectionate companions, so these breeds were bred for beauty and a smaller, more easily carried size. So it goes for every breed and group.

So, the question begs, what does the future hold for canines? Even now, selective breeding goes on, guided by responsible Dog Breeders still hoping to perfect their chosen breed. Other breeders are working to develop new breeds as yet unseen. Will we see dramatic changes in the typles of dogs in the next 100 years? No one can predict for sure, but one thing is certain; the relationship between people and dogs is here to stay.

These LoveToKnow pages on Dog Breeds are designed to give an overview of each breed's physical attributes and general character, but keep in mind, every dog is an individual and none fit the mold exactly.

And now, on to the breeds...