Black Russian Terrier dogs

The Black Russian Terrier is also known as: Chornyi, Mustaterrieri, Russian Black Terrier, Schwarzer Russicher Terrier, Svart Terrier, Tchiorny Terrier

Fast Facts

Group classification: Working	Country of origin: Russia	Date of origin: 1950s
Weight (M): 100 - 150 lb	Height (M): 27 - 30"	Life expectancy: 10 - 11 years
Weight (F): 80 - 130 lb	Height (F): 26 - 29"

General Description of the Black Russian Terrier

Large and powerful, the Black Russian Terrier is known for its courage and strength. Its blocky head is basically two parallel planes made of the skull and the muzzle, giving an impression of strength. The small, triangular ears and set high, and lay close to the cheek. The black rimmed, dark oval eyes are medium sized. Its lips and nose are black. The thick and powerful neck is approximately as long as the length of the head. A deep, wide chest arches upward to a well tucked up abdomen. The back is level and docked tail set high. Its large muscular shoulders are supported by straight, strong forelegs and large, round feet with thick pads. The hind legs are straight and set a bit wider than the forelegs, with muscular thighs. The black, tousled coat is composed of a soft, thick undercoat and coarse topcoat.

Black Russian Terrier Temperament

The brave, observant and highly affectionate Black Russian Terrier wants and needs close human contact. The dog has a strong protective instinct, and is suspicious of strangers and quick to protect its owner. Even as an adult, this dog loves children, though females are more likely to play with them. While males cannot live with other dominant dogs, the breed gets along very well with other non-dominant and small pets. These dogs should be trained while young, with a firm but loving hand. The Black Russian Terrier is very curious and intelligent and will learn quickly. Housebreaking is usually easy, and the dog does not need to be trained to walk with a leash. Bear in mind, however, that the superb memory of the breed makes it nearly impossible to retrain. Socialize while it is young as well, as it is by nature a protector and does not like strangers. A mellow breed, it will only bark when it deems it necessary. Do not share your bed with a Black Russian Terrier puppy, unless you also want to share it with a large, powerful adult.

Caring for a Black Russian Terrier

The large Black Russian Terrier appears more at home in large open spaces, but it can actually get along equally well in an apartment provided it gets proper exercise. In fact, even with a yard, this dog will likely spend most of its time at the door waiting to be let in. The Black Russian Terrier’s great need for human contact means that this dog really should live inside, as doing otherwise will stunt its mental development. Though this dog may prefer the couch, it should have about a half an hour of exercise each day. It should be brushed regularly and professionally groomed every six weeks. With proper grooming, the dog will shed very little. The Black Russian Terrier is vulnerable to canine hip and elbow dysplasia.

Black and Tan Coonhound dogs

The Black and Tan Coonhound is also known as: American Black and Tan Coonhound

Fast Facts

Group classification: Hound	Country of origin: United States	Date of origin: 18th century
Weight (M): 60 - 75 lb	Height (M): 25 - 27"	Life expectancy: 11 - 12 years
Weight (F): 55 - 70 lb	Height (F): 23 - 25"

General Description of the Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a medium sized, powerful hunting dog. It has a large oval head with low set ears, smooth skin over its face and round hazel to dark brown eyes. Its expression is eager, friendly and alert, and it has a scissors bite. A long, muscular neck slopes into a strong, level back, rounded out by a deep chest and well sprung ribs. Its tail is based slightly below the topline and carried at an approximate right angle to the back when in action. Powerful shoulders give way to straight forelegs, and its muscular hindquarters are supported by sinewy hind legs that extend back from under the body. Its dense, short coat is inky black with tan markings over the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, chest and legs.

Black and Tan Coonhound Temperament

The Black and Tan Coonhound is an intelligent and loyal hunter and companion. It is friendly and outgoing, and generally gets along well with other dogs. It may be reserved near strangers, but is rarely aggressive. The Black and Tan is big and can play rough, so it would be better suited for a family with older children. Sometimes willful, it requires ongoing, firm training. Socialize your Black and Tan when it is young and be sure to teach it not to wander, as the hunting instinct is strong in this breed. The dog should not be allowed to run without a leash or the benefit of a good fence, as it may chase after scents. If left alone for too long it may bay and howl. Beware of drool.

Caring for a Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound was bred for big spaces and should not live in apartments or small houses. It needs at least a large yard, and daily, vigorous exercise, preferably in the form of very long runs. Bred to withstand a wide range of climates, the Black and Tan will do fine outdoors. Do not overfeed this breed, and keep an eye out for ear mites or cankers. Weekly brushing is sufficient to keep the dog looking good. The Black and Tan Coonhound is vulnerable to canine hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and ectropion. 

 

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Originally bred in the United States, the Black and Tan Coonhound is also known as the American Black and Tan Coonhound. It is a cross between and among breeds such as the Black and Tan Foxhound, the Bloodhound, and the now-extinct, 11th century English Talbot Hound.

An excellent tracker, hunter, and watchdog, consider the Coonhound a separate breed apart from the Foxhound. There are two types mainly the field lines and the bench lines. Field Coonhounds are bred for hunting and outdoor work, while Bench Coonhounds are bred purely for show.

Being longer than its height, the body is very well-proportioned. Its coat is short but dense with tan markings to distinguish it on the muzzle, chest, and limbs. Despite its long muzzle, its ears still reach and hang beyond the nose tip. Ears aside, it has a keen eye and nose for hunting raccoon, deer, bear, and other trail and tree game.

You’d be pleased to note that the Black and Tan Coonhound is such a smart and intelligent dog. Quick to follow, it makes a great hunting guide and home companion.

Coonhounds are basically good-natured, loyal, and eager to please. Like most dogs, however, they are protective and reserved with strangers. All in all, they are usually gentle, outgoing, and friendly towards people who show no signs of aggression or hostility.

A large hunting hound, the Coonhound can best be described as strong, persistent, and determined. As a worker, you’ll love how this creature shows so much passion and dedication to stay on track despite terrain and weather conditions. Once it’s been trained and disciplined, expect it to respect your leadership and authority.

The Coonhound’s temperament does vary depending on whether it’s a field dog or a show dog. Therefore, your success in training would rely on how you treat your dog and what type of exercise you give it.
Health and Exercise

Here’s a breed which naturally drools and slobbers when it’s relaxed. Behavioral problems only start to show when this dog’s high-strung and restless. A lack of training and exercise can make this dog behave willfully and play roughly.

To curb this destructive streak, give your Coonhound enough physical and mental exercise on a daily basis. Remember to keep your dog on a leash, though, because it‘s still very much an alert hunting hound which takes off after an interesting scent.

Because small spaces and indoor living do not go well with its temperament, you should allow your Coonhound to roam in a larger yard. Let it take long, vigorous walks everyday and give it tasks to do.

Wctive as the Coonhound is, it tends to quickly gain weight when it’s overfed. It’s also prone to hip dysplasia in old age. With its ears all long and droopy, it’s best to clean those regularly to keep them infection-free.

Fairly healthy and well-groomed, a Black and Tan Coonhound would live to as long as 10 to 12 years. It will yield a litter size of about 7 to 8 puppies per litter.
Visitor Comments

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Bichon Frise dogs

The Bichon Frise is also known as: Bichon Tenerife, Bichon a Poil Frise

Fast Facts

Group classification: Non-Sporting	Country of origin: Mediterranean environs	Date of origin: Antiquity
Weight (M): 11 - 16 lb	Height (M): 10 - 12"	Life expectancy: 13 - 15 years
Weight (F): 10 - 15 lb	Height (F): 9 - 11"

General Description of the Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a small, stocky dog of balanced proportions. The gently rounded skull features a lightly accentuated stop and well-balanced muzzle. The round eyes are dark brown or even black in color, with a curious yet soft expression. Surrounding the eyes are dark brown to black skin known as halos which serve to accentuate them. The drop ears are high-set and covered with long hair, and frame the face well when the dog is alert. The Bichon’s nose is sensitive and always black, while the lower jaw area is sturdy and strong. A gracefully arche neck leads to a firm and muscular body and broad chest. The plumed tail is level with the topline and curled over the back so that the hairs of the tail touch the back. The coat is one of the most distinguishing features of the Bichon Frise. While the undercoat is thick and soft, the outercoat is more curly and coarse. The texture and look of the coat, especially after grooming, is springy and puffy. While the hair on the body is often clipped slightly, the hair around the face is left longer. Coat color is always white, yet can take on a slight tone of cream, apricot or buff in certain areas.

Bichon Frise Temperament

The Bichon Frise, unlike many other small dog breeds, is not yappy by nature. They adore the company of humans and make fantastic family pets. The Bichon is smart, affectionate and energetic. Because this breed is so sociable, they shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. They are great with kids and other family pets, and excel at obedience training. Though not much of a guard dog, the Bichon Frise is a more than respectable watchdog. As is the case with many small breeds, housebreaking the Frise can be trying at times; firm, consistent training should overcome this challenge, however.

Caring for a Bichon Frise

Because of the high maintenance coat, the Bichon Frise should be bathed and groomed monthly. You will need to trim the body with electric clippers, while the hair around the face can be trimmed with scissors. The Bichon tends to stain around the eyes so care should be taken to keep this area clean. Make sure the ears are free of dirt and mites and the nails are trimmed. These dogs may require a bit of care, but they are ideal for allergy sufferers and people worried about dog hair because they shed very little, if at all. Bichons require a moderate amount of exercise, including a daily walk, and make perfect indoor dogs. The dog sometimes suffers from patellar luxation, Cushing’s, allergies, cataract and canine hip dysplasia. 

Other

When the Bichon is out of its crate, you want to keep a good visual on it. For instance, if you will be cooking dinner, go ahead, and set up baby gates at the entrances so you

Say Hello to Cottonball - the happy female Bichon Frise that a MyDogBreed.com staffer adopted from the local humane society. She came to us a little shaken and timid, but quickly warmed up and took to her house training like a champ.


know where the little fellow is at all times. Then, be sure you have a solid routine that is followed carefully. The more you can get this dog on a normal regimen the quicker it will understand. When the dog is successful with an outdoor trip, offer praise and a tiny treat to support the good behavior.

As mentioned, the Bichon Frise tends to be on the shy side. Therefore, it is very important this breed have early socialization. If you are buying a Bichon for a family pet, you want to teach the children the proper way of handling and disciplining. Again, if not done right, the dog could become aggressive. Keep the shyness in mind while training.

As with any puppy, general obedience training is highly recommended. The Bichon Frise can be a little on the independent side, which is part of its wonderful personality but when it comes to training, it can be frustrating. The best option for success is to work with the puppy from a young age. We suggest you begin with training tips such as sit, stay, come, and lie down. From there, you can always expound.

Remember, with a Bichon, you want to keep it simple and supportive. Do not use forceful tactics or you could draw out the negative temperament traits that include biting and aggressiveness. With a loving hand and voice, along with some favorite treats, you will be amazed at just how well the Bichon Frise does with training.

This adorable ball of white fluff has proven to be an exceptional breed for families with or without children and pets. The breed is overall a healthy choice, loving, friendly, playful, devoted, and highly intelligent. When training this breed, it is important to use praise and positive reinforcement rather than harsh punishment. Since the Bichon Frise can be somewhat shy, improper training could lead to additional problems of biting and/or aggression.

One of the main challenges associated with training the Bichon Frise is housebreaking. For some reason, many owners claim this dog is relatively difficult to potty train so you need to be prepared to have lots of patience. Although intelligent, the breed is not always cooperative with training methods. Just remember, it is not impossible to housebreak this breed of dog but plan on spending time getting through the process. Additionally, we recommend you use crate training in this case, which has shown to be more effective.

Bernese Mountain Dogs

The Bernese Mountain Dog is also known as: Berner Sennenhund, Bernese Cattle Dog

Fast Facts

Group classification: Working	Country of origin: Switzerland	Date of origin: Antiquity
Weight (M): 90 - 120 lb	Height (M): 25 - 28"	Life expectancy: 7 - 9 years
Weight (F): 70 - 100 lb	Height (F): 23 - 26"

General Description of the Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, beautifully colored working dog. Its head is broad and flat, with a gentle furrow and distinct stop, and a muzzle that is straight and long. Gently oval shaped eyes are brown in color. The ears are triangular, medium in size, set close to the head with softly rounded ends. A long, muscular neck leads to a topline that is even from withers to croup. The chest is deep and well-muscled, and the back firm and wide. The tail is long, bushy and carried low unless the dog is alert, in which case it is lifted slightly. The coat is dense, thick and long, and can be either straight or gently waved. Coloring is always tri-colored, with jet black ground, and symmetrical markings of rust and white.

Bernese Mountain Dog Temperament

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a fantastic pet for families with children. These gentle giants adore children and are protective, loving and gentle. They are loyal and tend to stay that way for life, which is why they should be brought into a home as puppies and ownership should not be changed after the age of 18 months if at all possible. This breed is sociable with other animals and accepting, though a tad reserved, around strangers. They are intelligent and hardworking, but also boisterous and energetic. They enjoy being around people and cannot be left alone for long periods. These dogs are sensitive in nature and need gentle guidance rather than sharp or harsh correction. All in all, the Bernese Mountain Dog makes a great family pet if socialized and trained correctly.

Caring for a Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a working breed, and as such requires a good deal of exercise. The dog enjoys long walks and pulling; tying your dog’s harness to a wagon and having him pull the kids around the driveway is excellent exercise and something the whole family can enjoy. Because the Bernese Mountain Dog has a thick, dense coat, regular brushing is a must. During shedding season, brushing and combing will need to be performed more frequently. Keep the ears clean and the nails clipped. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and opportunities to socialize to keep it healthy and happy. This dog should not be made to live outside, since closeness to its family is so important to its mental development; ideally, the dog should sleep indoors and have easy access to a backyard. Take care that your dog does not get overheated on hot days. The Bernese Mountain Dog is susceptible to canine hip and elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion, mast cell tumor, entropion, ectropion, cataracts and subvalvular aortic stenosis.

Don’t let the name fool you.  The Bernese Mountain Dog, although suitable for living outdoors, can also be a great apartment dog.  I went to the dog park last Saturday and met a gorgeous 2-year old female Bernese named Riley.  She was as sweet as can be…she literally followed me the entire time I was there.  The squeaky KONG tennis ball that I brought with me was an instant hit with many of the dogs at the park, including Riley.  Unfortunately she wasn’t as fast as a feisty Jack Russell I met or even Ollie but she still chased it nonetheless.

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Bernese Mountain Dogs sort of look like bigger versions of Black Tricolor Australian Shepherds.  You might have seen these dogs on television; they’re the ones who pull the carts and wagons.  Despite all the hard work they put in, these dogs have some of the best temperaments around.  They are affectionate, intelligent, loyal, eager to please and are mostly friendly to people, dogs and other animals.  They can be shy and need time to think things through so it is important to be gentle with them.  They love encouragement and treats though!  They are also great with children.  Sounds like the best dog ever huh?
Unfortunately there is one downside to these beautiful dogs, and that’s their short lifespan which is only 7 years on average   They suffer from a plethora of health problems midway through life and need an owner that is willing to deal with this added responsibility.  For the right owner however, these dogs will make an awesome companion.