This Belgian breed was originally called the Spitske, probably because it is descended from spitz stock, although some believe it has a Belgian shepherd dog ancestry. During the late 1800s, it became known as the Schipperke, meaning "little skipper". The name is pronounced skeep-er-ker . HISTORY The Schipperke's actual origins have been lost, but its working role wa originally as a guard dog and ratter on the canal boats that plied across Belgium and other parts of Europe. Before this, however, members of the breed took part in the first organized dog show, which was held during 1690 in Brussels, with the entrants wearing ornate collars created by the craftsmen who owned them. From these working room, the Schipperke ultimately entered the highest echelon of Belgian society when a member of the breed was acquired in 1885 by Marie Henriette, Queen of Belgium. This purr on the international stage, with the result being that they were first seen in England in 1887 and then in...

These stocky, broad-headed, and well-muscled dogs are ideal companions. They are intelligent, can be trained quite easily, are alert guardians in the home, and are also very affectionate. Their care is straightforward, and unsurprisingly, the breed has now built up a worldwide following. HISTORY The origins of the Boston Terrier can be traced back to a dog called Judge, who was the result of a Bulldog-English Terrier mating. He was taken from England to the US in the 1870s, and kept by Mr. Robert Hooper, who lived in Boston, Massachusetts. By 1889, there were already 30 breeders whose bloodlines included descendants of Judge, and they formed the American Bull Terrier Club. Opposition from Bull Terrier owners forced a name change for the emerging breed however, so it became known as the Boston Terrier after the area in which Judge lived. Recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC) followed in 1893, with examples of the breed then being taken to Europe during the 1920s. The matter of...

The Labrador, the most popular breed of dog in the world today, is the archetypal family dog, being well suited to a home with older children who can compete with its high energy levels. It has a very responsive nature . HISTORY The origins of this breed lie in the Canadian state of Newfoundland, where its ancestors worked as fishermen's companions. One of their characteristics, still apparent in Labradors today, was a readiness to enter water. The short coat of the breed, which is easy to care for, is also a feature that dates back to its earliest days. A longer coat would have attracted ice in the freezing winters of its Canadian homeland. During the 1800s, the first Labrador Retrievers were brought to Britain, where they rapidly found favour as sporting companions, as the demand for gun dogs that were bred to work on a one-to-one basis grew rapidly. Crossbreeding with other retriever breeds occurred, especially towards the end of the century as it became harder to obtain further...

  My aim is to help match you with the perfect canine companion, by identifying the characteristics of range of dog breeds and helping you decide which type of dogs should be a good match for your own character and lifestyle.

DOG TYPES FOR young people who may be thinking of having a family soon, a single person with a child who is eager to have a dog; or an older person who has not had a dog before but, is looking for companionship.