Canine curiosities

The Croatian Shepherd Dog, or hrvatski ovčar, is a medium-sized black dog and a true all-rounder. His talents lie not only in herding and guarding, but also in dog sports. In addition, he is so flexible that he can be a wonderful family dog.

The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (also referred to as PLC) is a relatively new breed of dog, whose original lineage dates back to an experiment conducted in 1955 in Czechoslovakia. After beginning the gestation of the lineage of the 48 German Shepherd dogs with four European wolves, a plan was developed to create a hybrid that would have the temperament, mentality and trainability of the German Shepherd, along with the strength, physical build and endurance of the wolves.

The Schipperke (‘little boatman’) is a descendant of the Leauvenaar, which also gave rise to the Belgian Shepherd. They are small, stocky, rumpy dogs with a dense coat and a skunky head, measuring 31 to 33 cm and weighing up to 8 kg. They have a cheerful and inquisitive expression, being generally hardy and energetic, skilful hunters and good watchdogs.

Looking for an energetic, intelligent and loyal breed of dog? If so, the Belgian Tervueren Shepherd is a great breed to consider. These beautiful, majestic dogs are known for their energetic nature and loving companionship.

The Belgian Malinois is one of the four varieties of the Belgian Shepherd breed. It takes its name from the Belgian town of Mechelen (in Dutch Mechelen, in French Malines), where it originated. Although they are still used for herding, their main functions are: police dog, military dog, defence and security dog, guard dog, among other functions, depending on the use given to them by the security forces and the army.

The Belgian Shepherd Dog Laekenois is one of the four varieties into which the Belgian Shepherd is divided. The name ‘laekenois’ comes from the district of Laken, located in the Belgian city of Brussels, where it was selected.

One of the biggest surprises in canine genetics recently has been the discovery of two dogs with a pointed ‘Siamese’ pattern, what do these dogs look like? In this article we will find out. 

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has conducted the world's largest study of the health of designer crossbred dogs and has revealed that the general health of three common breeds (cockapoo, labradoodle and cavapoo) is very similar to that of their purebred progenitors.