BACKGROUND
The exact origin of the Akita remains unknown. Through skeletal remains and carbon dating, it was traced to 500 BC, although the Akita’s specific breed history has only been recorded for the past 350 years. The Akita was also known as the Odate dog – named after the rugged mountainous area of Odate in the prefecture of Akita, on the island of Honshu.
As fishing has always been a major Japanese industry, the Akita, with its webbed feet and thick water-resistant coat, readily became the fishermen’s workmate. Akitas were then used as cattle dogs, seeing-eye dogs for the blind, sled pullers and police dogs. They were also utilised as "babysitters" looking after children while their mothers worked in the rice fields. They first arrived in Australia in 1982.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
These proud dogs often live to eight years of age, but Akitas treated correctly and fed the proper nutrition can live up to 10 years.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
This is another fairly tall dog with the males reaching about 75cm and weighing up to 50kg, while the female is 36kg and standing at 64cm.
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BACKGROUND
The Hungarian Vizsla is the national dog of Hungary. Its early origins are hard to trace, but its history began in the 9th century when the warring Magyar tribes migrated from the Steppes of Asia and eventually settled in what is known today as Hungary.
For centuries the Vizsla was owned by the sporting nobility of Hungary and, before firearms were introduced in the 1700s, was used to scent and search for birds that were then either caught by falcons or netted. Subsequently a gun dog with all-round ability, which could work on fur or feather, was required to work the plains of Hungary with its varying vegetation of thick crop cover, tall grasslands and cornfields.
The dog needed to be fast and possess a "good nose" which would enable it to work the giant hare and to "point" to the various game birds and wildfowl. It was also used to hunt deer, wild boar and wolf, all of which it was expected to hold at bay. This was usually done using several dogs working together. A dog of above average ability was necessary and, in the Vizsla, the Hungarians had such a dog. The first Vizsla arrived Australia from the UK in 1973.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Hungarian Vizslas live from between 10 to 12 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE AND WEIGHT
53cm to 64cm
20kg to 30kg
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BACKGROUND
This is the fastest dog on Earth, and also one of the world’s oldest breeds. The Greyhound dates back 4000 years and features prominently in the hieroglyphics of the ancient pyramids. The mummified remains of many Greyhounds have been found alongside their former masters in various tombs throughout Egypt. The Greyhound is considered a sight hound, that is, a hunting dog that relies on its sight to chase game over open country known as coursing.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Generally, Greyhounds live up to 16 years of age but have been know to live longer with the right care.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
The average female Greyhound is between 62 and 68cm tall and weights between 24 and 30kg, while the male is slightly larger at 67-72cm and 30-35kg.
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BACKGROUND
The origin of the Finnish Spitz dates back over hundreds of years and was first used for game hunting throughout its native Finland. The first breed standard was established in 1892 and is now commonly seen throughout Finland and Sweden. The Spitz is such an essential part of the Finnish culture it was named the National Dog of Finland in 1979.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
The Finnish Spitz likes to keep itself clean and usually lives up to 11 years of age, but with care and the proper nutrition should live to 14 years.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
Healthy animals should weigh about 14kg and be 38cm in height for the females and weigh 16kg and be 51cm tall for the males.
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BACKGROUND
The Flat Coated Retriever was developed in the late 18th Century. Due to the advancement and efficiency of shotguns, hunters found they had a need for an efficient retrieving dog to retrieve their game. To develop a dog to meet their requirements they experimented with the crossing of different breeds. Sheepdogs were used for their trainability, Spaniels for hunting skills, Water dogs for retrieving wildfowl and Setters for their keen nose.
The founder of the modern Flat Coat, Mr. S. E. Shirley, (born in 1844 and founder of the Kennel Club of England) used a proportion of these with the St. Johns water dog, also known as the Lesser Labrador or the small Newfoundland. The Curly Coat Retriever appeared to branch off at about this time, leaving what were then called Wavy-coats as a more or less pure breed. The Wavy-coat, however, was a reference used rather loosely, as for a time it appeared to cover several different types.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Flat Coated Retrievers will usually live up to eight years of age, but given a loving home and the right food can live up to 10 years.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
Healthy males usually weigh up to 38kg and reach 63cm in height, while the bitches should be about 26kg and stand about 58cm tall.
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