BACKGROUND
This breed appeared in paintings in the 1200s and was known then as the toy Spaniel and was owned by royalty and noblemen. Many paintings feature the toy Spaniel with dropped ears called the Phalene (moth) and the large erect ears of the Papillon.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Papillons can live up to 16 years of age.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
20cm to 28cm
2kg to 3kg
BACKGROUND
When the British entered Peking for the first time, they found the Empress Tzu’Hai, dead on the floor of her palace, in the Forbidden City, and with five Pekingese dogs guarding her body. The Empress had committed suicide because China was being invaded by troops from the West. Some of her servants and eunuchs had also killed themselves, while others had fled to the hills, taking with them the sacred little Pekingese dogs that had never been seen before outside the walls of the Forbidden City. During the centuries in which the eunuchs had bred the Pekingese for the Emperors, the breed remained cloistered in the Forbidden City at the Summer Palace. The penalty for anyone found with a dog outside these places was death.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
The Pekingese can live to about 17 years of age.
AVERAGE WEIGHT
20cm to 24cm
3kg to 5kg
BACKGROUND
Poodles have been in existence for many centuries and historical reference to them has been found in Germany, England, Italy and France. In pictorial evidence the dogs nearly always appear in the traditional lion clip, which leaves the hindquarters bare except for leg bands and a pom-pom on the tail, while the forequarters are heavily coated except for the face and legs. This appears to indicate that these dogs were used for sporting and retrieving purposes. As the coat is quite heavy when wet, they were clipped in areas to alleviate weight. The tail was docked as a long tail would be caught in the undergrowth. The ribbon on the topknot was to indicate that the dog was working and also to signify it was not a bird or other animal.
The word Poodle itself is said to derive from the German word "pudel", meaning to splash in water. Although three varieties of Poodles are recognised, they differ in size only and are closely related. The largest, the Standard Poodle, is the oldest variety and was used as a water retriever. The smaller Poodles have become more and more popular. The Miniature Poodle is the medium-sized variety and may be closer to the original Poodle in height than the present Standard size. It was originally called the Toy Poodle, but the name was changed when the smallest form was recognised.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Poodles can live up to 16 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE
28cm to 38cm
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BACKGROUND
At the basin of the Kolyma River at the foothills of the Cherski mountains, one of the tribes, the Chukchi people, went on to develop the Siberian Husky. These dogs were developed to meet the requirements of their specific needs. The required specific confirmation of this dog was to provide speed and endurance over great distances, therefore kilo for kilo the Siberian Husky would be one of the strongest draft dogs.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Siberian Huskies live up to 12 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
54cm to 60cm
20kg to 27kg
BACKGROUND
The gentry and working class alike owned Fox Terriers. During the hunt, when the fox went to ground, Fox Terriers (which were carried in saddlebags on the horses) were brought up and sent in after the fox. Their job was to chase the fox out of its lair so the hunt could recommence. They were not required to kill the fox because if they did the hunt would be unable to continue. The working class also bred these dogs to keep vermin down – a job they excelled at and which also provided much sport.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
This fearless little dog normally lives to 12 years, but can live up to 14 years of age when given plenty of love and attention and fed the right nutrition.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
The healthy females of this breed usually grow to 33cm in height and weigh 6.8kg, while the males grow to 8.2kg and stand at 39cm.
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