BACKGROUND
The Dobermann originated in Germany. In the 19th Century a man named Herr Louis Dobermann lived in the city of Apoldo (East Germany) in the principality of Thueringen. He served as the town dog catcher, night patrolman and the rates collector among other duties. There was a demand for fearless watchdogs and Herr Dobermann started selectively breeding the best of the locally available dogs for this purpose. Nobody knows exactly which breeds were originally used, but the Great Dane, old German Shepherd, (not the German Shepherd Dog as we know it today), Weimaraner, Manchester Terrier, Greyhound and other breeds have been mentioned.
During a lifetime of 60 years of interbreeding dogs, Herr Dobermann achieved great success in establishing the required watchdog breed of dog. The Dobermann was known as the “Devil Dog” by the American Marines and is their mascot. It earned the name during World War II in the Pacific, where it used to go ashore with the marines and flush out the enemy.
Although current research indicates their arrival was in fact a lot earlier, the Dobermann was re-introduced into Australia in 1952.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
These sleek and loyal dogs usually live up to 12 years of age, but with the correct care and nutrition will live to 14 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE
With this lithe and powerful animal the bitch usually weighs 30kg and is 65cm tall, with the male being a little heavier at 40kg and 69cm tall.
Continue Reading…
BACKGROUND
The Cocker Spaniel featured prominently both as working dogs and pets through the reign of Henry VIII and the Stuart kings, being referred to as "wood-cocking spaniels" - small dogs that could go through hedges and the undergrowth to flush out the woodcock.
The beginning of this century saw the formation of the Cocker Spaniel Club of England which drew up the early standard of the breed for shooters who needed a small, active, strong dog, sturdy enough to work cheerfully and tirelessly all day flushing out game.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
These devoted and lovable dogs will normally live to 14 years of age but treated with the care they deserve and fed a sound diet, Cocker Spaniels can live up to 16 years.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
These dogs in their prime condition should be 14kg and 38cm tall for the female and 15kg and 41cm tall for the male.
Continue Reading…
BACKGROUND
The Saint Bernard is the original and renowned rescue dog of Switzerland. Since the middle of the 17th Century the Hospice du Grand St. Bernard has been home to large mountain dogs that first protected the monks and their belongings, and later were developed to help find and rescue lost travellers.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
St Bernards can live up to 9 years of age.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
65cm to 90cm
50kg to 91kg
Continue Reading…
BACKGROUND
Hunting dogs were, without doubt, the earliest specialised canines known to man. In the Louvre, in Paris, there hangs a painting by Jean Baptiste Oudry depicting a very handsome Pointer pointing a pheasant. The inscription on the painting tells us that this was a "Dog of the Field" of Louis XV. The painting was done during the last half of the 17th or the first half of the 18th Century.
The English Pointer is believed be derived from both the French and Spanish pointers, breeds that date back to the 18th Century. The Pointer has now evolved into a specialised field dog; one that hesitates and points out the position of the hidden game before flushing it.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Pointers can live up to 15 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE AND WEIGHT
63cm to 70cm
18kg to 25kg
Continue Reading…
BACKGROUND
The Reverend Jack Russell was very interested in fox hunting and saw the need for a small terrier to be used to flush out foxes that had gone to ground. In 1814 he acquired a terrier bitch named Trump from the local milkman which became his foundation bitch – and so the breed was born.
The first Jack Russells were quite tall dogs (35cm) but during the years the breed has changed, and there are now two distinct varieties that are recognised as separate breeds – the Parson Jack Russell and the Jack Russell Terrier. There are three coat varieties, a smooth coat, a broken coat and a rough coat.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Jack Russells can live up to 14 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
25cm to 30cm
5kg to 8kg
Continue Reading…
