BACKGROUND
Bred in the mountainous terrain of Tibet, this ancient breed of dog was originally used for herding flocks of goats and sheep. This sturdy animal was bred to survive the harsh climatic conditions of their homeland which can vary between raging blizzards and blasting sand storms. Their unique round, flat feet are specifically designed to act as snow-shoes to help it get about during the winter.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
The Tibetan Terrier can live up to 18 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
36cm to 41cm
8kg to 14kg
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BACKGROUND
The Schnauzer is an ancient breed. It is the original sheepdog of the Austrian Tyrol. Paintings and tapestries dating back to 1492 show dogs that are not unlike the modern Schnauzers.
The Schnauzer has also been found in statuary, one on a statue in Mecklenborg, Germany. This statue is dated 1620.
"Schnauzer" was the name of the first prize winning Wired-haired pinscher (the breed’s previous title) which was exhibited for the first time in 1879 in Hanover.
Because of its desire to work with the shepherds and guard the family home, the traveling merchants of the 15th and 16th centuries used the Schnauzer to guard their wagons as they traveled from village to village.
These dogs had to be of a size not to take up too much room when traveling on top of the wagon but fierce enough to repel possible thieves.
The Miniature and Giant Schnauzers were developed from the Standard Schnauzer.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
The Schnauzer, in general, is a very healthy breed and has a long lifespan:
* The Standard - up to 13+ years
* The Mini - up to 15+ years
* The Giant - up to 12+ years.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
There are three breeds of Schnauzer.
The original is commonly known as the Standard Schnauzer. It is the middle-sized Schnauzer and stands between 43 and 49 cms at the shoulders. The bitches being on the lower end of the scale and the dogs being on the upper end. This breed comes in two colours - pepper/salt (grey) and black. The pepper/salt being the most common colour.
The largest of the three breeds is the Giant Schnauzer. This dog was developed for guarding and is used overseas in police work. The Giant Schnauzer stands between 63 and 71 cms at the shoulder and is mainly black.
Possibly the most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds is the Miniature Schnauzer. This is a very spunky little dog that intensely dislikes being treated like the toy breeds. They are not a toy, and are often referred to as being the big dog in a small dog body. This breed was originally developed as a vermin hunter and efficiently carried out its duties. The Miniature Schnauzer also makes an excellent guard dog so don’t be put off by its size. The Miniature Schnauzer stands between 31 and 36 cms at the shoulder. They come in three colours - pepper/salt; black and silver; and black. Pepper/salt being the most common colour.
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BACKGROUND
Centuries ago, when the first white people arrived in South Africa, they found that the Hottentots at the Cape were using dogs of the Ridgeback type for hunting purposes. The peculiar ridge of hair, running parallel to the spine and in reverse to the rest of the coat, at once distinguished it from other breeds. During the 19th Century big game hunting flourished in Southern Africa, particularly in the area north of the Limpopo River, later to become known as Rhodesia (after its founder Cecil John Rhodes).
Hunters were quick to realise the value and importance of good hunting dogs. In choosing dogs to fill this role, it was natural that they turned to a native breed - the Ridgeback - a dog that had, for generations, proved such a boon to the African Hottentot with his primitive weapons of the chase. The origin of the breed is not definitely known, but the most generally accepted view seems to be that it is the result of crossing the Cuban Bloodhound with the Hottentot hunting dog, the latter supplying the characteristic ridge.
From such a breeding one would expect just such characteristics as the Ridgeback so markedly shows - speed, power, courage, fidelity, and in addition, a remarkable skill in tackling wild animals. Unfortunately for the breed, the name Lion Dog became popular because several big game hunters found them by far the best for lion hunting, and this led many to assume that the dogs were the actual killers of lions, although no dog would have stood a chance in a fight with a lion. Ridgebacks would harass the lion by constant feint attacks until it was held in sheer bewilderment, giving the hunter a shot at close range. With the advent of long range rifles, hunters dispensed with the use of dogs so the Ridgeback has had to turn to its other vocation, that of guard dog.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Rhodesian Ridgebacks live from between 10 to 12 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
61cm to 69cm
32kg to 36.5kg
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BACKGROUND
It is not generally known that the Pug was the most popular of all dogs in England and the Continent many years ago. It is generally accepted that the Pug originated in China and made its way to England through Holland.
With the introduction of other toy dogs, the Pug began to lose its popularity in England and there was a danger at one time that the breed would become extinct but more stock was introduced from Holland and Austria in the reign of George III, and this gave the breed a new lease of life. The breed in Australia has been kept going by imports from England at different times.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Pugs can live in excess of 12 years of age.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
18cm to 20cm
6.3kg to 8.1kg
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BACKGROUND
The Old English Sheep Dog was bred to herd and to guard sheep. Similar to all sheep dogs they are very intelligent and the shepherd relied on them not only to protect the sheep day and night, but also to help keep the sheep together on the unfenced fields and then drive them to the market.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Old English Sheep Dogs can live up to 15 years of age.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
56cm to 60cm
23kg to 42kg
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