BACKGROUND
Although the Maremma Sheepdog is classed as a rare breed in Australia it has been known in its native Italy for 2000 years. The Maremma originates from two areas of central Italy; the Abruzzi, where the dog is called Postore Abruzzese and the Maremma where the dog is called Pastore Maremmano. The two breeds are almost identical to the dog we know as the Maremma Sheepdog.
The main function of the dog was to guard the flocks against wolves and bears, and more recently from thieves and wild dogs. The dog was left to use his own initiative in making decisions and that sense of independence is still strong in the dogs of today. In Australia, where the Maremma Sheepdog has been used as a stock guardian, farmers have reported a 35 percent reduction in losses from foxes, wild dogs and birds of prey.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Maremma Sheepdogs live to about 12 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
60cm to 73cm
30kg to 40kg
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BACKGROUND
The Lhasa Apso is a small, well-muscled hardy little house dog originating in Tibet and is thought to be descended from the type of dog common for centuries over Central Asia.
The name Apso is used in Tibet for both of their smaller longhaired breeds and means longhaired or goat like.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Lhasas have been known to live up to 17 years of age.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
25cm to 28cm
6kg to 7kg
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BACKGROUND
These little dogs are sometimes known as the Royal Spaniels due to being great favourites of the Stuart kings. Accompanied by a rippling sea of dogs wherever he went, the King’s deathbed was cluttered with them, much to the consternation of the attending Archbishops. Signs "Beware of the Dogs" that appeared in the Royal chambers meant “don’t tread on them”.
The King Charles was most probably bred from dogs brought to England from Japan, and crossed with local breeds and then with a Pyrame Spaniel brought from France. The King Charles Spaniel, which ranks among the rarer breeds in Australia, should not be confused with its larger cousin, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
King Charles Spaniels live from between 9 to 15 years of age.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
25cm to 30cm
4kg to 7kg
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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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