Bernese Mountain Dog

by Michelle Jones

This handsome, cheerful dog is the most well-known of the four Sennehunde, or Swiss mountain dogs. A dog of moderate to large size, his origins extend back into European antiquity when the Berne region of the Alps was invaded by the Romans who cross-bred local dogs with their mastiffs… Read more…

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

by Michelle Jones

This is a dog of ancient lineage who most likely originated in Turkey to defend flocks against predators like wolves and bears. For at least 4,000 years, this fearless dog has been a staunch protector of homes and families… Read more…

Alaskan Malamute

by Michelle Jones

Just as their name implies, these strong, hardy dogs evolved in artic regions. The name mahlemut is dervied from the Inuit people; it means “tribal dog” of these ancient arctic dwellers… Read more…

Akita

by Michelle Jones

This strong, powerful dog is perhaps the most famous of the Japanese line of working dogs. He was largely unknown to the Western world until 1937 when Helen Keller brought an Akita to America… Read more…

Whippet

by Michelle Jones

To the uninitiated, the Whippet may appear to be merely a miniature Greyhound. Although he was developed from Greyhound roots, the Whippet is a distinct breed in his own right… Read more…

Scottish Deerhound

by Michelle Jones

In the Highlands of Scotland, the Deerhound has been prized by clan chieftans and nobility (”Lairds”) since the 16th century. When the clan system collapsed in 1746, the Scottish Deerhound was threatened with extinction, but revived by legendary breeder Duncan MacNeil… Read more…

Rhodesian Ridgeback

by Michelle Jones

The year is 1922. The place, South Africa. European settlers and explorers cross-bred five well-established hounds and native African dogs to produce a large, powerful dog used for big game hunting who became known as the Rhodesian Ridgeback… Read more…

Saluki

by Michelle Jones

Those unfamiliar with the Saluki may mistake him for a shaved-down Borzoi. In reality, the Saluki is likely to be the most ancient dog breed in the world today. His picture adorns many a Pharaoh’s tomb as well as artifacts from Macedonia, Persia,  the Ottoman Empire and Babylon… Read more…

Pharaoh Hound

by Michelle Jones

Looking at the graceful, muscular Pharaoh Hound is like looking back in time at least 5,000 years ago. He’s unique in being both a sight and scent hound. Depictions of him can be found as far back as the XIX Egyptian dynasty… Read more…

Plott Hound

by Michelle Jones

In 2007, the AKC officially recognized the Plott Hound into its Hound Group; he has competed at Westminster only once, but is already receiving much attention. While new to the AKC, the Plott is far from new historically… Read more…