Fantastic 14 breeds from around the world (Part-2)

Garima with Boo
This article is a continuation of its first part featured in the last issue marking our 14th Anniversary Issue. We compile a league of Fantastic Fourteen breeds from all around the world shedding a spotlight on their distinctive features, natures and dispositions.
 
Löwchen
When it comes to companion dogs, this is the richest of the companion dogs. The Löwchen is a toy dog breed and a companion dog breed and still finds himself in the same role amongst the rich and the elite of the world. Active and smart, they do well in obedience and agility competitions as well. They surpass expectations as family companions. This is not an outdoor or a kennel dog. They once had the dubious distinction of being one of the rarest dogs in the world and at one time, there were only 65 of them. Even today, there are only a few hundred new registrations worldwide.
Breed characteristics: The coat is long and flowing and comes in many colors. It is not fluffy or frizzy or fly-away and not harsh but wavy with a mix of thicker hair. The Löwchen does not shed and this breed has very low allergic effect and is considered hypoallergenic. The long and wavy coat is often give a lion cut to give the appearance of a male lion by shaving off haunches, back legs, front legs except for bracelets around the ankles. Dogs in this cut may need protection in wintertime. Regular brushing and grooming to prevent mats and tangles is a must.
Nature and temperament: This is a friendly, healthy and happy dog. Barking is a much-enjoyed pastime of the Löwchen. They make excellent watchdogs but can easily become a nuisance to the neighbours. They make great apartment pets as long as the exercise requirements for at least 20 minutes in the morning and the same in the evening are met. Many enjoy digging and must be discouraged. They often suffer from separation anxiety and it must be prevented from setting in before its onset. Socialisation from puppyhood that continues throughout the lifetime of the dog is a must.
Egyptian Pharaoh Hound
Don’t let the name fool you on this one. This dog has nothing to do with Egypt. In fact, it is the national dog of Malta. Genetic analysis has proven that it has no link to Egypt, but a popular lore holds that the breed descended from Tesem, an ancient Egyptian hunting dog. Some believe for there to be similarities between the dogs found in the images on the walls of the ancient tombs in Egypt. It is traditionally used for hunting rabbits in the Maltese islands.
Breed characteristics: They appear very graceful and elegant, as well as powerful and athletic. They are not bulky or with excessive musculature, but elegant and charming and graceful. With amber colored eyes and long, lean and slightly arched, muscular neck, they are a beauty to behold. A long, fine, straight tail looks and acts almost like a whip. The tail is carried down when the dog is relaxed and carried up, either on level, or curled above its back when the dog is in motion or excited or alert about something. The coat is fine without any feathering. The texture can be silky or hard, but never long, but always glossy. They get cold easily due to this short cost and must be kept warm. Most clubs accept red, the shade of red varies, from tan to a deep chestnut. They also have some white markings on chest, toes, tail tip and forehead sometimes.
Nature and temperament: Early and lifelong socialisation is a must. He can be sensitive to changes in schedule and stress over it. Un-socialised dogs have a harder time adjusting to change. Unless properly trained to follow a recall, that is, to come back when called, a 100 percent of the time, they should not be allowed off leash, because they have a very high prey drive and they like to hunt, as this was their original function. They will chase smaller animals for miles. Fences and walls should be high so that they cannot climb over them. They do well in multiple dog homes as long as the other dog is not smaller than them or puppies, as this can trigger their prey drive. They are also barkers which they do when chasing prey in the wild and they will indulge in long bark-a-thons when you are away. Stool eating is a disgusting habit often seen in Pharaoh Hounds, so keep it clean.
Irish Wolfhound
The AKC standard says “Of great size and commanding appearance, the Irish Wolfhound is remarkable in combining power and swiftness with sight.” This dog was originally bred for use in war to drag men off horses and chariots. They often also hunted large game such as deer, boar and wolves. Today this easily adaptable dog is a loving family companion and they are often also used in obedience, luring and coursing.
Breed characteristics: This is the tallest of all breeds according to the American Kennel Club. The largest and tallest of the galloping hounds, he has a rough-coat, very muscular, greyhound like build, easy and active movements, head and neck are high, tail carried upward with a sweep. It is taller than a Great Dane, but built like a greyhound, it should not be confused as being the heavier breed as well. The color of the coat varies from grey, brindle, red, black, white, fawn and wheaten.
Nature and temperament: This hound has a variety of personalities and quirks and the breed is noted for how each specimen of this breed is different from another with an individual identity. They are never mindless and rarely found to be boisterous or destructive. They are generally introverted, intelligent and reserved and very easy going. They form strong bonds with their family and should never be left alone in a yard because they thrive on interaction with their families. They become attached to the humans and animals that they are raised with and are great with children and other pets. Their motto appears to be ‘gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked.’
Saluki
Also known as the Persian Greyhound or Tazi, this breed was originally developed in the fertile crescent of ancient Egypt. One of the oldest breeds there is, they were once considered gift from Allah. Don’t be fooled by their dainty looks. They are avid hunters and possess the strength, endurance and stamina to chase quarry over long distance and difficult terrain. They are now popular at coursing events and the show ring as well and domestic family pets.
Breed characteristics: They possess the deep-chested, long-legged body of sighthounds with a long and narrow head and large eyes with drop ears. The tails is long and curved with a fan of hairs at the end. The coat colors vary with white, fawn, red, grizzle, tan, black and tan and tricolor (white, black and tan) being all-acceptable. There are two types of coats, smooth and feathered. The latter variety has light feathering on the legs and thighs and the fur is silky. This is a low shedding breed. They are one of the swiftest breed of dogs and they are faster over long distances and his stamina is due to his heavily padded feet. Provide them a comfortable bed because they don’t have padding to be comfortable on the floor.
Nature and temperament: They retain the nature of Sight Hounds. They need to run and exercise and do not do well in apartments unless you sprint that 7 miles each day and can take a swift dog with you. Otherwise, you will have a very bored, hyper destructive dog on your hands. They must be leashed unless in a secure, fenced area because of a high prey drive. Early and ongoing socialisation is a must. They are a family dog and love being a part of your daily activity and should not be left outdoors. They make great companions for calmer, older children, but not recommended for homes with small children or other small pets.
Hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid
This is a breed of dog that finds his origin in the Peruvian pre Inca cultures, just like the name suggests. It is one of the several hairless dog breeds. One of the oddest looking breeds of dog, it is completely hairless, with an elephant grey color. Some researchers suggests that this dog was introduced in Peru during the Chinese immigration, soon after the promulgation of the law abolishing the slavery of the Africans by the President of Peru. Others suggest that this dog comes from the African continent through the intermediary of nomads who arrived in America accompanied by this hairless dog. Another explanation is due to the migration of men and their dogs from Asia to American through the Bering Strait.
Breed characteristics: Hairlessness is the primary aspect for the establishment of this breed. There is a small tuft of hair on the forehead. Color of skin can be chocolate brown, elephant grey, copper or mottled. They are slim and elegant with an impression of force and harmony. The ears are erect and eyes clear and light colored. The lack of hair leads to the myth that they stay clean, but they need sponging daily. They do stay clear of ticks and fleas and dander, but the dogs suffer in different ways. They don’t have any protection from heat and sunburns are easily caused. They are also very easily cold because they have no fur insulating them against the cold. So make sure you put them in a sweater and blanket when it is cold outside. The skin can also dry out because of the heating in the house and must be kept moisturized.
Nature and temperament: He is noble and affectionate with those close to him and wary and alert and a good watchdog with strangers. This dog needs to be taken on a daily walk and taught basic agility and obedience in order to engage his overly active mind. He is good with children and is playful, energetic, and affectionate with small children and pets.
Portuguese Water Dog
Originate in the Algarve region of Portugal and then spreading all around the nation of Portugal and then later, across the world, on the coast of Portugal, where they were taught to herd fish into the fishermen’s nets, to retrieve lost tackles or broken nets and to act as couriers from ship to ship or ship to shore. They rode on the ships with their masters all the way to Iceland to catch Cod. This is a very rare variety of dog and in the year 2013, only 36 of them were entered in the Crufts competition.
Breed characteristics: This is the breed of dog that the former U.S. president Barack Obama chose to be his dogs, Bo and Sunny. They were chosen mostly for their hypoallergenic nature. There are two types of single layered coats, the wavy haired, and the curly haired, both are considered hypoallergenic. They are low to none shedders. They have webbed toes for swimming. They are robustly built. They have strong bone structure and solid, muscular body. The coat can be black, brown, black and white or brown and white.
Nature and temperament: They generally tend to be quiet dogs, but they will warn you when their home is approached. They don’t do so well in a yard, as they are a family dog and need to be closely associated with their family all the time. They engage in an expressive panting by making a distinct ‘ha ha ha’ sound as an indication to play or to indicate a desire for food. They may also whine. They have high intelligence and will vocalize when you are absent. They can be trained to bark loudly when the telephone rings, for assistance dogs for the hearing impaired. They are loving, gentle, intelligent and independent and great in obedience and agility skills. They enjoy being petted and a favor most humans generously grant them, thanks to their fluffy, soft coat.
Bhutia
The Himalayan Sheepdog is known by many other names in the northern Indian and Nepalese regions where it is found. BhuteyKukur, Gaddikutta, Bhotia, Himalayan Guard Dog, Himalayan ChambaGaddi are just a few of them. They were developed for guarding encampments and livestock from predators. It was developed from the Tibetan Mastiff stock. Gaddi is a generic term used for the majority of the big dogs found in the Himalayas, although there is no one particular kind of Gaddi dog as they vary from place to place and are bred for various purposes, all the way from Jammu and Kashmir to Nepal to Arunachal Pradesh.
Breed characteristics: The Himalayan Sheepdog should be brushed regularly. In the winter the coat has an abundance of very thick hair, which sheds once a year for the duration of a month, when the weather gets warmer. During this time your dog should be brushed and combed every day.
Nature and disposition: They are very intelligent, courageous and fearless dogs that make a very loving companion. They can live in apartments if they are taken on regular, daily walks and well exercised. They are not very active indoors. They are primarily an outdoor dog. While on walk, they must be made to heel and led on walks. Care should be taken that their elbow and knee joints are not overworked, as dysplasias are common. They are known for their loyalty and are a one-man dog that usually creates a strong bond with one member of the family. They are sweet with children and display a patient disposition. They are also tolerant of other pets provided they are socialized since puppyhood.