The Chow Chow is said to have originated in China, where it was used primarily as a working dog and a watchdog.

It is thought to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, adorning the entrances of many Buddhist temples and palaces.

The Chow Chow got its name from the holds of ships they arrived in, called “Chow Chow”, which was slang for “miscellaneous merchandise”.

In China, the Chow Chow is also referred to as “Songshi Quan”, which means “puffy lion dog”.

Today, this descendant of the wolf is a very popular companion dog in the United States.

The Chow Chow is medium in size, with a rather sturdy and muscular build, and straight hind legs that give the breed a very upright and squared shape.

But the most notable features are its blue tongue and those incredibly fluffy coats.

Beware; Chows have a mind of their own, and are not the easiest of dog breeds to put up with, and may be hostile towards strangers or other animals because of their protective nature.

Chows are also prone to elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia, and thyroid disease, so take caution when selecting a pup.

The Australian Cattle Dog, often known simply as the “Blue Heeler” or “Australian Heeler”, is said to be a cross between European imports and wild Australian dingoes.

This rugged dog breed is used for driving cattle over long distances under harsh climates because of their excellent stamina, and strong work ethic.

The name “Heeler” was given to them because they nip the heels of the cattle to drive them in a specific direction.

They are compact, yet yield muscular builds, and short, easily maintained coats that come in two different colors, blue or red.

They are very loyal to their owners, and can exhibit a mixed temperament because of their high energy and wild background, and may have trouble with other dogs.

Australian Cattle Dogs may express caution at the site of strangers, and may be aggressive if prompted, but are generally a playful, fun-loving breed.

Australian Cattle Dogs have appeared in such famous films as Mad Max and Brokeback Mountain.

Probably the most famous of all the Scottish terriers, the Cairn terrier was named after the small stones used as border and grave markings found throughout the Scottish countryside.

The Cairn Terrier excelled at catching vermin, and formerly searched for rodents and other small animals in those very “Cairns”.

Nowadays, this small, energetic dog breed craves social interaction and makes for a good companion. They are very patient and lovable, and get along with most everyone, though this working group dog may not serve as the best lap dog due to their independent nature.

The Cairn Terrier is one of the oldest terrier dog breeds in the world, and one of Scotland’s earliest working group dogs.

The Cairn Terrier has appeared in a variety of hit Hollywood films, including the role of “Toto” in the 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz.

Keep in mind that the Cairn Terrier is susceptible to such hereditary ailments as canine hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.

This Flemish breed is native to Belgium, where it was bred in Flanders by a canal boat captain named Renssens in the early 16th century.

Since this dog breed was first bred,  there has been an ongoing debate as to whether the Schipperke is a miniature sheepdog, a spitz, or a terrier.

The name “Schipperke” actually means “little captain” in Flemish, though there is debate involved in this as well, with many thinking it’s a derivative of “Scheperke”, meaning “little shepherd”.

Their number one task was to protect the plentiful barges in the region, and also to control vermin.  If a stranger approached, it would be their job to bark to alert their owner.

The Schipperke is a small-sized, thick-coated tailless breed with a very protective temperament.

Because of their instinct to watch and protect, they may bark frequently at strangers and in general, and may not do well with children.

Named after the ancient tribe the Malhemuts, the Alaskan Malamute is one the earliest Arctic sled dogs , and one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.

This breed is known as a “pack-animal” because of its great strength and athleticism, and ability to lead or be led.

They are often mistaken for the Siberian Husky, although the breed distinguishes itself with its size.

Because of its origin, it has a thick, warm coat and a muscular, well-built body, with the ability to pull heavy freight long distances.

The Alaskan Malamute comes in a variety of colors, but typically has a white underbody, and is said to be mature and well-behaved around strangers.

Like most other working dogs, they are prone to canine hip dysplasia.

Alaskan Malamutes were famous for leading explorers to the South Pole, as well as being featured in the sled-dog movie 8 Below.

A baby chihuahua born with a heart-shaped pattern on his coat has become a hit in Japan.

The chihuahua has a white coat with a tan colored patch of fur in the shape of a nearly perfect heart that many onlookers now seem to feel is lucky.

According to owner Emiko Sakurada, who breeds chihuahuas, this is the first of roughly 1,000 dogs to exhibit this type of marking.

She has chosen the name of “Heartkun” for the prized pup, born in Northern Japan and soon to be famous throughout the world.

Spectators as well as the media have been mobbing the young dog, hoping for a chance to touch the dog, as it is believed to rub off some good luck.

This dog gives a new meaning to the phrase, “wearing your heart on your sleeve”.

A native of Switzerland, the Bernese Mountain Dog, also known as Berner Sennenhund, Bouvier Bernois, or simply “Berner” has long served as both work dog and watchdog.

They are sturdy and balanced tri-colored dogs, known for their ability to pull carts and drive cattle.
They have a distinct coat made up of black, white, and rust coat that looks like it was specially crafted by an artist, and bear a resemblance to the Australian Shepherd.

Despite the ability to keep a watchful eye over their family, the Bernese Mountain dog still manages to remain extremely friendly with children while not being overly aggressive.

This breed craves exercise and the outdoors, though their endurance may be limited.  They are also playful dogs, that love to lean or even sit on your feet.

A perfectly bred Bernese Mountain dog is said to have a white “Swiss cross” on their chest when standing upright.

First bred in and around the city of Malines, Belgium, the Belgian Malinois, sometimes referred to as the Belgian Shepherd Dog, is a highly proportioned and muscular, medium-sized working dog.

It is very intelligent and obedient dog, with a short and straight coat, and  a color scheme generally composed of rich fawn with ablack nose and black ears.

The Malinois, as Belgians refer to them, are quite possessive of their owner, and need to be well socialized at birth.

They tend to get along well with people, but may have problems with other animals.

This breed is most commonly used for police work, as well as for personal protection and detection.

The Belgian Malinois resembles the German Shepherd, but tends to suffer fewer genetic defects because of limited breeding.

The Shetland Pony originated off the northeastern coast of Scotland on the wet and rugged Shetland Islands.

It is believed that the ponies are descendants of a Tundra Pony that was found in Britain during the Ice Age.

The Shetland pony was originally used as pack animal for the crofters of the region and later as pit ponies in the mines of mainland Great Britain.

Though they aren’t very plentiful in the islands anymore, their popularity has led to extensive breeding throughout the world.

Today Shetland Ponies are very popular with children, and are often the best choice for a child learning to ride.

They are quiet small and sturdy, yielding thick coats and long manes and tails indicative of their hash origin.

The most popular color is black, but Shetland ponies come in a variety of different solid colors. The Shetland pony stands between 9.3 and 10.2 hands.

The Collie was originally a herding breed that worked in the Scottish highlands, though it didn’t take long for the Collie to become one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

With the help of Queen Victoria, these dogs were brought to the attention of the world, and soon became one of the most beloved breeds.  Lassie , a “Smooth Collie” and infamous TV dog didn’t hurt either…

The Collie comes in a rough or smooth coat, and is a medium-sized dog with a notably pointed muzzle.

Their temperament is rather balanced, as they get along well with children and are protective of their family without being overly aggressive towards strangers.

They are very easy to train mainly because of their intelligence and willingness to please their owners.

There are several varities of Collie, including the  Rough Collie, Smooth Collie, Border Collie, and Bearded Collie.

Former US president Lydon Johnson had a Collie named “Blanco”.