Papillon's originated in France/Belgium, and come in several colors, basically white with patches of color on the body. The papillon's appearance is refined in bone, has a pointed head and tail that curls over the back. He originally had drooping ears and the erected-ears variety emerged later. Papillon's is french for butterfly, which describes his large upright ears. The pricked ears became so popular in the 1800's that many forgot about the drop-eared variety. He is known by three names, Papillon's (erect-ears), Phanlene (drop-eared) and Le Chien Ecureuil (Squirrel Dog) in France due to his lovely plumed tail. Papillons are hardy dogs, despite their small size. The coat is easy to maintain and they know no enemy and are confident, friendly and outgoing. These little dogs were so charming that merchants brought these dogs from country to country on mule back and demanded high prices!! The wealthy and nobel of England and Europe owned these continental toy spaniels and many a grand lady wouldn't have there portrait done unless her tiny dog was included. The breed was seen in many paintings by the masters like, Van Dyke, Rembrandt etc.

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The Chihuahua comes in many sizes and shapes; and a variety of colors, his coat is smooth or long haired, and his country of origin is Mexico. The Chinese have long practiced the art of dwarfing animals, however, it's believed that spanish traders traveled through Mexico on the returns from China and left behind some of their canine acquisitions, which crossed with the native hairless breeds and made up the modern Chihuahua. Some cynologists believe he is just a miniaturized version of native pariah dogs, like the Podengo of Portugal. He may have gotten his name (or named for) from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, which many tales belief of their existence there. No concrete evidence has prove this theory; in fact more recent research has provided evidence to the contrary. Explorers reporting the existence of dogs called Techichi, now believed to have described a "prairie dog" type of rodent. These little "dogs" lived in holes in the ground, however the Chihuahua came about, he first came to prominence in Mexico City around 1895 reaching El Paso, Texas, shortly after. Dog lovers in the USA refined and perfected the little dog of Mexico, and it wasn't long before he was listed Top Toy in the States. He has maintained his appeal as a companion dog. The long-coated version probably produced in the USA, crossing smooth Chihuahua's with other toys, like the papillon's, pomeranian and so on. They have large hearts, making them a favorite for the elderly or those living in apartments. They are playful, graceful and with large ears emphasizing their alert appearance. Breeding and health problems are accentuated in the tiniest specimens, some as small as one pound! The Mollera, or open soft spot on the top of the skull, is usually found in the majority of Chihuahuas and is allowed by the standard.

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The Chinese Crested originated in China or Africa. They come in a variety of colors. They come hairless with just tuffs of coarse hair on their head feet, and tail. They also come with hair all over their body (powder puffs). The Chinese Crested is lively and affectionate and makes a friendly companion, which is easy to train. It needs to be protected from both hot and cold weather. Life expectancy is 12 to 13 years. The weight is 5 to 12 lbs., and height is 9 to 13 inches. Average feeding cost is $15. Special attention must be paid to the hairless skin care routine, including regular application of moisturizer, sun block and frequent baths to combat blackheads. This dog is truly hypoallergenic and one of a kind.

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The Bichon Frise is about 9-12 inches in height and are approx.. 7-12lbs. in weight. They require clipping and have a loosely curled outer coat with a undercoat. They come pure white, or with some tan or gray. He is known as bichon Tenerife, Tenerife Dog, Bichon a Poil Frise. His country of origin is France/Belgium, when 14th-century sailors seen the charms of the Bichon, they brought him back to France from the shores of Tenerife, which is one of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic off the coast of Spain. These islands were on the Phoenician trade route, and the dogs may have been brought as items of barter. Bichon's lived very well, among kings and the aristocracy, for 400 years, but in the 1800's the royal whim turned to other dogs and the Bichon became a dog of the street, a pet of the commoner. The little Bichon found work by performing as a organ grinders dog or as a circus performer. Once again, servicemen were entranced by the dogs soft, fluffy appeal and they took dogs home from France after WWI. The Bichon was taken serious by French Breeders in 1934 and obtained French Kennel Club recognition, he entered AKC miscellaneous class in 1971 and Canada followed suit in 1975. Bichon a Poil Frise means Bichon of the curly coat, he is distinctive among the Bichons, since it is the only one that is double coated. His coat tends to puff out all over rather than hang down like his single coated cousins. The Bichon is a source to be reckoned with in the show ring, with there sparkling white, poufy jackets and their gait, with a suggestion of a barely contained bounce, make them an attractive show contender.

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The Pembroke Welsh Corgi weighs about 24-28 pounds and is approx.. 12 inches in height. He comes in several colors and has a medium-short, harsh, dense coat. He is similar to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and there country of origin is Great Britain. The Cardi is thought to be the older of the two breeds being brought to Wales with the Celts around 1200 BC. The Pembroke is a comparative newcomer to the Welsh, entering with Flemish weavers around the tenth century. Another theory is both breeds descended from Swedish Vallhunds, that arrived with viking invaders in the ninth century. There are several theories to how he got his name, "Corgi". The Corgie got his name from the Celtic word for dog, Corgi. However, other tales, passed down from generations say the little dogs were named for cor, meaning dwarf and gi meaning dog or cur, watch over. The crofters of Wales, had no land of there own to graze there cattle, they were allowed to fence small areas around there dwelling. The poor farmers were granted access to let there cattle graze on the Crown's open range and an intelligent hard-working dog was a benefit. This short legged, cattle heeler was developed to run under the legs and avoid dangerous kicks. The two breeds are very similar, with a few minor differences. In fact both breeds were interbred until the 1930's, since then breeders have emphasized the individualities. The Cardigan is a bit larger, heavier boned and longer and displays a long, low tail. The Cardi has been called the "yard-long" dog, being the same length from tip to tip of tail as a welsh yard. His ears are larger and set wider apart and his color patterns and coat type also vary from the Pembroke. Legend says, Fairies brought the blue-merle color of the Cardi, one dark night. The dog from Pembrokeshire has straighter legs, has a foxy look, due to it's wedge-shaped head and smaller higher ear set. Sometimes pups are born tailless, if not the tail is docked, flush to the body. To help remember the difference between the two, sometimes a word can help. Cardigan has a long tail, like long sleeves and the Pembroke has a "broke" tail. The Pembroke has seen popularity by being a favorite of the British royal family. The Cardigan has become one of the most prominent dogs in England and Australia. Corgi's have the heart of a large dog and are both handsome, loving, learn quickly, and are good obedience workers. They are full of their own self-importance and have jaunty little characters. With sturdy bodies and a working background this usually allows them to handle rough-housing of rowdy dogs or rowdy families.

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The Great Pyrenees's weighs approx.. 90-140lbs., is about 25-32 inches in height, has a medium to medium long coat, comes in white or with badger markings. He is also known as Pyrenean Mountain Dog or Chein de Montagne des Pyrenees. Being one of the most popular and recognizable flock-guarding breeds, he originated in the Pyrenees Mountain that separate France from Spain. When he arrived, is still a mystery but he's been guarding flocks in France for millennia. Fossils of the breed type (1800-1000 BC) discovered by the French nobility before the revolution (like the maremma in Italy) they could be found guarding the large chateaux in Southern France. Dauphin Louis XIV named the breed the Royal Dog of France. Peasants continued to use him because of his abilities as a flock guard. Physical characteristics such as strength, keen hearing, big paws for surefootedness were deemed highly preferable. The psychological aspects were of great importance as well, if the dog didn't bond or protect the sheep, he was killed, abandoned or sold (at a steep price) to a tourist who didn't care about these attributes. By the early 20th century these dogs nearly were extinct, Bernard Senac-Lagrange, a french aristocrat and well known dog authority, can be credited with saving the breed. He consolidated various factions, went into the mountains to obtain good specimens and created the first written standard. Imported into America soon after Lagrange's time, the Pyr achieved AKC recognition in 1933. In WWII they were used to deliver messages and carry packs for french troops. America thought he was to big for military service and he was trained for pack work designed for an Alaskan Campaign if needed. When this idea was discarded, the Pyrs were "honorably discharged" Over time the Pyrenees has been breed for temperament and has become one of the gentle giants. There is no worries that exhibition will ruin the breed, he is still used for predator control and if introduced at a young age, they usually will bond to the sheep and protect them. This breed does well with all livestock and with other Pyrs. Pyrs have double dew claws on the hind feet. and regular grooming is required. They need to be a part of activities, and are loving, protective of both home and family. Lagrange said, " Only the true breed possesses this bewitching, almost indefinable expression in the eyes, both distant and caressing, contemplative and just a little sad. As you look in these eyes the immense moral value of the breed pierces your soul".

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The German Shorthaired Pointer weighs approx.. 55-70 lbs. and is about 23-25 inches in height. He has a short coat and comes in solid liver, liver and white, with or without ticking or roaning. His country of origin is Germany and he is also know as Deutscher Kurzhaarige, and Vorstehhund, Kurzhaar. Bird dogs as early as the 1700's have been found in Germany for centuries but no specific types had yet evolved. However they stemmed directly from the existing bracks and schweisshunds present in Germany, refined with pointing dogs. By the 1800's individual breeds of versatile gun dogs began to be fixed by German breeders. In the middle of the 1800's, Prince Albrecht Zusolms Braunenfels, was devoted to creating the all purpose hunting dog. The Prince owned good Schweisshunds and Pointers imported from England, and these are pro bally the basis for the German Shorthaired Pointer. The first pointers were more hound like with long ears, short and heavy bodied and were extremely slow working but showing the strongest influence from the hounds. The oft-repeated story of the Shorthaired springing from "Bloodhounds" is merely a lapse in translation. Schweisshunds translates to "bloodhound" meaning a dog used to follow a blood trail, not the breed "Bloodhound". These dogs were long since separated from the Bloodhounds (St. Hubert) that we know today. English Pointer blood was later added to existing shorthaireds to increase speed and style, but great care was taken to keep their talents in water work, retrieving, toughness and tracking. American hunters accepted the Shorthaired with enjoyment when he arrived in the 1900's. The American Kennel Club gave official recognition in the 1940's and, since then the breed has fared well in both field trials and obedience. For the weekend hunter he is a good choice for his natural abilities, ease of training, and adjust well to family life. His short coat requires little care, even after a day in the field. As long as his basic nature is understood, a dog of immense energy and a desire to hunt, he does not recognize natural boundaries and may become destructive if bored by confinement and lack of excesses, an outdoor kennel would be a benefit. His tail and dew claws are clipped within a few days of age. His tail wags at his masters attention, or becomes rigid on a point. His body, like most Shorthaired dogs; is warm and comforting as are his eyes. He has a long life expectance as are often surviving past 16 years. The German Shorthaired Pointer is affectionate, and good with children.

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The Giant Schnauzer's country of origin is Germany and he weighs approx.. 70-77lbs. and is about 23-28 inches in height. He has a moderate length, hard, bristly with wooly undercoat. He comes in black or salt and pepper in color. He is also known as Riesen Schnauzer. The Giant Schnauzer was developed in Southern Germany as a cattle herder from smooth haired droving dogs, perhaps a variety of rough-coated indigenous shepherd dogs and perhaps the black great dane. He was often called the munchener dog because of his origin near Munich and was used from the 15th century until the arrival of the railroads, when large cattle drives waned. After farmers lost interest in feeding these large mouths, they adapted in town as guardians, mascots,etc, during the 19th century. In theory, breeders saw a resemblance in the Giants to the small ones and aimed breeding practices towards increasing similarities towards the two. Historians believe a cross was made to the standard schnauzer and the results were called Munich Schnauzer's for a time, until the imposing term "Giant" was adapted around the turn of this century. He became an instant attraction in Munich in 1909 in dog shows and a national club was formed. German Shepherds and Giant Schnauzers arrived on American shores at about the same time. However the Giants were over shadowed by demand for their native relative. He never gained great popularity in North America but in his country of origin, he remains one of the principal breeds used for security work. The breed was used in both World Wars and suffered many casualties, that many thought the breed was lost. Thanks to many breeders, he lived on in many countries of the world. His coat requires stripping twice a year and he has similar hair like his smallest native. A strong tendency exists to regress to a soft wooly coat, and care must be taken by breeders to maintain the true schnauzer "hard" terrier coat. The hair, which is easier to maintain than the wooly coat; keeps the breed distinct from it's distant relative, the Bouvier. Giant Schnauzers tails are docked and the ears are cropped or left natural. The Giants still retain their guardian instincts and do well in schutzhund trials.

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The Havanese weighs approx.. 7-12lbs. and are about 8-11 inches in height. He has a profuse, wavy to cruly, double coat and he comes in a wide variety of colors or color. combinations. He is also known as Bichon Havanais and, Havana Silk Dog. His country of origin is Cuba. These charmers descended from the bichon types of the old world, there is argument to which specific type. If they came from the Spanish as they colonized the west Indias, this would probably point towards Tenerife and the Bichon Frise as the progenitors. Cubans feel Havanese originally came to there Island with the Italian Sea Captains, thus pointing towards Malta or Bologna as the source. Captains often carried illegal contraband, to be sold to wealthy Cuban families. He then became a frequent sight in the palaces and country estates. Catalina Laza, wife of a wealthy Cuban sugar mill baron, raised the dogs for her own pleasure and to present to society friends. When the Cuban Revolution threatened their existence of these dogs and their owners families, they fled their homeland and took there pets as well. Quite rare today, fanciers in the USA have formed the Havanese Club of America. His temperament is similar to all bichon cousins, charming, intelligent and alert, but as an adult, he can be aloof with strangers. The Havanese has been known to guard children heroically and are great circus and trick dogs. Like the Bologenese they are close to their family, and make good watchdogs. Modern show dogs are kept free of tangles, but any trimming, fussing or coiffing is prohibited. The average person may want to have there dogs hair clipped for easier maintenance.

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