The Cairn Terrier's country of origin is Great Britain, he weighs approx. 13-14 pounds and is about 9-10 inches in height. He has a rough, wire coat and comes in any color except white. The Cairn is native to the western highlands of Scotland as well as the Isle of Skye, part of the Hebrides Islands, north of Scotland. The Cairn gets his name from a pile of rocks erected to determine boundaries or mark a grave, which became favorite hiding places for foxes and other pests. A small terrier was needed to go into the Cairns and chase out the vermin. Scotland Lairds kept packs of these small terriers which they used for hunting or extermination purposes. The breeds history is parallel to the Skye Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, and the Scottish Terrier, which goes back about 500 years. These 4 certain breeds emerged slowly from a large variety of types in several locales. The first exhibition for the Cairns was in 1909, where they were called short-haired Skyes, however this raised howl from the Skye Fanciers, resulting in the name Cairn. The Cairn requires firm instructions because of his curiosity and independent nature. There terrier background drives them to dig, whether it's a burrow or flowerbed makes no difference to them. The Cairn has been a neat, compact cheerful and alert companion since the 1500's making him the most favorite terrier in Great Britain. The British Cairn Terrier Club has nicknamed him" the best little pal in the world". In 1913, he reached American Shores were he has enjoyed a semi popular reputation. Cairns have a sturdy body making them good companion's for children with his erect ears and short muzzle it gives him a keen expression. His tail is carried gaily, ring presentation calls for some "tidying up, " since Cairns shaggy coat gives the dog a tousled appearance, much like "Toto" in the wizard of OZ.

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The Old English Sheepdog (OES) comes from Great Britain. He weighs 66lbs. or more, is 22 inches or more in height from foot to shoulder. He comes in many shades of grey, blue merle, with or without white markings. He is nicknamed "the bobtail". He gets this name by drovers who use to dock the tails when they were born for identification. The bobtail made a good drover's dog, eager and protective of his charges. He is weather-resistant with his heavy dense coat and, in the 18th century no one spent time on grooming there dogs. They were sheared down every spring with the sheep and both dogs and sheep shearings were spun into warm clothing. His coat requires many hours of grooming for exhibition shows, while pet owner's may still resort to the "shear down". The modern OES retains the appearance of a faithful guardian.

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The Irish Wolfhound's country of origin is Ireland. They weight approx. 105-120 pounds and are about 30-34 inches in height. They have a rough and wiry coat, especially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw. They come in several colors, like gray, brindle, red, etc. The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest of the running hounds, combining speed and power to the "nth" degree. Impressive sighthounds have been know in Ireland since histories were kept, although their history is sketchy, they probably parallel that of the scottish deerhound. The Celts invaded Greece and beat Delphi in 275 BC, this maybe were they acquired dogs of the Greyhound/Afghan types which they took with them on their conquest of Europe. Celtic tastes in dog types ranged, so it is possible these dogs were crossed with rangy mastiffs before reaching Ireland, which was the furthest reach of the Celtic migrations. Romans found the dogs there, when they invaded British shores in the first centuries AD. Roman Symmachus wrote a letter in 393 AD to his brother Flavianus, stationed in Britain thanking him for the 7 Irish Wolfhounds that simply impressed Rome. The Irish dogs must have been imposing figures even then, to impress Romans who were use to seeing mastiffs fight bear, lion, etc. In early days this great Irish hound came in several colors as well as smooth and rough coated. The Irish Wolfhound is known for his qualities of heart, loyalty to his master, strength and speed. All these qualities became universally known as well as many a magnificent tale of these dogs, from Ireland's heroic age of 200 BC to 200 AD. One Saga involves the hound "Ailbhe" who supposedly defended the whole province of the King of Leinster. It's said this dog possessed keen wisdom, supernatural intelligence and was so fast he could run around Leinster in one day. In one episode, Ailbhe is asked which men as more heroic those of King Conor or Queen Maeve, sadly the dog is killed while pursuing the scared men of King Conor! Another famous legendary hound was a bitch "Bran" the best of a famous pack of the 4th century King of Ireland, Cormac. Fionn MacCumhaill, cared for the pack which were said to have magical powers. "Bran" the best of the pack would warn Fionn's men of the enemy attacks, and she was known for her bravery when facing wild boar as well. Bran and other hounds where rescued by Fionn's men when they were stolen by a serving man who planned to sell them to Britain. From written records in the fifth century, we know that dog breeding in Ireland was so organized that the dogs to be sold were sold abroad by the shipload! The majority of the dogs were of Wolfhound type, and these Irish Cargo's may have contributed to the development of the breeds in Europe. In the 1100's it was purported that the King of Ulster offered 4,000 cows for a coveted Wolfhound, when the offer for "Aibe" was refused, it started a war. A long Icelandic saga of the 13th century sets a dog in a prominent role. One of the principals, Gunnar received an Irish hound as a gift from his friend who said" he is a big animal and will make as good a comrade-in-arms as a powerful man. He has human intelligence and will bark at every man he recognizes as your enemy, but never at your friends, he can tell from a man's face whether he means you well or not. He would lay down his life rather then fail you. His name is Samr". In this tragedy of feuding and revenge the dog serves Gunnar well. When enemies come to assassinate Gunnar, they pay a farmer to kill the dog first. Samr fights bravely and is killed because they manage to drive an ax into his head, but with his dying gasp, he emits an eerie howl which serves to warn Gunnar of the approaching enemies. From this grim tale of past, we know that Irish dogs were already so exalted to be featured in the literature of anther country. This shows they were regarded as pricey gifts and the world knew of their strength and speed. During the 1600's, Cromwell decreed ended the exporting of the Wolfhounds by making it illegal, Because wolves were still a major problem on the British Isles and these dogs weren't plentiful. The last wolf killed in Ireland before 1800 and within 50 years, he great hounds, having lost their purpose were reduced to low numbers. The Great Irish Famine of the 1840's also took it's toll on the large dogs, because of the 150 year ban on exportation, there was nowhere else to go for new breeding stock. In the early 1800's no one had ever seen a live Wolfhound and with exaggerated tales in literature, there was much argument among period authorities over what a true Wolfhound had looked like (most-assumed they were extinct). R.d. Richardson wrote about the breed in articles in the 1840's, he sparked interest in the breed and also acquired and old type Wolfhound which he named "Bran". He used Bran on several Wolfhounds and deerhounds and their descendants became the ancestors of the all modern Wolfhounds through the Kilfane and Ballytobin Kennels. Finally in the latter half of the 1800's, Captain G.A. Graham made it his life's work to bring this ancient Irish breed back. He acquired descendants of Richardson's Bran and bred them to deerhounds of the Glengarry strain. With careful selection and occasional out crosses to Borzoi or even Great Dane to increase size, he recreated the old type. It bred true. Shown successfully in the 1870's, the Irish Wolfhound was on his way to recovery, a breed club was formed in 1885. The breed is still known worldwide for his gentleness and answering loyalty. His stature as the worlds tallest dog, won't make him a common pet, but he is a quiet house dog and can be successfully kept content if his regular need to run is met. The Coat requires occasional combing only, modern owners can take advantage of lurne coursing and other running events.

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The Briard's country of origin is France, approx. height is 23-27 inches and weight is approx. 75 pounds. They have a long, stiff slightly wavy coat. The Briard also known as the Berger de Brie comes in tawny, black, fawn, or gray. This large herding dog usually was accompanied with a smaller herding dog. In England, after the wolves were exterminated there was no real use for the Briard and the smaller herding dogs took his place. In Continental Europe however there was a demand for this large dog which offered both protection for the sheep as well as controlling the flock. This type of large herding dog has been established since the middle ages, he probably stemmed from Oriental sheep-herding dogs crossed with local guarding breeds for size and aggression. In France this combination created the Briard, an old breed told about in legends. One tale was about a man who murdered a man with only the dog being a witness, it's said that the dog haunted the killer with his footsteps making the mans life a misery. The king, being made aware of the situation ordered a duel between the dog and the accused. Trials by combat, even with animals were known to occur in the middle ages. The dog avenged his masters death. This mans dog was a Briard type and this is a probable source of the breeds name or it could be a derivative of the french region Brie. Charlemange gave braces of Briards to friends. Napoleon relied on the breed that he took them with him on his military campaigns. Thomas Jefferson imported several dogs to aid the American farmer. Lafayette requested that Briards be sent to him at his american estate. The Briard is never timid, fearless and hardy. He is alert and has acute hearing, these attributes gained the breed a reputation as a noteworthy dog in combat, and to be named the official dog of the french army. The Briard Club of America recounts how these dogs carried supplies to the front lines, served as sentries and found the wounded. Their thick weather-protective coat and sturdiness enables them to carry machine gun ammunition belts wrapped around their bodies to the gunning emplacements. They knew by instinct which soldiers required care and which wouldn't survive. "It was said that any man the Briard passed by was beyond assistance". American soldiers fell in love with the breed and took it back home with them. The Berger de Brie, commonly known as the Briard, and the Berger de Beauce (beauceron) are closely related with the coat being the major dissimilarity. Both breeds have a "crochet" hook at the end of the tail, which is standard, as opposed to those of most breeds requires the retention of the unusual double rear dewclaws. The best workers were reputed to be those with the extra rear toes; called "bastard fingers" in France. There personality's vary from clowns, teases, show-offs, gentlemen's, or the "reserved philosophers". The course double coat requires a thorough brushing weekly to remove dead, matting hair and tangles. There movement is powerful and agile, likened to "quicksilver." They enjoy the outdoors some enjoy laying in snow drifts. Briard's are protective of their homes, stock and people. Socialization for the puppy is suggested.

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The Mastiff also known as the Old English Mastiff weighs approx. 175-190 pounds and reaches a height of approx. 27-30 inches. His coat is short and smooth and comes in several colors, apricot, fawn, and brindle, all with the black mask. His country of origin is Great Britain. The mastiff's ancient roots most likely lead to the ancient Tibetan Mastiff. These dogs were depicted in bas reliefd as early as the Babylonian era, about 2200 BC, where they originated is disbuted but it is agreed it was in an ancient type. Ancient dog traders most likely brought this dog to England, when Romans arrived they were so impressed with this anaimal that they took examples back to Rome to fight in the arena's. These dogs often defeated the homebred variety of Molossus. The mastiff use as bandogs is what brought them to prominence mastiff, a derivative of the Latin mastinus meaning housedog is what he became. He roamed and gurated the estates, castles as well as lowly huts. It was law that peasants kept at least 1 mastiff per serf to detour villains, and savage beasts. The Legh Family of Lyme Hall in Cheshire is recorded with having the breed since 1415. The English Kings showed generosity by gifting the Spanish royalty with the breed. Henry VIII sent Charles V a battalion of 400 mastiff as war dogs. At the time of the Norman invasion the french word Douge, meaning mastiff was incorporated into the English language to describe all the canine species type in England. The Mastiffs were used to fight large opponents during the Elizabethan era, when these matches became forbidden, the dogs faced a downward trend. In the 19th century the breed was revitalized and believed to be crossed with the alpine mastiff( Saint. Bernard). In 1871, 63 mastiffs appeared in an english show, he entry dropped to zero just a few years later. The war years of the next century took further tolls on the breed. In 1945 only 8 mastiffs of breeding age were left in Britain. Two pups were donated by a top Canadian Kennel to help restore the breed in it's homeland where it now is firmly entrenched. In 1941 it was recognized in America and currently the mastiff holds steady mid-way in AKC registries. Throughout the years the mastiff has traveled waves of popularity: Large Vs Small dog etc, despite his giant size and majestic appearance the mastiff is a good family pet, and a worthy watchdog. The mastiff is a creature of habit and if possible should stay with the original buyer as he may not transplant easily. Tragically he is not long lived, like so many of the giants.

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The Chow Chow is from mainland China. He weighs 45-70lbs.. The Chow Chow is believed to have a bit of mastiff types which gives him his heavier head and thick wrinkled skin. The chow also has a black-pigmented tongue, lips and gums, which is a stamp of the breed. His height from foot to shoulder is usually 19-20 inches. The Chow Chow comes in two coat types, smooth which is less common and the long plush coat which is admired throughout the world. He comes in several colors, red, black, cream, blue, etc. Historians trace chow's to the 11th century B.C. when Tartar hordes invaded China. As succeeding emperors ruled the arts and literature were often destroyed, but during Han dynasty about 150 years B.C. bas relief sculpture and pottery do depict chowlike dogs hunting. The chow Chow was used as a draft, guard, flock dog and eaten, which still is common in Asia. Because China had a closed door policy for centuries this breed didn't make an appearance in other parts of the world until 1780. Several breeds were smuggled out by sailors in the 1800's and displayed in the London Zoo as the "Wild Dog of China", until dog lover and breed savior Queen Victoria took one into her fold. How the breed got it's name has many theories, one is "chou" in chinese which means edible. As puppies they have a live teddy bear appearance. In fact a belief that Chow's descended from bears has been passed through generations. This legend persists, not only due to there coat, sure footedness, but because of the blue-black tongue peculiar to the polar bear and a few Asiatic bears located in the same area. The Chow Chow with his family is predictable and loyal, he personifies the one man dog and is aloof with strangers.

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The Chinese Shar-Pei weighs approx. 45-55lbs., is about 18-20 inches in height and it's country of origin is China. He comes in several colors and coat types. Chinese Shar-pei's attributes it's background to the Nordic genes and perhaps others, like the chow type dogs, possibly crossed with western mastiffs on the early trade routes. The Shar-pei has existed for centuries in the southern provinces near the South China Sea, with Dah Let, Kwantung Province given as it's source. The Shar-pei also known as chinese fighting dog; gained reputation as a fighting breed. This was entertainment for the peasants. He also assisted them with hunting, herding, and protection. With the loose skin he was able to turn around, even with the enemies teeth imbedded. His short bristly coat was distasteful in an opponents mouth and tiny ears and deep set eyes were also good qualities for the sport. As the Chow Chow gained popularity, the Shar-pei decimated and finally disappeared in mainland China, with only a few left in Hong Kong. Matgo Law became concerned that his beloved breed could become extinct that he wrote to an all-breed dog magazine beseeching Americans to become involved with the plight of the Shar-pei. His plea, with passionate letters and photo's brought immediate response from the western hemisphere. When few specimens arrived in the U.S. in the 1970's they were considered the rarest dog in the world. Shar-pei's with their unique look and personality have started increasing in numbers and have been accepted by some registries. He resembles a short haired Chow, with a thicker padding muzzle, black mouth pigment and tongue (he may also come with a flower tongue, which has pink on it), very tiny drop ears (like no other breed of dog). The tail may be carried in a tight curl, loose curl, or arched. He is prone to eye problems, skin disease because of there wrinkles, which they usually out grow, only leaving wrinkles on the face. Have dominant temperaments and require firm training and socialization, they want to be with their people and their early housebreaking habit's assure acceptance.

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