Labrador

The main characteristics of Labradors are their coat, tail, head and temperament. They have a double coat: a soft, downy undercoat that keeps them dry and warm in cold water and a hard outer coat that helps them repel water. Their tail, described best as an otter tail, is thick at the base and tapers to a narrower point. It should not be carried over the back nor should it have a curl to it. It should, however, be at exactly coffee table height and always be ready to swipe one clean. Their head is clean cut and somewhat broad, with hanging ears. Their expression is alert and intelligent and conveys a kind, friendly temperament.
Their best feature is their temperament. Labs are loving, people oriented dogs. They are happiest when they are with you. Labs are retrievers and will bring you things they find laying about your house or yard. They tend to be quite patient with children and wonderful family dogs. They are not guard dogs. They may bark protectively, but will generally not act more aggressively. Labs are wonderful people dogs, more likely to lick someone to death than hurt them. They tend to be stable, not easily upset by strange things or occurrences. They will take many things in stride.
Labrador Retrievers, originally from Newfoundland, were initially used in work alongside fisherman, helping to pull in nets and catch fish that escaped from fishing lines. After being crossed with Setters, Spaniels and other Retrievers, the Labrador Retriever honed its skills as a true retriever. From this point in the breed’s history, "Labs," as they are affectionately called, were bred primarily to perform as an efficient retriever of game, with a stable temperament suitable for a variety of activities beyond hunting.

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular dogs of the day. It rivals the Chihuahua for the title of the world's smallest dog. It is unlikely to be over-awed by larger animals, however, and is not the ideal choice for the stand-offish, because it wants to make friends with everybody. It has been described as a big dog inhabiting a small dog's body.
Named for the English city from which they originally hail, Yorkshire Terriers were used in the nineteenth century to catch rats in clothing mills. Surprisingly enough, in its beginnings, the Yorkie belonged to the working class, especially the weavers; in fact, facetious comments were often made about how the dogs' fine, silky coats were the ultimate product of the looms. Eventually, the breed left the workforce and became a companion animal to families of European high society.
Yorkies are easily adaptable to all surroundings, travel well and make suitable pets for many homes. Due to their small size, they require limited exercise, but need daily interaction with their people. Their long coat requires regular brushing.

German Shepherd Dog

The German Shepherd Dog is hailed as the world’s leading police, guard and military dog, however, this dependable breed is more than its 9-to-5 job.
The German Shepherd Dog originated in 1899 at Karlsruhe, Germany due to the efforts of Captain Max von Stephanitz and others. Derived from the old breeds of herding and farm dogs, the first German Shepherd Dog exhibited in America was in 1907. The fame associated with Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart, two members of the breed whose movies played on variations of the boy and his dog theme, shot the popularity of the breed sky-high.
Energetic and fun-loving, the breed is very fond of children once a relationship is established. He is a loyal family pet and a good guard dog, the ideal choice for many families. He requires regular exercise and grooming.

Golden retriever

Golden retrievers are well known for being great family pets. This breed above all others is known to be friendly and gentle with children. If you’re looking for a dog that will fit in as a part of your family, and want a medium to large sized dog, you should definitely be looking at golden retriever puppies.
Golden retrievers are known to be gentle around children, and are also highly intelligent and obedient dogs, similar to a German shepherd. Golden retrievers are more commonly thought of as family pets, however, due to the fact that they are not used as guard dogs or police dogs – so they don’t give the impression that they might be potentially dangerous.
The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800s and was used predominantly for hunting. The breed was developed by Lord Tweedmouth, whose goal was to create a superb retriever suited to the Scottish climate, terrain and available game. He crossed his original "Yellow Retriever" with the Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) found on his estate. Later integrations of Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and more Tweed Water Spaniel produced the retriever we know today.
This active and energetic Sporting breed can adapt to many different living situations but requires daily exercise. His water-repellant double-coat sheds seasonally and needs regular brushing. With his friendly temperament and striking golden color, this breed is both beautiful to look at and a joy to own.

Beagle

The Beagle has a strong history as a pack animal, and this means that he loves the whole family. He is very good with children. Beagles are happy, friendly, cheerful dogs.
The Beagle is a merry, affectionate little fellow, loving humans and other pets alike. The Beagle adores children and is a wonderful companion, equally ready for a romp or to lie by your feet on the hearthrug. This breed is equally at home in a small house or a mansion, and will guard its home and owner faithfully. It is not a barker, being mostly heard at the chase, in full cry. But, like most other hounds, it has the wanderlust, so care must be taken never to leave gates ajar.
The Breed Standard states: a merry hound whose essential function is to hunt, primarily hare, by following a scent. Bold with great activity, stamina and determination. Alert, intelligent and of even temperament. A sturdy and compactly-built hound, conveying the impression of quality without coarseness.
The Beagle is one of the smallest of the hounds, embodying all their virtues. An ancient breed, the Beagle has proved a joy to sportsmen for hundreds of years. Beagles were first mentioned by name in writings published in 1475. Followed on foot and on horseback, they have been hunted in packs after hare from time immemorial, and were first imported to North America for this purpose.
Beagles are esteemed all over the world and have hunted many different quarries in varying climates, including jackal in the Sudan and Palestine, wild pig in Ceylon, and deer in Scandinavia. In the United States and Canada Beagles are used as gun dogs to seek out and retrieve game, and to hunt by scent in competitive Field Trials.

Boxer

Boxers are very affectionate and need constant interaction from its family
The Boxer by nature is not an aggressive or vicious breed, however, owners should be wary when a stranger enters the dog's domain without being properly introduced. It is important to remember that Boxer's are genetically known as guardians and therefor are very strict when territory is in question.
Boxers are known for the playful manner in which they carry themselves. They are spontaneous, goofy and willing to participate in just about anything active. More often than not, boxers will play fight or "box" with their front paws high in the air
Boxer's have short snouts and long distance running is not recommended, as they may not be able to properly ventilate.
Developed in Germany in the 19th century, Boxers were originally used for dog fighting and to run down and hold large game such as wild boar and bison until the hunter could arrive. The breed is known for standing up on its hind legs and batting at its opponent, appearing to box with its front paws. Imported to America after World War I, they began to grow in popularity in the late 1930s.
One of the breed's most notable characteristics is its desire for human affection, especially from children. They are patient and spirited with children, but also protective, making them a popular choice for families. The Boxer requires little grooming, but needs daily exercise.

Dachshund

The Dachshund was bred as a badger hound in its native Germany. What was needed was a short-legged hound, with a keen sense of smell, coupled with courage and gameness; and a dog that could burrow — an ability that, if unchecked, will cause your Dachshund to demolish your yard and garden.
Some Dachsunds are still bred as hunting dogs and will bravely tackle an opponent larger than themselves, such as the badger. The Dachshund will also defend its master until death. However, their role today is mainly as a companion and pet. They may be a little aggressive with strangers, if unchecked.
Dachshunds were first bred in the early 1600s in Germany. The goal was to create a fearless, elongated dog that could dig the earth from a badger burrow and fight to the death with the vicious badgers.
The breed became popular in the U.S. during the early 1900’s, but fell out of favor during World War I. After the war, a few U.S. breeders slowly rebuilt the gene pool by importing German stock, and the breed began to increase in popularity again.
Dachshunds are lovable, playful companions, and an ideal pet for many homes, including those with children with appropriate supervision. They require moderate exercise, and can adapt to most living environments. Depending on their coat type, Dachshunds may need regular grooming.

English Bulldog

Gentle, friendly, and adoring, with a mischievous dose of stubbornness, the English Bulldog is incessantly loyal to its family.
It usually gets along well with other animals, is particularly fond of children, and does best indoors. Highly spirited as a puppy, the English Bulldog grows up to be a calm adult. The breed prefers not to exercise, can easily overheat, and is prone to drooling and snoring.
The English Bulldog descended from ancient Mastiffs that originated in Asia and were brought to Europe by nomads. Mastiffs were bred for ferocity in fighting, holding, or bringing down aggressive prey.The Bulldog was bred in the early 13th Century for bull baiting. The short muzzle and wide lower jaw were needed for the dog to clamp itself to the bull's nose like a vise, and the nose had to be upturned so that the dog could still breathe while clinging to the bull. It is mentioned in many historical works, most notably, in Shakespeare's King Henry VI. When animal baiting contests were outlawed in England in 1835, these Bulldogs were increasingly exported to America and also to Germany, where they helped create the Boxer. The last of the working Bulldogs in England were crossed with Pug Dogs to create a stocky, docile, family pet-known today as the English Bulldog. The breed was first registered by the American Kennel Club in 1934 in the non-sporting group and today is a popular show dog throughout the world.
Affectionate, but sometimes stubborn; great with kids

Poodle

The Poodle has a character full of fun and is intelligent and obedient. It has proven to be a useful competitor in obedience competitions. Poodles have a fondness for water, if the owner permits, but is much favoured for the show ring where, exhibited in the traditional lion clip, it is a beauty to behold. It is also, debatably, the most difficult breed to prepare for the show ring, involving the owner in a day's canine beauty treatment.
The Poodle will enjoy a ball game in the garden, practising obedience exercises or trotting beside you in the park. Poodles make excellent pets for the apartment dweller.
The Poodle was originally a shaggy guard, a retriever and protector of sheep, with origins similar to the Irish Water Spaniel and, no doubt, a common ancestor in the French Barbet and Hungarian Water Hound.
The Poodle may not be, as many suppose, solely of French origin. It originated in Germany as a water retriever, even the word 'poodle' comes from the German 'pudelnass' or puddle, and from this large, sturdy dog, the Standard Poodle, The Miniature and the Toy Poodle have evolved.
The breed has been known in England since Prince Rupert of the Rhine, in company with his Poodle, came to the aid of Charles I in battle. The breed was favooured also by Marie Antoinette who rumor has it, invented the lion clip to match the uniform of her courtiers. The Poodle is a very popular breed the world over.
Affectionate, Intelligent and long-lived, Good sense of fun

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a happy and attractive little house-pet which adores human company and hates to be neglected. It is extremely intelligent, arrogant, and looks forward to the long, daily grooming sessions for which time must be allocated if you decide to buy this delightful breed.
The Lhasa Apso was highly prized by the Dalai Lama of Tibet who would habitually give prized dogs to emperors of China. It is likely that the Chinese may have crossed the Lhasa Apso with the Pekingese to develop the Shih Tzu. As with the Imperial Pekingese. export of the Shih Tzu from China was forbidden, and it was not until the death of Empress Tzu-hsi in 1908 that the little shaggy dogs were smuggled out to Europe.
Affectionate, Hardy, Intelligent, Loves children and animals, Suitable for city or country