Maltese

A Maltese is a small breed of dog in the toy group. The Maltese does not shed and is covered with long, silky, white fur. The Maltese breed of today is descended from dogs long associated with the island of Malta. It is one of the oldest dog breeds.
The coat is single, with no undercoat, and should not be wavy, curly or kinky. It should be made of shiny, thick, heavy hair which is about 8½ inches (22cm.) long. The color is pure white, although light ivory is acceptable. The eyes are dark, round, large and deep with dark rims. The Maltese is fine-boned, but sturdy. A properly built Maltese seems to float along the ground under his cloud of white hair. The Maltese is spirited, lively and playful. Gentle, loving, trusting and devoted to its master. Highly intelligent. Good at learning tricks. Bold and quick to sound the alarm in case of suspicious noises. Height: Dogs 8-10 inches (21-25cm.) Bitches 8-9 inches (20-23cm.)
Weight: from 6½-9 pounds (3-4kg.)

Laika

Russian Laika are multifunctional hunting dogs, used in the expansive Siberian forests by professional hunters, for hunting all different kinds of wild game. The Russo-European Laika is described as being of medium size, with prick-ears and a sickle tail carried over the back. Temperament should be non aggressive. Colour can be any of the normal Spitz-type colours, but red and ticking on the legs is undesireable. Word Laika simply means a dog that barks. Indeed, any hunting Laika is a bark pointer. Since prehistoric times, these dogs served native people as hunting assistants and as watchdogs. Hunting style of all Laikas is generally similar. However, each Laika breed has its own advantages associated with adaptations to ecological conditions and most popular game in country of their origin. All Russian Laika breeds are very affectionate and devoted to the master and his family dogs. They are efficient and versatile hunting dogs. Their wolf-like appearance, endurance at work, strong health, intelligence and ability to survive under conditions of minimal care make them particularly attractive for many hunters dog lovers who value primitive dogs. Siberian hunters could not afford to keep several dogs, each specialized in different kinds of game. Therefore, a Laika should be capable to do whatever his owner requires. If there is something wrong with the dog, or if it is not a competent hunting dog, it is simply killed. This is the reason why these breeds have developed into powerful and healthy dogs, although their general appearance may differ. The hunters themselves live in the wilderness, in their opinion a Laika is part of the nature and the forest is his natural habitat. They are very sensitive and they have the capability of learning many commands. Although males are easily tempted to participate in a fight with other males, these dogs are always friendly and reliable – never aggressive - towards people. Because of these qualities and because of the fact that many city people with ‘green’ ideas consider a Laika exotic and charming, these breeds have also found friends among non-hunters.

There are 3 official FCI recognized breeds: the West Siberian Laika, the East Siberian Laika and the Russian-European Laika.

BEAGLE DOG

The Beagle is a breed of small to medium-sized dog. A member of the Hound Group, it is similar in appearance to the Foxhound but smaller, with shorter legs and longer, softer ears. Beagles are scent hounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and other game. They have a keen sense of smell and tracking instinct that sees them employed as detection dogs for prohibited agricultural imports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world.

The Beagle has an even temper and gentle disposition. Described in several breed standards as "merry", they are amiable and generally neither aggressive nor timid. They enjoy company, and although they may initially be standoffish with strangers, they are easily won over. They make poor guard dogs for this reason, although their tendency to bark or howl when confronted with the unfamiliar makes them good watch dogs.

Beagles are intelligent, but as a result of being bred for the long chase are single-minded and determined, which can make them hard to train. They are generally obedient but can be difficult to recall once they have picked up a scent and are easily distracted by smells around them. They do not generally feature in obedience trials; while they are alert, respond well to food-reward training, and are eager to please, they are easily bored or distracted.

Beagles are used as detection dogs in the Beagle Brigade of the United States Department of Agriculture. These dogs are used to detect food items in luggage being taken into the United States. After trailing several breeds, Beagles were chosen because they are relatively small and unintimidating for people who are uncomfortable around dogs, easy to care for, intelligent and work well for rewards.

Beagle will need to be exercised for at least an hour each day and part of that time should, if possible, be free running in a safe area away from traffic or livestock. Never forget that the Beagle was bred to hunt, it is instinctive and will show up in its behavior on walks.

The Beagle is full of fun, enthusiastic and always ready for any sort of activity. They are easy to feed, too easy sometimes, as he will put on weight easily if allowed. They have an appetite for all sorts of disgusting things and will welcome the opportunity to raid next door’s bins! Beagles are easy to keep clean which is just as well, given their delight in rolling in bad smells.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is descended from ancient livestock guardian dog types that migrated with the transhumance, guarding flocks of sheep from wolves, bears, jackals, and even cheetahs. It is probable that dogs of this type existed 6,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Turkic-speaking people most likely brought these dogs to the area now known as Turkey about 1000 A.D. The dogs were called coban kopegi (shepherd dog), and over the centuries, regional variations or landraces developed.

The Anatolian has been working independently for centuries, making decisions regarding threats to his property. As a puppy, he adopts whomever he lives with, be it a family or a herd of sheep; as he grows, he takes on the protector gig. It doesn't matter to the Anatolian whether his "flock" is human or animal--he is extremely protective and possessive.

The dog is demanding of itself, and can be stubborn and dominant. When training the Anatolian Shepherd, the best results are achieved by motivational training methods with a determined, consistent and loving approach. It is very important to begin training as early as possible, because a fully grown dog may be too strong and too big to be corrected and because this dog has his own ideas and will not cater to his owner's every whim. Sensitive to reprimands and eager to receive affection. This breed is patient and protective with children of the family, but may accidentally knock them down. Children should always be supervised and properly introduced.

The Anatolian Shepherd does not require any additional protection training. It already has very strong protection instincts that grow as the dog matures, often coming suddenly to the fore at around one and a half years of age. They will generally get along with other animals provided they have been introduced to them when they are still young. They can be rather dominant towards other dogs and it is important to socialize them while they are still young. These dogs mature quite slowly, reaching full adulthood at about four years old. Dogs that are going to be made into flock guards should not be family pets or they will prefer the family over the sheep. They should live their entire life with the flock, but still should be socialized with people out in the field and accustomed to grooming procedures when they are puppies to make veterinary care possible later in life. Anatolian Shepherds guard, but do not herd, livestock. They often patrol the outer perimeter of their territory, then find a high place from which to watch over their charges. Anatolians possess excellent senses of sight and hearing to help them in this work. They check their "protective zone" around the flock every few hours to be certain nothing threatening is brewing. If danger approaches, the Anatolian will first bark a warning, then accelerate and raise the volume of the barking if the danger persists, signaling the sheep to crowd in behind him for protection. The dog will attempt to drive the danger away and will only attack as the last resort. In Turkey, the Anatolian Shepherds wear spiked collars to protect their throats in battles with predators.

They will do best on a low-protein, lamb and rice diet. They do not eat much for their size. Extensive early socialization, obedience training and consistent dominant leadership are very important when owning an Anatolian Shepherd. They tend to bark at night and some like to dig.

AFFENPINSCHER

First time when you look an Affenpinscher, you may mistake it as a toy. Affenpinscher is a German breed. Affenpinscher has harsh rough coat and a monkey-like expression (Affe means monkey in German). It has a square-body, with a deep chest and round head with a pronounced stop. The lower jaw is undershot, protruding below the dog's short nose. The black eyes are prominent and rounded. The neck is short and arched and the limbs are straight and well boned. The tail is carried high and docked to two-thirds its length. They tend to get along with other dogs and pets especially when they are raised with them. Affenpinschers have a distinct appearance that some associate with terriers. They are different from terriers, however, in that they are actually part of the pinscher-schnauzer subgroup of group 2 in the FCI classification and so often get along with other dogs and pets. They are active, adventurous, curious, and stubborn, but they are also fun-loving and playful. The breed is confident, lively, affectionate towards family members and is also very protective of them. This loyal little dog enjoys being with its family. It is a ruthless hunter of mice and an outstanding watchdog.

The Affenpinscher requires minimal grooming. Their harsh coat must never be clipped short as this will ruin it for many years. Brushing and combing weekly is a must, plucking done when necessary. They will occasionally have stray hairs that grow in the corners of the eyes that cause irritation; they should be removed immediately. The Affenpinscher is prone to slipped stifle, open fontanel, and respiratory problems.

Training: Affenpinschers may be difficult to housetrain. The crate training method is recommended. They display an authoritarian attitude, so they require firmness and consistency. They are quick to learn, but do not respond to repetition. The Affenpinscher does best with a variety of tasks so they do not become bored.

Exercise: The Affenpinscher is active and energetic. Their exercise needs can be met with indoor play sessions on a regular basis. They do well as apartment or condominium dwellers provided they are taken for daily leashed walks. They also enjoy a chance to run, so a small fenced yard is ideal. The Affenpinscher tends to climb and bark so supervision is required in the outdoor setting.