Did you know that the bones of a Basset Hound are so dense that they will sink in water? Their large paws are designed to help support their heavy bodies. One Basset Hound can weigh as much as a Labrador Retriever.
The breed was originally bred by French Aristocrats for hunting Rabbits. Basset means “low”. The first mention of the Basset hound can be pulled from a book written in 1595. The earliest-known depictions of short-legged hunting dogs are engravings from Egypt. Mummified remains of short-legged dogs from that period have been uncovered in the Dog Catacombs of Saqqara, Egypt. Scent Hounds were used for hunting in both Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
The Basset nose contains nearly 20,000,000 olfactory receptors (a human being has about 5,000,000). Their nose is capable of taking in several odors at once and track a scent in a way that rivals only the Bloodhound (his parent heritage). They are usually easy going and get along well with children. They generally tend to be low energy dogs and can do fine in an apartment. They can be stubborn and very vocal. Training a Basset can be hit or miss – You need to give them a good reason to do what you ask and if they don’t want to do it they won’t. They are incredibly intelligent and absolutely can be trained but it does take some creativity. They are considered low energy but should get a daily walk to stretch their legs and let their use their noses. They don’t do well with harsh training techniques. They are somewhat sensitive dogs. There is a Basset Hound in the Smokey and the Bandit movie series. The dog, Fred, was personally picked by Burt Reynolds because it refused to obey commands.
Recall training is critical for the Basset Hound. Their nose rules where they go. If they are on a scent it can be near impossible to pull them off of it.
The Basset Hound’s short stature is due to the genetic condition osteochondrodysplasia (meaning abnormal growth of both bone and cartilage). Dwarfism of this type in most animals is traditionally known as achondroplasia. Basset Hounds, Dachshunds and Bulldogs are a few of the dog breeds classified as 
Achondroplastic. This bone growth abnormality may be a predisposing factor in the development of elbow dysplasia seen in the breed, which leads to arthritis of the elbow joint.
They are generally pretty healthy. They do need regular check ups. They are prone to ear infections and joint and back issues. Their ears must be cleaned out regularly. Because they are low to the ground, they do tend to get dirty and need regular baths. They are prone to bloat so it’s important to let them rest after eating.
Bassets are a true joy but just remember – this is not a dog for a novice owner. If they are on the couch and they don’t want to move, you can’t make them. If they are on a trail and you try to call them off you better have a good enough reason or they won’t come. While stubborn, they are also one of my absolute favorite breeds. They’re a special kind of dog that you just won’t find anywhere else.
The Dalmatian! Lovable, quirky looking medium sized white dogs with spots everywhere! Even in their mouths. They are born all white, however, and the spots develop as they mature.
Scientists have discovered that the red blood cells of the Dalmatian are not round like other dogs but oval, similar to a camel.
be 9,500 years old. The Greenland dog has been a draught animal in the Arctic regions for centuries and consequently they have developed a powerful body and heavy coats, with a natural capacity for load pulling and endurance in a harsh working environment. Roald Amundsen later used Greenland dogs to great success on his 1912 expedition to the Antarctic, where he became the first person to reach the South Pole.
Affectionately called Rotties or Rotts, Rottweilers originally descend from the Molossus, a mastiff-type dog. Their ancestors marched to Germany with the Romans, driving the cattle that sustained them as they conquered the known world. As the army traveled, the big dogs mated with dogs that were native to the areas they passed through. One of the areas through which they passed was southern Germany. The Romans set up colonies to take advantage of climate and soil for agriculture. They built villas roofed with red tile. More than 600 years later, as they were building a new church, inhabitants of the town excavated the site of the ancient Roman villas. The town was named das Rote Wil (the red tile). Over the centuries this area flourished as a market area for cattle and the descendants of the Roman Molossus dogs drove the cattle to town for butchering. Cattlemen put their filled purses around their dogs’ necks to keep their money safe from thieves after selling their livestock. Butchers in the area also used the dogs to pull carts loaded with meat. The dog became known as Das Rote Wil, named for the town.
e formed over the years, but the one with staying power was the Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub (ADRK), founded in 1921. The ADRK survived World War II and has continued to promote good breeding programs in Germany and throughout the world. It’s dedicated to preserving the working ability of the Rottweiler. After World War II, the breed started becoming more popular. At that time, it was primarily known as an obedience dog. The height of the Rottweiler’s popularity was in the mid-1990s when more than 100,000 were registered with the American Kennel Club. Due to overpopularity and poor breeding, dog bite incidents rose and their popularity decreased. Dedicated, reputable breeders are taking this chance to turn the breed around and ensure that Rottweilers are the type of dogs they were meant to be. Today, Rottweilers rank 17th among the 155 breeds and varieties registered by the AKC.
If raised with children, well-bred Rottweilers will do fine. Rotties do, however, have a natural instinct to herd and may try to herd them. Because of their size, they may knock children over and should be taught not to do this early. In addition, some Rottweilers have a strong prey drive and may get overly excited when children run and play. It is important to know your dog and always supervise them around children.
removed aggressiveness from his nature, making him a loyal and affectionate pet. Like many sled dogs, they can be willful. Positive reinforcement is necessary. These dogs are pack oriented and won’t tolerate long hours alone. They need to be with their family. They are less destructive than a typical husky or samoyed but they can get bored easily if they are not entertained. These dogs are bred to run for miles a day in the snow so they would do best in a home in the north with a back yard where they can run and romp in the snow. They are not a lap dog. They are an agile working dog that would excel in an active home where they have access to dog sports.