Small and mischievous with a monkey-like expression, the Affenpinscher is a lively toy breed with a short muzzle, round, dark and sparkling eyes, and a rough coat. Despite its small size, this compact little dog is not at all delicate and is described in the breed standard as having self-confidence and carrying itself with comic seriousness.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A noble, dignified-looking hound, the Afghan Hound stands proudly and elegantly, with their long, lustrous coat as their crowning glory.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Airedale Terriers are the largest of the terrier breed group. Their muscular bodies are covered with a hard, wiry coat that’s hard to miss. They’re intelligent and confident dogs that are easy to love, but their intense nature might be challenging for first-time dog owners.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A wolf-like breed in appearance, the Alaskan Malamute is a large, imposing breed of dog who has typical Spitz characteristics (a tail often curled over the back, a very thick coat, erect ears, and a wedge-shaped head.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Anatolian Shepherd is a powerfully built mastiff type with a short, dense coat and a broad heavy head. The coat is designed to protect against extreme weather conditions, and comes in any colour, with or without a distinctive black mask.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Giant dog
• Heavy drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The ‘Aussie’ Cattle Dog is a compact, muscular and robust medium-sized dog with an intelligent expression and alert, pricked ears. Their coat is close and dense, offering excellent protection against weather and scrubby undergrowth.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

These dogs are often compared to the Border Collie dog breed. Solid and muscular, they are slightly longer than they are tall, standing at 51-58cm (males) and 46-53cm (females). They generally weigh 19-29kg depending on their sex and build. The coat comes in black, blue merle, red merle, and red, with or without tan points. See the breed standard for full details.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Alert, glamorous yet robustly built, the Australian Silky Terrier has sharply pricked ears and a long straight coat parted down the back.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Australian Terrier dogs differ from some other terriers in that they have a long neck and back, in proportion to their height. Their coats are harsh and straight on top and shorter and softer underneath, and can be red, or various shades of blue with tan. The Aussie stands at approximately 25.5cm at the withers when adult and weighs approximately 6.5kg.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

This small to medium-sized dog has a distinctive tightly curled tail and wrinkled forehead. The smooth, short, glossy coat of the Basenji comes in different colour combinations. If you can keep up with their high energy levels, Basenji dogs are smart, fun and make lovely companions.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Athletic and aristocratic, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne is a powerful hound without the heaviness of some basset types. The body is long and low, but also lean and dry, without excess skin or exaggerated ears.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

This medium-sized, rough-coated dog is a typical basset shape, though not as low to the ground as the Basset Hound, standing at 32-38cm when fully grown. He weighs about 16-18kg as an adult. The coat comes in fawn, gold-wheaten or red-wheaten. Some may have a little white on the chest.
 

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog