The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen (or GBGV for short) is a robust, medium height hound, built slightly longer than they are tall. Consider this a large dog on medium-length legs rather than a medium sized dog. The weather-resistant coat is rough and shaggy, hiding a solidly built, hefty hound beneath. They are known for their characteristic hair over the eyebrows, beard and moustache, giving them a friendly and happy appearance.

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
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen is a small/medium-sized, strong, deep-chested scent hound. He has a typical basset-type shape – being longer than he is tall and low to the ground. Adults stand at approximately 34-38cm. The rough, medium-length coat comes in white with lemon, orange, sable, grizzle or black markings, or tricolour.

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
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

Basset Hounds are substantial dogs on short legs. From the scent hound group, this breed was originally used for hunting small game but are now popular as family dogs due to their relaxed and affectionate demeanours.

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 every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

This muscular, medium-sized hound is slightly longer than he is tall and weighs 20-25kg when fully grown. Adult dogs stand at 47-52cm and females at 44-48cm. The short coat comes in brown, red with a black mask, and stag red with or without a black mask.

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
• Large 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

The Beagle is one of the best known and loved of all the hound groups. These sturdy and bold little scent hounds have kindly expressions and are compact and athletic. They have short coats that are dense and weather-resistant and come in a range of colours and patterns.

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
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dogNot a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The Bearded Collie or ‘Beardie’ is a lean and active dog. Rectangular in outline being slightly longer than they are tall, with a long, harsh top coat that is never trimmed or styled but naturally parts down the middle.

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
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Impressive, large and muscular, the Beauceron is an attractive dog with a smooth short coat and drop ears.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra 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
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

This small-sized long-legged terrier is easily recognised - given that they are sometimes described as looking like a cross between a dog and a lamb! They have a narrow skull and a lamb-like coat.

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
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Medium sized and square in outline, the Belgian Groenendael long, smooth coat that is black in colour, occasionally with small white markings on the chest and toes. The Groenendael is often mistaken for a solid black long coat German Shepherd, but they are lighter in build and far more elegant and refined.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than 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

Medium sized and square in outline, the Belgian Laekenois has a harsh and wiry rough coat that is reddish fawn in colour with black shading on the muzzle and tail. Giving the overall impression of an athletic and elegant dog, the Laekenois variety of Belgian Shepherd are a loyal companion that loves to protect their family.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than 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

The Malinois is a medium to large-sized dog with an athletic, lean build and a short, tight coat. Sometimes mistaken for the larger, heavier boned German Shepherd Dog, the Malinois is more ‘sports car’ to the German Shepherd Dogs ‘utility vehicle’!

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra 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
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Tervueren is a medium-sized, long-haired dog that appears square in its outline. Although they are often confused with the 'long-haired German Shepherd Dog' by the general public, they are squarer in profile; lighter in bone with a more refined head. The Terveuren dog breed is fawn, red or grey in colour with black shading on the hair tips. Adult dogs should measure between 61-66cm and females 56-61cm. They weigh between 27.5-28.5kg.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• 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