The Flat Coated Retriever is a long and lean, and is the most racy-looking of the retrievers. They are bright and active with an intelligent expression. The dense, flat coat has a high shine, legs and tails are well feathered, giving an impression of a smart, attractive and athletic animal.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic 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
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Probably one of the most recognizable and best loved dogs, the Golden Retriever is known for their lustrous, medium-length golden coat and ever-wagging tail. This large retriever has a friendly expression with perfect symmetry and superb, flowing movement covering the ground with long, powerful strides.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic 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
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Labradors are large, strongly built dogs with good bone and substance. Their heads are broad with soft, intelligent eyes that are the perfect indicators of their friendliness and generally easy-going natures. Their tails are described as being “otter-like” and are both strong and almost constantly wagging.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic 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
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

The ‘Toller’ is a medium-sized retriever with a thick, water repellent coat, soft undercoat, and webbed feet. Ranging from light orange to deep red and moderately feathered around the ears, chest, and back of legs. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever features a magnificent waving tail, usually with a white tip, and may have white markings on the feet and face. This is a bright, alert and active little retriever, full of fun but capable of working hard all day.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic 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
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The Rhodesian Ridgeback dog is a large, solid-coloured, active breed with a short coat that has a distinctive ridge of hair along the back. Powerful and agile, they also enjoy spending time perched on the sofa with their owner at the end of the day. They’re gentle dogs, although somewhat stubborn, and due to their size and strength will fit in more with experienced owners.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• 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
• 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

Rottweiler dogs (or 'Rotties') are large, compact dogs known for their solid black coats with clearly defined rust-coloured markings. Rottweilers are strong, agile, powerful dogs for their size, capable of running and jumping with ease.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• 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
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A graceful, athletic, medium-sized sighthound, the Saluki has a soft, smooth coat, often with feathering (longer hair) on the legs and ears, and sometimes the throat. The smooth type of Saluki lacks this feathering.

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
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Samoyed is a stunning medium/large Spitz breed, showing the typical characteristics of erect, pricked ears and a tail curling over the back. They have a thick, profuse weather-resistant coat. Their feet are flat and have an abundance of hair, making them like snowshoes and preventing snow from forming 'snowballs' between the toes.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Heavy drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

Small, compact and cobby, the Schipperke is an attractive dog with sparkling, lively eyes and an abundant harsh coat. Sometimes born tail-less, the tailed version carries the thickly furred tail over the back and this in combination with the profuse coat and pricked ears gives them a distinctly spitz-like appearance.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Small dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• 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 Standard Schnauzer dog breed is a medium-sized, sturdy and muscular dog with prominent eyebrows and a moustache. The coat can be black or pepper and salt. Adult males are 48cm in height ideally, and weigh about 18kg. Adult females are about 45.7cm and 16kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• 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

Under a weather-proof, wire-haired coat, the Scottish Terrier is a small and compact, yet powerful dog. Their prominent eyebrows, full beard and moustache combined with sharply pricked ears give this terrier an alert, business-like appearance.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small 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 Sealyham Terrier is a robust, rectangular built dog, slightly longer than they are tall with a long, harsh wire coat. The ears are attractively dropped forwards and when stripped and tidy, they feature an appealing beard and eyebrow combination that gives them a workmanlike appearance.

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