With their silver-grey, sleek, short coat, the Weimaraner dog is one of the most outstanding breeds. The tallest of the gundog group, they are graceful with speed, stamina and endurance. There are two varieties: the short-haired and the long-haired, the latter being less common.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous 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

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a short, sturdy dog, that is set low to the ground. Their straight, medium or short coat is waterproof. They have a fox-like brush for a tail, and their head has the look of a fox also. They are much longer than they are tall. The coat comes in a number of colours – Adult Cardigans stand at about 30cm and weigh 15-18kg.

The need-to-know

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

Short, sturdy and low to the ground, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has an attractive foxy face. Their straight, medium length coat has a dense undercoat and is never soft, wavy or wiry.

The need-to-know

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

The Welsh Terrier is an alert, workmanlike dog with a compact, sturdy build. Under the hard wiry protective coat, the Welsh Terrier has reasonably long legs, and stands square, up on his toes, ready for action.

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
• 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 sharp contrast of sparkling dark eyes and button nose, against crisp white fur and sharply pricked ears gives the West Highland White Terrier or ‘Westie’ an attractive appearance. With a compact body, fox-like head and hard, shaggy double coat, the Westie is unmistakable for any other breed.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small 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

A toy breed, the Yorkshire Terrier dog is best known for his full flowing tresses of a texture quite similar to human hair. The coat colouring is unusual too, being a steel blue and gold (rich tan). He has an air of importance about him, holding his head high.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active 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

The Mexican Hairless Dog or Xoloitzcuintle, called the Xolo for short, is a hairless dog with soft skin. Slightly longer than they are tall with a slim, elegant build, they come in three size varieties and also a haired version which should have a short, tight, flat and smooth coat with no undercoat. 
Hairless varieties should have a smooth, elastic yet close-fitting skin. Some tufts of hair are permitted on the forehead, face, and back of the neck.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever (show type or working) and the Standard Poodle (sometimes Miniature will be used to produce a smaller dog). Developed due to the success of the Labradoodle, this breed is growing in popularity all across the world.

The Goldendoodle can be a first cross (with one Retriever and one Poodle parent), can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Goldendoodles bred together, so there are varieties in size, shape, coat types and temperaments.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Don't mind
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Labradoodle is one of the more established crossbreeds, so if you want to add one to the family, you’ll be happy to know it’s fairly easy to find reputable breeders. The breeds that make up the Labradoodle are the Labrador Retriever (show type or working) and the Standard Poodle (or sometimes the Miniature Poodle).

The representatives of this crossbreed can vary in size, shape, coat types and temperaments, depending on how they have been bred. The Labradoodle can be a first cross (with one Labrador and one Poodle parent, they can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Labradoodles bred together.

There are breed clubs set up and run by dedicated people who would like to see the Labradoodle become a recognised breed. So make sure you look out for those breeders that breed them responsibly and ensure all parents are health tested.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some 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

The Cockapoo is one of the more established crossbreeds, consisting of the Cocker Spaniel (show type or working) and the Poodle (Toy or Miniature), in rarer cases the American Cocker Spaniel may be used.

It’s relatively easy to find reputable Cockapoo breeders as there are many breed clubs which are run by dedicated people that care about the breed. These clubs are committed to the responsible breeding and ensuring all puppies and dogs are as healthy and good tempered as possible.

The Cockapoo can be a first cross (with one spaniel and one poodle parent), can be bred back to one of the original breeds, or be two Cockapoos bred together - so there are varieties in size, shape, coat types and temperaments.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Maltipoo is one of the smaller designer crossbreeds, which is growing in popularity. The breeds that make up the Maltipoo are the Maltese and the Poodle (Toy or sometimes Miniature).

Maltipoos can vary in size, shape, coat types and temperaments, depending on how they have been bred, but in all cases this is a small companion dog. The Maltipoo can be a first cross (with one Maltese and one Poodle parent, they can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Maltipoos bred together.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Don't mind
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Morkie is one of the smaller designer crossbreeds, which is growing in popularity around the world due to its loving nature and fluffy looks.

The breeds that make up the Morkie are another two fluffballs, the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier, but depending on how they have been bred, this crossbreed has a lot of variety in terms of size, shape, colours and coat types. The Morkie can be a first cross (with one Maltese and one Yorkshire Terrier parent), they can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Morkies bred together. But in all cases, this is a very small and friendly companion dog.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Don't mind
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids