The breed stands out for their unique spotted coats, which are short, sleek and glossy. The Dalmatian's outline is square, showing them to be well-balanced, strong, muscular dogs. They make great company dogs, especially for active families.

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
• 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

This little terrier is built on long, low lines, with large, expressive eyes and a very distinctive coat. A silky soft fall of hair on the head, ear feathers trimmed short and the harder body coat clipped short and left longer on the belly and legs, as is typical of many working terriers.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

These large-sized, shaggy-coated sighthounds have a very athletic appearance but are elegant despite their size. They are often described as resembling a shaggy-coated greyhound.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

This is a moderately large, powerful, yet elegant dog. The coat is smooth, short and the body carriage should be proud and can be likened to a thoroughbred horse. They are full of energy and smart which makes them great guardians and amazing candidates for police and military jobs.

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

This giant-sized dog has a large, broad, round head with lots of wrinkles. They have a strong, muscular neck and body with a deep, broad chest.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Giant 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 English Setter is a large yet elegant breed, symmetrical and substantial in build. Epitomising grace, strength and stamina, their coats are long, flat, silky and well feathered.

The need-to-know

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

English Toy Terriers are small, smooth-coated black and tan dogs with pointed, erect ears. They are slightly longer than they are tall. Ideally, the adult English Toy Terrier measures 25-30cm and weighs around 2.7-3.6kg.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum 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

This large, powerful, athletic mastiff-type stands around 65-72cm (dogs) or 62-68cm (females) when fully grown and weighs in at 30-50kg. He comes in two coat types: long or short, which come in fawn, brindle, wolf grey or black.

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
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very 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

The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog with a robust build and coat designed to cope with the harsh, icy conditions of Lapland. A squarely built dog capable of galloping, they show the typical spitz features of pricked ears and plush tail that curls over the back.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Basic 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
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Finnish Spitz is a medium sized dog with a thick coat, foxy face, pricked ears and tail curled over the back that is typical of the Spitz type. Attractive and lively, the Finnish spitz should be hard and lean under the luxurious coat, with males having a thicker coat and more prominent ruff than females.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• 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

A short-backed terrier with a long face, this dog has a short, smooth coat that is predominantly white, with or without tan, black or black and tan markings. He has smooth, elegant lines and appears strong, compact and ready for action! When fully grown the Smooth Fox Terrier stands at around 39cm or under and weighs approximately 7.5-8kg (males) and 7-7.5kg (females).

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
• 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

He might be small, but the short-backed, muscular Wire Fox Terrier exudes strength. The thick, wiry coat is predominantly white with black, tan, or black and tan markings. Adult male dogs are 39cm tall or under and weigh about 8kg, and females are slightly smaller.

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