Greyhounds are the racehorses of the canine world, incredibly fast, graceful and elegant. These dogs are muscular and strongly-built. The short, fine coat comes in black, white, red, blue, fawn, fallow, brindle or any of these colours with white. Adult dogs are 71-76 in height and weigh about 30-32kg; adult females are 69-71cm and 27-30kg.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large 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
• Great family dog

The Griffon Bruxellois dog breed comes in two types: rough or smooth-coated. The distinctive feature of a Griffon is its Pug-like face. The nose is quite short and turned up. Large, prominent eyes are another Pug-like feature as is the undershot jaw. This has led some people to liken the Griffon dog face to a monkey. This dog comes in red, black, or black and tan. Adults measure 18-20cm and weigh 2-5kg.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy 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

Smart, and strong with a glossy, richly marked coat, the Hamiltonstovare is a medium/large sized hound. Slightly longer than they are tall, the Hamiltonstovare has a close-lying, short, tricolour coat (black, tan and white), neat hard feet and a proud head and upstanding carriage.

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
• 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 Havanese is a lively, affectionate and friendly toy breed. With a sturdy structure and slightly longer than tall, they have a long, soft, silky coat, waved or slightly curled. Their plumed tail carried over the back is part of the signature look for this fun-loving and loyal dog.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

A large, powerful dog with a medium/long coat, the Hovawart is a little longer that he is tall. Dogs are noticeably masculine and females feminine. Adult males stand at 63-70cm and weigh 30-40kg and females are 58-65cm tall and weigh 25-35kg. The weather-resistant coat comes in black, blonde or black and gold.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to 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 is a large, powerful, noble-looking breed. Adult males are 71-75cm in height and weigh 40-52kg and adult females are 66-70cm tall and weigh 30-42kg. The thick double coat is pure white and the skin has patches of grey.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a dayLarge dog
• Heavy 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

The Puli dog is easily recognised by his trademark coat - long cords, sometimes reaching the ground in length. They can be black, rusty black, white or various shades of apricot and grey in colour. Beneath the coat, this is a sturdy and muscular breed. Adult stand at 40-44cm and weigh 13-15kg; adult females are 37-41cm and weigh 10-13kg.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium 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
• May require training to live with kids

A robust, noble-looking, medium-sized dog, the adult male Hungarian Vizsla comes with a wiry, dense coat. They are extremely affectionate and full of energy, making them perfect for an active household.

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
• Large 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

The Wire Haired Vizsla a medium-sized, active dog with a harsh, wiry coat that is a golden sand to russet colour. They have a distinctive moustache and hairy eyebrows. They have a noble and graceful appearance and give the impression of great stamina. Adult dogs stand at approximately 58-62cm and adult females 54-58cm. They weigh 20-30kg.

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
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The Ibizan Hound is a medium-sized, tall, short-coated or wirehaired dog with erect ears. They come in white, chestnut or 'lion' solid colours, or any combination of these. An adult Ibizan stands at 56-74cm approximately and weighs 19-25kg.

The need-to-know
 

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large 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

The Irish Red and White Setter is a strong, athletic dog with a well-feathered, medium-length coat that is pearl white with red patches. Adult dogs are approximately 58.5-68.5cm in height and weigh around 27-32kg.

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
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

This large, muscular, elegant gundog's outstanding attribute is the rich, chestnut to mahogany coloured coat. Irish Setters come with a silky, flat coat with feathering at the legs, ears and on the tail. Balanced and elegant, the breed strides out with their head held high.

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
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog