Utility dog breeds are a somewhat miscellaneous category, created to group together dogs that don't fit into other dog groups. Here is why they don't belong to a particular group and how to discover the personality traits of a utility dog. Some of the most loved and well-recognised dogs sit in this category, so chances are this is where you'll find your perfect companion. A utility dog's job description This is the group that consists of all the breeds that don't fit anywhere else! Usually they are the 'ultra-specialists' that have been developed in a very specific geographical area, situation or to work within a unique profession. As such, there aren't breed characteristics and so owners have to look at their individual jobs to find out what these dogs are going to be like to live with. Utility dog breeds include dogs with jobs as diverse as running alongside fire engines and the carriages of nobility, attracting ducks, an early warning system for barge owners and monks, companions, fighting, and being an emergency Sunday dinner or fur coat!

Your dog is unique and they deserve a moniker just as special. We've put together the list so just go and find that unusual and unique dog name you're after. You're getting a new puppy - congratulations! Now on to the fun task of finding the perfect name for your new best friend. But you don't want something obvious - your dog is as unique as you are. To help, we've done the research and put together some of the best unusual dog names out there. Here is a list of unique dog names you wish you had come up with yourself: Male unusual dog names 1. Brooklyn Is your dog's personality cool, tough and unapologetic? Brooklyn might be the unusual dog name you are after. It's a great fit for a dog matching this famous New York neighbourhood's vibe, but it can also be a truly clever tongue-in-cheek nickname for a pup that is the total opposite, a sweet and innocent blob of fur. However you choose to play the naming game, Brooklyn is a great name with a nice ring to it and you won't mind saying it again and again, even when your Brooklyn pup is giving you some attitude. 2. Brian This is as unusual as dog names can get. No dog looks like a Brian and this is exactly the point. Just tell your friends they must meet Brian and the last thing they'll expect is a tail-wagging quadruped walking through the door. It also works great as a tribute to the vastly intelligent dog in Family Guy - Brian Griffin. So if you're a fan of his dry humour, this is the unusual dog name you're looking for. 3. Truffle Rare, precious and very sought after, the valuable truffles can give you the inspiration you are after to find the perfect unique dog name. Plus, once you start saying it out loud a few times, it starts to really make sense as a pup name. Give it a go! Female unusual dog names 4. Fifi What a great name for a posh, elegant dog that oozes classy vibes. It's one of the most affectionate names out there and it suits perfectly a small or medium-sized pup with some personality. Fifi is definitely the one to keep in mind if you prefer the cute unusual dog names. 5. Ruby This unusual dog name takes inspiration from a famous precious gem and is bound to give your treasured dog one of the most sophisticated names out there. Take a look at your dog and you'll instantly know if they are a Ruby. 6. Vesper Vesper is an elegant and classy name you perhaps heard for the first time in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. For all the pup owners that love a good meaning behind their dog's name, this might be the one. Vesper means "evening star" in Latin and it's particularly suited to give a dark pup an extra aura of mystery and sophistication. Plus, it just sounds great whenever you say it out loud. Famous unusual dog names 7. Einstein Yes, we all think our canine friends are smart and nothing short of genius. The way they understand what we're saying and sometimes even how we're feeling can easily surpass some of our human peers' abilities. If that fits your new furball, your dog's unusual name should be Einstein. 8. Churchill If you've got a serious, stately pup on your hands you should take a chance on Churchill. To try it out, call your dog by saying 'Churchill' out loud a few times. If you're getting their attention, chances are this is the winner. 9. Pollock Jackson Pollock is the famous American painter known for creating his art by pouring and splashing paint onto his horizontal canvass. If you just brought your new puppy home and the first thing they do is find a pool of mud, dive right into it and then splash your pristine carpets and furniture with full enthusiasm, no need to look any further for that unique dog name. Cute unusual dog names 10. Arrow Is your new canine friend a dog on a mission, always going after their target even when fences or people are in their way? What better dog name than Arrow? Short and sweet, your dog will learn it's them you're shouting after in no time. It might not always stop an enthusiastic dog chasing their target, but this unique dog name will definitely match their dedication to get whatever they are after. 11. Happy Does your tail-wagging companion need a name to match the good mood they bring into the room? Why not go straight for the feeling you had when you first held them into your arms? Happy is one of the sweetest monikers a pet can have - we say that's a winner. 12. Salty Some dogs become easily agitated over the smallest things. For those dogs there is a perfect pet moniker. If your new dog is fussy and always putting on a show when things don't go their way, Salty is the unusual dog name to go for. 13. Bestie Your new dog will definitely become your new bestie. It's just what dogs are for, right? So why not state the obvious? Bestie is short, cute and tells the whole world you're happy you found each other. Colourful unusual dog names 14. Coconut Coconut is the perfect name for those white and fluffy dogs, but you can also turn it into an unusual dog name and choose it for pups with dark fur too. Plus, you can always shorten it to the sweet nickname "Coco" whenever your dog deserves a good-deed petting. 15. Ivory Ivory might seem a strange idea at first, but after all, you are looking for unique dog names. Take inspiration from the creamy-white material found in fine art or jewellery and give your dog a name worthy of their good looks. Plus, you can always shorten it to Ivy when you want to show your affection with a cute term of endearment.

Dogs are forever loyal to their people and always willing to help us in times of need. This fierce loyalty and love to please means they make great assistance dogs for those with disabilities, impairments or mental health disorders. Read our guide to find out more about the different types of service dogs and the incredible jobs they do. Dogs are truly amazing. They're our faithful companions and provide us with companionship and love, all throughout their lives. This impressive loyalty and love of humans also means that they make wonderful aids to those with special needs and disabilities, as they're always willing to lend a helping paw to those who need it. Service and assistance dogs are often a lifeline to their handlers, offering more freedom and a boost to overall wellbeing. Keep reading to find out more about the types of service dogs and the amazing jobs they do.

Toy dog breeds are the ultimate companions in the canine world. But there is more to them than their tiny demeanour. If you're considering adding a toy dog to the family, here is what you need to know. Toy dog breeds have the unique ability to make us fall in love with them at first sight. They're tiny, never too far behind their owner and with a resolute determination to spend hours in their lap if given the chance. They're the perfect companion by nature, but there are a few things to know before adding them as a new member to the family. A toy dog's job description Unlike most of the other groups, toy breeds were not generally bred to work. While dogs such as the pastoral breeds or the gundogs were developed by utilising their natural canine hunting/scavenging behaviours to do various jobs, this group was developed from the natural social needs of the dog - especially their ability to bond closely to humans. This group is formed of small to tiny dogs from around the world who have been bred as companions - even if a few may have come from originally working ancestors. In most cases they were companions to wealthy ladies or royalty (or in some instances, religious orders). Toy dog sizes and coat types Given their cute name, there is no surprise that toy dogs are rather small companions. They come in various coat types - from the long and flowing like the silky Maltese to the wiry and unkempt Bichon with just about everything in-between. Toy dog breeds natural instincts Toy breeds were not expected to work in any other capacity than as companions (and in a few cases as an early warning system) and so generally have a fairly weak predatory instinct, being happy instead to be close companions. Those that were developed from working dogs (in some cases terriers) may however still retain these instincts.

Dogs are super intelligent animals, they can learn a huge amount of human language and can even understand your moods! But did you know that some dog breeds are smarter than others? Keep reading to find out what the top 5 smartest dog breeds are. Dogs are incredibly intelligent animals. Not only can our dogs learn and react to a wealth of human language, they also seem to be able to understand our moods. But did you know that some breeds are smarter than others? When it comes to deciding which dogs are smart and which are bottom of the class, it isn't as simple as you'd think. Dog IQ tests are mostly based on a dog's desire to get treats or toys, so the results are often coloured by how treat-driven the dog is. Over hundreds and sometimes thousands of years, dogs have been bred to be specialists at doing certain jobs, so some breeds excel at certain skills more than others. For example, Bloodhounds can follow a week-old scent for over 100 miles, while Border Collies are incredibly talented when it comes to showing off their tricks and agility. However, some dog breeds are particularly good at learning new things, including tricks and commands. So, we've put together a list of the top five smartest dog breeds from around the world.

If you suffer from allergies you may have given up hope of ever owning a cat, but did you know that there are certain hypoallergenic cat breeds that might not provoke your allergies? Keep reading to find out more. If you have a cat allergy, you may have completely given up on the hope of ever owning a pet cat. Some people find that the presence of a cat is enough to bring on itchy eyes and sneezing. But did you know there are actually hypoallergenic cats that might not provoke your allergies? It's important to understand that there's no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic cat, probably because there's no such thing as a typically allergic person! Different people are allergic to different things, so some cats that set off your allergies may not affect other people. However, there are certain cat breeds that provoke fewer reactions in people, which may be suitable for those of us who have allergies. Keep reading to find what commonly causes these allergic reactions and discover if any of these hypoallergenic cat breeds are for you. What causes cat allergies? There are many different causes of cat allergies: some people are allergic to cat hair, while others have an allergy to the household dust that is carried within the fur. But it's thought that many people are allergic to the 'Fel d 1' proteins found on cat hair, skin, saliva and dander (dried flakes of skin). All cats produce this protein and male cats actually produce more than females, especially if they're not neutered. Because there are technically no anti-allergy cats, it's recommended that if you suffer from allergies, you should spend some time around your chosen breed to find out if they trigger your allergies or not. This will give you peace of mind and then you'll safely be able to commit to share your life and home with them. Keep reading to find the most common hypoallergenic cat breeds.

Intelligent, strong but obedient, these gorgeous wolf-dog breeds will be happy to become part of the family. Find out more about their personalities and what it takes to be their owner. Wolves are majestic creatures that never cease to fascinate us. Perhaps because we've always had them in our homes, wrapped in the myth and mystery of our bedtime stories, art and film, we want wolf-dog breeds physically in our lives too. After all, they are the wild alter-ego of a pet pooch - powerful and fearless. The good news is that you don't need to be Little Red Riding Hood to have a wolf in your home, with these gorgeous wolf-dog breeds. There are many dogs that look like wolves, with long pointed muzzles, thick fur and bushy tails. And the good news is that they make great family pets. They're quite energetic and love long walks and playing games with their owners. Dog breeds that look like wolves 1. Siberian Husky The striking looks of Siberian Huskies have made them one of the most recognisable canines out there. Their stunning eyes, compact bodies and upright ears remind us of their wolf ancestors, but their playful and friendly personality helps them make fast friends with anyone. Siberian Huskies are athletic, full of energy and love to have a job to do. That's no surprise considering they used to be reliable sleigh dogs. So before taking a Husky home, make sure you have a solid plan for daily exercise, fun games and brain-teasing challenges to keep them occupied. 2. Alaskan Malamute Another strong-headed dog that looks like a wolf, the Alaskan Malamute is just as handsome as the Husky. Bigger and slightly fluffier, Alaskans will also know their way around a sled. But if you don't have one, they will be happy to spend their energy doing plenty of running, hiking and exploring all the world has to offer. Their double coat might seem an unstoppable fur machine, but these wolf dogs are such friendly and joyful pets that you will quickly forgive them for the extra house work. Their muscular build makes them very strong. After all, Alaskan Malamutes were bred to pull heavy weights for long distances. Keep this in mind when you walk them on a leash or they will end up pulling you along instead of the other way around.

We love all the different names people give their dogs. So here's our fun and entirely unscientific guide to the characters of some of the most popular ones.

We're often relieved to see the friendly side of our feline companions, but did you know that some breeds show it off more often than others? Here are some of the friendliest cat breeds you can wish for. "Does my cat love me?" Many cat owners have asked themselves this question, feeling slightly apprehensive to find out the honest answer. But while the mystery of a cat's true feelings is likely to endure, we know that they do have a friendly, affectionate side. Felines might not win the dog's long-time title as "a human's best friend" anytime soon, but some cat breeds come pretty close. Whether you're looking for the friendliest cat breed you can bring into your life or you already have a lovely cat to come home to and want to see how they measure up against other feline friends, here are some of the most affectionate cat breeds. Abyssinian - the "You Only Live Once" cat