St. Bernard

St. Bernards are dogs that capture the imaginations of many easily. The small, wooden barrel that they wear has nothing to do with reality. It's just a perception. But what isn't false about this breed is that he belongs in the frigid Swiss mountains.

Bred to save people buried in snow after avalanches, the St. Bernard is a literal life saver. This dog is part of the mastiff family. Like most mastiff-like dogs, St. Bernards are not small. They are huge. Large. LARGE. LARGE LARGE. Okay, we're getting carried away.

So anyways, St. Bernards have droopy jowls, and that gives way for drool. Lots of it. Hopefully, if you have a St. Bernard, you'll have a drool rat. This dog has a double-layered coat that is natural, and weather resistant. That explains why the breed doesn't mind the cold. Famous for saving people buried in snow, the St. Bernard is a hero in all cold climates. Large paws help these "HeroPooches" rip through thick snow. St. Bernards' large size was vital to give the dog power. To smell trapped victims concealed under snow, St. Bernards have an excellent sense of smell. They can smell through 2 feet under snow! No wonder this dog is so revered!

In most areas of the world, snowy mountains aren't common, but that shouldn't be a problem. Or is it? The thick coat that St. Bernards possess easily make them overheat. The breed can also be prone to many other health issues.

But love is the thing where St. Bernards are second to none. ..........................................................

Well what're you waiting for? If you think you're able to, get your St. Bernard now!

Greyhound

Greyhounds are a medium-sized hound that knows only 1 thing: Speed is everything. They are faster than any other dog breed. In some places, they race greyhounds. Contrary to the sport's excitement, racing this breed is a forbidden game in some places.

This breed is one of the oldest breeds ever known. Evidence of this breed has been found almost in every place on the globe. It's most likely that Greyhounds originated in Egypt. There, it was possibly a mummified dog because Egyptians thought it would protect the dead in their afterlife. In the 9th century, Greyhounds were possibly dogs that scared off vermin of all kinds, typically hares.

Earlier, the Greyhound's speed was described. The secret to the speed is the Greyhound's gait. It's like a leaping gait, with 3 stages. First, as the dog speeds into action, his legs are tucked upwards toward the belly. Next, the front and back legs drop toward the ground, and the hound pushes on the ground to leap up in the air. Finally, the legs extend straight out. So straight, it's almost like a perfectly straight line! Those 3 steps are combined, then repeated until the dog comes to a stop. Now, this breed is so fast, that he is the 3rd fastest land animal! The Greyhound's smaller cousin, the Whippet, is almost as fast. He has the same gait, but a smaller size.

The Greyhound is said to be a typical hound, so he is stubborn. With a short coat, Greyhounds are extremely low maintenance. Bloating is about the only major health issue in the breed. That means you'll have lots of years of love and loyalty. Though the Greyhound is fast, when he's done exercising, he'll cuddle with you on the couch all afternoon!

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier, commonly called "the Yorkie," for short, is a feisty, fearless, fun-loving terrier. Some say it looks like a dog that a queen or princess would have. Basically, they're describing the breed as aristocratic. So you would have to shocked to find out that Yorkies were originally bred in England to chase mice and rats. At least today, they are the most popular small dog

This terrier doesn't shed. But that means the coat never stops growing. If that coat is neglected for too long, it will be all matted and curled and unorganized. Yorkies sometimes get Pharyngeal Gag Reflex. Don't worry, it's not deadly. But grooming can be deadly if you show this dog. If you don't use a Yorkie for show, you can cut the coat shorter. Another option would be to cut the coat short, let it grow long and cut the coat short again, and so on. You'll hardly have to groom your dog at all, but when you do have to, it raises your grooming bills.

Fearless, Yorkies think that they are tough. And they'll take on anything they qualify as an enemy. "Enemies" may include children, so because of that, Yorkies are only good with adults and singles, (preferably singles.) Dental attention is the thing to be very alert about in this terrier's health.

A small, energetic, luxurious beauty, the Yorkie is a pooch that anyone with eyes can see is unique, and remarkable!

Boxer

If you have a Boxer, than you know what toughness and power is all about. But despite that previous sentence, Boxers are said to be clownish and outgoing. Boxers are one of those German breeds, and if boxing is popular in Germany, it may explain why Boxers tend to have a habit. A habit of Boxing. They'll try to box you with their large paws. Boxers likely got the named from that habit.

Boxers come in brindle, fawn, fawn with white markings, and white. Boxers have an undershot jaw, giving it a very strong bite. But it isn't a throbbing bite. Many people have seen worse. But Boxers rarely make attempts to hurt their owners. When they box, it isn't that hard on you. Severe Boxer injuries typically only happen by accident. Boxers have very muscular, strong bodies. But the skeleton on this breed is weak.

So unfortunately, this dog can have some skeletal problems. Respiratory issues, displacia, bloat, overheating, and skin problems are also health concerns in the breed. But the leading cause of death in the Boxer is cancer. If not treated as soon as possible, cancer could kill a boxer.

But of all the "mediumish-largish" sized breeds, Boxers are one of the loyalist, most loving, most reliable you can find!

Dachshund

Dachshunds are a heavily celebrated dog. They are well-known as "Wiener Dogs," and "Hot Dogs." Widely adored as a companion dog, it seems that Dachshund's popularity levels keep getting bigger all of the time. But things can get long about this pooch, too. The longest? Perhaps his body. The body is long, and that's how the Dachshund got the nickname "Hot Dog!"

There are so many Dachshunds to choose from. Either Long-haired, Wire-haired, or Short-haired, Miniature, or Standard, or Puppy, or adult, it's no wonder you'll find Dachshunds so intriguing! The legs on the dachshund are short. This presents health problems, so the best place to get a Dachshund from is a reputable breeder. In fact, that is one of two good places to get a dog in general. Experts advise not to get dogs from pet stores. The reason for that is puppy mills are likely to happen. A Puppy Mill is when puppies are poorly treated. When they grow up, they may end up in pet stores. To avoid a lack of health and prevent puppy mills, adopt from a breeder or shelter.

If you want a watchdog, you may want be a watchful person yourself. Dachshunds are sometimes too good. They have a loud bark, and when they hear something, the barking goes on for minutes. Even if the dog is hears a sound that seems peculiar to him, he'll fall to pieces. Being fragile, mature families are the best for this breed.

Dachshunds may be extremely stubborn, but at least when you adopt this dog, you'll have a supposedly hardy, persistent, loving, low maintenance companion dog with a devotion to you that knows no bounds!

Labrador Retriever

Every dog has his day, but if you own a Labrador, then you'll have a great day everday-and so will your dog. Labs are the most popular dog breed. Unsurprisingly, it seems that labs can be found in almost any neightborhood. It's typical to see these guys everwhere. So you'd be surprised that this dog originated off the coast in Newfoundland. Where on the coast was this dog made? Near the beaches of the Labrador Sea. And that's how the breed got the name.

The full name is Labrador Retriever. But some call it the Labrador, and occasionally, some folks name the breed "the Lab." The Lab may not be on the top 5 list for intelligent dogs, but they are on the top 10 list.

Labs have been heroes during 911, risking their lives as they shaved other's. The breed is also popular as service and police dogs. There are three coat colors: Black, Chocolate, and yellow. Webbed paws, strong, musclar limbs, and a thick tail helped this dog be good at retrieving water game.

Constantly happy, the lab has a tail that constantly wags. If you are a tidy person, this breed may not be a good fit due to the reason that it sheds heavily. But most owners ignore the heavy shedding. This dog needs some running space. It requires daily exercise, as physical activity is a priority to the breed. But the shedding and required exercise hardly should do any damage to you and your dog's bond, right?

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are a loyal, long-haired, large, graceful dog that has people go crazy for them. The Golden is a very popular retriever. He's feisty, and is extremely outgoing, and loving. Goldens were obviously bred to retrieve vermin. Like most retrievers, Golden retrievers have soft mouths. This way, the dog could carry an animal without hurting it. Labs also have soft mouths.

Golden retrievers have been used as dogs in sports movies. One was used to make several Air Bud movies. This dog is certainly athletic, but you have to train him to play basketball and soccer. To train them to fetch-you don't have to. A mature Golden will run after anything you throw. That shows all of the retrieving in his blood. The coat is weather-resistant. But it is a long coat, and spurs can get easily get caught in it. This dog comes in any color that is similar to gold.

If you could make a list of the top 5 smartest breeds, the Golden would be #3. That makes them easily trainable. But do training early just for a good cause. You may want to train your dog not to be mouthy. Not only is this breed #3 for intelligence, but he is also #3 for being likely to bite things. Not only the children and you, but underwear, the sofa, pillows, clothes, and other possessions.

Golden retrievers should get daily exercise. Their athletic nature makes them prone to bloating and displacia. Another problem in the breed is cancer, a very authentic health problem in the breed. So be sure that your Golden's parents did not have cancer-related problems. But taking good care of your dog is the best you can do. If your dog knows that, he'll love you for life!