SAMOYED

The Samoyed was originally used to guard the reindeer herds and pull the sleds of the wandering tribesmen of the Siberian tundra. Fur traders brought the breed back to Britain. Samoyeds have also been used on a number of polar expeditions.

A well-proportioned and graceful spitz-type dog, with a sparkling, stand-off coat. The head is wedge-shaped with a wide skull and a medium-length muzzle. The nose may be black, brown or flesh-coloured. The brown eyes are almond-shaped, enhancing the 'laughing' expression so characteristic of this dog. The ears are held erect. The strong neck is carried on a broad, muscular body with a deep chest. The legs are very muscular and well-back. The tail is held curled over the back and to one side.

The Samoyed has a thick, close, short undercoat and a harsh, straight outercoat which grows away from the body, giving protection from the cold. Colours are pure white, white-and-biscuit, and cream.

A charming dog that loves human company. Fairly obedient in a rather laid-back way, the breed nevertheless enjoys life and lets everyone know it. The coat needs plenty of grooming, but the Samoyed id quite happy to submit itself to any amount of attention.

The Samoyed is lively, jolly animal, fairly obedient despite having a mind of its own. The thick coat can be rather troublesome to the dog in warmer climates, however, and very regular grooming is required.

WELSH CORGI (PEMBROKE)

The better-known of the two breeds of Welsh Corgi, this version usually has its tail docked. Another cattle-driving dog, the Pembroke also earned its keep by nipping at the heels of cattle to encourage them to move on - a trick that on occasions has been tried on human being as well! Besides having a long working history, the dog is a favourite pet of Queen Elizabeth II of English, who has owned many examples of the breed over the years.

A sturdy, short-legged and active dog, the head has fox-like appearance, with a wide, flat skull and a tapering muzzle. The nose is black. The round eyes are brown in colour, and the ears are of medium size with rounded tips, widely-spaced and held erect. A fairly long, muscular neck is carried on a long, fairly broad-chested body. The legs are short but strong, and the feet are oval. The tail is usually docked.

The weatherproof coat is short or slightly longer and has a hard texture. Colours are red, sable, fawn, or black and tan, usually with white markings on the legs, neck, chest and face.

A popular and outgoing dog, the Pembroke makes a good companion for an active family, liking nothing better than a good romp out in the open air, followed by a good square meal. Its fondness for food, however, should be moderated to avoid obesity.

The Pembroke Corgi's chief claim to fame is its popularity with the British Royal family, since the breed has been kept for many years by Queen Elizabeth and her mother before her.  

Saint Bernard

It would be difficult to mistake the St Bernard for any other dog, for this gentle giant is depicted everywhere as a symbol of rescue and care. A descendant of mastiff-type dogs brought to the Swiss Alps by the Romans at the Hospice of St Bernard for rescuing travelers lost in the St Gothard Pass. There are two coat-types: rough-and smooth-coated.

A well-proportioned, massive dog of substance, the huge head has a broad, slightly rounded skull and a short, deep muzzle. The nose is black, The dark eyes are medium-sized and should have a benevolent expression. The triangular ears are also medium-sized and lie close to the cheeks. The neck is thick and muscular with a well-developed dewlap. The deep-chested body has a straight back and muscular loins and is carried on straight, heavily-boned legs. The feet are large, which no doubt help the dog progress through snow. The tail is long.

There are two coat-types Rough-coated: Flat and dense and full around the neck. Smooth-coated: Close-fitting and hound-like with feathering on the thighs and tail. Colours are orange, mahogany-brindle, red-brindle, or white with patches on the body of any of these colours.

Fortunately, this massive dog is an extremely benevolent character with a steady, calm nature. Walks are usually taken at a leisurely pace, but a St Bernard can pull extremely hard, so needs to be kept under control. The dog is inclined to drool and is not one of those large breeds that can curl up into surprisingly small spaces; indeed, owners tend to fit themselves into whatever space is left over. Feeding is an expensive undertaking.

The St Bernard has a placid, affectionate nature, but because of ifs massive size and strength requires careful handling.

Beagle

The smallest of the pack hounds, the Beagle is an English breed used for hunting hares, the hunters following on foot. The breed has been in existence since at least the reign of Henry VIII, and is deservedly popular in many countries, including America, Britain and France.

The Beagle is a bustling, active and enthusiastic dog of compact build. The head is medium to broad with a slightly domed skull. The nose should preferably be black. The ears hang down to the cheeks and are thin, fairly long, and rounded. The eyes are brown or hazel, with a friendly look. The medium-length neck is carried on a short, deep-chested body. The strongly boned, muscular legs end in round feet. The tail is moderately long and is carried high.

The coat is dense, short and waterproof, and may be in any of the recognized hound colours apart from liver.

Bold, lively and affectionate, the Beagle is also blessed with stamina and intelligence. Ever ready for action, it is as happy hunting in a pack as it is simply being a pampered family pet. The short coat is quick to wash and dry, after even the muddiest of romps, but once free of the leash, seemingly deaf to its owner's calls.

The Beagle's smooth shorthaired coat is easy to maintain and needs little grooming to keep it looking smart.

Pug

The Pug is thought to have originated in China, where the dog was the companion of monks. It arrived in Europe with traders in the 1500s and subsequently become very poppular in the Netherlands and in Britain.

This is a square, muscular dog reminiscent of a miniature mastiff. The head is large and round with a short, blunt muzzle; the skin has clearly defined wrinkles. The huge, dark eyes are set in the sockets in a way that makes them seem globular; they are also highly expressive. The ears are small and thin, and there are two types: drop rose ears or folded button ears, the letter being preferred. The neck is strong and think ans is carried on a short, wide-chested body. The fairly long legs are strong and straight. The tail is curled tightly over the trip.

The Pug has a coat which is short, smooth, soft and glossy. Colours are silver, fawn, apricot, or black; light colours should have clearly contrasting markings, including a dark mask and ears.

The sturdy Pug is a real character among dogs. The body language and manner of moods, from alert watchfulness to an appealing request for attention. A playful and hardy dog, the Pug enjoys exercise and is easy to feed and groom.

The Pug is a sturdy, muscular little dog, rather like a miniature mastiff. It may look tough but it is actually quite a softies, being gentle, even tempered and patient with children.

Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky was developed by the Chukchi peoples of Arctic north-east Asia as a fast, long-distance sled dog. Indeed, this is the fastest of all the sled-pulling breeds, and the dog seems happiest when performing this task. Although more lightly built than other sled dogs, the Siberian Husky is tough, strong and full of endurance.

This is a purposeful, medium-sized dog. The head is rather fox-like in appearance, with a slightly rounded skull and a medium-length muzzle. The nose is black in grey, black or tan dogs, liver in copper-coloured dogs, and flesh-colored in white individuals. The eyes are almond-shaped and may be brown, blue, or parti-coloured. The triangular ears are held firmly erect. The neck is arched and is carried on a medium-length muscular and deep-chested body. Well-muscular, powerful legs end in oval, slightly webbed feet with fur between the toes. The tail has a fox-like brush.

The outercoat is straight and smooth-lying; the undercoat is soft and dense. The coat may be of any colour, including white.

Friendly and extremely tolerant towards human beings, the same cannot always be said about the Siberian Husky's attitude to other dogs, which it will usually try to dominate. Indifferent to the coldest of weather, the breed is not a typical pet by any means. It will jump over almost anything, or dig under it, and will usually pull on the leash and then take off when released. The breed is mostly kept for sled racing.

The Siberian Husky is not the ideal pet, and will jump over fences and dig its way out of anywhere. It can also be agressive with other dogs and  because of its dense coat is not very happy kept indoors, having been bred to work outside in a harsher climate.