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1) Origin
People in the area of todays Lithuania were breeding and using various hounds since the Middle Ages. These native Lithuanian scent hounds definitely played a role in developing the Lithuanian Hound, which is most likely a result of crossing these native dogs with hunting dogs from the neighboring countries, such as Polish Hunting dogs, but also with other imported European hunting breeds, such as Bloodhounds. It is believed, that the Lithuanian Hound was shaped into the breed we know today since the 16th century and the breed was mentioned in the Statues of Lithuania from 1588. 2) Hunter For centuries, the Lithuanian Hound was unreplaceable hunting companion for Lithuanian people. They were highly valued for their relentlesness, bravery, strength and stamina, persistance and high prey drive. It is very hardy breed, capable of hunting in harsh climate and terrain and also very versatile breed, capable of hunting both small, but also large and dangerous prey in large open areas. 3) Almost extinct Back in the days, hunting was a necessity for survival in Lithuania and logically, Lithuanian Hounds were very popular and widespread even in the 19th century. But with the urbanisation and lifestyle changes, hunting was not necessity anymore, but rather a hobby, and the numbers of Lithuanian Hounds started to decline. The two World Wars decimated the Lithuanian Hound numbers even more and it is estimated that after the Second World War there was only 78 pure Lithuanian Hounds alive. Enthusiasts rallied to save the breed, and through their efforts, the hound was revived and standardized by the 1960s. Today, the breed is still extremely rare and almost unknown outside Lithuania, but it is not on the verge of extinction anymore. 4) Companion The Lithuanian Hound is not only a hunter, but also gentle, kind and loyal companion dog. They do have strong prey drive, so they might not be the best fit for household with other pets, but they can live with other dogs or kids in the family. And there are even some Lithuanian Hounds that were socialized with cats, but this is vastly influenced by early socialization. The Lithuanian Hound is very smart and kind of trainable dog, but you will need a lot of patience for the training, it is not a pushover to train. These dogs are beloved for their enthusiastic, playful and energetic nature. 5) Proud Lithuanians Lithuanians are very proud for having the Lithuanian Hound. There are sculptures of Lithuanian Hound in several Lithuanian cities, such as Vilnius, Klaipėda and Telšiai, which is an evidence of growing popularity of this breed. The Lithuanian Hound was also depicted together with Lithuanian native horse breed (Žemaitukas) on commemorative coins issued by the Bank of Lithuania. 6) Size This is a sturdy and heavy boned dog breed with athletic, but still very muscular body. The average height is between 48-60 cm (19-24 in) and weight is usually between 24-30 kg (53-66 lb). Females are naturally slightly smaller than males. 7) Exercise As you can probably expect from a dog breed used for centuries for physically demanding hunting, the Lithuanian Hound is very energetic dog breed with high exercise needs. These dogs need plenty and plenty of rigorous exercise, both physical and mental, to stay healthy and happy. It can be long walks, jogs, hikes, vigorous playtime or fun training sessions, just anything, that will occupy them. These dogs are naturally curious and they will love to go on any outdoor adventure with you. It is important to say, that these dogs are only suited for active people and active families! 8) Coat and color The coat of Lithuanian Hound is short, thick, sleek and glossy. According to the official breed standard, it must be a black coat with tan marking on chest, ears, snout and forehead. White spot on the chest is allowed as well. 9) Maintenance The coat of Lithuanian Hound is very easy for maintenance. It does shed, so regular brushing will help to minimize the shedding by removing all the dead and loose hair and it will also redistribute natural oils all over the coat. But no other grooming, other than brushing, is required. Of course, just like with any other dog breed, you should regularly check their eyes, ears, nails and teeth and clip them or clean them if needed. 10) Health The average lifespan of the Lithuanian Hound is between 12-14 years and it is generally hardy and healthy dog breed. The main health issues are associated with joint and bones like hip dysplasia and gastric dilatation, but these problems are associated with all the larger and deep chested dogs. Due to small population of Lithuanian Hounds, there are worries about inbreeding and study from 2008 calculated that the coefficient of inbreeding at 2.09% and relatedness at 6.74%. But overall this is rather healthy dog breed.
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The Heideterrier is still relatively young dog breed, that came into being in 1970s in Germany. The reason for creating of new dog breed was the desire for just as skilled hunting dog as the already existing Jagdterrier, but that would have larger size, which would enable the dog to hunt wild boar in difficult terrain.
They also wanted a calmer dog, than the typical terrier. They did not want a dog that will run into every hole searching for prey. But the dog should prevail all the other hunting traits of a good terrier, such as very good nose, endurance, high prey drive and loyalty to the owner. The first men who started developing the Heideterrier were Karl Heinz Markhoff and Hans Werner Jahnke. They decided to cross the Jagdterrier with hunting-appropriate Airedale Terriers. Those two breeds are the main ancestors of todays Heideterrier. Some could call the Heideterrier as a crossbreed, and it is true that they are not officially recognized by any major kennel club, but these dogs exist for decades, most of them are used for working purposes and most real Heideterriers are bred according to the system and bloodlines of the founders. Heideterriers used for breeding should pass something, that could be called as performance test, where they show their wild boar hunting skills. These dogs should have strong nerves, they should hunt with intelligence, but they should not be overly sharp like most terriers are and they should be able to hunt by sight and by nose. The Heideterrier is a dog breed that is bred for a purpose, for a performance, rather than for appearance and dog shows. The Heideterrier has potential in other fields than hunting wild boar as well. They make great retrieving dogs, on both land and water. And due to its very good nose, they would be able to work as police dogs, for example as sniffer dogs or rescue dogs. But their main utilization will always be wild boar hunting. But this is not only a hunter, but also loving and loyal companion. This is very stable, well mannered and completely devoted dog towards its family. They are relatively soft, especially in comparsion with other terriers, so they might make good partners for kids, but of course, you should always supervise the interaction between young children and any dog breed. The Heideterrier can live with other dogs in the household, but other family pets might be problematic, due to the Heideterriers higher prey drive. Many Heideterriers might have pretty strong character, lets say independent. It is very typical for most hunting dog breeds, they must be able to think and solve problems on the hunt bythemselves. This can make them little bit difficult to handle for novices, but with proper socialization and training and with enough daily exercise, the Heideterrier can make very good companion. These dogs have pretty strong desire to please. If the Heideterrier is not used for hunting, daily physical and mental exercise is a must, so the dog stay healthy and happy. Daily longer walks, jogs, vigorous playtime or fun training sessions are essential for this dog breed. This is not a coach potatoe! Without enough exercise, they might develop some unwanted behaviour, such as destruction. And what about the appearance? For a terrier, this is relatively robust and large dog breed, with average height between 45-55 cm, which is 17-22 in and weight is typically between 15-25 kg, which is 33-55 lbs. So this is medium sized dog breed and naturally, females are slightly smaller than males. The Heideterrier should have athletic, but muscular body, straight legs, semi-cropped ears and good scissor bite. They can come in different coat types, either short-haired or wire-haired and the typical colors are black, red and combinations of those two colors. Last, but not least, lets talk about the health of Heideterrier. The average lifespan is around 12 or 13 years. The breed is usually pretty healthy, but just like any other breed, there are some health issues that are occuring in this breed. We talk about the primary lens luxation, myopathy, and some joint problems, such as elbow and hip dysplasia. But these problems should not be extremely common in the Heideterrier and the breed should usually be quite healthy. Pug is a dog breed with an incredibly long lineage dating back to ancient China and they were brought to Europe in 16th century. But i would be very curious, if the people who brought them to Europe in 16th century would recognize the Pug we have today, because they look very very different.
[Historical Evolution] Like all animals, dogs evolve and change over time, but some breeds experience more rapid transformations due to selective breeding. And Pug is a great example. Pugs were not bred for any specific working purpose, they are just our companions. And since there is a demand for companion dogs to be as cute as possible, breeders started selectively bred Pugs to have flatter faces, more wrinkles and larger eyes. They are basically trying to make Pugs look similar to human infants. However, this has drastically altered their appearance. Historic photos reveal that past Pugs were leaner, more athletic, and had longer legs. While they might not have been as cute as today's Pugs, they were undoubtedly much healthier. [Health Concerns] The current breeding standard causes many unnecessary health problems, such as various breathing difficulties and overheating due to the flat face, encephalopathy or various eye issues. Pugs are also prone to becoming obese. These health issues are a consequence of prioritizing appearance over well-being. [Appreciating Modern Pugs] This is not intended to insult modern day Pugs. We all know their charming personality. Pugs have super playful, loving and outgoing temperament, perfect for companion dog. And even modern day Pugs can be active companions and there are even individuals that compete in agility! And i think that is very important for the dog, to keep them active, to keep them moving. They should not lay on the coach all day long doing nothing. The Pug is famously nicknamed "multum in parvo," meaning much in little, or a big personality in a small body. While their appearance may have changed, their spirit remains intact. The Pug's endearing personality is what captures our hearts the most. It is also important to notice, that Pugs are not the only breed that radically changed over time. Bulldogs, Bull Terriers or German Shepherds look very different in historic photos as well. And just like the Pug, it is not a change for better. 1) Origin
The Campeiro Bulldog has its origin in 16th and 17th century in the Brazilian region Rio Grande do Sul. In the 16th century, European immigrants brought many dog breeds with them to Brazil, and one of these breeds was the famous Old English Bulldog. In Brazil, the Old English Bulldog was bred to better meet the needs of local farmers as a catch dog and to be able to work in harsh rural Brazilian environment. Actually, the Campeiro Bulldog can be translated to English as a „rural Bulldog“. 2) Catch dog The main and traditional utilization of Campeiro Bulldog always was to be the best possible catch dog. Which means that they were trained to catch and hold the cattle, they traveled long distances to fetch cattle and they were also used to round up pigs. Later, they were used to work with cattle in slaughterhouses as well. To be good at this kind of utilization, the Campeiro Bulldog must be very durable and endurant, fearless and courageous, quite strong and they must be able to make good decisions on their own. 3) Almost Extinct In 1970s, it was banned to use dogs like Campeiro Bulldog in Brazilian slaughterhouses. Before this ban, the Campeiro Bulldog was very common in some Brazilian states, but after the ban, the breeds population declined rapidly, as they lost their main utilization. Brazilians could not use them for work and there was a big competition by foreign breeds for compenion pets. This resulted in almost extinction of the Campeiro Bulldog. Luckily, groups of enthusiasts decided to preserve the breed and already in the mid 1970s private breeding programm was commenced. And they were succesfull, as the Campeiro Bulldog is not on the verge of extinction anymore. One of the man credited for saving the breed is Ralf Bender Schein. 4) Loyal guardian Even today, the Campeiro Bulldog is still used to work with cattle. But it can also be trained to be reliable and loyal protector. They are strong and their mere presence could deter any intruders. But they are also absolutely loyal, brave and they are naturally suspicious towards strangers. This combination of personality traits is perfect for good guardian. And indeed, the Campeiro Bulldog would protect its loved ones from any kind of danger if needed. 5) Loving companion But of course, the Campeiro Bulldog is not only the tough worker, but also, and maybe surprisingly, very loving companion dog. The breed is typically very calm and relaxed around its own people, and it shows affection towards the whole family. They are known to be quite patient with kids as well, but of course, you should never leave any dog breed with a very young child unsupervised. Above all, the Campeiro Bulldog is known for its loyalty to its owner, they are loyal beyond the grave. 6) Size Accordingly to the official breed standard, the Campeiro Bulldog is standing between 19-22 inches, which is 48-56 cm, and its weight is usually between 68-93 lbs, which is 31-42 kg. Females are naturally slightly smaller than males. 7) Coat and Color The Campeiro Bulldog has short and smooth coat with a medium texture, which is neither too rough or too soft. The breed can come in any possible color and color combination with the exception of merle color. The most common colors are fawn, brown and brindle. 8) Maintenance Thanks to its short coat, the Campeiro Bulldog does not need almost any maintenance and grooming. Ocassional brushing will benefit the coat, as it will remove all the dead and loose hair and it will minimize the shedding. No other grooming is required. Just like with all dog breeds, you should regularly check their eyes, ears, nails and teeth and clean them or clip them if needed. 9) Exercise needs The Campeiro Bulldog has average exercise needs. They are not hyperactive dogs, but definitely not coach potatoes neither. Daily walks accompanied with some playtime or training will be enough for these dogs. But they are always ready for a long hike as well, they love outdoor adventures and they will love to accompany you to even harsh terrain hikes. It is important to provide them with some longer daily walks, so they stay in good shape, happy and healthy. 10 Health The Campeiro Bulldog is typically hardy and relatively healthy dog breed, capable of living in warmer climate than most other Bulldogs without problems. Of course, every dog breed can suffer from some health issues and the Campeiro Bulldog is no exception. The short nose of Campeiro Bulldog can be prone to becoming dry and crusty. The Campeiro Bulldog should not have that many breathing difficulties like some other Bulldogs. Just like all dogs, they can sometimes be prone to allergies and infections or some eye problems, but it should not be very common in this dog breed. Did you know that there are two Akita dog breeds? The original ancient Japanese Akita, also known as Akita Inu or Akita Ken and the younger American Akita, that was developed in the 20th century.
Let's start with a brief history of these two breeds, which will explain why there are two different Akita breeds. The Japanese Akita is an extremely old ancient dog breed that dates back hundreds of years. It was used to hunt elks, boar or even bears, later as a guard or as a companion for samurais. Due to the international isolation of Japan in the past, the Akita Inu lived exclusively on the Japanese islands and it was not exported to other countries. That changed in the 20th century. The first Akita Inu dog was brought to the USA by the famous Helen Keller in the 1930s. Since than, many Akitas were brought to other countries around the world, but most often it was Akitas that fell out of favour with the Japanese breeders, particularly the Dewa-types and dogs with the signature black mask or pinto marking. Many US military servicemen also took Akita dogs from Japan. To this day, many Japanese breeders do not consider the American variety as pure, as they are not bred by the more strict Japanese breed standard. In America, the Akita was bred to be bigger, better for guarding and fighting and stronger. Some American breeders even mixed the imported Akitas with various Mastiff dog breeds in order to achieve a taller and heavier dog breed. And the size really is one of the main differences between these two breeds. Here you can see the height and weight comparison of both Akita breeds. The difference is rather subtle, but on the first sight, the American Akita really looks larger and more powerful. The easiest way to recognize these two breeds apart is their head. The Japanese Akita has more pointy features on their head, such as the muzzle and they have slightly smaller heads. On the other hand the American Akita has a larger and boxier head. Most people will agree that the Japanese Akita has a fox-like face and the American Akita has a bear-like face. Both breeds have the same coat type, which is a fluffy, shorter double coat that sheds a lot. You will have to brush their coat regularly in order to minimize the shedding. The difference in the coat is in the coloration. The original Akita Inu is only accepted in brindle, white, sesame and red fawn color. You can find American Akita in the same colors, but they can also be black, pinto, gray or silver. Usually, the American Akita has a distinctive dark mask on their face, which is very rare in the Japanese Akita. There are some others, smaller differences. The Japanese Akita typically has a more tightly curled tail and their ears can sit further down in comparison to American Akitas' always pointed ears. The Japanese Akita has almond shaped eyes and the American Akita has smaller, deep set eyes. So now you know how to recognize the two Akita breeds apart. Now, let's look at their temperament. And it is very very similar. Both dogs are known for their extreme loyalty. If you saw the Hachiko movie, you know what I'm talking about. They are loyal beyond the grave. Both breeds are also extremely independent dogs, typically very alert, confident, smart, aloof towards strangers and other dogs. It is not a dog breed for novices, they need firm, but kind hands and proper training and socialization. With the wrong owner, these dogs might become aggressive. There really is not many differences in the behaviour of these dogs. I would say that the Japanese Akita is slightly more energetic, they might have a higher chasing instinct and I would say that they are more alert and distrustful towards strangers. This does not mean that the American Akita is friendly towards strangers. They also have a natural protective instinct and it takes them some time before accepting a new person into their life. But I would say that they are a little bit more relaxed, calm and possibly more tolerant. But again, these differences are very very small. Lets end the video with comparing the health of both breeds. The smaller Japanese Akita has slightly longer lifespan, typically around 12 or 13 years, while the American Akita has lifespan around 11 or 12 years. Those are pretty healthy dog breeds and they tend to have the same health problems, such as bloating, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy or hypothyroidism. Both breeds have pretty sensitive stomachs and they tend to react badly to high energy food. Often times, first time dog owners make a mistake of choosing a fashionable breed they saw on TV or social media, without further investigating the breeds temperamental traits or exercise needs and they end up with a dog that is beyond their abilities and they could not handle it.
Powerful livestock guardians, hunting dogs with high prey drive or hyperactive herding dogs are generally not the best choice for novices, but many of these dogs are pretty trendy, either for their attractive appearance or their ability to learn a lot of commands with experienced trainers. But those should not be the main traits to look in your first dog breed. You should rather look for traits such as eagerness to please, overall friendliness, to you, but also towards strangers and other animals. You should look for calm, gentle, affectionate and outgoing dog. And without further ado, here is the list of 20 fashionable dog breeds that i would not recommend to novice dog owners. 1) Belgian Malinois One of the most popular police and military dogs gained lately a lot of popularity among the ordinary owners as well, including the newbies. They are so good at various jobs mainly thanks to their high intelligence and extremely high energy level, which is great for dog sports and jobs, but it can make the breed quite handful for normal owners. It would not be very wise to start your dog journey with this dog breed. 2) Akita Inu Akita Inu became very popular after the movie Hachiko. People from all around the world started to admire the loyalty of this breed. And indeed, the Akita Inu truly is one of the most loyal dog breeds of all, but it is also very independent dog with strong guarding instincts that is known to not showing much of its own emotions. It is also very strong and powerful dog and that is not the best combination for novices. 3) Siberian Husky Many people fell in love with the wild and wolf like appearance of Siberian Husky, but before you consider one as a first time owner, you should be prepared for a very vocal, very energetic and independent dog breed. 4) Shar Pei The Shar Pei is known for its cute wrinkly looks, but deep inside, it is an independent dog breed that is very distrustful towards strangers and other animals. It is challenging to properly socialize this breed. 5) Border Collie Everyone knows Border Collies from various dog shows, dog sports or even from television talent shows, where they are performing the hardest tricks you can imagine. But this breed is far from being good for novices. They are extremely active and extremely smart. They need constant physical and mental stimulation to stay docile, healthy and happy and most owners are not able to provide them with enough exercise. 6) Rottweiler Rottweilers are known to be very affectionate and friendly towards its own family. But you should not forget, that they have strong natural guarding instincts and they will be distrustful of strangers. It is also extremely strong and powerful breed and if you fail training and socialization with dog this powerful, you will be in big troubles. 7) Beagle Beagles are popular for their cute face and lovely coloration. It is definitely super playful and friendly dog breed, but it is also a hunter at heart and when they smell something interesting, it will be almost impossible for them to listen to your commands rather than its own nose. Beagles are pretty hard to train even for experienced owners. 8) Airedale Terrier Almost all the terriers are not the best choice for first time dog owners. It is because they are hunters with high prey drive, independent thinkers and very active dogs. The Airedale Terrier is not an exception and because it is the largest and strongest true terrier, it just must be on this list. 9) Bloodhound Similar to Beagle, even the Bloodhound has extremely high prey drive. They also have one of the best senses of smell of all dogs, if not the best. They also like to be in control and are very independent. This is another dog breed that is hard to train and socialize for the classic companionship. 10) Chow Chow The Chow Chow has a cute teddy bear like appearance, but it is excellent guard dog and watchdog which is very dignified, independent and alert dog, that is naturally suspicious of strangers. It typically does not get along with other dogs and pets very well. 11) Jack Russell Terrier The second terrier is much smaller than the Airedale Terrier, but it is one of the most hyperactive of all dogs. These dogs just run and play all the time and they do it to the fullest. Without enough exercise, these dogs will burn out their energy with digging, barking or destruction. 12) Mastiff Whether it is English Mastiff, Bullmastiff or for example the Tibetan Mastiff, it is not recommended to novices, mostly due to their extreme strength. Most Mastiffs are very gentle, relaxed and confident dogs, but with bad training and socialization, they might be extremely dangerous, which is a reason why novices should stay away from them. 13) Dalmatian Dalmatian is another breed popularized by a movie, 101 Dalmatians. It is a reason why many people fall in love with this breed. The reason why we put Dalmatians on this list is their very high energy level, which might be little bit too much for ordinary person. 14) Saint bernard The Saint Bernard is known as a gentle giant. They also gained a lot of popularity in a movie Beethoven. They are naturally very friendly, loving, pretty calm and sweet, so why are they ranked in this video? It is true, that they are gentle and loving, but they are also very stubborn and without proper socialization they might develop some temperamental issues. Plus they drool. A lot. Both things would be okay for small, medium or large sized dog, but i would not recommend stubborn giant dog for any novice. 15) Alaskan Malamute Similarly to Husky, the Alaskan Malamute was developed as a sled dog and they have very high energy level. They are also slightly bigger and stronger than the Husky and they are on this list for the same reason. Their energy level might be just little bit too much for ordinary person. 16) Cane Corso The Cane Corso is beloved for their majestic and strong appearance. But it is a dog with strong guarding instincts, which is suspicious of other people or animals. Most dogs with these characteristics are not a good choice for first time owners 17) Shiba Inu Basically smaller version of Akita Inu we talked about earlier in this video. Many first time owners are thinking about Shiba Inu for their cute fox like appearance, but they are not ready for strong willed independent thinker. 18) German Shepherd One of the most popular dog in the world is German Shepherd. They are very intelligent, trainable, loyal and affectionate to its own family. But, they need plenty of physical and mental stimulation, many of them are naturally protective and sadly, many of them suffer a lot from various health issues such as hip dysplasia. 19) Australian Cattle Dog Another extremely active dog breed, which can be too hyper for a novice owner. It is also independent thinker that will try to outsmart its owner. Combination of these two traits is always very bad for unexperienced owner. 20) Weimaraner The last dog in this video is the „grey ghost“. And once again, the reason why they are on this list is their energy level. They are also pretty sensitive and attached to its owners and might easily develop separation anxiety. So here you have it. 20 popular dog breeds that are not a good choice for first time owners. None of these dogs is a bad dog, they just might be too energetic, too independent, too strong or too protective, which makes them challenging to handle for a novice. |