The Pointer, often called the English Pointer, is a breed of dog developed as a gun dog. It is one of several pointing breeds.

Appearance

The Pointer should be athletic and graceful. The immediate impression should be of a compact, hard-driving hunting dog, alert and “ready to let go.” The primary distinguishing features of this breed are the head, feet, and tail. Hound or terrier characteristics are undesirable for show purposes.

Grooming English Pointers is not time-consuming. Their coat is very short and needs only a quick rub with a soft brush to minimise shedding.

Coat and colour

The standard colourings of the Pointer are liver, lemon, orange or black. A good Pointer cannot be a bad colour. In the darker colours, the nose should be black or brown; in the lighter shades it may be lighter or flesh-coloured.

Size

Most country’s breed standards prefer symmetry and balance to perfect size, and most will allow an amount of variation if a dog’s size does not encumber it in the field.

However the ENGLISH KENNEL CLUB sizes are female 24-26in and males 25-27in

Temperament

Pointers are even-tempered, congenial dogs happiest living indoors as part of the family. Pointers are affectionate and loyal. Their aggression level is very low to non-existent and they can happily co-exist with other dogs and often cats. Pointers are typically not territorial, although their size and bark will intimidate most people who come to your door. Pointers are very good with children, although young children and a clumsy young Pointer are often not the best combination.

While Pointers were bred to be a hunting dog, they are perfectly content given adequate exercise in a non-hunting home. Since they are a galloping breed, regular exercise is important for them, as it is for all sporting breeds. A good sized, securely fenced yard is a must to keep a Pointer safe since they are bred to hunt a good distance from their person. They typically do best indoors when they are left for the day. Pointers are habitual “couch potatoes” who enjoy relaxing on the family’s chairs or sofas. This is a natural part of their desire to feel part of the pack.

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The Plott Hound is a large scent hound, specifically a coonhound, originally bred for hunting boar.

Appearance

The Plott Hound should be athletic, muscular, and agile in appearance. It should be neither low-set and heavy, nor leggy and light: it has medium build. Its expression should be one of intelligence, confidence, and determination. Its skin should not be baggy like that of a Bloodhound.

The Plott is a beautiful, strongly built yet moderate hound, with a distinct brindle-coloured coat. His appearance suggests the capacity for speed, stamina and endurance.

The Plott may have an identification mark on the hound used to identify the dog when out hunting. Such a mark is not penalised in conformation shows.

Coat and colour

Fine to medium coarse in texture. Short or medium in length, with a smooth and glossy appearance.

The National Plott Hound Association’s definition of the word “brindle”: “A fine streaked or striped effect or pattern of black or tan hairs with hairs of a lighter or darker background color. Shades of colours accepted: yellow brindle, red brindle, tan brindle, brown brindle, black brindle, grey brindle, and maltese (slate grey, blue brindle.)” Grey muzzle accepted.

Acceptable colours are any of the above mentioned brindles, or black with brindle trim. Some white on chest and/or feet is permissible. White anywhere except on chest and/or feet is a fault.

Size

Plott Hounds are approximately 22 to 27 in (50 to 71 cm) at the withers for males, (50 to 58 cm) 21 to 25 in for females. Males should weigh 23 to 27 kg (50 to 75 lb). Females should weigh 18 to 25 kg (40 to 65lb).

Temperament

This breed is active, fast, bright, kind, confident and courageous. They are vicious fighters on game, have a super treeing instinct and take readily to water. They are alert and quick to learn. They are often indifferent to other dogs but seek the attention of humans. Voice is open trailing, bawl and chop. Plott Hounds are also good family pets, but young children will not do well with this breed because of its hunting instinct.

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The Pharaoh Hound is a breed of dog and the national hound of the Mediterranean nation of Malta. Its native name is Kelb tal-Fenek (plural: Klieb tal-Fenek) in Maltese, which means “rabbit hound”. The dog is the traditional hunting companion of Maltese outdoorsmen. The breed has no conclusive links with Ancient Egypt and its name in English is a 20th century fabrication. It has variously been classified as a member of the sighthound group, yet its fieldwork description clearly determines it as a hound. It is indigenous to the islands and remains rare outside of Malta.

Appearance

At first glance, the Pharaoh Hound should appear both graceful and elegant as well as powerful and athletic. Its build should be one of strength without bulkiness or excessive musculature. Its head is elegant without being fine or extreme. The skull should resemble a blunt wedge, and is long and chiselled with only a slight stop and a muzzle of good length. Its eyes are oval with a keen, noble, alert, and intelligent expression. It has a long, lean, and muscular neck that is slightly arched. Its body is slightly longer than its height at the withers. It has a deep chest that extends down to the elbows and a moderate tuck up. Its shoulders are long and well laid back. Its front legs are long and straight. The back legs are moderately angulated, parallel to each other, and must be in balance with the forelegs. It has a long, fine, straight tail that should reach down to a bit below the point of the hocks. The tail is carried down when relaxed but must not tuck between the legs. When the dog is in motion or is excited, the tail is carried up; either level with, or loosely curled above, the back. Its dewclaws may be removed.

Size

It stands between 21 to 25 inches at the withers and weighs between 40 to 60 lbs. Males are typically larger than females.

Coat and colour

The coat is fine and short with no feathering. The texture varies from silky to somewhat hard and it must never be so profuse as to stand away from the dog’s skin. The only colour accepted by most kennel clubs is red; though the shades of red colour varies, and accepted shades range from a tan to a deep chestnut and all shades in between. White markings on the chest, toes, tail-tip, centre of forehead, and the bridge of the muzzle are accepted, but not required. A white tail-tip is desired by some kennel clubs. In contrast, any white markings on the back of the neck, the sides, or the back of the dog are unacceptable by most standards. Pharaoh’s eyes are always amber, and should compliment the coat colour. They are born with blue eyes, which change to a light gold or yellow colour during early puppyhood and then begin to darken well into adulthood. The nose, whiskers, nails, paw-pads, and eye-rims should also be the same colour as the coat. Pharaohs also have a unique trait of “blushing” when excited or happy, with their ears and nose becoming bright pink.

Temperament

The Pharaoh Hound is an intelligent, trainable, playful and active breed. It is sociable with other dogs and with people, however it can be aloof/reserved with strangers. It is typically very open and affectionate with its family and those it knows. It is an independent-minded, occasionally stubborn breed, yet can be very trainable when appropriate positive training methods are used. It has a strong hunting instinct, and caution should be observed when it is around small pets such as cats, birds, and rodents. It is not a demonstrative breed but rather is quietly affectionate. It is a vocal breed without being yappy or barking just for the sake of barking. It makes a good watch dog; however, it is not well suited as guard dog as it is rarely aggressive with people. This is not a breed suited for kennel situations due to its intelligence and activity level. The breed tends to bond deeply with its people and thrives best when it feels included as a member of the family.

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The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a breed of dog of the scent hound type, bred to trail hares in bramble filled terrain of the Vendée district of France.

Appearance

Both sexes should be of similar size, range between 12.5 and 15.5 inches (32 to 40 cm) at the withers and between 25 and 40 pounds (15 to 20 kilograms).

Like the other 3 Griffon Vendéen breeds: the Grand Griffon Vendéen, Briquet Griffon Vendéen, and the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen; they are solid dogs that appear rough and unrefined yet casual. They have short legs, a sturdy bone structure, and a body that is only slightly longer than it is tall at the withers. The body length is not as extreme as that of a basset hound or dachshund.

The dogs have a tousled appearance, with a harsh double coat that is both long and rough. The hair on the face and legs may be softer than body hair. The fur on the face resembles a beard and moustache. They usually have very long eyelashes.

The skull is domed, with drop, oval ears like many hounds share, though dogs tend to have higher domes than bitches. The ears are set low and hanging, and if stretched out should reach the tip of the nose. The tail is usually held upright, and is long and tapered to the end, similar in shape to a saber.

The colouring is primarily white with spots of orange, lemon, black, grizzle (grey-and-white hairs), or sable, sometimes with tan accents. They may be bicolour, tricolour, or have grizzling.

Temperament and Breeding

PBGVs are extroverted, friendly, and independent hounds. Sometimes called the “happy breed,” PBGVs have tirelessly wagging tails and expressive, intelligent eyes. PBGVs are typically active and lively. While good with children, other dogs and pets, they may be unsuitable for very young children because of their energy and tendency to play bite. The PBGV standard states that the dog should “give voice freely” — as is typical of hounds, petits are outspoken dogs. If their ‘pack’ begins howling or singing, the dog will join in, with amusing results. PBGVs may howl alone or with a companion; they may howl to music, for fun, or in protest at being left alone. PBGV companions report that sleeping dogs have been known to awaken and howl along with favourite songs.

The PBGV is not a quiet dog. While no PBGV would ever be called “yippy,” their assertive, hound-bray is uncharacteristically loud for their petite stature. The outspoken nature of a PBGV varies from dog to dog, but even the shyest Petit will greet other dogs with a bark or call.

Like other hounds, Petits are stubborn, and sometimes may not respond well to training.

Because they are so extroverted, friendly, and happy, PBGVs make excellent therapy dogs.

PBGVs are excellent hunting and tracking dogs. A “Hunting Instinct Test” with associated AKC certification is currently in development as a part of optional breed credentialing. Petits who work in this manner do not hunt to kill. In the Vendee region of France, the dogs are used to flush and track rabbit in the bramble, sending rabbit out into the open where the hunter takes the rabbit with a shot. Skilled hunting dogs work well with other dogs in the pack, alerting the pack to the presence of a rabbit, or to a rabbit in motion down a trail. “Saber tails,” another PBGV nickname, are typically white at the tip of the tail, so the tail is easily identified by a hunter above the bramble and brush.

As a companion animal, this occasionally pronounced hunting instinct may manifest in the home as a dog that gives chase to birds, squirrel, and cats. For some PBGVs, this instinct may be difficult to overcome with training. Most PBGVs make fine companion animals, and have suitable manners to live among cats and other animals without assuming a hunting role. Potential PBGV owners are cautioned to be aware of this instinct and, if cats are present in the home, work to acclimate the puppy or dog to recognise that the cat is part of the home “pack.”

As scent hounds, most PBGVs should be kept on-leash when in open outdoor areas. Even the most obedient dog may give chase when a scent is found. Petits are natural athletes, and they can run fast and long where scent is involved. Scent will typically trump obedience in the mind of a PBGV.

The outspoken nature and erect tail of a PBGV can be misinterpreted by other dogs, as these manners typically express dominance to other dogs. PBGVs can inspire a misguided need to express dominance on the part of passing dogs. PBGV owners need to be alert to this potential misinterpretation, as Petits are easily outclassed in both size and aggressiveness.

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The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a herding dog breed which is said to have originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is one of two breeds known as Welsh Corgis: the other is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The Corgi is the smallest dog in the Herding Group. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are famed for being the preferred breed of Queen Elizabeth II, who owns several. These dogs have been a dog favoured by British royalty for more than seventy years.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi has been ranked at #11 in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs, and is thus considered an excellent working dog.

Appearance

The Pembroke is a low-built dog whose upright ears give it a very expressive fox-like appearance. Tails are often short or absent, some naturally, others due to docking. Despite its size the Pembroke has a sturdy, confident and athletic build that has given it the loving nickname of a “big dog trapped in a small dog’s body.” Like most herding breeds, Pembrokes are active, intelligent and athletic dogs. As working dogs, Pembrokes were originally used to herd sheep, horses and cattle, a task they accomplished by “nipping” at their heels, their short legs helping kicks pass safely over their heads.

Size

A Pembroke is 10 to 13 inches (25 to 33 cm) tall at the shoulder and is 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm) in length; Pembrokes in peak condition weigh about 27 pounds (12 kg) for the male, the females being about 25 pounds (11 kg) unless pregnant, then the weight varies. They can become overweight easily if not fed and exercised properly. They are the smallest breed of the Herding Group recognised by the American Kennel Club.

Temperament

Pembrokes are very hard-working and loyal. They are usually easily trainable, and have been ranked in 11th place in “the World’s Smartest [Dog] Breeds”. They function as good watchdogs due to their alertness and tendency to bark. Pembrokes are typically outgoing, friendly dogs. Being a herding dog, Pems are very energetic, especially if without sufficient exercise.

Coat and colour

Pembrokes can be red, sable, fawn, or tricolour with or without white markings on the legs, chest, neck, muzzle, belly, or as a narrow blaze on the head. Tricolours can be black headed or red headed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn’t distinguish amongst the tricolours; rather, it refers to them as black and tan with white markings. White above the hocks, over the top of the body or on the ears is not acceptable for conformation.

Corgis have an undercoat of fine soft fur, with an overcoat of short, somewhat coarse fur. Their undercoat sheds continuously all year round, with extensive seasonal shedding occurring at least twice each year. There can also be extensive shedding of coat in females after the weaning of pups, after a heat, or when a female is spayed. Many corgi enthusiasts believe the volume of shed fur can be significantly reduced by feeding a quality food, and regular brushing is highly recommended. Corgis with longer, thicker coats and exaggerated feathering on the ears and backs of legs are commonly referred to as “fluffy” corgis or “fluffies”. The fluffy coat is a cosmetic flaw; but while it is not permitted in the conformation show ring or in breeding females, fluffies make wonderful pets and performance dogs in obedience, agility, tracking and herding.

What can also be seen in some corgis is a “fairy saddle” marking over the dog’s withers, caused by changes in the thickness, length and direction of hair growth. The phrase arises from the legend that the dogs were harnessed and used as steeds for fairies.

Tail

Historically, the Pembroke was a breed with a natural bob tail (very short tail). Due to the advent of docking, the trait was not aggressively pursued, with breeders focusing instead on other characteristics and artificially shortening the tail when necessary. Given that some countries are now banning docking, breeders are again attempting to select for dogs with the genes for natural bob tails.

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