The Bracco Italiano is a breed of dog developed in Italy as a versatile gun dog. It is common in its native country, but rare elsewhere.
Appearance
The Bracco should be athletic and powerful in appearance. It has pendulous upper lips that create a serious expression. It should be "square", meaning that its height at the withers should be the same as the length of its body.
Coat and colour
The coat is short, dense, and glossy. The texture should be fairly hard, though somewhat shorter and softer on the head, throat, ears, legs, and feet. The most common colour is white with orange, chestnut, or amber coloured patches on the face, ears, base of tail, and body. Black on the coat is a fault.
Movement
The gait should be long and fluid, with plenty of reach and drive. The head should be held above the topline. A well built Bracco is an attractive mover and covers a lot of ground.
Temperament
The Bracco is very much a people loving dog. They thrive on human companionship and have a need to be close to their people. The breed bonds closely with its family. The closer to its owner a Bracco is, the more content it is. It is affectionate and loyal. Bracchi love to play. They get along well with other dogs and pets. They are very willing to please. The Bracco is highly trainable, but can be stubborn. Harsh reprimands do not work with this breed. The breed loves to hunt, and they excel at it. The Bracco knows when it has a job to do and takes it seriously. They are an active breed and need sufficient exercise to keep them happy. As puppies they may chew, but do not get neurotic as some other high energy breeds are prone to do.
The Fila Brasileiro (or Brazilian Mastiff) is a large working breed of dog developed in Brazil
Appearance
The Fila Brasileiro is a Molosser breed with large bones and loose skin. The breed standard requires males to be between 65 and 75 cm (27 - 29.5 in) high at the shoulder and weigh at least 50 kg (100 lb). Females are slightly smaller and expected to be 60 to 70 cm (24 - 27.5 in)tall, and weigh at least 40 kg (90 lb).
Coat
The coat of the Fila Brasileiro is smooth and short. Solid yellow, reddish tans, and brindled colours are permitted, except mouse-grey and solid white. White markings, not exceeding 1/4 of the coat surface area, are permitted on the feet, chest, and the tip of the tail in the FCI/CBKC standard. The CAFIB standard allows more white and does not penalize for white markings on the nose.
Temperament
The Fila Brasileiro is an excellent estate guardian and cattle dog. It does not hide its aversion to strangers, consequently these dogs are not disqualified from the show ring for showing aggression to the judge. Their faithfulness to family and friends is legendary. It should be noted that this is not a breed for everyone. The Fila needs a confident, experienced owner who can properly curb the breed's natural aggression towards strangers. Because of its aggression, it is not well suited to busy households which have many guests. Such aggression is instinctive in Filas, so much so that the Brazilian breed standard advises show judges to not touch the dog. However, the FCI standard allows for disqualification of very aggressive dogs. Few Filas will not attack for no reason, but none will be friendly with strangers.
Filas love and bond strongly with their immediate families. They live to protect their loved ones, including children and other pets. They do not readily accept strangers and need an extended introduction period to warm up to others they do not know. Some will never warm up to any stranger. Some bloodlines have less temperament than others and might accept a stranger if introduced properly by the owner, but it should never be assumed that every Fila can be trained to accept strangers. They are known to play very well with children and take a great deal of "abuse" from them, as long as they are family. Filas are extremely loyal & protective and they love being around their owners.
The Brazilian Terrier is one of only two breed of dog developed in Brazil. It is one of several terriers probably descended from the combining of the Fox Terrier with other small breeds. It has been established in Brazil for about 100 years. This hound is a pack hunter which tires its prey by surrounding it and terrorising it into submission. It is also an excellent catcher of vermin.
Appearance
This terrier stands between 14-16 in (35.5-40.5cm) at the withers. Its appearance is typical of dogs descended from fox terrier types: the short coat is tri-colour (white with markings in two other colours; permissible colours are black, tan, brown and blue). The skull is flat and wedge-shaped, with folded ears. The tail may be docked or natural. It weight can be between 14-20lbs (6.5-9kg)
Temperament
Brazilian Terriers are alert, intelligent and playful with stronger than average hunting instincts. They should not be left alone with small animals. They must be kept active and occupied, becoming destructive or restless if bored.
The Briard is a large breed of dog, one of many herding breeds.
Appearance
The Briard can be any of several different solid colors or lighter colors with darker or light ears and face. Briards stand 22 to 27 inches (58 to 69 cm) at the withers. Ear cropping has been common in the breed, although more breeders are leaving the ears in their natural state since ear cropping is becoming illegal in most European countries, including the Briard's land of origin, France. Their long coat requires an extensive amount of grooming.
They were originally bred to herd as well as guard flocks of sheep. And they were often left to their own devices in order to accomplish their assigned tasks. This makes the Briard different from those breeds that only guard and those that only herd. The breeds that just herd are often smaller in size, agile, and swift of foot. Those breeds that just guard are usually larger and heavier.
The breed characteristics of the Briard, are of a medium sized, rugged, agile dog, having harsh coat and double dewclaws mounted low on each rear leg, resembling additional toes. Each double dew claw should have bone substance and nail, giving the appearance of a wider rear foot. Bred for centuries to herd, the additional digits on each rear foot give the Briard the ability of pivoting on one foot for quick turns and complete turn arounds, which are necessary when herding and guarding their flocks. Throughout history, the Briard has retained an appropriate balance of size and build that is required for both herding and protection of their flocks. They are not too large to tire during herding yet large enough to fend off predators such as fox and wolves.
Temperament
The Briard is a very loyal and protective breed. The Briard is also called a heart wrapped in fur. Once they have bonded to their family members, they will be very protective. They can be aloof with strangers - new introductions should be on the dog's terms, including furniture or the addition of a new baby into the household. They require showing that the new intrusion is friendly and free of conflict. They must be taught that it is a good thing and not harmful. They have proven to be a very good breed to have around children of all ages.
It is also important that the Briard be introduced to several different individuals of all ages and in all types of situations. Socialization starting at a very young age is mandatory. Briards should be walked as often as possible, to many different places, and they will develop into a well rounded animal. Pet stores, city parks and malls are a good place to start.
The Briard has been bred for centuries to herd and to protect their flocks. To domesticated briards, their family is the flock and all strangers may appear to be predators. Letting them know that the public in general are friendly and not harmful will help them establish a lifelong socialization pattern which will result in an outgoing and happy dog. This socialization with the public in general will not diminish their capacity for protecting and guarding their family.
The Briard has a very good memory. Once a lesson is learned, good or bad, the knowledge will be retained for a long time to come. Sometimes they may appear to be strong minded and stubborn but these are a few of the Briard's characteristics. They were bred for centuries to think for themselves and to act upon their conclusions.
These are some of the traits that the Briard has retained throughout history. Even if a Briard is a city dweller, they have a degree of herding ability within them. If ever, during their lifetime, they are introduced to sheep, they will automatically start doing what they were bred to do, herding.
Brittany (dog)
The Brittany is a breed of gun dog that is primarily bred for bird hunting. Although the Brittany is often referred to as a spaniel, the breed's working characteristics are more akin to a pointer or setter. Brittanys were developed in the Brittany province of France in the 1800s.
Appearance
The Brittany should be athletic, compact, and solidly built without being heavy. It is long-legged and elegant. Its expression should be one of intelligence, vigour, and alertness. It should never be heavily built or cumbersome. Its gait is elastic, long, and free.
Some Brittanys are born with naturally short tails and others with long tails. If born with a long tail it is normally docked to a length of 3 to 10 centimetres (1 to 4 inches). In countries where docking is illegal long-tailed Brittanys should carry their tails level with the back or slightly lower.
Coat and color
The most common color pattern for Brittanys is white with orange patches. Other accepted colors are liver and white, black and white, liver tri-color and black tri-color. Any of these color combinations can be found in a clear or roan pattern with some ticking. The American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club do not recognize black as an acceptable color for the breed, but it is allowed in all other registries worldwide. The coat is of moderate length, dense, flat, or wavy, with slight feathering on the ears and legs. Too much feathering is undesirable as it impedes the dog’s work in thick brush.
Size
They are between 44-52 cm (17.5-20.5 in) tall at the withers, with the UKC and AKC preferring smaller dogs. They weigh 13.5-18 kg (30-40 lb). The dog is squareish when viewed from the side, with shoulder height equaling body length (from withers to base of tail). Show dogs have their tails docked in some countries. The tails of working or companion dogs are rarely left long.
Types
Many breeders differentiate between "American" Brittanys and "French" style Brittanys. Although generally recognized as sub-sets of the same breed, there are recognizable differences between the two. The American Brittany is taller and faster. It has been bred to cover more ground in order to hunt wide open spaces common in the United States. The French Brittany appears more "spaniel-like" in that it is smaller and the French Brittany generally works more closely to the guns.
Temperament
The breed is noted for being easy to train, sensitive, and sweet-natured. Many enthusiasts agree that it takes little more than a stern look or cross word to chastise a Brittany. As a consequence, care must be taken during training so as not to break the dog’s spirit. Brittanys are excellent with children but they are an exuberant breed and if not well supervised may accidentally harm a small child. Brittanys get along well with other dogs and enjoy working with other dogs as a team. Many Brittany enthusiasts encourage new Brittany owners to be a two dog family. The dogs are active and require frequent exercise and room to run. As pets Brittanys are first-rate companion dogs but they do need plenty of exercise. Their outgoing nature makes them poor candidates for protectors.
The Brittany makes a good house pet as long as it receives daily mental and physical exercise. If not given sufficient exercise, it can become destructive.
Health
Brittanies are generally healthy dogs, though some genetic disorders are prevalent. They can be prone to Hip dysplasia, and Epilepsy. Their ears can be prone to infections.
The Ciobănesc de Bucovina is a strong and rustic dog, it was for centuries the best partner and companion for the Romanian shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains. Their original use was to guard and protect the herds against predators (wild animals or thieves).Today, Bucovina Shepherd Dogs are more and more appreciated also by people living in cities, who keep them as watch dogs or just as pets, because of their balanced temperament and the kindliness they show to children. There are three types of Romanian shepherd dogs: Mioritic (old name Barac), Carpatin (old name Zăvod) and Ciobănesc de Bucovina (a name given to both types).
Appearance
The Bukovina's head is massive, slightly elevated with respect to the back line. The skull is moderately wide. The stop is slightly marked. The nose is black well developed and wide. The muzzle has the shape of a truncated cone, of the same length as the skull, well developed. It becomes progressively narrow towards the extremity but it is never pointed. The lips are thick, well applied, with strong pigmentation. This breed should have strong jaws, with healthy white teeth and a scissors bite. Level bite is allowed. The cheeks are not prominent The eyes are small in comparison with the dimensions of the skull, almond-shaped and slanting, chestnut colored or slightly lighter, never yellow. Eyelids are well pigmented. The ears are implanted relatively high, “V” shaped, with the extremity slightly rounded, fallen, and very close to the cheeks. The neck is moderately long, bulky and strong, without dewlap. The muscular body is massive with a well supported back. The chest is wide and tall, reaching the level of the elbows with well arched ribs. When the dog is relaxed it tends to hold the tail low, reaching the point of the hock or even lower. When the dog is alert and is paying attention or is in action, the tale is elevated. In this case it may rise above the level of the back, sickle shaped. The skin is thick, well applied and dark gray. The hair is short on the head and on the fore face of the legs. On the body, the hair is abundant, straight, thicker and harder, 2½- 3½ inches (6-9 cm.) long. The next layer of hair is shorter and thick, with a lighter color. On the neck, the hair is longer and forms a head of hair (mane). On the backside of the legs, the hair forms fringes of moderate length. The tail is bushy, covered with longer and thicker hair. Coat color: the background must be white with well-defined, sand-charcoal colored, black or brindled patches. On the legs, there can be little black or other color drops. Uniform colors: Uniform robes (without spots) completely white or black are accepted but not preferred by breeders and in show rings.
Temperament
The Bukovina Sheepdog dog was bred to protect sheep flocks and cattle herds. They are excellent watchdogs. This breed is balanced, calm, very devoted, and loves children. It does not trust strangers. An excellent watchdog for herds, courageous and very combative where potential predators are concerned (bear, wolf, lynx) may be turned away by the bark. They do have a powerful bark. If strangers or animals come close to its territory, the fact is signaled by a very powerful bark, with al low tonality that can be heard from very long distances. During the night it patrols around the property or herds. An adult Bukovina Sheepdog needs plenty of space to run around with a large back yard. They love to play, just let them outside and watch them.
Notes
The Ciobănesc de Bucovina is soon to be recognised by the FCI, where as its cousins are officially recognised already.
The Bull Terrier or English Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family.
Appearance
Bull Terriers are thick-set and muscular with a short, dense coat. Acceptable colours are white, (skin pigmentation and markings on the head are not penalised in the UK show ring), any colour other than white, or any colour with white markings (although Blue and liver highly undesirable).
The Bull Terrier's most distinctive feature is its head, described as 'egg shaped' when viewed from the front, almost flat at the top, with a Roman muzzle sloping evenly down to the end of the nose with no stop. The unique triangular eyes are small, dark, and closely set. The body is full and round, while the shoulders are robust and muscular and the tail is carried horizontally. It walks with a jaunty gait, and is popularly known as the 'gladiator of the canine race'. There is no set height or weight of the breed but the average is, Height: 16-22 inches (40-56 cm.), Weight: 35-60 pounds (15-36 kg.)
Sometimes Bull Terriers are mistaken to be American Pit Bull Terriers, but they are separate breeds.
Temperament
Bull Terriers are known as friendly and outgoing dogs, even having a "clownish" attitude about them. Their physical strength is matched by their intelligence, and both body and mind need to be kept active. They can be obstinate or stubborn and are not ideal dogs for the first-time owner. As a breed they are generally placid and will not normally make the first move. They are very affectionate dogs that love human company. Bull Terriers are particularly good with children and can stand a great deal of abuse due to their high pain threshold. They are protective of children in their charge. Younger dogs may regard children as playmates and because of their strength would only cause inadvertent injury.
The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS), a not-for-profit organization that promotes uniform temperament testing for dog breeds, gives the Bull Terrier a pass rate of 91.5%. The average for all breeds is 81.5%.
Health
All puppies should be checked for deafness, as this sometimes occurs (most commonly in pure white dogs) and is difficult to notice, especially in a relatively young puppy. Many Bull Terriers have a tendency to develop skin allergies. Insect bites, such as fleas, and sometimes mosquitoes and mites, can produce a generalized allergic response of hives, rash, and itching. This condition can be stopped by keeping the dog free of contact from these insects, but this is definitely a consideration in climates or circumstances where exposure to these insects is inevitable. Their lifespan is somewhere between 10 and 14 years, although they can live longer - the oldest bitch on record being an Australian housepet dubbed "Puppa Trout" who remained sprightly into her 17th year.
The Bull Terrier's coat is easy to maintain, but grooming can keep it in near-perfect condition. Adding oils to their meals can also vastly improve the quality of their coat. The Bull Terrier requires a fair amount of exercise, but overworking the dog at a young age will cause strained muscles. Older dogs do require exercise, but in small doses, whereas younger ones will be happy to play for hours on end. The breed is renowned for being extremely greedy; be sure to maintain a good balance of exercise and food, or the dog can become overweight. Also, be sure to check ears, eyes, nose and mouth every day for signs of infection.
Common Ailments: Deafness, Umbilical Hernia and Acne.Bull Terriers can also suffer from Obsessive complusive behavior, such as tail chasing, self mutilation, and obsessive licking.
The Bull Terrier (Miniature) is a breed of dog developed using selective breeding to miniaturize the Bull Terrier. However, when the Standard breed was first created in 19th century England, it was about the same size as Miniature Bull Terriers. Crossbreeding with Pointers increased the size so it was an optimal fighting size. Miniature Bull Terriers were accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1992.
Appearance
Miniature Bull Terriers have short, fine, and glossy coats that are very close to the skin, like the Standards. They are accepted in the ring to be white, white with another color, or fully colored. However, like the Standards, any blue or liver colored coats are undesirable. These dogs require very minimal grooming.
In the early 1900s, the difference between the breeds was determined by the dog's weight. However, this led to Miniature Bull Terriers becoming so small and fine that they looked more like a Chihuahua than a Bull Terrier. So, in the 1970s, the weight limit was replaced with a height limit of under fourteen inches. They are usually no smaller than ten inches. According to the AKC, miniature bull terriers weight must be proportionate to its height. However, they tend to range anywhere from 20 - 35 lbs.
The Miniature Bull Terriers have a very strong build. They have very muscular shoulders and a full body.
Miniature Bull Terriers, like the Standards, have a head described as "egg-shaped." It is flat on top with a Roman muzzle. The eyes are triangular and closely set.
The ears are carried erect and are not cropped or otherwise altered.
The tail is carried horizontally rather than vertically.
Miniature Bull Terriers usually live to their upper teens.
Care
As mentioned before, Miniature Bull Terriers require little grooming. A quick brushing once a day or a few times a week is sufficient to keep the fur in order, as it cannot become tangled due to its length.
Training
Miniatures do require a lot of training, particularly early on. They must be heavily socialized and trained to obey early in their lives.
They also are very energetic and seem to be able to play endlessly as puppies. However, as they grow older they become less energetic. They must be carefully exercised and dieted to avoid obesity.
Temperament
Bull Terriers are known to be stubborn and courageous. They don't seem to realize their size, however, because even if confronting an enormous dog they will not back down. However, with the right training, confrontations can be avoided. This characteristic does not change in the Miniatures. Some people think that Miniature Bull Terriers are practically a different dog, but one must realize that they are the same dogs, just smaller. They are very energetic and playful. They love people, but often don't get along with other pets. They are variable around other dogs, and young children must be warned to treat them carefully.
Health
Miniature Bull Terriers are generally quite healthy, but there are hearing, eye, skin, and knee problems in some dogs:
There is a high rate of deafness in white Bull Terriers, Miniature or Standard. Of course, this also occurs in colored and mixed colored and white Bull Terriers. 1 in 5 white Bull Terriers is unilaterally deaf (deaf in one ear) and 1 in 20 is bilaterally deaf (deaf in both ears.) Deaf dogs should not be bred due to deafness being hereditary.
Miniature Bull Terriers are also susceptible to having luxating patellas. This is a knee problem common in small dogs. It can be treated by surgery.
Miniatures are also susceptible to eye problems such as lens luxation.
Also, the skin of a Miniature can be a problem. Pyotraumatic dermatitis (hot spots), allergic reactions, and hives can be problematic.
A Bulldog, which is also known colloquially as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog, is a medium-size breed of dog that originated in England.
Appearance
The bulldog is a stocky breed, with a compact body and short, sturdy limbs. Its shape results in a peculiarly unique gait. Bulldogs are known for their short muzzles and the saggy skin on their faces, creating the apparent "frown" that has become a trademark of the breed. Bulldogs come in a variety of colours and ideally have a smooth, short coat. In the US, the size for a mature male is about 50 pounds; that for mature females is about 40 pounds. In the United Kingdom, the breed standard is 85 pounds for a male and 90 pounds for a female.
Temperament and characteristics
The temperament of the Bulldog is generally docile, friendly and gregarious but are known to be fiercely loyal. Breeders have worked to breed aggression out of the breed, and as such the dog is known to be of generally good temperament. Bulldogs can be so attached to home and family that they will not venture out of the yard without a human companion. Due to their friendly nature bulldogs are known for getting along well with children, other breeds of dog and any house-broken pet in general.
The bulldog can have some health issues, the most well-noted being that of breathing related problems.
A bulldog is great for houses as well as apartments, but puppies may be destructive until they reach maturity. They are notorious for snoring, and while some adult bulldogs are considered "dry-mouths" and do not drool, wet-mouths drool extensively. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine which mouth-type they will grow to be when they are at puppy age.
Due to their generally low energy levels, and their quiet nature (they rarely bark without cause) they make great apartment pets as well as household pets.
Health
The bulldog is prone to some health issues but no more so than most other pure breed dogs. Breathing issues can be prevalent in the breed due to the shape of the lower jaw and the shortness of muzzle. In the United Kingdom, some dogs can be prone to interstitial cysts, that is cysts which form between the toes. These cause the dog some discomfort, but however they are treatable either by vet or an experienced owner. Other problems can include cherry eye, certain allergies and amongst older bulldogs, hip issues.
Because of the large heads in proportion to body size, puppies are frequently delivered by Caesarean section as they can get stuck in the birth canal during natural birth, however it is not uncommon for a bulldog bitch to whelp naturally and successfully.
Bulldogs require daily cleaning of their face folds to avoid unwanted infections caused by moisture accumulation. Daily teeth brushing with a regular human soft toothbrush using a vet approved toothpaste is also recommended.
Like all dogs, Bulldogs require daily exercise. If not properly exercised the bulldog could gain weight, which could cause health problems relating to the lungs and heart. Bulldogs are extremely sensitive to heat and great care should be given to the dog during overly warm periods. During these times, ensure the dog has plenty of shade, water and should be ideally kept out of standing heat.
As the breed has developed, the tail in some dogs can be tight to the body and can cause infection if not treated or cleaned underneath regularly.
The Bullmastiff is a powerful dog, said to be a cross between the English Mastiff and the Bulldog. Originally bred to find and immobilise poachers, the breed has proved its value as a family pet.
Appearance
The Bullmastiff is 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog and was first recognized in 1924. It is powerfully built and symmetrical, showing great strength, but not cumbersome; it is sound and active.
Bullmastiffs are to be 25 to 27 inches at the withers, and 110 to 130 pounds. Females are to be 24 to 26 inches at the withers, and 100 to 120 pounds.
Color
Any shade of brindle, fawn, or red is allowed as long as the colour is pure and clear. In the United States, however, there is no mention in the standard of the colour being "pure and clear". The fawn is a light tan or blond colour, while the red is a richer, red-brown. This can range from a deep red to a light red merging with the fawn sometimes described as a red-fawn. A slight white marking on the chest is permissible, but other white markings are undesirable. A black muzzle is essential, toning off towards the eyes, with dark markings around eyes contributing to the expression.
Temperament
The Bullmastiff is courageous, loyal, calm, and loving with those it knows. It has a very strong protective instinct and will defend its owners against anything it perceives as a threat. However, it does not normally attack to protect. Instead, it simply knocks the intruder over with its massive size and pins them to the ground, or, will simply stand in front of the stranger/intruder and refuse to let them pass. Bullmastiffs become intensely attached to their families and do best when they can live inside with them. Their protective instinct combined with their great size and natural wariness of strangers means that early socialization is a must. The Bullmastiff may or may not get along well with other dogs. Often, male Bullmastiffs do not tolerate other males, regardless of breed. Occasionally, females are also intolerant of other females. The Bullmastiff, in general, does get along well with children and is very loving towards them. Parental supervision should be maintained when they are with children because these dogs are so big that they may accidentally knock smaller children down.
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