CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI

Origin: Great Britain (Wales)
FCI classification: Group 1, Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs), No 38.

It is believed that the Corgi represents a transition from dachsunds to spitz types. They arrived in Wales with ancient Celtic tribes coming from Central Europe. The word 'Corgi' comes either from the Celt 'Cur-ci', working dog, or 'Cor-ci', small dog. Welsh and Cardigan refer to their area of origin, Cardiganshire in Wales. It is a very old breed and was used to herd cows, ponies and geese, but it participated in most areas of Celtic farm work and protected the home and chased away enemies.

They were also referred to as 'heelers' because of their herding methods, which was to nip at the animals legs.

General appearance: they are small dogs, but sturdy, tough, mobile and capable of endurance. They are long in proportion to their height. They should have a fox-like expression.
The head is quide broad and flat between the ears.

Height: as close as possible to 30 cms at the withers.

Weight: between 10 kgs and 13 kgs.

Colour: any colour, with or without white markings, but white should not predominate.

Behaviour & temperament: very happy dogs who get along well with children and enjoy family life without losing their herding characteristics. They are sturdy and tough and enjoy being outdoors. Alert, active and intelligent, they are neither shy nor aggressive.

Maremma and Abruzzis Shepherd

Origin: Italy
F.C.I. Classification: Group 1, shepherd dogs and bouviers (except for the Swiss bouvier)

That breed has always been in Tuscanian Maremma and Abruzzis (Italy), where it has been used for its excellent herding qualities. It was already present in those regions in the Roman era and spread throughout the continent, thanks to sheep transhumance.

General aspect
Big size, with an impressive and hardy constitution

Hairs:
plain white, medium length, very thick

Height:
Males: 65-73 cm
Females: 60-68 cm

Weight:
Males: 40-50 kilos
Females: 35-45 kilos

Personnality:
This dog is strong-natured, generous, thoughtful yet energic He has been selected for centuries in order to herd cattle, even in the worst conditions. When not worked as a sheepherder, he will need to watch and protect his home, his masters and the children of the house. Made for open spaces, he cannot live fenced in, homebound or worse, tied down. Dogs selected for their beauty may prove troublesome, as their psychological needs have often been neglected, which is a serious mistake. These are shepherd dogs, definitely not living-room dogs.

Saluki

Origin: Iran
I.C.F. Classification: Group 10, Greyhounds

The Saluki, also known as Persian Greyhound, is a very ancient breed, in existence for thousands of years. He was already mentionned in the earliest Arabic texts and can be seen on Pharaos’ frescoes. The Saluki has kept his primitive constitution, thanks to the almost-unchanged Nomads’ way of life.
Muslems see dogs as filthy animals, except for Salukis and Sloughis (Arabic Greyhounds) who are viewed as noble (“el hov”). Indeed, rich nomads considered game killed by their Saluki to be the only one pure in the eyes of Allah. He was a very good gazelle hunter.
In the Middle East, the Saluki is a wealth symbol. He is not to be sold but rather offered to bestow honor, as a sign of respect

General aspect
He is average-sized, of a lanky type in morpholgy classifications.
He is a very elegant dog, displaying harmonious lines. He is very agile and muscular. Despite his thinness and seeming frailty, his constitution is very sturdy, thanks to the natural selection achieved by centuries spent in the desert.

Height:
Males: 58-71 cm
Females: slightly smaller

Weight:
14-25 kilos

Colors:
White, grizzle, black, «isabelle», cream, beige, sand, brown (“bringé”: brown drizzled with black, is not acceptable)

Hairs:
Straight, silky, with short bangs on the legs, longer ones on the tail and ears.
One variety has short hairs with no bangs.

Personality
This dog is quite docile, somewhat guarded or even suspicious around strangers but never aggressive.
The Saluki has been selected as a sight-hunter and will alternate crazy romping and running with hours spent on the living-room sofa in total quiet. He enjoys sharing his master’s life and readily accepts his demands.
He is very clean and discreet.
He must live inside and should not be left outside, especially in the rain or cold which he hates.
A very fast runner, he can show sharp speed increases; he is a sprinter.
While being fairly easy to raise, tact and gentleness must be used with him because of his high sensitivity. Shouting and hitting are to be proscribed, else he becomes constantly wary and hard to approach. If raised tenderly while firmly he will be a contact-seeking, ideal companion.

Weimaraner

Origin: Germany
F.C.I. Classification: Group 7, point dogs

It seems that the Weimar pointer gets his name from the city of Weimar, Germany.
Among his ancestors we can probably find the Saint-Hubert and maybe the Sain- Louis dog (extinct today).
The breed apparently came to Germany on the Rhine river, around the 15th century.
What is certain is that in the first third of the 19th century the Weimar pointer was bred at the Duke of Weimar’s court and used as a bloodhound.

General aspect
He is of an average build, with a mediumline type and well-developped muscles.
His grey coat and litheness have earned him the surname of “Grey Ghost” in the United States.
His hairs can be either short or long.

Height:
Males 59 to 70 cm
Females 57 to 65 cm
Weight:
32 to 39 kilos

Colors:
Silver-grey, roe-grey, mouse-grey and every possible shade in between.

Personnality
This dog is very docile but rather proud.
He is easy to train, very close to his master from whom he will not part painlessly.
He loves children.
In some countries, he is used as a defence dog, also works with the police protecting civilians or finding missing persons, thanks to his excellent nose. His great personnality makes him a dog with a lot of qualities, among them determination, meticulousness and doggedness when hunting.