Partially shrouded by the mists of time, the history of the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier sometimes reflects the Irish people's gift as storytellers rather than historians. Folklore persists that following the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, a dog swam to the shore of Ireland from a sinking ship. Supposedly, he then bred to […]

Natalia Backos, a 14-year-old from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, has never known a time when she didn't spend her weekends at dog shows. A proud third-generation breeder/owner/handler, Backos is following in the footsteps of her grandmother and mother, alongside her sister. Her dogs include her Parson Russell Terriers BISS GCH Panther Creek Stone Cold Sober "Boozer" and […]

Originally bred to kill rats and mice, Affenpinschers eventually charmed their way into German kitchens. Learn about the breed's history.

There is, carved into a Scottish Highlands farm wall, the image of a short-legged, longheaded, prick-eared, cobbily built dog barking on a wheelbarrow. The image appears to date from around A.D. 200, and is about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, small enough that the viewer cannot make out if the dog is double-coated or […]

For centuries, Flemish art has been celebrated for its technical skill, precise depiction of everyday life, and a particular aesthetic of fanciful exaggeration for sometimes humorous effect. The inimitable Brussels Griffon fits perfectly into that tradition. It’s no wonder the breed has been a favorite of painters, illustrators, and filmmakers. The first depiction in fine […]

Yorkies are famous for their human-like hair and show-worthy coats, and that's why learning how to groom your Yorkshire Terrier puppy will be an important part of welcoming your new dog into your home. "Grooming is a critical part of owning a Yorkshire Terrier," says Daron Newcomb, a professional groomer with 21 years of experience. […]

There's something irresistible about toy breeds. They pack so much personality into a small package. And that's especially true for the Toy Fox Terrier and the Miniature Pinscher. Whether it's the TFT's alert intelligence or the Min Pin's fun-loving fearlessness, these two dogs have a lot to offer. But do you know how to tell […]

There’s an old Czech saying, “Like dog, like master,” and this applies to no one better than Frantisek Horak, the creator of the Cesky Terrier. Horak persevered through World War II and a communist revolution with terrier-like determination to create his vision of a new hunting breed, the Cesky Terrier— perhaps the only breed with […]

The mahogany huntress leapt from one bale to the next in pursuit of her prey. Straw and dust swirled in the air as Beatrice, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, canvassed the barn with handler Ikuko Jones following briskly behind. Jones sidestepped the hay bales as she watched intently for her dog’s “tell”: a swift, heavy swat of […]

When shipwrecks have fantastical endings, they’re usually works of fiction. Think of Gilligan and friends, or the Swiss Family Robinson. But in our canine world, a centuries-old shipwreck is believed to have helped create a real-life dog breed – and one of the most eye-catching of the terriers, to boot. Now, full disclosure: This creation […]