The Alaskan Malamute has a thick, double layer coat.  It gives protection to the often severe and the often cold climate.  The breed is named after Malhemute Tribe.  By nature, it is friendly towards people.

           The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a very thick fur coat.  This coat protects it from the cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay region of the USA, where the breed was first developed.  This dog breed evolved from two puppies that were rescued from a ship that wrecked off the coast of Maryland in 1807.  The oily texture of its fur gives it a very distinct smell.

        The tail is the most recognizable feature of this intelligent, short-haired retriever.  It has a thick base, tapering along its length, with no signs of feathering.  The Labrador Retriever came from Newfoundland, where it helped the fisherman’s nets ashore.  Now apart from being a gundog, Labradors often act as guide dogs.  They have been trained to detect drugs and explosives, and are popular companions. 

         The Dalmatian has a bold spotted pattern, offset with a white background, maybe makes this one if the most distinctive dog breeds.  Their spots are always round and never overlap.  Puppies are pure white at birth and develop their spots later.  The Dalmatian originated in Dalmatia, which is now Yugoslavia.  It was originally a ‘Carriage Dog’ in the 1800’s and was often seen trotting alongside horse drawn buggies and carriages, and more often than not, beside fire engines.

The Weimaraner has a gray coat.  It can be long haired or short haired.  Though the shorthaired ones are much more common.  There is no confirmed history of the development of this dog.  One theory is that it is a result of an albino mutation that appeared in some ancient German pointers.  It is one of the seven breeds of hunt, point, and retrieve dog’s.

            The Saint Bernard is tall, broad, massively boned, and heavy.  Both soft haired and rough haired forms exist.  The colors vary from white and red, or red and brownish yellow, being the most favored color combinations.  The Saint Bernard is descended from the Roman Molossus, which was the original Mastiff breed introduced into the Alps some 2,000 years ago.

           This ancient breed is powerfully built, well boned, and extremely muscular.  The Mastiff is known for its great courage and its guarding instincts.  Its head should appear square from any angle.  The Mastiff is a reliable guardian, which does not take kindly to intruders. 

          The color of this retriever has helped make it one of the most popular of all breeds.  The colors vary from cream to golden, but never red.  The Golden Retriever is a responsive dog to train, and if it gets enough exercise, it makes a great family companion.  Though it has been suggested that this breed was evolved from Russian circus dogs, it is more likely it was breed from the crossings that started with a Yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, and a Tweed water spaniel, with Irish Setter, Labrador, and Bloodhound introduced later.  Until 1920 the Golden Retriever was known as the Golden Flat-coat.

         This breed has an agile and athletic build.  The Pointer is prized foe its exceptional sense of smell.  The Pointer has been a hunting dog since the 17^th century.  Originally it was trained to detect hares, which were then coursed by Grey Hounds.