Breed Spotlight

The Tervuren is a European breed that shows fierce loyalty and affection for their owners. BestBullySticks.com highlights this beautiful and personable breed today on the Healthy Dog Blog.

History & Background: Named after the Belgian city of Tervuren, this dog is one of four Belgian sheepdogs which all share a common ancestry. In its own country, this dog as known as the Chien de Berger Beige, which translates “long-haired other than black.” This is because the three other dogs with similar characteristics are the Groenendael, which has long black hair, the Malinois, which a short coat and the Laekenois, which sports a wiry coat. The origin of all of these dogs was pre-Industrial Revolution, when general-purpose working dogs were in high demand. Protective as a watchdog, able to herd livestock as well as having high mental capacity and being attentive, the Tervuren and its cousins were bred as a perfect match for Belgian farmers.

The Tervuren was known as the Belgian Sheepdog for many years, but in 1959 the AKC recognized the Tervuren as its own breed.

Height: Males 24 to 26 inches; Females 22 to 24 inches

Weight: Males 65 to 75 pounds; Females 60 to 70 pounds

Coat: Tervurens have a thick double coat made up of long, plentiful and close fitting fur. The texture is somewhat harsh, but not silky or wiry. The undercoat adjusts to the weather making the Tervuren very adaptable to climate changes. The hair on the head, outside of the ears and front of the legs is short.  Tufts of hair protect the ear opening. Male dogs have a mane of fur around their neck and both sexes have fringes of fur down the fore legs and back legs.

Color: On the body, Tervuren’s color ranges from rich fawn to mahogany. All colors have black overlay. This dog has a double-pigmented coat, which means the lighter colored hair is black at the tip and as a dog matures, they darken. This darkening is most prominently seen on males around the shoulders, back and ribs. To meet the breed standard, white can show up on the chest and toes but no more. Mature dogs are required to have a black mask as well as the ears being mostly black. Under the chest, tail and butt, this breed can show cream, grey or light beige coloring. Tervurens can also be grey, but the AKC doesn’t recognize this coloring in confirmation showing. Read more

Since ancient times, Maltese have been a statement of a wealthy household. Today, this clever and jolly little dog makes a household richer for having been in it. Find out more about this small breed with a big personality by reading BestBullySticks.com’s Breed Spotlight on the Maltese.

History & Background: The “ancient dog of Malta” or “Roman Ladies’ Dog” or even the “Maltese Lion Dog” were all names given to the ancient breed that is the Maltese. This breed enjoyed the good life next to aristocratic ladies of their time. These ladies carried the Maltese around in their sleeves and let them to sleep in their beds. One of the best-accounted ancient Maltese was Issa, the dog of a Roman Governor in Malta. This account of Issa, written at the time of the Apostle Paul, painted Issa as “purer than a dove’s kiss,” “gentler than a maiden,” and “more precious than Indian gems.” It’s easily seen that even in their earliest days this dog was very much loved. It's even seen that Greeks built tombs for their Maltese and were worshipped by the Egyptians.

It’s thought Crusaders returning home from the Mediterranean took Maltese to England. Royalty owned this breed in England as well and even as far back as the 1500s would coat a $2,000 to purchase. This breed has been recognized by the AKC since 1888 and is a true companion dog for any family.

Height: Males – 8 to 10 inches; Females – 8 to 9 inches

Weight: Males – 3 to 7 pounds; Females – 2 to 7 pounds

Coat: A Maltese has a single coat made up of straight and long hair with a silky texture. Breed standards require no kinks or curls show in the coat.

Color: Coloring for a Maltese is pure white. Standards say that this breed can have some light tan or lemon color on the ears. Maltese have large dark eyes and a black nose. Read more

New-fun-land. Newf-in-land. New-found-land. No matter how you say it, the Newfoundland is a sizable sweetie with a penchant for lazing about and loving his family. BestBullySticks.com highlights this beautiful beast of a dog in our Breed Spotlight! Read on to find out some very interesting facts about the Newfoundland!

History & Background: The exact history of this dog is a bit fuzzy and speculation about the pedigree of the Newfoundland is very wide and ranging. Some say the Newfie has ties to Great Pyrenees while others say mastiffs and yet others say the Labrador. The most interesting story says this dog is the descendant of the Viking “bear dogs.”  What is known is that the Newfoundland hails from the island of the same name off the Canadian coast. First called the St. John’s Dog, after the city in Newfoundland where the Newfie was a working dog being used by fishermen. This dog had a heavy coat for icy waters, a large build for hauling carts and large, webbed feet for swimming. This dog also was a savior to many at danger in the water. Accounts of Newfoundlands saving shipwrecked sailors or children in too deep of water are also a part of the legend of this breed. At one point, Newfoundlands were taken to England and widely bred. Most modern Newfies have forebearers born in England.

It can be seen throughout history that Newfoundlands have been noble and loyal companions by the owners who’ve kept them. Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Lyndon B. Johnson and Senator Robert F. Kennedy all owned Newfies. Seaman, a Newfoundland, was the companion of Meriwether Lewis on the Lewis and Clark expeditions. Famous Newfoundlands were produced out of imaginations as well and can be seen in literature as Nana, the “nurse” dog of children in Peter Pan as well as many other fictional characters.

Height: Males: 27 - 29 inches; Females: 25 - 27 inches

Weight: Males: 130 – 150 pounds; Females: 100 - 120 pounds Read more

Run. Fast. Jump. Long. Don’t Stop. Ever! These must be the thoughts rolling through the American Hairless Terrier’s mind when they’re outside, going full out. Being a highly active dog, with seemingly endless energy, you almost forget this dog is hairless. With no thick scruff or padding to protect them, this dog is pretty brave to be so vulnerable. Read on about this courageous, cute and uncommon breed on the BestBullySticks.com Breed Spotlight.

History & Background: In 1972, a hairless Rat Terrier was born in a litter of fully coated brothers and sisters. This unique pup, Josephine, became the pride and joy of Louisiana natives Willie and Edwin Scott. They loved the look and character of this dog and decided to continue this new breed. The Scotts called the uncoated dogs from Josephine’s litters American Hairless Terriers. AHTs are listed in the AKC’s Foundation Stock Services as to be recognized while allowing the breed to work toward a larger and healthy gene pool. In 2004, the UKC designated the AHT as its own distinct breed.

Height: 10 to 18 inches

Weight: 5 to 16 pounds

Coat: Obviously, mature, adult American Hairless Terriers do not have a coat. However, when these dogs are born a soft, downy fuzz appears on the body. At about 6 to 8 weeks all of this fuzz wears away and the dog is left with soft and warm skin. AHT’s do keep whiskers and guard hairs on the eyebrows and muzzle. A unique characteristic about this dog is that when stressed or overheated, the AHT will break out in a sweat. This dog is great for those who suffer from pet dander allergies.

Ironically enough, there is a “coated” American Hairless Terrier. The UKC states this is because the coated terriers are used to improve the breeding stock of the AHT. These dogs look more like their Rat Terrier cousins and have a short, dense and smooth coat.

Color: Any color skin is acceptable in the show ring. AHTs usually have an underlying color with spots and freckles of a contrasting color. Freckles enlarge with age and the skin darkens with exposure to the sun. The coated variety of AHTs must always have some white coat but can be fully white, bi-colored, tri-colored, sable or brindle.

A hairless variety can have any color eyes and rims match nose coloring, which is usually black. For a coated variety, eye color can range from dark brown to amber. Hazel eyes correspond with a light coat, blue, amber or dark grey eyes with a blue coat. Read more

A loveable and beautiful dog, the English Springer Spaniel is the favorite of both hunters and families wanting a great all-around dog. With an eager to please attitude and a stunning look, it’s easily understandable why these dogs are highly sought after. Learn more about the English Springer Spaniel on the BestBullySticks.com Breed Spotlight.

History & Background: English Springer Spaniels were the predecessors of all other Spaniels, except for Cockers, which used to be born in the same litter. Both of these dogs were used for hunting: Cockers for woodcocks and Springers for flushing out “springing” game. Both of these dogs have been around since the Renaissance. It wasn’t until 1902 that Springers received their own status as a separate breed by England’s Kennel Club. In 1924, the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association was formed, making this breed more popular in the U.S. This dog is still makes for a great hunting dog and serves many homes as a wonderful family companion.

Height: Males 18 to 20 inches; Females 17 to 19 inches

Weight: For show dogs: Males 50 to 55 pounds; Females 35 to 45 pounds. For field dogs, weight is less and they are much more lithe than show dogs.

Coat: A Springer has an outer and undercoat, which are easily differential on the body. The medium-length outer coat is flat or wavy and the undercoat is short, soft and dense. Depending on the season, the dog will have more or less of an undercoat, but when both coats are fully intact, a Springer is virtually waterproof and weatherproof. This dog also has considerable fringe on the ears, chest, legs and belly. Everywhere else, the hair is short and fine. Working Springers usually have shorter, harder coats.

Color: These Spaniels are usually colored in a few different ways.
Liver or black with white markings
White with liver or black markings
Tri-Color
Blue or Liver Roan
Any white portion of a Springer’s coat can have ticking.

This dog’s nose is liver or black depending on the color combination. Eyes are the same way, and are usually dark hazel in the liver and white dogs and black or deep brown in the black and white dogs. Read more