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The Bullmastiff is a massive, powerfully built dog that was originally bred for tackling poachers in eighteenth century England. At that time, poachers were a major problem on English country estates. Gamekeepers needed a dog both for protection, and to help them catch the perpetrators. However, they also needed a dog that would not seriously maul the poacher. No such dog existed at the time, so they created their own by cross breeding Bulldogs and Mastiffs. The result was the Bullmastiff, a powerful, ferocious, dog that used its bulk rather than its teeth on poachers.

The Bullmastiff was big enough, fast enough, and agile enough to excel at this job. And the dog seldom had to resort to force because even the bravest poacher was quickly frightened into submission.

Measuring up to 27 inches at the shoulder, and weighing up to 130 pounds, the Bullmastiff is an impressive dog, with a large head and slightly undershot jaw. The build suggests both power and quickness and the coat is short and may be red, tan, or brindle. The face and ears are normally darker in color.

Like many mastiff breeds though, the Bullmastiff is a gentle, loyal and affectionate dog, that bonds very strongly with its human family. They are known to be particularly good with children, provided play is supervised as a dog this big can accidentally knock a child over.

Training, socialization and consistent leadership are an absolute must with this breed. By nature, they are obedient, but they also have a strong dominance drive which can make them a hard to handle if you have not established your dominant position. Male Bullmastiffs, in particular, can be a handful and may not tolerate another male dog.

The Bullmastiff lives on average for about 10 years, which is typical for a dog of this size. They are affected by a number of congenital diseases including various cancers, progressive retinal atrophy and entropion. In common with most large breeds, they are also prone to hip dysplasia and gastric torsion.

As many as a quarter of all Bullmastiffs will develop hip dysplasia at some time. Bloat, or gastric torsion is even more serious, and results from a twisting of the stomach. This almost always results in death, unless the dog receives immediate veterinary treatment. You can reduce they risk by feeding small portions several times a day.

The Bullmastiff is a relatively easy keeper, with a short coat that requires minimal grooming. A brush down every few days is all that is needed to keep the coat looking its best.

The Bullmastiff may look tough and rugged, but it is not an outdoor dog. Their coat offers little protection from the elements and besides, they are sensitive souls who want and need to be close to those they love.

Fortunately, they are no problem indoors, and are so quiet, calm and well behaved that they are even suitable for apartment living. The proviso is that they will need to get out every day for a long walk.

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The Affenpinscher is a small dog of German origin, that has been around since the 16th century. These little dogs have a rough coat that can be gray, fawn, black and tan, gray and tan, or red in color. They have a ‘monkey-like’ expression and the name, Affenpinscher, actually means “monkey dog”. These dogs can stand up to 11 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 7 and 9 pounds.

The Affen, as it is affectionately called, was originally a farm dog, bred to control rodents in barns, granaries and stables. With its speed, agility and terrier-like character, the breed was particularly good at this job.

The Affenpinscher is a bold dog, who will stand its ground against much bigger adversaries. But they also make loving pets for the right owner. They do well with older kids that have been taught how to handle a dog. However, you need to watch them around young children, as an Affen that is handled roughly, is quite likely to bite.

Like most terriers Affens can be dominant and will need discipline and firm leadership to keep them in line. They are intelligent dogs, but quite willing to ignore you if the mood takes them. The Affenpincher will generally get along fine with dogs and cats that it has been socialized with, but is not to be trusted around pet rodents or rabbits.

Training an Affen is sometimes easy, and at other times it can be a real grind. They are very intelligent dogs who generally learn quickly. Occasionally though, that famous stubborn streak kicks in and you may as well quit for the day. It won’t help to get angry either, as they are quite sensitive dogs who don’t respond well to harsh treatment. House training in particular can be a real chore.

Don’t let any of this discourage you from adopting an Affenpinscher though. They are wonderful, affectionate dogs, with a comedic nature and a strong attachment to those close to them.

These traits provide useful clues to picking dog names for your Affenpinscher. Pick something that really suits the dog’s personality. If you need help, you can find thousands of unique dog names at puppy names hq, including including a mega-list of dog names.

Although they are quite healthy dogs, Affenpinschers do suffer from a number of inherited diseases. They are prone to cataracts, slipped stifle and collapsed trachea, and may also suffer from respiratory problems in warm weather. Average lifespan for the breed is 12 years.

Grooming is a relatively simple business involving a brush down every other day. The coat sheds minimally an requires only an occasional trim. You will however have to take care to trim hair away from the eyes.

The Affenpinscher is small enough to live comfortably in an apartment. However, these are energetic, active dogs who need a walk every day.

As a dog that was created specifically as a human companion, the Bichon Frise is a happy affectionate little dog, with a long and rather interesting history.

The breed is believed to have originated in Spain, the result of cross breeding the Poodle and the Barbet Water Spaniel. As far back as the 13th century, Spanish sailors were using these little dogs as an item of barter, and as a result the breed spread across western Europe. Many ended up in France, and by the 1500s, the Bichon was a firm favorite of French royalty.

The Bichon also found itself in great demand with circuses and other traveling shows due to its unsurpassed ability to learn and perform tricks.

The Bichon Frise is a small dog with a sturdy build. It stands up to 12 inches at the withers and can weigh as much as 12 pounds. The coat is soft and silky and is always white, sometimes with cream or apricot shading on the ears. The coat is hypoallergenic, meaning that this is a good breed for people allergic to dander. The Bichon is classified in the Toy Group..

Given their history as companion dogs it is no surprise that these little guys are renowned for their winning personalities. They form close bonds with their people and are known to be excellent with children. They also generally get on well with other pets in the household.

These are intelligent dogs with a strong desire to please, so training is an absolute pleasure. That is, unless you bring house training into the equation. The Bichon has a reputation for being difficult to housebreak.

As with most small dogs, the Bichon enjoys a relatively long life and it is not unusual for these dogs to live beyond 15 years. They are not immune to health problems though, with cancer, cataracts, epilepsy and fleabite allergies among the conditions that can occur. Another common concern is a disease called liver shunts, which requires surgery to correct.

As you’d imagine with that luxuriant, white coat, grooming can be a challenge. Your Bichon will require brushing every day, and the coat will also have to be trimmed regularly to keep it in shape. You can also bathe the dog once a month, but don’t overdo it as the dog has sensitive skin. Also be sure to use a mild, dog shampoo.

As a companion dog, the Bichon Frise is suitable for indoor living. They should not however be left alone for long periods as they are very attached to their family and are quite prone to separation anxiety. They are energetic and playful dogs and much of their exercise needs can be met with indoor games. Outdoor games and walks are still appreciated though, but keep these short and take care not to over-exert the dog.

The easiest way to find good names for your Bichon Frise is to visit an online puppy names, resource, like puppy-names-hq.com. This site has tons of dog names, including 1000s of cool dog names to choose from.

The Black and Tan Coonhound, is an impressive distinctive looking dog that excels as a hunting companion.

Standing up to 27 inches and weighing between 55 and 75 pounds, these medium-to-large sized dogs have the typical hound features – loose fitting skin, gangly legs, and long hanging ears. As the name suggests the coat is mainly black, with tan markings.

The original Black and Tans were created by crossing Talbot Hounds, Foxhounds, and Bloodhounds. The idea was to create a dog for treeing racoons, but the Black and Tan proved such an able tracker that it was soon being used to hunt larger game, including deer, mountain lions, and even bear.

Besides his value as a working dog, the Black and Tan also makes a great pet for the right owner. They are loyal, good-natured dogs, who bond very strongly with their human pack. They are also intelligent and quick to learn.

They do however need a great deal of exercise and will therefore do best with an active family. Without proper exercise Black and Tans can become destructive and are prone to howling when left alone.

Training, socialization and alpha leadership are a must with this breed. They can be aggressive with other dogs if not properly socialized and are also compulsive trackers who will chase small animals if not leashed.

While they are generally good with people they are not really suited to small children as they may be too boisterous for them.With the right training and sufficient exercise though this is an excellent pet and a wonderful companion.

This is a healthy dog breed with few of the dread diseases that are often found in purebred dogs. Hip displaysia is known to occur, while the long ears are prone to infections and the dog may also suffer eye problems, like cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy.

They also tend to be enthusiastic eaters, so they can become obese if you do not control their food intake.

Grooming is quite easy as the short coat only needs to be brushed once a week. You should also take care to inspect and clean the ears and eyes regularly.

Black and tans are active dogs and not really suited to apartment living. They do best with an active lifestyle and plenty of room to move around. They are a hardy breed and quite capable of staying outdoors in all weathers, although they do prefer being close to their family.

Picking a name for your Black and Tan Coonhound can be a challenge. The best advice is to visit some of the many puppy names, sites online. My recommendation is puppy-names-hq.com, which has a huge database, including thousands of boy dog names.

Although the Chinese Crested is known primarily as a hairless breed, there are in fact two variants of the breed. The Powderpuff variety has a medium length coat, but retains the breed’s natural intelligence and agility.

The name, Chinese Crested, is a bit misleading as the breed has its origins in Africa. How the came to China is open to debate, but it is believed they were taken on board Chinese merchant vessels to serve as rat catchers. Once they arrived in China, they soon became popular as pets.

The Crested is an alert, lovable little character who makes an excellent companion, and is very good with older children. They are not as well suited to very young kids as they are quite fragile and can be easily injured by rough handling. They may also snap if they are hurt.

Socialization is extremely important with a Chinese Crested. For starters they tend to be quite shy dogs, and may be either timid or snappy and aggressive if not socialized properly. They are usually tolerant of dogs and non-canine pets that they’ve been raised with, but will need to be socialized with other animals.

These are very bright dogs who are quick to learn and have a particular talent for learning and performing tricks. You’d be well advised, however, to keep training positive and reward-based. Cresteds are very sensitive and can also be stubborn. If you offend them they will just refuse to obey.

Like many purebred dogs, the Chinese Crested has a number of common health problems. Hairless dogs have very sensitive skin and will need to be protected when outdoors. Dental and eye problems are common in both varieties, and are prone to several other health problems, including Addison’s Disease, Cherry Eye, Epilepsy, Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eyes), Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Patellar Luxation, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Grooming a Crested takes a fair bit of time. The Powderpuff requires daily brushing with a soft brush, while with the Hairless the priority is skin care. Nail care is also important but take special care to avoid the quick which runs particularly deep into the nail in this breed.

These little guys are the perfect pet for an apartment dweller. However, they will need regular exercise. A daily walk is a must while indoor and outdoor games are both appreciated. Just remember to protect your dog’s sensitive skin when outdoors. Perhaps surprisingly, given their frail build, Cresteds are very good at canine sports, and are often star performers at agility.

If you’re stuck for dog names, for your Chinese Crested, I’d recommend that you check out Puppy Names HQ, an online database that has thousands of excellent dog names including a huge list of cute dog names.

Named for the Belgian city in which it originated, the Belgian Malinois is a medium-sized dog that stands up to 26 inches at the withers and can weigh as much as 65 pounds. In appearance it is not unlike the German Shepherd, although the Malinois is slightly smaller and less heavily-built.

There are, in fact, four closely related breeds of Belgian sheepdog. In addition to the Malinois you’ll find the Tervuren, Groenendal, and Laekenois. Different kennel clubs recognize these breeds differently, some consider them variants of a single breed, while others have accredited each as a breed in its own right.

From its roots as a shepherd dog, the Malinois has developed into one of the most widely used law enforcement dogs worldwide. Their obedience and intelligence makes them ideal for bomb detection, search and rescue, narcotics work and guarding.

These are smart, loyal dogs who are strongly protective and territorial in nature. They are suitable as family pets but need training, socialization and consistent leadership. They also need fairly vigorous exercise and will do best with an active family who can give them plenty of attention and companionship. A bored and under-exercised Malinois will soon develop behavioural issues like chewing, problem barking and digging.

Socialization is important, especially with children, other dogs and non-canine pets. But even a well socialized Malinois may try to be dominant with other dogs, so be sure to supervise situations where dominance may be an issue, like meal times.

You should also be aware that the herding instinct is still dominant in the breed, so they try to herd anyone in the immediate vicinity – usually by nipping at their ankles.

If you’re a first time dog owner you should think long and hard before taking on the responsibility of a Malinois as they can be a real handful. Speak to other owners, breeders and perhaps a dog trainer before making a decision. This is not an ideal breed for the inexperienced.

The Belgian Malinois is a robust and healthy dog breed with few major health issues. Minor concerns for the breed includes cataracts, epilepsy, thyroid disease and progressive retinal atrophy.As far as behavioral issues are concerned, aggressiveness or shyness may occur in dogs that have not been properly socialized.

The Malinois is an easy breed to care for and requires only a good brush down a few times per week to keep the coat looking its best.

The Malinois is a working dog and not ideally suited to apartment living. They can however do okay in a smaller space provided they get rigorous daily exercise. They do like to be outdoors, but they are generally devoted to their families and would much rather live indoors among their human ‘pack’.

Picking a name for your Belgian Malinois can be a challenge. The best advice is to visit some of the many puppy names, sites online. My recommendation is puppy-names-hq.com, which has a huge database, including thousands of girl dog names.