Beaucerons
The beauceron is an ancient French dog breed that gets their name from the La Beauce, a region that surrounds Paris. In France, Beaucerons – traditionally used for livestock herding – are known to have been around as far back as the 16th century and were later used in the First World War. Loyal, brave and agreeable, Beaucerons require much energy and companionship.
Today, the Boerboel has gained a modicum of popularity in the United States. Its sheer size means the is likely to develop joint problems later in life. And with a life expectancy of nine or ten years, those later years come quickly. But if you want a dog that’s loyal, calm and a pleasure to be around, there’s nothing quite like one of these guardians in the home. Search for:
Perhaps the oldest of all purebred dogs, the Afghan Hound is steeped in history and dates back thousands of years to rural Afghanistan (and parts of what we call India and Pakistan today too).
In a new series, we’re going to look at countries around the world and the dog breeds that represent them. Some of these breeds are official representatives, some are not, but they’re all distinctive members of the American Kennel Club and fascinating animals to discover in more detail.
These regal dogs are distinctively shaped with elegant coats and thin, pointed faces. They have aloof personalities and startling straight-line speed, and perhaps because of their rich history, celeb suitors too. Pablo Picasso famously owned an Afghan Hound in the 1960s.
Though England doesn’t have a national dog per se, the British Bulldog is thought to embody the values of the island. This is partly because the breed is so old. It dates back to the 13th century and was owned by one of the country’s most famous statesmen: Winston Churchill.
1 Griffon Fauve de Bretagne
Highlights: Smart, Optimistic, Determined
The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is a strong-willed hunting breed developed for tracking. Though what makes them special is their ability to adapt to a variety of terrain. These griffons take their hunting jobs very seriously and it shows on the field.
Aside from hunting, these French dogs can also make great family pets. They will always be bright and cheerful, while retaining the loyalty of a German Shepherd. Tricks and obedience are no problem with these dogs, as they are very eager to please.
But don’t expect them to make great guard dogs. They’re just too sociable and friendly! Not only are they great with humans in the family, but they often extend this friendliness to strangers. For this reason, a Griffon Fauve will likely be excellent for kids.