The Ambullneo Mastiff is a relatively new breed than came to light in the 1980s in Southern California. An English Mastiff was crossed to a Naepolitan female. Two of the resulting pups were bred to a Game Bred Pitbull. Then these pups were bred to a Bullmastifff. These puppies were 55% Mastiff and 45% Bulldog. But this isn't the end of the story. These pups, which we'll call Pup1 for clarity, would be bred to Pup2. Pup2 had just as interesting a beginning as Pup1. An American Bulldog/Pitbull was bred to a Bullmastiff. These pups are Pup2, and Pup2 was 70% Bulldog and 30% Mastiff. When Pup1 was bred to Pup2, the result was 57.5% Bulldog and 42.5% Mastiff. This cross is what we now call the Ambullneo Mastiff.
But more than a decade would pass before the breed would be admitted to The National Kennel Club (NKC). The dogs obviously had to be tested for both intelligence and fertility. Once this was done and their physical health was assured, the dog was declared a recognized breed. Still, this breed is too new to be accepted by most associations around the world.
The Ambullneo Mastiff is a sturdy dog with a large head and a strong jaw. The ears are usually cropped, but if left alone they drop rather like a retriever's ears. The neck is thick and the shoulders are strong and hefty. The tail is thick and long, dropping as low as the hocks when the dog is at rest. A large dog, the Ambullneo Mastiff can weigh as much as 150 pounds, though females tend to be considerably smaller.
This breed of dog is highly intelligent and a natural guardian. Once bonded to their family, they will guard to the death. This dog isn't stubborn, but it is sensitive. You have to take care to assert yourself, but not to the point where you're shouting at the dog. The Ambullneo Mastiff is very aware of tone, so keep your voice low.
These dogs bond and bond quickly, sometimes to the point where they'll become aggressive to strangers. To prevent this, socialize your dog before it bonds too closely to you and your family. Obedience classes are a virtual must with the Ambullneo Mastiff. A curious dog, this breed likes to explore and learn new things, so keep your dog engaged and entertained.
The Ambullneo Mastiff is a hardy dog, though it is prone to hip dysplasia. To lower the risk of your dog developing this condition, limit strenuous activity until the dog is at least two years of age. This gives the hips time to fully mature. These dogs like activity and do not do well in an apartment. A fenced yard is best, but make it a 6-foot fence. Any shorter and the dog may just jump over it. The Ambullneo Mastiff enjoys being outside, though not all the time. In cold weather, make sure a dog house is provided. In warm weather, shade and plenty of water is required. If they have these things, they'll probably spend most of their time exploring their territory.
If you're hoping for a low maintenance breed, the Ambullneo Mastiff might be the right choice for you. This breed has short hair and sheds little, so a quick comb with a firm bristle brush once a week is generally all that is required. For bathing, consider a dry shampoo every three months. A full bath is only necessary when the dog is truly dirty or smells (which happens since they roll in anything they can find). You'll have to keep the nails trimmed to avoid damage to floors and furniture, but that's the worst you'll encounter with these breed.
The Ambullneo Mastiff makes a great family pet if you handle this breed just right. With plenty of socialization, they can learn to get along with most people and larger pets. This breed is not a good idea for families with small children or pets (such as cats or small dogs) unless you're going to be on top of your dog at all times. Otherwise, they're a good choice for anyone with a large yard.
Also known as the Alpenlandischer Dachsbracke, Alpenländische Dachsbracke, and the Basset des Alpes, the Alpine Dachsbracke resembles an ancient hunting dog. More recently (if you can call the 19th century recent), Prince Rudolf of Habsburg made his gamekeepers include Alpine Dachsbracken (plural version of the breed) on his hunting trips to Egypt and Turkey in the 1880s. In the 20th century, the breed actually started to gain some recognition. In 1932 the top canine organizations in Austria recognized the Alpine-Erzgebirgs-Dachsbracke as the third scenthound breed. But it wasn't until 1975 that the name was formally changed to Alpine Dachsbracke and its country of origin was declared to be Austria by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale, sometimes referred to as the World Canine Organization). Finally, in 1991, the Alpine Dachsbracke was added to Section 2 of Scenthounds in the FCI nomenclature.
The Alpine Dachsbracke is a hardy and sturdy hunting dog with short legs and a strong bone structure. These dogs have a dense coat and firmly defined muscles. The nose and lips should be black. The lips themselves should be close fitting and have a moderate curve. The neck of this dog breed should be strong but not too long and the back is straight. The chest should be deep and the shoulders are strongly muscled. The tail should be set high and is fairly thick. When at rest, the tail of the Alpine Dachsbracke dog is carried slightly downward and doesn't quite reach the ground.
With a thick top coat and a dense undercoat, the Alpine Dachsbracke can stay warm even when wet, but they don't do well in truly cold weather. Ideally, the perfect dog should be a dark deer red and may or may not have black hairs lightly interspersed. A black dog with clearly defined red-brown markings on the chest, head, feet, legs, and the underside of the tail is also permitted. A white star on the chest is allowed by not generally preferred.
The temperament of the Alpine Dachsbracke is similar to many other hunting breeds. They are friendly, loyal, and fearless. This dog breed is used to working, usually in the mountains at a hunter's side, so they are hardy, sturdy, and adaptable. They do like daily walks, but they can also adapt to life in an apartment. They are not large, not usually weighing more than 40 pounds and generally not any larger than 16 inches at the shoulder. But they are powerful and solid, so be prepared for a strong dog, especially for its size.
If you're looking for a dog that's generally low maintenance, the Alpine Dachsbracke might be the dog you're looking for. The coat is smooth, short, and sleek, so it doesn't require much care. Brush your dog once a week or so to remove any dead hair and dry shampoo four times a year (unless the dog is truly dirty), and you're basically done. You do need to watch the ears, however. These dogs are prone to ear infections due to their large drooping ears.
The Alpine Dachsbracke makes a good companion dog for many people around the world. They do enjoy exploring and hunting, so you should make an effort to indulge your dog's desire for the new and exciting.
Distant ancestors of the Alopekis first appear in ancient Greece. Its name comes from the Greek word alopecis, which means "fox-like" and aptly describes this dog. The Alopekis was a developed naturally on the streets of ancient Greece, though today dog breeders carefully select breeding pairs. This breed is so similar in type to the Small Greek Domestic Dog that they were originally considered variations of the same breed. Today, however, they are considered their own breeds with their own standards in most associations.
The Alopekis really does look like a little fox. The ears are perky and wedge-shaped and the tail is bushy. The body is longer than it is high (at the shoulders) and allows for quick and graceful movements. The eyes are large and almond shaped and should be the same color. Eyes that are blue, yellow, or transparent (so they appear watery) are not encouraged.
The coat should be medium-short in length, never exceeding 2 inches. The coat should generally lie flat, though a slight wave is acceptable. The coat should have some sheen and should have a hard and smooth outer coat. The under coat should be soft and dense. Colors vary and should coordinate with the color of the eyes. Albinos are not an acceptable variety.
There are some wirehaired Alopekis in existence, but this variety is rare. With some careful breeding, the wirehaired variety could be developed, but this hasn't happened just yet.
Weighing anywhere from 6.5 to 15.5 pounds, the Alopekis is a small dog used to city life. This small breed is strong, healthy, tireless, intelligent, pleasant, and incredibly hardy. Friendly and even-tempered, the Alopekis is great with children and can usually adapt to living with other pets. Though small, they are protective of their family and will defend their people if need be. They are easily bored, however, so you should make sure your dog has something to do, especially when you're away from home.
This breed is highly adaptable. They can make their home on the farm or in a tiny apartment. They do like exercise and benefit from daily walks, but they don't need as much room to run as many other breeds. The Alopekis is a hardy dog with no known genetic problems. They are easy to care for and need only a casual brushing every week or so.
In the distant past there was a hairless variety of the Alopekis, sometimes called the Turkish Naked Dog (though it really was just a hairless Alopekis). Unfortunately, this variety has since become extinct. Today, we have only single variety of Alopekis, and hopefully this breed will continue to thrive.
The Alaskan Malamute is a direct descendant of the Arctic Wolf. These dogs get their name from the Mahlemuts, an ancient tribe that raised and cared for these dogs in the area we now call Alaska. The Mahlemuts used the ancestors of the Alaskan Malamute as their only form of transportation across the frozen north. This breed pulled light sleds and heavy loads all across the tundra using their inherent strength and endurance. As the centuries flew past and the north was explored, these dogs spread throughout the world.
This northern breed is actually the largest of all the Arctic dogs, sometimes weighing as much as 100 pounds. The Alaskan Malamute is sturdy, solid, and strong. They have a plumed tail that is usually carried over the back and a coarse double coat which is typically between 1 and 3 inches long. This thick coat insulates the dog in the coldest of climates and is found in a range of colors from light grey to black. Sable and even red are also common. Color combinations for this breed include black and white, wolf sable (red undercoat with a darker grey outercoat), wolf grey, and red. Solid colors are not generally acceptable, the single exception being a solid white coat. The highlights of the coat are usually darker, sometimes with a dark mask or cap. The legs and muzzle are usually white, though there are some exceptions to this standard.
The head of the Alaskan Malamute is wide and the ears are large and erect. The eyes should be of a medium size, almond in shape, and placed obliquely on the skull. The eyes themselves should be dark in color according to most associations. Blue eyes are typically grounds for disqualification in the show ring, but many enthusiasts and fans of the breed find blue eyes desirable.
Grooming is fairly easy with this breed. They don't really need to be bathed since the coat of an Alaskan Malamute almost repels dirt. You might want to use a dry shampoo a few times a year, but otherwise don't worry about it. This breed is clean and virtually odorless. You will, however, have to brush your dog frequently. Twice a week most of the time and daily during the spring and falls seasons when this breed drops an incredible amount of hair. Brushing will help keep the shedding under control and relieve any itching your dog may experience, but there's no getting away from all the shedding.
The temperament of the Alaskan Malamute will either make you love them or hate them. This dog is intelligent, loyal, affectionate, and sweet. They are good with older children and tend to be rather mellow as adults (though as puppies they can be terrors). They enjoy cooler temperatures and living outdoors, though they really do need the presence of their "people" to be happy. Ideally, this breed should live with people who enjoy outdoor activities.
Of course, no breed is all sunshine and roses. These dogs need a firm leader and something to do. If they are lacking either of these things, they can become destructive, sometimes doing thousands of dollars worth of damage in very little time. Alaskan Malamutes are also incredibly stubborn, which can make them difficult to train. They need constant attention and consistency in order to grow into well-mannered adult dogs.
This dog has a strong prey drive, so supervise them when they're around small children and animals. Under normal circumstances, it's perfectly safe to have them around children and other animals, but be cautious anyway. These dogs are very like wolves, so if you wouldn't leave a wolf alone with your child, don't leave an Alaskan Malamute alone with your child. Also be careful of allowing this dog free reign with other dogs, especially dogs of the same gender. Fights can sometimes occur, and breaking up a dog fight is never any fun. They need a lot of socialization early in life to overcome these tendencies.
Alaskan Malamutes have another trait that either annoys or amuses their owners. They tend to bury their food. These dogs are thrifty eaters and often bury the food they don't need for later use. This is annoying when they're burying food in laundry baskets (as one of our own Malamutes used to do). Those that don't bury their food may scarf down everything and eventually become obese and unhealthy. Careful feeding is recommended.
These dogs do not do well in apartments. They need exercise and must lead an active life, so a large yard is almost a must. A fence is a necessity, but make sure the fence is at least 6 feet high and is buried at least 2 feet underground. They can both jump and dig, so they do tend to escape. Some of them even climb, so supervise your dog. Some people chain their Alaskan Malamutes, but chains aren't necessarily all that effective. Once upon a time my father used a chain to try to keep his Malamute from roaming. It was a cow chain attached to a sturdy leather collar at one end and a long metal spike driven deep into the ground at the other end. The dog actually broke the cow chain in order to "visit" what he considered to be his territory. The collar was intact. The lesson? You're better off with a fenced yard. If you're worried about your dog climbing over the fence, think about building a dog run with a roof. Trust me, it's better than a chain.
Like many breeds, the Alaskan Malamute has its share of health problems. They do tend to be prone to bloat and many suffer from hip dysplasia. A few even suffer from chondrodysplasia, otherwise known as dwarfism. But the biggest problem with this breed, at least from a health perspective, is that they are prone to heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Their thick coat protects them from even the coldest temperatures, but the heat can really do them in. They must have shade and plenty of water whenever the temperature rises. Consider a large container (perhaps a kiddie pool) filled with water for the dog to stand in. It will help keep your dog cool in warm temperatures. In extreme heat, bring to dog into an air conditioned area.
This breed is related to the Samoyed, Siberian Husky, and American Eskimo Dog and excels at pulling, racing, sledding, and search and rescue. If you're willing to brush out your dog twice a week and put up with excessive shedding twice a year, this might be the right companion for you.
