Find a pet

From the Sahara Desert to the Norwegian islands, there are many amazing dog breeds that have kept a dedicated local fan base throughout centuries. And even though they are yet to reach the world fame of the beloved Golden Retriever or the popularity of the Poodle breeds, they are special in so many ways. These are the rare dog breeds, saved from going extinct but still not with us in large enough numbers to make dog lovers comfortable. So, whether you’re looking for an unusual dog breed to add to the family or are just curious to see what are some of the rarest dogs on the planet, here is an introduction to the world of precious canines and their fascinating abilities. Azawakh Azawakh is an elegant, rare dog breed and if you’re wondering how come you’ve never heard of these long-legged canine beauties before, that’s because until recently they’ve been roaming the lands of Western Sahara, where they originate. Although you’re still unlikely to meet one of them on their daily dog walk through the neighbourhood, Azawakh dogs are no longer confined to their homeland since the 1970s, when this unusual dog breed started to be introduced to other parts of the world as well. If you’re lucky to welcome this amazing sighthound into the family, keep in mind that their ancestors have been chasing gazelles in the desert for centuries. So, expect a born-to-run spirit and a fiercely protective nature, complete with elegant looks that’s guaranteed to make the Azawakh breed a dog lover’s favourite. Otterhound One of the world’s rarest dog breeds, the Otterhound is a British native that was once the trusted otter hunter partner of many Medieval fishermen. Their numbers are unfortunately dwindling, with less than 1,000 Otterhounds in existence around the world, making them quite an unusual sight these days. But you’ll have no trouble recognising them. A shaggy mane of hair, boisterous personality, waterproof coat and extremely affectionate nature – that’s the beloved Otterhound in a nutshell. Lagotto Romagnolo

Small pups have a lot going on for them. They’re cute, fit perfectly in our laps, they’re easy to travel with and will keep us entertained non-stop with their fun personalities. So, if you’re the lucky owner-to-be and looking for a small dog name that matches your friend’s diminutive looks to a T, here are a few options you can’t go wrong with. Our favourite names for small dogs Dot

Are short-haired dogs your favourite? Whether you like tangle-free coats better or it’s the low-maintenance part of owning a dog that doesn’t need daily brushing that’s appealing to you, there are plenty of canines that won’t give you a hairy problem as soon as they walk through the door. Here are some of the most gorgeous smooth-haired dog breeds out there. The amazing tangle-free short-haired dog breeds Great Dane

Now that you’ve got a cute, fun little companion, it’s time to choose a name for them that’s just as cute. Luckily there are so many fun dog names to choose from. Think of your favourite characters in pop culture and you’ll surely stumble across one name that makes all the sense in the world for your amazing pet. Or is there a particular characteristic your dog has that makes them the centre of attention? Maybe it’s a personality quirk or something about their cute looks that works great as a pet name too. If you’re stuck for ideas, here are some of our favourite fun dog names. Check out our list and you might just find an amazing moniker that suits your dog’s looks and personality perfectly. Fun male dog names Meatball

Looking for the best female dog name ever? We put together a list of the ultimate dog names that will have you saying "this is the one". Find an unforgettable girl dog name that perfectly matches the awesome new pup in the house. There are plenty of amazing dog names to choose from below, so let's get to it! Female dog names Princess A list of female dog names has to include the moniker "Princess". For the elegant, girly dogs that start to strut around the house from the first moment they walk through the door there is just no better way to address them than by using royal terminology. If you're not careful, your new pup will definitely rule your home. Goldie A name inspired by this precious metal is perfect for your treasured addition to the family. If your dog's colour is a match too, then Goldie is truly a no-brainer girl dog name. Luna

It may surprise you to learn that dogs come in two different coat types: double and single. A double coated dog is where there’s a dense undercoat that usually consists of shorter hairs and a longer top coat which are referred to as guard hairs. The fluffier dogs you encounter tend to be the result of a very dense undercoat, whereas the smoother breeds are generally single coated. This double coat doesn’t just serve to make them look cute and fluffy though, it’s incredibly clever! During the cooler months it acts as insulation and keeps them warmer, whereas when it’s hotter, it allows air to circulate and prevents them from overheating. That’s not all either, it also helps to repel moisture and dirt and keeps them cleaner! Grooming double coated dogs The most important thing you should know is that you should never, ever clip a double coated dog. Not only does this damage their luxurious locks (sometimes irreversibly), but it can actually make them overheat. The coat is designed to reduce exposure to UV rays and most double coated dogs are actually pink skinned and more susceptible to sunburn, so by clipping them you remove their built-in protection. The correct way to groom a double coated dog is with regular brushing (a few days a week is best for most), to prevent mats, tangles and to remove dead hair. By grooming often, you’ll improve the health of the coat, which in turn improves their ability to regulate temperature and increases airflow! Double coated dog breeds Now you know how to groom a double coated dog and what their unique coat is for, you’re probably wondering which breeds come with this type of fur. Check out our top 7 below! 1. Akita This large and muscular double coated dog from Japan has a very dense and plush undercoat with a short top coat. Akitas are prone to heavy shedding two to three times a year which is referred to as ‘blowing’ their coat. During this time the undercoat will shed profusely and don’t be alarmed if it comes out in clumps! At all other times of the year, they’ll just require weekly brushing. 2. Siberian Husky Siberian Huskies are known as naturally being very clean and seldom needing baths, just weekly brushing. They have a soft and dense undercoat with a medium length, straight top coat which serves to keep them warm whilst preforming their sled dog duties in the freezing temperatures of Siberia. The undercoat will shed around twice a year when it will require a good rake out. Interestingly, Huskies in cooler climates tend to shed far less than those in warmer areas. 3. Alaskan Malamute

If you spot a long-haired dog, it can be next to impossible to resist petting their luscious locks. Their fluffy coats give them an almost teddy bear like appearance which makes them nothing short of adorable. But this luxurious coat usually comes with great responsibility in terms of extra grooming to keep them in tip top condition. If you love your pups with a little extra fluff, keep reading to find out our top 12 long-haired dog breeds and their grooming requirements! 1. Afghan Hound One of the most famous long-haired dogs and possibly the most glamorous breed of all time, the Afghan Hound boasts a long and silky flowing coat that comes in shades of black, rust or cream. These gorgeous coats don’t just serve to make them look fabulous either, their original purpose was to protect them from the cold temperatures of the Afghanistan mountains from which they hail. Grooming requirements: High maintenance, coat requires misting prior to daily brushing to prevent damage. Regular bathing will also be required. 2. Bolognese Resembling a small cloud, the Bolognese has a glorious long, cotton like coat in a bright white colour. A firm favourite of Italian royalty thanks to their stunning appearance and fun natures, this long-haired dog breed makes a wonderful companion for those looking for a smaller fluffy dog with tonnes of personality. Grooming requirements: Surprisingly the Bolognese doesn’t shed very much, but they will need daily brushing to prevent tangles. The coat can be clipped shorter for easier maintenance. 3. Bearded Collie

White furbabies looking for a name to match their extra level of cuteness are in luck. We’ve scoured the internet for the best white dog names, so you can easily choose a moniker that will do your pet’s snow-white looks justice. From the whitest of white furs to pearl-like colours and every other light-coloured dogs out there, these canines have a great choice of monikers. Here are some of the most beautiful names that will perfectly suit your pup’s personality and looks. White male dog names Is your cuddly little ball of white fur a boy? The good news is that there’s a plenty of inspiration around. From weather-related white male dog names that somehow manage to make your pet look even cuter than they already are, to some of the best pop culture references that will easily double as a great dog name, here are our top ideas: Brian Fans of Family Guy won’t need too much convincing to choose the name Brian for their smart canine companion in a white coat. But even if you’ve never seen the show, trust us. The highly intellectual pooch in the series is now part of pop culture. So, if you’re after an iconic name that will get plenty of attention when out and about, Brian is the white male dog name you’ve been looking for. Frosty A truly ‘cool’ name, Frosty will suit any dog that has a snow-white coat. It’s also extremely cute, winter-inspired and short, which is always the best way to go with dog monikers. Is your dog also a bit feisty and difficult to impress? Frosty it is then! Ice

Scotland is a country of extensive beauty, of rolling green hills, gigantic mountains and towns that look fresh out of storybook. This charm and wonder that envelopes the land also transfers to their language, and the names of the towns, islands and people that are lucky enough to call Scotland home. So naturally they also make perfect names for our magical four-legged friends. Keep reading to find out our top Scottish dog names for both male and female canines and discover the perfect moniker for your new pup. Scottish girl dog names 1. Jessie This Scottish female dog name is a pet name for Jean or Jane, meaning ‘god is gracious’. 2. Maggie In Scotland, Maggie means ‘pearl’, which we think makes it the perfect choice for little white fluffy dogs, such as a Bichon Frise. 3. Shona Interestingly, Shona is the English spelling of the Scottish name ‘Seonaid’ which means ‘gift from god’. 4. Sorcha Sorcha’s a very unusual Scottish girl dog name that means ‘brightness’. As our dogs bring such light to our lives, it’s only fitting we give them a name which means exactly that! 5. Skye Aside from being a stunning Scottish island, Skye also means ‘cloud’, which we think makes it a great name for a big fluffy cloudlike dog such as a Samoyed. Or maybe, a Husky with beautiful blue eyes which look just like the sky itself! 6. Bonnie Bonnie means ‘pretty’, which of course, our wonderful little dogs are! This Scottish girl dog name would be the perfect choice for a little terrier. 7. Alba

Russia is a land of snow-capped mountains and cities bursting with colour. But it’s not just the beauteous country which deserves a special mention, they’ve also had a hand in creating some of the best-loved dog breeds in the world today. Russian dog breeds are typically large, working type dogs created to guard and hunt. However, the Russians also lay claim to a few adorable lapdogs, mainly bred to serve as companions to the aristocracy. Keep reading to find out our top 8 Russian dog breeds, some of which may surprise you! 1. Siberian Husky

This highly-intelligent breed with an aloof attitude and fearless spirit is an all-time favourite among dog lovers. German Shepherds have been described as the ultimate working dog and faithful companion, so they naturally deserve the best monikers we can come up with. We’ve put together a list of our favourite male and female German Shepherd names to get you inspired. Male German Shepherd names Otto Otto is a great dog name and doubles as a tribute to this breed’s German origins. It means wealth and prosperity, and it’s been the name of three German kings and many generals. We think there’s no other name that fits a military service dog better. Spencer Spencer is a beautiful name with a special meaning. It means ‘guardian’ or ‘steward’ and it goes without saying that it’s a perfect match for this breed’s protective nature. If you’re looking for a dog-approved male German Shepherd name, give Spencer a go. Rocky

Working dog breeds are canines on a mission. They love nothing more than a job to do and will work tirelessly to get it done. Here is what you can expect if you decide to bring a working dog home. Working breeds are dogs with a job to do and a body ready to work hard at it. But they show off plenty of different characteristics across the group: from agile guarding dogs, to gentle giants and sled dog, also known as the long-distance runners of the canine world. Here is everything you need to know about these beloved dog breeds. A working dog's job description Working dog breeds come from all over the world and are, as their name suggests, hard-working breeds specifically developed to excel in specialist, non-herding jobs. This is primarily guarding and protection for people, livestock or property - but they also include sledging, draught work and rescue. Many of these dogs could historically also turn their paw to other working roles where needed. Sizes and coat types for working dog breeds These dogs are all large or giant breeds, and have a variety of coat types depending on the country they called home and the jobs they were called upon to do. Larger breeds usually come from colder climates and this is the case with the majority of this group. The natural instincts of working dog breeds Like all the different breeds, working dogs utilise their natural canine behaviours to do the jobs that humans have developed them to do. Their instincts have been honed to perfection by successive breeding to watch for intruders and then take the necessary action. Working breeds vary in how they use these instincts. Guarding dog breeds are extremely watchful and always on the alert for intruders or anything that could threaten their charges. Once an intruder or danger is spotted, they vary in their response as to whether they stalk it and then chase, or if they just chase. Once they have caught up to their target, they might grab-bite to stop them or bite far harder to disable them (or in the case of the Bullmastiff, pull them to the ground and sit on them!). But not all of the working breeds guard. Some (Bernese and Newfoundland as examples) are known as the gentle giants of the dog world even though they are equally hard-workers. While others, such as the sled dogs, are the long-distance runners of the dog world. Bear in mind that the predatory behaviour is self-rewarding for working dog breeds, which means they will need an outlet for these hard-wired instincts to manifest. However, don't think you need a country estate for your dog to protect or an arctic wasteland to sledge over, but it does mean that you need to be aware of these natural instincts and work hard to make sure your dog is fulfilled, happy and is a safe member of canine society. Working dog breeds' behaviour and personality In order to do their job successfully, working breeds have particular skills and characteristics. Strong and determined Many working breeds would be expected to confront any threat to their charges and so most are fully able to walk the walk and not just bark the bark! Others may be called upon to pull sledges or heavy carts which needs both strength and stamina. But whether sledging or seeing off intruders, working breeds are the 'never give up' members of t