Fun-loving and sometimes mischievous, the Affenpinscher is an ancient toy breed from central Europe. With the face and impish nature of a monkey, this peppy breed is extremely loyal and affectionate toward his family, though fearless toward aggressors. Ideal for apartments, his exercise requirements can be satisfied with indoor play, but he also enjoys daily walks. The Affenpinscher’s wiry, hypoallergenic coat should be brushed twice a week and trimmed twice a year.

DID YOU KNOW? Affenpinscher means "Monkey Terrier" in German. In Central Europe where he originated, the Affenpinscher was called “little devil with a moustache.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: African Terrier

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The largest of the terrier breeds, the Airedale Terrier originated in the Valley of Aire in England, where factory workers bred him to be a good hunter, a strong, intelligent guard dog and a companion. The Airedale Terrier is a sturdy breed with a hard, wiry coat that became known as a “jack of all trades” doing police work, rodent control and hunting game. Airedales need grooming several times a year plus weekly brushing.

DID YOU KNOW? Among famous Airedale Terrier owners are Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

An elegant, lightly built hunting dog from Africa, the Basenji is known as the “Barkless Dog” due to his making a noise that sounds like a yodel when excited. His distinctive features are a wrinkled forehead and tightly curled tail. Though aloof around strangers, the Basenji is an affectionate, alert and intelligent breed full of activity and play. The Basenji’s short, odor-free coat requires minimal grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? One of the oldest dog breeds, it is believed that Basenjis were given as gifts to the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

ALSO KNOWN AS: African Bush Dog, African Barkless Dog, Ango Angari, Congo Dog, Zandle Dog

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The well-mannered demeanor of the Boston Terrier has earned him the nickname “The American Gentleman.” An affectionate companion, this terrier enjoys being close to his family. The breed was developed in Boston by crossing English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and some terrier breeds. The Boston Terrier is easy to train and requires moderate exercise and minimal grooming.

DID YOU KNOW? The Boston Terrier was originally called the American Bull Terrier. Following the Civil War, this breed was developed in the stables of Boston as a fighting dog.

ALSO KNOWN AS: American Bull Terrier, Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood, American Gentlemen

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Developed in Germany in the 19th century, the Boxer was bred for dog fighting and hunting large game. The Boxer thrives on human company and affection. Patient, spirited and protective of children, he makes an excellent family dog. He will exhibit wariness and curiosity with strangers and fearless courage if threatened. The Boxer needs little grooming but does best with daily exercise.

DID YOU KNOW? The Boxer was one of the first breeds trained for police work in Germany.

ALSO KNOWN AS: German Boxer, Deutscher Boxer

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

First bred in 19th-century England, the Bull Terrier is the clown of dogs. Robust and spirited, this playful, fun-loving breed is always ready for a frolic. He loves children, but obedience training is necessary and care must be taken that he does not get overstimulated around younger children. Friendly and affectionate, Bull Terriers thrive on human companionship. This active, well-muscled breed needs daily exercise and has a low-maintenance coat.

DID YOU KNOW? President Theodore Roosevelt owned a Bull Terrier named “Pete.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Bully, Gladiator, English Bull Terrier

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The Miniature Bull Terrier is identical to the Bull Terrier in everything but size, with adults standing at under 35.5cm and weighing about 11-15kg. He is a muscular, powerful-looking dog, with an egg-shaped head. The short coat comes in a variety of combinations, including white, black, brindle, red, fawn and tricolour. See the breed standard for full details.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Bullmastiff’s history began in 19th-century England where he was developed to keep large estates and game preserves free of poachers. Fearless and confident yet sweet-natured and docile, the breed makes a great family companion. Natural guardians, Bullmastiffs do not bark much and require minimal exercise and grooming. For a large dog, the Bullmastiff does well in an apartment as well as a house.

DID YOU KNOW? A Bullmastiff called “Mac” starred in a Honda Odyssey Super Bowl commercial in 1999.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Extra training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Large dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Graceful, alert and highly intelligent, the Chihuahua is an excellent pet for families with gentle, patient children. An ancient breed from Central America, the Chihuahua can be longhaired or shorthaired. Both coat varieties are easy to maintain. An ideal city dog, the Chihuahua requires little exercise but can be sensitive to cold temperatures.

DID YOU KNOW? In the hit film “Legally Blonde,” a Chihuahua starred as “Bruiser,” the pampered pet of Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

A slender, fine-boned toy breed, the Chinese Crested is believed to have descended from African hairless dogs. For centuries, the breed accompanied Chinese sailors on the high seas, and sailors frequently traded puppies with local merchants at port cities around the world. Elegant and graceful, the Chinese Crested is a lively dog that makes a playful, loving companion. The breed comes in two coat varieties — hairless and powderpuff — both which shed little to no hair.

DID YOU KNOW? Chinese Crested dogs have made appearances in several popular films and television shows. They include: “Krull” from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “Fluffy,” who was Cruella DeVille's dog in “102 Dalmatians,” and “Halston” from the sitcom “Ugly Betty.”

ALSO KNOWN AS: Powder Puff, The Hairless

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• Great with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

This is a long-backed, short-legged dog of diminutive height that everybody recognises. While small, the Miniature Smooth-Haired Dachshund breed is still muscular and powerfully built with a deep, broad chest and well-developed forelegs. They have a short, dense, smooth coat that comes in a range of colours.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A fearless, elongated dog with a superior sense of smell, the Dachshund was bred in the 1600s in Germany to go to ground to rid farms of vermin. This lively breed is lovable, friendly and exceptionally playful, making him an ideal family pet. Dachshunds come in three coat varieties: Smooth, Wirehaired and Longhaired. They also can be standard size or miniature.

DID YOU KNOW? Dachshund means “Badger Dog” in German.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Teckel, Dackel, Tekkel Doxie, Weenie Dog, Wiener Dog/Hotdog, Sausage Dog, Worshond

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Very vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids