Breeds by Country

[falconry-fan]

I thought this could possibly be an interesting thread.

Which country(countries) do you think produces the best dog breeds, not just one breed that you favour, but which has consistantly produced one great breed after another.

I'd have to say Germany imho, they have so many wondeful working breeds, German Shepherds, Rottweilers,Doberman Pinschers,Boxers, GSP,Weimaraners, Schnauzers to name but a few.

I may also make a case for the Uk later.

 

[Cassiepeia]

Don't know how we can ever compare them, but Australia has produced some fine working dogs too. Australian Cattle dogs, Kelpies, Koolies, Australian Terriers, Silky Terriers (pretty but still good little terriers).

Cass.

 

[Aussie Red]

Austrailia is my first pick and followed by Germany. I guess it depends on the types of dogs you are intrested in.

 

[chinchow]

Hmmm, this one is tough!!
Is it okay to name a few favourites?

I personally like Asian breeds, China and Japan have both produced lovely working breeds, and companion, though they have been changed for the most part from their original look and purpose (save a few breeds, rarely).

I always enjoy seeing any German breed working, whether it be in schutzhund or their original purposes like with GSD's and Rotties. They are just awesome dogs.

Great Britain has produced amazing hunting breeds. Some of my favourite hunting dogs are from Great Britain, spaniels as well. Particularly Clumber Spaniels.

 

[BostonBanker]

Koolies

Sorry for the OT, but have you met many of these? I'm just learned about them recently, and have read a bunch online. I'm curious how the temperment is in relation to some of the other herders I'm more familiar with - BC, Australian Shepherds, Cattle Dogs, etc. The Koolies are such neat looking dogs, but I didn't have much luck finding info.

 

[colliewog]

I'll say the UK (especially Scotland). I appreciate many of the various herders, terriers and sporting dog breeds that were born there.

 

[GSDluver4lyfe]

Germany, definately. Honestly, we dont see the truly amazing dogs from Germany because they keep the best for themselves and export the rest. And if their "rejects" can perform as well as they do, then I can only imagine how great the "stars" are.

 

[tempura tantrum]

Well, I'm absolutely a sucker for anything Japan produces (obviously).

They produce fantastic hunting dogs- animals that are all at once, scent AND sighthounds, and a variety of sizes. Many of these animals are still used today for purposes that existed nearly 6000 years ago. Shibas, and Kai Ken are still used as boar hunters even now!

I find the Japanese aesthetic incredibly pleasing as well. Shiba Inus, Kai Ken, Kishus, Hokkaidos, and Akitas are just a few of the native Japanese breeds that have very distinct, clean, beautiful looks. The Japanese state that these dogs should be "a symphony of triangles," and I think they truly hit the mark.

With so many breeds that look like a variation on one theme (Nordic-types with small, triangular prick ears, curly tails, and double coats), one might be surprised to see that Japan also produces breeds that vary quite distinctly from this norm. The Tosa Inu is, to my mind, one of the most pleasing looking mastiff-type breeds, I've ever seen. These dogs are massive without being course or garish. They still maintain a Japanese aesthetic sense that I have difficulty explaining, but really do enjoy. They are absolutely beautiful animals. And for those that enjoy toy dogs, Japanese Chin are *truly* wonderful little companions. They're beautiful animals, extraordinarily loving, yet they have a slightly imperial air that always reminds you of their aristocratic beginnings. I've never been a "toy" person...but I've really fallen in love with this breed since meeting some fantastic examples as of late.

And for a second pick, I can't help but agree with the people who chose OZ!! I'm such a sucker for the Aussie breeds- so much looking forward to adding an ACD into my life. What I REALLY love about these breeds is how absolutely functional their standards are. There is a reason for EVERYTHING in the ACD standard- down to coat color.

 

[happyhound]

I'd say Germany as well. Their horses are also very impressive, to say the least.

 

[Psyfalcon]

While Germany is hard to beat, I'll throw some support behind Russia.

Borzoi, the cold weather capable sighthound, The Siberian Husky, Samoyed, and in a way, the Alaskan Malamute, which is descended from early Siberian dogs. Their Black Russian Terrier is an effective guard.

Mostly sled pullers, the Borzoi is an effective hunter, the "Terrier" a guard, and the Samoyed is an effective herding dog for Reindeer.

 

[jason_els]

Hungary is small but has bred some magnificent, very capable, frequently multi-functional and unusual dogs of excellent temperament and unusually good health. One could own nothing but Hungarian dogs and need no other breeds.

Vizla = Wonderful multi-talented pointer and retriever. Light and fast.

Puli = Intelligent and agile, pulik are serious agility competitors and fantastic herders. They're police dogs in their homeland.

Pumi = Cousin of the puli, also herds but makes a great companion animal.

Mudi = The ATV of dogs. Guards, herds, hunts small game as a terrier!

Magyar Agar = A beautiful sighthound, much like a greyhound.

Transylvanian Hound = Superior scenthound; stocky, tough, and tireless. Loves hunting in the mountains of its homeland.

Kuvasz = Stunning creamy white livestock guardians who graduated into guarding royalty. Even the kings of Hungary said they trusted their dogs more than their soldiers and always kept several near them at all times.

Komondor = Imposing, unusual, giant walking mop. A dog that thinks before it acts. Devoted to family and flock, the komondor is the king of Hungarian dogs. Its original job was to pretend it was a sheep to lure wolves closer and then pounce.

 

[Cassiepeia]

Sorry for the OT, but have you met many of these? I'm just learned about them recently, and have read a bunch online. I'm curious how the temperment is in relation to some of the other herders I'm more familiar with - BC, Australian Shepherds, Cattle Dogs, etc. The Koolies are such neat looking dogs, but I didn't have much luck finding info.

Sadly I haven't met any personally. But if you would like to talk to people with experience in them I can give you the address of an Australian dog forum where you can find people who have. I'll PM it to you, I don't know how Chazhound feels about posting forum links here.

Cass.

 

[Red_ACD_for_me]

Austrailia is my first pick and followed by Germany. I guess it depends on the types of dogs you are intrested in.

I second that Aussie!

 

[oc_spirit]

The Balkans!!!!

 

[Laurelin]

I'll say the UK (especially Scotland). I appreciate many of the various herders, terriers and sporting dog breeds that were born there.

I second that! Of course I have to give France/Belgium credit for producing Papillons. Whichever country actually developed them... (There's a huge debate between them and both claim the papillon)

 

[otch1]

Being quite partial to these groups I'd have to say Germany for their working breeds and the UK for their terriers!!

 

[casablanca1]

This question could be taken two ways: Which country currently produces the best individual dogs, and which country produced the best breeds. From what Ive read, most European nations have the world's most standardized and rigorous requirements for their purebred dog communities, so I'm guessing these nations are producing the best working strains of their favorite breeds, hence Germany with shepherds, etc.

In terms of which nation produced the best breeds? UK, hands down. Any place that created so many good sheepdogs and terriers has to win. Though the US is fairly impressive with the many beautiful varieties of hound.

 

[Laurelin]

I'm really partial to Japanese dogs if we're talking who's producing the best dogs NOW. Japanese lines of a lot of breeds I know are just gorgeous.

 

[whatszmatter]

Nothing beats German Engineering. Those people are fanatical about everything and have clubs etc on everything from dogs to gardening, and excel at it.

You have the Boxer (german boxers are far more dog than their american counter parts)

Dobermans, the Pointers (short and long haired), the standard poodle, Wiemeraners, and of course the Shepherd Dogs, all from German origin.

I can't believe I forgot the Rott's:yikes: , the defineatly belong on the list as well.

 

[Zoom]

I'm going to be the dopey minority here, but I love the American breeds. Particularly my Aussies. It's a misnomer, but the breed as is was cemented here with help from dogs brought over from Oz. Plus, we've got the Catahoula and all those awesome varieties of hounds, not that I'm much of a hound person.

Next up would be Germany for me.