GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 51-58cm (20”-23”).
Colour: Rich dark liver with a purplish hue.
Coat: Dense, tight, crisp ringlets that are naturally oily.
Gait: Straight and true with a high head carriage and distinctive roll.
These Irish members of the Gundog group, are eye catching with their profuse topknots and rat like tails. The Irish Water Spaniel is one of the tallest of the spaniel family with small bright eyes set mid-way between the domed skull and the short haired squarish muzzle. The low set ears hang close to the cheeks and are covered with long twisted curls. The powerful neck carries the head high (essential when swimming), and when trotting, the strong shoulders and a barrel shaped chest create a distinctive rolling gait. The tapering tail is covered with curls only for the first 7-10cm (3”- 4”). The well angulated and powerful hindquarters finish with large hairy spreading feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Often called the clown of the spaniel family, the Irish Water Spaniel’s expertise in working with birds in water or on the land is quite incredible.
Their response to training when allied with plenty of praise, is heart warming. While devoted to their own family, there are times when their exuberance might be too much for the young or the elderly. Their devotion is not handed out to all and sundry and on first meeting, they remain aloof with strangers. Normally left untrimmed, if the dog is shown regularly some coat tidying is needed; however the pet owner with little time, can have the coat trimmed back periodically. Being naturally oily, the coat will not hold water.
HISTORY
The presence of this breed has been established by archaeologists from about the 7th or 8th century AD — even old Roman ruins display carvings of dogs resembling the Irish Water Spaniel. In the late 1100’s, dogs in the River Shannon area were known as Shannon Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels and Rat Tail or Whip Tail Spaniels. Later in 1598, it was recorded that one was sent to the King of France. Pedigrees go back to the 1840s and by 1866, these spaniels were being exhibited in England.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Min. dogs 79cm (31”) - bitches 71cm (28”).
Colour: Grey, brindle, red, black, white, fawn or Wheaten.
Coat: Harsh and rough with bushy eyebrows and beard.
Gait: Easy but powerful with all legs moving straight.
Great size is a hallmark for this breed and the aim of the breeders of Irish Wolfhounds; however, it should never be at the expense of sound construction as these shaggy coated dogs must be built for power and courage.
The brown eyes are set mid way between the long, not too broad skull and a long powerful muzzle. The rose shaped ears should be small. The muscular neck runs into powerful shoulders and the straight strong body has a deep chest. Powerful fore and hindquarters end with large round feet. The long tail is carried low.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
The Irish Wolfhound grows from about 750g from birth to about 45kg in its first six months, therefore plenty of good food, vitamins and calcium are essential for them to develop properly. When young, they do need their exercise but as adults, they do not abound with energy.
Known as the ‘Gentle Giants’, these dogs are intensely loyal, kind and slow to anger meaning they do not make good watch or guard dogs.
HISTORY
Not only are the Irish Wolfhounds the largest in the sighthound family, they are also one of the oldest breeds. Believed to have been brought from Asia to Greece in 273 BC, they were greatly valued in areas where wolves were a problem. In 391 AD, some were sent to Rome where, on appearing at a circus, they were viewed with wonder. Finding their way to Ireland with traders, by the 4th century AD this breed later became established in that country. However with the gradual decrease in the number of wolves, the need for these huge hounds diminished to a point where they almost became extinct. Fortunately in the 19th century, with the help of crosses possibly from Great Danes and Deerhounds, the breed was resuscitated.
One of the tallest Irish Wolfhounds is recorded to have been 99cm (39½”).

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 32-38 cm (12.5 - 15")
Colour: Red, white, blue, black, cream and fawn with or without white.
Coat: Short, fine and glossy.
Gait: High stepping with forelegs reaching up and out and with a strong true hind movement.
Although the smallest member of the sighthound family, these dogs combine grace with elegance. The head is long and narrow with a slight stop and a fine muzzle. The rose shaped ears fold back and the large bright eyes are full of expression. The long gracefully arched neck flows into long sloping shoulders to a back which is slightly arched over the loin to a low set and low carried fine tail. Fore and hindquarters are well angulated with elongated feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
The adaptable nature of this intelligent toy breed and the lack of yappiness make them an ideal breed for families with restricted space. Only weighing from 2.7-4.5kg (6-10lb) their long legs may be susceptible to fractures if in the hands of rough children. While being devoted to their family, like most sighthounds, they are aloof with strangers. Loving warmth, they are often found curled up under cushions or blankets. Their coat is easily maintained, but in order to keep their teeth strong and healthy for many years, they should be given things like rawhide bones on which to chew.
HISTORY
The sighthound family goes back thousands of years and archaeological excavations have revealed drawings of miniature greyhounds in areas around Greece and Turkey. Their popularity was already established in Italy during the lst century AD, particularly in Pompeii at the time the city was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. The breed survived due to its elegance, small size and sweet disposition and its popularity reached a peak during the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. Ithas been claimed that Frederick the Great had a kennel of over 50 of these charming hounds.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 58-70cm (23”-27½”).
Colour: White, or with orange or brown markings which may be flecked.
Flesh coloured pigmentation.
Coat: Skin thick with a wiry harsh coat 3.8-6cm (l½”-2½”). Bushy eyebrows and moustache.
Gait: Free, relaxed and able to trot at a fast pace.
This strongly built member of the gundog family varies from the other members. They have long lean heads and large protruding noses. The eyes are large and vary in colour from deep yellow to ochre. The ears are long and pendant and covered in short hair. The strong rather short neck runs into broadly set shoulder blades, strong legs with slightly sloping pasterns. Short square body, strong hindquarters running down to compact feet with flesh coloured pads. Dewclaws should be left on all four legs. The docked tail is carried horizontally.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
In Italy, the Spinoni is highly thought of and accepted as the most efficient gundog in that country. This all purpose wirehaired dog is extremely hardy, intrepid and will nonchalantly plunge through brambles or into water.
They have a characteristic fast trotting gait and are in their element in the country. By nature, this breed is docile, patient and sociable with a markedly sweet almost human expression. They love children and have the ability to guard their families. Periodical coat brushing is required.
HISTORY
Many centuries ago, coarse haired setters known as Spinones arrived in Italy with Greek traders. It is believed the breed type was evolved in the Piedmont area in the north west of Italy and in countries around the Adriatic Sea. Hypotheses have been presented that the breed incorporates early crosses with the Griffon and lines originating from Russia. Falling from favour in the early part of the 20th century, the breed almost died out until some conscientious breeders worked hard to restore it to its former fame.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Jack Russell 25-30cm (10”-12”).
Parson Jack Russell 30-35cm (12”-14”).
Colour: White predominates. Black, tan or brown markings often on head, ears and/or root of their tail.
Coat: Three types - rough, smooth or broken. Gait: Free, sound - fore and hindlegs moving straight.
These working terriers should be bold and confident at all times. The skull should be flat and moderately broad with a muzzle shorter than the skull.
The dark eyes are almond shaped and the small ears are set high with the tips dropping forward. The strong neck runs into long sloping shoulders and a straight back. The powerful hindlegs are well bent at the stifles and finish with round feet. The high set tail signifies alertness but may drop at rest.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Brash, energetic and enterprising are characteristics which signify the hall marks of these popular dogs. In addition to speed and stamina, these game little terriers were expected to mix compatibly with -all dogs, farm stock and people and to behave well in the house. Coat care is minimal in the Smooth coated variety and only periodic brushing or tidying up to keep the Broken or Rough varieties in good condition.
HISTORY 
In 1812, the irascible Parson Jack Russell purchased a terrier named Trump who ultimately became the foundation of the strain that took his owner’s name. Being interested in hunting, Russell soon collected a scratch pack to hunt foxes and hares which, after a few years of judicious breeding and selection, were able to acquit themselves extremely well in the field. Their reputation and their popularity grew. Russell preferred his terriers to be at least 5lcm (20”) tall. However, while still retaining their character, the shorter (and often crooked) legged variety with heavier bodies were also being bred.
By the early part of the 20th century, many breeders were endeavouring to get more conformity in breed type in order to gain official recognition so the breed could be exhibited at championship shows.