GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 38-41cm (15”-16”).
Colour: Jet black with tan in designated areas (similar to a black/tan Dobermann).
Coat: Glossy, smooth, short with a firm texture.
Gait: Smoothly co-ordinated with strong propulsion.
These sleek clean cut terriers should combine elegance with substance. The wedge shaped head is long and the skull and muzzle lengths are equal. Eyes are small and almond shaped with a noticeable sparkle and the ears set high on the skull are V shaped with the tips falling forward. (In contrast, their smaller cousin the English or Manchester Toy Terrier has erect candle flame ears). Both the topline of the neck and the loin are gently arched.
The narrow chest is deep and cuts up under the abdomen. The rather low set tail is long and should never be carried higher than the level of the back.
The forequarters are well angulated and the hindquarters are strong. The small feet turn neither in nor out.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
This terrier weighs between 6-10kg (12-22lb). It is the larger cousin of the English Toy Terrier (or Manchester Toy Terrier). Being quick to learn and eager to please, the well trained Manchester Terrier is a loving and responsive companion. With their short coats and clean habits, they are easily maintained but care should be taken to see these dogs are not exposed to great extremes of temperature.
HISTORY
It is believed the breed evolved around the Manchester area in England from crosses between the rough coated Black and Tan Terrier and the smooth coated Whippet. The breed was created to fulfil the dual activities of rat hunting and rabbit coursing (the necessary speed coming from the Whippet). Records show that the Manchester Terrier was exhibited in England as far back as 1862.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 60-74cm (23’½”-29”).
Colour: All white - shading of ivory or fawn acceptible.
Coat: Hair short on muzzle, skull, ears feet and front of legs. Outercoat plentiful and rather harsh.Undercoat: thick and close.
Gait: Free, active, nimble - able to turn quickly.
This majestic dog, although large, must be lithe in movement. The conical shaped head narrows to the slightly shorter muzzle. Nose and pigmentation must be black. The almond shaped eyes are dark. The ‘V’ shaped ears are set high on the skull and are pendant. The neck is only medium in length and runs into sloping shoulder blades with withers set slightly higher than the back. The body is slightly longer than the shoulder height. The croup slopes to a low set tail which may be carried above the level of the back when the dog is alert. Strong fore and hindquarters have a moderate angulation. The pasterns slope slightly and the feet are large.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
These dogs must be intelligent, courageous but not aggressive. Although not as large as some of the other guard dogs, the Maremma must be strong enough to kill a hungry wolf should it threaten the flocks or come too close to his family. He is a tough dog who must stand the perils of cold winters while carrying out his guarding duties. His loyalty is unquestionable and he makes a wonderful pet. Like all dogs with a thick undercoat, periodic brushing is necessary to remove dead hairs and stop the coat becoming matted.
HISTORY
Not being dissimilar to the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, it is presumed they share the same heritage. Believed to be a direct descendant of early Asian guard dogs in particular the Abruzzese and the Maremmana, it was in Italy where the breed type was developed - the principal function originally being pastoral.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 70-76cm (27½”-30”).
Colour: Fawn or brindle/fawn with dark muzzle and ears.
Coat: Short and close lying, thicker on neck and shoulders.
Gait: Powerfully co-ordinated with a strong drive.
These massive dogs display a combination of grandeur and courage. The broad well developed skull is two-thirds longer than the short square muzzle. The small eyes are set wide apart and the pendant ears are high set.
The muscular neck runs into the broad body, a deep wide chest and deep flanks. The powerful but not over angulated fore and hindquarters finish with large round feet. The long tail may rest in repose, but in movement it may be carried out with an upward curve.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
A brave and good natured dog who can be terrifying if provoked to attack. In spite of its size, the Mastiff is a gentle and loyal family companion. They do need space and regular exercise - preferably exercise that has a purpose.Coat care is minimal and grooming is usually only needed to keep the skin in good tone.
HISTORY
Coming down from the Molossus, a giant breed indigenous to Asia, these dogs were known as early as 400 BC in Greece where they were prized as guard dogs against predators and wolves. From Greece, they made their way to Italy where they were used as fighting dogs and bull and bear baiting in the Roman circuses. No doubt travelling with the Phoenician traders, they arrived and were well established in Britain prior to the Roman invasion in the lst century AD. Their value as guard dogs, hunters and fighters remained in force in Europe for centuries. In England they were sometimes known as ‘tiedogs’ meaning they were tied up during the day and let loose in the evening. In certain areas, it became mandatory that they were kept by the peasants to ward off wolves and robbers.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 25.5-30cm (10”-12”).
Colour: Solid red, black, blue or chocolate with tan in designated areas.
Coat: Smooth, hard short and straight. Gait: Co-ordinated to permit the true high stepping hackney action.
These sturdy elegant smooth coated toy dogs give the appearance of being totally confident. The dark eyes are placed mid way in the narrow elongated head. Two types of ear carriages are permitted (1) V-shaped and carried erect at 5 to 1 o’clock (2) the same but with the tips falling forward.The gracefully arched neck runs into slightly angulated forequarters and a compact back which slopes down towards the rear. The topline slopes slightly towards the rear with well developed long and well angulated hindquarters. The tail is customary docked very short and carried high.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Self-possessed and spirited, these little dogs make excellent house pets. Always looking like clean cut little dandies, they present many characteristics of the larger Dobermann. They are easily trained and are good watchdogs. Having a big dog’s temperament in a little dog’s frame make Min. Pins. ideal companions for both the young and old. Coat care is usually minimal, but nails should be checked to see they do not get too long.
HISTORY
Also known as the ‘Rey Pinscher’ due to their resemblance to a small variety of deer in Germany, records have noted the existence of this breed as far back as 1836 — long before their look alike cousin the Dobermann was developed. In the old stables throughout Europe, good ratters were needed to reduce the ever present rats, mice and vermin. By crossing Dachshunds (for their hunting instincts) and Italian Greyhounds (for their speed), the Miniature Pinscher was evolved. In 1895 the Pinscher Klub of Germany was formed and an official standard for the breed was written soon after.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 65-75 cm (26”-29”)
Colour: Blue, brindle, black, brown, fawn or grey.
Coat: Short, dense and fine. Gait: Slow, free and bearlike.
These large massively boned members of the Mastiff family must be muscular with a majestic bearing. Their bodies are covered with a loose fitting skin. The skull is broad and two-thirds longer than the square muzzle which is covered with heavy lips. The eyes are deep set and the smallish ears are pendant. The neck is distinctive in that the dewlap from the lower jaw reaches midway down the neck. The body is long and large with a deep chest. Fore and hind quarters are moderately angulated and must be powerful. The tail is set on slightly lower than the topline and preferably docked to one third its length - it may be carried level when moving.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
This member of the Mastiff family is devoted to its owners and although a loyal guard dog, should never be aggressive with people. When reared in a gentle environment, these dogs make loving and stoic pets, however they do need space in which to exercise. During the hot weather, care should be taken to see that hot spots do not develop in the wrinkled coat, but other wise, care of the coat is minimal.
HISTORY
Presumed to have originated from the molossus family of dogs and more particularly, the Tibetan Mastiff, it is believed these dogs arrived in Greece and later in southern Italy during the Roman times. It is well documented that fighting mastiffs were used by the Roman armies and in their circuses as fighting dogs. Some believed their colour made them ideal guard dogs at night, as it acted as a camouflage and made it easier for them to attack marauders without first being seen. After World War II, in Italy they were first exhibited at dogs shows, and since then have become better known around the world.