GENERAL APPEARANCE
Sizes: There is no upper height limit. When quality is equal, the bigger dog is always preferred. Lower limit: Dogs: 77 cms. Bitches 72 cms. It is however, desirable that all dogs should exceed the lower limit considerably. Dogs should be above 81 cm, bitches 75 cm.
He is a very large dog, above average size and of medium proportions. Harmonious, emphatically strong and muscular. Firm bone structure. Coat not exaggerated in length. In spite of his size, he must not give the impression of being heavy or sluggish. Large strong head moderately long. His expression is alert.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
As a breed they are friendly towards humans, calm, noble, and very intelligent, at the same time courageous and proud towards strangers from whom he never backs away. In his behaviour towards other dogs, he is good natured and aware of his superior strength. His dark bark comes from deep within his chest.  Coat is dense, thick and of moderate length and should be bristly, not woolly in texture.
Basically white and always with a well-defined mask and patches similar in colour to that of the mask, spread over the body, with irregular but well defined shape. Ears always marked. Totally white or tricoloured animals are undesirables. The most appreciated colours are: snow white with medium grey marks, deep gold yellow, dusk, black, silver grey, light tan, sand or brindle. Red for the marks or yellowish white for the whole bottom are not desired.
HISTORY 
Originating in Spain previously, the Pyrenean Mastiff was used for defense against beasts of prey, in particular against wolf and bear. his job was to guard and defend. Hundreds of years of fighting wolves left him with skills that nowadays in his home country make him an excellent guard for country estates and their owners as he is easily trained.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Minimum dogs 70cm (27.5”). Bitches 65cm (25.5”). Minimum weight: Dogs 50 kgs; Bitches 40 kgs. Dogs fequently over this minimum.
Colour: White or white with patches of badger, wolf grey or pale yellow on head, ears and on the body. Coat: Outer coat - coarse, thick, straight or slightly wavy. Under coat - profuse.
Gait: Unhurried, steady and smooth and with a tendency to pace at slower paces. Hocks turning neither in nor out.
These huge majestic guardians of sheep are the epitome of power and substance. The skull is domed and the eyes are tightly rimmed. The neck is fairly short, while the body is relatively long and the topline level. A hallmark of this breed are the double dewclaws on the hind legs (also to be found on the Briard and sometimes on the Tibetan Mastiff). The long plumed tail may be carried well up in action, sometimes making a full circle. Fore and hind quarters should be moderately angulated with elbows free; the hind feet may turn slightly out but without the dog being cow hocked.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
For those who are happy to have a dog that varies in weight from 40-50kg (60-110lb) minimum with dogs frequently over, Pyreneans make wonderful protective family companions and as such are prone to barking. They get on well with other dogs and enjoy both city and country life. Due to their size, moderate exercise and good food is necessary during their growing period. Exercise should increase once they are of adult age. Periodic brushing is required to remove the dead hair from both undercoat and outercoat, and to keep the dog comfortable.
HISTORY
Descending from the Asian Mastiff family, the ancestry of this breed goes back thousands of years and canine historians debate the exact path of descent. They are believed to have arrived in Europe in the lst century BC when the Phoenicians were trading with Spain, and from there, made their way northwards to the Pyrenean Mountains. Wearing large spiked collars, they proved their worth defending herds from wolves and other predators. French writers in the l400s recorded that these dogs were so valuable in guarding the French chateaux, that King Louis XIV adopted them as the Royal Dog of France.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 61-66cm (25”-27”).
Colour: Light wheaten to red Wheaten with or without a dark mask.
Coat: Short, dense, sleek and glossy with unique ridge.
Gait: Active and free with fore and hindlegs moving true.
These handsome upstanding dogs have a unique ridge of hair, a characteristic regarded as the escutcheon of the breed. This ridge commences behind the shoulders (where it is flanked by two crowns) and extends to the haunch bones. The broad skull must be free of wrinkles in repose, and the equally long and powerful muzzle must have--close fitting lips. The eyes are set well apart and ears are carried close to the skull. The long neck runs into a level topline and a deep capacious chest. The tail is carried up in a slight curve when the dog is moving. Strong well boned forelegs end with compact feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE 
Dignified and intelligent, these dogs are aloof with strangers but are in no way shy or aggressive. They are most adaptable and easily fit into different homes or climates. They require plenty of exercise, and respond very well to good handling and sensible but firm training. Should they be allowed to become bored or are ignored, they might show a streak of independence. Easy to train and relatively quiet, with a coat that requires minimum care.
HISTORY
The ancestry of the Ridgeback is believed to be associated with a family of dogs bred by natives on Phi Quoc, an island off Cambodia in south east Asia. Dogs on this island display the same characteristic ridge of hair along their back In the days when Phoenician traders were active during the 2nd and lst century BC, many varieties of dogs found their way to different parts of the then known world, and credit must be given to these traders for the arrival of Ridgebacks in Africa. There, the Hottentots preserved these dogs and after the invasions of the Dutch and other European races in the 16th and 17th century, breeds like Great Danes and Bloodhounds were crossed with them. The Dutch Boers found them invaluable as guard dogs, hunters
D of small game, and alerting their owners to the whereabouts of large game.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 56-68cm. 
Colour: Black with tan on designated areas.
Coat: Outer coat - coarse, flat. Undercoat - thick.
Gait: Unrestricted, even and powerful.
A large stalwart dog, whose skull is broad with a moderately arched forehead and well boned cheeks, and a deep muzzle which is slightly shorter in length. The dark eyes are almond shaped and the high set ears are pendant. The slightly arched strong neck runs into a body which is rather long in relation to the dog’s height. The chest must be roomy. Powerful forequarters have slightly springy pasterns and the long upper thighs end with strong compact feet. The tail is docked short or left long.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE 
The Rottweiler has a tranquil gaze that manifests its good nature and devotion. They are not dogs who enjoy being locked in a kennel, but value the freedom of integrating with their family. They respond well to firm but kind treatment, and from the utilitarian point of view they are reliable guard and droving dogs. Coat care is minimal as they require only occasional grooming.
HISTORY
While looking like a heavier version of the Dobermann, this breed comes down from the Asian mastiff family. The Roman armies made use of them in fighting, cattle droving, guarding and as draught animals to carry their goods. After the invading soldiers had moved on from the southern German town of Rottweil, some of their dogs were left behind with the local townsfolk. One of their duties was to drive stock to and from the markets. So dangerous was the countryside in those early days, that on returning home, the farmers tied their money to their dogs’ collars for safety as no bandit was - prepared to take on one of these dogs. At one stage, this breed was known as a Metzgerhund (butcher dog) as their main occupation was to haul carts for the butchers and cattle dealers. In modern times, many are utilised by the police and army for defence purposes.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Sizes: Males: 72 - 76 cms. Females: 68 - 72 cms. Weight: Males: 50, 60 kgs. Females: 45, 50 kgs.
The Russian Black Terrier is a large dog with a slightly long body and very athletic built of a robust type and hardy constitution. The breed has qualities like massive bone and powerful muscles. It is symmetrical with a large head and compact body and a voluminous and deep chest. Differences between the sexes to be clearly defined.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
A dignified and confident dog; well controlled in all situations. When circumstances require, he immediately assumes an active-defensive posture, however, quickly calms down at the disappearance of threat. This handsome breed is amiable and has great endurance; it is undemanding, smart and friendly. It adapts well to training and various climate conditions and is hard working and reliable.
Rough and thick double coat. Composed of a coarse, thick, slightly waved outer coat and a soft, short and dense undercoat. The outer coat covers the whole body. The natural and untrimmed coat length is between 5 , 15 cms. Coat colour is black, although black with insignificant intermingling gray hair is permissible.
HISTORY
The Russian Black Terrier was created in Russia during the late 1940s and the early 1950s by selective interbreeding of breeds like the Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, Airedale Terrier and Newfoundland Dog. The Giant Schnauzer is considered to be the main ancestor of the breed. The initial breeding was supervised by the military cynological school outside Moscow and the dogs were based in their kennels named “Red Star”. The aim of the creators of the breed was the development of a large, brave, strong and manageable working dog with pronounced guarding instinct; a dog which could be useful for many services and adapts well to various climate conditions. The breed was recognized by the FCI in 1984.