GENERAL APPEARANCE
Size: Height at shoulders for dogs and bitches 20–28 cm. Dogs and bitches can weigh up to 3 kg.
A small elegant dog, lively, long-legged, with fine bone and lean muscles. There is not much difference between males and females. The Russian Toy has a square build. The height at elbows is only slightly more than half of the height at shoulders and the chest is sufficiently deep. Its head is small compared to the body.
Eyes are quite large, rounded, dark, slightly prominent, set well apart and looking straight ahead. Eyelids are dark or matching the coat colour, tightly fitting. Ears are big, thin, set high, erect.
In the Smooth-haired the coat is short, close-lying, shiny hair, without undercoat or bald patches.
In the Longhaired the body is covered with moderately long (3-5 cm), straight  or  slightly wavy hair,  close-lying, which does not hide the natural outline of the  body. This variety has distinct feathers on rear side of limbs. The feet have long, silky hair  which completely hides the nails. Ears are covered with thick, long hair forming a fringe. 
Colour for both coat types is black and tan, brown and tan, blue and tan. Also red of any shade with or without black or brown overlay.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Active, very cheerful, neither cowardly nor aggressive.  They are an easy to care for breed. The behaviour is significantly different between males and females. 
HISTORY
At the beginning of the 20th century, the English Toy Terrier was one of the most popular toy dogs in Russia. However, in the period 1920–1950 the breeding of pure toy terriers was almost stopped and the number of dogs fell to a critical level. Only in the mid-fifties did Russian dog-breeders begin the revival of the breed. The Standard drafted for Toy Terriers significantly differed from that of the English Toy Terrier in many aspects and the evolution of the breed in Russia went its own way.
On the 12th of October 1958 a mating of two smooth-haired dogs, one of which had slightly longer hair, produced a male dog with a spectacular fringes on ears and limbs. It was decided to keep this feature so the Russian Toy has two varieties, Longhaired and smooth-haired.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 56-71cm (21”-28”).
Colour: White, cream, fawn, red, grizzle, tri-colour, black/tan and
parti-colours. Coat: Feathered - Straight, silky with feathering. Smooth - dense, short with no feathering.
Gait: Effortless and light and ground covering.
These elegant members of the sighthound family with their far seeing eyes, present a picture of grace and symmetry. Their long narrow heads have no perceptible stop and the large dark eyes are set off with long, mobile, pendant ears. A long supple neck runs into sloping shoulders set well back on the long rib cage. The chest is moderately narrow and deep and tucked up behind the rib cage. The low set tail is carried in a natural curve, the forelegs are straight with springy pasterns and these balance with moderately angled hindlegs. All legs finish with toes carrying hair between pads.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE 
Also known as the Gazelle Hound, these gentle and sensitive sighthounds are quietly loyal and affectionate with their owners. They are not overly gregarious and do not readily take to changes of ownership. Like the Borzoi and Afghan Hound, their fluidity and grace of movement when galloping in full flight, is a sight to remember - they are poetry in motion. Being a ‘people’ dog, they do not like being left alone for long periods. A little coat care is needed to keep feathering neat, and the coat and skin healthy condition.
HISTORY
Sharing a heritage with the Greyhound, Pharaoh and Ibizan Hounds, this branch of the sighthound family found its way to Arabia. Although some Middle Eastern religions believe dogs are unclean, others respected them to the extent that the sheiks permitted them to share their tents. The Arabs found their fantastic speed and agility invaluable. When hunting, they took hooded hawks chained to their wrists and Salukis on leads. On nearing quarry, hawks were released to seek out game and, once identified, the Salukis were released, often in pairs, to hunt their quarry down.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 46-56cm (18”-22”).
Colour: Pure white; or white and biscuit or cream.
Coat: The hair should stand away from the body. An outercoat of harsh hair grows through the thick soft undercoat making a weather resistant cover.
Gait: Fore and hindlegs move straight with strong hind propulsion.
These large eye catching members of the spitz family with their ‘smiling faces’, must be strong and active. The wedge shaped heads and broad skulls are set off by tapering muzzles. The slanting almond shaped eyes must have black rims. The thick erect ears are slightly rounded at the tips. The neck must be broad and muscular, and runs into a strong muscular back. The profusely coated high set tail curls over to one side of the back or, in repose, may be dropped. Hindquarters must be muscular and stifles well angulared. The hair on the front of the lower legs is short, the pasterns springy and the long flattish feet are well cushioned with pads well separated by thick hair.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE 
Never a trouble maker, Samoyeds make excellent watch dogs and family companions. Due to their general hardiness, they have very few health problems. Easily trained, they adapt well to obedience classes. Loving
human companionship, they are not a dog to be shut out on their own in a yard. As they shed coat seasonally, brushing and combing at this time is essential to remove the dead hair before it gets knotted.
HISTORY
Long before the time of Christ, the small Samoyede tribe lived in peace in the northern provinces of Siberia. Their lives we’re simple, primitive and untouched by the problems of the rest of the world, and sharing their lives, were their white Spitz dogs. Due to the solitary nature of their existence, this strain remained remarkably pure after centuries of close human relationship. During storms, they burrow into the snow leaving only the nose exposed, this they cover with their tail using it to act as a filter through which to breathe.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 30-36cm (12”-14”).
Colour: Black, or any other whole colour permitted.
Coat: Dense, abundant and harsh, with profuse frill and breeches. Smooth on the head, ears and legs.
Gait: Short, brisk stride with fore and hindlegs moving straight.
This compact little foxy headed dog is intensely lively. The flat rather broad skull has a slight stop and a fine muzzle which must be well filled in beneath the expressive brown eyes. The high set ears are carried stiffly erect. The rather short neck runs into a strong, straight, short back with only a slight slope to the customary completely docked tail. The chest is broad and deep. The hindquarters are more muscular than the forequarters and the strong legs finish with small catlike feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Pronounced ‘skip-er-key’, the silhouette of this dog resembles no other breed. They are one of the hardiest of the smaller breeds and, due to their insatiable curiosity, make staunch little watch dogs as they miss nothing.
Easily trained and completely adaptable to apartment life or the country, they make ideal pets. Periodic grooming will keep their skin and coat healthy and remove any dead hair and prevent shedding.
HISTORY
Although resembling some of the small spitz breeds, in actual fact these dogs are really small sheepdogs and were once known as ‘Leavenaars’. Their lineage is similar to that of the Groenendael and when born with longer tails, are almost identical in shape. During the mid 19th century, the larger whelps from a litter were taken and gradually bred up to a larger herding dog, while the smaller ones were bred down in size to become a better sized little ratter, and a more useful size for the canal boats in Europe. Originally known by the name ‘Spits’ or ‘Spitske’, the name was changed to Schipperke meaning ‘Little Captain’ in Flemish. While many are born tailless, for those who are not, docking takes place soon after birth. 

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: The Giant Schnauzer is 60-70cm (23½”-27½”). Medium Schnauzers are approx 46-48 cm (18”-19”). Miniature Schnauzers 33-36 cm (13”-14”).
Colour: Black, or grey (pepper & salt with banded black and grey hairs).
Coat: Outer coat - harsh and wiry. Clean on the skull, under the throat, ears and under the tail.
Gait: Fore and hindlegs move straight and effortlessly.
These bold dogs must always be robust and sinewy. The long heads narrow slightly from backskull to the nose; the stop is accentuated by bushy eyebrows and the muzzle is covered with a stubby moustache and whiskers. The dark oval eyes sparkle. The arched neck runs into a short, strong, straight back which is slightly higher at the shoulders than at the rump. The forelegs are straight with well angulated hindquarters and the feet are round and compact. The high set tail is customarily docked to two joints in the Giant Schnauzer, and to three joints in the other two varieties.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
These dogs insist on being part of the family and expect to be treated with respect. They learn quickly and, if not trained with a firm but kind hand, will rule the home. They make excellent watchdogs. Whilst adaptable, the elderly or the young might find their energy too much to handle. Grooming of the moustache, whiskers and leg hair is necessary. If shown, Schnauzers need to be handstripped professionally; however, pet owners can keep their dogs looking neat by clipping.
HISTORY
Dating back to the 15th-16th centuries, these dogs are believed to have evolved from German Wirehaired pinschers, black poodles and a spitz like grey dog. They were basically used for herding, ratting and guard duties. German breeders, who excel in creating and fixing type in new breeds, then created a Miniature and a Giant version of this dog. The Miniature came through blendings with the Affenpinscher, while the Giant version was evolved from crosses with the Great Dane and Bouvier des flandres. Later the Giant variety was to win acclaim as service dogs during World War I.