GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 51-61cm
Colour: Any shade of gold or cream.
Coat: Outercoat to be flat or wavy with feathering.
Gait: Smoothly co-ordinated with strong propulsion.
These stylish members of the Gundog group must be active and powerful.
The dark eyes are set well apart and midway between the broad skull and the wide deep powerful muzzle. The high set cars hang close to the cheek.
The neck must be long enough for the head to comfortably reach the ground when retrieving on the move and the strong body has a chest that reaches the elbows. The fore and hindquarters are well angulated and the round catlike feet must never be splayed. The thick tail is well feathered and long enough to reach the hock - in movement it should never be carried over the back. 
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
With its amenable and affectionate nature, the Golden Retriever will always be a popular family dog. Unlike many other breeds, these dogs do not continually demand attention from their family - some preferring to sit and watch. However, they do need regular exercise and if possible, free running.
Due to their easy going nature and adaptability, they are often used as guide dogs for the deaf or blind. Regular grooming is required - particularly during the seasonal shedding of the coat.
HISTORY
In the 1860s, Lord Tweedmouth in Scotland purchased the only yellow puppy that was born into a litter of black Flat Coated Retrievers. Aiming to produce retrievers of this lighter colour, he later crossed this yellow dog to a liver Tweed Water spaniel - a strain which was hardy, intelligent and capable of retrieving game in all sorts weather. From 1867 onwards, Lord Tweedmouth’s gamekeepers recorded all matings and conscientiously evaluated the results. With conformity of type being established, these yellow retrievers became a distinct breed in their own right. They were first shown in England in 1908 and recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1913. 

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 62-66 cm (24½”- 26”).
Colour: Black with tan on designated areas.
Coat: Moderately long and straight and well fringed on the extremities.
Gait: Fore and hindlegs reach well out with strong hind propulsion.
This stylish member of the Gundog group is bold and outgoing. The skull which is broadest at the ears, is slightly longer than the square muzzle. The dark intelligent eyes have a keen expression and the low set ears lie close to the head. The long neck runs into a body with strong sloping shoulders, straight forelegs and upright pasterns. The broad hindquarters are well angulated and the oval feet must carry plenty of hair between the pads. The tail is straight or slightly scimitar shaped and should not reach below the hocks.

CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Beauty, brains and good bird sense are the essentials for this breed. Gordon Setters are heavier than their English and Irish cousins and can weigh up to 36kg (79lb). The result is they are the slowest member of the Setter family - a deficiency they make up for by being exceptionally loyal and affectionate. They definitely prefer life with the family to life in a kennel. Although often a one man dog and easily trained by their master rather than outsiders, they are protective to all members of their family. Regular grooming is necessary to keep their black coats shining, sleek and a pleasure to behold.

HISTORY
In the 17th century, a distinct type of black and tan setter was to be found in Scotland, however the breed really only rose to prominence due to the efforts of the Duke of Gordon. In the late 1700s, the Duke spent much time on improving these local setters, possibly by infusing some lines from the black/tan Bloodhound, which resulted in the heavier bone and deeper lipped muzzles than one sees on the English and Irish Setters.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. Males from 40-44 cm: Females from 39-43 cm
Coat: Hard, not too long and flat, never silky or woolly. The fringes should not be too abundant, the belly and inside of the thighs must not be bare. Eyebrows well pronounced but not covering the eye.
Colour: Black with white spotting, Black with tan markings, Fawn with white spotting. Fawn with black mantle and white spotting (tricolour). Fawn with black overlay. Pale fawn with black overlay and white spotting. Pale fawn with black overlay. 
Slightly elongated overall, the GBGV has straight forelegs, the structure of a Basset. It is balanced and elegant.
Having the appearance of a rough coated Basset Hound, these dogs look and must be capable of a good days hunting. 
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE 
It is the perfect assistant for the hunter with a gun in territories of moderate size. Fastest of all scenthound bassets, tenacious, courageous, and a little stubborn. It must, from an early age, be accustomed to obeying; its training implies will and punishment, for which he will bear no grudge. Courageous, a little stubborn but nevertheless well behaved. It is up to the master to take command.
HISTORY
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is derived, like all Bassets, from hounds of superior size in this case the Grand Griffon. The first selections were made at the end of the 19th century by Comte d’Elva who was looking for subjects with straight legs. But it was Paul Dezamy who was especially responsible for fixing type. He understood that in order to catch a hare, dogs of a certain size were needed. He fixed that size at about 43 cm. Today used primarily when hunting with a gun, it is capable of hunting all furry game, from the rabbit to wild boar. A team of Grand Bassets won the 5th edition of the European Cup for hare. 

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Min. bitches 71cm (28”) - dogs 76cm (30”).
Colour: Black, blue, brindle, fawn or harlequin (white with torn black splashes), Mantle - Black and white with a solid, black blanket extending over the body.
Coat: Short, dense and sleek in appearance. 
Gait: Free flowing with plenty of drive and a proud head carriage.
These large elegant dogs must have lots of dash and daring about them. The head is long and strong throughout with a square lipped muzzle. The medium sized eyes are preferably dark but in Harlequins one or two light blue eyes are permissible. The high set ears are triangular and hang forward to the cheek or erect in countries which permit ears to be cropped. The arched neck runs into a level back. The forelegs are straight and the long muscled hindquarters are well angulated and finish with tight round feet. The tapering tail should be carried in a straight line level with the back.

CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
With a look of being able to do anything or go anywhere, and as if conscious of their size (up to 54kg or l20lb), these giants are unbelievably gentle.
Being essentially people orientated, they are sensitive, intuitive and slow to anger. Human companionship is essential for their well being. Although slow to mature, this breed is not renowned for its longevity. Coat care is minimal.

HISTORY One might easily be excused for thinking these members of the Mastiff family developed their breed type in Denmark - however this is highly unlikely. Their name is a corruption of the French words ‘grand Danois’ meaning ‘big Danish’ and it is a mystery why the British adopted this name when the breed was evolved in Germany. The origins of the Great Danes’ mastiff family are believed to be Asian, and as far back as 3000 BC, there were Egyptian drawings of ‘tiger dogs’ similar to the Great Dane. Certainly this breed was well established when Greece and later Rome were the main powers of western civilisation. Later in central Europe they were sometimes known as the German Mastiff or the Boarhound. 

GENERAL APPEARANCE 
Shoulder height: 68-76cm (27”-30”).
Colour: White. Red, blue, black, brindle or fawn with or without white patches.
Coot: Fine and close.
Gait: Low reaching with long strides and strong hind propulsion with the ability to show great speed.
The Greyhound is a strongly built upstanding animal with a clean cut appearance of a racing machine. The skull is long and flat with only a slight stop and the jaws are powerful and long. The obliquely set eyes are oval and placed midway in the skull. The ears are high set and rose shaped. The elegantly arched neck must be strong and slope into well laid back shoulders.
The chest must be deep and capacious with a long ribcage before cutting up to the abdomen. Strong fore, and muscular well angulated hindquarter, assemblies finish with compact feet and well knuckled toes. The low set tail is long and carried low in movement.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Like other members of the sighthound family, Greyhounds are extremely good natured and gentle with both children and adults. As with all members of this group of dogs, Greyhounds have the intelligence to use their own initiative, however they are quite capable of ignoring what they believe are pointless-instructions. When this occurs people are incorrect in believing they are dumb. Gentle handling and persuasiveness will bring out the best in these beautiful dogs - harsh discipline will only make them withdraw.
HISTORY
The origins of Greyhounds can be traced back to 4000 BC where these dogs were depicted in early Egyptian carvings. It is believed the Greyhound arrived in Britain in pre-Christian times with the seafaring Phoenicians who included them as goods for bartering. Throughout their long history, the greyhound’s distinctive breed type has hardly changed. The word ‘greyhound’ is believed to be a corruption of ‘great hound’, ‘Greek hound’ or ‘gazehound’. One thing is certain, the name has nothing to do with colour.