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Introduced to the West at the beginning of the 20th Century, the Afghan was imported mainly as a show breed and as an accessory for fashionable people. In its native Afghanistan it was and still is used as a "Sight" Hound to hunt predators such as wolves and foxes and guard their owners livestock from predation. Its thick long coat helps to protect it from the rigours of the extreme weather conditions in the mountainous regions of Northern Afghanistan.

The average life expectancy for an Afghan Hound is 12 to 14 years, with a weight range of 50-60lbs and standing between 25" and 30" at the shoulder. 

Originating from the Yorkshire area in Great Britain, the Airedale has been called the "King of Terriers", because of its combative and sometimes troublesome nature. An attentive and hardy breed they have been used as Police dogs, guard dogs and as messenger dogs. Today they are almost exclusively a companion and house dog.

The average life expectancy for an Airedale Terrier is 12 to 14 years, with a weight range of 40-50lbs and standing between 21" and 24" at the shoulder. 

One of the native dogs of Japan, the Akita was originally developed for primarily for hunting and for dog-fighting. These large spitz-like dogs were relatively unknown outside of Japan during its period of isolation and it was only with the beginning of international trade with the outside world, that the Akita became known. In 1931 the Akita was protected by government dictate, in order to prevent a lessening of the breed. In more recent years, the Akita's dog fighting status has been replaced by the Tosa Inu.

The average life expectancy for an Akita is 10 to 12 years, with a weight range of 75-110lbs and standing between 24" and 28" at the shoulder. 

Originating in the state of Alaska, the breed is named after the Malamute Inuit tribe that has inhabited the area for thousands of years. Primarily used as a draught animal and as a protector, the breed today fills the role of companion and continues to compete in sled racing competitions at which it excels. 

The average life expectancy for an Alaskan Malamute  is 10 to 12 years, with a weight range of 80-120lbs and standing between 23" and 28" at the shoulder. 

Although thought to be derived from the English Cocker Spaniel which arrived with the early English settlers, the modern-day American Cocker is now distinct from these early ancestors. Bred originally for small game retrieval, it is now very much a companion dog.

The average life expectancy for an American Cocker Spaniel is 13 to 14 years, with a weight range of 24-28lbs and standing between 14" and 15" at the shoulder. 

Regarded by many as the ultimate canine athlete and warrior, the APBT has probably had more negative publicity than any other dog breed in history. Banned in the UK and many parts of Europe, its strongholds are the USA, Canada and the Far East. At the turn of the 20th Century the Pit Bull was adopted by the US as a national mascot, with its courage and tenacity regarded as wholly positive attributes.  The breed originates with the Bull Terrier dogs imported by early English and Irish settlers, including the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Through selective breeding though, these early lines have been improved upon to produce the APBT and its relative the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier

The average life expectancy for an American Pit Bull Terrier is 12 to 14 years, with a weight range of 30-60lbs and standing between 17" and 22" at the shoulder. 

Derived from the English Staffordshire Bull Terriers that travelled with their settler owners, selective breeding for height, weight and athleticism has resulted in the modern-day American Staffordshire. As with its closest relatives, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier, its history is bloody and combative, having been bred for bull baiting and dog fighting. It retains its aggressive nature towards other dogs, but as with the other two related breeds is very friendly towards people and is an outstanding companion and family member.

The average life expectancy for an American Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 11 to 13 years, with a weight range of 40-60lbs and standing between 17" and 20" at the shoulder. 

The American Water Spaniel is the state dog of Wisconsin in the United States and was first registered in the 1940's. It is thought to be a derivation of the Irish Water Spaniel bred to other native retriever and/or spaniel breeds. As with most working dogs of this type, it flushes game birds for the hunter and then retrieves them.

The average life expectancy for an American Water Spaniel is 11 to 12 years, with a weight range of 25-45lbs and standing between 15" and 18" at the shoulder. 

The Australian Bulldog is derived from the English Bulldog lines which arrived with the early settlers during the colonisation of Australia. As with their English cousins, modern-day examples are poor representations of the original dogs, which were bred for function and not for fashion or convenience. The example pictured on the right, is an illustration of what earlier dogs would have looked like, with greater height and athleticism. Poor breeding and standards have led to inherited health problems within the breed and non-KC bloodlines, like the Old Tyme English Bulldog are much better examples of the original stock.

The average life expectancy for an Australian or English Bulldog is 9 to 11 years, with a weight range of 50-60lbs and standing between 12" and 14" at the shoulder. 

The Australian Cattle Dog is very much a product of its environment and was bred specifically to live and work in the rigorous conditions of the Australian outback. The origins of the breed can be traced back to the pioneering Thomas Smith Hall who was seeking to reproduce a hardier version of the now extinct Blue Heeler herding dog. The present day Cattle Dog owes much of its early heritage to the Scottish Blue Merle Collie and the wild Dingo.

The average life expectancy for an Australian Cattle Dog is 10 to 12 years, with a weight range of 35-45lbs and standing between 17" and 20" at the shoulder. 

Originating in Australia but derived from prick-eared collies which were imported from Scotland by early settlers. The breed is able to go without water for a considerable amount of time, which given its normal working environment is a useful trait. Primarily a hard working dog, but are loyal and make good companions. As with any true working breed, the Kelpie requires lots of exercise.

The average life expectancy for an Australian Kelpie is 12 to 14 years, with a weight range of 30-40lbs and standing between 18" and 22" at the shoulder. 

Although its name suggests that the breed belongs to Australia, it actually originated in the United States, although some of its early ancestors were working dogs from Australia and New Zealand. A highly intelligent and obedient breed, they continue to be used as herding dogs, as well as search and rescue dogs.

The average life expectancy for an Australian Shepherd Dog is 10 to 12 years, with a weight range of 35-65lbs and standing between 18" and 23" at the shoulder. 

Although a native of Australia, this tough little terrier can find its roots in the English terrier breeds, including the Cairn and Yorkshire terriers which came to Australia with the early English settlers. A typical Terrier they will confront any and all adversaries irrespective of their opponents size.

The average life expectancy for an Australian Terrier is 12 to 14 years, with a weight range of 12-15lbs and standing between 10" and 12" at the shoulder.