, Author at The South Africa Dog Guide

Poodle

Small, Utility Dogs, XSmall /

Poodles were originally bred as water retrievers, helping hunters retrieve ducks and other waterfowl.

Brown Standard Poodle with a curly coat standing alert on a forest path, facing the camera with a stick lying in front of its paws.

Large Utility Dogs

Poodle (Standard)

Large, Utility Dogs /

Standard Poodles retrieved waterfowl, and their distinctive “poodle clip” helped them swim while keeping them warm.

A fawn-colored Pug standing on a grassy lawn in a sunlit garden. The dog has a curled tail, a wrinkled face with a black muzzle, and is looking directly at the camera, with flowers and foliage softly blurred in the background.

Small Toy Dogs

Pug

Small, Toy Dogs /

Pugs were originally bred in ancient China to be companion dogs for emperors and wealthy families as far back as 400 B.C.

Working Dogs XLarge

Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Working Dogs, XLarge /

Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, also known as Great Pyrenees, were originally bred to guard livestock in France and Spain.

Hounds Large

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Hounds, Large /

The Rhodesian Ridgeback was originally bred in Southern Africa in the late 1800s to track large game, including lions.

Large Working Dogs

Rottweiler

Large, Working Dogs /

Originally bred by the Romans, Rottweilers herded livestock, pulled carts, guard camps, and protect travelling merchants.

Herding Dogs Large

Rough Collie

Herding Dogs, Large /

Rough Collies were originally bred to herd and protect sheep across the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.

Hounds Medium

Saluki

Hounds, Medium /

Salukis were originally bred by nomadic tribes and Middle Eastern royalty to hunt fast-moving prey using their eyesight.

Herding Dogs Medium

Samoyed

Herding Dogs, Medium /

Samoyeds were bred for herding reindeer, pulling sledges, hunting, and helping their owners survive the harsh Arctic climate.

Medium Small Working Dogs

Schnauzer

Medium, Small, Working Dogs /

Schnauzers were originally bred in Germany as versatile farm dogs that helped hunt small animals and keep farms rat-free.

Medium Terriers

Scottish Terrier

Medium, Terriers /

Scottish Terriers are brave, skilled hunters and were originally bred to hunt and control vermin such as badgers and foxes.

Medium Utility Dogs

Shar Pei

Medium, Utility Dogs /

Shar Peis were originally bred in ancient China as hardworking farm dogs that helped with a variety of tasks.

Herding Dogs Small

Shetland Sheepdog

Herding Dogs, Small /

Shelties were originally bred as hardworking farm and watchdogs on Scotland’s rugged Shetland Islands.

Medium Utility Dogs

Shiba Inu

Medium, Utility Dogs /

Shiba Inus were originally bred in the mountainous regions of central Japan to hunt small animals like birds and rabbits.

Small Utility Dogs

Shih Tzu

Small, Utility Dogs /

Shih Tzus were originally bred to be loving companions and bring good fortune for royalty and monks in ancient China.