, Author at South Africa Dog Guide

Lhasa Apso

Double, Long, Low Shedding, Moderate, Moderate Energy, Small, Utility Dogs /

The Lhasa Apso originated in the palaces of Tibet, where it served as both a cherished companion and an indoor watchdog.

Long Moderate Moderate Energy No Shedding Silky Single Smooth Toy Dogs XSmall

Maltese

Long, Moderate, Moderate Energy, No Shedding, Silky, Single, Smooth, Toy Dogs, XSmall /

The Maltese was originally bred as a companion dog and a symbol of luxury for royalty and noblewomen.

Double Light Shedding Moderate Energy Quiet Short Smooth Working Dogs XLarge

Mastiff

Double, Light Shedding, Moderate Energy, Quiet, Short, Smooth, Working Dogs, XLarge /

The Mastiff was originally bred to perform demanding jobs that required strength, courage, and loyalty.

Light Shedding Low-Moderate Energy Quiet Short Single Smooth Working Dogs XLarge

Neapolitan Mastiff

Light Shedding, Low-Moderate Energy, Quiet, Short, Single, Smooth, Working Dogs, XLarge /

Neapolitan Mastiffs were originally bred in Southern Italy as powerful and versatile guard dogs.

Constant Shedding Double Long Moderate Energy Quiet Working Dogs XLarge

Newfoundland

Constant Shedding, Double, Long, Moderate Energy, Quiet, Working Dogs, XLarge /

Newfoundlands were originally bred as hardworking companions for fishermen in the cold waters of the North Atlantic.

Double Herding Dogs Large Light Shedding Long Moderate Moderate Energy

Old English Sheepdog

Double, Herding Dogs, Large, Light Shedding, Long, Moderate, Moderate Energy /

Old English Sheepdogs were originally bred in England during the 1800s to help farmers manage and move livestock.

High Energy Long Low Shedding Silky Single Toy Dogs Very Vocal XSmall

Papillon

High Energy, Long, Low Shedding, Silky, Single, Toy Dogs, Very Vocal, XSmall /

Papillons were originally bred as companion dogs for European nobility and royalty during the Renaissance.

Double Light Shedding Long Moderate Energy Quiet Small Toy Dogs

Pekingese

Double, Light Shedding, Long, Moderate Energy, Quiet, Small, Toy Dogs /

For centuries, Pekingese were companions of Chinese emperors and were rarely seen outside the royal court.

Double Frequent Herding Dogs High Energy Medium Medium Seasonal Shedding

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Double, Frequent, Herding Dogs, High Energy, Medium, Medium, Seasonal Shedding /

Pembroke Welsh Corgis were originally bred in Wales as hardworking farm and herding dogs.

Double Frequent Light Shedding Long Moderate Energy Toy Dogs XSmall

Pomeranian

Double, Frequent, Light Shedding, Long, Moderate Energy, Toy Dogs, XSmall /

Pomeranians were much larger, and by the early 1900s, they had become firmly established as a beloved companion dog.

Curly Frequent High Energy Long No Shedding Single Small Utility Dogs XSmall

Poodle

Curly, Frequent, High Energy, Long, No Shedding, Single, 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.

Curly Frequent High Energy Large Long No Shedding Single Utility Dogs

Poodle (Standard)

Curly, Frequent, High Energy, Large, Long, No Shedding, Single, 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.

Double Low-Moderate Energy Quiet Seasonal Shedding Short Small Smooth Toy Dogs

Pug

Double, Low-Moderate Energy, Quiet, Seasonal Shedding, Short, Small, Smooth, 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.

Constant Shedding Double Medium Moderate Moderate Energy Working Dogs XLarge

Pyrenean Mountain Dog

Constant Shedding, Double, Medium, Moderate, Moderate Energy, Working Dogs, XLarge /

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

High Energy Hounds Large Light Shedding Occasional Short Single Smooth

Rhodesian Ridgeback

High Energy, Hounds, Large, Light Shedding, Occasional, Short, Single, Smooth /

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