Despite its name, the Great Dane isn't actually a Danish breed rather a German one. Referred to as the Reichshund, Deutsche Dogge or German Mastiff, the Great Dane was used for hunting boar, bear and deer. Great Danes are generally associated with German nobility and can traced back to the middle ages.
The American Eskimo isn't actually American, rather it's a German breed better know as the Deutsche Spitz. The Deutsche Spitz was bred as a companion dog in toy, miniature and standard sizes. It's best known in the U.S. as a circus performer.
Photo: Robert Southworth.
Photo: Robert Southworth.
The Rottweiler or Rottweiler Metzgerhund in German literally means Rottweil Butcher's dog. This is because the Rottweiler originally herded and protected livestock and pulled the carts of butchers.
Origin: Rottweil, Germany.
Origin: Rottweil, Germany.
Sorry but your standard French Poodle isn't French, rather German. The Poodle was developed in Germany as a way to retrieve hunted wildfowl from water. Poodle itself is derived from the German world 'Pudel,' which means to splash.
While there are several pointer breeds, the German Short Hair is the most well know and has a derivative, the long hair. The Deutsche Kurzhaar was bred through several generations as a strong and agile hunting breed, which is fast on land and is also a good swimmer.
Origin: Thüringen, Germany.
Origin: Thüringen, Germany.
Bred by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector, the Dobermann Pinscher is well known for its exceptional guarding abilities, strength, stamina, intelligence and fierce loyalty.
Origin: Thüringen, Germany.
Origin: Thüringen, Germany.
The Pomeranian or Zwergspitz 'Dwarf Spitz' is sometimes referred to as the Jack Russel of European dogs due to its fun spirited personality. The Pomeranian has the widest variety of fur colors than any other breed.
Origin: Pomerania, Germany.
Origin: Pomerania, Germany.
The Weimaraner was initially used by the Grade Duke of Weimar to hunt both large and small game. Dubbed the gray ghost, the Weimaraner is noted for its speed, stamina, courage and heightened senses of small and eyesight.
Origin: Thüringen, Germany.
Origin: Thüringen, Germany.
The Dachshund 'Badger Dog' often referred to the Dackel in German was bred for ferret out small game such as rabbits. Sometimes called the Chihuahua of German dogs, Dackels can be aggressive to strangers and unknown dogs, yet they are extremely loving and playful. Dackels come on short hair, long hair and wire haired in a variety of colors.
Origin: Eastern Germany.
Origin: Eastern Germany.
The Deutscher Schäferhund or German Shepherd Dog was originally developed to herd sheep. Over the years, the Shepherd has served in a wide variety of roles from guard, search-rescue, police and military duties across the world.
Origin: Saxony, Germany.
Origin: Saxony, Germany.
