## Quick Facts

The Golden Retriever is a British gundog in FCI Group 8, developed to find and retrieve shot game in close cooperation with its handler. This background is still evident in the breed's willingness to work, interest in carrying objects and need for both physical activity and tasks to solve.

- **Origin:** Great Britain, with documented development in the border area between England and Scotland
- **Original purpose:** retrieving game birds on land and in water
- **Height at the withers:** 56–61 cm for males and 51–56 cm for females under the breed standard
- **Coat:** straight or wavy double coat with a dense, water-resistant undercoat
- **Colour:** shades of gold or cream; red and mahogany are not included in the standard
- **Breed ideal:** friendly, confident, intelligent, biddable and willing to work
- **Best suited to:** a home that wants to train and engage the dog and include it in daily life

The breed standard describes an ideal, not a guarantee for every individual. Temperament, activity level and everyday behaviour are also influenced by breeding priorities, parents, upbringing, health and training.

## Appearance & Coat

The Golden Retriever should be well balanced, proportionate and active, with a build capable of work without being heavy or exaggerated. Males are generally larger than females, but function, free movement and overall soundness matter more than a powerful appearance.

The coat consists of straight or wavy outer hair, fuller feathering and a dense, water-resistant undercoat. Permitted colours range from cream to different shades of gold. Red and mahogany are not standard colours, and white is limited to a few hairs on the chest. Colour or body shape does not, however, reliably predict an individual dog's activity level or willingness to work.

The double coat sheds and needs regular attention, especially when more undercoat is being released. Brush through the entire coat as needed and pay particular attention behind the ears, in the armpits and in the feathering on the legs and tail, where tangles form more readily. A comb helps confirm that brushing has reached through the undercoat. Bathe the dog when it is dirty rather than according to a fixed schedule. After swimming or wet walks, it is practical to untangle the coat, let it dry thoroughly and check the skin and ears if the dog shows signs of irritation.

Nail trimming, dental care and checks of the skin, ears and paws are part of routine care. The important point is to adapt the routine to the individual dog's coat, shedding, activity and how often it gets wet or dirty.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed ideal for the Golden Retriever is a friendly, confident and biddable dog with a natural willingness to work and retrieve. Many seek contact, carry objects and enjoy shared tasks, but this description should not be taken to mean that every Golden Retriever is automatically calm, uncomplicated or sociable with everyone.

The breed often matures relatively late. A young Golden Retriever can remain physical, intense and easily distracted long after reaching full size. Everyday skills such as greeting calmly, following guidance, accepting handling and settling therefore need to be trained as deliberately as retrieving and obedience.

Breeders pursue different goals, including work in the shooting field, tests, shows or a broader companion focus. Labels such as “working Golden” and “show Golden” provide only a rough clue and do not reliably predict an individual's drive, appearance or ability to switch off. Instead, ask the breeder to describe the parents' and close relatives' everyday behaviour, willingness to work, fears, sociability and recovery after activity or stress. Working and temperament assessments can provide more information, but they are part of the evidence rather than guarantees.

The breed can suit a committed first-time owner, particularly with support from the breeder and a training class. It still requires readiness for a relatively large, strong and often lively adolescent dog that needs consistent routines, daily engagement and time to mature.

## Training & Exercise

The Golden Retriever needs daily physical activity, mental problem-solving and opportunities to recover, but there is no fixed daily duration that suits every dog. Age, health, fitness, personality and breeding focus determine how exercise should be divided and how demanding it can be.

A balanced adult routine may include walks over varied terrain, scent work, searches, retrieving, obedience and calm training in different environments. Variety offers more than trying to exhaust the dog with the same high-intensity activity every day. The breed was developed for cooperation, so tasks with a clear start, purpose and finish often suit it better than uncontrolled, rapid ball throwing.

Puppies need short, positive periods of play, exposure to different environments and movement, with plenty of rest between activities. The load should be adapted to the puppy's development and the surface underfoot, not calculated from a fixed rule based on minutes. Increase duration and difficulty gradually and let the puppy's stamina and recovery determine the next step.

Reward-based training generally suits the breed's willingness to cooperate. Prioritise these skills early:

- recall and engagement around people, dogs and game scent
- walking on a loose lead and greeting calmly
- releasing and exchanging objects without conflict
- steadiness and waiting before retrieving or play
- a learned cue for rest and settling

An interest in water is common, but not every Golden Retriever wants to enter the water and swimming ability should never be assumed. Introduce water in a shallow, calm area with an easy exit, allow the dog to set the pace and supervise continuously. Currents, weak ice, algal blooms and banks that are difficult to leave require particular caution.

## Health

Hips, elbows and eyes are central health areas in Swedish Golden Retriever breeding. Prospective puppy buyers need to distinguish between the Swedish Kennel Club's formal registration requirements, the breed club's recommendations and the result of an individual test.

For the offspring to be registered with the Swedish Kennel Club, both parents must have an official hip dysplasia status before mating. This does not mean that elbow grading, eye examination and DNA testing are equivalent mandatory Swedish Kennel Club requirements for every litter of the breed. The Swedish Golden Retriever Club's recommendations and puppy referral conditions go further: they include hip and elbow results, a current eye examination, GR_PRA1/2 status and certain merits.

The club normally recommends hip grades A or B and elbows graded clear. Dogs with hip grade C or elbow grade 1 should, under the recommendations, be used only exceptionally, and the litter's estimated hip or elbow index must then be at least 100. The eye certificate must be no more than two years old at mating, and at least one parent must be clear or hereditarily clear of both GR_PRA1 and GR_PRA2.

Ask for the actual results, not merely a statement that the dogs have been “tested”. Check the hip and elbow grades, indexes where available, the date and result of the eye examination, and each parent's DNA status. GR_PRA1 and GR_PRA2 relate to specific mutations. The tests do not cover every genetic cause of PRA and therefore do not replace a clinical eye examination.

Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and some eye diseases occur in the breed. The breed-specific breeding strategy also identifies tumours as an important issue for the breed as a whole. Such evidence cannot be converted into a certain percentage or prognosis for an individual puppy. Also ask about the health and longevity of parents, siblings and older close relatives. Good screening results reduce uncertainty but can never guarantee future health.

## History & Origins

The Golden Retriever was developed during the latter part of the nineteenth century in the border area between England and Scotland to retrieve shot game on both land and water. Changing shooting practices created a need for a dog that could search, mark, wait and work with endurance in close cooperation with the handler.

Lord Tweedmouth's surviving breeding records document the early development. A yellow retriever was mated with a Tweed Water Spaniel, and continued selection shaped the qualities associated with the breed's retrieving, water work and cooperation. The Golden Retriever was recognised as a distinct breed in 1913 and was introduced to Sweden around 1950.

The breed's modern roles extend beyond practical shooting, but its background remains relevant. Searching, interest in objects, endurance and the ability to alternate between activity and waiting are qualities that need to be maintained through breeding and training, including in dogs that live primarily as companions.

## Living with the Breed

The Golden Retriever is best suited to people who want a sociable, trainable dog that can take part in daily life. A friendly breed ideal does not make everyday skills innate: a young Golden Retriever needs to learn to greet calmly, walk on a lead, handle objects appropriately and settle even when a lot is happening around it.

The breed can live well with children, but interaction requires adult supervision. Children should learn to respect the dog's rest, food and signals, while the dog needs training to greet and play without knocking people over or crowding them. The same care applies to other animals. Many Golden Retrievers live with dogs or cats, but introductions should be gradual, with control, distance and a safe retreat for the cat. The individual dog's previous experience and interest in chasing or carrying objects matter.

Flat living can work if there is a realistic plan for toilet breaks and training, as well as space for a wet coat and calm behaviour indoors. A garden is practical but does not replace walks, changes of environment or shared activity. The breed is often sociable, and time alone needs to be built gradually from short, secure periods. How long a particular dog can cope alone cannot be determined from the breed name.

Before buying a puppy, look beyond colour and the parents' titles. Ask the breeder to show official health results, indexes, the date of the eye examination and DNA status. Ideally, meet the dam, ask how close relatives behave at home and request specific examples of activity level, sociability, fears and recovery. Choose a litter whose documented qualities and the breeder's goals match the life you can genuinely provide.

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever Club UK

Svenska Kennelklubben (Swedish Kennel Club)

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Dansk Kennel Klub (Danish Kennel Club)

The Kennel Club UK

Friendly, medium‑large retriever with dense, water‑repellent golden coat and soft mouth. Highly trainable, people‑oriented and playful, needing daily inclusion, grooming and 1.5–2 hours of varied exercise. Bred as a gundog, now common as family, assistance and therapy dog.

Glitrevarden driver oppdrett av golden retriever i Erdal på Askøy, like utenfor Bergen. Kennelen ble etablert i 2015, og det første kullet ble født vinteren 2017. Glitrevarden står på Norsk Retrieverklubbs oppdretterliste for golden retriever i Vestland. Avlshundene undersøkes for arvelige tilstander, øyelyses og røntges for hofteleddsdysplasi (HD) og albueleddsdysplasi (AD). I 2023 bidro kennelen med premier til beste hannhund og tispe i unghundklassen ved Norsk Retrieverklubb Bergen og omegns utstilling. I 2022 fikk Glitrevarden sin første norske utstillingschampion.

Glitrevarden

## Quick Facts

- The English Toy Terrier is a small British companion dog with a distinct terrier character.
- The breed standard specifies an **ideal height of 25–30 cm** and an **ideal weight of 2.7–3.6 kg**. These figures describe the ideal, not every healthy adult dog.
- The coat is short, close, smooth and glossy. The colour is black with clearly defined tan markings.
- The breed is active, alert and often quick to raise the alarm, but sociability, tendency to bark and stress tolerance vary between individuals and bloodlines.
- The fine coat offers little protection from the cold. A well-fitting coat may be needed on cold Scandinavian days.
- Small rodents may trigger the instinct to chase. Children and larger dogs need calm supervision around the dog to reduce the risk of injury.
- Give greater weight to documented health, temperament and pedigree diversity than to a long list of unspecified genetic tests.

## Appearance & Coat

The English Toy Terrier should be elegant, compact and well balanced, with clean lines but no suggestion of frailty. The head and legs should be in proportion to the body, and movement should be free, even and precise. The thin, high-set ears have a distinctive candle-flame shape and should be fully erect from nine months of age.

The breed standard expressly describes 25–30 cm and 2.7–3.6 kg as ideal measurements. They are neither a general normal range nor the only measure of a sound dog. Also consider body condition, balance, movement and how the dog functions in everyday life. A dog outside the ideal weight is not automatically overweight or underweight.

The only accepted colour is black with tan markings on defined parts of the head, chest, legs and underside. Black and tan should be clearly separated. The coat should be short, close, smooth and glossy. It usually needs little work: wipe away dirt and use a soft brush or cloth when required. At the same time, check the skin, paws, nails, ears, eyes and mouth.

The short coat has no warm undercoat. Adjust time outdoors to the weather, the level of activity and the individual dog. A coat can be sensible in cold weather, but the dog still needs exercise and daily time outside. Rinse and dry the paws after contact with road salt, and introduce calm nail care and tooth brushing from an early age.

## Temperament & Personality

The English Toy Terrier is normally an alert and active companion, but breed descriptions cannot replace an assessment of the individual dog. The standard calls for an alert temperament without undue nervousness. Swedish breed documents describe many dogs as curious, affectionate and keen to be involved, but they also report considerable variation in owners' experiences.

The breed can be reserved with strangers, and some individuals are quick to bark when someone comes to the door. This does not mean that every English Toy Terrier is aloof or noisy. A prospective owner should meet the dam and, where possible, the sire or other adult relatives. Watch how they respond to unfamiliar people, sounds and gentle handling, and how quickly they recover after something unexpected.

The Swedish BPH behavioural assessment data do not provide a reliable profile of the breed. The 2022 breed-specific breeding strategy included only 21 BPH starts, and the published breed average was based on just 11 Swedish-born dogs. Results for this small group indicated uncertainty and lower confidence around unfamiliar people, but the sample is too small to describe all dogs. Ask about temperament across several generations and avoid clearly timid, nervous or easily stressed parents.

The breed's history as a rat catcher appears in some dogs as an interest in small, fast-moving animals. Mice, hamsters and guinea pigs should therefore be kept securely apart. Living with a cat or another dog depends on the individual, previous experience and the introduction; the breed name is no guarantee. Play with much larger dogs needs to be controlled, as a small, fine-boned dog can be injured even when both dogs are friendly.

## Training & Exercise

The English Toy Terrier needs physical exercise and mental activity every day, but a fixed number of minutes will not suit every dog. Age, health, weather, pace and what the dog is actually doing matter more than a generic time target. Combine daily walks and longer outings with scent work, play, simple searches, tricks and quiet downtime. An adult can often manage more activity than its size suggests, while a puppy needs shorter sessions, free movement and plenty of rest.

Reward-based, progressive training suits the breed's quick and attentive nature. Keep sessions short and clear. Give particular attention to engagement, recall, walking on a loose lead and turning away from moving distractions. Use an enclosed area or a long line until recall works even when the surroundings are tempting.

To prevent persistent barking at the door, teach the dog to go to a designated place away from the hall. Reward it for settling there, and ask visitors to wait before interacting until the dog is calm. The aim is not total silence, but a clear alternative to continued alarm barking.

Gently accustom the puppy from an early age to having its teeth and ears examined, its legs and paws touched and its body lifted safely. Training should be voluntary, positive and broken into small steps. This makes routine care, veterinary visits and being examined on a table at dog shows easier.

## Health

For the English Toy Terrier, it is important to distinguish between recommended health checks, tests that are relevant only to certain pedigrees and binding registration requirements. The Swedish breed-specific breeding strategy recommends eye testing and checks of the patellae and heart. The Swedish Kennel Club's 2026 registration rules, however, specify no mandatory breed-specific health test for the English Toy Terrier. A check can still be valuable even when it is not compulsory.

The Swedish health evidence is limited. The breeding strategy reports heart murmurs in a small survey and only modest numbers of dogs examined for eye and patellar conditions. These figures justify questions and checks, but they cannot establish how common a condition is across the breed. Ask to see dated results for both parents and enquire about diagnoses in siblings, parents and previous offspring.

The Swedish breeding strategy mentions three DNA tests for breeding dogs with American or Canadian dogs in their pedigrees: juvenile dilated cardiomyopathy (JDCM), xanthinuria and von Willebrand disease type 1. The current British health standard recommends JDCM, xanthinuria type II and eye testing for the breed, but does not list vWD1. This is a good reason to check the pedigree and the relevant national guidance before ordering a broad test panel without a clear purpose.

JDCM is a serious heart condition that can appear early in life. Xanthinuria type II can cause xanthine crystals in the urinary tract and kidney damage. Both are described as autosomal recessive: a dog with one altered copy is a carrier and is not expected to develop the condition, while two altered copies mean the dog is at risk of disease. A carrier need not automatically be excluded from breeding; the mating must be planned so that puppies do not inherit two altered copies, while genetic diversity is protected.

Before buying a puppy, ask for clear answers to the following questions:

- Which eye, patellar and heart checks have been carried out, when were they done and what were the results?
- Are there American or Canadian dogs in the pedigree, and which DNA tests are therefore relevant?
- What is known about the health and temperament of close relatives, not only the parents?
- How does the breeder avoid close matings and the overuse of individual breeding dogs?

## History & Origins

The English Toy Terrier is a British toy breed descended from the Black and Tan Terrier. During nineteenth-century urbanisation, small terriers were used to control rats, and bloody rat-killing contests also took place in public houses. This history helps to explain the breed's terrier character, but should not be romanticised.

In Britain, the breed was known by several names, including Miniature Black and Tan Terrier and Black and Tan Toy Terrier. The Kennel Club changed the name to English Toy Terrier (Black and Tan) in 1960. The first documented import to Sweden arrived from the United States in 1958.

North American Toy Manchester Terriers have since been used to broaden the small gene pool and may appear in Swedish and other Nordic pedigrees. That does not make the two breed standards identical. The Swedish breeding strategy notes differences including head shape and topline. For a prospective owner, the pedigree helps explain both the dog's background and which DNA tests may be relevant.

## Living with the Breed

The English Toy Terrier can do well in a flat if it gets outdoors, uses both body and mind, and learns to settle despite sounds in the building. The size of the home is no substitute for walks, and a garden does not replace daily activity either. If sound travels easily, begin early with calm behaviour around the door, lift and communal hallway.

Time alone must be introduced gradually. A young puppy should not be left alone, and adult dogs vary in what they can cope with. Start with very short periods when the dog is secure and settled, increase the time slowly and take a step back if it shows distress. Arrange help during working days rather than assuming that a small dog can be left for long periods.

The breed can live with children, but an adult should always be present with young children. The dog needs an undisturbed resting place, and children should not lift, carry or chase it. The same caution applies to boisterous play with larger dogs. The English Toy Terrier is fine-boned but not an ornament: it needs safe physical activity while the family prevents falls, crushing injuries and rough handling.

The breed is best suited to someone who values a small but active dog, can provide daily company and training, and is prepared to judge the individual rather than rely on stereotypes. A sound decision is based on meeting adult relatives, checking health records and having a routine that still works in cold weather or when the dog cannot come along.

English Toy Terrier

The Kennel Club (UK)

English Toy Terrier Club (UK)

Verein für Deutsche Spitze e.V. (Germany)

Small, elegant black-and-tan toy terrier with a fine but athletic build and low‑maintenance short coat. Loyal and people-focused, often bonding closely with one person. Lively, intelligent and sensitive, needs daily exercise, mental stimulation and protection from temperature extremes.

I breed English Toy Terriers as a way to honor Mickey, my beloved dog who was taken from me far too suddenly at the age of eight. Through this work, I carry his memory forward, focusing on the same spirit, loyalty, and joy he brought into my life. Each dog represents a small piece of him, and this journey is both a tribute and a way to keep his legacy alive.

Carina B. Helgesen

## Quick Facts

The Biewer Terrier is a very small, active companion dog with the alertness of a terrier and a long, tri-coloured coat that requires considerable care. The breed was developed in Germany from Yorkshire Terrier lines but now has its own breed standard.

- **Size:** the current Swedish breed standard specifies a height of 21–26 cm at the withers and a weight of 2.2–3.8 kg.
- **Breed status:** recognised by the Swedish Kennel Club and the other Nordic kennel clubs, but not by the FCI.
- **Temperament:** lively, alert, close to its family and keen to join in activities; stubbornness and some prey drive may occur.
- **Activity:** needs exercise, play and mental training every day despite its small size.
- **Coat:** long, straight and silky with no undercoat. The Swedish Kennel Club describes the breed as non-shedding, but the coat needs frequent brushing.
- **The key everyday question:** do you have time for coat care, tooth brushing, training the dog to stay alone and an active little dog?

## Appearance & Coat

The Biewer Terrier is a small, elegant dog whose most distinctive features are its long, tri-coloured coat and the ponytail on its head. The body is slightly longer than tall, although a squarer outline is also accepted. The ears are small and erect, the eyes are dark and the expression is alert.

The current Swedish standard specifies 21–26 cm and 2.2–3.8 kg. You may also encounter 18–28 cm and 1.8–3.6 kg in another Nordic version of the standard. This does not mean that there are two size varieties. Use the current Swedish Kennel Club standard when comparing Swedish information. These measurements describe the standard, not how large every puppy will become.

The coat should be long, straight, soft and silky with no undercoat. The head is blue or black, gold or tan, and white; the body is blue or black and white, with white on areas including the chest, abdomen, legs and tip of the tail as described in the standard.

This coat suits an owner who accepts a fixed grooming routine. The Swedish Kennel Club recommends going through it at least every other day and says that bathing may be needed every one or two weeks depending on coat length and need. Ease out small tangles before they become tight and pay particular attention where the coat rubs together. A short pet trim reduces the work but does not remove the need for combing, bathing and regular clipping. Anyone who wants to show the dog needs to keep the coat in a condition that meets the standard.

The fact that the breed does not shed according to the Swedish Kennel Club does not make it allergy-safe. Allergens also come from skin, saliva and other bodily fluids, and the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association stresses that no dog breed can be called allergy-safe. Where dog allergy is a concern, the reaction needs to be assessed for the individual person and dog before purchase.

## Temperament & Personality

The Biewer Terrier is typically a lively, attentive and close companion, not a passive lapdog. The Swedish Kennel Club describes the breed as cheerful, alert and fearless, while the breed standard highlights trainability, loyalty and a strong attachment to the family. This often makes the dog involved in everything happening at home.

The terrier side is most evident in watchfulness, independence and a desire to follow movement. The Swedish Kennel Club states that some prey drive occurs and that the dog may run after birds, cats and other small animals. A reliable recall, a lead where needed and early training around such distractions are therefore more important than the dog's small size might suggest.

Barking cannot be predicted from the breed name alone. The Swedish Biewer Terrier Club describes considerable variation: some individuals bark, while others do not. If noise levels are decisive in a home with thin walls, ask what the parent dogs tend to react to and meet them if possible. Also plan early, gradual training around everyday sounds and calm behaviour at the door.

## Training & Exercise

The Biewer Terrier needs physical and mental activity every day, but there is no well-supported minute-by-minute formula that suits every individual. Age, health, fitness and how well the dog settles after activity are better guides than a fixed number of minutes.

A workable routine includes several toilet outings, walks with time to sniff, play and short training sessions. Train recall, lead walking, handling, house training and settling calmly in clear, gradual steps. Small dogs need the same consistent everyday skills as large ones; carrying the dog past every difficult situation is not a substitute for training.

The breed may enjoy agility, rally obedience, nose work and trick training. Adapt obstacles and physical load to a small body and build fitness gradually. The aim is a dog that both wants to work and can settle at home; more activity is not automatically better if there is too little recovery.

## Health

The overall health of the Biewer Terrier in Sweden cannot yet be summarised with confidence because the number of registered dogs is limited. It is therefore more responsible to examine documented results and the closest relatives than to label the breed either healthy or unhealthy.

Patellar luxation, in which the kneecap can move out of its normal position, occurs according to the Swedish Kennel Club. The Swedish Biewer Terrier Club recommends that breeding dogs have a known patella status. Ask the breeder to show documented results for both parents and explain how any findings in close relatives have affected breeding decisions.

Eyes are another area to check. The breed club recommends eye examinations for breeding dogs and describes both cataracts in Nordic dogs and the inherited retinal condition prcd-PRA, for which a DNA test is available. Ask for current eye results and how the breeder uses DNA results when planning a mating; a genetic test does not replace a clinical eye examination.

Teeth require practical preventive care from the start. The Swedish Kennel Club recommends daily tooth brushing because small dogs can readily develop tartar and poor oral health. Gradually accustom the puppy to having its mouth handled, and ask a veterinarian to assess retained baby teeth, pain, bad breath or difficulty eating.

A good health discussion before purchase should therefore cover official results, actual diagnoses in close relatives and the breeder's follow-up plan. A long list of conditions that can affect small dogs says less than verifiable information about the particular mating.

## History & Origins

The Biewer Terrier was developed in Germany during the 1980s from Yorkshire Terriers. The background section of the Swedish standard describes a 1984 litter in which puppies born to two purebred Yorkshire Terriers had white markings. The Biewer couple then continued to breed deliberately for the trait.

The breed therefore shares its origins with the Yorkshire Terrier, but it is not simply another colour name for that breed. It has its own standard, a defined tri-coloured pattern and is described in the standard as clearly genetically distinct from the breed of origin. The first Biewer Terrier registered in Sweden entered the Swedish Kennel Club register in 2018.

The breed is nationally recognised by the Swedish Kennel Club and other Nordic kennel clubs but is not recognised by the FCI. This mainly matters for registration and certain international show awards. If importing, ask the Swedish Kennel Club to confirm that the particular pedigree can be registered before paying a deposit; a registration certificate from another country is not in itself a guarantee of Swedish registration.

## Living with the Breed

The Biewer Terrier can live in either a flat or a house, but a small home does not make dog ownership low-maintenance. What matters is whether the dog receives daily activity, can be trained to stay calm around everyday sounds, and gets the extensive coat and dental care the breed needs.

With children, the dog's very small body is the main safety issue. The Swedish Kennel Club recommends that dogs and young children always have an adult present and that very small dogs are handled with extra care. Children should not carry a puppy, chase it or disturb it in its resting place. Calm interaction says more about suitability than the label “child-friendly”.

Living with a cat or other dogs can work, but it is not guaranteed by breed. The Biewer Terrier's prey drive makes a running cat especially relevant. Give the cat a secure dog-free area and high escape places, keep initial meetings short and controlled, and do not allow chasing. With other dogs, play needs to be managed so that the little dog is not injured by the size difference.

Time alone must be trained, not tested with a long first absence. The Swedish Kennel Club states that a young puppy cannot be left alone and that an adult dog trained to be alone can normally manage a few hours, but individuals vary greatly. Begin when the puppy feels secure, leave for a very short time and increase it only while the dog remains calm. The Swedish Board of Agriculture also advises that dogs should be taken out at least every six hours during the day, and more often when young or old.

Before choosing the breed, you should be able to answer yes to four questions: can you care for the coat throughout the year, brush the teeth daily, plan gradual training for time alone, and give a small but active dog both exercise and mental work? If the answer is yes, the Biewer Terrier can be an engaged and close companion; if you want a low-maintenance little dog, it is a poorer choice.

Biewer Terrier

Deutscher Biewer Yorkshire Terrier Club (Germany)

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Belgium)

Société Centrale Canine (France)

Dansk Kennel Klub (Denmark)

The Biewer Terrier is a small, tri-colored toy companion dog with a long, silky, low-shedding coat that needs frequent grooming. Cheerful, playful, and people-oriented, it suits apartment living, needs moderate exercise, gentle training, and can live into its mid teens with good care.

## Quick Facts

The Yorkshire Terrier is a small British terrier kept primarily as a companion, but it should still be alert, intelligent and spirited, with an even temperament.

- The breed is recognised by the FCI as British terrier number 86, in Group 3 and the Toy Terrier section.
- The breed standard sets a maximum weight of 3.2 kg but no minimum weight or height at the withers. In practice, many dogs are heavier than the standard maximum.
- “Teacup” is not an official Yorkshire Terrier size category. The label therefore cannot guarantee a dog’s adult size or health.
- The coat should be straight, glossy, fine and silky. A long coat requires considerable care; clipping it short reduces the work but does not make it maintenance-free.
- The clearest documented health priorities are the teeth, retained deciduous teeth and patellar luxation, or slipping kneecaps.

## Appearance & Coat

The Yorkshire Terrier should be compact, neat and well proportioned, with an upright carriage and free movement. It may be very small, but it should not look fragile or exaggeratedly miniaturised.

The 3.2 kg maximum describes the show standard’s ideal, not a promise for every adult dog. The standard gives no height at the withers. SKK reports that most dogs are around 20–25 cm and that many weigh more than the standard maximum; even puppies in the same litter can reach different adult sizes. A puppy buyer should therefore ask for the actual weights of the parents and adult relatives rather than rely on terms such as “mini” or “teacup”.

The standard adult coat is dark steel blue over the body and clear golden tan on areas including the head and chest. The hair should be straight and glossy with a fine, silky texture, not woolly. Puppies are born black and tan, and the steel-blue adult colour develops gradually. The pace at which colour and texture mature varies, so a puppy coat cannot show exactly what the adult dog will look like.

A long coat needs frequent, thorough combing all the way to the skin, particularly where the hair is exposed to friction. Many companion dogs are clipped short for an easier routine. This makes bathing, drying and detangling less time-consuming, but the dog still needs brushing and must learn to accept handling around the face, ears, feet and nails. The coat has no undercoat, which can also mean that the dog needs protection in cold, wet weather.

The Yorkshire Terrier is sometimes described as suitable for people with allergies because it sheds little visible hair. That is misleading as a guarantee: no dog is allergen-free, and dog allergens come from sources including saliva and skin cells. Anyone who has or suspects an animal allergy should seek medical advice before getting a dog.

A tricoloured Biewer Terrier is not a special Yorkshire Terrier colour. In Sweden and the other Nordic countries, the Biewer Terrier is treated as a separate breed, despite its close historical relationship with the Yorkshire Terrier. It is not, however, recognised by the FCI.

## Temperament & Personality

The Yorkshire Terrier is generally attentive, curious and ready to act, rather than a passive lapdog. The breed standard emphasises intelligence, spirit and an even disposition, but sociability, barking and interest in chasing vary between dogs and are influenced by upbringing and training.

Its quick response to sounds and movement can make the breed inclined to sound the alarm. That does not mean every dog barks excessively. A dog that is allowed to investigate its surroundings calmly, rewarded for quiet behaviour and taught to settle is better equipped to handle sounds at the door and movement outside a window. Simply interrupting barking without changing its cause rarely creates a sustainable routine.

The terrier background may show as an interest in toys, scents and small animals. Recall and the ability to disengage from something exciting therefore need training, even with a dog that is easy to pick up. Living with a cat or another dog depends more on the individual, the introduction and daily routines than on a simple yes-or-no verdict for the breed.

With children, the small body is the most important practical consideration. A child must be able to let the dog move away, play at floor level and refrain from carrying or chasing it. Contact with young children should be supervised. The same care is needed during play with much larger dogs, because friendly but physical play can still be too rough for a Yorkshire Terrier.

## Training & Exercise

The Yorkshire Terrier needs daily physical and mental activity, but there is no meaningful number of minutes that suits every dog. A good day includes several toilet outings, walks with time to sniff, play, simple problem-solving and training in which the dog can succeed.

Adapt the amount and intensity to age, fitness, weather and the individual. It is more useful to observe how the dog functions in everyday life and adjust one thing at a time than to chase a generic number of minutes.

Reward-based training suits the breed’s quick understanding. Prioritise engagement, recall, loose-lead skills, a calm resting place and an alternative behaviour when the dog wants to alert. Also practise grooming, showing the teeth and nail care in small steps. This makes everyday care safer and reduces the need to restrain the dog.

Socialisation does not mean that a puppy must greet everyone. It needs calm, positive experiences of people, dogs, surfaces, traffic and household sounds without being pressured. The breed may also enjoy scent work, rally obedience, tracking, tricks or agility adapted to its size. The particular activity matters less than giving the dog ways to use both body and mind.

## Health

The Yorkshire Terrier is relatively long-lived as a population, but the teeth and knee joints deserve particular attention. SKK highlights dental calculus, retained deciduous teeth and patellar luxation as issues to know about.

A British study published in 2025 reviewed the records of 3,308 Yorkshire Terriers attending general veterinary practices during 2016. Periodontal disease was the most common specific diagnosis and was recorded in 21.1 per cent during the study year. Retained deciduous teeth were recorded in 3.57 per cent, and the researchers also identified patellar luxation as a breed predisposition. The figures describe a British study group during a defined period, not the risk for a particular Swedish dog, but they make dental care a clear everyday priority.

Start getting the puppy accustomed to tooth brushing early. Daily tooth brushing is the best practical protection against plaque and calculus, but training should be built without force. Ask a veterinarian to check the transition to adult teeth if deciduous teeth remain as the permanent teeth erupt or if the dog appears to have a painful mouth.

Ask the breeder to explain what is known about teeth, bite and knee joints in the parents and close relatives. Ask whether the parents have been examined for patellar luxation and request documented results if available. A single test can reduce uncertainty but can never guarantee a healthy puppy.

There is no universal, permanent Yorkshire Terrier test package across all kennel clubs. Before buying or breeding, check the current Swedish registration rules and recommendations from SKK and the breed club rather than relying on an old list found online.

In the British study, the median age at death was 13.56 years, supporting the picture of a long-lived breed. This is a population measure, not a forecast for an individual. Body condition, oral health, movement, behavioural changes and regular veterinary care need attention throughout life.

## History & Origins

The Yorkshire Terrier developed in northern England during the 1800s and took shape in Yorkshire’s textile districts. From the 1850s, weavers and wool-mill workers bred very small, soft-coated terriers that retained the terrier’s interest in hunting and also became sought-after companion dogs.

The breed’s exact recipe is not securely documented. The old Black and Tan Terrier, together with the Maltese, Dandie Dinmont Terrier and Skye Terrier, are mentioned as probable contributors. It is therefore more accurate to speak of likely ancestors than to name a definite cross.

The breed name was accepted around 1870, and the Yorkshire Terrier was recognised as a breed in 1886. During the later 1800s, it moved from the small terriers of working communities to a modern companion and show dog. The rat-catching story has a reasonable basis in the terrier background and the breed standard’s description of hunting instinct, but not every early dog necessarily worked in a mine or factory.

The elegant coat has since received great attention, but the breed’s alert expression, initiative and interest in movement remain important to the breed as a whole.

## Living with the Breed

The Yorkshire Terrier can live well in a flat or a house when it receives activity, calmness training and regular care. The size of the home matters less than whether the household can manage noise, provide time outdoors and create a secure daily rhythm.

Time alone needs to be introduced gradually from very short periods and adapted to the dog’s response. The Swedish Board of Agriculture advises that dogs should be taken outside at least every six hours during the day, but this does not mean that a dog can cope with six hours alone. Puppies and older dogs need more frequent outings, and a dog showing distress needs a different arrangement regardless of what the clock says.

The breed best suits someone who wants a small but active dog and accepts three recurring parts of everyday life: coat, teeth and training. A family with young children or large dogs also needs clear safety routines. Cold and wet weather may require protection, particularly when the coat is clipped short or the dog is standing still.

Before buying a puppy, it is sensible to:

- meet the dam and ask how the parents and adult relatives behave in everyday life
- request the actual weights of the parents and adult relatives and reject promises of a particular “teacup” size
- review documented dental, bite and patella history as well as current breeding recommendations
- decide whether to maintain a long coat or keep the dog clipped, and learn that routine before purchase
- arrange toilet outings, alone-time training and a dog sitter before the puppy comes home.

In the right household, the Yorkshire Terrier is a small, engaged everyday companion with a distinct terrier character. It is easy to take along, but it should be treated as an active dog, not an accessory.

Yorkshire Terrier

FCI - Fédération Cynologique Internationale

Deutscher Verband für das Hundewesen (German Kennel Club)

Société Centrale Canine (French Kennel Club)

The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny, confident toy dog originally bred as a rat catcher in northern England. It has a fine, silky coat needing regular grooming, is lively, intelligent and often vocal. Yorkies bond closely with their families, need daily activity, and can live a long, active life.

Golden Dreampaws driver oppdrett av rasene Biewer terrier og Yorkshire terrier og holder til i Myking i Norge.

Golden Dreampaws

Smallwind

Oriental Short Hair

GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy)

FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline)

Felinological Association of Sweden

PawPeds (Nordic PawPeds Database)

The Cat Fanciers' Association

Oriental Shorthairs are elegant, athletic cats with a Siamese‑type body, large ears and a sleek, low‑maintenance coat in many colors and patterns. Highly social, vocal, playful and intelligent, they crave daily interaction, mental stimulation and close companionship with their people.

Oriental Adore Cattery driver oppdrett av rasen Orientalsk korthår og holder til i Storebø i Norge. Stamnavnet har vært brukt på orientalsk korthår siden oktober 2023.

Oriental Adore Cattery

## Quick Facts

The Dalmatian is a medium-sized, athletic and sociable dog best suited to someone who wants to share an active daily life with their dog. It can make a lovely family companion, but this is not a breed to choose for its looks alone. A Dalmatian needs well-planned exercise, training, recovery time and plenty of contact with its people.

- **Origin and breed group:** Croatia; FCI Group 6, Scenthounds and Related Breeds.
- **Size:** The breed standard gives a height of 56–62 cm for males and 54–60 cm for females. As a rough guide, the Swedish Kennel Club gives a weight of about 27–32 kg for males and 24–29 kg for females.
- **Coat:** Short, harsh and dense, with black or liver spots on a white ground.
- **Activity level:** Energetic and built for endurance. The breed needs physical activity, opportunities to use its nose and think, and help learning to settle.
- **Important checks before buying:** Ask to see the puppy's BAER result for both ears, the parents' hearing results, and clear information about their HUA or LUA status. Also ask for hip, elbow and BPH behaviour-assessment results where available.

A Dalmatian can suit a committed first-time owner who is prepared to learn about the breed's particular health considerations and establish consistent routines. It is a poor choice for anyone looking for a dog content with short walks, likely to be left alone frequently, or expected to become reliably safe off lead without systematic training.

## Appearance & Coat

The Dalmatian should be strong and well balanced without looking heavy. Its body is slightly longer than it is tall, with an approximate ratio of 10:9 between body length and height at the withers. The short, glossy coat lies close to the body and shows off the athletic outline.

The ground colour is pure white. Spots should be black or liver, clearly defined and evenly distributed. They are normally around two to three centimetres across on the body and smaller on the head and legs. Puppies are born white, with the spots appearing gradually.

The coat requires no elaborate clipping. Brush as needed to collect loose hair, using the opportunity to check the skin, ears, paws and nails. Bathe the dog when dirty rather than according to a fixed schedule. A short coat does not necessarily mean little hair around the home: how noticeable shedding is varies between dogs, seasons and households.

The short coat provides limited protection when the dog is standing still, wet or exposed to severe cold. Adjust the pace and length of walks to the weather and the dog's response. A coat may be sensible in cold conditions, particularly if the dog becomes tense, seeks warmth or is reluctant to move on. Dry the paws and coat after wet walks or outings on salted winter paths.

## Temperament & Personality

A well-adjusted Dalmatian is friendly, lively, loyal and trainable. The breed standard also describes a degree of independence. In daily life, this often means a dog keen to join family activities but one that needs clear routines and a worthwhile reason to co-operate. Fearfulness, nervousness and aggression are not part of the standard's ideal, but a breed description can never guarantee the character of an individual dog.

Claims about hunting drive need qualification. The international breed standard mentions a pronounced scent-hound instinct, while the Swedish Kennel Club's short breed guide describes hunting interest as low. That difference is a good reason to assess the individual rather than rely on a label. Ask how the parents behave around wildlife and read their BPH behaviour-assessment results if they have been assessed. Practise recall on a long line where necessary, and do not let the dog off lead in unsecured places until its response has been tested thoroughly.

Many Dalmatians want to stay close to their family and are sensitive to mood and unclear expectations. Short, straightforward sessions with rewards and clear breaks will often work better than nagging or harsh corrections. Practise settling in a designated resting place as deliberately as handling, recall and walking with you.

With children and other animals, individual character, experience and household routines matter more than the breed name. A large, fast-moving adolescent can knock over a small child without intending harm. A responsible adult must therefore always supervise young children and the dog, and the dog needs a protected place where it can rest undisturbed.

## Training & Exercise

The Dalmatian needs regular, varied activity, but there is no exact number of minutes that suits every dog. A good routine alternates walks, scent work, short training tasks, free movement where it is safe, and uninterrupted rest. Age, health, fitness and how the dog feels that day should determine the amount.

The breed historically accompanied carriages and horses, and many adult Dalmatians enjoy endurance exercise. That does not mean a puppy should be exercised like a fully conditioned adult. Let a young dog explore at its own pace, build body awareness and learn everyday skills rather than chasing mileage. Running alongside a bicycle or other repetitive conditioning work should wait until the dog is physically mature. Start with short, easy sessions, increase gradually, and stop if the dog is lame, stiff, reluctant or unusually tired.

Prioritise skills that make an active life safer:

- attention and walking with you even when something moves nearby
- recall first practised on a long line with controlled distractions
- calm waiting, settling and the ability to wind down after activity
- co-operative handling of ears, paws and mouth
- stop and direction cues before the dog accompanies a bicycle or horse

More speed is not always the answer for a restless adolescent. If the dog becomes increasingly over-aroused, sleeps poorly or struggles to concentrate, it may need simpler tasks and more recovery rather than another demanding session.

## Health

Two issues are particularly important for a Dalmatian buyer: congenital hearing loss and the breed's handling of uric acid. Ask for the actual test results and learn what they mean; do not settle for the vague claim that a litter is “health tested”.

### Hearing and BAER

BAER is a veterinary hearing test that assesses each ear separately. It shows whether a dog hears in both ears, hears in one ear, or is deaf in both. Ask to see the puppy's own certificate as well as the parents' results.

The Swedish breed-specific breeding strategy reports BAER results submitted from 2018 to 2023. Within that particular group of tested dogs, about 86 per cent heard in both ears, just over 11 per cent heard in one, and just over 2 per cent were deaf in both. Those figures describe submitted results from tested dogs; they are not a precise prediction for every new litter.

A dog that hears in one ear is regarded as clinically hearing and may cope very well in daily life, although poorer sound localisation can require extra care near traffic and in other hazardous settings. The Swedish Dalmatian club recommends BAER-tested parents, mating a unilaterally hearing dog only to a bilaterally hearing dog, and never breeding from a deaf dog.

### HUA, LUA and urate stones

HUA and LUA describe different variants of the SLC2A9 gene, which affects the transport of uric acid. HUA Dalmatians excrete more uric acid in their urine and consequently have a greater tendency to form urate crystals and stones. An increased risk does not mean that the dog is certain to become ill. Nor do crystals in a sample prove by themselves that a stone is present.

LUA Dalmatians carry a gene variant that produces normal uric-acid handling. It was introduced through a documented cross-breeding project in the United States in the 1970s and is now present in registered Dalmatians, including dogs in Sweden. LUA does not protect a dog from every other urinary-tract problem.

Ask the breeder for the documented HUA or LUA status of the puppy and its parents, and whether urinary stones have occurred in the family. An HUA dog should have ready access to water and regular opportunities to urinate. Food and any treatment should be tailored with a vet if the dog develops problems; one rigid diet does not suit every individual. Repeated attempts to urinate, pain, blood in the urine or an inability to pass urine require prompt veterinary attention.

### Results, recommendations and rules

The Swedish Dalmatian club recommends measures including BPH behaviour assessment, BAER testing of breeding dogs and carefully planned matings based on hip and elbow results. These are breeding recommendations. The Swedish Kennel Club's 2026 registration rules impose no Dalmatian-specific requirement for BAER, hip or elbow screening, BPH, or HUA/LUA status; the breed's special registration provision concerns colour designation. A careful buyer can nevertheless request the results, check dates and identities, and discuss what they mean for the particular mating.

## History & Origins

The Dalmatian's official country of origin is Croatia, and its name is associated with the historic region of Dalmatia. Its earliest history should be described cautiously, but the breed standard refers to paintings and church chronicles from the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The name “Dalmatian dog” appeared in a description from 1771, and in 1790 the dog was illustrated and described as the “Dalmatian or Coach Dog”.

In England, the Dalmatian became known as a carriage and stable dog from the middle of the eighteenth century until the early twentieth century. The dogs accompanied horse-drawn vehicles and consequently became associated with horses, endurance and travelling longer distances. The first unofficial standard was written in 1882 and became official in 1890.

The carriage-dog history helps explain the breed's activity profile, but it does not dictate how much exercise an individual dog needs or mean that every Dalmatian will be safe around horses. Introduce horse and dog under control and teach the dog where to stay before they move together.

## Living with the Breed

Living well with a Dalmatian depends more on daily structure than the size of the home. Flat living can work if the dog receives enough activity, regular toilet breaks and peace indoors. Sensitivity to noise and barking need early attention, especially with close neighbours. A garden is no substitute for walks, training or time together.

Time alone must be introduced gradually. A young puppy should not be left alone. Later, begin with very short, calm absences and increase them only when the dog can genuinely rest. An adult dog that has been trained to cope alone can normally manage a few hours, but ability varies. Do not plan daily life around a supposed breed-specific maximum.

If the Dalmatian will live with a cat, first give the cat a dog-free area and access to high places or escape routes. Begin with scent swapping and short meetings with the dog on a lead, reward calm behaviour and interrupt attempts to chase. Do not leave them alone together until their interactions have remained settled over a substantial period. The same caution is needed around small animals.

Before buying a puppy, it is sensible to check:

- the puppy's BAER certificate for the right and left ear
- the parents' BAER results and the puppy's documented HUA or LUA status
- the parents' hip, elbow and BPH results, where available, and the breeder's interpretation of the mating
- how the parents behave around people, dogs, wildlife and noise, and how readily they settle in ordinary daily life
- how the breeder socialises the puppies and what support will be available after purchase

The Dalmatian suits someone who values a close, expressive dog with plenty of stamina and is willing to invest time in both activity and calm. Choose a breeder and an individual on the basis of documented results and observed everyday behaviour, not spots or general promises about the breed.

Dalmatian

Dalmatiner Klub Deutschland e.V. (Germany)

The Dalmatian is a medium, athletic dog with a short white coat and distinct black or liver spots. Originally a carriage and guard dog, it is energetic, intelligent, and needs far more exercise than average. Loyal and people‑oriented, it may struggle when left alone and is prone to deafness and urinary stones.

Kennel ShoSpot ble stiftet i 2000 av Shona på Askøy. Med Shona i spissen har familien drevet hjemmeoppdrett av dalmatinere og har avlet frem 15 av 18 kull. Avdeling Alver ble etablerte 2017 etter at Eva hadde kjøpt valp av Shona i 2014. Eva og mannen Helge har fostret 3 kull. 

Dalmatinere har vært en del av Shonas liv siden oppveksten i Scotland. Da Shona etablerte seg med mann og barn i Norge og senere flyttet til Askøy, var ikke familien komplett før det kom en dalmatiner i huset i 1994. Med dalmatinertispe nr to på plass, tok det ikke lang tid før tanken om kennel slo rot. Shona er prikkegal – noe som smittet over på familien. Ikke like lett alltid for Ned, hennes indiske mann gjennom nesten 40 år som pr definisjon ikke er interessert i hunder.  Han er likevel Shonas høyre hånd i driften og har en meget god teft for å velge ut de riktige hundene til kennelen.
At vi er en hjemmekennel kan barna våre skrive under på.  De er oppvokst med prikker på alle kanter og har bidratt mye til utviklingen av kennelen. Det er en selvfølge at også barnebarna får et naturlig forhold hundene, og enhver dalmatinervalp får bli kjent med barnebarna. Det er en viktig del av sosialiseringen vi gjør med valpene i vårt oppdrett.
Avdeling Alver
En sommerdag i 2014 kom Eva og mann på besøk til Shona og Ned, kun for å se på de nydelige valpene i A-kullet, og for å høre mer om kenneldriften. Shona kjente Eva fra utstillinger, treninger og arbeidslivet som en kunnskalpsrik dame med et stort hjerte for rasen.

Lite ante Eva da at en brun hanne  ikke ville vike fra  henne. Det gikk som det måtte, og tre uker senere reiste Pepper hjem til Brakstad.  Da Pepper var 1 år gammel ble Eva og Helge fosterforeldre til et søskenpar på 6 og 8 år. Pepper ble dermed et av deres viktigste holdepunkter livet. Med hund nr to på plass, en tispe, ble planen om å bruke Pepper i kennelens avlsprogram iverksatt. Og som på Askøy, ble både mann og barn en viktig del av valpenes hverdag.

Kennel Shospot

Secret-Garden driver oppdrett av rasen Golden retriever og holder til i Nesttun i Norge. Oppdrettet hadde 30 års erfaring med hundeoppdrett i 2026.

Secret-Garden

## Quick Facts

The German Spitz – Kleinspitz is a small, alert companion and watchdog that tends to stay close to its family and quickly notices what is happening around it. It is best suited to an owner who enjoys an active small dog, trains calmly and consistently, and can help it distinguish ordinary everyday sounds from events that genuinely require attention.

- **Country of origin:** Germany
- **Breed type:** One of five size varieties of German Spitz
- **Purpose:** Companion and watchdog
- **Height at the withers:** The ideal height is 27 cm, with a permitted variation of 3 cm either way
- **Weight:** The breed standard does not specify a fixed weight. As a practical guide, many Kleinspitz weigh around 5–8 kg, but suitable body condition and proportions matter more than a particular number
- **Coat:** Long, straight outer coat with a dense, soft undercoat
- **Typical traits:** Alert, lively, trainable and often reserved with strangers

The Kleinspitz is a distinct, recognised size variety, not a crossbreed. Its size limits are nevertheless close to those of the Mittelspitz and Pomeranian. In Sweden, certain matings between neighbouring varieties are permitted. Puppies are initially registered as the larger parent’s variety, and for dogs later measured at a show, the final size variety can be determined from 15 months of age. A prospective puppy buyer should therefore ask about both parents’ size and how the breeder handles variety registration.

## Appearance & Coat

The Kleinspitz should be compact and almost square, with a pointed muzzle, small upright ears and a high-set tail carried over the back. The abundant coat forms a distinct ruff around the neck and feathering on the hind legs. Beneath the coat, the body should remain well proportioned and movement should be flowing and springy.

The breed’s ideal height is 27 cm, and the permitted range is 24–30 cm. Rather than stipulating a set number of kilograms, the breed standard links weight to the dog’s size. Assess body condition by touch and with a vet when necessary; a full coat can conceal excess weight and can also make a slender dog look heavier than it is.

Accepted colours include white, black, brown, orange and wolf sable, as well as several clearly defined colour varieties, including cream, orange sable, black and tan, and parti-colour with a white ground. Merle is not included in the breed standard. Colour is a matter of appearance and should never take priority over health, temperament and a carefully considered mating.

The coat consists of a straight, harsher outer coat and a short, thick, cotton-like undercoat. Brush or comb right through to the skin about once a week and more often during shedding periods. Pay particular attention behind the ears, in the armpits and beneath a harness or collar. The coat should not routinely be shaped by extensive trimming. Bathe the dog when it is dirty rather than following a fixed timetable.

## Temperament & Personality

The Kleinspitz is usually lively, attentive and strongly oriented towards its people, but it is not automatically sociable with everyone it meets. The breed standard describes a dog with a natural wariness of strangers, without fearfulness or aggression. In everyday life, this may mean that the dog prefers to observe a visitor before seeking contact.

A tendency to bark is an important part of the breed decision. A Kleinspitz often reacts quickly to sounds, movement in a shared stairwell or someone arriving at the door. The goal need not be a completely silent dog, but one that can alert and then settle again. Reward calm behaviour, create distance from recurring triggers and avoid inadvertently reinforcing every alarm by rushing to the window with the dog.

BPH, a standardised behavioural assessment, still has only a small Kleinspitz sample whose owners chose to participate. On average, the group appeared relatively confident and showed few threatening or aggressive reactions, but it was not markedly sociable with strangers either. These findings describe the participating dogs, not every individual. The parents’ behaviour, early experiences and the breeder’s environment offer better guidance about an individual puppy than the breed name alone.

The breed is often described as having little hunting drive, but this is not a guarantee of reliable recall. Curiosity and excitement may still prompt a Kleinspitz to chase birds, wildlife or bicycles. Train recall in gradual stages and use a long line where the surroundings require it.

## Training & Exercise

The Kleinspitz needs daily physical activity and mental engagement, but exercise should be adapted to the individual dog’s age, health and experience rather than a universal number of minutes. Several walks, opportunities to sniff and short problem-solving sessions will often suit it better than one long, monotonous outing.

The breed is quick and trainable, which makes reward-based training effective but also exposes unclear rules. Work in small steps and reward the behaviour you want: four paws on the floor when greeting, attention before a door opens and quiet after an alert. Harsh corrections risk causing fear or more noise and have no place in modern dog training.

Scent work, tricks, balance exercises and everyday obedience can provide useful variety. A healthy adult Kleinspitz may also enjoy longer walks, but fitness should be built gradually. Puppies should be able to move freely in varied ways without forced distances or repetitive jumping. Its small body does not make the dog a fragile ornament, but it does need protection from falls, rough play and exertion for which it is not ready.

Accustom the dog early to brushing, tooth brushing, nail trimming and being examined. Short, positive handling sessions make recurring care easier and improve the chance of noticing changes in the skin, eyes, mouth or movement.

## Health

The Kleinspitz is generally regarded as a relatively healthy small breed, but a considered purchase requires more than a broad claim about healthy lines. Ask to see the official results for both parents and which problems have actually occurred among close relatives.

The Swedish breed club recommends that breeding dogs have normal kneecaps and eyes without recorded abnormalities. Patellar findings are recorded on a scale from 0 to 3, so the actual result must be considered; saying that a dog has been “patella checked” does not reveal what the examination found. An official eye examination must be carried out by an authorised veterinary ophthalmologist and provides a current picture of the dog’s eye status, not a lifelong guarantee.

Recommendations for knee and eye examinations should not be confused with a central health scheme or a separate registration requirement for the Kleinspitz. What matters to a puppy buyer is the actual results, the date of the examinations and how the breeder uses them in breeding decisions.

Be cautious about broad claims concerning DNA tests for PRA. A test that identifies a particular gene variant in another breed does not rule out every form of progressive retinal atrophy in the Kleinspitz. Eye examinations, family history and transparent reporting of findings therefore cannot be replaced by a vague statement that the dogs have been “DNA tested”.

Abnormal coat loss appears in descriptions of small German Spitz, but terms such as BSD or “black skin disease” are used as informal umbrella labels rather than a single confirmed diagnosis. A dog with abnormal hair loss needs veterinary investigation rather than a diagnosis based on its breed or appearance.

As with other dogs, weight management and dental care form part of preventive care. Introduce tooth brushing early and make it a calm daily routine.

## History & Origins

The modern breed origin of the German Spitz – Kleinspitz is in Germany, and it belongs to the FCI group for Spitz and primitive types. The FCI places the five German Spitz varieties under the same breed standard: Wolfspitz/Keeshond, Giant Spitz, Medium Spitz, Miniature Spitz and Pomeranian.

The German Spitz has historically been described as a watchdog and companion. The international breed standard received definitive recognition in 1957, although its wording and size rules have since been revised. Older accounts link German Spitz to very early European dog types, but these origin stories should be read as cynological tradition rather than proven ancestry for today’s Kleinspitz.

The shared standard explains why the boundaries between varieties still have practical importance in breeding and registration. A Kleinspitz is therefore not merely “a small Spitz” in an everyday sense, but the size variety that should fall within the measurements and overall appearance set out in the breed standard.

## Living with the Breed

The Kleinspitz can live successfully in either a flat or a house if it receives activity, rest and help managing sounds. The size of the home matters less than the way daily life is organised. In a flat with poor sound insulation, however, a prospective owner should take the breed’s quick alarm response seriously and plan calmness training from the outset.

With children, the breed can become an engaged family dog, but adults must always take responsibility for the interaction. The dog needs an undisturbed resting place, and children must learn not to disturb it while it is eating or sleeping. Because the Kleinspitz is small, extra care is needed when lifting it and during lively play. No dog, regardless of breed, should be left alone with young children.

Compatibility with a cat or another dog depends more on the individuals and the introduction than on the breed name. Initial meetings should be calm and gradual, with opportunities for distance and separate resources. Previous experience of the other species is helpful but does not guarantee that every combination will work.

Time alone needs to be introduced gradually once the dog feels secure in its new home. A young puppy cannot be left alone, and adult dogs vary greatly in what they can cope with without stress. Increase the duration in small steps and reduce it again if the dog begins to bark persistently, pace, destroy things or show other signs of distress.

The Kleinspitz is therefore best suited to someone who wants a small but active dog, can live with regular coat care and is prepared to work on noise, social confidence and everyday skills. It is a poorer choice for someone seeking a quiet, independent dog that is satisfied with brief toilet walks and can be left alone for long working days.

German Spitz – Kleinspitz

VDH (Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen)

The German Spitz – Kleinspitz is a small, squarely built, fox‑faced companion with a dense double coat and curled tail. Alert, lively and strongly bonded to its people, it adapts well to city or country life, needs regular grooming, exercise and training, and can be vocal and watchful.

Kathrine Karlson driver oppdrett av rasen Kleinspitz og holder til i Bergen i Norge.

Kathrine Karlson

## Quick Facts

The Petit Brabançon is a small Belgian companion dog that tends to be alert, affectionate and keen to be involved in whatever is happening. It belongs to FCI Group 9 and is the smooth-coated member of the three closely related Belgian griffon breeds. The other two are the Griffon Belge and Griffon Bruxellois.

- **Country of origin:** Belgium
- **Purpose:** companion dog
- **Weight in the breed standard:** 3.5–6 kg
- **Height at the withers:** the breed standard does not specify a height
- **Coat:** short, harsh and glossy; no more than 2 cm long
- **Colours:** red, black, black and tan, or a mixture of black and red, with a dark mask
- **Typical traits:** attentive, active, trainable, friendly and close to its owner
- **Key health areas:** breathing, eyes, kneecaps and signs of neurological pain

The three griffon breeds share the same background and, according to the Swedish Kennel Club, may be mated to one another. The Petit Brabançon is distinguished chiefly by its smooth coat, while the Griffon Belge and Griffon Bruxellois are rough-coated. The breeds are registered separately.

The official weight is a more reliable guide than the height figures commonly found online. The breed standard gives a weight of 3.5–6 kg but no range for height at the withers. Two adult dogs can therefore differ in height while both remaining entirely typical of the breed.

## Appearance & Coat

The Petit Brabançon should be small, compact and almost square, with good bone but without heavy movement. Its body length should be approximately equal to its height at the withers. The short, broad head, pronounced undershot bite and large, dark eyes create the breed's characteristic expression.

Breed type should not be confused with exaggeration. The nostrils should be well open, the eyes large but never protruding, and the lower jaw broad. Neither the tongue nor teeth should show when the mouth is closed. When assessing a dog, give priority to free breathing, open nostrils and healthy eyes rather than the flattest possible face.

The coat is harsh, glossy and no more than 2 cm long. It does not require trimming. Brush and bathe as needed, for example when loose hair or dirt needs removing.

Accepted colours are red, black, black and tan, and a mixture of black and red. A dark mask is part of the desired appearance; in older dogs, the mask may be grey or grey-flecked.

The short coat makes grooming straightforward, but it does not make the breed allergy-free. There are no allergy-free dog breeds, and allergen levels vary between individual dogs, even within the same litter. Anyone with a dog allergy should therefore assess their reaction to the particular dog rather than choosing on coat length alone.

## Temperament & Personality

The Petit Brabançon is fundamentally an attentive companion that likes to take part in family life. The breed standard describes the Belgian griffons as intelligent, balanced and alert, while the Swedish Kennel Club describes the breed as active, trainable, affectionate and friendly.

That does not mean every individual will react in the same way. Genetics, early environment, socialisation, training and health all influence how confident, sociable and easy-going a dog becomes. An adult dog should be able to settle after activity and meet people without persistent fear or aggression. When visiting a litter, try to meet the dam and ask how close relatives cope with everyday life.

The breed's attentiveness can be useful in focus exercises, everyday obedience and simple scent games. Reward calm behaviour from the outset and provide an undisturbed resting place so the dog learns to switch off.

A Petit Brabançon can suit either an experienced owner or a well-prepared first-time owner, but being small does not make the dog self-sufficient. It needs kind, consistent training, daily care and an owner who takes breathing and eye health seriously. Choose the individual dog and breeder for their fit with your life, not on promises that the breed is always easy.

## Training & Exercise

The Petit Brabançon needs daily movement, mental stimulation and time to recover, but no single walk duration is right for every dog. A healthy individual may enjoy walks, exposure to different environments, play, everyday training and scent work. Adjust the amount to age, fitness, temperature and, above all, how the dog breathes and recovers.

Short, clear training sessions often suit a small, quick-learning companion dog. Reward the behaviour you want, break new skills into manageable steps and increase the difficulty only when the dog is comfortable. Gradually accustom the dog to having its mouth and face examined too; this makes toothbrushing and eye checks easier.

The short muzzle means breathing must determine how hard the dog works. Slow down or stop if breathing noise clearly increases, the dog struggles for air, fails to recover normally or appears unable to regulate its temperature. Bluish mucous membranes, collapse or marked breathing difficulty are emergency warning signs that require veterinary care.

Take particular care in hot, humid weather. Exercise during cooler parts of the day, offer water and allow the dog to rest before it becomes distressed. A dog that repeatedly cannot manage an ordinary walk or play because of its breathing needs to be examined; this should not be dismissed as normal for a short-nosed breed.

A puppy should not follow the same exercise plan as an adult. Instead, let its body develop through varied, self-paced movement, brief opportunities to explore and plenty of rest. Increase duration and difficulty gradually, guided by the puppy's movement, breathing and recovery.

## Health

The main health checks for a Petit Brabançon concern breathing, eyes, kneecaps and signs of pain involving the nervous system. The presence of a problem in the breed does not mean every dog is affected; the individual dog's examination results and physical function are what matter.

The breed is short-nosed, which can increase the risk of BOAS — breathing difficulty caused by narrowed upper airways. The Swedish Kennel Club includes the breed in its specific instructions concerning head shape and breathing. Quiet, unrestricted breathing at rest, well-opened nostrils and normal recovery after movement are therefore useful practical checks. Snoring-like sounds while awake, increased breathing effort, poor stamina or heat intolerance should not be regarded as charming breed traits.

The RFG Scheme is a veterinary examination that assesses breathing before and after a three-minute exercise test. Among other things, the vet examines nostril shape, listens to the heart and lungs, and grades signs of BOAS from 0 to 3. Grade 0 means that the dog is currently clinically unaffected. Grade 1 denotes mild signs that do not affect performance, while grades 2 and 3 indicate moderate and severe clinical impact respectively.

Since May 2026, RFG results for the Petit Brabançon can be recorded centrally by the Swedish Kennel Club. An official result is registered from 24 months of age; an earlier result is marked as preliminary. For the Petit Brabançon, central registration does not currently mean that an RFG test is compulsory before breeding. Rules can change, so always check the current information from the Swedish Kennel Club. A puppy buyer can ask whether the parents have been tested, which grades they received and how they cope with ordinary activity and warm weather.

Kneecap problems and certain eye diseases occur in the breed. The breed's Swedish breeding strategy recommends that breeding dogs be examined for patellar luxation before their first mating and have an eye examination within a year before mating. Ask to see registered results rather than accepting a general assurance that the dogs are healthy. Also ask about corneal injuries and other eye problems in close relatives, because the head shape can leave the eyes more exposed.

Syringomyelia occurs in the breed and can cause severe pain, but its prevalence among Swedish dogs is unknown. Frantic scratching, unusual movement or unexplained pain, for example when walking on a lead, can justify a neurological veterinary assessment. These signs can have several causes and should not be used to diagnose the dog at home.

Contact a vet promptly if the dog suddenly squints, blinks repeatedly, rubs an eye, develops a watery eye or appears to be in pain. Breathing distress, bluish mucous membranes or collapse require emergency help. Early treatment is particularly important when the eyes are large and the muzzle is very short.

## History & Origins

The Petit Brabançon was developed in Belgium from the same stock as the Griffon Belge and Griffon Bruxellois. The breed standard traces all three to a small, rough-coated type found around Brussels known as the Smousje. These dogs worked around stables, where they helped control rodents and were said to guard carriages.

During the 1800s, crosses with dogs including the Pug and red King Charles Spaniel shaped the modern griffon type. These crosses contributed the smooth black coat and consolidated the breed type. The first griffons were entered in the Belgian stud book in 1883, and the small dogs later became valued as companions beyond Belgium.

The smooth-coated variety became known as the Petit Brabançon. Today, the three griffons have separate FCI numbers and are distinguished mainly by coat and colour, but their shared origin remains evident in both the breed standard and Swedish breeding practice. Their history explains the relationship; it cannot predict the temperament or health of an individual dog.

## Living with the Breed

The Petit Brabançon is best suited to someone who wants a small companion that takes an active part in daily life and can adapt routines to the individual dog's breathing, activity level and need for company. It can live well in a flat if it has regular opportunities to toilet, suitable activity, quiet recovery time and training to remain calm around sounds in the hallway and outside the door.

Adult supervision is essential around children. A dog this small should not be picked up, chased or disturbed while eating or resting. Give the dog a safe place of its own and teach the child to wait until the dog chooses to approach. How well the breed lives with another dog or a cat depends on the individuals, their previous experience and the way introductions are handled; the breed name is no guarantee.

Time alone must be introduced gradually once the puppy feels secure in its home. A young puppy should not be left alone; build up an adult dog's tolerance in small steps without allowing it to become frightened. Arrange a dog sitter or another solution if the working day is regularly longer than the dog can remain alone without distress.

Oral care is an important part of routine care. Introduce toothbrushing gradually and ask your vet to help determine a suitable frequency. Dental chews may be a supplement, but they do not replace mechanical cleaning.

Before buying, you should be able to get clear answers to the following questions:

- How do the parents breathe at rest, during activity and in warm weather?
- Are there registered RFG results, and which grades did the dogs receive?
- When were the kneecaps and eyes last examined, and which results were recorded?
- Have close relatives had recurring corneal injuries, unexplained pain or neurological signs?
- How have the puppies been introduced to people, everyday sounds, handling and rest?
- What support does the breeder provide if questions arise after purchase?

The right dog can become a devoted companion that enjoys training. What matters is not simply that it is small or smooth-coated, but that it breathes freely, has healthy eyes and a stable temperament, and has a daily routine suited to an active companion dog.

Petit Brabançon

Petit Brabançon: a tiny, sturdy Belgian companion dog with a smooth, glossy coat and large, almost human dark eyes. Loyal, sensitive and intelligent, it bonds closely with its people, suits city living, needs daily mental and physical activity, and prefers homes where it’s rarely left alone.

Lise Marie Soltveit driver oppdrett av rasen Petit brabancon og holder til i Laksevåg i Norge.

Lise Marie Soltveit

## Quick Facts

The Coton de Tulear is a small, recognised companion breed from Madagascar. It is best suited to someone who wants a sociable, active dog at the heart of family life and is also prepared for substantial coat care. Its small size does not make ownership effortless: the coat needs daily attention, and the dog still needs exercise, training and a gradual introduction to being left alone.

- **Breed type:** companion dog in FCI Group 9
- **Origin:** Madagascar, with France responsible for the breed standard
- **Height at the withers:** 26–28 cm for males and 23–25 cm for females
- **Weight:** 4–6 kg for males and 3.5–5 kg for females
- **Coat:** long, dense, soft and cotton-like, with white as the ground colour
- **Breed ideal:** cheerful, steady, sociable and willing to cooperate
- **Biggest daily commitment:** grooming the coat thoroughly every day

A Coton de Tulear can be a good choice for a first-time owner, but only if there is already time in the daily routine for grooming, training and company. Those practical demands matter more than the assumption that a small companion dog will automatically be easy.

## Appearance & Coat

The Coton de Tulear's defining feature is its soft, profuse coat with a cotton-like texture. It must not be harsh or rough and may be slightly wavy. The body is somewhat longer than it is tall, while dark, rounded eyes help to create the breed's lively expression.

White is the ground colour. Slight traces of light grey or red roan are permitted on the ears. Similar shading may be tolerated elsewhere if the overall impression remains white, although it is not sought after in the breed standard. A puppy's coloured markings may change as the coat develops, but the standard provides neither a timetable nor a guarantee for the colour of an individual adult dog.

A long coat needs brushing and combing every day. Work through the full depth of the coat from the skin outwards; quickly brushing the surface can leave mats underneath. The Swedish Kennel Club describes bathing every two to four weeks as typical, although the actual need depends on coat length, weather and how dirty the dog becomes. Calm grooming practice should begin in puppyhood so that the dog learns to stand and be handled without distress.

A companion dog that will not be shown in a full show coat may be kept in a shorter trim to make everyday care more manageable. A shorter style does not remove the need for regular combing and skin checks, but it can reduce the workload. Ask the breeder to demonstrate coat care before you buy, and consider how you will manage it through wet and muddy weather as well as on dry days.

The breed should not be described as hypoallergenic. The amount of visible hair a dog leaves behind does not reveal how much allergen it spreads, and there can be considerable variation between individual dogs. Anyone with a dog allergy should therefore not treat the breed name or the fact that a dog appears to shed very little as a guarantee.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed standard describes the Coton de Tulear as cheerful, steady and highly sociable with people and other dogs. The Swedish Kennel Club also describes it as active and cooperative, and keen to join its owner in different activities. This is the breed ideal, not a promise of how every individual will behave.

The Swedish breed club's breeding strategy shows why that distinction matters. Older survey responses mentioned barking, aggression towards other dogs and fear of gunfire, but later material could not establish clearly how common these behaviours were. The evidence was limited by a low response rate and a small number of behaviour assessments. It would therefore be misleading to promise that the breed is invariably quiet, fearless or straightforward.

Instead, ask how the puppy's parents respond to unfamiliar people, encounters with other dogs, unexpected sounds and short periods without their owner. If possible, meet at least the dam in an ordinary home setting. The parents' behaviour, the puppy's early experiences and your continuing training tell you more about that particular dog than labels such as “perfect family dog”.

## Training & Exercise

A Coton de Tulear needs daily walks, opportunities to move freely in safe places and activities that engage its mind. There is no official daily time target that suits every dog. Adjust duration and pace to the individual's age, health, fitness and recovery instead.

The breed may enjoy everyday obedience, scent work, tracking, rally obedience and agility. Short training sessions can form part of a walk: attention, recall, self-control and settling calmly are more useful than simply raising the intensity. Vary the surroundings and tasks, but also provide undisturbed rest.

Give three skills particular attention from the start: accepting thorough coat care, remaining calm when there is activity outside the front door and spending short periods alone without becoming distressed. Build up time alone gradually from very brief, secure experiences. Increase it only while the dog remains relaxed; a fixed timetable will not suit every puppy.

## Health

The clearest documented health concerns for the Coton de Tulear in Sweden are the eye disease PRA and patellar luxation. PRA is a group of inherited diseases in which the retina gradually deteriorates and sight may eventually be lost. Patellar luxation means that the kneecap can move out of its normal position; some dogs show no signs, while others experience lameness or pain.

The breed's Swedish breeding strategy provides an important but limited figure for patellar luxation. Of 156 recorded patella examinations between 2014 and 2021, 16.7 per cent showed some degree of luxation. However, only 21.8 per cent of the dogs registered during that period had been examined. The figure describes the examined sample and must not be treated as a reliable prevalence estimate for the whole breed.

The breed club recommends that breeding dogs have an eye examination and that the certificate be no more than 18 months old at the time of mating. It also recommends another eye examination at about seven years of age, as well as a patella examination before mating, carried out no earlier than twelve months of age. These are breeding recommendations, so do not assume that every litter automatically meets them.

Ask to see the official results for both parents and check the examination dates. Also ask about eye, knee and behavioural problems among close relatives, not just the two parents. A test result reduces uncertainty about one particular issue but cannot guarantee a completely healthy puppy.

## History & Origins

The reliably documented history is shorter than many of the colourful stories told about the breed. The Coton de Tulear comes from Madagascar, and “coton” in its name refers to the cotton-like coat. The breed was introduced to France before official recognition and was definitively recognised by the FCI in 1970. France is responsible for the standard, while Madagascar remains the stated country of origin.

The first Coton de Tulear registered in Sweden was imported from the Netherlands in 1991. Since then, the breed has become established there as a companion dog and also takes part in several dog sports.

Stories involving shipwrecks, pirates, royal status and laws barring ordinary people from owning the breed appear frequently online. The official breed documents do not provide enough evidence to present them as established history. They are better regarded as breed legends, not as an explanation of present-day dogs.

## Living with the Breed

A Coton de Tulear can live in a flat or a house as long as it receives daily activity, company and undisturbed rest. The size of the home matters less than the shape of the daily routine. Sounds in a communal hallway may nevertheless make training the dog to settle especially useful if it tends to bark in response.

The same safety principles apply with children as with any dog: an adult should be present whenever young children and the dog are together, and the dog needs a private resting place. Because this is a small breed, children must learn not to carry, crowd or handle the dog roughly.

The breed ideal is sociable with other dogs, but good relationships still depend on controlled introductions and positive experiences. There is not enough evidence to promise that every Coton de Tulear will live well with cats or other small animals. Introduce animals calmly, prevent chasing and make sure that each has somewhere to retreat.

Plan for time alone before the puppy comes home. Dogs need a gradual introduction to being left, and Swedish animal welfare guidance says that they should be taken out at least every six hours during the day; puppies and older dogs need more frequent trips outside. A full working day with no arranged break, exercise or social contact is therefore not a sustainable solution.

Before buying, focus on concrete questions. Can you care for the coat every day? Can the breeder show you current eye and patella results? How do the parents cope with noise, encounters with dogs and being left? What experience have the puppies had of handling and normal daily environments? Clear answers to these questions give a better indication of a good match than promises that the breed suits everyone.

Coton de Tulear

Fédération Cynologique Internationale

Small, sturdy companion from Madagascar, the Coton de Tulear has a long, white, cotton‑soft coat needing regular grooming. Cheerful, sensitive and very people focused, it bonds closely, suits apartments, needs moderate exercise and kind training, and is generally long lived but prone to some joint, eye and skin issues.

Nina Elisabeth Norill driver oppdrett av rasen Coton de tulear og holder til i Øvre Ervik i Norge. Oppdrettet har røtter tilbake til 2018.

Nina Elisabeth Norill

German Hunt Terrier

Verein für Deutsche Jagdterrier e.V.

Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

The German Hunt Terrier is a compact, athletic working terrier bred in Germany for demanding hunting. Highly driven, fearless, and loyal, it needs intensive daily exercise, firm reward‑based training, and experienced handling. Weather‑resistant coat, moderate shedding, best for active sport or hunting homes.

Årreiane driver oppdrett av rasen Tysk jaktterrier og holder til i Eikelandsosen i Norge.

Årreiane

## Quick Facts

The Maltese is a small companion dog suited to someone who wants a close, alert companion and has plenty of time for coat care. The breed may enjoy long walks and play as much as quiet time on a lap. Its small size does not mean that it simply wants to be carried, although it does call for gentle handling.

- **Origin and home country:** the central Mediterranean and Italy
- **Breed group:** Group 9, companion and toy dogs
- **Size:** males 21–25 cm and females 20–23 cm at the withers
- **Weight:** 3–4 kg under the breed standard
- **Coat:** long, straight, white and silky, with no undercoat
- **A good match for:** someone seeking a lively little companion who is ready for regular coat, dental and general care

A Maltese can suit a first-time owner, but a newcomer must still be prepared to learn about grooming and work on time alone, house training and everyday manners from the outset. Before choosing the breed, ask yourself whether you genuinely want to care for its coat almost every day for many years.

## Appearance & Coat

The Maltese is a small, elegant dog whose body is longer than it is tall. A full show coat falls long and straight down the body. The breed standard describes a dense, glossy, silky coat without an undercoat. It should be pure white, although a slight ivory shade is permitted.

A long Maltese coat needs combing and brushing every day, or at least every other day, to stop small tangles developing into mats. The white coat also needs regular bathing, but the right interval depends on coat length, daily life and how dirty the dog gets. Work through the coat methodically down to the skin, paying particular attention to areas where friction readily causes knots.

Many pet Maltese are clipped shorter than the show ideal. A shorter coat may make grooming quicker, but it does not remove the need to check the skin, eyes, ears, nails and teeth. Ask the breeder to demonstrate how the individual dog's coat should be combed, washed and dried. Gradually teach the puppy to stand still, accept handling and allow its paws, mouth and face to be examined. This makes routine care less stressful for both dog and owner.

The Maltese is sometimes described as allergy-friendly because it has no undercoat. That is misleading: no dog is free of allergens, which are found mainly in the skin and saliva. Reactions also differ between individual dogs, including those of the same breed. Anyone with an allergy should therefore seek advice about their own circumstances from a healthcare professional rather than relying on a breed name or coat type.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed ideal is a lively, affectionate, calm and intelligent companion. Many Maltese pay close attention to their owner, enjoy learning small tasks and readily alternate between activity and quiet company. They are engaged companions, not ornaments without needs of their own.

A breed description cannot guarantee how an individual dog will react to strangers, other dogs or unfamiliar places. A Swedish breed-club owner survey covered 247 dogs and recorded varied social responses. Only 13 Maltese had completed Sweden's official Behaviour and Personality Assessment during the period reported, too few to draw firm conclusions about the breed as a whole.

Do not assume that every Maltese will be quiet, welcoming to everyone or automatically easy around other animals. Ask the breeder how the puppy's parents behave in daily life: with visitors, when meeting other dogs, when handled, around noise and when resting. Calm exposure to different people and settings, together with clear routines, is more useful than broad labels such as ‘barky’ or ‘always friendly’.

## Training & Exercise

The Maltese needs physical activity and mental engagement every day, but the same number of minutes will not suit every dog. A healthy adult may enjoy longer walks, scent games, trick training and play. Adjust pace and distance to age, fitness, weather and recovery. Build a puppy's exercise up gradually. If a dog becomes stiff, lame or unusually tired, reduce the load; persistent signs should be assessed by a vet.

When teaching something new, finish while the dog is still able to concentrate rather than following a fixed session length. Reward the behaviour you want and practise useful everyday skills: recall, walking on a lead, relaxing in a designated place, accepting handling and settling after alerting you to something.

House training is a learning process, not a test of the breed's intelligence or stubbornness. Take the puppy out frequently, especially after sleep, food and play, and reward success. Time alone must also be introduced gradually once the puppy feels secure at home. A young puppy cannot be left alone, and an adult dog's ability will depend on its training and temperament. Start with very brief, uneventful separations and increase them only while the dog remains relaxed.

## Health

The Maltese is generally described as a healthy breed, although patellar luxation and umbilical hernia can occur. Patellar luxation means that the kneecap can move out of its normal position; lameness or a recurring skipping step warrants veterinary assessment.

The Swedish breed club's breeding strategy records 40 registered patella examinations in 2012–2021. This is a small, selected sample and does not show how common the condition is across all Maltese. Instead, ask the breeder to show any official patella results for the parents and discuss knee problems or umbilical hernias among close relatives. The Maltese has no breed-specific compulsory health examination under the Swedish Kennel Club's special registration rules for 2026. A voluntary result can still provide useful information; voluntary does not mean unimportant.

Watery eyes and staining beneath them, often called tear staining, were reported for many dogs in the breed club's owner survey. The survey report describes the staining as cosmetic while noting that its cause has not been established. The colour alone is therefore not a diagnosis. Keep the area clean and dry, but seek veterinary advice if the eye becomes red, the dog squints or rubs it, or there is discharge or another clear new change.

Check the eyes, movement, skin and mouth regularly. Introduce tooth brushing while the dog is young, keeping all handling calm and predictable. A long list of possible small-dog conditions is less informative than documented results, the dog's own signs and what is actually known about the health of close relatives.

## History & Origins

The Maltese name does not prove that the breed comes from the island of Malta. The official standard gives the central Mediterranean as its place of origin and Italy as its home country. It links the name to a Semitic word for harbour or refuge, found in several place names around the Mediterranean.

Ancestors of the breed lived in ports and coastal towns, where they hunted rats and mice in warehouses and ships' holds. Small dogs called *canes melitenses* were mentioned in Aristotle's time. Similar dogs later became valued companions in ancient Rome and appear beside fashionable figures in Renaissance paintings. The breed's history therefore includes both practical work in ports and a long role as a companion.

The first documented Maltese in Sweden was a female imported from England in 1910 and shown in Stockholm in 1911. Today's breed is primarily a companion dog, although individual dogs may also enjoy activities such as obedience, tracking or agility at a suitable level.

## Living with the Breed

A Maltese can live happily in a flat if given walks, mental activity, company and training around everyday sounds. A compact home does not lessen these daily needs, and a small dog should not spend its day being carried. It needs opportunities to walk, sniff, choose where to rest and use its body safely.

Adult supervision matters around children. At only 3–4 kg, the dog is safer when play takes place at floor level, lifting is gentle and it has a bed where it will not be disturbed. Children should leave the dog alone while it is eating or sleeping. Whether a Maltese gets along with other dogs, cats or small pets depends on the individual, previous experience and careful introductions; breed alone cannot provide a guarantee.

Make an honest assessment of daily life before buying:

- Can someone groom the dog almost every day and start tooth brushing and handling practice straight away?
- How do the parents behave with visitors, other dogs, rest and brief separations?
- Are official patella results available, and what does the breeder know about knees, umbilical hernias and eye problems in the family?
- Can you see the registration documents and meet the mother in her usual surroundings?
- Can you arrange care while the puppy is still too young to be left alone?

The Maltese is best suited to someone who appreciates its blend of affection, liveliness and willingness to learn, while accepting the extensive care and individual variation behind its elegant white appearance.

Maltese

The Maltese is a small, sturdy companion dog with a long, white silky coat and expressive dark eyes. Affectionate and people oriented, it adapts well to apartments with daily walks. It needs regular grooming, dental care and gentle training, and often enjoys a long, active life.

Aneta Kinga Gorka driver oppdrett av rasen Malteser og holder til i Hagavik i Norge.

Aneta Kinga Gorka

Zinaida Zildzo Johannessen driver oppdrett av rasen Yorkshire terrier og holder til i Hjellestad i Norge.

Zinaida Zildzo Johannessen

## Quick Facts

The Labrador Retriever is a medium-to-large retrieving gundog with roots in Newfoundland, Canada. The breed was developed mainly in Britain. It is known for its willingness to work with people and its interest in carrying and retrieving objects. It is also an active working dog, rather than an automatically easy-going family pet.

- **Height at the withers:** the ideal is 56–57 cm for dogs and 54–56 cm for bitches.
- **Weight:** approximately 25–36 kg is a broad guide for an adult, depending on sex, build and body condition.
- **Typical lifespan:** often around 10–12 years.
- **Recognised colours:** black, yellow or liver. Yellow can range from pale cream to fox red.
- **Coat:** short and dense, with a water-resistant undercoat.
- **Original purpose:** to find and retrieve shot game after the shot.

Labradors are bred with different priorities. Some breeders focus on working ability, others on conformation and companionship, while many aim to combine several qualities. Labels such as “working Labrador” and “show Labrador” therefore do not tell you everything about an individual dog. Look at the parents, adult relatives, working records and how the breeder actually lives and works with their dogs.

## Appearance & Coat

A Labrador should be strongly built, compact and agile without becoming heavy or overweight. Typical features include a broad head, a powerful body, well-angulated limbs and the characteristic “otter tail”: thick at the base, tapering towards the tip and covered in short, dense hair. The ideal height is 56–57 cm for dogs and 54–56 cm for bitches. The number on the scales matters less than a visible waist and ribs that can be felt easily beneath the skin.

The coat has short, dense outer hair and a water-resistant undercoat. It provides good protection in cold, wet conditions, but also means that a Labrador can shed heavily, particularly when the undercoat is changing. Brush more often during shedding periods and bathe the dog when it genuinely needs it. A fixed bathing or brushing timetable will not suit every dog.

Check the skin, paws and ears regularly, especially after bathing or swimming. Dry the outer ear if it is damp, but clean it only when necessary. An unpleasant smell, brown discharge, redness or repeated head shaking should be assessed by a vet rather than treated with routine ear cleaning.

The breed standard recognises solid black, yellow or liver; a small white mark on the chest may occur. “Silver” is not a fourth recognised colour and is registered as a colour that does not conform to the standard. The colour label alone, however, does not justify sweeping claims about an individual dog's health.

## Temperament & Personality

The breed ideal is a friendly, intelligent and biddable dog that enjoys working with its handler. Many Labradors seek social contact, respond well to reward-based training and show enthusiasm in both play and work. No breed description is a guarantee, however. Temperament is also shaped by inheritance, early experience, training, health and everyday surroundings.

The retrieving instinct often appears as a desire to carry things in the mouth. Give the dog suitable objects and teach a calm exchange or “drop” cue instead of chasing it when it picks something up. This makes daily life safer while giving the dog an appropriate outlet for a natural behaviour. Food can be a powerful reward, but play, scent work and the chance to retrieve can also be highly effective.

Differences between breeding lines are real, but they are not absolute. Working-bred dogs are often selected for speed, stamina and focused retrieving work. Dogs from more conformation-led lines may have a different build and working style. This does not mean that every working-bred Labrador struggles to settle or that every show-bred Labrador is calm. Ask the breeder for specific examples of the parents' energy, ability to switch off, noisiness, sociability and willingness to work.

A BPH or MH assessment can add information about how a dog responded in standardised situations. It is a behavioural description, not a temperament test that a dog passes or fails. Consider it alongside your own meetings with the dogs and information about their relatives.

## Training & Exercise

A Labrador needs daily physical activity as well as tasks that engage its nose, memory and partnership with the handler. There is no universal number of hours that suits a puppy, an adult working dog, a family companion and a senior. Adjust the amount and intensity to the dog's age, health, experience and recovery.

Walks can be combined with retrieving, searching for people, tracking, obedience, steadiness exercises and simple scent games. Short, focused sessions are often more useful than repeating the same exercise until the dog loses concentration. Rest and the ability to settle are part of training, not proof that the dog has had too little to do.

Early priorities include a reliable recall, walking on a loose lead, calm handling, steadiness and a clear cue for giving up an object. Use reward-based methods and increase the difficulty gradually. If you use plenty of food in training, count it as part of the dog's daily allowance.

An interest in water is common in the breed, but not every Labrador enjoys swimming and no dog is automatically safe in water. Start in shallow, calm water, let the dog set the pace and make sure it has an easy way out. Supervise around fast-flowing, cold or algae-affected water, and do not throw objects so far that an eager dog is pushed beyond its ability.

## Health

When choosing a puppy, the important question is not simply whether the parents have been “tested”, but which examinations were carried out, when they were done and what the results were. A Labrador's joints, eyes and body condition deserve particular attention.

For a Labrador litter to be registered with the Swedish Kennel Club, both parents must have an official hip dysplasia result before mating. A recorded result is not automatically a clear result. The Swedish Labrador Retriever Club recommends stricter selection: both parents should have clear hip and elbow radiographs and should have had an eye examination within the two years before mating, with no hereditary eye disease apart from specified exceptions.

Ask for the parents' registration numbers and check the actual result, date of examination and, where possible, information about siblings, previous offspring and other close relatives. This provides more information than a general statement that the dogs are health tested.

DNA tests can be valuable when they are used for the right disease and the results of both parents are considered together. A prcd-PRA test, for example, can only provide information about that particular form of retinal disease; it does not exclude other eye diseases or replace a clinical eye examination. For recessive conditions such as EIC, a healthy carrier need not become ill, but the other parent's result must be known to avoid producing affected puppies. A large DNA panel is therefore not proof of good overall health.

Excess weight puts strain on the body and should not be accepted as a normal breed trait. Feel the ribs and look for a clear waist from above and from the side. Weigh the dog regularly and adjust meals, chews and training rewards according to its body condition. Research has linked a POMC gene variant in some Labradors with greater food motivation and higher bodyweight, but not every Labrador carries the variant and obesity is not inevitable.

## History & Origins

The Labrador Retriever has early roots on the coast of Newfoundland in Canada, where dogs of a similar type helped fishermen retrieve objects and catches from the water. During the nineteenth century, such dogs were brought to Britain, where the breed was developed into a specialised retrieving gundog.

The Kennel Club in Britain recognised the Labrador Retriever as a breed in 1903. Its work after the shot shaped several qualities that still characterise the breed: an interest in searching for, carrying and delivering objects, a willingness to cooperate at a distance and an ability to work in water and difficult terrain. Labradors now work in shooting, dog sports and several public-service roles, but their working heritage remains relevant even for someone primarily looking for a companion.

## Living with the Breed

The Labrador Retriever can suit many homes when the owner wants to share an active daily life with the dog and has time for both training and recovery. A garden is not essential and living in a flat can work, but the home cannot replace walks, scent work and other meaningful outdoor activity. The dog should also be taught to remain quiet and settled in stairwells and other shared areas.

Around children, adult supervision, clear rules and an undisturbed resting place for the dog are essential. A young or excited Labrador is strong enough to knock over a small child without intending harm. Children should not be responsible for walking a dog they cannot physically manage.

Many Labradors live happily with other dogs and cats, but breed alone does not determine the outcome. Introduce animals gradually, prevent chasing and crowding, and give the cat high or separate escape routes. Do not leave them alone together until their interactions are calm and predictable.

Time alone needs to be taught in stages. A young puppy should not simply be left; begin with very brief periods once the dog feels secure and increase them only when it can relax. The length of time an adult can cope with being alone varies, so judge the dog's behaviour rather than relying on a universal maximum.

Before buying a puppy, you should be able to get clear answers to these questions:

- What activities and kind of daily life has the litter been bred for?
- How do the parents work, behave around people and dogs, and settle in practice?
- What official hip, elbow and eye results are available, and what is known about close relatives?
- Are BPH descriptions, field-trial results or other relevant assessments and achievements available, and what do they show?
- How does the breeder match the different puppies with the lives of prospective owners?

The best match depends on more than colour, sex and a line label. Choose a breeder who can describe the dogs' actual qualities, show verifiable health results and speak honestly about variation within the litter.

Labrador Retriever

Norwegian Kennel Club

Labrador Retrievers are medium‑large, athletic, friendly dogs with a strong swimming ability and short, dense, water‑repellent coats in yellow, black, or chocolate. Intelligent and food‑motivated, they train easily, need daily exercise and mental work, and are widely used as family and working dogs.

Marina Anatoljevna Kirkevik driver oppdrett av rasen Labrador retriever og holder til i Stanghelle i Norge.

Marina Anatoljevna Kirkevik

## Quick Facts

The Dachshund is a German hunting dog in FCI Group 4, developed to work both below and above ground. The breed comes in nine varieties: standard, miniature and rabbit, each combined with a smooth-haired, long-haired or wire-haired coat. It is therefore wiser to choose a Dachshund by size, coat, the breeder's aims and the dogs' actual characteristics than by the breed name alone.

- **Uses:** hunting below ground, hunting by scent, tracking wounded game and companionship.
- **Working style:** persistent, independent and strongly scent-oriented.
- **Size:** determined by chest circumference, not height at the withers or a general weight figure.
- **Coat:** smooth, long or wire, with distinctly different care requirements.
- **Important health issue:** intervertebral disc degeneration and herniation, often grouped under the term IVDD.
- **Best suited to:** someone who wants a low-set hunting dog with a strong desire to work and can provide daily exercise, scent work and consistent training.

The final size variety is not confirmed until the dog is at least 15 months old. The parents provide a reasonable indication, but the puppy's final variety cannot be promised before measurement.

## Appearance & Coat

The Dachshund should be low and long-bodied, yet compact, muscular and agile. Its body was built to work freely in confined spaces, not to be extremely long or heavy. The breed standard specifies ground clearance of about one-third of the height at the withers and a ratio of height to body length of approximately 1:1.7–1.8.

Chest circumference is measured after 15 months of age, from the highest point of the withers to the lowest point of the ribcage. The current ranges are:

- **Standard Dachshund:** males more than 37 cm but no more than 47 cm; females more than 35 cm but no more than 45 cm.
- **Miniature Dachshund:** males more than 32 cm but no more than 37 cm; females more than 30 cm but no more than 35 cm.
- **Rabbit Dachshund:** males 27–32 cm; females 25–30 cm.

The three coat types are more than a difference in appearance. The smooth-haired Dachshund has a short, dense, close-lying coat that normally needs limited routine care but should still be checked after time in rough country. The long-haired Dachshund has an undercoat and longer feathering that should be combed where tangles form easily, particularly behind the ears and on the legs, belly and tail. The wire-haired Dachshund has a topcoat, undercoat, beard and pronounced eyebrows. A correct wire coat is hand-stripped when needed; clipping it does not produce the same coat texture.

Accepted colours and patterns depend partly on coat type. Red, black or brown with tan markings, merle (dapple) and brindle are included in the standard, while wild-boar colours are typical of wire coats. Coat colour is not a shortcut to temperament or hunting drive, but some colour combinations matter for health. Ask the breeder to explain both the registered colour and its inheritance if the puppy is merle.

## Temperament & Personality

The ideal Dachshund is friendly and even-tempered, without fear or aggression, but is also energetic, persistent and self-assured. Its independence comes from work in which the dog must make decisions at a distance from its handler. In daily life, the same trait may appear as a Dachshund checking whether a rule really applies every time.

Hunting drive, sociability, vocality, interest in play and ability to settle vary between individuals and family lines. The Swedish analysis of the Behaviour and Personality Assessment for Dogs, BPH, describes many confident Dachshunds but covers less than one per cent of the Swedish-born population studied. It cannot therefore promise the personality of an individual puppy. Claims that a particular coat type is always calmer, easier to train or less interested in hunting are also too broad.

Instead, ask how the parents and close relatives behave at home, with visitors, on walks and in unfamiliar settings. For a working Dachshund, trial results and practical use are relevant; for a companion, it is equally important to hear specific examples of how the dogs settle after activity, how vocal they are and how they respond to handling. A responsible breeder should be able to describe both strengths and areas that require work.

## Training & Exercise

A Dachshund needs daily physical activity and meaningful scent work, but one fixed number of minutes will not suit every dog. Age, fitness, surface, size variety, health and the way the dog works all affect the appropriate load. A healthy adult can be an enduring walking and outdoor companion, while a puppy should build strength and coordination gradually and a dog with back symptoms needs a veterinary plan.

Tracking, search games, human scent trails and carefully placed food searches allow the Dachshund to use its greatest asset: its nose. Short, clear sessions with a reward the dog genuinely values often work better than repetitions without a clear purpose. Start recall, stop cues, staying with the handler and disengaging from a scent trail early. Obedience does not remove hunting drive, so a long line and thoughtful choice of environment are important when recall is not reliable. In Sweden, dogs must not chase or pursue wildlife outside hunting, and particular supervision is required where wildlife may be present from 1 March to 20 August.

Protecting the back does not mean that a healthy Dachshund should live a sedentary life. There is no evidence that a total ban on all stairs or jumping on and off furniture prevents IVDD by itself. Instead, develop good basic fitness, keep the dog at a healthy body condition, reduce slipping hazards at home and avoid uncontrolled high jumps or collisions. Tailor help on stairs and when lifting to the dog's age, size and health.

## Health

Intervertebral disc degeneration and herniation are the Dachshund's most important breed-specific health issue. IVDD means that the discs between the vertebrae change and may press on nerves or the spinal cord. Seek veterinary care promptly if a Dachshund suddenly develops obvious back or neck pain, arches its back, refuses to move, walks unsteadily, loses strength in its legs or has difficulty controlling urination or defecation. Do not wait for mild neurological signs to resolve on their own.

The Swedish Kennel Club's official spinal X-ray screening for Dachshunds counts calcified discs. It is performed from the dog's second birthday until the day before its fourth birthday, and the result is reported as K0, K1–K2, K3–K4 or K5–K26. K0 means that no calcifications were detected, while a higher K number means more fully or partly calcified discs. The result provides breeding and risk information; it does not guarantee that a dog will never develop, or will definitely develop, clinical problems. Information about disc herniation in parents, siblings and previous offspring is therefore also important.

Spinal screening and eye examinations are voluntary for Dachshunds in Sweden. The Swedish Dachshund Club's breed-specific breeding strategy nevertheless recommends considering back and family history and having breeding dogs' eyes examined before first breeding and later in life. PRA occurs in the breed. The current registration provisions for Dachshunds regulate matters including variety, coat, colour and final size measurement, but do not list back or eye examinations as compulsory conditions for registration. A buyer should therefore ask for the actual results rather than accepting the phrase “health-tested parents”.

Monitor body condition too: a waist should be visible and the ribs should be easy to feel with light pressure. When merle is part of a mating, the breeder should be able to explain the colour genes. Inheriting merle from both parents can result in double merle, which in dogs is associated with an increased risk of hearing and eye problems.

## History & Origins

The Dachshund was developed in Germany from low-legged hunting dogs for work below ground. Such dogs have been known since the Middle Ages, while organised breeding took clearer shape during the nineteenth century. The German Dachshund club was founded in 1888, and breeding came to encompass the three sizes and three coats that make up today's nine varieties.

The breed's low outline, powerful forequarters, stamina and independence have a practical explanation. The Dachshund needed to follow quarry below ground, but could also work as a scent hound or flushing dog and assist in tracking wounded game. In Sweden, it became particularly important as a slow-working scent hound when the roe deer population increased during the 1940s. The Swedish Dachshund Club was founded as early as 1901.

That historical role is still apparent in daily life. A Dachshund that will never hunt still needs outlets for scent work, problem-solving and movement. This is also why a buyer should ask what the breeder genuinely prioritises: work below ground, scent hunting, tracking wounded game, showing or primarily companionship.

## Living with the Breed

A Dachshund can live well in a flat if it receives enough time outdoors, activity and training around sounds in the stairwell and outside the door. The size of the home matters less than the content of the dog's day. Plan several opportunities to go out, time to sniff at an unhurried pace and a place where the dog can rest undisturbed. Time alone should be taught gradually; stop and make the exercise easier if the dog shows distress. The Swedish Board of Agriculture's advice to take an adult dog out at least every six hours during the day concerns toileting and exercise, not how long an individual Dachshund should be left alone.

A Dachshund can be a good family dog with children, but young children and dogs should always have an adult present. Children need to learn not to disturb the dog while it is eating or resting. Young children should not carry a Dachshund; a small dog is easily dropped, and the back and hindquarters need proper support when it is lifted. The dog should always have a safe, undisturbed resting place.

Living with other dogs or cats depends on the individual, previous experience and hunting drive. Make introductions calmly, use a barrier and give both animals separate safe areas. A Dachshund with a strong drive to chase may not become reliable with a rabbit, guinea pig or cat simply because introductions are practised. Secure physical separation may be the right long-term solution.

Before buying, ask for specific answers to the following questions:

- Which size and coat is the puppy expected to have, and how confidently can this be predicted?
- What are the parents used for, and how do they and their close relatives behave in daily life?
- Is there an official K result and information about clinical back problems in parents, siblings or previous offspring?
- When were the parents' eyes last examined, and what do the results show?
- Which BPH, hunting or show results are registered and relevant to this particular litter?
- How have the puppies been introduced to handling, household sounds, people and short periods away from their littermates?

The best match is not automatically the smallest puppy, the quietest one during a visit or the colour that first catches your eye. Choose the combination in which the breeder's aims, the dogs' documented health and temperament, and your own daily life all point in the same direction.

Dachshund

UK Dachshund Club

British Veterinary Association

Dachshund: bold, long‑backed, short‑legged hunting dog, originally bred for badger and rabbit. Comes in smooth, long and wire coats, standard and miniature sizes. Loyal, scent‑driven, independent and vocal. Needs regular but careful exercise and weight control to protect its spine.

Irmelinn Gjøsæther Revheim driver oppdrett av rasen Dachshund og holder til i Hjellestad i Norge.

Irmelinn Gjøsæther Revheim

German Shorthaired Pointer (Vorsteh)

German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Germany (Deutsch-Kurzhaar-Verband)

Norwegian German Shorthaired Pointer Club (Norsk Vorstehhundklubb)

Svenska Vorstehklubben (Swedish Pointing Dog Club)

The German Shorthaired Pointer (Vorsteh) is a medium‑large, athletic gundog with a short, shedding coat and striking liver-and-white patterns. Energetic, people-focused and intelligent, it needs extensive daily exercise, positive training, and close family contact to stay calm and content.

Øystein Svendsen driver oppdrett av rasen Vorstehhund og holder til i Sandsli i Norge. Oppdrettet omfatter korthåret vorsteh og bygger på praktisk arbeid med apport og skogsfuglprøver.

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