## Quick Facts

The Irish Wolfhound is a very large, rough-coated sighthound from Ireland. It combines a sighthound's speed and hunting instinct with a generally friendly nature, but its size affects almost every practical decision, from the car and home to the way a puppy is raised.

- **Breed type:** A sighthound in FCI Group 10, originally used to hunt wolves and other large game.
- **Size:** The standard sets minimums of 79 cm and 54 kg for dogs and 71 cm and 41 kg for bitches. An average height of 81–86 cm is desirable for dogs; there is no stated maximum height or weight.
- **Build:** Powerful and muscular, but not as massive as a Great Dane. It should carry more substance than a Scottish Deerhound without losing the lines and mobility of a sighthound.
- **Temperament:** Usually friendly, affectionate and calm at home. Hunting drive can be strong and varies between individuals.
- **Activity:** Needs daily exercise, mental stimulation and safe opportunities to stretch out at speed. The amount should reflect age, fitness and recovery.
- **Coat:** Rough and hard on the body, legs and head, with marked eyebrows and a beard. It needs regular attention but should not be clipped like a soft-coated companion breed.
- **Worth knowing:** The breed has a shorter life expectancy than many smaller dogs. Heart health, early puppy testing for portosystemic shunt and disease in close relatives are important questions before buying.

## Appearance & Coat

An Irish Wolfhound should be large and imposing without looking heavy or clumsy. It has a long body, deep chest, well-muscled limbs and a long, gently curved tail. Movement should be easy and active. It is less massive than a Great Dane, while carrying more weight and power than a Scottish Deerhound.

The size figures are often misunderstood. The standard gives minimum measurements for both sexes and a desirable average of 81–86 cm for dogs, but no official maximum. A bitch's size and the eventual weight of either sex cannot therefore be read as a narrow range. Proportion, strength and sound movement matter more than aiming for the largest possible dog.

The coat should be rough and hard, particularly above the eyes and under the jaw. Permitted colours include grey, brindle, red, black, pure white and fawn, as well as the colours seen in the Scottish Deerhound. Comb and brush as the individual coat requires, tease out tangles and remove dead, untidy hair without stripping away the protective topcoat. Check the beard, ears, feet, nails and skin too. Bathing should be guided by dirt, skin condition and daily life, not a fixed timetable.

## Temperament & Personality

The Irish Wolfhound is generally friendly and people-oriented, but a breed description cannot guarantee the character of every dog. Early socialisation, the parents' temperaments and the dog's own experiences all affect confidence and sociability. Because of its size, even an enthusiastic greeting, play or a sudden pull on the lead calls for good control.

This is a sighthound with a hunting background. A dog that is quiet indoors may react in an instant to a deer, hare or running cat. Off-lead freedom should therefore depend on the individual's proven recall and the surroundings, not on the assumption that a gentle manner means little prey drive. A securely fenced area is often the best place for full-speed running.

Many live happily with other dogs. Life with cats or smaller animals is more individual: a puppy may learn the rules at home without losing its chase response outdoors. Introduce animals calmly, give the cat escape routes and keep physical control of the dog until their behaviour together is predictable.

A steady adult can be gentle and patient with children, but active adult supervision is still essential. The dog's body can knock over a small child unintentionally. Teach children to leave the dog alone while it eats or sleeps and give the dog a resting place where it will not be disturbed.

## Training & Exercise

An Irish Wolfhound needs consistent, kind training that still works when the dog outweighs its handler. Start early with attention, loose-lead walking, recall, handling and calm passage past people, dogs and wildlife. Short, clear sessions and rewards usually suit the breed better than harsh corrections or long, repetitive drills.

Build recall gradually, moving from easy settings to more difficult distractions. Use a long line in unfenced places until recall remains reliable around likely prey. No training method can promise that a sighthound will always abandon a chase, so a lead and fencing are safety tools, not signs of failed training.

An adult benefits from varied walks, scent-based activities and opportunities to move more freely in a safe place. No evidence-based number of minutes suits every dog. Instead, watch its gait, breathing, willingness and recovery during and after exercise. Increase exertion gradually and adjust it in hot weather, during illness or when fitness is poor.

Puppies grow quickly and should be allowed to play and move at their own pace. Avoid long repetitive distances, high jumping and hard fitness work before the body has matured. Everyday movement, play on suitable surfaces, breaks and new environments build both body and confidence. Ask for advice based on the individual puppy's growth and body condition rather than using a universal minutes-per-month formula.

## Health

A healthy start depends on choosing a breeder carefully, followed by appropriate care throughout life. Irish Wolfhounds have a shorter life expectancy than many smaller breeds. Swedish and international evidence particularly highlights heart disease, cancer, pneumonia and portosystemic shunt. Individual dogs may remain healthy for a long time, but the breed's risks should not be played down.

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, and the rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation occur in the breed. Atrial fibrillation can be present before an owner notices clear symptoms and may precede heart muscle disease. Echocardiography shows the heart's structure and pumping function, while an ECG assesses its rhythm; the two tests answer different questions and may need to be combined. Ask when both parents were last examined, which methods were used and what is known about hearts in earlier generations. A normal result reduces uncertainty at that time but cannot guarantee that disease will never develop.

In a portosystemic shunt, or PSS, blood is diverted past the liver. The breed has an established early bile-acid check, usually performed when puppies are about six to eight weeks old and before they leave the breeder. Ask to see the litter's results and how any abnormal value was followed up. This is more informative than a general assurance that the line is healthy.

Osteosarcoma and other cancers, as well as serious pneumonia, are among the breed club's health priorities. Persistent lameness, pain or swelling needs veterinary assessment. Seek help promptly for marked lethargy or respiratory symptoms too, as pneumonia can develop rapidly and severely in this breed.

The deep chest also brings a risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV. Repeated unsuccessful attempts to vomit, a rapidly swollen or painful abdomen, pronounced restlessness, pale gums, weakness or collapse are emergency warning signs. Go straight to a vet; this cannot be treated at home. Discuss individual risk and possible preventive gastropexy with a vet. The operation reduces the risk of the stomach twisting but does not prevent every episode of bloating.

When assessing a litter, distinguish compulsory registration rules from breed-club health recommendations. The absence of a compulsory result does not make a health question unimportant. Ask for dated examination reports, the puppy's PSS result and straightforward information about longevity and causes of death among close relatives.

## History & Origins

The Irish Wolfhound has roots in Ireland's large hunting dogs, but the modern breed is the result of a documented nineteenth-century reconstruction, not an unchanged line stretching back to antiquity. In AD 391, a Roman consul wrote about Irish dogs sent to Rome. Such dogs were used to hunt wolves and other large game.

Once wolves disappeared from Ireland, the need for these dogs declined and the type came close to extinction by the end of the seventeenth century. In the later nineteenth century, Captain George Augustus Graham gathered the remaining dogs thought to represent the type and rebuilt the breed. Scottish Deerhounds were used in the process, with occasional Borzoi and Great Dane crosses. The breed was shown in its own class in 1879, and the Irish breed club was founded in 1885.

This modern history explains both the relationship with other large sighthounds and why legends about ancient wolfhounds should not be treated as a complete pedigree for today's dogs. The first Irish Wolfhound arrived in Sweden in 1931, and the Swedish Irish Wolfhound Club was formed in 1976.

## Living with the Breed

Living with an Irish Wolfhound is chiefly about space, safety and planning ahead. The breed can live in a flat if it receives suitable activity and the home works in practice, but a very large dog needs room to turn and rest, non-slip surfaces and an easy route outside. Several flights of stairs without a lift are especially difficult for a growing puppy or an injured adult that cannot be carried.

Test the car with an adult dog in mind: it must be able to lie safely, get in without risky jumps and still be transported if it becomes ill. Check that gates and fences can contain a tall, fast dog. A supportive bed, stable food and water bowls and enough room around meals also make daily life easier.

Time alone must be introduced gradually in short, secure stages. A calm breed is not automatically comfortable with long days alone, and a large distressed dog can harm both itself and the home. Arrange a dog sitter or other help before buying if working days will regularly exceed what the dog can manage.

These questions are particularly useful when choosing a breeder:

- Can you meet the dam, and how do both parents behave around people, dogs and ordinary environments?
- When were both parents last examined by echocardiogram and ECG, and what results are known in close relatives?
- Has the whole litter been tested for PSS before leaving, and will you receive a copy of the result?
- What longevity and causes of death are known among the parents, siblings and previous offspring?
- How will you provide secure exercise, transport, insurance and help if the dog cannot walk unaided?

The right home need not be the largest, but it must be practically prepared. Someone who appreciates a friendly sighthound, can manage its hunting drive and has the budget and space for a very large dog may find a distinctive companion. Anyone wanting reliable off-lead freedom everywhere, owning a small car or expecting a dog to tolerate long days alone should choose another breed.

Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhound Club of Great Britain

Irish Wolfhound Club of Northern Ireland

The Kennel Club (UK)

Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

The Irish Wolfhound Club (Germany)

Irish Wolfhounds are giant, tall hounds with a strong yet graceful build and a rough, weather‑resistant coat. Calm, gentle and sensitive, they are low‑key indoors but need steady exercise and space. They have notable health risks and a relatively short lifespan, so careful breeding and care are vital.

Pierpoint opdrætter irsk ulvehund i Jelling. Kennelmærket blev registreret i 1988, og det første kuld irske ulvehunde under navnet kom i 1993. I 2014 blev opdrættet udvidet med den ruhårede variant af Galgo Español. Kennelens hunde deltager blandt andet i K9 Lifeskills, lure coursing og baneløb. Pierpoint er desuden blandt Myndeklubbens opdrættere af irsk ulvehund og har været repræsenteret på klubbens rangliste for lure coursing i perioden juni 2025 til juni 2026. Ved en officiel DKK-udstilling i 2026 blev en Pierpoint-opdrættet irsk ulvehund BIM og modtog certifikat og CACIB.

Pierpoint

## Quick Facts

The Beagle is a sociable, enduring hunting dog that follows scent trails with great determination. Its manageable size makes the breed easy to take along, but its highly developed sense of smell, hunting instinct and voice require more planning than its size might suggest.

- **Origin:** Great Britain
- **Use:** A driving hound used to hunt species including hare, roe deer, deer and fox
- **Size:** 33–40 cm at the withers and usually 10–15 kg as an adult
- **Temperament:** Merry, open, lively and friendly, but also independent and persistent
- **Activity:** Needs daily physical exercise and regular opportunities to use its nose
- **Coat:** Short, dense and weather-resistant; easy to care for but sheds
- **Best suited to:** Someone who wants an active life with a sociable dog and can manage recall, noise and a keen appetite

## Appearance & Coat

The Beagle is a compact, sturdy dog that should look athletic without being coarse. Its body is well balanced, its legs are strong and its chest is developed for sustained work. The long, low-set ears lie close to the cheeks, while the strong tail is carried high when the dog is moving.

The breed standard gives a desirable height of 33–40 cm at the withers. According to Swedish breed guidance, an adult usually weighs 10–15 kg. Body condition matters more than the number on the scales: a well-muscled working dog and a less active companion may weigh differently despite being the same height.

The coat is short, dense and protective in bad weather. Black, tan and white tricolour is familiar, but the standard also permits several two-colour and mottled combinations. The tip of the tail must be white.

Coat care is straightforward. Regular brushing catches loose hair, particularly during heavier shedding. At the same time, check the skin, paws, nails and teeth. Drop ears can increase the risk of ear inflammation, but healthy ears should not be cleaned unnecessarily. Head shaking, scratching, redness, pain, unpleasant-smelling discharge or recurring trouble should be assessed by a vet.

## Temperament & Personality

A typical Beagle is friendly, lively and curious, with an even temperament and a keen desire to be involved. The breed was developed to work closely with people and other dogs and is often sociable at home. However, it was not bred to wait for instructions at every turn. A hunting Beagle must make its own decisions and persist with a trail, which can easily look like stubbornness in everyday life.

Many Beagles live happily with children and other dogs. This is a common breed tendency, not a promise about every individual or encounter. Children need to learn to leave the dog alone while it eats or rests, and an adult should always supervise interactions actively between a dog and young children.

Using its voice is part of the breed's work. A Beagle may bark or give a resonant hunting cry when following scent, becoming excited or seeking contact. The amount of noise varies. Adequate activity, thoughtful training for time alone and calm household routines can reduce unnecessary noise, but anyone who needs a completely quiet dog should choose another breed.

Food is often a powerful motivator. That can make reward-based training easier, but it also means that food on worktops, open bins and edible things found outdoors can quickly become a problem.

## Training & Exercise

The Beagle needs daily physical activity, mental training and, above all, purposeful scent work. A fixed number of minutes will not suit every dog: age, health, hunting, pace and other activities all affect the appropriate workload. A good routine includes walks with time to sniff, longer outings over varied ground and regular tasks that let the dog search or follow trails.

Blood tracking, human scent tracking, nosework and simple search games make excellent use of the breed's greatest strength. Owners interested in hunting can develop the Beagle's traditional work as a driving hound. In Sweden, the breed works alone when hunting hare, roe deer, deer and fox, while blood tracking can also build skills for finding wounded game. Not every individual suits every quarry; hunting style, speed and voice all matter.

Use rewards and increase difficulty gradually. Short sessions, clear cues and rewards the dog genuinely values are more effective than harsh corrections. Part of the daily food allowance can be used for training so that rewards do not add more calories than intended.

Recall deserves particular care. A Beagle that finds a fresh trail may value the scent more highly than its handler, even if recall works in a quiet setting. Begin without distractions, continue on a long line and increase the challenge only when the dog succeeds. Many Beagles need a long line or a securely enclosed area for greater freedom. Do not let the dog off near traffic or wildlife simply because recall worked the day before.

Teach the dog to settle as well. A Beagle that gets both purposeful work and rest is often easier to live with than one kept constantly busy.

## Health

The Beagle is generally considered a healthy breed, but uncommon diseases can still affect individual dogs. Swedish breed information mentions thyroid disorders, intervertebral disc disease, epilepsy, steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis and hip dysplasia. The Swedish breed-specific breeding strategy, known as RAS, also covers the inherited conditions Musladin–Lueke syndrome, or MLS, and Lafora epilepsy.

When speaking to a breeder, ask for specific answers:

- What are both parents' test results for MLS and Lafora? If one parent is a carrier, the other should be genetically clear under the breed's breeding strategy.
- Is there epilepsy, meningitis, back disease, a thyroid disorder or another recurring problem among close relatives?
- How have the parents' temperament and hunting ability been assessed?
- Which current recommendations and registration rules has the breeder followed for this particular mating?

Hip dysplasia occurs at a low frequency, but the Beagle has no breed-specific requirement for official hip status in the Swedish Kennel Club's 2026 registration rules. Ask what the breeder has actually investigated and why instead of assuming that one generic testing list applies. Rules and recommendations can change from year to year.

Weight is an important everyday consideration. Measure food, include training rewards in the daily allowance and monitor the dog's body condition over time. Adjust the ration to age, work and activity level, and seek veterinary advice if weight rises or the dog needs an individual plan. Keep food, medicines and bins out of reach too; a food-loving Beagle can be both quick and inventive.

## History & Origins

The Beagle developed in Great Britain as a small driving hound for hunting on foot, particularly hare. The breed name has been documented since the fifteenth century, but the recognisable modern type was not established until the 1870s. In the British tradition, several Beagles worked together in a pack while the hunters followed on foot.

The first known Beagles in Sweden were shown in Gothenburg in 1891. Swedish breed development gathered pace when Svenska Beagleklubben, the national breed club, was founded in 1953. The work was adapted to the Nordic hunting tradition: instead of hunting in a pack, a Beagle normally works alone to search for, raise and drive game while giving voice.

That history is easy to recognise in today's dog. The nose close to the ground, endurance, independence and voice are not minor quirks separate from its role as a family companion. They are central to how the breed works and need a reasonable outlet even in a home where the dog does not hunt.

## Living with the Breed

The Beagle is best suited to a home that appreciates an active, sociable, scent-led dog and can plan for safety and noise. The daily routine matters more than the size of the home. Living in a flat can work if the dog receives suitable activity, can settle indoors and does not disturb the neighbours. In a building with poor sound insulation, be prepared for the breed's voice to become a problem.

A garden does not replace walks or purposeful work, and fencing must be secure. Away from an enclosed area, a well-fitting harness and long line are often more useful than hoping for perfect recall. Food and bins need to be stored where the dog cannot reach them.

Time alone should be introduced gradually, beginning with very short periods and taking account of the dog's age and response. Guidance from the Swedish Board of Agriculture says dogs should be taken out at least every six hours during the day, and more often if they are puppies or older dogs. This is guidance about outings, not a statement that a particular dog can cope alone for that long. A Beagle that becomes anxious, howls or cannot settle needs smaller steps, more company and a routine better suited to that individual.

Cats can live in the same home, but introductions should be slow and controlled. The cat needs dog-free spaces and clear escape routes, and the dog must never be allowed to rehearse chasing it. Take particular care with rabbits, rodents and birds: the breed's hunting background means safe coexistence cannot be assumed.

Choose a Beagle if you want scent work to be part of daily life and enjoy an independent, enduring dog that makes itself heard. Choose another breed if you want a quiet dog that is easy to trust off the lead, is content with short walks or must routinely spend long working days alone.

Beagle

The Beagle Club

Svenska Kennelklubben (Swedish Kennel Club)

Fédération Cynologique Internationale

Société Centrale Canine (France)

The Beagle is a small, sturdy scent hound with a short, shedding coat and a famous baying voice. Cheerful and curious, it’s usually friendly with children and other dogs. It needs daily exercise, mental stimulation, secure fencing, and weight control, but grooming is simple.

Tina Lykke Jørgensen er opdrætter af hunderacen beagle i den danske by Gørding.

Tina Lykke Jørgensen

## Quick Facts

- The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large Swiss farm dog originally used for guarding, draught work and driving cattle. Today, it is primarily a companion and versatile working dog.
- Males stand 64–70 cm at the withers, with 66–68 cm preferred. Females stand 58–66 cm, with 60–63 cm preferred. The breed standard does not specify a weight.
- The breed should be self-confident, attentive, good-natured and devoted to its family, as well as friendly towards strangers.
- An adult needs substantial activity every day. Puppies and young dogs should not be given structured conditioning work or heavy physical loads.
- The long double coat normally needs a thorough brush each week, and more often during moulting.
- In Sweden, both parents must have official hip and elbow results before mating. The HS test for histiocytic sarcoma estimates risk; it does not say that a dog is healthy or affected.
- Tumours and low longevity are the breed's most serious health concerns. The lifespan and documented causes of death among relatives therefore matter when choosing a puppy.

## Appearance & Coat

The Bernese Mountain Dog is large and powerful, but it should also be mobile, harmonious and well balanced. Its body is roughly ten per cent longer than its height at the withers and should look compact rather than elongated. A heavy outline is not the same as correct breed type: the dog should move freely and carry its size without being overweight.

Males should stand 64–70 cm, ideally 66–68 cm. Females should stand 58–66 cm, ideally 60–63 cm. The breed standard gives no weight range. Assess an adult by its proportions, muscle and body condition instead of aiming for a particular number on the scales.

The head should be powerful without being too heavy. The eyes are dark brown and almond-shaped, and the ears are medium-sized and triangular. The bushy tail reaches at least to the hock and hangs down when the dog is relaxed, but may rise to the level of the back when moving.

The coat is long and glossy, either straight or slightly wavy. The base colour is jet black, with rich rust markings on the cheeks, above the eyes, on the legs and on the chest. White appears in places including a symmetrical blaze and the throat and chest. White feet and a white tail tip are desirable, but symmetry of markings says nothing about a dog's health.

The Swedish Kennel Club's breed guide recommends brushing or combing once a week and daily during moulting. Adapt this to the individual dog and the season. Work down to the skin and check behind the ears, in the armpits and through the feathering, where tangles can hide. At the same time, feel for lumps, tenderness and changes to the skin.

Schedule longer summer activities for cooler parts of the day, provide shade and water, and let the dog rest if it is not recovering normally. Never leave a dog in a hot car, even in the shade or with a window partly open.

## Temperament & Personality

A typical Bernese Mountain Dog should be confident, good-natured and biddable, not fearful or aggressive. The standard also describes an attentive, watchful dog that is devoted to its family and friendly towards strangers. This is a breeding and temperament goal, not a guarantee for every puppy or every situation.

The breed is often sociable and willing to cooperate, but a boisterous adolescent of this size can knock over a child, pull an adult off balance or crowd a visitor without any aggressive intent. From an early age, teach four paws on the floor, calm greetings, loose-lead walking and settling in a designated place.

Socialisation does not mean making the puppy greet everyone. Offer calm experiences of people, dogs, traffic, surfaces, handling and different environments, while allowing it to watch from a distance. Repeated fearfulness should be taken seriously rather than dismissed as the breed being “sensitive”.

A Bernese Mountain Dog can live successfully with children and other animals, but the individual and the introduction make the difference. Children should not climb on the dog or disturb it when sleeping. The dog needs a quiet resting place, and an adult should always supervise interactions between dogs and young children.

## Training & Exercise

An adult Bernese Mountain Dog needs proper exercise and meaningful activity every day, but there is no universal number of minutes. Adapt the amount to age, body condition, health, fitness, surface and temperature. Walks with time to sniff, everyday training, scent work and play create a better routine than simply trying to exhaust the dog.

For puppies and young dogs, the Swedish Kennel Club distinguishes natural movement from deliberate exercise. Let the dog move at its own pace and rest when needed. Planned runs, repeated jumping and heavy draught work should wait until the dog is physically mature. Do not rely on a simple five-minute rule; adjust activity according to the dog's movement, fatigue and recovery.

Short, clear, reward-based sessions work well. Prioritise skills that become difficult to teach only after the dog has reached its full size:

- walking on a loose lead and turning with the handler
- greeting without jumping up or leaning its full weight against someone
- recall and engagement around distractions
- waiting at doorways and getting calmly in and out of the car
- cooperative handling of paws, mouth, ears and coat

The breed's heritage can be channelled into scent work, obedience, rally, carrying a dog pack, or the breed club's draught and working tests. Pulling a load requires suitable equipment, gradual preparation and a physically mature, healthy dog.

## Health

Health and longevity must carry considerable weight when choosing a Bernese Mountain Dog. The current Swedish breeding strategy identifies tumours as the breed's greatest health problem and shows that low longevity remains an issue. Even so, nobody can promise how many years an individual dog will live.

In the Swedish insurance mortality data for 2016–2021 reported in the breeding strategy, the median age was 5.5 years. In a Swiss study of club-registered dogs born in 2001–2002, median survival was 8.4 years. The populations, periods and methods differ, so these figures are not the same kind of forecast. They show why health and longevity in close relatives are more useful than one general range.

Tumours accounted for more than half of deaths in both a Swiss and a Dutch study. Histiocytic sarcoma is the tumour type specifically targeted by the breed's health programme. The HS test places dogs in lower, average or higher genetic risk groups relative to the breed. It is not a diagnostic test: a lower-risk dog may still develop the disease, while a higher-risk dog may remain healthy.

HSIMS estimates the risk of a proposed mating from the parents' HS results. It must be considered alongside longevity, other aspects of health, relatedness and function. Selecting solely for the lowest risk would reduce genetic diversity. The Swedish breeding strategy recommends HS testing, but it is not required for registration with the Swedish Kennel Club. Since 2025, however, the Swedish Sennenhund Club's puppy-listing service has required both parents to be tested.

Both parents must have official hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia status before mating for their offspring to be registered with the Swedish Kennel Club. Dogs with HD grades D or E and ED grades 2 or 3 must not be used. The breeding strategy also recommends parents free from ED and a combined HD and ED index above 100. An index of 100 is the breed average and incorporates information from relatives, so indices and the results of screened littermates reveal more than one isolated result.

Renal dysplasia, or RD, is a serious developmental kidney disorder that mainly affects young dogs. Confirmed cases are recorded centrally, and a definitive diagnosis requires examination of kidney tissue. Familial nephropathy is another documented kidney disease and more often affects young adults. There is no simple DNA test that can show that a proposed mating is free from the inherited risk behind these diseases.

Ask the breeder to show and explain:

- the parents' official hip and elbow results and the proposed mating's current indices
- how many littermates and previous offspring have been screened, and their results
- HS results and how HSIMS and genetic diversity have been taken into account
- kidney disease, tumour diagnoses, longevity and verified causes of death among parents, siblings and older relatives

## History & Origins

The Bernese Mountain Dog has a documented history as a farm dog in the Alpine region around Bern, Switzerland. It guarded farms, pulled loads and helped with cattle. The dogs were known as Dürrbächler after the Dürrbach inn near Riggisberg, where the long-haired, tricoloured type was common.

Dürrbächler dogs were shown at dog shows in 1902, 1904 and 1907. In November 1907, breeders around Burgdorf founded the Schweizerischen Dürrbach-Klub to breed the dogs to a consistent type and define their characteristics. The name Bernese Mountain Dog was later established in relation to the other Swiss mountain dog breeds.

The claim that the breed descends from Roman mastiffs is often repeated, but it is not part of the securely documented history. The reliable account centres on the local farm dog around Bern, its work in guarding, draught and cattle handling, and the organised development of the breed in the early twentieth century.

## Living with the Breed

A Bernese Mountain Dog needs practical space in daily life, not just enough floor area. Flat living can work, but check the stairs, lift, slippery floors, access to suitable walking areas and how an ill dog could be transported. A garden is useful, but it does not replace walks and shared activity.

Plan for a large bed, a car and harness that can accommodate the dog, food, insurance and somewhere to dry a wet coat. Add non-slip surfaces where needed. It is better to solve these practical issues while the dog is young than when it is in pain.

Time alone must be trained to suit the individual. Begin with very short separations while the dog is settled, and increase them only when it can lie down and relax. Persistent whining, pacing, panting or scratching shows that the step was too difficult. The breed's devotion does not prove that it will have separation problems, but nor does it guarantee that a dog can cope with a whole working day alone.

Introduce dogs and cats gradually. Keep them apart at first, let them become used to each other's scent, give the cat a dog-free place and prevent the dog from chasing. Brief meetings through a gate or with the dog on a lead can then be extended when both animals are relaxed. The same calm principle applies when meeting other dogs; the Bernese Mountain Dog's size makes early lead control particularly important.

A good breeder can discuss both strengths and problems in the family and provides documentation, not merely the names of tests. Choose a mating in which health, temperament, function and genetic diversity have been considered together. Openness about ill and deceased relatives is at least as valuable as good results for the parents.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Svenska Kennelklubben (Sweden)

Norsk Kennel Klub (Norway)

Deutscher Club für Berner Sennenhunde e.V. (Germany)

Large Swiss farm-bred dog with a strong, balanced build and a thick tricolour coat. Affectionate, people focused, and usually gentle with children. Needs moderate daily exercise, cool climates, regular grooming, and kind training. Health screening is crucial due to joint issues and cancers.

Lone Damkjær

Søndervang

## 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

Dansk Kennel Klub (Danish 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.

Mathias Lindberg

## Quick Facts

The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized, active terrier from Ireland. The breed developed as a versatile farm dog and is now kept mainly as a companion. It is typically described as lively, affectionate, intelligent and inventive, but also independent. This makes it a dog for someone who wants to devote time to training, exercise and coat care.

- **Breed group:** Group 3, terriers
- **Origin:** Ireland
- **Former use:** Farm work, vermin control and hunting
- **Size:** According to the breed standard, males should stand 46–48 cm and weigh about 18–20.5 kg; females should be somewhat smaller
- **Coat:** Single, soft and silky, in shades of wheaten
- **Activity level:** Active; needs physical exercise and mental stimulation every day
- **Grooming:** Extensive and regular

The breed is best suited to an owner who appreciates a sociable dog with a clear terrier character and can provide everyday training, varied activity and thorough grooming. It is a poorer choice if you want a dog that is satisfied with short walks, needs very little care or is straightforward to train in every situation.

## Appearance & Coat

The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is compact and well built without being heavy. Its body is approximately as long as the dog is tall, and the overall impression should combine strength with agility. Small forward-folding ears, dark eyes, a beard and hair over the forehead create the breed's characteristic expression.

The adult coat is the breed's most distinctive feature. It should consist of a single layer; undercoat is permitted only on the ears. The texture should feel soft and silky rather than harsh or woolly. Colour ranges from light wheaten to a warmer golden, reddish shade. The coat may be wavy or loosely curled.

A Wheaten puppy does not necessarily look like an adult dog. The puppy coat may be reddish or greyish, or have a dark mask and dark hair tips. Both colour and texture change through several stages, and the finished adult coat usually develops between 18 months and two and a half years of age. You therefore cannot tell exactly what the adult coat will be like simply by looking at the puppy's colour or softness.

The coat often leaves less loose hair around the home than breeds with pronounced seasonal shedding, but it does not look after itself. Loose hair can remain in the coat and contribute to matting. For many adult dogs, a thorough weekly comb is a reasonable starting point, while the coat-change period may require combing several times a week. Swedish breed-club and kennel-club guidance also recommends regular baths and clipping several times a year. The actual frequency depends on coat texture and length as well as the dog's daily activities.

The breed should not be described as allergy-free. Dog allergens are found in sources including saliva and skin, and levels vary between individuals even within the same breed. Anyone with a dog allergy should therefore seek appropriate medical advice and meet the individual dog several times before considering a purchase.

## Temperament & Personality

A typical Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is lively, sociable with its family and quick to involve itself in whatever is happening. The breed standard describes it as spirited, affectionate, loyal and intelligent. At the same time, its independent terrier side may emerge when something in the surroundings seems more interesting than the owner's plan.

Temperament varies between individuals and bloodlines. Among dogs that have taken part in Swedish behavioural assessments, most show low levels of aggressive reactions, but the results also reveal clear variation within the breed. Ask the breeder how the parents respond to unfamiliar people, other dogs, sudden noises, handling and recovery after a surprise. If the parents have completed a BPH or MH behavioural assessment, the results can provide more concrete information than general claims about the breed.

The breed can live well with children when both dog and child learn to respect each other's boundaries. Dogs and young children should always be supervised by an adult, and the dog needs a quiet resting place where it will not be disturbed. How an individual gets on with other dogs or other species varies. Early, calm introductions and thoughtful day-to-day management matter more than assuming that every dog will behave in the same way.

## Training & Exercise

The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier needs physical activity and opportunities to use its brain every day. There is no fixed amount of exercise that suits every individual. An adolescent, a fit adult and an older dog require different levels of exertion, and exercise should be adjusted to fitness, health and recovery.

The breed can enjoy activities such as scent work, tracking, rally obedience, agility and ordinary everyday training. Variety is often more rewarding than simply extending the walk. Search games, responsiveness exercises, body-awareness work and short problem-solving sessions can help create a better balance between activity and rest.

Start early with recall, lead walking, handling and settling calmly. The Swedish Kennel Club notes that the breed can be curious and set off on adventures of its own, so a garden needs secure fencing. Train recall systematically, but use a lead or long line in places where a failed recall could be dangerous.

Reward-based training suits an intelligent, independent dog well: reward the behaviour you want, make the task clear and increase the difficulty in small steps. Harsh corrections are unnecessary and can cause stress as well as damage cooperation. Short, engaging sessions with clear breaks are usually easier to succeed with than long periods of repetition.

## Health

Many Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers remain active well into later life, but the breed has health risks that a puppy buyer should understand. Swedish breed information particularly highlights kidney and gastrointestinal problems, along with some skin and ear conditions. The presence of a breed risk does not mean that every dog will be affected.

Two important terms are PLN and PLE. **PLN**, protein-losing nephropathy, involves protein being lost through the kidneys. **PLE**, protein-losing enteropathy, is an umbrella term for protein loss through the intestines. These conditions can be serious and may not develop until adulthood. A DNA test is available for PLN-associated risk variants, but its result is not a simple diagnosis: dogs with risk variants do not necessarily become ill, and other factors also play a part. There is no equivalent genetic test for PLE.

Recurring diarrhoea or vomiting, unexplained weight loss, swelling, increased thirst or increased urination should be assessed by a vet. These signs can have many causes and do not prove that a dog has PLE or PLN, but they should not be dismissed in a breed with known risk.

The Swedish breed club's breeding recommendations include known hip status and known DNA status for microphthalmia. Microphthalmia is a condition in which the eye has not developed normally. The club also has specific recommendations concerning close relatives of dogs affected by renal dysplasia, PLE or PLN. However, the Swedish Kennel Club's 2026 registration rules do not impose a breed-specific requirement for official hip status when registering puppies of this breed. A puppy being registered with the Swedish Kennel Club therefore does not automatically mean that every test recommended by the breed club has been completed.

Ask the breeder to show:

- the parents' official hip results
- DNA results for microphthalmia
- PLN results, if testing has been carried out, together with a balanced explanation of what the result means
- any known occurrence of PLE, PLN or renal dysplasia among close relatives
- information about the health of the parents and older relatives over time

## History & Origins

The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier comes from Ireland and is one of the country's four terrier breeds. Its exact early history is not fully documented. Written references to soft-coated dogs date back roughly 200 years, but claims about a more precise or older ancestry should be treated as uncertain.

Small farmers used these terriers for several tasks around the farm, including controlling vermin and helping with general work. The dogs were also used to hunt badgers and otters. The Irish Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1937, and the FCI granted definitive recognition in 1957.

The breed arrived in Sweden in 1965, and the first Swedish litter was born in 1967. It has mainly become a companion and activity dog there, although its working enthusiasm is still evident in pursuits such as tracking, scent work, obedience and agility.

## Living with the Breed

Living with an Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier means an active and sociable daily life. The breed can live in a flat or a house as long as it receives exercise, mental stimulation, regular outdoor breaks and enough rest. The size of the home matters less than what the dog's days actually look like.

Allow time for grooming every week and expect more work while the adolescent coat is changing. Ask the breeder to demonstrate combing, bathing and clipping in practice. Pay particular attention to the beard, legs, armpits, groin and the area behind the ears, where moisture and friction can easily lead to mats.

Time alone must be introduced gradually once the dog feels secure in the home. A properly trained adult can usually be left for a few hours, but individuals vary greatly and a young puppy should not be left alone. Plan for plenty of company during puppyhood and for a daily routine in which the dog can take part in family life.

The breed suits someone who wants a cheerful, enterprising terrier and sees training and grooming as part of dog ownership. It is less suitable if minimal care, long periods alone or a dog that always puts cooperation before its own curiosity are essential requirements. Choose a breeder on the basis of documented health, stable temperament and open information about the family line, not simply the puppy's colour or a promise that the breed is easy to care for or allergy-friendly.

Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of Great Britain

Svenska Terrierklubben (Sweden)

Norsk Terrier Klub (Norway)

The Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium, athletic Irish farm terrier turned family companion, known for its silky low‑shedding wheaten coat, cheerful people‑oriented nature, strong grooming needs, lively but trainable temperament, and generally robust health with some breed‑specific risks.

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