Choose -a -Breed!
Breeds in brief What Breed for you? Links Send us your profile and we will choose a breed for you
Breeds in Brief is an ALPHABETICAL listing of breeds, with a few words on each breed. For more info, contact the breeder! If you would like to add to this list - please email me! Click here to go to breeds
Breed names with a star (*) indicate more info. If you have a special story or more info - please email me and I will add it to the page! Click on the breed name for another page/more info.
Breed names with a 
sign indicate breed rescue clubs - try to adopt a homeless critter! - click on
the picture to jump to more info.
Afgan Breeder - Sue Mitchel - =27 11 805 2701
Airedale Terriers
Airedale breeder - www.airedale-online.com
American Pit Bulls
For info and excellent referrals to top quality breeders,
Contact : Leigh Anne on 083 256 0771
American Staffordshire Terriers (Am-Staf)
Australian Shepherds
Stravros - Jenni Gray - gray@global.co.za
Strathaven - Natasha - nbaxter@mweb.co.za
Basset Hounds
Lagen Basset Hounds
Tidal waves - www.bassethounds.co.za
Beagle *
Beagles at Ardmore - Melanie - =27 12 654 6988
Bernese Mountain Dogs
Teversal bernese - Marion 083 630 4262
Boerboels
Border Collie
Venron - Venessa 27 16 342 3421
Giftnell Border Collies - Onel Orsmond 012 345 3855 / 082 931 3166
Boston Terriers
Bertasso Boston Terriers - Elke - 11 887 3244
Travins Boston - Trevor 683-1022
Bulldogs
Janron - Ronel - 082 832 8442
Mervander - mervander@telkomsa.net
Bullmastiff
Van lelloi Kennels - Heleen +27 12 722 0372
Bull Terriers
Carradice Bull Terriers
Wynand - +27 16 932 3809
Johan - johan.dutoit@rsa.sun.com
Sandwana - Sundwana@icon.co.za
Cairn Terriers
Mandy - +27 12 650 0135
Chihuahuas
chifafa - Long coated - chifafa@worldonline.co.za
Pasadena - www.pasadenachi.co.za
Chows
Ciao Chows - ciaochows@telkomsa.net
Long-haired and miniature - Lore - +27 12 430 5010
Simaxdal - www.dogsdogsdogs.co.za
Dalmations
Dalmali - Carol Immelman - +27 11 965 0501
(also rescue)
Dobermans
Hysand - hysand@icon.co.za
(also - training for these special wonders!)
Southernbell- www.dobermansa.com - griffith@pixie.co.za
Von Wynjo - g.cuipers@lantic.net
German Shepherd
Arroken - langhorn@mweb.co.za
Chicarlyn - Clifwalk@global.co.za
Olderhill - www.olderhill.co.za
Von Kazandi - gsd@kazandi.co.za
Golden Retreivers
Simaaxdal - www.dogsdogs.co.za
Great Danes
Anvin Great Danes - wayne@global.co.za
Irish Setters
Ardmore - Melanie - +27 11 654 6988
Italian Greyhounds
Canta libre +11 21 794 4450
Jack Russell Terriers
Poolside Kennels - Melanie@telkomsa.co.za
Albury JRTS (good on advice!) tel: +27 31 765 3403
Sharpeis
Deciding what breed is for you is quite a choice. There are many to choose from, each with their own history, needs and personality.
There are breeds to suit everyone. First consider your budget - for correct feeding, training and vet bills.
Then your time - a large breed, with a full, long coat requires daily exercise, grooming and lots of food!
What "type" of dog do you like? Do you prefer the Lupine (wolf like) dogs, with longer muzzles and medium length hair? Are you a small dog person? Do you like short haired big dogs? Or smaller dogs with pushed up noses, like Pugs and Bull Dogs. Do you have other dogs......?
Its impossible to say what breed will suit you most, but our short article should help!
Often one sees articles where you can "choose your ideal breed" , but this does not take into account the actual personality of the person. It is hard to generalise when it comes to dog ownership. I was not allowed to adopt a Border Collie from the SPCA, when I lived in Randburg, as my property was considered too small. Not taken into account was the fact that I train dogs, run them often and spend a lot of time with them. In addition, circumstances change, and the person on a farm today can be living in a town house next year. It is important to consider the following:
- Do you like boisterous dogs? Compare a Boxer, Staffy or Border Collie to a Chow or a Boerboel.
- Do you have time to work your dog? Imagine a frustrated German Shepherd, or Border Collie, unable to work - can you provide stimulation?
- Do you have access to open running space? Some breeds really need to run and run - like Siberian Huskies.
- Are you interested in a breed because you think they are intelligent, and are you prepared to "educate" him? Consider the plight of the Dalmatian, whose popularity has soared since the release of the movie "101 Dalmatians". Many are re-homed because they do not meet the expectations of the owners, and don't stay cute little puppies for ever. The more intelligent the dog, the more likely it is to be naughty and destructive, if left unattended and bored.
- Do you want to have the responsibility of owning a fighting breed? Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs and make great pets. However, when they get going in a fight they are likely to cause immense damage. Can you ensure that you are able to control your dog at all times?
- Do you have young children? Small breeds may be too fragile and larger breeds too much to handle when you are two years old! Children are rough and don't understand dogs. Herding breeds may be inclined to "herd" children, even nipping them.
- Are you looking for a watch dog? Bear in mind that training and not breed is important. Also - a dog left outside on his own, to guard a house, will ultimately either be poisoned or not feel too inclined to protect you.
- How much money do you want to spend on your dog? Some breeds are predisposed to certain ailments which may end up costing you...for example Bull Terriers and Boerboels often suffer with skin ailments, and Border Collies suffer with "Collie eye" and other ailments. Most pure bred dogs suffer with Hip problems and often with shoulder problems too.
(Fill this in and email it to Dogcoza@absamail.co.za and we will send you a breed list just for you!)
- Three top breeds you like :
- Amount of time to walk/run/groom/train
- Budget constraints
- What do you want a dog for? Companion/Training/ etc.
- Do you prefer "bull breed" types or more "wolf like" dogs
- What kind of coat would you prefer? Long/ short/ Medium/ Wool like/ Curly
- Do you have a colour preference?
- Do you want a small or large dog?
- What is your ideal dog (Imagine you and your dog together. What would you be doing? Would you be running on the beach, catching Frisbee or sitting together watching TV)
- Do you have family living with you?
- Will your dog be alone during the day?
- Will your dog be around other animals (including other dogs) and what type?
- Explain how you feel about dogs in general.