ChoosingADogBreed.

Mary Dickson Name: Skye Terrier Personality: "A skye terrier has stamina, strength and courage," says Karen G. J'Anthony, president of the Skye Terrier Club of America. "They are good-tempered, loyal and sensitive to the needs of their owners. However, although they are sensitive, they do have a mind of their own." According to the American Kennel Club, "The skye terrier is an elegant dog and fiercely loyal to those he knows and loves." Grooming: A skye terrier's grooming needs change from puppyhood to adulthood, says J'Anthony. "The adult skye carries a double coat comprised of a harsh, outer coat, with a softer, wooly-textured undercoat," J'Anthony explains. "Weekly grooming using a pin ...

rse75, Flickr Name: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Personality: The Dog Breed Bible lists the breed's best qualities as "devoted, willing to please, amiable, and often comcial," though the book also notes that they are "reserved with strangers." Jay Hoth, president of the American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association, adds that he tells prospective griffon owners that these dogs are "almost too smart for our own good." Grooming: The American Kennel Club describes breed's fur as a "coarse double coat." Jim Lorraine of Frog Hollow Griffons, a wirehaired pointing griffon breeder in Sauquiot, N.Y., says their coats are also "non-shedding and hypoallergenic." Not much unkeep is needed. "Using ...

Nelle Wyatt Name: Pharaoh Hound Personality: "Pharaoh hounds are intelligent, inquisitive, independent and energetic," says Nelle Wyatt, LVMT, CPDT-KA at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (and a proud pharaoh-hound owner). The American Kennel Club likewise says, "friendly and playful, the pharaoh hound is affectionate with its family." Wyatt adds, "Occasionally, individuals may be aloof until they befriend strangers." Grooming: As a breed without odor problems and with a "short, glossy coat," as described by the AKC, "pharaoh hound grooming is easy," Wyatt proclaims. "Frequent bathing is not necessary. In between baths, wiping with a damp cloth or grooming mitt is ...

Beverly C. Little Name: Irish Wolfhound Personality: There is an old Irish proverb, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) website, that best describes this unique and robust breed: "Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked." But relax -- that just means that IWs, anciently bred for duties like hunting and castle-guarding, still like to "instinctively give chase to fleeing prey." In fact, the AKC is quick to add, family-friendliness has likewise been in this breed's blood since as far back as 391 A.D. Though, they add, an IW could be counted on to "play with their [master's] children and lay quietly by the fire as family friends." The second edition of the "Encyclopedia of Dog ...

MarilynJane, Flickr Dog Breed Name: Keeshond Personality: "Clownlike" is how Karen Staats, vice president of the Sandalfoot Keeshond Club of Central Florida, describes the keeshond (plural: keeshonden), because "they can be pretty goofy, they are always happy, and they love to make the people around them happy." Similarly, the American Kennel Club describes the Netherlands-descended keeshond as being "an affectionate, good-natured companion, outgoing and friendly with people and other dogs." Don't, though, equate silliness with a lack of intelligence. "Even through their goofy behavior, the keeshond is an extremely intelligent breed," Staats says. "They are both beautiful and very ...

Getty Name: Standard Schnauzer Personality: Do a search on "the dog with the human brain" and you'll find many references to the standard schnauzer; it's what owners of this breed love to say about their whip-smart companions. Diane R. Mitchell, president of the Greater Pittsburgh Standard Schnauzer Club (GPSSC), describes this breed's brand of intellect as "very interested in what is going on around them," while Mary Lu and Bob Quehl, vice president and treasurer, respectively, of the GPSSC, explain that "standard schnauzers are unique in their problem-solving ability, intelligence and sense of humor in interactions with us and other standard schnauzers." That working-breed awareness ...