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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 ...

Golden Retrievers are some of the most popular dogs in the country, according to the American Kennel Club, but even longtime fans of the dogs don't necessarily know all about golden's breeding and history. We asked dog breeder and trainer Chris Miele of Cross Creek Goldens, to tell us what he loves most about the dog and to put our knowledge to the test. "For me, they are the ideal dog. They have a wonderful sense of play, a fun sense of humor and they set a perfect example for us on how to behave," Miele tells Paw Nation. Think you've got the goods on goldens? Take our quiz to find out! How Well Do You Know Golden Retrievers? Who originated the breed in Scotland in the 1860s? ...

Corbis Dog Breed: Shetland Sheepdog Personality: Praise is heaped upon this herding breed, which the American Kennel Club describes on its website as "a working collie in miniature." The site also notes that the Shetland sheepdog "is alert, intensely loyal... known as a devoted, docile dog with a keen sense of intelligence and understanding." The second edition of the Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, by D. Caroline Doile, Ph.D., says, "The Shetland sheepdog is extremely bright, extremely sensitive, and extremely willing to please." Meanwhile, Karen Peak, member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, affiliate member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and ...

Carla Ryan/Japanese Chin of the Carolinas Club Dog Breed: Japanese Chin Personality: The Japanese Chin is a curious canine -- very catlike, in fact, says Carla Ryan, founder and president of the Japanese Chin of the Carolinas Club. The breed is very mature-acting for a toy breed, not known for being hyperactive or yappy. Most of all, a Japanese Chin exhibits devotion and loyalty. The American Kennel Club (AKC) warmly describes the Japanese Chin as "bright, alert and playful" and "a sensitive and intelligent breed whose only purpose is to serve man as a companion." Grooming: Because Japanese Chins can "spend hours grooming themselves or each other," says Ryan, they are "very much a ...

A Maltese at the 2009 Westminster Dog Show. AFP/Getty Images Dog Breed: Maltese Personality: "The Maltese is a sweet, loving little dog, who wants to be wherever its owner is," says Mary Palmer, president of Northcentral Maltese Rescue, Inc., located in Racine, Wis., a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing Maltese nationwide. "If Maltese cannot be with you, they want to know why. They are affectionate and intelligent almost to a fault." On its website, the American Kennel Club describes the Maltese as "gentle-mannered and affectionate, known for being lively, playfyul and fearless." Grooming: Because of the Maltese's coat -- which is naturally long, flowing and snowy-white, a ...