Blog > Category: Breeds & Information

The Schillerstovare, or Schiller Hound, is a continental-type hound that was developed in Sweden. It is believed these dogs were developed from hounds that originated in southern Germany, and was later crossed to other Swiss Hounds and Harriers. They are named for Per Schiller, a Swedish farmer who exhibited the first of these dogs at a dog show back in 1907. The breed remains fairly rare outside of its native Sweden as of today, but it holds a steady following in his home country.

CKC recognized the American Mastiff breed as purebreds in January of 2000. The Flying W Farms American Mastiff™ was developed over many years of selective breeding by Fredericka Wagner of Flying W Farms in Piketon, Ohio. The goal was to develop a dog that had the size, temperament, disposition, and appearance of a Mastiff, but with fewer health problems and a much dryer mouth than other mastiff breeds. This was accomplished by crossing the English Mastiff with the Anatolian Mastiff during the early development of the breed.

In the last comparison blog, we discussed the Miniature Pinscher versus the Manchester Terrier. This time, we will consider the similarities and differences between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Irish Setter. Let’s take a look!

High in the Pyrenees Mountains, where a natural border exists between France and Spain, humans have lived and raised livestock for thousands of years. During that time, large white dogs—such as the Great Pyrenees—were used to guard the livestock from thieves and natural predators, such as Pyrenean brown bears. It is believed that these dogs and other large mountain flock guardian breeds, such as the Akbash, Kuvasz, Komondor, and Maremma, descended from large Asian dogs that were originally used to guard the horses, sheep, and goats of nomads.

Evidence of small dogs being owned by royalty has existed throughout history, and the Continental Toy Spaniel’s history is no exception. Pint-sized Spaniels have been popular among European royalty for well over a thousand years. These dogs were known as the Continental Toy Spaniel. The Continental Toy Spaniels were first brought to America in the early 1900s where, to this day, they remain one of the most popular toy Spaniels in the country and one of the most easily recognized in the world.