Author: Jessica Remitz

A strong and agile breed developed to be a multi-purpose hunting dog, the Curly-Coated Retriever has a coat of small, tight curls that are water-resistant. A breed that loves to swim and will work as long as there is work to be done, the Curly-Coated Retriever is known for finding and retrieving game in the heaviest of cover and iciest of waters, Peterson said. A loyal family dog that will do best with an active family, the breed first appeared in the United States in the early 1900s and comes in a black or liver color.,Looking for a dog breed with a minimal-shedding coat and great-looking curls? We’ve asked American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson to share with us some popular (and lesser-known!) curly-coated dog breeds in addition to some tips on how to properly care for wavy-haired coats.

A hardworking breed that loves having a job to do, the Australian Cattle Dog has worked as a sheep herder in a variety of dry, arid places over a very long period of time, said Dale, who is also a co-editor of “Decoding Your Dog” with Dr. Debra Horwitz and Dr. John Ciribassi (the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists authors the book). Known for its intelligence and success in agility training, the Australian Cattle Dog is a robust, muscular breed that can seemingly deal with anything that comes its way.,Long days, bright, sunny weather and afternoons made for the beach—while we’re all thrilled to welcome the arrival of summer, some dogs may be more prepared to bask in the glow of warm days more than others. Although these breeds may be more able than others to spend time in the sun, all dogs should be provided with access to plenty of shade and water when outdoors during the summer months and should be brought indoors when it’s exceedingly hot. Because dogs aren’t able to sweat the same way as people, relying on panting to cool them down, they can be ill suited to cope with heat and more prone to heat exhaustion and dehydration, specifically breeds with dark coats or brachycephalic (breeds with short noses and long, flat faces). Steve Dale, CABC, shares the dog breeds that can weather the hot temperatures.

In spite of their serious expression, the Sussex Spaniel is a friendly breed with a cheerful and tractable disposition, said American Kennel Club (AKC) spokesperson Lisa Peterson. They enjoy long walks with their families and are good with children, dogs and other family animals. “The Sussex is one of the slower Spaniel breeds and wouldn’t be as tempted to chase a cat as, say, a Saluki,” Peterson explained.  ,While it may seem like cats and dogs could never co-exist, there are several breeds that can live harmoniously with their family’s feline counterparts and even, dare we say, love cats. Here are the top breeds that can tolerate cats.  

A small, playful breed with tall ears and large, round eyes, the Chinese Crested comes in two varieties: hairless or longhaired. While the longhaired breed has silky hair all over its body, the hairless version only has hair on its head, feet and tail and requires dog sunscreen whenever it goes outside during the summer, said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. Because breeds without hair, or even light hair and fair skin, can be prone to sunburn, it’s important avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight for these breeds. Peterson said using body lotion on a hairless Crested can help keep its skin soft.,You may know all about keeping your dog hydrated and cool during the summer months, but some breeds need a little more care than others, from requiring sunscreen to keeping their thick double coats long instead of cutting them short (yes, really!) to keep cool. We’ve asked the American Kennel Club to share eight breeds that need special summer care as well as a few tips for keeping all dogs safe in the heat.