A very old breed of dog.

The Maltese terrier has been a favourite with women throughout the ages.

It is believed to have been around in Roman times and possibly even in earlier times.

FACTS ABOUT THE MALTESE

Our furry canine friends are great at communicating with us. All we need to do is learn how to listen to them. Plenty of people get frustrated and annoyed by incessant barking.  Instead of just yelling to the dog to shut up though it might be more productive to learn just exactly why dogs bark.

Dogs are highly intelligent animals. Unfortunately they don’t have the capability to communicate in words. Instead, you have to listen to their barks and yelps and interpret their body language.

Here are a few of the different meanings to a dog’s bark.

• Constant rapid barking usually means something like ‘hey look at that. There’s something in our territory we really need to check it out.’

• A low growl means that danger is near or that the dog is scared and looking to defend its home.

• A couple high pitched yaps is normally just a “Hi it’s great to see you” kind of greeting.

• An extremely high pitched bark or yelp normally means the dog has a sharp shooting pain like a thorn in a paw pad.

• If a dog is just belting out a short incessant yap then chances are it probably needs to go outside and use the bathroom. It’s more of an attention getter than anything else.

• If you have a hound breed then a long drawn out howl means that the dog has found whatever it was looking for and wants you to investigate.  This bark is used more as an attention getter than anything else.

• If a dog is happy and looking to play it will let out a couple medium to high pitched yaps to say ‘hey there pay attention to me! It’s play time now!”

Understanding your dog’s barks is key to training the dog when it is and isn’t appropriate to start yapping. You want a dog that will alert whenever strangers are around. At the same time you don’t want an animal that won’t shut up.

Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds.

Known as the Apollo of all dogs, Great Danes are very gentle although they are very large.

The Great Dane was used by German aristocracy to hunt wild boar and stags.

FACTS ABOUT THE GREAT DANE

The Papillon is one of the oldest breeds of dog and has a recorded history in Europe of nearly 700 years. The Papillon was originally known as the epagneul nain or dwarf spaniel.

In later years it became known as the Continental Toy Spaniel. Many Italian frescoes of the 13th-15th centuries featured the Papillon. It was highly valued in Italy during the Renaissance and later by French breeders.

Papillon is French for Butterfly. The dog has ‘butterfly’ ears that are heavily fringed and look like butterfly wings. Although its origins are uncertain, the breed had become highly valued by the sixteenth century European nobility.

It was known as the Squirrel Spaniel because of the manner in which its long, plumed tail curled over its back.

FACTS ABOUT THE PAPILLON

The Mastiff is one of the heaviest dog breeds. A large, powerful imposing looking dog.

Mastiff’s are use in police work, as guard dogs, military dogs and for search and rescue.

An ancient breed the Mastiff was around at the time of the Roman invasion of Britain.

The Romans used the Mastiff in the gladiatorial ring and pitted it against lions, bears and bulls. Throughout time the Mastiff has been used as a warrior dog.

In recent times the mastiff has become a quieter, calmer dog who is loyal and protective of its family.

FACTS ABOUT THE MASTIFF

Anyone who owns a dog will tell you that dogs make the best pets. But ask any cat owner and they will say the same about cats and a bird lover will say that birds are the best. The number of pets available to choose from is enormous so what makes the choice of a dog such a good one?

Firstly, dogs can do tricks. There are not many pets that can bring you your slippers or roll over and play dead. Dogs love to do things for you, they love to please. What other pet has these characteristics?

Unlike most other pets you can walk your dog and if your dog is energetic enough you can even have him jog along side you. How many people have you seen walking down the street with their cat – it’s a rare sight indeed.

Dogs will give you unconditional love. Most cats on the other hand couldn’t care if you lived or died. Dogs will sit at your feet for ages just happy to be with you. As pets go, dogs will provide you with the most attention.

Dogs will come when called as they learn their name quite quickly even as a puppy. Can you think of another pet that can do this?

Dogs will play with you forever. Most other pets don’t even know how to play. Dogs can play Frisbee and catch a ball and play tug of war and they will run and jump with you until you are exhausted.

Last but not least, dogs are capable of guarding both you and your home to the death. They are loyal and will do their best to look after you. There are not many pets that have the ability to do this.

Most pets have their good points and their bad points but overall dogs have the greatest number of qualities to put them at the top of the list.