The first breeding Weimaraners were imported to the US in 1938 by Howard Knight, a dog fancier from Rhode Island. In 1942, The Weimaraner Club of America was formed and the breed standard was created.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the smallest dog on record was a yorkshire terrier in Great Britain who, at the age of 2, weighed just 4 ounces. However, the chihuahua is generally the smallest breed of dog.

The official record for the heaviest dog was set way back in 1989. The dog in question was an English mastiff named Zorba. At the time, he weighed 343 pounds. He was 8 years old when he was weighed.

The Dalmatian is the only breed of dog that gets gout. Gout is an arthritic condition that causes inflammation of the joints. Gout is usually a human condition, but, for some reason, our dalmation friends get it too. This is commonly thought to be due to inbreeding.

The official name of the dogs we call pitbulls is the American staffordshire terrier. Pitbulls have been the preferred pet of many famous people including Fred Astaire, Vin Diesel, Alicia Silverstone, Michael J. Fox, and James Caan.

West highland white terriers began their history as the undesirable white offspring of the dark-colored cairn terrier. With the dog's popularity today, it is hard to believe that the early westies were usually drowned or shot.

The Podengo, a rare breed of dog, is also known as the Portuguese Warren Hound. It is usually a fawn or yellow color, but can be brown, black or sooty colored without white patches or spots. It resembled a long-bodied chihuahua.

The Schipperke, or "little captain", is generally thought of as being solid black in the USA. However, they do actually come in other colors. The reason they are commonly thought to only be black, is that the black variety is the only type currently recognized by the AKC.

West highland white terriers began their history as the undesirable white offspring of the dark-colored cairn terrier. With the dog's popularity today, it is hard to believe that the early westies were usually drowned or shot.

Chow chows were originally bred as food, just like cows. However, in some cases, they were also used as hunters and helpers. They were also used to keep people warm under cold conditions by cuddling up to people with their soft, warm fur.

West highland white terriers began their history as the undesirable white offspring of the dark-colored cairn terrier. With the dog's popularity today, it is hard to believe that the early westies were usually drowned or shot.

There is a grammar debate about the Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound). The plural, "Borzois", may be found in dictionaries. However, the Borzoi Club of America asserts that "Borzoi" is the preferred form for both singular and plural.

The Lundehund is a breed which has lived solely on two islands in the north of Norway. The Lundehund has sever extra toes and paw cushions! That makes it excellent as a climbing dog, bred for rugged terrain. It also has the unusual ability to close its ears.

Franklin D. Roosevelt once spent $15,000 to have a destroyer return to the Aleutian Islands and retrieve his Scottish terrier, Fala, who had been accidentally left behind. Fala is now part of the Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Most adult Borzoi (russian wolfhounds) are almost mute. They bark only very rarely. They are gentle, sensitive dogs with gracious house-manners and a natural respect for humans. Their quiet nature makes them an ideal pet for families with children.

The basenji, an African wolf dog, is the only breed of dog that cannot bark. Instead of barking, it makes an odd yodel-like noise. Due to this fact, the basenji is also sometimes known as an African barkless dog.

About eight thousand years ago, ancient Egyptians began to raise a breed called Saluki, as hunting dogs. Saluki is an arabic word. In english it translates as "noble one". These dogs are probably the oldest known breed.