More Dog Breeds Trivia Quiz

Answer: Alaskan Malamute

Generally fond of people, the Alaskan malamute makes an ideal family pet, but a hopeless watchdog. Quiet dogs, malamutes don't really bark, but almost 'vocalize' -- your guests may be licked to death, though.
More good news for malamute owners is their relatively average long life span, one of the longest amongst large dog breeds.

Answer: Bernese mountain dog

The Bernese mountain dog is one of the four breeds known as 'Sennenhunds' (Swiss mountain dogs or Swiss cattle dogs). The other three are the Greater Swiss mountain dog, the Appenzeller and the Entlebucher mountain dog. Originating in 1907 in the Swiss canton of Bern, they were bred as general farm dogs or to accompany dairymen and alpine herdsmen. Large, heavy dogs (males average between 85 and 110 pounds), the Bernese mountain dog always has a distinctive tri-colour coat, black with white chest and rust-coloured markings. Unfortunately, Bernese mountain dogs are particularly susceptible to cancer, with around half of all breed members dying from the disease (compared to around 27% of all dogs). One of the most short-lived of all dog breeds, they live to an average age of only 7.2 years.

Answer: Bichon frise

The history of the bichon frisé dates back to at least the 14th century, when they were often taken aboard ship as companions for sailors. Italian sailors took them home, where they became great favorites with the nobility. Later common at the Spanish court, the breed can be seen in many paintings by the Spanish Romantic artist Francisco Goya.

Answer: Chow chow

The chow chow is a sturdily-built dog with a wide skull, deep-set, almond-shaped eyes, small, erect, triangular ears and a curly tail. Known for its dense double coat that is particularly thick around the neck, giving it a distinctive lion-like mane, the chow chow can be red, black, blue, cinnamon/fawn or cream.

The breed's most distinctive characteristic, though, is the unique blue-black/purple tongue and a bluish colour around the lips.

Answer: English setter

The mainly white medium-length coat with long silky fringes distinguishes the English branch of this family from its cousins, the red Irish setters and black-and-tan Gordon setters. A really elegant dog, tail streaming out horizontally behind it, the English setter carries its head high as it tracks the scent of birds in flight. Energetic, people-oriented dogs, no one can fail to be lured in by the kind, gentle expression that is a characteristic of this breed.

Answer: Great Dane

My step-daughter has a great Dane, and I should imagine it is not much different to having a small horse wandering around the house. As dogs go, they are truly enormous -- the world record for the tallest dog is a great Dane named "Zeus", who stands 44 inches tall from paw to shoulder.

They are truly, though, gentle giants -- they are generally gentle and loving towards other dogs, people and other non-canine pets. If anything, the biggest problem is their tendency to be nervous around strangers and in new environments, and a nervous animal that size can be a bit like a 'bull in a china shop'.

Answer: Lhasa apso

More than 6,000 years old and originally from Malaysia, the Lhasa apso breed was domesticated and actively bred as early as 800 B.C. For many centuries, the Lhasa apso was bred in Tibet to provide Buddhist monks with early-warning of intruders, and even today the breed has a tendency to be wary of strangers whilst remaining staunchly loyal to those they know. Although only 10-11 inches tall and weighing around 14-18 pounds, much of that weight comes from their coat, which is heavy, hard (neither woolly nor silky) and extremely dense.

They can be black, white, red or gold (with various shadings), and with or without dark tips at the ends of the ears and the beard.

Answer: Portuguese water dog

Known as a 'Cão de Água' (literally "water-dog") in its native land, the Portuguese water dog was bred to herd fish into nets, retrieve nets and tackle, and to accompany sailors on long fishing expeditions. Closely related to the standard poodle, although more muscular, this is a highly intelligent breed. Because they do not shed, many people who are allergic to most breeds may be able to live with Portuguese water dogs.

Answer: Weimaraner

Known as 'The Grey Ghost', Weimaraners can range in colour from charcoal-blue to mouse-grey, silver-grey and blue-grey. Their distinctive eyes can be either light amber, grey or blue-grey. Anyone thinking of taking on a Weimaraner should be aware that no walk is ever 'too far' for this breed that is renowned for its endurance and stamina.

This high-energy breed risks wearing out even the must enthusiastic of owners.

Answer: English bulldog

One of the most popular purebreds today in the United States, the bulldog originated in England around 500 years ago. The name originates from early use of the breed for 'bull baiting'. Despite their confrontational origins, bulldogs today are noted for their calm and dignified temperament. Well known for getting along with children, they are ideal family pets.

Indeed, they are inclined to get so attached to family members that they will often not even venture outside without a human companion.