Otterhound

The Otterhound is a dog that is very independent and strong minded, yet is also extremely affectionate and loving. These dogs love to play and exercise, and should be in an environment where there is plenty of space to enjoy activity. He also needs to be with a family that has the time to commit to a pet. These dogs love to get involved with family activities, and especially love to swim. Determined and enthusiastic, the Otterhound will go to any lengths to investigate a scent, and his keen sense of smell means that he picks up on scents with the greatest of ease. This does mean that he should be kept in a safe and secure area at all times when not on a leash, as otherwise his dedication to following a scent could lead him into danger.

The Otterhound can be both loud in terms of his deep bark, and messy, which means that he is not ideally suited to those that like their homes to be spick and span all of the time. His bark does mean that this dog can make an effective watchdog. His stubborn and independent streak can make training something of a challenge, and this breed is best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership and training. The Otterhound gets along well with children, and with proper socialization should get along okay with other dogs - he should be socialized early on with cats and should not be trusted with smaller animals, as he does have strong hunting instincts. With strangers the reaction of the Otterhound can vary, and some may be reserved whereas others may be friendly. The Otterhound is quite a rare breed, and therefore those looking for a puppy may have quite a wait.

Belgian Malinois

The Belgian Malinois is a dog that is keen, responsive, and responsible, and although he can be serious much of the time he can also have a very playful and mischievous streak. These dogs are attentive and sensitive, but some can be stubborn, which can make them more suited to experienced dog owners than to novice dog owners. These dogs are fine around older, more considerate children and children that it has been raised with, and most will be okay with other pets providing they are properly introduced and socialized. They can also be very protective animals, and some are prone to developing obsessive behavior if they are neglected and become bored.

You should make sure that the Belgian Malinois is given plenty of attention and kept buys, as otherwise boredom can quickly set in. He enjoys an array of exercise activities such as hiking or running, and he does need plenty of mental stimulation. When it comes to strangers the Belgian Malinois can be quite reserved. Some can be quite shy, and others suspicious. Owners should ensure that pets are carefully introduced to ensure that he realizes that smaller animals are not prey. You will need to reinforce leadership through effective training with this breed. He is a highly intelligent dog that is easy to train.

Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is a happy-go-lucky, carefree dog with plenty of life and energy, and a good natured disposition. He has an inquisitive nature, and loves getting involved in a range of activities including herding, agility, hiking, and protecting. This is not a dog that you should neglect when it comes to play and attention, as the Bearded Collie can get easily bored and this can lead to destructive behavior. These dogs have a sweet nature, but without proper socialization can become timid. Some Bearded Collies can be very independent and stubborn, so this should be taken into consideration when training, although these dogs are still well suited to both inexperienced and experienced dog owners.

The Bearded Collie is good with children, and is fine in households with older children. However, this breed can be very energetic and boisterous at times, and this could make it a little difficult to have around younger children. The Bearded Collie is also a herder by nature, Friendly and active, the Bearded Collie is a great companion pet that will get along well with other pets, and although he can be reserved around strangers to begin with will soon start to welcome them.