OOC Canine Breeds Reference Manual

Submitted in partial completion
of the Herdercraft Journeyman requirement
by Herder Lena

OOC Introduction

The breeds of animals are purely OOC, but are the basis of what we Herders use to describe our stock. ICly these breeds are not to be used, just the colors and styles. This book describes the purpose and features of the most popular breeds; in order to help our customers when purchasing their own pets.

The Sporting Group

Retrievers (Golden):


COAT COLOR: white, blonde, gold, red
HAIR LENGTH: long, silky
EYE COLOR: brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 60 - 75lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 24 - 25 inches
** Extra Note: Retrievers are most commonly bred for aiding hunters by retrieving. They are in general very friendly and easy to train, and are excellent scent trackers. Retrievers also come in shortcoated varieties (black, brown, and yellow), and wire coated (gold to deep brown).

Weimaraner:


COAT COLOR: silver-gray
HAIR LENGTH: short
EYE COLOR: gray
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 55 - 85lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 24 inches
BRED FOR: bird hunting

Setters (Irish):


COAT COLOR: mahogany-red; solid or with white markings on the forhead, chest, and feet.
HAIR LENGTH: long and silky, with feathering on legs and tail
EYE COLOR: red-brown to dark-brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 60 - 70lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 25 - 27 inches
BRED FOR: hunting
** Extra Note: Setters are extremely active and therefore can be difficult to train. They are fair trackers and retrievers, and are very friendly and sociable.

Pointers:


COAT COLOR: white with spots of lemon, reddish-brown, or black
HAIR LENGTH: short
EYE COLOR: gold-brown to red-brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 45 - 60lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 23 - 28 inches
BRED FOR: hunting birds
** Extra Note: Pointers are very active dogs, and can run the fields for hours while hunting. They are trainable and intelligent but tend to have a short attention span while training. They are friendly, cheerful dogs, and are fairly good at tracking by scent.

Vizslas:


COAT COLOR: rusty-gold
HAIR LENGTH: short
EYE COLOR: rusty
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 50lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 21 - 27 inches
BRED FOR: hunting

The Working Group

Great Danes:


COAT COLOR: varies, different shades of tan, brown with black stripes, white with black spots, blue, or black
HAIR LENGTH: smooth, shortcoated
EYE COLOR: brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 120 - 150lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 30 inches
BRED FOR: watchdogs
** Extra Note: Great Danes are large dogs, noted for their strength and handsome, proud appearances. They are graceful and even-tempered, and make fine watchdogs.

Doberman Pinschers:


COAT COLOR: black with rust-colored markings
EYE COLOR: black
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 60 - 75lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 24 - 28 inches
BRED FOR: watchdogs
** Extra Note: Dobermans make good guard and police dogs because of their courage, alertess, and intelligence. They are swift and strong, and their excellent sense of smell enables them to track people. With proper training, Dobermans make affectionate, loyal pets.

St. Bernards:


COAT COLOR: white and red or white and brownish-yellow, with perhaps some black markings on the head.
HAIR LENGTH: varies between long and short
EYE COLOR: brown, black
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 165 - 180lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 26 - 30 inches
BRED FOR: rescuing lost travelers, guide travelers, warners of danger
** Extra Note: They are large, intelligent dogs, famous for rescuing lost travelers. They are also valued watchdogs, and make good pets and guides.

Siberian Huskies:


COAT COLOR: gray with white markings
HAIR LENGTH: thick, soft, doublecoated; with a smooth outer coat and a downy undercoat.
EYE COLOR: gray
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 35 - 60lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 23 inches
BRED FOR: sled dogs

The Herding Group

Collies:


COAT COLOR: brown/white, black, white/tan, gray, white
HAIR LENGTH: long on top, soft and furry underneath
EYE COLOR: black, brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 50 - 75lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 22 - 26 inches
BRED FOR: herding livestock on farm, pets
** Extra Note: Collies are one of the most handsome, intelligent breeds of dogs. They make excellent pets and companions, and are especially useful for protecting and herding livestock on farms.

German Shepherds:


COAT COLOR: varies from black and tan to white
HAIR LENGTH: short, usually, though there are some coated varities
EYE COLOR: dark brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 60 - 85lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 20 - 26 inches
BRED FOR: sheepherding, companions
** Extra Note: German Shepherds were bred for sheepherding, and are normally trained as dog companions, but are quite useful in police work, guiding, and searching. They are well known as very versitile dogs.

Sheepdogs (Shetlands):


COAT COLOR: brown/white, black, white/tan, gray, white
HAIR LENGTH: long
EYE COLOR: brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 15 - 20lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 13 - 16 inches
BRED FOR: hunting small animals, sheep especially
** Extra Note: The Shetland Sheepdog is considered one of the most beautiful of all herding dogs. It looks dainty and fragile, but is a rugged dog, capable of hard work. It is more gentle than some heavier types of herding breeds, and makes a good pet and an excellent watchdog.

The Hound Group

Bloodhounds:


COAT COLOR: black and tan, red and tan
HAIR LENGTH: short
EYE COLOR: black
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 80 - 110lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 20 - 26 inches
BRED FOR: scent tracking
** Extra Note: Bloodhounds have keen senses of smell, and can usually follow a trail that is several hours old, some can even follow older trails if the scent is not destroyed by rain or other scents.

Foxhounds:


COAT COLOR: white with patches of black or tan, or both
HAIR LENGTH: short
EYE COLOR: black, brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 60 - 70lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 21 - 15 inches
BRED FOR: hunting foxes by following their foot scent
** Extra Note: Foxhounds are well known for their speed, endurance, and stamina in the field. They have well-shaped legs, hard muscles, a long tail, hanging ears, and a distinctive bark.

Dachshunds:


COAT COLOR: usually black or tan, but may be red, yellow, gray, spotted, or striped
HAIR LENGTH: short, smooth, and glossy
EYE COLOR: black, brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 5 - 20lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 8 - 10 inches
BRED FOR: hunting, pets
** Extra Note: The dachshund is a strong, hardy, alert dog with a good sense of smell, and makes a good pet.

Greyhounds:


COAT COLOR: tan, brindle, white, bluish, or spotted
HAIR LENGTH: short
EYE COLOR: gray
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 60 - 70lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 23 - 32 inches
BRED FOR: hunting rabbits, racing
** Extra Note: Greyhounds are the fastest of all dogs. They have long, powerful legs, which aide them in racing.

Norwegian Elkhounds:


COAT COLOR: gray with black tips
HAIR LENGTH: very thick
EYE COLOR: gray, black
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 50lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 19 - 20 inches
BRED FOR: hunting
** Extra Note: Norwegian Elkhounds are a breed of hunting dog that stalk their prey quietly and hold it at bay until the hunter arrives. It is also useful in hunting bear and game birds. They can scent an elk from three miles away.

The Nonsporting Group

Bulldogs:


COAT COLOR: red or brindle, white, fawn, or mottled
HAIR LENGTH: short
EYE COLOR: brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 40 - 50lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 13 - 15 inches
BRED FOR: dogfighting, pets

Dalmations:


COAT COLOR: white with black spots
HAIR LENGTH: short
EYE COLOR: black
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 40 - 50lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 19 - 23 inches
BRED FOR: pets and hunting, if taught

The Terrier Group

Irish Terriers:


COAT COLOR: red, wiry
HAIR LENGTH: long
EYE COLOR: brown
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 25 - 27lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 17 - 19 inches
BRED FOR: pets

Manchester Terriers:


COAT COLOR: black with tan marks over each eye, on each cheek, and on the chest
HAIR LENGTH: short, smooth
EYE COLOR: black
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 12 - 22lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 14 - 16 inches
BRED FOR: pets, watchdogs
** Extra Note: Manchester Terriers are extremely loyal to their owners, making them great housepets and watchdogs. They have two varieties - the standard and the toy. The above information covers the standard; the only major difference between the standard and the toy is that the toy is a bit smaller in size.

Fox Terriers:


COAT COLOR: white with black or tan patches
HAIR LENGTH: long and harsh
EYE COLOR: black
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 15 - 19lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 12 - 15 inches
BRED FOR: fox hunting, pets
** Extra Note: Small, lively dogs. They have strong legs, well suited for running. With their strong muscles and courage, they make excellent fox hunters; as well as good companions and housepets.

Scottish Terriers:


COAT COLOR: black, wheat, sandy, steel, gray, or brindle
HAIR LENGTH: hard and wiry
EYE COLOR: black, brown, gray
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 18 - 22lbs
AVERAGE HEIGHT: 8 - 11 inches
BRED FOR: hunting small animals

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