7. Bearded Collie

Number 7… 

Bearded Collie- $700 – $800

                The Bearded Collie a herding dog that used to be used by Scottish shepherds, but now is primarily a family dog. It is sometimes referred to as a “Beardie”.  This breed originates from Great Britain and is one of their earliest breeds. The Beardie was first brought to Britain in 1514 when a Polish sea captain traded a ram and an ewe with a Scottish Shepard for 3 of his Polish sheep dogs. The shepherd bred the Polish Sheepdogs with other herding dogs, such as the Old English Sheepdogs and the Komondor. The first Bearded Collies were bred in the United States in 1967 and is to this day considered a rare breed in America.

 They have shaggy fur and waterproof double coat that covers their entire body, including their  chin which provides for the “beard”. As the dog ages, the color of its coat changes multiple times. When Beardie pups are born their coats are either black, brown, blue, or fawn.  Some have white markings which fade, as they grow, into a light gray or cream color. Beardies are cheerful, happy, tail- wagging dogs. They are playful dogs, but are also good around children. They are unhappy when left and alone and prone to creating mischief. When leaving a Beardie alone they should be taken on a walk or played with beforehand.  They are perfectly fine with sleeping outdoors and make great farm dogs. Bearded Collies are prone to hip dysplascia, which is common in most large dog breeds. Their thick coats can also conceal an external parasite infestation so it is important to look out for parasites. It is important to groom their coats daily due to their thick, long hair. Grooming their coat consists on first lightly misting their fur before beginning, and picking out hair that mats together. 

8. Akita Inu

Number 8…           

Akita Inu- $500 to $800

                The Akita Inu is native to Japan and is known as one the seven breeds known as a “National Monument”. The Akita was first bred in the mountains of Northern Japan and was meant to be an adaptable hunting dog. They have a strong spiritual meaning to the Japanese. They are known as a symbol of good health. It said that when a family has a child they will often be given a statue of an Akita to wish the child happiness, good health, and a long life. The first Akita in the United States arrived in 1937 and is said to have been owned by Helen Keller. The popularity of the Akita in the United States increased following World War II. The Akita attracted many service men, who brought them home to the United States as pets for their families. They liked the intelligence and versatility of the breed.

There are various colors and markings of Akitas. They are double- coated with a thick undercoat of dense hair and a short outer coat. Akitas are bred in mainly white, pinto, and brindle colors. Many have a marking known as a black mask on their face, although the true Japanese Akita does not have a black mask nor does a pure white Akita. Akitas experience few health problems, but they can be very serious if not treated. They are prone to developing eye problems, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. These can be life threatening issues as both can lead to complete blindness. Akitas, much like any other large breed dog, can suffer from hip dysplasia. It is a hereditary condition and causes improper growth of the hip bone socket and the ball of the femur, which fits into the socket. Improper growth causes grinding between the ball and socket, which wears both cartilage and bone, hindering the animal’s mobility. Akitas are very skillful dogs. They are known for their outstanding protection and devotion to their owner as they were bred to work alongside humans. They do not bark often, unless they feel threatened or the need to protect. Although they have a high tolerance for physical pain, they are sensitive dogs emotionally and easily have their feelings hurt.