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For example compare a small Chihuahua (the smallest breed of dog worldwide) to a giant breed, the handsome Bracco Italiano.

For example; German Shepherd dog (GSD) = Alsation, the Vizla = Hungarian Pointer and the Chow = Canton Dog.

Several breeds which are well known in one country may be unheard of in another country and examples include; the Chinese Crested dog, Finnish Hound and the Danish Pointer.

The Romans were thought to be the first to systematically breed dogs for particular work such as hunting dogs and sheepdogs. They also recorded the qualities and functions of the different breeds.

The Greyhound type with narrow heads, long legs and light bodies appear to be one of the most ancient breeds, evidenced in paintings and potteries in Egypt and western Asia. There is also evidence of large, heavy mastiff dogs bred in western Asia, as illustrated in Assyrian and Babylonian friezes.

Crossbreeds are a hybrid animal of two purebred parents. They can also be a dog where the breed status of only one parent or grandparent is known.

Designer breeds are continuing to develop due to increasing demand.

Mongrels are dogs with unknown parentage and have a large variation in temperament, size, colour, conformation, exercise needs, grooming requirements and life expectancy.

Before "showing dogs" became popular, breeding programmes concentrated on producing a type to do specific work and desirable canine qualities were bred to follow human instruction and be suited to it's role size wise.

Examples include guarding premises, hunting game and herding sheep or cattle. The particular work usually required a specific confirmation and suitable size. Both the temperament and personality of the dog was considered to be incredibly important as the dog needed to accept human direction and enjoy the work.

With the advent of the “show ring” the priorities of breeding changed significantly leading to a profound impact on the UK breeding programme for many breeds. In the show ring we know that a large emphasis is placed on the head and their expression.

Due to the wide size and conformational differences in the canine world canine therapy terminology includes a number specific words to help describe these significant conformation variances in the dog.

This is a long head, with eyes set obliquely and to the side. Breed examples include the Greyhound, Saluki and Borzoi.

This is essentially a short head, which is actually more of a short face as the length reduction is between the nose and the lips rather than the eyes and skull. Eyes are set to the front and a wide zygomatic arch and wide skull. Breed examples are a French Bulldog, Shih Tzu and Pekingese

This is an intermediate and medium sized head. Breed examples are a German Shepherd dog (GSD), Labrador Retriever and a Beagle

A prominent occiput at the peak of the cranium (palpable as the occipital protuberance) is expected in particular breeds and is very prominent and palpable in gundogs and hounds. Breed example is a Bloodhound.

However, in short face breeds it's not visible and is slightly developed. Breed example is the Borzoi.

Flat foreheads between the ears are expected in some breeds such as the Boston terrier, Italian Greyhound, and Pekingese.

In the Chihuahua and some other short faced breeds, the sagittal crest is absent or poorly developed and a gap exists between the sutures of the parietal and frontal bones.

Poodles carry a slight peak at back of head whereas in the Chihuahua and Beagle, their head is "apple shape".

In the Bulldog and pronounced brachycephalic breeds the vomer bone is incomplete or more deeply notched at its cranial end. This results in interference with the suspension of the soft palate, leading to difficulties with breathing especially in the warmer weather. This can be further complicated by a faulty development of the sphenoid bone, which is common in short faced breeds.

These are dogs with long bodies and short legs. Breed examples are the Miniature Dachshund, Welsh Corgi and Basset Hound.

These dogs have tall, slender bodies and long legs. Breed examples are the Red Setter, Saluki and Greyhound.

These breeds are of a medium body and good musculature. Breed examples are the German Short Haired Pointer, Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever.

This descriptor is for breeds that are of a heavy and stocky body. Breed examples are the Bulldog, Shar Pei and English Bull Terrier.

The canine therapist needs to build clinical skills to effectively apply techniques adapting to various hair coats. Appreciating the impact of seasonal changes seen in this species, as well as coat response to emotions like fear or health status changes.

In adult dogs, the majority of breeds have a double coat which consists of:

This provides an insulated water resistant coat for the dog. Breed examples are the Siberian Husky (SH), German Shepherd Dog (GSD) and Bernese Mountain Dog.

These include;

This is where a breed has no undercoat. Breed examples of short haired single coats are Pointers and Italian Greyhounds and long haired single coats are seen on the Papillon and Maltese breeds.

The skin of hairless dogs contains just a few stunted hairs. Breed examples are the Chinese Crested Dog and the Argentine Pila.

All paws are basically the same, however some are shaped slightly differently. Many breed standards specify a particular shape of paw and the wrong shaped paw in some breeds is regarded as a defect.

These are round, compact and leave a circular paw print. They have well arched digits close together, where digits 3 and 4 are only slightly longer than digits 2 and 5. These are efficient compact shaped paws requiring less energy to lift.

Breed examples of cat shaped paws are the Akita, Doberman Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Boxer, Newfoundland, Airedale Terrier, Bull Terrier, Keeshond, Finnish Spitz and Old English Sheepdog.

These are elongated with the two centre digits (3 and 4) significantly longer than the side digits (2 medially and digit 5 being the most lateral placed digit). The digits are less arched and the paw print is an elongated oval shape.

Breed examples of hare shaped paws are several of the toy breeds, Samoyed, Bedlington Terrier, Skye Terrier and Borzoi.

This paw instead of being arched, is where the digits are straight and the paw print is very elongated.

This a a spread paw shape with the digits set apart from one another and is considered normal in the Irish Water Spaniel but is thought of as a defect in other breeds.

This oval paw has a well developed arch of digits, thick pads and well developed webbing and fur between the digits.

Breed examples of “snowshoe” paws include water retrieving breeds (Newfoundland, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Portuguese Water Dog), the Field Spaniel, German Wirehaired Pointer, mountain and arctic dogs like the Siberian Husky below.

Single or double dewclaws on hind paws are uncommon in most breeds but do occur in a few breeds. Breed examples include the Saint Bernard, Newfoundland and Chesaspeake Bay Retriever.

Tails are incredibly important to dogs for expression and communication, balance, steering and braking. Different tail shapes are found across this species and some of these are listed below.

Curled tail: Breed example is the Pug

Plumed tail: Breed example is the Saluki

Otter tail: Breed example is the Labrador Retriever

Screw tail: Breed example is Bulldog

Gay tail: Breed example is many terrier breeds, but their tail may have been docked

Whip tail: Breed example is the Dachsund

Sickle tail: Breed example is the Otter Hound

Bob tail: Breed example is the Old English Sheepdog

Snap tail: Breed example is the Pekingese

Saber tail: Breed example is the GSD

Different ear shapes are seen across breeds and this will impact your choices of Therapeutic Touch and manual techniques you select for your therapy programme.

Erect ears (pricked): Breed example is the German Shepherd Dog (GSD)

Semi-erect: Breed example is the Labrador Retriever

Pendulous (dropped): Breed example is the Basset Hound

Dog roles include;