Despite being bred as a companion and as a lap dog in Malta, this cheerful and loving animal can be a little snappy if handled roughly.

An enthusiastic little dog from Manchester in England. A former rat catcher turned companion dog.

An Italian sheep herder, this large animal has a bear-like head.

This is a gentle giant from England, but was originally bred as a fighting dog for battle.

Also known as Xoloitzcuintli, these dogs are natural guardians.

Lean and confident little rat catcher from Germany.

The unmistakeable poodle is a curly haired dog originally from Germany, and owes its trademark haircut to its former role as a water retriever.

With a characteristic beard covering his "schnauze" or muzzle, this vermin hunter from Germany can be a bit of a barker.

A relatively new breed from Hungary, the Mudi seems to have come about around a century ago without being planned.