101. Dalmatian Boxer Cross

Kizzie, the 101st dog in this book, is my dog. She’s a mixed breed rather than a purebred, but she couldn’t be more special.

My love affair with canines began with our family dog, Archie, a nutty English Springer Spaniel. My family was new to dogs and we had no idea about training; Archie was very badly behaved, but we loved him. But it was a dog living around the corner from us as I was growing up that sparked my love for the affectionate and personable Newfoundland breed. As soon as I was old enough I bought my own Newfoundland, Henry, the love of my life. Henry went everywhere with me. He accompanied me on most of my photo shoots, and starred, uncomplainingly, in several of them. Henry was a huge inspiration for me and my work. Losing him left an unfathomable hole in my life. It was two and a half years before I felt able to get another dog. A friend called to tell me she knew of a dog that needed to be rehoused. Suddenly the time was right, and I said yes before I even knew any details. I believe it was fate as Kizzie is the perfect companion for me. She came from a farm but has adapted brilliantly to city life, and we both get out and about in the countryside a lot anyway. One of her favorite pastimes is chasing rabbits when I go horse riding. Kizzie is great on photo shoots: she has a very calm temperament and is gentle with puppies, kittens, and babies! My little shadow.

89. Shih Tzu

The aristocratic, self-assured Shih Tzu (meaning lion) is descended from the smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs. Believed to have been bred in the Forbidden City of Peking, the Shih Tzu is depicted in paintings and objects dating from as early as a.d. 624, when a pair was reportedly gifted to the Chinese court. A beloved house pet of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the breed nearly disappeared following the Communist Revolution, and today’s Shih Tzus can be linked directly to the fourteen that survived. Shih Tzus carry themselves proudly and with great confidence, reflecting their early links with royalty. They are affectionate and bouncy dogs and make delightful companions and loving family pets.

Appearance: The Shih Tzu presents a fine picture of aristocracy, with its head well up and tail set high and curved on the back. It is sometimes called the "chrysanthemum dog," because the hair on its face grows in all directions. A long, dense coat covers a small but sturdy body.

Color: All colors, but a white blaze on the forehead and a white-tipped tail are highly prized.

93. Dogue de Bordeaux

Theories abound about the true development of the Dogue de Bordeaux. Some believe they are descendants of the Tibetan Mastiff, while others believe they are possibly a cousin of the Neapolitan Mastiff. The Bullmastiff and the Bulldog are also considered by many to play a large part in the history of the Dogue. What is agreed, however, is that the Dogue is an ancient French breed. Used as guardian, hunter, and fighter, the Dogue was trained to bait bulls, bears, and jaguars; hunt boars; herd cattle; and protect homes. Twice in the breed’s history they nearly fell into extinction: first during the French Revolution, when the dogs were killed alongside their wealthy masters, and again when Adolf Hitler demanded their destruction due to the extreme loyalty they showed to their owners. Today the Dogue de Bordeaux is regarded as a loving and loyal family member and is extremely affectionate with children. Wary of strangers, they excel as guard dogs and protectors.

Appearance: The Dogue de Bordeaux is a powerful dog with a strong, athletic build. Muscular and sitting rather close to the ground, it appears stocky and imposing. It has a fine, short coat that is soft to the touch.

Color: All shades of fawn from a mahogany fawn to a light fawn, with a red, brown, or black mask.

94. Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle is a loving and loyal breed that is believed to have originated in North America during the 1990s. Taking its name from its mixed heritage of Golden Retriever and Poodle, the Goldendoodle was bred as a larger version of the increasingly popular Cavoodle. It is greatly admired for the mixture of qualities it brings from both parent breeds. Goldendoodles have an affectionate and playful temperament, and their low-shedding coats make them perfect family pets and ideal companions for allergy sufferers. Goldendoodles are clever and easily trained, and tend to retain the strong retrieving instincts of the Golden Retriever. Sociable and even-tempered, they are known for their devotion to those under their care, and are tender and doting with children.

Appearance: Goldendoodles can vary greatly depending on the genetic pool of the parents, and differences can appear within a single litter. Typically they are grouped as standard or mini, reflecting crossbreeding with either a Standard or a Miniature Poodle. Their coats may be curly, wavy, or straight.

Color: White, blond, tan, chocolate, red, black, silver, parti, phantom, or a mix.