Labrador Retriever
active / friendly / outgoing
About the Breed
The sweet-faced, lovable Labrador Retriever is one of America's most popular dog breeds, year after year. Labs are friendly, outgoing, and high-spirited companions who have more than enough affection to go around for a family looking for a medium-to-large dog. The sturdy, well-balanced Labrador Retriever can, depending on the sex, stand from 21.5 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 55 to 80 pounds. The dense, hard coat comes in yellow, black, and a luscious chocolate. The head is wide, the eyes glimmer with kindliness, and the thick, tapering 'otter tail' seems to be forever signaling the breed's innate eagerness. Labs are famously friendly. They are companionable housemates who bond with the whole family, and they socialize well with neighbor dogs and humans alike. But don't mistake his easygoing personality for low energy: The Lab is an enthusiastic athlete that requires lots of exercise, like swimming and marathon games of fetch, to keep physically and mentally fit.
Lagotto Romagnolo
affectionate / keen / undemanding
About the Breed
The Lagotto Romagnolo, Italy's adorable 'truffle dog,' sports a curly coat and lavish facial furnishings. Despite their plush-toy looks, Lagotti are durable workers of excellent nose who root out truffles, a dainty and pricey delicacy. Italians have a word for it: 'carino.' In English, we say 'cute.' In any language, this breed is totally endearing. The Lagotto Romagnolo (plural: Lagotti Romagnoli) is known for wooly curls that cover the body head to tail, crowned by a lavish beard, eyebrows, and whiskers. Lagotti stand under 20 inches and weigh no more than 35 pounds. But don't be fooled by their teddy-bear looks, these are rugged workers of true strength and endurance. The breed's trademark curls feel and behave more like human hair than fur.
Lancashire Heeler
intelligent / versatile / affectionate
About the Breed
The Lancashire Heeler is a medium to high energy dog. Intelligent, alert and friendly, they are quick to learn new tasks. A sturdy little dog with a short, weather-resistant coat of black and tan or liver and tan, they are affectionate with their owners, always happy, talkative and always ready for a walk. Their small size is what gives them their charm. Small, powerful, sturdily built, alert and an energetic worker, the Lancashire Heeler works cattle but has terrier instincts when rabbiting and ratting. They have a unique characteristic called the Heeler Smile; when content, Heelers have been known to draw back their lips in an effort that emulates a human smile. In 2003, the breed was placed on the Endangered Breeds list of The Kennel Club, U.K, due to the small number of dogs composing the gene pool and the risk of several inherited diseases.
Lapponian Herder
intelligent / friendly / energetic
About the Breed
The Lapponian Herder is a medium-sized dog with a medium coat, making them easy to maintain and perfect for any experienced dog owner. They are a wonderful, rounded, diversified dog breed ready to problem solve any task given to them. They can fit into most living environments as long as they are given jobs to do. This breed comes in many colors including grey-brown, black often with lighter undercoats, and white or tan markings. They are aloof with strangers but love their people. The Lapponian Herder is an independent, fun breed. They are very intelligent and generally eager to please. As a high-energy herding breed, they excel in many other dog sports besides herding, such as companion events. Its love of hard work makes it a wonderful breed in any event that is competitive and fun. Early socialization is important because of their herding mentality and they thrive when they have a job to do. Though eager to please, the Lapponian Herder is very vocal and often barks while working.
Large Munsterlander
intelligent / affectionate / self-confident
About the Breed
The pleasing nature of the Large Munsterlander provides a cooperative and reliable companion in the field and home. In accordance with its hunting purpose as a versatile gun dog, the Large Munsterlander must have all the facilities required of it for all work in the field, forest, and water both before and after the shot. This noble and tractable hunter applies an intelligent nose backed by a determined will to search, point, track, and retrieve upland birds, waterfowl, and furred game. Their desire to please you extends into the home where the Large Munsterlander is a calm, loving, and loyal family member.
Leonberger
friendly / playful / gentle
About the Breed
The Leonberger is a lush-coated giant of German origin. They have a gentle nature and serene patience and they relish the companionship of the whole family. A huge and powerful dog, yes, but the Leonberger is also known for his aristocratic grace and elegance. A male can stand over 31 inches at the shoulder and weigh as much as a full-grown human. Females run smaller but are still a whole lot of dog. Breed hallmarks include a medium-long waterproof coat, lush triangular ears, a bushy tail, and a black facemask that frames kindly dark-brown eyes. A dramatic feature of the male's coat is the lion-like mane around the neck and chest. A well-built Leo moves with an easy, elastic gait. A Leo is friendly but nobody's fool. As watchdogs and all-around workers, they exhibit intelligence and sound judgment. Leos require lots of brushing, ample room for romping, and unlimited love.
Lhasa Apso
confident / smart / comical
About the Breed
The lavishly coated Lhasa Apso is a thousand-year-old breed who served as sentinels at palaces and monasteries isolated high in the Himalayas. Smart, confident, and complex, Lhasas are family comedians but regally aloof with strangers. Standing less than a foot high at the shoulder, Lhasas are small but hardy dogs of aristocratic bearing. They're famous for a floor-length, flat-hanging coat, parted in the middle and draping each side of the body. A feathery tail curls over the back in the distinct manner of Tibetan breeds. The breed's fans say the dark, oval-shaped eyes peeping through lavish facial hair are the windows of a Lhasa's merry soul. The complete picture is unmistakably Asian: exotic, elegant, and serenely well balanced.
Löwchen
affectionate / outgoing / positive
About the Breed
A companion dog whose name is German for 'little lion,' the Löwchen has been a popular pet among Continental Europeans for more than 500 years. The portable, non-shedding Löwchen is said to be affectionate, lively, and brave as a lion. Small dogs with enormous heart, LÃwchen (the same singular or plural) stand a bit over a foot tall at the shoulder. The coat is traditionally kept in a 'lion clip,' in which most of the hindquarters and tail are clipped down close to the skin. The overall effect is that of a mini lion, with a full mane and plumed tail. The coat comes in several colors and color combinations. Beneath the coat is a dog that's strong and sturdy, but elegant and artfully balanced.