!RARE! Breed of the Month 2012 Recap

Again, the year has come to an end and a new one is right around the corner! Here is the recap featuring all of the fabulous rare breeds we shared with our members here at stopBSL for the year 2012! We hope all of you enjoyed our RBotM features, it was a pleasure to bring these less common breeds under the spotlight for the group! See you all again in the new year of 2013!

January – Aidi

_{"This North-African dog, originally used as a flock guard and protection dog to defense nomads and their belongings, also exhibits strong scenting ability, making him a reliable hunting companion. His thick, dense coat is adapted to the most rigorous weather conditions, and also protects him against jackals and other predators."}
Aidi Breed Feature by sassawj

February – Kooikerhondje

_{"The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is a spaniel type of dog that originated in Europe hundreds of years ago. It was developed to work as a decoy luring ducks into traps, or eendenkoois, along the wetlands and canals of The Netherlands. The kooikerhondje (pronounced “koy-ker-hondt-chuh”) was also a favorite of Dutch nobility, and appears in paintings by the Dutch Masters."}
Kooikerhondje Breed Feature by t3hsilentone

March – Porcelaine

 

_{"The Porcelaine is a fierce hunting dog that has been bred to hunt independently without many orders from the owner. The Porcelaine is also being bred in small numbers in Italy and used to hunt wild boar, however Italian indigenous hounds continue to be the preferred choice of local hunters. The breed gets its name from its shiny coat, said to make it resemble a porcelain statuette."}
Porcelaine Breed Feature by sassawj

April – Hovawart

_{"Hovawart is German and means "guardian of the property". It is one of the oldest breeds that still exists today, and has its origins in the so-called Bronze-Age Dog. It was first mentioned in Germany in the 13th century, when a writer of that era told how a "Hovewart" had saved his life when he was a baby. The dog had carried him to safety when his family's castle was under siege. The "Hovewarts" were considered as very valuable and stealing one meant strict punishment."}
Hovawart Breed Feature by t3hsilentone

May – Shikoku Inu

 

_{"The Shikoku dog is a rare breed of hunting dog developed in ancient Japan.  This breed gets its name from the Island of Shikoku in the Kochi Prefecture where it originates.  The Shikoku is also known as the Kochi-ken, both "ken" and "inu" meaning "dog" in Japanese."}
Shikoku Inu Breed Feature by sassawj

June – Stabyhoun

 

_{"It is both a soft-mouthed retriever and a pointer that is particularly useful for hunting ducks and upland birds. It is a fine retriever, and water work is one of its fortes. It is very sharp-eyed, owns a good sense of smell and aptitude, and works fast and efficiently. Although occasionally somewhat willful by nature, Stabyhouns are obedient, gentle, and patient dogs, which are deeply fond of their family, wanting to please their owners."}
Stabyhoun Breed Feature by t3hsilentone

July – Danish Broholmer

_{"The Broholmer or the Danish Broholmer is a large, mastiff type rare dog breed from Denmark that is recognized by the Danish Kennel Club and the Fédération Cynlogique Internationale (World Canine Organization).  It was popular with renaissance royalty, but its main use was for guarding & hunting "}
Danish Broholmer Breed Feature by glassreflections

August – Azores Cattle Dog

_{"The Cão de Fila de São Miguel (frequently translated into English as the São Miguel Cattle Dog, but other names, such as Azores Cattle Dog, may be used) is a dog breed of molosser type originating on São Miguel Island in the Azores, an island chain which is one of the autonomous regions of Portugal. The breed was originally used for working with cattle."}
Azores Cattle Dog Breed Feature by t3hsilentone

September – Catahoula Leopard Dog

_{"The (Louisiana) Catahoula Leopard Dog aka the Catahoula Cur is a very versatile working dog that at first was used to herd/round up wild hogs and cattle left by the Spanish explorers who had left pigs and cattle to roam wild after they left. Today the dog is used for herding purposes and as a companion. It also became the official dog of Louisiana in 1979"}
Catahoula Leopard Dog Breed Feature by glassreflections

October – Bavarian Mountain Hound

_{"The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a breed of dog from Germany. It is a scent hound and has been used in Germany since the Middle Ages to trail wounded game. It is a cross between the Bavarian Hound and the Hanover Hound."}
Bavarian Mountain Hound Breed Feature by t3hsilentone

November – Cirneco dell'Etna

_{"The Cirneco dell'Etna (pronounced "cheer-nec-ko") is a small hound-type dog used in Sicily for rabbit hunting and commonly misnomered as the "Sicilian greyhound" when translated. It is found all over the Italian island and particularly in the area surrounding the active volcano, Mount Etna, where the dogs hunt on terrain formed by volcanic lava. Its presence in Sicily is noteworthy as one of the few ancient breeds that have undergone very little manipulation by man. Instead, the breed has been rigorously selected by nature for its ability to work for hours in the heat without food and water. Thus, the dog we have today is an extremely hardy breed, free from inherited health problems."}
Cirneco dell'Etna Breed Feature by sassawj

December – Rafeiro do Alentejo

_{"The Rafeior do Alentejo, also known as the Portuguese Mastiff, is a large working and livestock guardian breed originating from Portugal. The breed has been used for big game hunting since the very beginning of its breed, but over time the use for big game hunting disappeared and the breed is now worked as a livestock guardian, watching and defending sheep and also cattle."}
Rafeiro do Alentejo Breed Feature by sassawj

o !RARE! Breed of the Month Recap of 2011