11. Samoyed

2001 - Season 6

The Chow Chow is one of the oldest breeds. And for centuries in China the Chow worked many jobs-hunter, herder, guard. While primarily a pet today, the Chow remains an aloof, independent soul, who gifts his trust to a chosen few. Professional golfer Dottie Pepper is one such lucky soul, who takes her Chow, Furrman, on the LGPA tour with her. Reputable breeders emphasize that because of their aloof nature, Chows need to be well-socialized. Breeder Louise Martin is starting a litter of ten-day old puppies in a "SuperPuppy" program, to ensure these babies will grow into super adults. Hip dysplasia is a common problem for Chows. But thirteen-year-old Banjo is dealing well enough with her dysplasia that she can help teach a class in "Chow Obedience." No doubt about it, the Chow is a stunning dog. However, grooming one can become a mane event. Dave and Pat Foose have perfected the art of keeping their show dog, Capper, looking dapper-in this case, a local dog show.

10. Chow Chow

2001 - Season 6

The Smooth Fox Terrier was bred to flush the fox from its den, a task that made for an independent spirit. At an earthdog trial, Liz Battista and Jim Moore's four Smooth Fox Terriers not only show that the breed is still game to go to ground, they're creative with official rules. Smooth Foxes are also renown for their entertaining personalities. Cecil B. DeDogg, Bill Hagemann's Smooth Fox mix is gaining celebrity by howling out smooth tunes. Meanwhile, Pogo and Tilly, Joan Ronalder's young Smooth Fox Terriers are saddling up to become professional trick dogs. The breed is extremely sturdy and hardy. Unfortunately, Jeanne Wightman's dog, Quasar, was born the exception to the rule. Quasar was diagnosed with hip dysplasia in both hips as a puppy. The severity required surgery, but Quasar is now trotting along just fine.

9. Smooth Fox Terrier

2001 - Season 6

Whippets were called the "poor man's racing dog." In the 1800s they not only brought home small game to help feed the family, but whippets also competed in "rag races." Today, rags are replaced by plastic bags, and whippets run for fun in a sport known as lure coursing. Dr. Lisa Costello's two dogs, Wyatt and Tabor are running in the field champion class. Carol Siipola Chittum's whippet, Bella is looking good in the open class. In Ned and Linda Madden's household, whippets Stripe and Penny have the time of their lives running for their lives. They are the willing lures for the Madden's Scottish deerhounds. The game of chase affords everyone exercise, keeping all these Sighthounds in tip-top shape. Renée Nappier's whippet, Widget, shattered her toe at a lure coursing competition. Surgery fixed the toe, but post-op physical therapy has sentenced Widget to swimming lessons. Beth McClurg's dog Mona is a disc-dog dynamo. Even though there aren't many whippets competing in this sport, a dog named Ashley Whippet actually helped found the past time in the 1970s.

8. Whippet

2001 - Season 6

The Bouvier started out life as a farm dog. But in World War One, the dogs were drafted into Belgian and French armies. They did their part hauling weapons and as ambulance litter pullers. And today, history buff Michael Moss is ensuring that Bouviers' sacrifices aren't forgotten, by participating in live historical reenactments alongside his two history Bouvs, Tambo and Meeka. Bestselling mystery writer, Stephen White, is strict about using his imagination to create his characters. But he makes an exception for canine characters. The author admits to stealing straight from his Bouvier, Casey. Her unique Bouvier personality can be found in White's series featuring popular protagonist, Alan Gregory. The Bouvier is a vigilant watchdog. So it's ironic that congenital glaucoma can blind this perceptive dog. Despite Barbara Anderson's best efforts, Wyatt lost one eye to the disease. And Barbara is determined to keep Wyatt's remaining eye as healthy as possible for as long as possible. The Bouvier has an innate sense of who belongs and who doesn't. So when Trisha Harper's Bouvier, Vaquero, was at home when burglars came, he did his best to discourage the thieves. The emotional toll was hard on Vaquero, but his spirit is fighting back.

7. Bouvier des Flandres

2001 - Season 6

The German Shorthaired Pointer was created as a multi-purpose hunting dog, able to point birds, retrieve in water, and track game. In fact, Dr. Gayla Combs and her husband, Officer Mark Combes have a GSP named Whiskey who is so versatile that he can work as both K9 cop, and able hunter. A dog of endless energy, the German shorthair may be too lively for some people. Which may be why "Buddy" was abandoned. Motel proprietress and German shorthair fan, Emily Sloviko, adopted the foundling. Emily was on the lookout for a new dog. And she soon learned that Buddy was on the lookout to work for his keep. The German shorthair is an athletic, healthy breed whose biggest problem may be the fact that they are too enthusiastic. Like Mr. Magoo, who tore his biceps tendon by running up and down the backyard hill all day long. Surgery and months of physical therapy finally have Magoo up and running again--but only under owner Katie Conyer's careful supervision. It's well-established that these dogs are smart and versatile, but GSPs can also be a little slow to mature. Take Cheerio, a promising young search and rescue dog, who calmed down considerably after a cross-country voyage. And home between legs of her grand tour, she logged her first find ever.

6. German Shorthaired Pointer

2001 - Season 6

In their homeland of Tibet, Lhasa Apsos were employed as watchdogs inside Buddhist monasteries. Their intelligence and wariness of strangers made them perfect for the job. Today, many pet Lhasas are self-appointed sentinels of the home. But Cathy Haas' dog, Fluffy, holds a more formal position--that of "hearing ear dog." As a hearing ear dog, Fluffy makes life a little easier as he alerts the deaf woman to important sounds. Lhasas are renown for their long, lovely locks. But behind this hirsute beauty are hours of grooming. Fran Strayer is a professional groomer whose dog, Walker, is in full show coat. And Walker is due for a rejuvenating day at Fran's Lhasa spa. Debby Rothman's Lhasa, Chiata was born with renal dysplasia, a congenital disease where her kidney's didn't fully develop. She isn't sick yet, but the disease could very well be fatal. Debby is a Lhasa breeder who committed to eliminating the disease in the breed. And she's donating Chiata's DNA for the cause. Unfortunately, the donation means surgery for Chiata.

5. Lhasa Apso

No release date yet

4. Scottish Terrier

2001 - Season 6

The Samoyed is an old breed that grew up in Siberia, alongside a nomadic people called the Samoyede. The nomadic life meant that the Samoyed had to be an all-purpose dog. His main responsibility was herding and protecting reindeer. In California, Ann Schlobohm's Sammy, Jake, is an accomplished weekend sheepherder. He is slated to participate in a herding trial where the judge is a professional shepherd of exacting standards. In the Rocky Mountains, outdoor photojournalists Kent and Donna Dannen take advantage of the wandering nature of the Samoyed, as well as the Sammy's love of people. On nature walks, their Sammy's carry light loads, freeing Kent and Donna to carry the tools of their trade, binoculars and cameras. This is a hearty breed, only occasionally beset by congenital problems. Danielle Buchheister's dog, Sam, is dealing with both hip dysplasia and progressive retinol atrophy. But, a visit to the vet confirms he is holding his own. The Sammy is not only a working dog, he's a people dog too. And at the "Ikiderod" in Spokane, Washington, sledding Sammys give pediatric outpatients in the Shriner's hospital system the ride of their lives.

3. Brittany Spaniel

2001 - Season 6

2. Border Terrier

No release date yet

1. French Bulldog

2001 - Season 6

The French Bulldog may look like a bruiser, but he is more class clown than bully. Bred as mainly a companion dog, his engaging looks have often attracted the most colorful of characters. At Twycross Zoo in Warwickshire England, there lives an abandoned baby orangutan in need of a little TLC. Luckily, Zoo director, Mollie Badham has a Frenchie who has stepped up to be a kind surrogate mother for the orang. Frenchie's are companion dogs, but they can bond solely with one person. Rock and roll promoter, Shelley Lazar, is a master socializer. And Shelley is teaching young Lulu how to mingle comfortably by taking her backstage at concerts to hobnob with such rock legends as U2. Frenchie's are prone to a plethora of health problems. And Brian and Brenda Siddall's boy seems to have most of them. Junior has three different anatomical abnormalities that cause severe breathing problems. Only one, an elongated soft palate, can be corrected by surgery. While Junior's breathing is much better post-op, Brian and Brenda will forever have to supervise his play to guard against any attacks. Frenchie's have long been fancied by both high and low society. Before the privileged class embraced this bulldog, Frenchie's were the signature pets of Parisian streetwalkers. Then artists took a liking to both the dog and the notoriety attached to the Frenchie. At St. Bonaventure University, art is somewhat imitating life. Irene, Regina Van Scoy's Frenchie, is making her theatrical debut in the musical "Gypsy." The Frenchie charmed this community theater company into giving her a bit part, and then proceeds to steal the show.