Blog — Breeds

Welcome to the Sparky Steps Pack!

We are dedicated to bringing you the best in pet care guidance, professional training tips, local Chicago updates, and helpful resources for pet parents. Love writing about pets? We are always looking for fresh perspectives, advice, and heartwarming stories from guest contributors.

Write For Us →

About Breeds

Welcome to our dedicated archive for Breeds. At Sparky Steps, we know that exceptional pet care is a continuous learning journey. Whether you are a dedicated Chicago pet parent, a fellow pet professional, or simply an animal lover, you have found the right place to dive into our curated collection of articles and insights.

Our Voices & Editorial Ethics

The stories and guides you will read regarding Breeds are the result of true community collaboration. Our content is crafted by the core Sparky Steps team—professional dog walkers and trained pet sitters who spend every day on the streets of Chicago—as well as trusted guest writers, local veterinarians, and passionate pet advocates. We proudly champion positive reinforcement (R+), force-free handling, and science-based animal welfare. The guidance you find here is grounded in real-world experience and a deep respect for animals.

Rooted in the Community

As a local Chicago small business, exploring topics like Breeds is our way of giving back and empowering pet owners to advocate for their furry best friends. Please browse the articles below to learn more! If you have a unique perspective or a heartwarming story to share, we are always looking for new voices to join our pack as guest contributors.

The Tallest Dog: An Irish Wolfhound Breed Guide
The Tallest Dog: An Irish Wolfhound Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy   Source   Irish Wolfhounds take their names from their history of hunting large game, including wolves. While their stature...
Read more →
The Dog Behind the Spots: A Dalmatian Breed Guide
The Dog Behind the Spots: A Dalmatian Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy   Source   Dalmatians are a beloved breed of dog easily recognizable by their white coats with black spots. While...
Read more →
At Home on Land and in Water: A Breed Guide to the Portuguese Water Dog
At Home on Land and in Water: A Breed Guide to the Portuguese Water Dog
Carrie Pallardy Source   The Portuguese Water Dog might not be as a big of a name as a Golden Retriever or...
Read more →
The Dog Behind the Fluff: Meet the Bichon Frise
The Dog Behind the Fluff: Meet the Bichon Frise
Carrie Pallardy   Source   With its white fluffy coat, the Bichon Frise is one of the most recognizable lap dog breeds....
Read more →
The Mighty Akita: A Breed Guide
The Mighty Akita: A Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy   Source   Akitas are a large working breed of dog, easily distinguishable due to their upwardly curled tails and...
Read more →
Canine Agility: A Breed Guide to the Belgian Malinois
Canine Agility: A Breed Guide to the Belgian Malinois
 Carrie Pallardy    Source   The Belgian Malinois (MAL-in-wah) breed might not be a household name, but action flick fans will probably...
Read more →
The Big and Beautiful Newfoundland: A Breed Guide
The Big and Beautiful Newfoundland: A Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy Source   From afar, you might confuse a Newfoundland for a small bear. These enormous dogs have long, shaggy coats...
Read more →
A Noteworthy Nose: A Basset Hound Breed Guide
A Noteworthy Nose: A Basset Hound Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy   Source   If you are a fan of classic Disney movies, you might recognize Sherlock Holmes’s dog from “The...
Read more →
A Smart and Tireless Breed: A Guide to the Border Collie
A Smart and Tireless Breed: A Guide to the Border Collie
Carrie Pallardy   Source    Border Collies routinely top the list of the smartest dog breeds. The Border Collie Chaser actually earned...
Read more →
A Bodyguard Breed: A Guide to the Cane Corso
A Bodyguard Breed: A Guide to the Cane Corso
Carrie Pallardy   Source The Cane Corso is a large breed that commands attention with its powerful body and regal appearance. Like...
Read more →
A Spunky Spaniel: A Brittany Breed Guide
A Spunky Spaniel: A Brittany Breed Guide
Brittanys run on something that doesn't quite look like regular dog energy. It's more specific than that: it's the focused, purposeful drive...
Read more →
Herding Talent: A Sheltie Breed Guide
Herding Talent: A Sheltie Breed Guide
Herding Talent: A Sheltie Breed Guide   Carrie Pallardy   Shetland Sheepdogs are one of those breeds where the first impression, a...
Read more →
A Petite Athlete: A Breed Guide to the Miniature American Shepherd
A Petite Athlete: A Breed Guide to the Miniature American Shepherd
Carrie Pallardy   Source When most people think of a herding dog, the image of a wide-ranging Border Collie or a rugged...
Read more →
Small and Sassy: A Chihuahua Breed Guide
Small and Sassy: A Chihuahua Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy Source Chihuahuas may be the smallest breed of dog, but what they lack in size they make up for in...
Read more →
A Fluffy Toy Breed: A Guide to the Havanese
A Fluffy Toy Breed: A Guide to the Havanese
Source A Fluffy Toy Breed: A Guide to the Havanese   The Havanese is a popular toy breed known for its lively...
Read more →
Black and White Style: A Guide to the Boston Terrier Breed
Black and White Style: A Guide to the Boston Terrier Breed
Black and White Style: A Guide to the Boston Terrier Breed Source Boston Terriers have alert eyes, perky ears, and an inviting...
Read more →
Standard, Miniature, and Giant Schnauzers: A Breed Guide
Standard, Miniature, and Giant Schnauzers: A Breed Guide
With their bushy eyebrows and distinguished beards, Schnauzers often look like grumpy old men trapped in a dog's body. But did you...
Read more →
Puffy Pomeranians: A Breed Guide
Puffy Pomeranians: A Breed Guide
By Carrie Pallardy | Updated June 2025 Quick answer: Pomeranians are small (3–7 lbs), double-coated toy dogs with big personalities. They're loyal,...
Read more →
Great Danes: A Breed Guide
Great Danes: A Breed Guide
Gentle Giants: A Breed Guide to Great Danes Great Danes are imposing figures, almost resembling small horses than dogs. But this dog’s...
Read more →
Beagle: A Breed Guide
Beagle: A Breed Guide
The Beautiful Beagle: A Breed Guide   Beagles are cartoon icons thanks to Snoopy and Odie, of Peanuts and Garfield respectively. Outside...
Read more →
French Bulldogs: A Breed Guide
French Bulldogs: A Breed Guide
Fun with French Bulldogs: A Breed Guide   French bulldogs are one of the most popular small dog breeds. Often referred to...
Read more →
Chicago Loves Mutts: The City’s Top Dog Breeds
Chicago Loves Mutts: The City’s Top Dog Breeds
Chicago Loves Mutts: The City’s Top Dog Breeds Chicago is a city of dog lovers. Dog owners crowd Montrose Dog Beach to...
Read more →
Dog helper