Special Sub-Topic: Double letter dogs Click Here To Play: Double letter dogs

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collie. The collie originated in Scotland and was used as a sheep dog. Famous owners include Calvin Coolidge and Lyndon B Johnson.

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poodle. Poodles are divided into three varieties depending on their size. The largest is the standard which weighs around twenty pounds and is fifteen inches or taller in height. Then comes the miniature at twelve to 20 pounds in weight and ten to fifteen inches in height. The smallest poodle is the toy. This is under twelve pounds in weight and less than ten inches tall. Famous poodle owners include Che Guevara, Marilyn Monroe and John Steinbeck.

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whippet. A whippet is known as the poor man's greyhound. They are smaller than a greyhound, about 20 pounds in weight and about 19-22inches tall. They can reach speeds of up to 35 miles an hour.

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mastiff. The mastiff is a large dog weighing over 155 pounds when fully grown. It stands around 30 inches high. Originally it was used in warfare as well as being used for protection and in hunting. Famous owners include Henry VIII, Charles Dickens and Gillian Anderson.

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bulldog. The bulldog, as its name implies was originally used for bull baiting. It is a heavy (around fifty pounds) dog with a large head. Famous bulldog owners include Calvin Coolidge, Woodrow Wilson, Peter O'Toole and Truman Capote.

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rottweiler & patterdale. Rottweilers are sturdy working dogs that date back to Roman times. They were used for herding cattle. Their name comes from the German town of Rottweil. Well-known owners are Karla Homolka and Will Smith.

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bloodhound. The bloodhound is a hunting dog with a well-developed sense of smell. It can track by scent alone. Sir Walter Scott owned a bloodhound.

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papillon. The papillon, or continental toy spaniel, is also known as the butterfly dog. This is because its ears look like butterfly wings. The name papillon means butterfly in French. Famous owners include Queen Marie Antoinette and Madame Pompadour.

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Lhasa apso. The Lhasa apso is a Tibetan dog, which was used as a watch dog in temples and monasteries. It is a small dog with long stright hair. Although it was known Tibet for over two thousand years, it was not introduced to Britain until the 1920s, and to the USA in the 1930s.

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keeshond. The keeshond, nicknamed the 'smiling Dutchman' was a dog to be found at work on Dutch barges. Now it is most often found as a family pet. It is greyish black in colour and has thick hair especially around its neck.