There are many breeds of dog named after the countries they originate from, one of which is the Afghan Hound whereas others were given their names as a way to explain what they were bred to do, namely the Bulldog whose job it was to corner wild bulls and the Australian Cattle Dog whose task it is to herd cattle in Australia. The history of many dog breeds we have come to know and love is fascinating with some having quite obscure names, others extremely descriptive ones and some names which are quite delightful like the Peruvian Inca Orchid.

Below are 7 dog breeds that were named after people who bred them for a purpose or developed them to become companion dogs.

The Plott Hound

This lovely dog is a type of Coonhound but boasts being unique due to his German heritage. The Plott Hound was named after a family who, in 1750 migrated to the States from Germany taking five Hanoverian Schweishundens with them. Hanoverian Schweishundens are a type of Bloodhound which the family then used to breed from in order to create a unique type of Coonhound. They used all sorts of native American breeds including a few mongrels and the end result is this smart looking canine that was originally bred to hunt big predators including bears! Plott Hounds make fantastic family pets but they do need a lot of exercise and a firm hand which means they are not the best choice for first time owners.

The Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is a Scottish breed that was named after the magnificent Gordon Castle. The breed is an ancient one that dates back to the 17th century when the fourth and sixth Dukes of Gordon developed these smart looking black and tan dogs. They were originally known as Gordon Castle Setters but later in history this was changed to the Gordon Setter. It was the sixth Duke who standardised the breed which are the splendid and proud dogs we see today. Gordon Setters are lovely looking canines and are the perfect choice for people with families who live in the country and who love spending time in the great outdoors.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A firm favourite with the Royal Courts of Spain, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a delightful little character. However, it was King Charles 1 of England and his heir Charles II with their loyal supporters who were known as "cavaliers" who gave their name to the breed! Today, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a wonderful choice as a companion dog and family pet, they are affectionate, extremely loyal and dedicated to their owners loving nothing better than to cuddle up on a sofa with them.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Although this charming little canine is not named after a real person but rather a character from a work written by Sir Walter Scot called "Guy Mannering"which was published in 1814, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier deserves a mention. Many people believe the character in the book is based on a man called James Davidson who was a farmer and whose dogs were called "the immortal six". The breed is renowned for being little characters with a big personalities. They are a great choice for people who would like to share their homes with a loyal and affectionate family pet although they get on better with older children which means they are not the best choice if there are toddlers around.

The Boykin Spaniel

Boykin Spaniels are adorable looking characters that were named after their original breeder a gentleman called L Whitaker "Whit" Boykin. He crossed a stray dog with American Water Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. The result was these lovely looking yet very hardy dogs that proved themselves to be very adept when working upland waterfowl and game birds. Today, the Boykin Spaniel is South Carolina's state dog where they are revered as being superb working dogs and great family pets.

The Doberman

Dobermans are magnificent dogs that many people value for the guarding abilities. The breed originates in Germany where they were originally bred by a German tax collector called Louis Doberman because he needed guarding against robbers and thieves when he collected taxes from people. He crossed Rottweillers, Black and Tan Terriers and German Pinschers to produce the Doberman. It's thought that Greyhounds and even Weimaraners may have also been used in their breeding. Dobermans were first introduced to the dog show scene in their native homeland in 1897 and three years later the Doberman was finally recognised as a breed in Germany.

The Parson Russell Terrier and Jack Russell Terrier

Both the Parson Russell Terrier and the Jack Russell Terrier are in fact the same breed but there are some small differences when it comes to size in their breed standards. They were given their name when an Oxford student called Jack Russell fell in love with a little terrier called Trump. He used little Trump to develop the Jack Russell Terrier, a breed that became renowned for their fox and rodent hunting skills. Today, these little dogs are among the firm favourites as a family pet and just adore being kept busy. The one thing you would never have if you share your home with a Jack Russell is a rodent problem!

Conclusion

With so many wonderful dog breeds around and the fascinating reasons why they were developed and the jobs they were bred to do, it can be prove challenging to decide which would be the best choice as a family pet or companion dog. Introducing a new dog into your home is a massive decision and one which needs to be thought through very carefully because they are many factors to be taken into account. However, if you do decide to share your life with a canine friend there is one thing you can be sure of and that is you will be a lot healthier all round for doing so.